Well, I texted the guy and so far i've heard nothing from him :( I am sure if he was keen, I would have heard back from him yesterday. I haven't totally given up yet but honestly, I am considering just quitting the blind date scene and being happy and single... sigh. Why is it so bloody hard to meet someone?

Any ideas? Any of you have any brothers ;) hehe

I really don't want to be alone and I can't see myself going through life on my own, especially not having kids. But maybe that is what fate has in mind for me. (Don't shout at me nj) ;)

Anyway, onto a happier topic!

I finally got to try out my new cycling shoes today at spinning class!
I LOVE them!!!

nice huh!

I can't wait to go for a real bike ride on Sunday and try them out properly. I just hope I remember to twist my foot when I need to stop. It gets quite complicated.

Do you ever get days when you can't stop running to the loo??? I haven't even had my normal amount of water yet and I have been three times already!!!! sheesh. I think its because I had a huge cup of coffee when I got in to work. Coffee is bad! Maybe it has something to do with the weather ;) Yip, lets blame the weather. At least I get to burn off more calories by going often. And I get to escape my computer for a bit. AND they are busy refurbishing the toilets that are outside my office so I have to walk righ to the other end of the building. I am so lucky ;) hehe

Yes, today is "look on the bright side day"

So keep your chin up and smile! And DRINK LOTS!!!!

Well, last night was the big date! I really had a good time :) The guy is so sweet and extreemly good mannered, he even opened the car door for me AND walked me to the door of my building. He took me to a really nice bar in a 5 Star hotel (with a fire place). We seem to have quite a lot in common and had plenty to chat about. I can definately see this going further. Lets just hope he feels the same way. Oh, and did I mention that he is tall??? *grin*

Do I text him this morning to say thank you?? Or does it come across as desperate? I wish there was a blind date guide :)

Oh and I weighed myself this morning and I am 0.8kg down from yesterday... totally bizarre but i'll take it ;)

****LATER****
ok, I sent him a text message so now it is in fates hands... lets wait and see.

Well, today was WI day and I am very pleased to say that I didn't put on!!!! HOWEVER I didn't lose either :( BUT beggars can't be choosers and I am kinda happy with that. I was rather bad this weekend, too many tempting, comfort foods around. Bad me!

I have been gymming like a demon! Went to the most amazing spinning class yesterday. It was a different instructor and he was fantastic!!!!! I felt so energised and happy afterwards.

After gym I went with my brother to a cycling shop who were having a big winter sale. I ended up buying a stunning pair of cycling shoes (Nike) for half price!!!!! They were only supposed to give me 40% off but when they rang it up it came to half!!! *grin* So now I can spin and cycle in style!

I went to a murder mystery evening on Sat night (the night of the evil eating frenzy). It was so much fun but there was so much food and it was all very points unfriendly but so good!!! I think I worked most of it off yesterday and this morning ;)

I am going on yet another blind date tonight. I really hope this one goes better then the last one. I am still in two minds if I should let him fetch me or just meet him somewhere. I never let guys fetch me on the 1st date, its just a strange thing of mine.. But maybe I should change. What do you think?
At least if i am in my own car I can escape if I have to ;) hehehe.

Watch this space ;)

Today I was bad... I weighted myself to see how I am doing and I was up

:( How on earth can I be up?? I have bee SUPER good and have been exercising like a demon... I am kinda counting my chickens a wee bit too early though so before I carry on ranting and raving about this, I guess I should wait till Monday - which is the designated weigh in day. If i am still up then I will definately be ranting and raving like a mad woman!

I have seriously been trying extra hard this week. So far I have said no to a chocolate brownie, a choc chip cookie, chips, chocolate etc. I have had the slight slip up here and there but when looking back, those slip ups should fit into my points allowance for the day. So I really should be losing weight this week.

I have also, so far, walked for 45 min on Monday, Tuesday and today. I went to gym on Tuesday and yesterday. So exercise is looking fabulous! (if i do say so myself). Especially since the weather has been FREEEEEZING!

The thought of putting on is really scaring me. It will mean that I really am stuck in a serious rut that I don't know how to get out of. I guess writing down what I eat might help. Or it might not... We'll see.

This morning was mad. I got in to work and had to get my PC reformatted. It took 3 hours!!! I just hope that it works properly now. But what a waste of time it was!

Anyway, I still have loads to catch up on now so see ya later.

Week one of the "DeeBee" challenge has now come and gone and I am 0.9kg down :) I really had hoped to lose more and I am sure I am doing something wrong but a loss is a loss and it is nothing to complain about. I must just watch myself very carefully this week and be GOOD!!!

I went to gym yesterday morning and had a super workout. I really pushed myself and managed to run for almost all of the 20 minutes that I was on the treadmill. I usually quit and walk after about ten min. I also did a lot of upper body strength training and toning exercises. I am going to have nice arms in time for the brothers wedding! I will!!

So, this is the week of the "F" word. Not the one that you are thinking of but the word Fun! I am going to turn my exercise into Fun :) It is fun! Why do we make ourselves think of exercise as a chore or make ourselves so anti exercise that we think of it as the enemy?? How many times have you gone to gym or gone for a run or whatever and come out of there feeling amazing and happy??? I really love the feeling of accomplishment after a good workout. So from now on I am going to train my brain into looking forward to gym every morning and not feeling as if it is a chore.

I decided this on my way to work (after not bothering to get up from my nice, warm, comfortable bed to go to gym). I know that I would be sitting here at my desk feeling so much happier and more awake if I had gone to gym this morning. I am also going to make sure that my lunch time walks become regular. It really makes the day that much nicer and makes me happier to be at work.

So bring on the "F" word. The best part about making exercise Fun, is that I get more Fit and less Fat!!! To that I say FABULOUS!!!!!!!!

I am SO GLAD the weekend is almost here! I need to sleep and shop :)

Winter seems to have hit us with the force of a boeing 747 400! Which is pretty darn big. I HATE winter. I don't deal with the cold weather very well. At least I have my new electric blanket now but still... I wish someone would invent a heated jacket and jeans :)

The worst thing about the cold is trying to wake up at 4h45am to go to gym... Didn't happen this morning. My alarm went off, I put one toe out of the bed and decided that gym would just have to be missed today. Now that was BAD!!! very very bad... Oh well. I am definately going walking at lunch time today so at least I will get my 1 hour's worth of exercise.

I went to pottery last night. I seriously think it is one of the best ways to de-stress EVER!!! My vases are coming along nicely and I even started carving them :) So exciting!!!

Eating has been really good. I am feeling a lot more disciplined. Although I did have two pieces of chocolate at pottery, but thats okay...

I hope you all have a nice warm happy weekend.

Oh and check this out http://www.worldonfire.ca it really is increddible and gave me goose bumps.

I've just nominated "oodles" to be my word for the day :) Don't ask me why, just a good word.

So, I feel like I have oodles of energy today :) I didn't make it to gym coz i had a very late night and I can't do late nights and gym the next day. Just won't ever happen.

I did however go for my 1 hour lunchtime walk :) I LOVE walking. I wish I lived in a country where I didn't feel afraid to walk to work by myself or even to the shops etc. BUT at least I have found a way around it and I have two colleagues who are very keen on joining me at lunch. The best part at the moment is that it is winter and pretty cold outside so I don't come back to the office looking like a shiney raddish. The fresh air is doing wonders for my brain as well!!!!

I am actually looking forward to Weigh in day for the first time in ages. I am very excited to see if my new attitude is paying off.

I did slip up a bit today by having a small bag of cashew nuts :( BUT that is done and I can't undo it so i'll just forget about it and try be extra careful at dinner time.

So far i've managed to drink 1 and a half litres of water :) I have also visited the ladies room about a million times. I think I might just move my computer there. I would save heaps of time.

So, now i must get back to my oodles of work that I have piling up.

Today is definately the kind of day that I should have just stayed in bed.

I have been trying to access my blog all day but it has been down :( Thankfully mr J managed to fix it for me. A BIG thank you for that. I have soooo much I need to get off my chest right now and what better way to do so then to blog!

My aunt from Aus is visiting us and this weekend my dad and I decided to take my gran to see her. She is staying about 40km away from us. We were driving along the highway, about half way there when suddenly my car decided to cut out. My dad was driving and pulled over to the side of the highway. He opened the bonnet and there was smoke bellowing out of the engine :( Not a good sign. We managed to get the car off the highway (while cutting out another three times) and I had to get it towed all the way back to my parents house. My poor grandmother didn't get to see her sister inlaw and we spent a lovely 2 hours waiting around doing nothing in a useless car.

So, I tried to forget about my car for the rest of the weekend but I knew it couldn't be good. I didn't actually realize just how bad the prognosis would be. Sigh... I apparently blew the main gasket in the engine and it is going to cost me a wopping R2500, thats AUS$505, US$386 or £205!!!!!! *sob* *weep* *throw stuff*. Oh well... thats what savings are for I guess. It is just such a waste. I really wish I could get rid of that piece of junk and get a decent car.

Then I get to work and my computer has been acting up all day. I can't use any of the graphics programs that I need to use as they just hang my pc. So I am now sulking and thankfully able to tell all of you about it :) I know I have made your days that much more exciting in the process hehe.

So, as you can probably see, there is a little challenge going on between myself and Dee. It officially started today. so here goes:

Exercise:
20 min exercise bike
30 min weights (mainly arms and stomach)
10 min stretching

Liquid:
So far i've had 1litre water, 2 x cups of coffee, 1 x cup of tea

SW: 89.7 :( not so good, but thats why I am doing this.

I was going to go walking at lunch time today too, but I left my shoes in my car which is at the mechanic :( sniff.. I have other shoes at home so I will DEFINATELY bring them to work tomorrow.

I feel positive and excited about this little challenge. Dee, I'm so glad you are doing this with me, its great to have someone to help you along the way.
If anyone else wants to join us please feel free :)  I copied Dee's explanation coz i am too lazy to type it all out myself :) yes yes, i know that the typing would use up more calories ;) but you know... This is our challenge:

"It’s just for a month and really basic, mainly because I have an attention span the size of a pea and get really antsy when things like this drag on for like 18wks. So, we’re breaking it down! Setting weekly goals – I think this is more realistic because weekly goals are much more flexible to life and what we need at the time. Eating is kept simple, since we’re all on different plans – just to stick to it for the 7 days. Getting in 2lts of water, and to have 1 serving (helping) of meals. Exercise is kept simple (lol see the theme?), we decided to basically try and get movement (anytime) ATLEAST 3 times a week. It’s a good starter, if I do say so myself.

I think easing into a challenge is key. Making yourself accountable and reaching very attainable goals. Speaking of which, we set it at 0.5kg a week (1.1lbs) so we don’t get discouraged and anything over is a bonus ;D."

So thats it :) Very simple but VERY doable. Go us!!!

Today is Friday! Yes! Got to be one of the best days of the week. Especially after a week like i've had. After two months of absolute boredom, I have suddenly been swamped with so much work that I honestly can't see over the reams of imaginary paper on my desktop and in my inbox. Its scary! What have these marketing people been doing for the last two months?? I am sure they have secretly been plotting to make all the designers have nervous breakdowns.

Oh well, I do actually prefer to be busy. There is nothing worse then having to come in to work for 8 hours a day and have nothing to do. I think I must have set a record for the number of times one person read an online newspaper. Now I just have very square, red eyes, but I am happy and fulfilled. hehe

Last night I was so cold that I couldn't sleep AGAIN!!! I think I got about 4.5 hours sleep and yet I still managed to drag myself out of bed at 4h30am for gym. (go me!) I love days like these. Although I am sure I won't be so positive by this afternoon. I am one of those people who really needs their sleep. I need at least 7 hours a night. When I was younger I used to be able to party all night and still go to work the next day. oooh the good ol days ;) My how times have changed!  

Tomorrow I am going to buy myself an electric blanket. I have to! I just hope my house doesn't burn down. I haven't had an electric blanket since I was 21. The reason for this is that just after my 21st birthday, I was sitting at home (my parents house) and my gran said that she smelled something burning. We all shrugged and said that it must be from outside. Anyway, a little while later I got up to go get something from my bedroom only to find my bed on fire. I have no idea how it happened, I just know that I have been shit scared of electric blankets ever since then. But its so cold in my new flat (windows are stuck open) so I am going to bite the bullet and buy one! :) wish me luck.

I am thinking of hiring a personal trainer for a while. Have any of you ever used one? Is it worth it? I have no idea if i can afford it but I want to find out. I just hope it will be worth it. I HAVE to be all nice and toned in time for my brothers wedding :)

Hope you all have a super weekend and I wish all the mums out there Happy Mother day!

Well my sister and her baby have gone back home to Aus :( we had the most amazing 3 weeks with them and I can't believe it is already over. But at least I have some amazing photos and even better memories!

I am so proud of me! I actually managed to drag myself out of my nice warm bed this morning at 4h50am (it was 3 degrees celsius outside) and I went to gym!!! I felt amazing afterwards :) I also started my lunchtime walks at work again yesterday. It makes the day go so much faster and makes the afternoon at work much easier. I have a new walking partner at work and she is a lot slower then I had hoped to be, but we'll get there :) It is still better then sitting at my desk and doing no exercise.

I went to the dress maker last week to choose the pattern for my bridesmaid dress. I am soooooo excited. I found a really beautiful dress, something i'd never usually choose but I felt like something different. I am only going back in June with the material etc, but its nice to know that I have finally found what i want to wear. soooooo exciting.

I'd better get back to work... i am on a really hecticly tight deadline for today I just needed the break :)

I am sitting here with my WW book 1 on my desk, plus my points guide ready to go! I am going to draw up a new points monitor for myself and do this thing full on! I am really excited to be starting properly again.

Does anyone out there know of an online points monitor? I want to sign up to the ww online one but being in another country is putting a spanner in the works. Maybe if you have your own version in word or excel?

I went to see a really funny movie last night, if you get a chance, go see Prime (Meryl Streep, Uma Thurman, Brian Greenberg). Its a great light hearted movie. I went with ALL my siblings. I really love it when we are all together, we have so much fun. I even managed to hold myself back and I didn't buy popcorn or anything *grin*.

I'm off to make my first cup of green tea for the day. (trying to cut back on tea and coffee again). mmmmmmm tea........

----------LATER---------------------

I was just reading Philippa's blog and she had posted a "before" pic of herself as part of Kirsty aka yummy mummy's challenge. I thought i'd do the same :) WOW what a long way I have come.

This pic was taken in January 2004 eeeeeeeek- i think this was as close to my heaviest as I can get....

Well the holiday is over and its back to work. My sister and I went to Cape Town over the long weekend for a wedding. We really had an amazing time and had a great bonding session. I am dreading the day that she and my nephew leave :(

I woke up this morning with a new attitude and I have decided to get back on track NOW. It is so easy to come up with excuses and say that I am having a bad day and I am depressed and that its a celebration so i can eat eat and eat some more. It is bull shit! I am really doing an excellent job of sabotaging myself which is really really dumb. I have worked bloody hard to get where I am and I am NOT going back. I really don't need to have that 2nd helping OR that piece of cake etc. All it takes is discipline and I definately know I have that in me. Enough with the lame excuses.

I have become very flabby again and I can see in my face that I have picked up weight. I hate myself like this and I am not going to do this to myself anymore. There is too much hate and negativity in this world and I don't need to ad to it by hating myself!!!

So, from now on I am going to do my utmost to stay positive. Say NO to everything and everyone that is sabotaging me and just be focused and in charge of myself!

It will also be a great way to save money ;) hehe

This weekend in Cape Town I went on my very first horse ride. I LOVE it!! It was so much fun. Okay we only did a walk and I had a pretty old and docile horse, but for my first time I think it was excellent. I was really sore the next day but it was pain in all the right places! Then that night we went to the wedding and danced up a storm so I definately worked off the fish and chips etc that I had on holiday hehe.

I am so happy to have my family all together. I hope that I get really busy today at work so that I get to go home to my sis and nephew soon :)

I hope you all have a GREAT day too! Just stay positive and focused and know that you are doing this for you!