Diary of a Yo-Yo Dieter

PS

2012-01-16T14:13:00.007+10:00

I lost 1 kg this week! YAY!
(American translation, 2lbs!)

I only have one more year in my Twenties! (I'm 29).
I'm a stay-at-home mum to three gorgeous children.
My son is 10, and I have two girls, 7 & 4.
I also have a perfect husband (sorry ladies, it's true!)

This year, is my year.
All my kids are in school full time.
I'm going back to Uni, at QUT!
I'm taking the pledge to become an Aussie Citizen!
And I'm re-claiming my body back.
Because I deserve to be healthy and happy.

I signed up for this a week ago, and I've already lost 1kg!!!
In seven days!!! STOKED! Ready for more

Gardening photo's

2012-01-16T14:02:00.001+10:00

I want to share with you my favourite hobby.
Gardening.
I started out gardening for a couple reasons.
My first reason was to save money (grow instead of buy!)
However, I realised within a year that this will NEVER save me money.
Each time I visit bunnings, I spend more than I would ever at coles.
Oh well.
Now, I garden for JOY, health, and taste.
The taste of a fresh tomato and fresh garden herbs....
compared to supermarket produce...
okay - There is NO COMPARISON!
It's worth the time, $ and effort, believe me!!!

Okay, before we begin, please remember I've been out of town for 3 weeks, and only back for about 2 weeks, not enough time to get this garden going again. It's messy.

In fact, the back yard has been completely overrun with weeds, as shown, and is in bad need of some attention. I'll show you anyway, just to show you the potential gardening site I have available, if I'll ever get around to tidying it up.

Okay, here's the mess:

I had to put the net up because bush turkeys and possums are killing me!

Kitchen window, my pride and joy. I just re-planted it with new chives and baby basil plants. It'll look full and lush next month. Yay!

While I was at it, I re-planted this one at the back window. It has thyme on the left, parsley in the middle (not looking so good at the moment though, uh oh) and lemon thyme on the right.
If you don't have lemon thyme growing, DO IT! It's amazing :)

My Chookies :) 3-4 eggs a day.

Front stairs landing. Strawberries with runners, new seedlings, and Coleus flowers.


My newest garden. The next step is to build a border, and cover the black with nice pebbles. Pretty!

This front garden, with good sun and little possum trouble, has been an in-ground garden for Four years. After coming back from holidays, it was completely over-run with weeds, and I realised that I had to do something about it. Initially I thought, it needs to be raised so the weeds can't creep in. Then, 7pm at night, I had this vision of this black tarp sitting in the garage I could lay down. I immediately got to work ripping out the weeds, at night LOL. Hey, when inspiration and motivation hits, nothing can stop me :)

We all make Mistakes

2012-01-15T13:41:00.001+10:00

HAHAHAHA....

It's happened again.
Dieting Yo-Yo.
I had 5 wonderful,
alcohol-free,
exercise filled,
self-controlled,
healthy and happy days...

Then came the weekend.

Bugger.

Mistake #1.
I didn't get up to walk "Because it's Saturday."
THAT is a bogus excuse.
Never again.
My alarm will be set to 6am EVERY DAY.
Not just every week day.
Every day.
Even if it's just a walk, it's good for me.
It set's the tone.

Mistake #2.
Beer
I've gone ALL week without it.
I decided to "just have a few" because it was the weekend.
Again, bogus excuse.
I'm trying to lose weight!
I shouldn't be drinking.
PERIOD.

Mistake #3.
Over-indulging when eating out.
Again, I've gone all week doing good.
Eating small, healthy portions.
Not overeating.
And feeling great.
Just because I'm at a restuaunt does NOT give me a licence to stuff my face.
And besides, it feels gross.

URG!

Okay. Today's a new day :)

I'm Yours God

2012-01-13T07:55:00.000+10:00

I had another 50-min walk this morning, 6am.
Just my MP3 player and me.
Everyday, from now on.
Why not?
I love it :)

It clears my head and gets my priorities set for the day.
It gives me time to pray and meditate about what would God have me do today.

After all, "my" agenda isn't so important that I can't change it for God's.
And the peace that comes from doing what He wants me to do,
instead of just going with the flow, floating along mindlessly out of habit.
Or even rushing around trying to cross things of my never-ending "To-Do List"....
I must rise above.

Today, I'm yours God.

Getting High

2012-01-12T08:00:00.008+10:00

I am in love with health!
It beats drinking too much beer
and being lazy
and eating too much.

Yesterday I had a friend over for lunch,
so although I made healthy choices for food,
I did over-indulge
and felt a bit sick (full).
After only two day of not feeling that,
it felt GROSS!
How was I ever addicted to that full feeling?
It feels gross.
Anyway...
due to the extreme heat in Brisbane
I took the kids to the movies.
It was our third movie this holiday.
(Tin Tin, excellent movie btw!)
I always ALWAYS have a small popcorn to share with the kids when we go.
Yesterday, with the gross full tummy,
I got the kids frozen yogurt, I had a few small bites of theirs,
and I drank a bottle of water :)
That is a victory!

However, I did end up on 1400 calories, (goal is 12-1300)
But I also had no exercise.
so I jumped on the bike and went for a night ride!
It was amazing.
I was free!
Full orange moon rising over the horizon,
Lovers cuddling and kissing all along the river, enjoying the romance of the scene,
and it really did get my cardio level up!
A bit unexpected.
I forget how much your heart rate can jump when you're not going slow so the kids can keep up.
It was amazing.

And to continue the momentum,
this morning I got up with my alarm (6am) to go for a 45 min walk.
(remember, I decided not to run in the morning because it makes my appetite skyrocket all day!)
and now I feel AWESOME!
I feel high!
I have extreme amounts of energy, and I'm ready for the day!
And I am not hungry yet either!
I'm also typing a million miles an hour :) lol

I hereby commit to walking 45min every morning.

Today I'm taking the kids to the park, picnic lunch,
Perhaps I'll finally get to that Yoga video, that I've been talking about for a week, while the kids take their afternoon rest.
Then I'll cook a healthy dinner from Michelle Bridges Crunch Time Cookbook!
And perhaps another bike ride :)

YAY HEALTH!
Have a blessed day!

(PS. See, I don't need a gym membership after all!)

VICTORY

2012-01-09T08:37:00.001+10:00

Day 1
I DID IT!
I woke up with my 6:30AM alarm!
And put on my "gym" clothes
(I quit the gym in Oct )
and hit the road!
My plan, as outlined in my diary last night:
Warm-up walk 5 minutes [Check]
Jog 10 minutes, turn around, and come back 10 minutes. [kinda... jog/walk for 20 min total anyway...]
At home, do 50 push ups and 50 sit-ups. [not]
Yoga stretch.[not]

I will do a Yoga dvd later this arvo.

The point is:
I AM dedicated!
I know it's only day 1, and I only got through 1/2 of my ambitious plan,
but that was still a HUGE step for a girl who hasn't worked out in like 3 months.
Stoked!

(Note to self: Don't plan on running at 6:30am - in Brisbane it's already like 28 degrees and hot! Walk in mornings, Run at night, after the sun goes down.)

Breakfast:
1/2 cup OJ
Small decaf tea
1 Mango :)

VICTORY!

The Plan

2012-01-08T15:24:00.001+10:00

I'm setting up some new basic rules for myself.
For the New Me.
I have a feeling I'm going to LOVE 2012!

Eating

This time around I am focused on Eating more than exercise because, as they say, Diet is 70% of weight-loss!
Calorie counting. 1300 net calories (so if I eat more, I ~~can~~ will exercise to make up for it)
No alcohol at home -only out (which is usually only once every other week)
Make sensible choices, limiting cheese and other high-cal food
STOP EATING when I am full!
No eating kids leftovers, and no seconds!
Be strict with myself.

Body

Exercise at least 5 times a week
Run 3 times a week for 10-15km

(I'm training for a half marathon)

Morning Yoga or stretching
Walk or bike to school with kids as much as possible

Mind

Blog and FB to keep myself accountable
Pray often
Seek God's Word daily
Meditate daily
Be dedicated!

That's it!
Simple, common sense, and achievable.

CHEERS!

I'm back!

2012-01-08T14:47:00.001+10:00

Since I put away my "Diary of a Yo-Yo Dieter" blog, things haven't been the same.
I put back on every ounce of fat I had lost :(

But the good news is:
I am happy!
I've spent the last year or two working on my heart.
My relationships.
My mind and emotions.
My spirit.
Contemplating my life,
my talents,
and where I want to go.
Now I'm confident, and I am ready!

I start University in a month.
I also start a hard-core weight-loss challenge in Feb.
(Michelle Bridges 12WBT)
And ALL THREE OF MY CHILDREN WILL BE AT SCHOOL THIS YEAR!!!
YIPPEEE!!!!
Sorry kids....
I do love you, very very much.
But mummy needs her brain back :)

So Diary of a Yo-Yo Dieter is back.
Except, no more Yo-Yo.
I am 29.
In December 2012 I'll turn the big Three-Oh
30.
THIS is the last diet I'll ever start.
It is now MY LIFE.

Healthy.
Mindful.
A bit extreme (I'm doing a half marathon!)
Confident.
Dedicated.
Full of Love, for my God, my self, and others.
And ready to finally find the skinny me.

Goal: 130.
Weight today: 171.4
Weekly goals:

Lose 2 lbs.
Exercise 5 times
Eat healthy, smaller portions
No more second helpings!
Blog to keep accountable
Pray every day for success
Do my best!

*Sigh*
It's great to be back... home.

New Blog

2011-09-02T19:59:00.000+10:00

Looking for me?

Find me Over Here.

Thanks!

Photo's

2010-01-08T15:26:00.004+10:00

Here's my up-to-date photo
7 January, 2012
77.9kg
(171.4 pounds)

Definitely ready to work out!

Strength Training - building the habit

2009-01-30T20:12:00.004+10:00

September 2009

How to turn Goals Into Habits. Worth a read, but in summary: Be Specific, Start With a 30-Day Trial, Eliminate Interference, Identify Supporting Habits, Commit Yourself Publicly.

Challenge: Upper body strength training every other day for 30 days straight.

Reward: Hire a house cleaner (no, not full time of course! Just once a fortnight (14 days) for a couple hours, for yucky stuff like washing the walls, floors, under the couch, ya know).

Okay, I have become lazy in strength training habits, traded it for running. I would like to be sufficient in both. Wish me luck! The Reward is certainly worth it, eh?

**UPDATE: Okay, so I haven't gotten to the best start. In fact, I did one day, off two, on two in a row, off four in a row. NOT GOOD.

I best set up the dates for this, starting today. Sept 16, 18, 20, 22, 25, 26, 28, 30, Oct 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16.

First Week Weigh-In

2009-01-30T13:28:00.003+10:00

30 Jan 2009

My official weigh-in is 75.2k (165.8lbs)! I lost 1.4k, or 2.6lbs!

Couldn't be happier - especially considering I had a melt-down last night and raided a stash of chocolate I came across. I ate 200 extra calories for the day, and 4 extra grams of fat (off-set because I ate less for dinner). But actually, I think my problem was even though I ate enough calories for lunch, the fat grams were lower. My lunch goal is 500 cal, 16g fat - I ate 523 cal, 10g fat. I really need to be carefull not to eat less than what I'm supposed to - or maybe my problem is the huge bar of Toblerone chocolate on the shelf in the fridge! I'll ask my DH to throw it out, if he's not going to eat it, when he comes home. That will help.

Weight Log

2009-01-30T13:23:00.034+10:00

Here it is. Good, bad, and ugly.

Weight Log

Starting weight:

2007 - Somewhere around 180 lbs

2008 - Somewhere around 175 lbs

2009

23 January - 168.4 lbs

30 January - 165.8 lbs ( loss 2.6)

06 Feb - 164.8 (loss 1)

13 Feb - 162.0 (loss 2.8)

20 Mar - 157.0 (loss 5.0) (Total loss:11.4 lbs)

08 April - 154.8 (loss 2.2)

22 April - 153.4 (loss 1.4)

28 April - 153.0 (loss 0.4)

06 May - 151.7 lbs (loss 1.3)

18 May - 151.7 lbs (even)

02 June - 150.0 lbs (loss 1.7)

09 June - 147.5 lbs (loss 2.5) (Total loss: 20.9 lbs)

16 June - 147.0 lbs (loss 0.5)

24 June - 148.5 lbs (gain 1.5)

01 July - 146.5 lbs (loss 2.0)

08 July - 146.5 lbs (even)

15 July - 146.5 lbs (even again!)

23 July - 144.5 lbs (loss 2.0)

29 July - 146.0 lbs (gain 1.5)

5 Aug - 146.0 lbs (even again!)

19 Aug - 146.7 lbs (gain 0.7)

1 Sept - 148.6 lbs (gain 1.9)

22 Sept - 144.0 lbs (loss 4.6)

13 Oct - 143.8 lbs (loss 0.2)

20 Oct - 143.1 lbs (loss 0.7) (Total Loss: 25.3 lbs)

27 Oct - 143.9 lbs (gain 0.8)

03 Nov - 142.0 lbs (loss 1.9) RECORD LOW

08 Dec - 144.9 lbs (gain 2.9)

2010
01 Jan - 152 lbs (gain 6.9 lbs) (Holidays, boo)

22 Mar- 151.5 lbs (loss 1.5 lbs)

03 May - 156 (+5.5)

05 May - 157.2 (+1.2)

12 May - 152.6 (-4.6!)

07 July - 152.7 (+0.1)

25 Aug - 151 (-1.7)

2011

29 Aug: 168 (+17 lbs! YIKES!)
23 Oct: 167.5
7 Dec: 169.0

2012

7 January 2012: 171.4

This is the beginning of my life of Health!
Conversion to Kg - I'm Australian now :)
7 Jan: 77.9 kg
16 Jan: 77.0 kg

TOTAL LOSS: 1 kg

18 kg to go

GOAL Weight:
59 kg

Another Great Morning

2009-01-29T09:32:00.006+10:00

29 Jan 2009

You know, the first week on a diet is supposed to be at least a little hard. I feel fantastic! And to top it off, I weighed in this morning a full kilo lighter in just 6 days! Tomorrow is my official weigh-in, and I really need to commit next week to putting the scale away. Out of sight, out of mind.

The kids and I rode our bikes to school. Cadyn rode his own bike, and I pulled the girls in the trailer. It was quicker than I thought it would be considering it takes me 35-45 minutes to walk it. It took about 18 minutes there (because I had to be very cautious because Cadyn was following me, and also the big huge hill up to the school) and only would have taken 10 minutes home but I decided to take a quick detour along the river. I was home in 15 minutes. I was rather sweaty too. Thought I would take a rest before I get to work. Haven't done laundry or dishes yet, and I'm already 15 minutes late for my appointment with myself. Maybe I will call myself and reschedule it for 10:30... that's 30 minutes for dishes and laundry. Wish me luck!

Busy Day

2009-01-28T19:14:00.002+10:00

28 Jan 09

No time for cardio, but my heart rate was up a lot today. I was on my feet all day, except when in the car, and for about 1/2 hour I was emailing.

Feeling tired, but great. Counted every calorie, and still not hungry. This is definitely the way to diet!

Chicken Paprika for dinner tonight, with pasta, mushrooms and capsicum (bell peppers, for the American viewers). The sauce made with paprika, canned tomatoes, and sour cream - reduced fat of course. SOOOO yummy! And a huge hit with the family too... should I tell them they're on a diet? LOL Maybe some day.

I feel like creating a goal for tomorrow. How about exercise. I have so much to do around the house that if I don't plan this I will never get around to it!!!

So, tomorrow I will exercise at 9:45. This is my appointment with myself. That gives me just enough time to get home from dropping the kids at school, finish a load of laundry, dishes, and change into work-out clothes. Perfecto. I'll do 1 set, 15 or so reps each, then take Gracie for a bike ride in the trailer. I am sooooo happy Johnny gave me that bike trailer for Christmas. At first (maybe you could imagine) I was disappointed that my gift wasn't something better. But my gift for him was just as lame. But now it's proving to be the most wonderful thing!!!

Anyway, I'm off to do dishes. Again. Seriously need a dishwasher... or a maid :)

Day 5, Feeling Great

2009-01-27T21:40:00.001+10:00

27 Jan 2009

I've been on my restricted calorie diet for 5 days now. Doing great. I feel wonderful, and I've lost half a pound. I know, I know, I said that I wouldn't check the scales except weekly, but I couldn't help myself.

Today was also the kids first day of school! Cadyn (7) is now in Year 2 and it was Lanaya's (4) first day of Prep! Now it's only me and Gracie (20 mo) home during the days. Very exciting, and refreshing, and fantastic :) It was very hard last year with Naya only going 2 or 3 times a week, and having to drive an hour twice a day to drop off/pick up. I'm going to have so much time on my hands I'm not going to know what to do!!!

I'm doing well with sticking to 1600 calories, and I've been exercising when I can. Because school's now in, I'll be able to do it every day. Thank goodness, because not only is it exactly what I need, but it makes me feel so good! I love it :)

Today, during Oprah, I did 1 set of 12 reps each, and then 15 min. of cardio. I would have done more, but I wanted to hurry and shower before Gracie woke up from her nap. I'll try and plan it better tomorrow.

Day 1

2009-01-24T21:50:00.002+10:00

24 Jan 2009

Now I remember how much I dislike this. First day, and I am grouchy. I would like to eat what I want to eat, and I would love to stop meal planning! In fact, that has got to be my focus this week: Get meal planning down to a T. My specific goals will have to be:

1. Plan specific snacks and lunches ahead of time, ready to chose.
2. Write down specific meal content with calories/fat just once or twice a week instead of right before every single meal. It gets annoying real fast.

However, despite not feeling 100%, I managed to unpack and totally clean all my cupboard shelves in the kitchen and rearrange it too! I didn't get a proper work-out but I definitely worked hard all day. Perhaps that is why I'm pretty tired tonight. I wonder why this headache?

Oh well. Better luck tomorrow!

PS. Dinner was FABULOUS! Steak and potatoes with a salad. It was my first time baking a potato and it was easy and delicious topped with sour cream, fresh chopped chives, s&p. Yum

Home again

2009-01-23T12:58:00.000+10:00

23 Jan 2009

I'm back home, and it's hotter than I imagined it would be. The humidity is making me sticky and sweaty, which is quite unexpected because I've been in snow weather for over a month! It is so good to be home though! Johnny and I are like honeymooners, still (or again, or whatever). It's so nice to be home!!!

Although, being intimate with Johnny, I can tell that I have gained at least 5 lbs since I've left. My scale confirms my worst fear. However, looking on the bright side, I imagine I will be able to lose these pounds fairly quickly. The more I weigh, the easier it is to lose at first... at first being key words. With every other diet I've done, I know now to expect to plateau at around 155lbs. or about 5 weeks into it. I am 168 today (actually 76.4 kilo's).

I've changed my weigh-in day to Friday for good reason. In the past I've used Monday to weigh in, but I go really well during the week and half-way give up on the weekend. I think if I weigh in on Friday then I will be motivated to keep going through Saturday and Sunday to either shed the extra pounds I gain, or to not gain back what I've lost.

So here's to the real start of my journey to 135 :)

Annalisa

Surprising Myself

2009-01-20T06:52:00.001+10:00

19 Jan 2009

I am really suprising myself by how much I've changed my eating habits with little or no effort! I just kind of told myself to eat 3 meals a day & a few snacks, instead of eating (grazing) on food constantly throughout the day. I haven't been able to work out much this week, but just eating more healthy portions and with regular meals, I feel better about myself. A lot better!

The fact is, when I had a slice of Sam's pizza today, I thought it didn't look like enough food. I ate it slowly, adding crushed red pepper (yummy), and by time it was finished I was not hungry anymore! ME! Who used to be able to eat two or three with no guilt! And now, nearly two hours later, I'm still satisfied, not even ready to think about the next meal yet.

So here's to jumping over hurdles with joy and laughter!

Annalsia

Feeling Better

2009-01-19T14:03:00.001+10:00

18 Jan 2009

Feeling much better today, though I don't think I've made much headway in the weight-loss area. I've been better at midnight snacking but not all the way there yet. The good news is that I will be on a plane... or rather FOUR planes on Tues - Thurs going back home! YES! So excited!!! Then I will be able to really start to focus on working my butt off... literally :)

Oh, by the way... do you like my new haircut? It's much darker, but it's growing on me.

As for the shopping list? It's down to:

New pair of jeans.
Pyjama's for kids.
CD for Johnny's birthday.
Hair clips & rubber bands... maybe cute things for the girls' hair.
Hair gel for Cadyn.
Sandals.
Pocket calandar.

Only one day left... I have a feeling that I won't get to all of this, but that's okay. At least I can say I tried.

*sigh* There's still so much packing to do, and getting the kids organized... Oh my.

Getting there

2009-01-18T03:48:00.001+10:00

17 Jan 2009

I had a bad day yesterday.

You know the saying "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"? So I'm pleading the fifth.

As for my list? Let's see....

1. Mediation - check

Guess that's it. Lots to do today! I'll let you know how it goes.

To Do List

2009-01-16T15:04:00.002+10:00

15 Jan 2009

Today was much better even though I am still just as homesick... the feeling actually is more excitement now which is good. But now there is this urgency - I feel like I have so much to do before I leave in less than 5 days from now...

Mediation tomorrow.
Look up and visit travel agencies for trip to Europe.
Contact lenses.
Shopping spree for cheap stuff to bring back, hopefully saving $$$.

Wow... is that all I can come up with? Maybe I should have a shopping list too:

New pair of jeans.
Eye shadow & foundation with applicators.
Eye liners.
Pyjama's for kids.
New belt.
CD for Johnny's birthday.
Hair clips & rubber bands... maybe cute things for the girls' hair.
Hair gel for Cadyn.
Sandals (we call them thongs) - not essential.
Pocket calandar.

I guess that's all I can think of right now... though I have this feeling that this is about half of what I had listed before, mostly in my head. Oh well. If it comes to me I'll be sure to write it down.

Homesick

2009-01-15T17:23:00.001+10:00

14 Jan 2009

I can (and did) have a day - a whole day - of being homesick. With all my heart I just want to be home. I think I said this to myself at least 20 times today. I just want to be home. Actually, at the beginning of today I was filled with excitement, because it's now less than a week until I leave Utah to go home. But tonight, I am just filled with homesick-ness.

Tomorrow will be better. Tomorrow I have to drive to Ogden, which will be something to do... not stuck inside again all day... thinking of summer and warmth and Johnny... all those things I am missing while I'm here. Tomorrow will be better.

13 January and ONE WEEK TO GO!!!

2009-01-14T16:59:00.002+10:00

Or in the words of my fabulous husband Johnny (did I mention he's such a romantic?) "I wish it wasn’t another week before you come home. It feels like you’ve been away for ever" - and he goes on to say he can't wait to see me. Me too!!! But of course, 7 days becomes 9 real days... ya know: Leave on Tuesday, arrive on Thursday! ***ssssiighh***

And I didn't even overeat until this evening! In fact I didn't eat much food during the day!

I didn't do an official cardio work-out, but I did get my heart rate up a few times. Then Pricilla and I went to Artic Circle and got Ice creams :D I got chocolate banana. Couldn't taste the banana, but the chocolate was what I was most looking forward to anyway.... "Lady Chocolate" is my name on my weight-loss message board I used to visit, and still do sometimes. That was until this blog started. Talking to myself I think is good enough for now. I'd be suprised if I had any viewers yet anyway.

I'll start to weigh in with big weight loss numbers and then you'll see!!! Can't wait LOL

~Annalisa

The Beginning and the Plan

2009-01-13T18:28:00.002+10:00

12 Jan 2009

I write to you today from the house of my sister, in Utah. Cold, wet, miserable winter. I cannot wait to be reunited with Johnny - the love of my life. He had to stay home and work, while I visit my family in the US. Not exactly my idea of a vacation, but looking forward to getting back home.

So basically, here's the plan:

1. Get this vacation done and over with and get back home!

2. Get organized, start planning, and stick with it.

3. Lose 30 lbs.

I've put a lot more thought into it, but honestly, all this planning isn't doing me any good.
Thursday the 22nd I'll be getting home on the same day that I have to be to work at the school. I'll be exhausted after the long flight(s) from Salt Lake City, Utah to Brisbane Via Denver, LAX and Melbourne - all alone with my three children under 7. What was I thinking?!? Anyway:

GOAL: GET MY BODY IN SHAPE

DATE TO ACCOMPLISH: 1 AUGUST 2009

I've already started exercising 3-4 times a week.
I've already stopped snacking in the mornings.
I've already commenced eating 3 square meals a day plus snacks.
Next step: Overcome night snacking.

My mini-goal for this week is to overcome night snacking. Date to accomplish: 20 January. How should I do this?

What to do if I want to eat past 8pm?

Drink a glass of ice water.
Brush my teeth.
Blog.
Stretch.
Go for a walk.

Wish me luck!

The Beginning of the Countdown

2009-01-13T18:07:00.003+10:00

12 Jan 2009

This is my first attempt at Blogging - it's about time right? I am a born writer and I think this will be a great outlet for me, although blogging isn't exactly my style - not enough edit time. My emails are more eloquently written than this - don't say I didn't warn you ;)

I guess I will start at the beginning. Why am I writing? I am writing because I want to lose weight - 30 pounds to be exact - and so far, writing about it is as close as I've got to doing it.

I'm a writer, and a talker - I have big ideas, positive hopes, and loving faith in anything I put my mind to... it's just that I have a problem. Everything is SO much easier said than done. Which is why I've decided to blog what I say... in hopes that I can break the cycle. The endless cycle of setting up plans, dedicating my days to pursuing my goals, and falling short of success. This habit of mine - not following through - is over.

This is the end of procrastination, self-doubt, whining, complaining, excusing, and giving up.

The end of all that has lead me to the beginning of a very exciting journey of transformation. Wish me luck!

About Me

2009-01-12T14:55:00.001+10:00

Hello!
My name is Annalisa.
I'm 29.
Bit scary that I'm in the last year of my twenties!
But I'm up for it!

I am lucky enough to reside in the Sunshine State.
No, not Florida.
Not California.
Queensland.
Australia.

I was born and bread in west coast US, but after falling in absolute love with a homegrown Aussie boy, here I am. How lucky am I?!

Mother of 3 beautiful kids.
Cadyn, 10.
Lanaya, 7.
Gracie, 4.
They're gorgeous.

I want this blog to capture my journey.
MY journey that is complicated.
It has been a very interesting one.

I have so many different angles and perspectives I am coming from.

I was adopted at birth.
Raised in a cult called Mormonism.
My dad died when I was 15.
I moved out after that.
I have been a hateful drugo.
A rebellious harlot.
A very young mom....
A single, divorced and pregnant mom....
*Deep breath*
A single mom of two (under 3), working full time driving 300 miles a day, while attending part-time University and doing in-home day care with for kids round the 24-hour clock (with a friend).
*Phew!*
(God MUST have been looking out for me that year!
Because I would NOT have survived it without Him.)

I have been an Oregonian.
A Washintonian.
A Utahn.
A Californian.
A Coloradonian (?)
And now an Australian : )

Today I am a Christian.
A Born-Again repenter.
A Jesus follower.
Saved.
Loved.
Free.

And finally today, I have found my journey's rest in this:
I am a stay-at-home mum and housewife.
President of a community gardening club.
Uniform Shop Manager.
Family Organiser.
Weight-loss Warrior.
Active Hillsong church member.
Super Mum.

But most of all:

I am a daughter of the Most High King.
Creator of the Universe!
God Almighty.

I feel pretty powerful :)

However, I have to inform you - I am painfully HUMAN.
I make mistakes. Sometimes daily.
Sometimes hourly.
Sometimes I never stop!
But one thing I can be sure of.
I can keep trying not to make so many mistakes.
I can press on in joy.
In freedom.
Through the good times, and especially the bad, I can claim the peace which is mine through Christ.

And from now on I regard no one from a worldly point of view.
Though I once regarded Christ in this way, I do so no longer.
I am a new creation in Christ;
the old has gone, the new has come!
All this is from God, who reconciled me to himself through Christ
and gave me the ministry of reconciliation:
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
not counting our sins against us.
And He has committed to me the message of reconciliation.
I am therefore Christ's ambassador.
- 2 Corinthians 5:16-20