I called in sick yesterday,not that I really was.I was just mentally exhausted and quite frankly my mind was telling me I needed a day off.

Instead of catching up on sleep and having a leisurely lie in,my body clock must be so damn used to getting up early that I was awake at 8:15am!So I faffed about and had a relaxed morning,finally got around to making some Apple and Cinnamon pancakes that I bought on a whim from the local natural food store. Yes,they are from a box and they came in at 7 points for a (HUGE) pancake,but they were so freaking good! Fluffy just like the American style pancakes you get at restaurants............and this day off was the equivalent of a Sunday off for me,so a little decadence was called for.

Another mega gym session - SIXTY MINUTES ON THE CROSS TRAINER!!!!! When I first started I could barely do 5 mins! Followed by 30 mins treadmill and about 20 mins of weights.Now slap on a pair of bunny ears and a cotton tail and call me a Gym Bunny :D

The gym is now non negotiable for me.I need to do it and I need to do it whole heartedly,not only for vanity and weight loss but for my health.I can no longer rely on being young,not that 30 is massively old but you know what I mean.I need to face the reality that I can't continue eating and being slovenly the way I have been and more importantly the gym is an outlet for what would otherwise turn into comfort eating - home sickness,loneliness,boredom and SAD.So maybe that's the reason I've been going so hardcore lately,it's an outlet for my stress and frustrations.

I still have to find the courage to join the Body Balance class.I am so scarily uncoordinated that I'm scared I'd accidentally kick someone in the face or body slam them into the wall.So I'll just concentrate on the swimming,weights and cardio for the moment.

In other news,my life is pretty boring at the mo.Staying in and saving the pennies as it's sooooooo bitterly cold and Mum and Dad are finally coming to Glasgow in a couple of weeks and we will be having our first Xmas together in nearly 7 years,in Berlin :D Can't wait.As you all know I LOVE Berlin,but Berlin at Xmas will be magical.

Lastly,Claire has written an awesome post,go check it out.

I love Pro Points!!!!!

Day early weigh in shows a loss of FOUR POUNDS!!!!!!!

I'm now at the lowest weight I have ever been for the last 2,possibly 3 years.

Another mega gym session - 30 mins treadmill -and I hit the highest pace I've ever managed on a treadmill.

40 mins X-trainer (!!!!!!!)

20 mins swim - I managed to do full laps without stopping.Again,something I've not been able to do since I left Sydney.

Anyways,all these wee mini achievments have left me totally knackered and today is my only day off for like 3 weeks,so I'll sign off for now.xox

Travels in Burma and Slothness

Yesterday was a sleepover shift,but I managed to get one of my service users out for a 25 min walk X 2 to the swimming pool and back.50 mins exercise for the day :D Today I was meant to go to the gym,but just couldn't face it.After finishing at 8am I then had an Autism Awareness course for a full day (and after 12 years in the field I could write a book on Autism myself!).................after a 24 hour shift.My body and mind just couldn't hack it.........but I did manage to resist the chocolate biscuit tins all day.

I now have a wee dilemma - do I weigh in a day early or a day late? I'm thinking a day early.I'm seeing all these amazing first PP week losses and am so damn curious after all my sweaty betty sessions.

I worked in a flat that had Sky last night.Sky=LA Ink and Miami Ink back to back.Love,love LOVE it! It's so superficial but when I feel like giving up at the gym/pool I just keep thinking of my awesome sleeve and how it will look when I'm prancing about in my gorgeous Collectif dresses.

Lastly,I know that politics is a very divisive and emotive subject but I just have to express my admiration and happiness for Aung Aan Suu Kyi and the people of Burma.I travelled to Burma in 2004 and the decision wasn't taken lightly (along with China).Ethically I was torn but in the end I decided to go for it and I am so glad I did.


Some of my favourite and happiest backpacking memories - and the one scariest,were in Burma.I had so much fun teaching an English class in a Buddhist monastery,chatting with local biker boys over chai in wee street cafes and making right the wrongs in the world and especially Burma,in hushed tones over vegetarian dishes with some of the most resilient and strong women I have ever met.

I hope this a closer step to freedom for Burma and it's wonderful people.

********************** F*"$ing excellent day!

Yesterday was a pretty f*^king epic day in Frangipani land.SO epic in fact,that the gratuitous use of expletives is needed.

So I worked 2 separate shifts yesterday,the last of which was just a hop,skip and a jump away from my flat.After 40 solid mins of pushing a wheelchair,instead of going home and having a lazy Sunday arvo,I went to the gym................and had a massive workout.

50 mins on the treadmill,40 MINUTES ON THE ELLIPTICAL/CROSS TRAINER!!!!!!!

So 130 minutes of exercise and staying within points,not even dipping into the weekly allowance for Sunday. Today was 50 mins treadmill,20 mins elliptical and 12 lengths of the pool after all that (plus a full shift at work) And again staying within points.Zero points fruit is AMAZING!

Sleepover shift tomorrow,but gym time scheduled for Weds. and Thurs.

I'm totally knackered but feel so damn good.Bring on the pin up goodness!

***************** I've become

Image courtesy of Kitchen Retro

A cereal whore.

After years of not eating breakfast or leaving it until at least 3 hours after I'm awake,I am now in the habit of eating breakfast............healthy ones too.And cereal has replaced my chocolate addiction.YIKES! My shelf is lined with at least 6 differents varieties at the mo.I know I have to be careful of hidden sugars in cereal,but I do try to stick to muesli,shredded wheats with fruit,whole grains etc.

And thank feck for the free fruit as I am now having a banana with a generous tablespoon of Onken Fat Free Vanilla Yogurt as well.All that brekkie for only about 6 PP.And best of all it keeps me going till lunch.So I've been uber organised on the breakfast front -even weighing out my portions and transporting my Coconut milk to work.Speaking of which I'm loving the Kara Coconut Milk.As I've mentioned I'm trying to phase out dairy - tho Onken yogurts and Rachels Greek Coconut yogurt are just too divine to give up,and Kara is the best of the dairy free milks I've found,personally.

Now I just need to concentrate on portable lunches and dinners....................still not figured out what to do with the Honey Pomelo or Persimmon.

And I couldn't go to the gym due to work............................I missed it with a passion.............I think that's the first sign of the descent into madness!

************** Dedication is................

A 70 minute cardio session and 20 minute swim after less than 3 hours sleep on a 16 hour sleepover shift.Traipsing backwards and forwards and backwards again to another gym because my local one is closed due to a fire in the sauna (?!?!?!?!) And yes,these were 2 completely separate events! I'm back on the wagon babeeeeeee!

Totally motivated and loving the new Pro Points plan - I have lost 2 lb's in 5 days!!!!!! (My WI day is Fri,but started new plan on Mon).FRUIT IS ZERO POINTS!!!!!! This makes for one happy Galah and so much easier for me to stick to plan.I've even managed to squeeze in Nigella's Strawberry and Almond Crumble for pudding tonight and stay within points.

I've been sticking to my cooking from scratch rule and eating so damn healthily I should be sainted................and it's all down to the free fruit rule.I've not even been tempted by CHOCOLATE,as I always have fruit on hand.In fact,I now have a Honey Pomelo and 2 Persimmon in my possession which I have no idea what to do with.What did we do before Google?

I'm really hoping this will be the last of many re-starts and I thank you loyal readers for sticking by me as the scales gone up and down and up and down and up and,hopefully for the last time,down again.

I'm continuing on my Operation Reclaim Pin Up Girl by indulging in buying new bras.When you're a big breasted lassie like me


(OK,for the record I'm a 38 HH),you will know how utterly depressing and heartbreaking,not to mention expensive it is,to buy bras that aren't frumpy and granny like.But I now am in possession of 4 new bosom enclosers,ranging from a gorgeous and sexy black and purple number to a funky and very 1940's style red and rose printed number to a very cutesy white lace and pale blue Stepford Housewife - in - a - good - way bra.

Extremely pleased,feeling uber sexy and pretty (depending on the bra ;P ) I'm also continuing to make sure that my nails are always lovely and painted and when not working I am getting myself all glammed up.All these little things to reclaim my former self and make myself feel good.............................whether I'm large or slim.xox

Ok,so the new WW Pro Points plan is finally here.I'm liking the look of it so far,and it seems to be the fresh start and kick up the arse I need.I WILL GET MY TATTOO ONE DAY SOON !!!!!!!

Lot's to blog about,weight related and otherwise,but I'm off to read more about the new plan and will ramble more tomorrow after a gym visit (Now it's in writing I'm accountable!)
xox

If the rumours are true.......

Fruit is going to be ZERO points on the new WW plan?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?! Happy Days! :D