Anjel's changing...

When one becomes TWO!

2009-04-05T10:23:00.002+10:00

PEOPLE! The couch is moving!

The couch will become 2 new BLOGS...

http://alittlelol.blogspot.com/

AND

http://japanweloveyou.blogspot.com/

Don't be a stranger now!

Unrelated?

2009-04-03T16:12:00.005+11:00

Cypher just recommended this site for some LOL's. As always - she knows where the LOL's are at! :) Here's a few golden unrelated pics...\

Sexy trombones. (I'm serious!)

2009-03-29T12:47:00.000+11:00

it's Futomomo Satisfaction. Found here.

It's serious business.

2009-03-29T12:25:00.003+11:00

Thanks to Randall for contacting me about Laugh At Work Week.

Here's some background info, FYI ->

"For one week each year the world celebrates Laugh at Work Week - a week dedicated to having fun at work and recognizing the business value of humor and laughter.

Appropriately, the week begins on April 1. That's right, April Fools Day, the day in which pranks, stunts, practical jokes, and spoofs abound.

Laughter and humor are an important part of the workplace. Benefits of laughing at work include improved productivity, creativity, teamwork, communication, stress relief, job satisfaction, and employee retention.

Laugh at Work Week was founded by Randall Munson and is celebrated around the world annually April 1 through April 7.

Before the week is over be sure to laugh at work!"

Dude: There should be one of these weeks each month! I mean, we all know one of those people who makes work 'fun', who you cant wait to be rostered-on with, cause the time just flies.

How about becomming that person this week?

And this kid's heading straight for Hollywood...

Why Japanese people don't get fat.

2009-03-29T12:19:00.003+11:00

Nat's onto something here! Stuff we need to know about the Japanese diet - why they have the lowest obesity rates and the highest longevity in the world.

It's from Women of Japan - one of my fave sites!

Sharipova is a good sport.

2009-03-29T11:25:00.002+11:00

I love it when famous sports people are down to earth and can laugh at themselves too.

Thanks Japanify.me

Smartest Mouse in the world!

2009-03-28T23:54:00.002+11:00

Rodent agility at it's best. Another stunning morsel from cuteoverload.com

Ducks and Trucks

2009-03-27T10:25:00.000+11:00

Quote of the year at 2:10.

See more at cuteoverload.com

10 001 uses for a mobile phone screen.

2009-03-27T09:50:00.000+11:00

Thanks Cute Overload!

Incredible.

2009-03-23T15:21:00.004+11:00

Wow. That's amazing.

Tetris...

And Pong...

AND Space Invaders!

Wow! Gr8 work NotsoNoisy!

Incredible.

2009-03-23T15:21:00.001+11:00

Another succesful trip to the Asian Grocery!

2009-03-21T15:48:00.010+11:00

Firstly, this yummy vanilla iced-tea drink which I got from the fridge-section. Had it b4, and it's nommy! Tastes kinda like vanilla milk...

Next, this odd thing from the freezer section. Simply reads "daifuku".

Ingredients on the back look dubious.

It's like a semi-hard white dumpling with a coating of flour. Cold, filled with a foury, pastey, sweet red-bean thing. Not sure bout this one folks. Eat with caution.

Haven't tried these - they're for a party tonight. Green tea cookies! Look like green shortbread. No information/explanation on pack. Will let you know!

These, I have to admit, I ate lots of in Vietnam - they're like a squishy little brick of soft toffee, with peanuts and sesame seeds in it. YUM!!! Highly recommended.

And finally, just a little pic of my local library to finish off. Who wouldn't love a library which looks like this at the height of summer outside... I <3 my library! ^^)

Whoa - Now THAT is precision flying!

2009-03-21T11:00:00.002+11:00

In case you haven't worked it out, I'm a little in love with my new favourite sites www.dannychoo.com and http://japanify.me/ because...

I'M GOING TO JAPAN FOR MY BELATED HONEY MOON IN OCTOBER!!!!

Crazy Japanese Dancing Horse...(okaaaayy...?)

2009-03-21T10:56:00.000+11:00

Dramatic Chipmunk - the sequel!

2009-03-14T11:06:00.000+11:00

Noms!

2009-03-14T11:03:00.001+11:00

It all came together...

2009-02-10T19:07:00.009+11:00

Getting hitched this weekend!!!

2009-01-24T13:51:00.003+11:00

Wish me luck, folks!

Look alikes!

2009-01-23T18:04:00.004+11:00

I just noticed today how much my dogs Henry and Cookie look like the cartoon characters Kipper and Tiger! LOLs

No wonder they're best friends! :)

Remember Equitales???

2009-01-21T01:16:00.003+11:00

It's back. i have finally gotten off my butt and gotten around to writing chapter 10. For those who dont know - Equitales is my work of short fiction. A tale of love and horses.

It's been a long time in the offing, but hopefully - it'll be worth it!

Check it out here.

No. Effing. Way.

2009-01-17T19:46:00.006+11:00

Today I tried on the side-saddle which a friend-of-a-friend is lending me for the wedding. It was a rehearsal to see:

a) if it fit Donna,

b) to show us how to put it on Donna,

c) if I could get in it, and

d) if I could get out of it.

Ok. Can I just say for the record that I take my hat off to any lady who has ever had to actually ride in one of these things. My god - I haven't felt that useless on a horse in years! It's all you can do to stay balanced up there! And all I did was walk an extremely quiet and forgiving old mare in a circle. With someone leading me! It was like learning to sit on a horse all over again from scratch!

How the hell ladies used to jump and go fox-hunting in these things: I'll never know.

Getting on is... not graceful. I have to climb up onto a 44-gallon drum (yes: In my wedding dress), and back myself into the saddle, then arrange my legs. Getting off is MUCH easier.

Getting off intentionally could be slightly harder. Especially as this is the bit i have to do infront of people.

I have to unhook my legs, and sqirm round until I'm sitting sideways, and then slowly slide down onto a step.

In a wedding dress.

No effing way.

It's gonna be pretty funny. I'm just lucky Donna is so forgiving and such a quiet old thing. This will be her last big 'hurrah' before full retirement (she's about 40!).

Can I just say though: I SO want to go hunting!!! I dont wanna actually hunt a fox or anything, but belting along the open countryside jumping anythig that comes up sounds SO awesome!!! You cant do that here in Australia so much (despite a growing and unwanted fox population), cause everyone has these tiny little paddocks you're not allowed to rind on and they're all using barbed-wire fences. Plus NO ONE would insure you.

WHEN Ben and I eventually go to England, I have told him I will go hunting. I will find a way. Even if I have to do it TopGear style...

Like sands through the hourglass - the end of "Sophia Loren".

2009-01-16T20:20:00.002+11:00

The hourglass has officially run out. Research into the shape of women in the UK has revealed that women's waists are 16cm wider than they were in 1951. We are also taller but have shot up less than we have shot out.

"Whereas size 12 was once the average, today's female is edging towards a size 16 and the classic hourglass shape is on the decline."

Dr Ian Campbell, president of the National Obesity Forum, insisted the cause could be summed up in one word - affluence. "It is not that people are greedy or lazy. It is just the whole change in our lives. Calories have become very cheap and exercise has become expensive. We have developed a culture that encourages eating. But we are working long and irregular hours and eating processed foods. Exercise is expensive because we are short of time so it is convenient to drive or use public transport rather than walk."

Studies have also found that "the traditional pear-shaped female form, where weight is carried on the hips and thighs, is on the decline and women are turning apple shaped - with growing beer bellies, a trait usually associated with overweight men... which is less healthy because it means they carry excess fat around their abdomen which can lead to heart disease and diabetes."

Uh - huh.

2009-01-15T17:25:00.002+11:00

Not enough weird in your day today?

Check out this story about the New Jersey man who posed as a female animal doctor, ran an illegal veterinary practice and set up a phony rescue agency that may have conned pet lovers out of thousands of dollars.

Ok the money is one thing... but why did he have to pose as a FEMALE veterinarian??? Psycho...

Requiem for an ex pill-popper.

2009-01-14T09:24:00.005+11:00

OWCH.

4 weeks after coming off the pill and my body is behaving like a heroin-starved junkie. I knew there would be a period of adjustment, but I had no idea it would be like this! So far, here is a list of lovely experiences I've had associated with coming off the pill:

* HUGE leg cramps (kinda like sciatica, where you get 'stuck')
* Bloating. BLOAT-ING. Like "Honey, did you swallow a watermelon?"
* Pimples. I look and feel like a hormonal 15 year old again. Big puss-y welts on my face.
* Put on 1kg in 4 DAYS! (Aren't you meant to LOSE WEIGHT??? Wasn't that the whole point to doing this???)

Maybe it wasn't such a great idea to come off the pill a month before my wedding. God, I hope I don't look/feel this crap on the day. It'll be like; "here comes the bri - ARGH!!!! It's HIDEOUS!"

Is it too late to elope?

I've been soooo good too, and that's what makes this ten times more tragic. I've been dairy free,I haven't had any junk food for a week now, I've been walking at least 1/2 hour everyday (usually more), I've been sticking to my Quickloss shakes with no carbs for dinner and 2 teeny snacks... and what do I get?

Another frikkin kilo, a distended painful gut, and a face like a pizza. (Not that I'm allowed to eat pizza)

Humph.

Ow, my liver: It's too fat.

2009-01-08T21:10:00.007+11:00

With just 17 days to go until the big day, I am resigned to the fact that a dramatic 20 kg weight loss before the day just isn't going to happen. instead I have found myself to be...ahem... the heaviest I have ever been by 10 kg. 2 weeks ago weighing in at 97kg, I immediately began walking my hubby-2-be to work each morning (30 min) and running/walking 30 min each day on the treadmill. I jumped on the scale today...

...and I have put on 1kg!

WTF!? (again)

This is so UNCOOL. I think my body is broken. Seriously. Surely?! Come on - a 200g loss for my troubles??? Even a maintain? But no...

So i took some action and I have bought some Dr Sandra Cabot meal replacement shakes and I'm gonna give them a whirl. they come witha nifty little meal planner sheet too, which looks pretty easy, and hey - at least then I dont have to worry about weighing/measuring/eating wrong size portions. Then at least I can say 'Well, it's not my diet" if I gain more weight (GOD FORBID).

Sandra Cabot wrote the Liver Cleasing Diet, which is basically an institution here in Australia among nutritionists and naturopaths... You guys heard of it overseas??? Anywho, it's pretty hard to stick to, but it's only for 8 weeks and it gets easier as you go. It's like a big detox. My hardest thing is giving up wheat products and dairy - OOOOHHHH dairy. That bit HURTS! Not for Laura tho - she makes me sick; she's just so damn dedicated to veganism and getting healthy. You go girl!

Hopefully more positive things to report next post.

My husband is a health hazard.

2009-01-06T09:59:00.003+11:00

Reading Cranky's blog and Laura's had me yelling "YES! YES! YES!" at my computer screen this morning. Does your boyf/hubby sabotage your best efforts to be fit and healthy too? I swear to god, since Ben and I got together, I have put on 10 kg - Disaster.

So, I'm gonna read a few of their tips and try to put them into progress....

"I suppose I could call it 'doing Atkins'..."

Kore wa nan desu ka? (Translation: what is this?)

2008-12-30T12:24:00.008+11:00

On my never ending quest for weight loss related answers, I have been excited to discover that my little redneck town has finally begun to grow up and mature - ladies and gentlemen: We now have an Asian Grocery Store!!! Ben and I were chomping at the bit to get down there and have a look!

OMG. It's a veritable smorgasboard of unusual, pungent, exotic, un-translatable gastronomic treasures...

ok, so it's really pretty tiny comparitively, but people: this is a tiny town on the south coast of Australia where the closest we come to culture is Friday Night Chinese at the Bowling Club.

Ben and I have made it our goal to try something new each time we go there. We search the shelves, alternately gasping, scratching our heads, and peering at kanji characters, and then admit defeat and ask the friendly cashier what the little-brown-rolly-things-in-salt are.

I've noticed a few things that may be of interest to my fellow weightloss-ologists out there:

1) An absence of chocolate and dairy products. None. Not one. Interesting...

2) Most snack foods in the Asian Grocery are of the low-GI persuasion, for example; salted sunflower seeds. By the time you nibble the hull of the seed, there aint much seed there. High effort: Teeny tiny morsels.

3) More savoury and salty than sweet. Lots of rice crackers, meat, fish, beans, rice noodles, vegies, preserved fruits, dried EVERYTHING.

Right now I am cooking some sushi rice, and Ben is making instant chicken and onion ramen...

I am drinking Genmai cha, which is a green tea with roasted brown rice. It's yum - kinda like a nutty, 'cooked' taste on top of normal green tea. It's very smooth too, not bitter at all.

Yes, in order to ' the full flavour' it, the brewing needs to be swift. LOL don't ya just love Engrish?

I also bought this "3 Ballerinas" tea which appealed because Hey, 'ballerinas': They're really thin. Unfortunately upon closer inspection, I think the more apt connection here is that the tea contains mallow and senna; senna being a natural laxative. "Excess consumption may have...."

More adventures from the Asian grocery to come...

Finally, a pic of me snuggling my gorgeous little orange man, Henry. Can you believe someone gave this little guy up and couldn't bond with him?

A new all-time low.

2008-12-16T19:07:00.002+11:00

I was getting ready to go out to one of Ben's work functions tonight, and NOTHING I OWN fits me anymore. Not even things I bought 6 months ago. Not even my super-big baggy boxer shorts. What the FUCK is wrong with me???

I have had a really bad fright tonight. I cant believe I have put on 10kg in 2 years. And it all seems to be around my middle. It hangs like a slab down my friont, I actually have one of those "beer-guts" that you have to decide whether the waist-band of your pants is gonna sit over or under. This is REALLY freaking me out! How did this happen so fast???

I dont know what to do - Over the last few months I have doine weight watchers, tracked every kilojoule I ate on The Biggest Loser Online, and trained and run a 14 km run - and yet I have PUT ON so much weight!!! What is wrong with me? Am I dying? Do I have a stomach tumour? Am I going to be one of those horrible "medical emergency" shows where they need a crane to lift the fat person out of the house because they haven't been able to get out of bed in years....

If I keep putting on weight like this, when I'm 40 I will weigh 160kg! What am I gonna do??? What's wrong with me? Am i just a freak person who cant eat food? Maybe I should become one of those "Breatharians" who dont eat anything but air. Maybe THEN my weight will stabilise. What am I going to do? i am out of ideas.

I thought when you came off the pill you were meant to lose weight. Ditto - the side effects of Effexor are usually WEIGHT LOSS. Ok call Dr Phil. Here I am medical students - the only person who can continue to gain weight despite all the odds. They need to take samples of my DNA and send it to Anorexia Hospitals and third world countries. I need to be locked in a small dark room and experimented on.

help me.

Wedding Weirdies

2008-11-19T14:22:00.008+11:00

"Honey, for our wedding favours, I wanted something that really, you know, represented "US". So I was thinking a dead armadillo with some alcohol... "

From page 5 of Martha Stewarts DIY Wedding book: Crochet your own cake toppers!

"We-all done dropped yer cake on the way in, but don't worry! We jes a-fixed it with some bananas so it'd look right purdy."

Til death..?

Nothing says love like skeletons making out on top of your wedding cake.

...the bride wore white and was a picture of virginal purity...

Wedding theme #2754 DENIM.

Back on Weight Watchers... sigh

2008-11-18T15:12:00.003+11:00

God - it's like this roundabout I cant get off. I'm so uncomfortable. My pants are so tight and I'm tired of sweating between my rolls. I just wanna be comfortable in summer dammit!

So.... back to counting POINTS. Again. *groan*

I'm trying to write down my points, but maybe if I blog them...?

So here's the running tally for today:

Breakfast (weetbix + honey) 4
Goulbourne Valley (GV) Fruit Snack 1
Coffee 1
Apple 1
Salad roll + swiss cheese 4
Snack Right biscuit 1.5
Total so far = 11.5 / 18

It's so hard to avoid temptation. I realised last night, that if someone "offers" me food, I say yes. Completely without thought. Like reflex. Why is that?

My psychologist - lets call him Dr Tony - gave me a big sign that says "Psychologist Says NO (thankyou)" to hold infront of my face if anyone asks me to take on something new in the next few months. Isn't that awesome??? Because I have trouble saying 'no' to things, and thus end up totally stressed and over-committed; this gives me an excuse.

Maybe I cant say no to offered food for the same reason???

You know you love shoes when...

2008-11-01T16:28:00.002+11:00

Note to self...

2008-10-09T22:27:00.002+11:00

Check background before taking wedding photos!!!

Know any homesick Aussies?

2008-10-02T22:04:00.002+10:00

So I'm starting a business online (well it's free 30 day trial). It's an eBay store for Aussies who are missing their favourite things from home and want them sent. I'm going to do all the favourites (Tim tams, Napisan, Vegemite), as well as making up customised food hampers, and gift hampers.

But hey - it's not just for Aussies! If you wanna check it out - click HERE to go to my store: "There's Nothing Like Vegemite!"

Day 1 - hungry but determined.

2008-09-29T19:43:00.003+10:00

Stomach feels flatter.... but that maybe because there is nothing in it!

Feel hungry - not eating carbs is so... unsatisfying. However, rest assured that when I am feeling hungry, my body must be burning something - so if there's no food/carbs in me, it must be fat right??? right???

hum.

Thank the gods for Coke Zero - a legal sin.

Stuck to the plan today -

vanilla shake for breakfast

piece cheese and slice of ham for snack

iced green tea (homemade with no cal sweetener)

caramel shake for lunch

boiled egg for snack

coffee (Lfat milk) + strawberries

sml tin salmon + cup of tea

pork and vegies for dinner

whittakers choc almond bar

ok... the end was a bit dodgy, but I chose the smallest bar I could with the most nuts. Hey, it's mostly almonds really, right??? right???

you can see when I get the nibbles - after lunch before dinner (bout 4pm). But I stuck to it - I'm proud of myself.

Such is my desperation.

2008-09-28T20:25:00.004+10:00

I'm doing something I said I wouldn't do. I'm having meal-replacement shakes.

Yes - I know. You'd normally find me up on my soap-box waxing-lyrical that "they're not a long-term solution" and "they dont change your lifestyle or encourage better choices" etc etc. I hear you. But at the moment, I'm clutching at straws. My pants are tight, my wedding is nigh, and I am the heaviest I have ever been in my life.

I'm in serious 'damage control' mode.

Basically I wanted to eliminate the thinking for a little while. I dont want to count calories/carbs/points/fat grams. I'm suffereing diet burn-out, but I need to lose weight before it gets seriously outta control.

So the plan is simple. Very very simple.

shake for breaky, shake for lunch, fruit/veg only in between, and lots of water.

My very long-suffering and infinitely-understanding fiance has not scoffed at my little sachets of chemicals once (to his immense credit), and has once again said "ok, so i just cook you exactly what I'd cook us normally, I just put carbs in mine not yours, right?"

Thank god for Ben. Each time I have cried over my weight, or had a binge, or presented him with some new eating plan; he never laughs or judges. He simply nods understandingly and says "What can't I cook you now?" or "Ok, great. So what recipes are out there for meals involving just egg whites and grapefruit?"

You're a star, Benj!

Ok... not thinking about weight loss or food or counting or fat. Just drinking my shakes and sticking to the deal.

Holy Morgan Spurlock, Batman!

2008-09-23T15:10:00.003+10:00

Media outlets have been reporting about a Virginia man lost about 80 pounds in six months by eating nearly every meal at McDonald's. Not Big Macs, french fries and chocolate shakes. Mostly salads, wraps and apple dippers without the caramel sauce.

Coleson tipped the scales at 278 pounds in December. The 5-foot-8 Coleson now weighs 199 pounds and his waist size has dropped from 50 to 36.

Good for him. He lost weight, but simply losing weight does NOT imply the manner by which one went about it is healthy.
Anorexics lose weight.
Cancer patients lose weight.
Aids victims lose weight.
Weight loss is often a side effect of an illness and not something we would want to suggest people inflict upon themselves simply as a manner of losing weight. In the same regard, eating unhealthy foods and ellicting the side effect of weight loss isn't something to be celebrated--or recommended.
Eating Apple Dippers every day from McDonalds instead of a REAL apple? Why would anyone do that? Unless one was a "business man" looking for media exposure and possibly a Jared-style endorsement deal? Slice a REAL apple and stick it in a baggie for ONE DAY, see what you get, but apparently with Ronald McDonald's magic touch, their apples don't turn brown. Gee, I wonder why?...

Each day, 50,000 shiny, fire-engine-red Gala apples work their way through a sprawling factory in Swedesboro, N.J. Inside, 26 machines wash them, core them, peel them, seed them, slice them and chill them. At the end of the line, they are dunked in a solution of calcium ascorbate and then deposited into little green bags featuring a jogging Ronald McDonald.

From there, the bags make their way in refrigerated trucks to refrigerated containers in cavernous distribution centers, and then to thousands of McDonald's restaurants up and down the Eastern Seaboard. No more than 14 days after leaving the plant, the fruit will take the place of French fries in some child's Happy Meal.

Yummy...

But if Beyonce does it....?

2008-09-23T14:57:00.003+10:00

Sometimes even Beyonce feels too Bootylicious.

Here's a lovely example of Hollywood Diet-related-madness I found on the Inter-web:

"Former Destiny's Child singer (Beyonce Knowles) who has a very successful solo singing career as well as an acting career is well known for her bootylicious body and not exactly the kind of woman we'd expect to use a diet like this but Hollywood makes for strange bedfellows. I suppose I could fast for 10 days too if somebody was paying me several million dollars for the look!

So here it is, the Maple Syrup Diet, which can supposedly be used for 3-10 days safely. This diet isn't new. The naturopath, Stanley Borroughs, developed it back in the 1950's. Be forewarned: a "cleansing reaction" is often noticed in the first two days. (That's diarrhoea to you and me.)

Take a clean jug and pour in the following:

3 Quarts of Water

1 Cup Lemon Juice

1 Cup Pure Maple Syrup (not maple flavored, but the REAL stuff) or molasses

1 Teaspoon Cayenne

Shake it all up and drink 8-12 glasses a day.

Warning: You will experience cravings, aches, pains, mental irritability and fatigue. These are symptoms of your body's detoxification. (Not to mention the taste!!!)

It's recommended that whatever you do, do not go directly back to a rich diet after your time on this fast. In fact, the best thing to do during a fast like this is to start setting your mind to healthy eating so that when you go off the fast you can start fresh on a healthy nutrition plan that will keep you body clean and strong. To ease out of the fast, do the following:

On the first day after your fast, drink unsweetened fruit juices. For details, click here.

On the second day, you can begin to eat soup.

On the third day you may begin to eat light foods. Whatever you do, do not "wake up" your digestive system with high fat foods. It could be a very painful awakening."

Yes: The painful awakening could go like this: "Oh my god, I've managed to do this hollwood style eating-disorder diet for too many days!!! I cleased my body of toxins, fat, AND MY BRAIN!!! Lucky I live in Hollywood, and having a brain is actually a handicap! Phew. Now... when is my botox appointment..."

Shame Beyonce, shame.

A Timeline of Fad Diets - history repeating itself.

2008-09-22T21:58:00.001+10:00

1820 Vinegar and Water Diet
Made popular by Lord Byron
1825 Low Carbohydrate Diet
First appeared in The Physiology of Taste by Jean Brillat-Savarin
1830 Graham’s Diet
Only legacy: Invented Graham crackers
1863 Banting’s Low Carbohydrate Diet
“Banting” becomes a popular term for dieting
1903 Horace Fletcher promotes “Fletcherizing”
Chew food 32 times
1917 Calorie Counting
Introduced by Lulu Hunt Peters in her book Diet and Health, With Key to the Calories
1925 Cigarette Diet
“Reach for a Lucky instead of a sweet”
1928 Inuit Meat-and-Fat Diet
Caribou, raw fish and whale blubber
1930 Hay Diet
Carbohydrates and proteins not allowed at the same meal
Dr. Stoll’s Diet Aid
First of the liquid diet drinks
1934 Bananas and Skim Milk Diet
Backed by the United Fruit Company
1950 Cabbage Soup Diet
Flatulence is listed as a main side effect
Grapefruit Diet
Also known as Hollywood Diet
1960 Zen Macrobiotic Diet
Created by Japanese philosopher George Ohsawa
1961 Calories Don’t Count Diet
FDA filed charges regarding diet’s claims
1964 Drinking Man’s Diet
Harvard School of Public Health declared diet unhealthful
1970 Sleeping Beauty Diet
Individuals heavily sedated for several days
Liquid Protein Diets
Liquid protein drinks were low in vitamins and minerals
1981 Beverly Hills Diet
Only fruit for first 10 days but in unlimited amounts
1985 Fit for Life
Avoid combining protein and carbohydrate foods
Caveman Diet
Foods from the Paleolithic Era
1986 Rotation Diet
Rotating number of calories taken in from week to week
1987 Scarsdale Diet
Low-carbohydrate, low-calorie diet plan
1990 Cabbage Soup Diet
Diet from 1950s resurfaces on the Web
1994 High Protein, Low Carb Diet
Dr. Atkin’s version
1995 Sugar Busters — Cut Sugar to Trim Fat
Eliminates refined carbohydrates
1996 Eat Right for Your Type
Diet based on blood type
1999 Juice, Fasting and Detoxification
Perennial dieting favorites reappear in combination
2000 Raw Foods Diet
Focuses on uncooked, unprocessed organic foods
2001 High Protein, Low Carb Diet
1994 diet updated
2004 Coconut Diet
Fats replaced with coconut oil
2005 Cheater’s Diet
Cheating on the weekend is required
2006 Maple Syrup Diet
Features a special syrup-lemon drink

Thanks to The American Dietic Association for this timeline.

Whoa - BIG discovery!

2008-09-21T10:55:00.004+10:00

So you know what I was talking about the other day about being stuck in a rut and knowing all the information about dieting, just not being able to DO IT..? Well I was flicking through this old magazine from the 50's called "Woman and Beauty" that I found at a second hand shop, and I stumbled across this article in it called "Eat Often and Be Slim".

Here's the thing: The information is EXACTLY the same as diet information today. Take the tips at the bottom for example: entitled "Things to remember about slimming".

"...Fruit is less fattening than puddings. But some fruits are more sugary and more fattening than others. The worst are dried fruits and tinned fruits in syrup...

...Throw away the frying pan. Learn how to braise and bake in the oven. Make full use of the grill and pressure cooker...

...Don't be fooled - toast is not slimming. Nibbles of anything between meals are extra fattening...

...Protein foods are essential for good health - they do the work of building and repairing and rebuilding the body...

...In hot weather, or during a period, the body retains extra fluid which adds to both weight and bulk. Don't be discouraged by the scales at such times...

...Exercise is good for almost everybody - regularly and in moderation...depend a little more on your legs and less on transport...

...Don't put all your faith in steam baths - you may sweat of some punds, but you'll drink them back on in the next minute..."

Isn't it scary??? Of all the other miracle quack cures and milk of magnesia and cod liver oil cure-alls, and fashions, and hairstyles -

Diet advice has not changed in 54 years!!!

So my question is, if we have always known what to do - nothing new there - why is it that we've gone from being 22 inch waist Grace Kelly's, to the obesity epidemic of today?

It CAN'T be that we don't have the knowledge - clearly we always have.

As another example, here is a recommended daily meal plan from Woman and Beauty 1954 - and you'll see a striking resemblence to Weight Watchers booklets and the latest celeb diets in New Idea:

"BREAKFAST

1 orange

4 heaped Tblsp cereal

1/2 pint milk

1 tsp sugar

1 cup black tea

11AM

apple or orange

LUNCH

Open-faced sandwich: 2 Tablsp Chicken salad, lettuce, 1 carrot

1 cup black tea or coffee

TEA-TIME

1 glass milk

DINNER

2 med slices beef

Good helping cauliflower

Mixed green salad with lemon juice

4 heaped Tablsp Orange and Grapefruit Compote

1 cup black tea

BED-TIME

apple"

Not that much different, huh? Oh yeah, there was no Equal back then so it's 1 tsp sugar on the cereal and 'milk' not 'skim milk' - but then my point again: if we have all these new food substitutes like sweetener, and skim milk, and diet/lite EVERYTHING, and women who know they can safely play any sport they like (even at that 'delicate time of month') -

WHY ARE WE FATTER NOW???

Is it labour-saving devices? Stress? Highly processed, low joule, low satisfaction foods?

Hmm... more research needed here.

Don't worry - this sort of stuff has always fascinated me: Anjel is on the case!

Caught: Pink handed!

2008-09-19T20:41:00.007+10:00

So my old mare Donna has had a huge reaction to grass ticks this season, and she is COVERED in the little beggers! And a s a result, she has been scratching her face raw trying to relieve the itch.

Today I sprayed her with pink antiseptic spray, and now I have a black horse with a pink head, and blotchy pink-stained hands.

Wedding plans? Erm... no money. It's looking more and more like it's going to be a no dress, no flowers, photocopied-invitations-printed-in-black-and-white type of affair. Crap! And the horse I'm riding to the service on now has a bald pink face covered in parasites.

Seriously? Could this kind of thing happen to anyone else?

Anywho, have not lost any weight (suprise suprise) and my pants are feeling really tight and uncomfortable. And on top of that, today i had a day-long school excursion with my class and it was HOT. And it's only September! The first week of SPRING!

This is bad. Real bad. I HATE hot weather. I LOATHE IT.

So here's my problem: The only way to beat the heat is to swim. Which equals swimming costumes. Which equals:
PURE HORROR!!!

Seriously folks, I swam a total of ONCE last year, such is my fear of swimwear. It is the only thing that truly overcomes my hatred of Summer.

Reality? More like this.

Weight-loss "No Man's Land"

2008-09-15T22:07:00.004+10:00

Hello (hellohellohello)

Is any one out there? (outthere?outthere?outthere?)

I think I've found the diet-void! (oid!oid!oid!)

I am in a rut. I've entered Rutsville - Population: Me.

It's Rut-tastic.

I'm Rut-alicious.

Go directly to rut: Do not pass go, do not collect 200 calories.

Here's the thing, it's like when you're about to do your HSC at the end of high school, and you know you should be studying, but your brain is just burnt-out and in automatic-pilot mode. Like when you just stare at the books, and nothing happens.

That's me.

I KNOW the wedding is 4 months away. I KNOW I should be dieting. I KNOW I have infact PUT ON weight. And my mind just shuts down.

Diets dont work. Exercise hasn't worked. I don't know how to just "be healthy and normal". So my brain has just stepped out. I see all these dieting/foodplan/exercise plan options, and I just think: "Which one should I pick, when I know I'm just going to hate doing it and not lose weight anyway?"

I think I may be.... giving up. That's a scary prospect. Cause if I give up; that means I'm gonna be "the big girl" forever. No "hooray, hooray success" stories. A fat girl wedding dress. No walking into my 10 year high school reunion and watching the jaws drop. No wonderful day where I sweep in to the room in a size 10 dress and 'stick-it' to all the superficial men that rejected me 'cause I was too fat.

Feeling like this forever. Because I know what i should be doing, and I just cant do it. I mean i KNOW I should eat 1400 calories a day and exercise for 30 mins everyday and eat 30g of cereal and a banana for breakfast, chicken and salad for lunch, and 100g of lean meat with salad for dinner and drink at least 2L of water a day and limit caffeine and sugar, and cut out soft drink and processed and refined foods....

I KNOW ALL THAT.

But when I do do it, life sucks, and it doesn't work anyway.

So now what?

Happy International Chocolate Day!

2008-09-13T11:32:00.002+10:00

Here's a shout out to all you worshippers of the 'cocoa god'!

Runners, yoyo-dieters, fellow psychos, women with PMS, sweet-tooths, and all those who have just been dumped: Rejoice! TODAY IS FOR YOU!

Earth to Connie..?

2008-09-13T11:28:00.001+10:00

Connie??? Where are you Connie?

"This is Ground Control to Major Connie...." Your web-fans miss you.

Drugs are bad, Mmkay???

2008-09-11T22:03:00.007+10:00

I'm on the drugs. I'm on the drugs. I'm on the drugs. (That killed River Phoenix! - For you Tism fans out there.)

Day 1 of the mysterious bipolar drugs... I have gone through the cacophany of reactions, Folks. But they tell me this is normal. Let me give you an example.

Wednesday
5pm: take little purple pill
6pm: nausea
7pm: eeeww-feeling
8pm: head ache
10pm: zonked

Thursday
7am: WIDE awake.
10am: MANIC
11am: Wheeeeee!!!
1pm: Stop the world, I wanna get off...
3pm: Zzzzzz
5pm: Anxious anxious anxious!
6pm: Late! I'm late! F--K!!! Late! *foam, snarl*
6:30pm: Took second little purple pill.

Wow: Can't wait til I start taking TWO a day!!!

...and diet: What diet? If only I had the willpower of Laura - she puts me to shame! You are so inspiring, Girl! No; today i relate more to Shauna: The thought was there...

Damn you, Twix Bar!!! Damn ALL the Twix Bars!!!

I have what now?

2008-09-08T21:47:00.004+10:00

ok... big day. Went to see Dr K about my depression, and the recent 'downers' I've ben having. Was explaining my symptoms and how I was good for a bit, then I dipped, then I was ok, then i dipped again. And he says "I think we may have been treating your depression, but I think you may be bipolar"

Wtf?

Isn't that what crazy people have?

Hmm. Have been hunting about on the net looking for info, and came to a scary list of symptoms:

"Five or more of these symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period (depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure must be one of the symptoms):
Depressed mood (feeling sad or empty or appears tearful)
Noticeable loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities
Significant change in body weight or appetite (more or less)
Insomnia or excessive sleep
Mental or physical slowing or restlessness
Low energy
Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
Reduced ability to concentrate
Recurrent thoughts of death, thoughts or attempts at suicide "

Hmm. Five, you say??? Well I can tick ALL of these.

On the Bipolar Australian website, it also lists the symptoms of Mania, which is the "highs" bipolar sufferers get. I don't get the "highs" (Ripped-off!!!), but Dr K says there's types of bipolar where you dont. Some people just have little "highs" and GREAT BIG "lows".

Phew. This is all new to me. I mean, I've been suffering from depression for 8 years now, but bipolar disorder seems like a bigger deal. I wonder why that is? Maybe because the drugs I am going to try are epilepsy drugs. Epilepsy sounds scary too.

Any advice out there???

Yes. Totally agree.

2008-09-08T21:41:00.003+10:00

A true friend...

2008-09-04T18:38:00.003+10:00

...is someone you call at 9pm when ur balled-up on the couch sobbing uncontrollably; who drops everything to come over bringing Patrick Swayze AND M&M's.

Thanks Connie -xx-

Viva Chinglish! Protect our Chinglish!

2008-08-29T14:36:00.003+10:00

Chinglish is alive and well and its survival is no "cryshame", say linguists who have monitored its quirky progress.

With the eyes of the world on the Beijing Olympics, Chinese authorities have tried to eradicate from menus and road signs many offbeat and nonsensical translations they fear could offend foreigners.

But the Texas-based Global Language Monitor (GLM), which analyses word usage trends, said Beijing was fighting a losing battle and should celebrate "this delightful mixture of Chinese and English".
"Chinglish will persist and even thrive far after the Games have ended," the Austin institute said.
English is now widely accepted as the main global language and up to 250 million Chinese currently study English, whose vocabulary is now approaching one million words.
As two vibrant tongues collide, the verbal gymnastics of Chinglish should be celebrated, GLM argued.

The Chinese authorities set up a hotline for the public to report strangled language and have corrected hundreds of road signs including the infamous 'Racist Park' signpost for the Ethnic Minorities Park.
Some other examples are:
- If you are stolen, call the police
- Airline Pulp (food served aboard airlines)
- The slippery are very crafty (slippery when wet)
- Do not climb the rocketry (rock wall)
- Deformed man toilet (handicapped restroom)

I personally love Chingrish, and believe all efforts should be made to conserve these artforms. If you too love Chingrish, you might love "Engrish" - click here.

What? WHAT?! "Common sense"???

2008-08-29T14:29:00.001+10:00

Ok... this is how bad my profession is getting...

A Texas school district will let teachers bring guns to class this fall, in what experts said appeared to be a first in the United States.

The board of the small rural Harrold Independent School District unanimously approved the plan and parents have not objected, said the district's superintendent, David Thweatt. He said it is a matter of safety.

"We have a lock-down situation, we have cameras, but the question we had to answer is, 'What if somebody gets in? What are we going to do?" he said. "It's just common sense."

Teachers who wish to bring guns will have to be certified to carry a concealed handgun in Texas and get crisis training and permission from school officials, he said.
Recent school shootings in the United States have prompted some calls for school officials to allow students and teachers to carry legally concealed weapons into classrooms.
Texas bars guns at schools without the school's permission.

Oh. My. God.

Calling in reinforcements.

2008-08-27T20:03:00.003+10:00

So in the absence of any former success (long-term) in the weightloss department, I've decided to opt for the last resort. The only thing I know of that I haven't tried. I'm calling for back-up:

I'm getting a shrink.

Well, I've asked my doctor for a referral letter anyway. Dr K is an absolute legend, and has helped me manage my depression thus far, but I need to get over this last hurdle; how to deal with things without turning to my crutch of choice: Chocolate.

Now; I know it might shock you, Dear Readers, but this will be my first visit to a psychologist. I am packing it. I'm gonna have to actually tell someone the TRUTH about my relationship with food. My relationship with my Dad? My relationship with myself? Oh god... I don't know if i can do this! I mean, I know I dont want to be a "fat bride" in January, but maybe if I just keep burying my head in the sand and pretending to do weight watchers when eveyone is looking but actually eating about 10000 calories a day, you know, the way I've been doing for the past 10 years, maybe... this time I'll magically lose 20kg...? No...?

Ok. Maybe not.

The problem is: I am depressed. And I live a VERY full-on stressful lifestyle. My days consist of running between teaching children, riding horses, going to theatre meetings, doing theatre, trying to be a runner, and sharing myself between my family, my partner's family, 2 dogs, 2 horses, a canary and 5 fish. Conversations in my head usually go like this:

Me: I need chocolate.

Myself: why?

Me: Cause I want it.

Myself: You're freakin' 20kgs overweight! You dont need chocolate, you just ate an hour ago, and it's not going to help you lose weight - which will ultimately make you more unhappy!

Me: ...shut up brain.

Myself: Come on... if you dont have chocolate...um... you can have a ...a... delicious... carrot.

Me: Pfft, how often has that line worked?

Myself: Ok ok, how bout this. You could go for a walk! That would make you feel better!!!

Me: Are you kidding me? that's the best you can do? I want chocolate - sweet sweet snuggle up on the couch-better-than-sex chocolate, and you suggest exercise??? The thing I hate most? we've talked about this: Exercise endorphins are a myth.

Myself: Hmm.

Me: AND if I eat this chocolate, I may put on 4kg in a week, and feel more depressed later, but for NOW (and that's all I really care about) I can just sit down and do something nice like eating chocolate and not think about all the other things I have to do today.

Myself: ...but...

Me: Are you still here? Shut the hell up.

It's a pointless conversation. Followed by one that goes like this:

Me: Ohhhh why did I eat that whole block???

Myself: ...*ahem*

Me: Yes I know I KNOW! I shouldn't have done it! It was like a thousand points on weight watchers, and I'll never work that off. It tasted good for about 2 bites, then I just couldn't stop! I didn't want to go do washing or walk on the treadmill, so I sat and ate the rest. I am SO hopeless. No wonder I'm so fat. I'm gonna get so big, I'll be one of those horror-story people who get so fat they cant get out of their custom-built arm chairs and need to be sponge-bathed and pee through a tube... Why cant I diet??? Why dont I love salad and exercise??? Why cant I be one of those people who doesn't really care for chocolate? (freaks.)

Myself: ... well if you'd listened before...

Me: Are you still here? Shut the hell up.

*sigh* I'm going to be fat forever.

Is your monitor dirty???

2008-08-27T10:27:00.001+10:00

Then click HERE.

(It's worth it - I promise!)

You know you're depressed when... 1#

2008-08-26T14:56:00.004+10:00

I hate the olympics.

I hate the olympics because I hate olympians. Well I don't hate olympians personally (excepting the entire male 100m sprint contingent, or any relay athlete coming from the USA...)

No I hate the olympics because every 4 years they come around just to remind me how depressed I really am. And that again, 4 years later, I am watching the olympics depressed. Another 4 years battling the black dog.

I hate olympians because everytime I see some waif-like 19 year old weeping ecstatically about breaking a world record, everytime I watch a 14 year old chinese girl do a somerault on a 10cm wide beam like it's normal, everytime I hear another olympic success story: I am reminded that that will never be me.

Even if I started now; I will never be that happy, or proud, or successful, or athletic. I am too old, too fat, too average, and far far too unhappy.

How dare they flaunt their happiness and pride at me?!

You seriously think that's fun for me?! You seriously think I'm happy for you??? Why don't ya just rub some salt in my wounds and pour lemon juice on 'em?!

I hate the olympics. Thank god they're over for another 4 years.

I can totally relate!

2008-08-17T15:59:00.000+10:00

Want the proof???

2008-08-14T16:15:00.003+10:00

Or go here.

My Time!!!

2008-08-12T12:35:00.003+10:00

Look! LOOK! I'm in the paper! The NATIONAL paper - with my time!

I ran 14km in 114.34!!!
That's ummm... 8mins a kilometre!
That's 122.4 metres per minute! (Gawd - I am SUCH a teacher...)
I came... um... about 35 000th out of 71 000!!!

Do you hear that???? I WASN'T LAST!!!

Yay me! *punches the air*

A big thankyou to Laura and Jim - who sent words of encouragement the night before. That meant so much guys: You both inspire me so much! :)

I finished!

2008-08-11T21:38:00.012+10:00

Well: Here I am - the day after.

It was huge - I mean literally, too! 71 000 entrants! The biggest time-chipped event in the world, apparently.

I got on the bus with the High School kids at 5:45am, and we travelled up for 2 hours. Finding our starting position was hectic. You can probably deduce that by the pictures. We were in the YELLOW section - otherwise known as "The Back of the Pack". This is for people with little or no experience, the elderly, disabled, and those dressed in chicken/gorilla suits.

Not about to be discouraged, my trusty team inched their way toward the starting line as the starter's gun went off, safe in the knowledge that there was no hurry - their time would be taken as their timing-chip equipped shoes crossed the line. Thank goodness for that, as it took approximately 20minutes of shuffling to get there. The experience can be likened to making your way out of the mosh pit at a Linkin Park concert. We all finally got to the starting line, only to be told that the race had, infact, been won already, by Canberran runner Martin Dent.

You had to laugh at the irony.

Anywho, the fourteen of us promptly crossed the line into the slightly less-dense crowd of the 'already started'. I saw a space and clapped the kids on the shoulders: "Go Kids! Run your hearts out - kick butt for your school! See you at the end!". And off they gambled like fawns, gliding easily in and out of the crowd.

That left me. With 14km between me and the bus. oh god.

I began my shuffle. And tripped.

Damn.

I began shuffling again, doing a little skip occasionally to make it look as if I meant to trip; 'yeah it's part of my warm-up...'

About 2km into the run, I ran through the city tunnel and a bit of space opened up around me. As my claustrophobia began to dissolve, I began to 'get into my groove' with my shuffling, and found myself smiling and enjoying myself immensely. It's an amazing race - the whole city turns out to either participate or spectate. And those with houses en route sit in their front yards with their kids, offering hoses of cold water, or plastic cups filled from garden taps. Student-types laze on balconies in bikinis sipping beers and waving at runners, and elderly couples stand alongside the road, in heavy knitted jumpers, holding their spaniels and clapping.

I trotted through the crowd, noticing people I passed, people who passed me, and the array of people running and walking. A group of men dressed as smurfs stopped for photos at every opportunity, gafawing and giving 'blokey' cheers. I noticed a red clown up ahead, and gleefully passed him at an extended shuffle; 'Sucked in, Clown. You may be sweating to death in that big red costume, but you can eat my dust!'

Three men came running through, pushing a severly disabled teen in a wheel chair. The boy was dressed as Luke Skywalker, the men as Jedi and Darth Vader, commanding runners to "make way for the force!". People cheered the boy as he was whisked-by; "Use the force, Luke!". The look on the kids face was priceless.

At the halfway mark is the aptly-named Heartbreak Hill. There are paramedics parked at regular intervals along it - for very good reason. I began to chicken out, and knowing at this point I was only halfway around, I thought best to conserve my energy and walk the hill (yes, I know; cluck, cluck, cluck). Arriving at the top, I was greeted with the red nylon wig of a very familiar clown. How the hell did he do that??? I swear I left him for dead back there! Oh well this time.... puff puff...THERE. Eat my dust, Mr Clown. Ha: That showed him!

A little after the hill, I began to feel a bit heavy. I wasn't sure how far we had to go, and it felt like I had been running...oh ok, shuffling for ages now. My feet were feeling pretty shuffled-out, and I could feel a blister developing on my left heel. I felt a slight chafe happening on my thighs so I adjusted my waist-band a little lower and had a power-walk. Surely it wasn't too much further... I could almost see the water.... I could see a sign just up there.... I could see...wait-is that...

A Clown???

How the hell did he get up there? Is it the same guy? Surely not!

Me: excuse me?

Clown: Yeah?

Me: is there more than one of you?

Clown: Umm...pardon?

Me: Like *puff puff* are there more red clowns running today?

Clown: Ah, not that I'm aware of...

Me: Cause I swear I left you for dead twice now, and everytime I look up: There you are!

Anyway, it was pure coincidence, as it turned out, and I spent a while chatting to the jogging clown, before his jogging over took my shuffling, and he trotted off on his merry way, red nose and all.

It was at this stage I saw the "You've run 10k's!" Sign.

What?! WHAT. I have 4 KILOMETRES to go? Are you sh-tting me?!

I'm done, people! My body feels like a wet sand-bag! I cant feel my feet, except for a huge blister grating inside my shoes! My arms hurt, my back hurts, my thighs HURT.

Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle. Walk, walk, walk. Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle. I was being overtaken by pensioners, amputees, snails, people MUCH fatter than me... oh god... where is the end???

About this time, I really started to look at the people around me. There I was, constantly feeling like the fattest, most unfit person in the world, completely incapable of physical activity, and as far as anything from that elusive concept: "Runner". And here I was. Running (ok, shuffling) and being overtaken by fatter people, and people in wheel chairs, and yet over-taking skinny women in lycra panting and bent over with tiredness. It really is a humbling experience - proving that each body is different. Everyone is capable of exactly what their body is capable of - no more, no less.

And here I was - the girl that always felt like the most unfit, overweight person on earth; "Running a Mini Marathon" (OKAY. Shuffling 14ks. Gawd let me dream a little!)

As I saw the "1k to go" sign, I knew I wanted to finish running. Dammit - sprinting. I wanted a time. I lengthened my shuffle, passing a guy collapsed near an ambulance with paramedics working on him, but waving runners past. Unfortunatley, the run has claimed its share of elderly and those with heart conditions, and I hoped briefly that the man would be ok.

200m to go. I turned on the speed. My lungs burnt, my legs screamed, as I tore across the finish line.

At exaclty the same moment as that familiar red Clown.

My pace-clown and I shook hands and slapped each other on the back as I vowed to leave him for dead next year, and he lifted his red wig in salute. The crowd milled about, removing timing chips and drinking Gatorade, and the feeling was of relief and jubilation. I tossed my chip into the plastic bin ("safe journey, Little Chip") and yanked off my shoes, shuffling down to cool my swollen feet in the waves of Bondi beach, and placing my particpants' medal round my neck.

I did it.

And soon, fellow Bloggers, I shall have a "TIME". That elusive thing. I have arrived, fellow elite athletes - I have: A time. Tomorrow I will buy the newspaper, and scan the column of finishers for my number (46 774) and find out my time. Today I dine on chocolate frogs and McDonalds McFlurries - Tomorrow, I will plan my next run. (Alright, ALRIGHT! "SHUFFLE")

It hurt so bad (still does) but it felt SO GOOD. I am SOOOOOO doing it again next year.

Oh and as a final note, the guy 200m from the finish with the paramedics: He didn't make it. His name was Lee Marriage, and he was 27 years old. He was thin. He was good looking. He was the same age as me. And he died of a heart-attack.

Look after your body - it may not be perfect, but it's the greatest tool you'll ever have.

This could be me tomorrow.

2008-08-09T14:12:00.006+10:00

Tomorrow's the big day. My first RUN. I've been training for this for 5 months to go from someone who couldn't run to the end of her driveway, to a person who plans to run most of a 14km race.

I am sh-tting myself. To put it politely.

Here's the things I'm doing today to prepare for tomorrow:

1) Drinking lots of water (am up to 1.5L)

2) Have packed my little back pack for tomorrow with: a banana, a protein bar, 2 peanut butter sandwiches, 2 bottles of Powerade, change of clothes, Ventolin puffer, safety pins, my back number, my timing chip, Vaseline, Bandaids, a handkerchief, my insoles, my running shoes, suncream, deoderant.

3) Am going to do some yoga this afternoon to stretch. Planning to go to bed before 10pm tonight.

4) Have taken an extra vitamin tablet, plus a magnesium supplement to ease muscle cramps.

Tomorrow, I plan to wake up early (bus comes at 5:45am) and eat porridge and a banana for breakfast, and have the protein bar and the Powerade on the bus at mid-morning.

In my pocket, I will have my puffer, Vaseline, the handkerchief, extra safety pins, the bandaids.

Must remember to attach my timing chip.

So I guess my next post will be a post-race debriefing... See you on the other side (Hopefully).

Wish me luck!

Joke of the day...

2008-08-08T13:12:00.001+10:00

Toby (Year 11 Spec Ed Student): Miss! Did you hear about the Hollywood actress that got stabbed with a knife last night?
Me: No...?
Toby: It was Reese...um....Reese...?
Me: Witherspoon?
Toby: No, it was a knife.

(Get it: With-a-spoon?)

p.s. as far as I know Reese is actually alive and well btw!

My insides feel so clean!

2008-08-04T12:34:00.003+10:00

Ergh: Disaster. Packed a delicious salad today for luch after piously getting up a half hour early and walking to work. Only to bite into said salad andget a mouthful of DISHWASHING LIQUID!!!

BLECH!!! *spit spit spit*

I have no idea how my salad got an "original scent" dressing, but it seems the container wasn't rinsed well. Or at all.

So that's my reward for being so good!? Sheesh!

Did I fall apart? Did I think 'stuff it' and head for the nearest vending machine? No way! Not when I've commited myself to a new and improved BLOG that states I'm getting off the couch! I can't cave-in this early!

No. I went down to the canteen *eek!* (I work in a high school - did I mention that?) and bought a salad roll and a diet Coke.

Ok, so the Coke wasn't STRICTLY necessary. But it IS diet! And the roll's probably got butter on it (Hey, I cant control pre-made canteen food, can I?).

But I think I coped with the situation ok. And my stomach lining now repels tough grease and grime without scrubbing! Bonus.

Snails from around the net...

2008-08-03T18:02:00.002+10:00

Otherland Toys' Racing Snail. (I want one!)

Laytoys Snail Race Board Game (Hours of fun)

Awwww!!!

I want one! #2

I want one! #3

HA HA HA HA HA!!!

...BWAA HA HA HA!!!

Under Construction.

2008-08-03T00:41:00.006+10:00

Welcome to the NEW and IMPROVED couch. And my new totem animal:

The Mighty Snail.

They may be slow: But my god they're persistant! (And cute!) And they leave an impression...

Cute? Want proof? Here is a LOLsnail.

Stay tuned for more improvments to the new-look Couch.

Just a regular Pretzelly Saturday.

2008-08-02T15:48:00.003+10:00

I am such a hopeless slave to consumer-driven society. Today whilst watching a tv show (okay: It was a kids cartoon. Shut up.) they showed the characters going to a fair-ground and eating those big large soft pretzels.

Instantly, I was on the net looking for recipes. The only place you can get those big pretzels that I've found is a mere 3 hour drive from my house in Coastal/rural Australia. I LOVE the cinnamon sugar one sooo much. And the vanilla almond ones. And...

So anyway. I am now waiting impatiently for my yeast to rise so I can cook them. I even went out to buy yeast and baking powder, so dedicated was I to my baking idea.

I should go for a walk or run, but I have a terrible head cold... (excuses, excuses), so am drinking coffee and eating 3 tim tams instead. *sigh*. One week til the City to Surf.

Today whilst buying my yeast, I ran into another rubenesque goddess who I haven't seen for a while. She also recently got married, so I confessed my fears about going to buy "The Dress". It was so good to talk to someone who gets it. She had the same problems apparently, and told me she once walked into a local lingerie shop, only to be looked up and down by the sales clerk and told "We have nothing in your size".

!!!

The girl is maybe a size 22! And thank goodness she is no push-over, so she gave this woman the biggest serving she's probably ever had. YAY! - Go girl!

She ended up trying on dress after dress and leaving stores in tears, which is exactly what I envision happening to me. Her advice - go to the bigger stores in the city where they have more range, or get something made for you. And definitly DON'T settle for second best. Ever.

Don't you love her?

btw - she looked absolutely STUNNING on her wedding day, in a dress inspired by the Queen of Hearts! It was white and red, and definitely made the most of her 'assets'. VIVA Michelle!

I have no words.

2008-07-29T18:26:00.002+10:00

If you want to be amazed by the capabilities of the human body: Go here.

Watch the whole thing. You will not regret it.

ooh...aah...

2008-07-27T11:00:00.007+10:00

Mrs Munroe???

2008-07-26T14:49:00.003+10:00

Call me crazy ("ok, 'Crazy'") but since my wedding is planned for Summer, I am actually considering wearing a Marilyn-esque dress. Something fun and airy. Maybe with a big white flower in my hair. What do you think?

(At least her size 16 figure is more acheiveable for me!)

Wedding Inspiration...

2008-07-26T14:43:00.004+10:00

Found an AMAZING site the other day... check out Snippet and Ink - it's just what I was looking for! Here are some of my favourite Inspiration Boards...

Day 2 - MIGRAINE. Day 3 - Ugh.

2008-07-07T15:36:00.002+10:00

Still on the detox. Had the biggest migraine for the first 2 days. Might have been caffeine withdrawal!

Feeling OK today on day 3, but pretty weak and tired. Have also had bouts of diarrhoea. Lovely. *cringe*. But it feels good to be doing something good for my body again. Have been having hot water with 1/2 a lemon squeezed in every morning (fresh from our tree! It's LOADED! We can just reach out the window and pick the hugest lemons!). Then I have a fresh fruit and veg juice, and a piece of fruit. For morning snack, I made a 'trail mix' of almonds, sultanas, pepitas, sunflower seeds and pine nuts. I've been having a huge salad or a bowl of vege soup for lunch. Natural live yogurt and honey for afternoon tea, and more vege soup or a baked potato with avocado for dinner. And of course, i drink lots of water a cups of green tea during the day.

It's actually been ok, apart from the migraines and occasional furtive trips to the loo! I dont feel hungry, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE natural yogurt and honey - so it's a yummy treat I can still have. Last day tomorrow... I'll let you know how it goes...

DETOXING - Day 1

2008-07-05T10:14:00.002+10:00

Right. Time to get back on track. I'm on school holidays now - it's time to detox.

Am following the program the Woman's Weekly put out a couple of years ago. It's gonna be tricky, but i'll feel much better. I've done it before and it felt great!

No: Sugar, Wheat, Preservatives, Dairy (except live yoghurt), alcohol, caffeine, or meat.

Phew.

here I go...

starting to lose focus

2008-07-02T10:24:00.006+10:00

I put some weight back on, and n0ow I feel disheartened. This is kinda what happens with me - a viscious cycle. I experience success, then I slacken off a bit, then I put a bit of weight back on, then I feel disappointed, then I put MORE weight on from comfort eating. Bad cycle.

Connie's wedding is in 2 weeks and I am desperate to lose SOME weight before that. Plus the city to surf is coming up, and I'm only gonna be making the run harder for myself if I am heavier.

The last run I did was REALLY hard. I really felt like I was going to faint and/or be sick. I must be the only person on earth who can train for weeks and actually be LESS FIT than when they started. I'm going out with the school kids again today... we'll see how it goes I guess.

On an upside, I get bad bloating. No - that's not the upside!!! The upside is, I was reading about Irritable Bowel Syndrome and decided it may be why I'm feeling bloated alot. I bought some IBS Support capsules at the chemist recently just to give them a try, and I actually haven't felt bloated since I started taking them! Huh?! Maybe all that time, that was it? *fingers crossed*

I weigh-in again tomorrow - I hope I have better news for you then!

BTW - have you seen The Penguin Chronicles? It's the site for people like me (and you?) check it out. "I am a Penguin - hear me roar!". Love ya work, John!

sniffle, cough

2008-06-13T18:50:00.002+10:00

Argh - Attack of the killer flu.

I haven't been able to do any sort of physical activity (you know, like walking around, holding my own weight in the standing position, breathing...) without feeling utterly exhausted.

So the whole training thing is not going real well at the moment... only 8 weeks to go though - hopefully I'll get better quickly and be fit enough in time still.

Ok - I'm having a fully fledged fat-girl FREAK-OUT!!!

2008-06-10T18:41:00.002+10:00

Am REALLY freaking out about trying on wedding dresses. I have been avoiding it. The thing is, it's the dress. The one that's meant to make you feel spectacular. And I know I'm too fat to be a bride. I am. I'm gonna look horrible and I'm gonna hate that I do, and then i'm gonna regret it for ever. Can I swap bodies for the day?

I dont want to go dress shopping and have what normally happens happen. It looks dreamy on the rack, and then I put it on and I bulge out of it like a ham with those strings around it. Or worse still - I cant even get it on at all. And it'll be like "oh well for your size, we have THESE dresses..." yuk.

Am having a MAJOR fat-girl freak-out here. i dont wanna get married. I dont want to be a fat bride. But if I post-pone it to diet - what if I never get thin? (Hey - I've had no success so far). Then what?

What if I look fat in every wedding photo? The photos that I will never show my kids, because I'm so embarrassed. What if my only memory of my wedding day, is how frumpy I felt? And - what if my bridesmaids show me up? Which is very likely considering the exotic beauties I have as friends... Ok, I want my friends to look and feel stunning on the day too, but god damn it -

It's MY DAY!!!

Just for one goddamn day - just one - I wanna be the most gorgeous woman in the room. JUST ONCE.

Oh god... I'm freaking out. badly. Help.

help. I dont wanna get married. I mean, I love Ben and I wanna be with him for ever...

...But I just dont wanna be a fat bride.

help.

Oh god NO.

The site is up!

2008-06-04T12:45:00.003+10:00

"Holy fun-run, Batman!"

For anyone who's entering it this year (see you there!) the 2008 City to Surf website is now up!

I'm starting to follow the training plan that is posted on the site, and still logging my food onto The Biggest Loser Club.

Under 9 weeks to go!!!!

2008-06-02T17:19:00.004+10:00

Yay! guess wot! Have lost 2.5 Kilos!!!! :) Been diligently watching what I eat, and if I stuff up, I try to do a bit more exercise that day. Still doing the Biggest Loser Club - I find that using the online diary keeps me honest! Gosh - haven't been this weight for... ages! Feels good.

Booked our wedding reception! The place is called 'Waterslea' and it's run by the Anglican youthworks. It's right on the Shoalhaven River and it has 2 big reception rooms. They do the catering out there, and the view is absolutely BEAUTIFUL - even if it rains!

The big date will be 25th January 2008 (The day before the Australia Day public holiday! Woohoo: Day off!) Stay tuned...

This pisses me off.

2008-05-19T17:43:00.005+10:00

I am passionate about this.

I found this article and the Sydney Morning Herald today, about how animal shelters are filling up with designer dogs and poodle cross breeds. "Hundreds of the trendy cross-breeds, including spoodles (cocker spaniel cross poodle), beagaliers (beagle cross Cavalier King Charles spaniel) and schnoodles (schnauzer cross poodle), are on death row."

What annoys me most is that people are buying these dogs because "they (have) cute names". It's like some sort of game.

"Look I have a -

Shitty-poo (Shitzu cross poodle)

Jack shit (Jack Russel x shitzu)

Pugalier ( Pug x Cavalier Kings Charles Spaniel)

etc etc etc"

Sorry to burst your bubble, people; but what you just paid $1000 dollars for is a MUTT.

A mongrel.

A Bitzer.

A Heinz variety cross breed.

Since when did having a cross bred dog become so passe, we had to give them cute names? And also: When did a mongrel cost $1000?????

The other thing spa-doodle buyers need to be aware of is that that cute-sy wootsy ball of fluff is going to grow up to be a DOG. It's gonna pee on your carpet, and chew your shoes, and need walking and vaccinating and it's anal glands released just like any other little dog.

Hello? Earth to Paris Hilton? a dog is not an innanimate fashionable HANDBAG.

This stupidity does not occur in any other domestic animal! There are no Manx-ese Cats or Arab-paloosa horses. Nore would any cat or horse breeder expect you to pay through the nose for one, simply because it had a cute name.

As a PROUD mongrel owner, this phenomena is one of my pet hates. I got my "Staffelier" (Staffy x terrier) and my "Shitzgi" (Shitzu x Corgi - we think) for free. I dont give a stuff what breeds they are, I love them because they're part of my family and I plan on having them for the rest of their lives, even when they're old and incontinent and stink. And if they bred, I certainly would not cash in on people's ignorant materialism by charging $1000 for "Staffel-shitzgis".

Mongrel lovers - be proud!

And prospective dog owners - don't be sucked in! It's cute and fluffy, but it's still a mutt!

VIVA Jilly Cooper - Writer of "Intelligent and Loyal - A celebration of the mongrel". A dog-lover's must read!

Yes. I'm a pretty Big Loser.

2008-05-14T19:40:00.003+10:00

Have you heard about The Biggest Loser Club? It's a spin-off from the reality tv show: A site where you can track your daily calories and exercise.

It's FANTASTIC!

It even shows you how much exercise you would need to do to burn off each food, your calories in/calories out ratio, and charts your progress. AWESOME.

We have also just recently bought a Wii Fit. As a non-gamer, can I just say; this thing is F-U-N!

It also has places to monitor your progress and you get points in your "Fit Piggy" the more exercise you do, and these open up new games.

Try these for yourself.

Another run today...

2008-05-07T17:32:00.004+10:00

Pump class last night (oww!) 1 hour run with the school Mini marathon team today (ee!) decided I deserved a treat. I ate not one but 2 Freddo frogs and I wish I could tell you that they were normal small sized ones, but they were giant sized. Damn his stupid coy smile and his encouraging little thumbs-up. And double damn his irresistable fatteningly delicious chocolate insides... They were so forbidden from my diet...

...but they were BLOODY FANTASTIC.

It was like having a million chocolate multiple orgasms... (ok maybe I'm a little delerious, but it's been a while since my last chocolate hit; and I AM an addict).

So any righteous feelings I had about all the exercise is gone. *sigh*. Oh well, one thing I did notice today was that running actually felt a tiny bit easier today. Okay: Let me clarify this - When running, I still looked like a walrus wearing ill-fitting flippers. And I still hated every second. But I wasn't dieing after 50 metres of slow jogging. I actually shuffled along 'til I felt out of breath, and when I stopped to walk, I didn't have to fumble around for my mobile phone to call an ambulance. I felt puffed, but ok.

This is HUGE. Let me assure you. Usually when I run,, after the first, oh, 20 seconds or so; I need a crash cart. It's all I can do to draw breath and remain upright. But today... I just got puffed. And then I walked a bit. Then I started again.

Progress...?

Oooohhh lets hope so! :)

You know when u get stuck on an idea and get carried away...

2008-05-05T22:44:00.003+10:00

Check out NAANIA - a new site created by me and my ten year old brother after a night of Indian Takeaway went terribly, terribly wrong...

For anyone who's ever seen the humour in a piece of innanimate flat bread - this is the site for you.

Kill me. Now.

2008-05-01T17:15:00.003+10:00

Oh god. Started full-on training with Judy and the team yesterday for the City to Surf. An hour-long walk/jog, with 10 minutes of steep hill sprints. Holy crap. I'm aching all over. Only 3months, 2 weeks to go...

Have lost a kilo this week, so i'm on track for my 10kg loss in 12 weeks.

Here's a cheering video re:my up-coming mini-marathon...

Game on.

2008-04-24T10:23:00.003+10:00

Ok. So, three weeks of torture (running) and I haven't lost a thing. I've wavered around 92/91kg. But I haven't been eating the best - I'll admit.

So my GF Coralie and I went to Wollongong to have our hair cuts yesterday, and we made a plan - Connie's wedding is in 12 weeks (ARGH! CONNIE!).

We are gonna lose 10 kilos in 12 weeks.

We are gonnna do some form of exercise everyday and we are gonna stick to the weight watchers eating plan. We are gonna check in with each other every Wednesday night, and compare food diaries. That way; we are accountable to each other at least.

So: Who's with us?

Lies.

2008-04-18T22:15:00.005+10:00

Ok. For the record - I dont believe in endorphins. I think the concept of endorphins is just some big scam conspiracy, especially when related to exercise.

I personally have never felt any sort of 'high' from exercising. In fact each time I try to run for 2 minutes on my treadmill, I can quite honestly say without a hint of hyperbole, that it is the worst and most painful 2 minutes of my life. (No I haven't had children yet - for all you post-natural-childbirth mums shaking their heads knowingly at me).

I HATE running. Why anyone would do it for fun is beyond me. If I wasn't chanting "wedding dress, wedding dress, wedding dress" with every forced stride, I wouldn't do it. I feel like my lungs are on fire, I sweat like no one I've ever seen before, I feel dizzy, and I feel like my legs are filled with wet sand.

I HATE IT.

I believe the only "rush" anyone gets from exercise is not "an exhilararing rush of endorphins", but a sheer rush of relief at having stopped exercising.

Lies.

2008-04-18T22:15:00.001+10:00

Red and yellow and pink and green...

2008-04-16T21:37:00.006+10:00

There are too many colour combinations. I dont think I'll go with Cherry Blossoms now... as it'll be Autumn here in Oz, not Spring, so we'd have to use fake flowers or have them imported. bugger.

Dress: I just want a nice non-frou-frou, non puffy, non-sleevless dress: Is that so hard???

Maybe something vintage? These are a few I found so far that I like...

And DEFINITELY these boots or jiffys!

FANTASTIC site - Gorgeous weddings at Junebug. Take a look.

Check out EXTREME PETE!

2008-04-14T14:08:00.008+10:00

This is the coolest dog I've ever seen!

Hmm... so what else is new? Um I have been diligently walk/running on my treadmill most days, if i dont do that, I walk my dogs, do the NYC ballet workout, or go to pump class.

Have still only lost 1 kg, but I remember this happening last time I went on a health kick, So I'm not really worried. I'll just keep doing it because it's good for me! :)

Have been trying to eat well... but... yesterday Ben brought Maccas home for lunch, and i ate it - of course (ZERO willpower), but then I ran on the treadmill. It was HARD yesterday for some reason. I still did 30 minutes of walking with s lots of 2 minute runs, bt they nearly killed me yesterday! then we had a healthy dinner: And I ate half a packet of chips. Not a small packet either. Dammit. Trouble is, Ben loves his junk food and I dont wanna deprive him, but I just have NO willpower round any of that stuff. I'm like an alcoholic in a bar.

Any suggestions anyone?

Maybe if I find a low fat alternative I can whip out if he's eating stuff like that, so i dont feel like I'm being left out...?

So today I'm detoxing. I've had fruit for breakfast, fruit and vegetable juices all day, and green/herbal tea. I've made sushi for dinner, and I bought a punnet of strawberries for dessert.

I've walked to dogs this morning, and I plan to do the NYC workout this afternoon. So I'm doin' ok. Nothing to show for it, but it feels good to be doing good things for my body.

So I've been researching wedding colour schemes, and at first I wanted either pink/chocolate brown, or turquoise/chocolate brown...

So I asked Ben what colours he liked, and of course he said: Red and Gold.
Eek.

Okay... So I did some web-surfing and I think I may have found a compromise...

A cherry blossom theme - Mostly pale pink, brown and white, but with red and gold accents.

This would be good because I have a fascination with all things Japanese, and Ben does too. I LOVE cherry blossoms, and I hate the thought of a big frou-frou bouquet, but would not be opposed to carrying a sprig of cherry blossom. We're thinking April wedding (2009), which is also the right time of year.

I was watching Memoirs of a Geisha the other day end even though I LOVED the book, but was disappointed with the film, there are a few scenes where you can see the colours I mean...

Here's a cherry blossom themed wedding, but I think I'd want it paler, and softer pink than this.

LOL LOL LOL

2008-04-13T15:34:00.000+10:00

RIP - Yabbie.

2008-04-13T14:22:00.005+10:00

Sad news. Classroom pet has passed away quietly in his sleep last night.

Connie was here and tried to administer first aid...

"Excuse me! Sir?

My name is Constance and I've been trained in first aid: Can I offer you some assistance, Sir? Sir?

Pinch my finger if you can hear me, Sir..."

But alas, we were too late and there was nothing we could do.

RIP - Yabbie.

Can I hire these guys?

2008-04-11T21:17:00.002+10:00

The best wedding present a girl could get!

Treadmills Not Included
At this wedding party, the bride's brothers, father and brother-in-law performed a step-by-step rendition of the dance performed by OK Go in their video, "A Million Ways."

Priceless.

Ok, upon closer inspection of this link, I've decided Ben and I are DEFINITELY choreographing our wedding 'waltz'. These are AWESOME. Check them out.

Wow - if I get really good at this treadmill thing...

2008-04-10T20:57:00.003+10:00

I could go on this Japanese gameshow! (I'm not sure, but I THINK the host could be a man...)

My fat is shaking in its boots!

2008-04-09T21:32:00.004+10:00

So far so good. I've made some big changes to help me with my double goal of running (oh god - running) the City To Surf this year, and to wear a size 12/14 wedding dress. (No: Haven't set a date yet... let me get my head around wearing a ring on my left hand first!)

Here's the list so far:

1) I have bought a treadmill AND vow to use it almost everyday. Each day when I'm not riding or going to the gym, I walk for at least 30 minutes. I can presently run for 3 lots of 2min. Then I want to curl up in a sweating, wheezing, shaking heap and die. However, i figure if I can keep that up, soon I'll be able to increase my times by 1 minute at a time.

And seeing as the City To Surf takes 3 - 4 HOURS, that would be really handy. Really.

2) My friends Max, Kylie, Connie and I have hit our local gym and go to a weekly 'Pump' class which usually has me walking down stairs like a slow-motion Frankenstein for days afterwards.

Scary thing is: The class is run by our high school's middle-aged librarian, and you would never know it, but SHE IS RIPPED! The librarian! (What: Are you, like, lifting the Encyclopedias while no one's looking, Kerrie???) She's this lovely, mellow, be-spectacled teacher-librarian by day, but by night she becomes a muscle-bound, ass-kicking sadist of a gym instructor. It's like Jekyl and Hyde! It's like Arnold Swarzeneggar in Kindergarten Cop.

3) I also bought the New York City Ballet's Workout video, just coz I'm too fat and embarrassed to join a real dance class, but I love how elegant and flexible things like ballet and yoga and pilates make you feel.

I had a go at the warm up and some of the stretching today. Note to self: Put the dogs outside BEFORE doing this again. I'm sure no ballerina at the NYC Ballet ever has to do floor stretches while simoultaneously defending her face from enthusiastic puppy licks.

New addition!

2008-04-08T10:16:00.004+10:00

This is the newest addition to our family! Her name is Donna and we are adopting her from our local riding school. No one knows quite how old she is, but she is rumoured to have pulled carts in Sydney's CBD at one stage... So we can assume she is VERY old. It's time for the old girl to become a pet, and I've adopted her from Pat to be company for Will.

She's black, draughty x, and wider than she is tall. What a gorgeous old girl... :)

This takes the cake...

2008-04-07T21:27:00.002+10:00

Browsin with my gal pals Connie and Max and found this disturbing piece of wedding memorabilia.

Chidi Ogbuta of Allen, Texas, had a wedding cake made to look exactly like herself.

More Godawful Brides? Click here.

Scary.

Must lose some flab!

2008-04-06T13:34:00.005+10:00

Borrowed this from channel4.com... Don't ya love it? LOL Must hit the treadmill...

I just always imagined that my "big fat" wedding would be more like this one

Than this one

*sigh*

Eew

2008-04-06T13:04:00.010+10:00

Just trolling round the net looking at other people's weddings... and EWWW are some people's weddings... "special". In fact, some are not just ugly; they are downright FUGLY.

Here are some of the more noteworthy pics I found...

Wow.

A wedding dress made of condoms!? how tasteful and practical!

One for soccer fans...

(Do you suspect a baby-bump??? scandal...)

Is this a shower curtain?

Halp! Is too much veil - do not want!

I have no words.

To see more - go here.

Omigod!

2008-04-03T21:01:00.003+11:00

Eeek! Ben just proposed!!! (I said yes - of course!)

...ohmigosh... it's such a shock...whoa... this ring feels so weird on this finger... and-

Wedding Dress.

Oh. My. God.

Okay. Time to start losing some flab.

Oh no. NOW look what I've gone and done...

2008-04-02T22:01:00.005+11:00

You turn your back on me for 5 minutes ("I'm just moving... I'll be back..." RIGHT), and I go and promise to enter THIS! I've really put my foot in it this time!

Here's a bit more info to prove just how insane this is.

Yeah - that's right: 14 KILOMETRES. Of running *shudder*

Yes. Me. A 20-something overweight asthmatic who would rather poke out her own eyes with chopsticks than participate in sport. This time I have truly gone insane.

What am I going to do????

Th Dramatic Lemur

2008-02-26T23:03:00.002+11:00

hopefully this will make up for my absence of late... hope you laugh as hard as I did!

And his colleague: The Dramatic Chipmunk...

Stop the world - I wanna get off!

2008-02-22T10:35:00.001+11:00

Hi guys!!!

I must apologise for the HUGE delay in posts of late! My life has literally turned upside down in the past few months and the s--t hit the fan hard!

I hope to return you to normal posts as soon as I can - but pls be patient with me!

Fill you all in soon!
Anj

Despite a terrible & highly stressful week...

2007-12-11T12:52:00.000+11:00

I'm over it. Hurry up and end, Term 4!

2007-12-07T22:36:00.001+11:00

What happens when an 8-year old gay boy gets 3 wishes???

2007-12-05T16:32:00.000+11:00

Same number: But it's better than gaining weight!!

2007-11-27T21:19:00.000+11:00

Anjel's changing...

When one becomes TWO!

Unrelated?

Sexy trombones. (I'm serious!)

It's serious business.

Why Japanese people don't get fat.

Sharipova is a good sport.

Smartest Mouse in the world!

Ducks and Trucks

10 001 uses for a mobile phone screen.

Incredible.

Incredible.

Another succesful trip to the Asian Grocery!

Whoa - Now THAT is precision flying!

Crazy Japanese Dancing Horse...(okaaaayy...?)

Dramatic Chipmunk - the sequel!

Noms!

It all came together...

Getting hitched this weekend!!!

Look alikes!

Remember Equitales???

No. Effing. Way.

Like sands through the hourglass - the end of "Sophia Loren".

Uh - huh.

Requiem for an ex pill-popper.

Ow, my liver: It's too fat.

My husband is a health hazard.

Kore wa nan desu ka? (Translation: what is this?)

A new all-time low.

Wedding Weirdies

Back on Weight Watchers... *sigh*

You know you love shoes when...

Note to self...

Know any homesick Aussies?

Day 1 - hungry but determined.

Such is my desperation.

Holy Morgan Spurlock, Batman!

But if Beyonce does it....?

A Timeline of Fad Diets - history repeating itself.

Whoa - BIG discovery!

Caught: Pink handed!

Weight-loss "No Man's Land"

Happy International Chocolate Day!

Earth to Connie..?

Drugs are bad, Mmkay???

I have what now?

Yes. Totally agree.

A true friend...

Viva Chinglish! Protect our Chinglish!

What? WHAT?! "Common sense"???

Calling in reinforcements.

Is your monitor dirty???

You know you're depressed when... 1#

I can totally relate!

Want the proof???

My Time!!!

I finished!

This could be me tomorrow.

Joke of the day...

My insides feel so clean!

Snails from around the net...

Under Construction.

Just a regular Pretzelly Saturday.

I have no words.

ooh...aah...

Mrs Munroe???

Wedding Inspiration...

Day 2 - MIGRAINE. Day 3 - Ugh.

DETOXING - Day 1

starting to lose focus

*sniffle, cough*

Ok - I'm having a fully fledged fat-girl FREAK-OUT!!!

The site is up!

This pisses me off.

Yes. I'm a pretty Big Loser.

Another run today...

You know when u get stuck on an idea and get carried away...

Kill me. Now.

Game on.

Lies.

Back on Weight Watchers... sigh

sniffle, cough