Time to get cracking!

Hi everyone, I'm joining in with Sherry on my own journey from big to beautiful.

I've been trying to lose weight for years. Unsuccessfully. It's actually gone backwards, and I'm currently the biggest I've ever been. My scales are wonky, so I have no idea what I'm actually at, but I know that, whatever it is, I'm not happy.

Last year, carrying our second child, I had gestational diabetes. Not diagnosed, not treated, and it ended with the death of our boy at 38 weeks 3 days. I was retaining so much water that, after having him, between his weight (11lbs) and the water, I had an immediate loss of about 10kg. Despite my desire to lose weight, and probably due to fighting depression following his death, I've gained that back plus a little. I've bounced around with about 5kg coming off then back on ever since. I'll start to lose, then slack off.

So I'm hoping, by posting regular updates on here with Sherry, we can keep each other motivated and honest. She'd love to be a mother one day, and I'd love to try for another child again. I can't do that until I've lost at least 25kg. Personally, I'd rather lose the 45kg I want to lose first, but we'll see how it goes. Even getting back down to under 100kg will be great. I haven't been under 100 since before falling pregnant with our daughter, who is 5 years old.

Here is what I look like right now. This is why I'm not happy. (Although I do love my nails!!)

Above Photos taken 29-04-14

Recent trip to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

I'm about an Australian size 22. I want to get back down to a size 12. Quite a way to go, but I remember being a lot more comfortable then. (Not as comfortable as I should have been, as I was friends with really thin girls who actually made snide comments that made me feel fat. Yup. Youngs girls can be real bitches!)

I'd also love to be at the size I want to be if my fiance and I ever get around to getting married. At this point, it's not looking positive, but I want to be prepared, physically at least.

So the goal photos. This was when I was happy. Well, happier. 

Above Photos 10-2004

Don't mind the make up - Zombie musical 05-2004

05-2001

That's me in the pink paisley dress and knee highs in the second image. Fun times. I have a pair of jeans that I'm desperate to fit into again, and wear better than before, as well. I didn't get to wear them much, so they're in near new condition. I adore them. They made my arse look fantastic, and they were flared so I could wear the knee high boots I just about lived in. I will get back there one day.

I'm an emotional eater. I'll admit that. I get upset, I crave sweets. Chocolate, slices, baked goods. And it does not help that I am awesome at baking. Really not constructive when you're trying to lose weight. 

So, to start shedding this weight, I'll be cutting down on sugar, having smaller portions, increasing my water intake because water is crucial to weight loss (though it's important to not over do it. As Sherry and I said while we were discussing my joining this blog, it will wash out essential nutrients, and it will make you bloated, which is not a good thing when you're trying to lose weight!). I will also be restarting the planking challenge, begin the squat challenge within a couple weeks (so as to not jump in too deep too quickly and scare myself out of exercise), kettle bell swings (they work thighs, gluts, arms and core muscles), and once school starts back next week, I'll be walking down and back at least each week day morning (which equates to 2km, 4km the days I do afternoon as well). I aim to increase the amount of exercise I do gradually, eventually working in a workout with Wii Active, as well. 

The trickiest bit for me, I think, will be staying motivated. I was born with no thyroid, and so I'm on thyroid medication for life. While blood tests tell me that my levels are perfect, I still have difficulty losing weight, and other side effects that are usual to hypothyroidism (low levels). I'll be chasing up possible causes, but for now, I want to focus on this weight loss, because I know that will help quite a bit. 

So I think that is enough from me for now. I'll update each Monday Aus time, maybe a secondary post on weeks where I need the push or have had a positive breakthrough. But for now, I'm signing off. Wish me luck!