What motivates you?

Hi guys,

Finding motivation can be really difficult, which can apply to any goal you have, or anything you are working towards. This is why it is so important to find something that can inspire and motivate you on a regular basis, so when you have a bad day, you remind yourself of these, and keep powering on ahead. 

Whenever I lose a bit of motivation I look wherever I can to be inspired to get up off my butt and do SOMETHING. Whether it's reading blogs, inspirational quotes or just as simple as seeing a friend putting effort in (and me not!). 

Like with my goals, I try to set short and long term motivators..things that will help me get through that difficult work out, and the things that will get me to the ultimate goal I want to reach.

Long term motivators:

• I want to look hot (terrible that this is number 1 isn't it...hehe)
• Be healthy and reduce the risk of future problems
• Be fit
• I want to fit into normal (and sexy) clothing
• Have better self confidence and self esteem

While these are awesome, it doesn't exactly help to yell these at myself when I am struggling through a difficult work out, procrastinating, plateauing or generally just experiencing a difficult couple of weeks. A really good place to start if you're even struggling to get out the door, is get changed into your exercise gear..and go to where you need to be. The chances are, if you've made the effort to go this far, you won't turn around and go home, and actually end up doing something (even if its not much, it's better than nothing!)

Fad diets - do they work?

Hi guys!

Let's face it, there are a tonne of different diets out there available to everyone. You don't have to do much research to find something that promises results and magical weight loss with supposedly not much effort required.

While some of the weight loss options out there may genuinely work, I don't believe any of them are really sustainable long term, which is why they often fail and people end up gaining most of their weight back. This is what has happened to me countless times. What is the worst of all is the promises they all make that suck you in and at the end of it you feel like a failure, disappointed and with a lot less money in your pocket! Handy signs to recognising a fad diet: 

The importance of non scale victories

Hi everyone :)

I've made a few changes to my blog, mainly the list on the right hand side which shows you some of my favourite websites that I regularly gain inspiration from. I will add to these as I go... and you may find them helpful too :)
I will also be updating my twitter more frequently so follow me if you haven't already (previously @ezzie25 and now @EszterNZ). 

And now its time for some more progress photos! It's been about 9 weeks since my last one.
I think these pictures prove that even though its 'only' 5 kgs on the scale, the re-shaping is still going on.

Getting fat by burning calories?

Hi guys!

Big news! I have reached my 2nd really big goal.. I have finally hit 20 kgs of weight loss (44lbs).
I am beyond happy! I have been working my ass off even more so than usual ... and it's great to see results. I said to my family today ... I LOVE EXERCISE. It is the best feeling ever.
Recently I've been doing quite a few 6.30am fitness classes at the gym, and I'm surprised by just how much I am enjoying them. That endorphin and adrenaline rush really wakes me up and keeps me going all day. Highly recommended :)

Eating right... part 2!

Hi guys

As promised here is a break down of what I normally do for the rest of my meals. More often than not, my lunches are actually just left overs so these ideas work for both.
It is a bit long - so I hope I don't put anyone to sleep! Feel free to share your meal ideas in the comments.

The best guide to what you should have on your plate is 1/4 protein like meat, 1/4 starchy foods / carbs and 1/2 vegetables.
I stick to this and life is great...and I'm always full. I haven't been hungry in a long time!

My average dinner following this guideline and the portion sizes as below, is between 300 - 400 calories for the meal (1390 allowance per day), and this still lets me have a treat afterwards.

You don't have to eat less, you just have to eat right..

Hi everyone :)

This week post is all going to be about food.. which can be your best friend or your worst enemy.
But first - I had another really successful week with alot of exercising and group fitness classes and bike rides..burning ALOT of calories with every workout ..around 400-600 per session :) :) I am now only 600 grams from reaching 20 kg total loss!!!!

Now back to the important stuff. As I have mentioned in previous posts before, I used to have a dependency on alot of bad foods.. from energy drinks and coke being my beverage of choice, biscuits, chocolate, ice cream, takeaways like Mcdonalds, Pizzas, Noodle Canteen... alot of the time it was 'easier' to get takeaways for dinner, or at least it seemed easier. 
I would do some exercise, and fool myself into thinking that the exercise I just did justified me eating those foods because I'd worked it off. How wrong was I haha...but I think it demonstrates the attitude I had back then to the whole process. It was about being able to eat whatever I wanted, making excuses and taking short cuts. 

2014 - The year for success

What a year 2013 was... I had a lot of amazing experiences and achievements both in the personal sense and fitness wise. 

These past eight months have actually been the longest positive relationship I have had with myself, my health and my fitness. This has also been the longest serious commitment I've made.
It sounds scary to think that this is the case, when it's not even been that long, but honestly, it's the best decision I ever made. I just want to keep going... I have not been happier in my life and I feel like a different person. It is amazing just how quickly things change.

Being irrational...but still got results!

Hi guys

The last week has been pretty great, apart from the fact that I had a pretty bad cold for about 3 days which meant I missed a day of boot camp and the little bit I tried to do (walking) was exhausting too!
By Wednesday I was feeling a whole lot better though, so I picked up my game and did a couple of longer runs, went hard at boot camp and on Saturday went to an intense class at the gym 600 calories burnt yay!

Holiday temptations

So it's almost Christmas... and the various holiday functions have begun. In the past week at work alone I've had a few morning teas and the first of two christmas lunches. Everything on offer is not the best for anyone's healthy eating plan, and you kind of feel like you can't just excuse yourself and not eat anything. I'm finding this a real challenge! 

So in terms of eating this week.. I indulged more than once! I ate lollies for the first time in... quite a while, and it's one of those things that just scream at you to eat more. Damn you pineapple lumps. In saying that though, I have still logged everything that has gone into my mouth, and have tried to amp up the exercise a bit to try and counteract those treats. 

I did some researching on how I can combat the Holiday Season eating problem throughout the next few weeks and have found a few handy tips:

Christmas came early!

Going to keep this short and simple... My goal was to reach 90 kgs by christmas, and this week I achieved that goal. I am officially now under 90 at 89.7 kgs bringing my total weight loss to just over 16 kgs.

I am beyond words happy. I have not had my weight start with an eight in at least 10 years. And to now only be less than 5kgs from reaching my initial goal of losing 20 kgs is unbelievable.
When I started this whole thing in May, I felt like I was at the bottom of a very very large mountain, 30 kgs seemed like it could never happen (its actually why I set my initial goal to 20 kgs), but now that so much has changed and improved with everything, suddenly it all seems possible. 
I know I can do it :)

Here are some pictures comparing what I looked like middle of September, and what I look like now.