New Pic!

Monday, June 29, 2009

So here's a new pic dh took of me today, I weighed in at 77kgs this morning which means I've lost 30kgs!! :) I honestly find it hard to see a massive change from the 50lb loss photo but dh reckons it's a big difference and it is another 16lbs after all. I'm looking forward to seeing the changes once the resistance training takes effect and more fat loss happens....nonetheless it's a great achievement and I'm really proud of myself.

New Pic!

So here's a new pic dh took of me today, I weighed in at 77kgs this morning which means I've lost 30kgs!! :) I honestly find it hard to see a massive change from the 50lb loss photo but dh reckons it's a big difference and it is another 16lbs after all. I'm looking forward to seeing the changes once the resistance training takes effect and more fat loss happens....nonetheless it's a great achievement and I'm really proud of myself.

I'm Hooked!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Ok so I am hooked! I know it’s early days and I don’t want to speak too soon but I’m loving the weights and having that me time at the gym. I did a full body weight workout last week and I was sore in every part of my body for 4 days!!! No joke… isn’t this telling me something! my husband is so funny, he was like “oh your muscles are probably the size of a pea now instead of half a pea” lol but in all honesty he’s really stoked I’ve joined the gym and we went together yesterday which was cool.

I did some low level cardio last week too to try and get my legs moving after the intense workout and it helped a little. I am pretty excited to see the change that will begin to happen, it’s not going to be instant and will be hard work but it will be worth it, there are so many great benefits to exercise and I want to experience them.

I'm Hooked!

Ok so I am hooked! I know it’s early days and I don’t want to speak too soon but I’m loving the weights and having that me time at the gym. I did a full body weight workout last week and I was sore in every part of my body for 4 days!!! No joke… isn’t this telling me something! my husband is so funny, he was like “oh your muscles are probably the size of a pea now instead of half a pea” lol but in all honesty he’s really stoked I’ve joined the gym and we went together yesterday which was cool.

I did some low level cardio last week too to try and get my legs moving after the intense workout and it helped a little. I am pretty excited to see the change that will begin to happen, it’s not going to be instant and will be hard work but it will be worth it, there are so many great benefits to exercise and I want to experience them.

Trip to the GYM!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Today I had my appointment with a trainer at the gym to go through my first workout. They also did my body fat percentage with callipers and I’m stoked to report it was 32.8% so it was much lower than the scale measurement which came in at 40.3%. That’s a huge difference so I was pleased that they pinched my fat lol. They’ve done me a split program so upper body on one day and lower on another day which means I can go on more days and not lose momentum…hopefully ;)

We just went through the whole upper and lower workout but only 1 set and then next time I go it will be 2 sets and then 3 sets. It was super hard, I am extremely unfit so it was definitely challenging, but this is what I want, I’m not going there to hop on a piece of cardio equipment and read a magazine. I can already tell I’m going to be very sore tomorrow…bring it on, I love sore muscles!

Trip to the GYM!

Today I had my appointment with a trainer at the gym to go through my first workout. They also did my body fat percentage with callipers and I’m stoked to report it was 32.8% so it was much lower than the scale measurement which came in at 40.3%. That’s a huge difference so I was pleased that they pinched my fat lol. They’ve done me a split program so upper body on one day and lower on another day which means I can go on more days and not lose momentum…hopefully ;)

We just went through the whole upper and lower workout but only 1 set and then next time I go it will be 2 sets and then 3 sets. It was super hard, I am extremely unfit so it was definitely challenging, but this is what I want, I’m not going there to hop on a piece of cardio equipment and read a magazine. I can already tell I’m going to be very sore tomorrow…bring it on, I love sore muscles!

PB Book Review and My exercise plan!

Friday, June 19, 2009

So I have finally read the whole Primal blueprint book and it’s such a great read!! I’m a very slow reader but I tend to absorb nutrition information really well. I also found it really easy to read which is great. I have lent it to my family with strict instructions not to let their young kids get their hands on it. After all it’s a signed copy and I don’t want it ruined, on the other hand I would really like to spread the word and letting them read it is the best I can do, they are already seeing my results.

I was really stoked to read the information on Exercise, it’s crucial to read this book if you want to live healthy. It’s not just about a ‘diet’ it’s totally about lifestyle in all areas and I really like this aspect, it kinda gave me a nudge in the right direction. So much so that the stuff I read on Exercise was so good I have finally joined the gym, it’s literally just around the corner from where I live so it’s really about time I started lifting some weights, get my heart healthy and prevent the ‘skinny fat’ look.

There is definitely new information in this book, if you read Marks Daily Apple blog which he already gives us so much info free, however there’s more in this book and it really elaborates on so much. I highly recommend you buying the book, you will not regret it, it cost me $67NZD but worth every penny. When I think of how much in the past I have spent on ‘diet/lifestyle’ books man have I wasted some $$. I don’t feel like I have wasted any money on the PB Book, it’s well worth the read.

Now that I’ve finished the PB Book I’m finally onto reading Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes, it finally arrived at the library. I was surprised at how big this book is, hopefully I can get through it in library borrowing time. So far it’s a pretty hard read but I’m really enjoying it. Will let you know once I’ve finished it.

So on another note my eating has been so good this week, I have been having a bit of ghee or organic butter and a little cream. I haven’t had any cheese which is hard but I think it was the problem for me, better kept to a sensible vice.

I joined the gym on Thursday and went for my assessment yesterday, man I am so unfit it’s embarrassing, my body fat is 40.3% based on Tanita scales but it is that time of the month and they said they will also do a proper calliper test which will be good, then I can have an accurate read and measure my results a whole lot better. I’m guessing it’s in the upper 30’s anyway.

My goal is to lift weights and change my body composition; I asked them to do me a weights program with a little cardio and HIIT, I told them I already have my diet sorted to lose the rest of the fat I need to and I just need help with the exercise part. I plan to go 3-4 times a week, hopefully more but to be honest since I’m such a slacker at exercise, if I can get there 3 times it will be a miracle. So I’m really excited to start changing the look and feel of my body.

I weighed this week even though I said I wasn’t going to, I haven’t started working out yet so I sneaked a peak, it was 78.1!! woohoo I am stoked that means I’ve lost exactly 29kgs, wow! and yes I will upload a new photo shortly...

PB Book Review and My exercise plan!

So I have finally read the whole Primal blueprint book and it’s such a great read!! I’m a very slow reader but I tend to absorb nutrition information really well. I also found it really easy to read which is great. I have lent it to my family with strict instructions not to let their young kids get their hands on it. After all it’s a signed copy and I don’t want it ruined, on the other hand I would really like to spread the word and letting them read it is the best I can do, they are already seeing my results.

I was really stoked to read the information on Exercise, it’s crucial to read this book if you want to live healthy. It’s not just about a ‘diet’ it’s totally about lifestyle in all areas and I really like this aspect, it kinda gave me a nudge in the right direction. So much so that the stuff I read on Exercise was so good I have finally joined the gym, it’s literally just around the corner from where I live so it’s really about time I started lifting some weights, get my heart healthy and prevent the ‘skinny fat’ look.

There is definitely new information in this book, if you read Marks Daily Apple blog which he already gives us so much info free, however there’s more in this book and it really elaborates on so much. I highly recommend you buying the book, you will not regret it, it cost me $67NZD but worth every penny. When I think of how much in the past I have spent on ‘diet/lifestyle’ books man have I wasted some $$. I don’t feel like I have wasted any money on the PB Book, it’s well worth the read.

Now that I’ve finished the PB Book I’m finally onto reading Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes, it finally arrived at the library. I was surprised at how big this book is, hopefully I can get through it in library borrowing time. So far it’s a pretty hard read but I’m really enjoying it. Will let you know once I’ve finished it.

So on another note my eating has been so good this week, I have been having a bit of ghee or organic butter and a little cream. I haven’t had any cheese which is hard but I think it was the problem for me, better kept to a sensible vice.

I joined the gym on Thursday and went for my assessment yesterday, man I am so unfit it’s embarrassing, my body fat is 40.3% based on Tanita scales but it is that time of the month and they said they will also do a proper calliper test which will be good, then I can have an accurate read and measure my results a whole lot better. I’m guessing it’s in the upper 30’s anyway.

My goal is to lift weights and change my body composition; I asked them to do me a weights program with a little cardio and HIIT, I told them I already have my diet sorted to lose the rest of the fat I need to and I just need help with the exercise part. I plan to go 3-4 times a week, hopefully more but to be honest since I’m such a slacker at exercise, if I can get there 3 times it will be a miracle. So I’m really excited to start changing the look and feel of my body.

I weighed this week even though I said I wasn’t going to, I haven’t started working out yet so I sneaked a peak, it was 78.1!! woohoo I am stoked that means I’ve lost exactly 29kgs, wow! and yes I will upload a new photo shortly...

Primal Power Bars

Sunday, June 14, 2009

As requested by Jaxz the recipe for Primal Power Bars.....

These are awesome! I found the recipe on the new MDA Forum http://www.marksdailyapple.com/forum/topic/primal-power-bars and they really are great. The recipe originated at Elana’s Pantry http://www.elanaspantry.com/power-bars/. Here’s my little adjustment of course :)
Gluten and Dairy Free Power Bars

1 cup almond flour/ground almonds
1 cup chopped walnuts - fresh
½ cup flax meal
½ cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
½ cup salted roasted almond butter
½ cup coconut oil
1 tablespoon dark cane sugar or Raw honey (depending on taste)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1. Combine almond flour, flax meal, coconut, sugar.
2. In a small sauce pan, melt coconut oil over very low heat,
3. Remove coconut oil from stove, stir in almond butter and vanilla
4. Add coconut oil mixture to dry ingredients which will form a coarse paste
5. Press mixture into an 8 x 8 glass baking dish
6. Chill in refrigerator for 1 hour, until mixture hardens

Topping: Dark Chocolate Ganache

113 Dark Chocolate (I used 85%)
90mls Coconut Cream
1-2 tablespoons Coconut Oil
1. In a small saucepan, heat coconut cream and coconut oil, take off heat and add chocolate stiring continuously until smooth.
2. Spread melted chocolate gnache over bars; return to refrigerator for 30 minutes, until chocolate firms. It won’t harden completely but it’s very yummy. You can just use melted down chocolate for topping.
3. Remove from refrigerator, cut into bars and serve

Food Diary and Stats

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

I thought I would post 9 days of my food diary to give you an idea of what I'm eating lately.
In 9 day's I've lost 1.8kgs without even trying, honestly, I just listen to my hunger signals. Since I've got a cold it's probably an advantage due to the fasting but this is pretty damn close to what I eat anyway. No fruit, it's winter and I don't feel like fruit at the moment.


I definately know this isn't water weight as my pants feel loser and I'm pretty stoked to finally be in the 70's :) Now when I was bigger I always said to myself once I see 70 something on the scale it's time to start adding resistance training, sometimes weighing yourself is such a mental thing and can really depress you when you don't see the 'right' number. I know that as soon as I start working out the scale is not a good way to measure success as body composition changes which is what I want, more muscle and less fat!

So since I know I've finally dropped into the 70's I'm going to refrain from weighing myself, not sure how long this will last but I'm determined. I've taken all my measurements also which astounded me how much I've lost since I've started, here's my measurements:



Tuesday 2nd June – weigh in 81.2kg
8am: 2 poached egg, 2 strips bacon, a few walnuts and 1 small piece 85% chocolate
2pm: 5 chicken nibbles fried in duck fat and a sauce with coconut cream and tamari. 2 homemade almond crackers with dairy free pesto and 1 pc 85% chocolate.
6pm: A few walnuts
7.30pm: Roast pork with crackling, kumara skins, Brocolli and Zucchini with reduction gravy


Wednesday 3rd June
Fasted for morning, not hungry at all, probably due to a big lot of food yesterdsay.
12:45pm: I small piece of flaxseed bread w Avacado dressing, 1/2 avacado, 3 strips of Bacon and 2 fried eggs in duck fat. 3 pcs 85% chocolate.
Didn't eat anything else was soo full from lunch. The flaxseed bread isn't a common thing, I'd have it every now and then.


Thursday 4th June
8.30am: 2 poached eggs and 3 strips of bacon, 1 pc Nut Bar (homemade power almond bars)
1pm: Chicken Fenders (seared chicken with herbs) with Lemon Aioli from BurgerFuel
3.30: 50mins BodyPump (first exercise session in a while)
5pm: 1 pc Nut Bar
7pm: 1 Chicken Thigh and 1 drumstick with garlic and coconut cream suace, Cauli, zucchini, red peppers and red cabbage cooked in chicken stock with kumara skins. 1 Pc Nut Bar


Friday 5th June
9am: 2 poached eggs and 1 pc Nut Bar
10.30am: Decaf Vienna w 1 raw sugar
2pm: Scotch fillet stak w garlic and coconut cream sauce. 2 pcs 85% chocolate
7pm: Pork Mince patties (homemade) with garlic aioli and 1/4 avacado on top, 2 pcs 85% chocolate


Saturday 6th June
woke with a sore throat
9am: Scrambled eggs (made with cream and butter) and 2 1/2 strips Bacon
2pm: Chicken Fenders (seared chicken with herbs) with Lemon Aioli from BurgerFuel
6pm: Chicken tikka boneless pieces from Indian Place, 2 pcs 85% chocolate


Sunday 7th June
well and truly got a cold now
8.30am: 2 poached eggs and 2 strips bacon
12.45pm: Roast Chicken w reduction gravy and pc Nut Bar
6.30pm: Lamb Rump with garlic and rosemary, broc and cauli with a lemon, egg, oil sauce, fried kumara skins. 1 tsp almond butter and 2 pcs 85% chocolate


Monday 8th June
Fasted all morning
1pm: Almond crusted chicken with aioli
7.15pm: Roast pork w crackling, roast pumpkin, brocolli and reduction gravy


Tuesday 9th June
Fasted all day, lost taste buds from cold so feeling misrable, a few lemon, ginger drinks.
4pm: Pc nut bar
7pm: Chicken Fenders (seared chicken with herbs) with Lemon Aioli from BurgerFuel with brocolli and bacon. a few walnuts and 2 pcs Chocolate


Wednesday 10th June
Fasted all morning
12.30pm: Roast Pork w crackling
6.30pm: Roast Chicken w reduction gravy, zucchini, cauli and red cabbage cooked in chicken stock.


Thursday 11th June - weigh in 79.4kgs
and by the way I'm feeling much better today, no infection woohoo!

Dairy Mussings

Sunday, June 7, 2009

So I'm feeling really crap this week, I have a bad case of the common cold which is making me feel like absolute shit to be honest. I haven't been sick since low carb living, and I wasn't expecting to pick up DH's cold because I eat so much better than him but after a full on weekend away and starting up this business I might just be a bit run down, so a few days of lots of rest and hopefully I'll kick it. When I used to get sick it would always turn into an infection and last a good 2 weeks, I'm extremely optimistic this won't happen this time as I'm sure my immune system is much much better.

As for my eating, I've been really good, I will admit though I am missing my dairy like crazy!!! I think I have decided to incorporate some back into my eating, small amounts of butter and cream but this time organic. Not having any at all was making me feel like I was on a diet and I'm not a fan of feeling soo restricted. Part of getting to eat all this wonderful low carb food means I should be able to have some whipped cream with berries or butter on my veggies if I choose to.

I'm still going to limit my cheese intake, as I was sometimes using this as a sole protein source for lunch which was not good, just being lazy I guess. I will keep cheese for a sensible vice food.

Sorry I've been away!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

I haven't posted in a wee while, I've been away visiting my Mum and her partner, they run a motel up in Auckland so we spent a bit of time with them. Eating there is easy because they both do low carb too. I took my PB Book so Mum had a good read while dh and I went shopping!

The PB Book is an excellent read so far, I haven't had a lot of time to read it all, I'm about 1/3 way through.

My non dairy is going particularly well. I have noticed a bit of an effect with my anxiety, being less than it normally is so I'm going to stick with it and see if it really makes a substantial difference because I really do miss my cheese and cream. Also instead of butter I've been using avocado oil, coconut oil and lard depending on what it is I'm cooking. I've had more nuts since I'm not having cheese too

While we were away we ate out a lot, I managed to eat things like, chicken pieces in garlic - (Indian), Steak, prawns, scallops and bacon and not even tempted by garlic bread and roasted potatoes.

My weight is 81kg so that's a 800gm loss which I'm happy with considering I have eaten quite a lot of food in the past week. Will be interesting to see what happens in the following weeks keeping my dairy to almost non existence and some portion control.
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