August 2008

Aug 2008

28

Small Steps = Lasting Change

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by Lia Halsall

Support comes in all shapes and forms and yesterday it came from Craig Harper. We chatted on the phone and the fact that he took the time to listen to me meant the world to me. I mean, this man is busy like no other busy I know. The love and support I’ve received and continue to receive from my extended health & fitness family is so over whelming but also crucial to my getting back on track again. Craig’s one of my role models, I appreciate his straight to the point approach and welcome his advice. He’s definitely my kind of guy. If it’s a good talking to, reality check or even butt kicking I need then he’s my man. LOL!! I don’t really care for the soft and fluffy approach, but that’s just me.

On many occasions I’ve spoken about how even the littlest of things we do on a daily basis can make a long lasting lifestyle change. Take yesterday for example, most days I take time out for myself and head to my local cafe for something to eat and drink. I order eggs benedict with spinach and a skinny latte. So today I made a change, albeit a little one but a change none the less. Instead of getting bacon I opted to have the ham (less fattier) and instead of having four sugars (instead of artificial sweeteners) I opted for three. Now this meal is still far from ideal to be eating regularly but it’s a change in the right direction and that’s enough for me at the moment. I’ve also been getting better with my daily water intake, even if having a dry cough has helped. LOL!! Hey if it works then I’m a fan of it even if it does come about in a peculiar way.

Whilst I’m being open and honest about things I have to admit that I’ve also been drinking a little to much kahlua and milk for my and my husband’s liking. I don’t drink to get drunk and nor do I get intoxicated but I do drink to take the edge of my day and technically would be over the limit if I did need to go to the supermarket or chemist or hospital for Mum. So it’s kind of a problem, not to mention the amount of liquid calories I’m consuming. I know exactly why I’ve put on the weight and cellulite I have. So now I’ve made an arrangement with my wonderful husband to help me to help myself. I’m not to drink before 5.00pm. Firstly this limits my daily alcohol and calorie intake as well ensuring I can drive anywhere I need or want to go at a moments notice. Daniel’s home at the end of the day so he can take over driving from here if need be. This is something I’ve wanted to post about but wasn’t strong enough until now. It’s not one of my proudest moments but it is what it is so now it’s out there. I must admit I do feel better for getting it out in the open. It kind of lightens the load I’m carrying. So I’m not perfect, far from it but that’s okay. I working towards a new maintainable lifestyle and with everything that’s going on it’s going to take time, a lot of time. But I’ll have you know that I had my first drink not at 1700h when I’m allowed too but 1930h. I had only two drinks and although I almost went back for my third, I didn’t. Yet another little win for me. *yipee*

Today Mum’s having her chemo review in at Peter Mac. We’re obviously quite anxious as to what’s the next step with regards to treatment. Either way we’ll know today what’s going on so stay tuned for that update.

Oh and in case you hadn’t noticed I have another poll up in the top right side of my sidebar. I know I get a little sick of my not so happy blog posts and wanted to know what my loyal readers and friends wanted to read about. Of course at the end of the day it’s my decision but I do take on board what you guys think. After all, you’re important to me too in case you didn’t know. So please, cast your vote and/or leave me a comment. I’d love to know what you think about what I blog about.


I’ve also been out shopping again, I know I know when does it end. LOL!! I was inspired by the finish of my new dishwasher so much so I bought an Asko Front Loading Washing Machine & Dryer in the same finish. The picture above is them in white. With any luck we should have them in and installed by the weekend.

I think that’s it for now, it’s time for me to go. Keep smiling. :o )

Aug 2008

27

Wide Awake

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by Lia Halsall

I couldn’t sleep again so I got up, at 0300h. Crazy stuff I know but beats keeping my poor husband awake with me, no point when he has to get up and go to work. Last night was the first night of me attempting to go to sleep without sleeping pills. Dad’s death effected me not only psychologically but also physically. When you’re caring for someone who’s terminally ill a good night’s sleep is of the utmost importance so off to the doctors I went. Now they were only as a temporary measure but now I have to learn to sleep again without the aid of sleeping tablets. That and I have this annoying dry cough that seems to rare it’s ugly head when I lay down on a night, you know the one. Speaking of which I probably should go take some of the cough medicine I bought yesterday, I’ll be right back.

Back now. So it’s oh my god it’s early o’clock in the morning and I was laying in bed thinking what the hell am I going to do that isn’t going to wake up the entire house up. I know, I’ll blog. I was going to blog last night but as you can see I didn’t, see here I am now blogging.


Saturday as you already know I flew up to Bris Vegas for Lindy Olsen’s Bodytune Workshop. It’s the first time I’d been up there since I left back in 2003. I forgot how much I loved the weather up there, I was even homesick for it. What a day we had though. *phew* JD (see picture) & Richard Fahy from Excelgene were both guest speakers and listening to them was inspirational to say the least. I also had the pleasure of catching up with Deb as well as some of the lovely ladies over at LindyOlsen.com’s Forum. It was quite the little reunion. Lindy was so great to spend time with, so much so we refer to ourselves as identical twins just living at different ends of the country. We achieved a lot in the one day and let me tell you, I didn’t come home empty handed. I was so spoilt by Lindy. She’s definitely one in a million.

We also talked about my constant struggle with getting my health and fitness back on track. Lindy suggested that I simplify things and break them down. Starting with applying one of her seven rules each week for seven weeks so it isn’t so overwhelming for me. Great idea! So my first goal this week is to drink the required amount of water for my body weight. Fingers crossed.

As for having my shoulder surgery today that’s been re-scheduled. My surgeon’s office rang me Monday to let me know that due to a trauma case my surgery had to be re-scheduled. Oh well, that’s life. Everything happens for a reason so now I’m going in on 10th September.

What else, oh yeah I finally got around to trying lash extensions and I love them. Here’s where I went and I can personally recommend their products and their services because you get what you pay for. I had naturally luscious eyelashes applied, they look like I’ve curled them and applied mascara only I haven’t.

Yesterday I had another appointment with Jacqui Louder (Sports Psychologist). It wasn’t one of my better appointments and there were a lot of tears. Actually it was a really tough session for me and probably won’t be my last considering everything that is going on. Dobber (AKA Daniel) came along with me to do what he does best. Sometimes I wonder why I take him along. LOL!! Only kidding, I take him along because it’s in my best long term interest. So we talked a lot about giving myself a break, a break, who is she kidding. It’s taken me 36 years to get this stubborn and pig headed, does she have any idea what she’s asking me to do here? Probably so, considering I’ve been seeing her for a while now. Jacqui knows exactly what I’m like. But unfortunately for her I wasn’t being a very co-operative client yesterday and really made her work for it. It wasn’t my intention, but I shut down on her emotionally speaking. One of my issues is not having grieved for Dad. Mum’s been so sick, even the day of the funeral, that she’s pretty much taken up all of my time and energy that I haven’t really stopped and dealt with what’s happened. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not her fault and I chose to take on this responsibility but it hasn’t been without consequences of which are in my control, sort of. Things aren’t great but I’m trying each and every day to make myself a better life if that’s possible. That’s why I didn’t post last night because not only was I emotionally exhausted but because I’ve decided that no matter what I must log off my notebook at 2100h. That way I have an hour until it’s in bed with the lights out. This gives me the opportunity to slow my mind and body down ready for a good night’s sleep. Except for last night. LOL!! Getting up at 0300h isn’t ideal but I’m not giving up and that’s all that matters to me. It’s not whether I achieve this that or the other, it’s the fact that I’m not giving up on life. It may suck at the moment but it’s not always going to be this way and I live in that hope every single day at the moment.

Well I’m starving now, it’s time for breakfast. Thanks for listening to me once again and I hope you all have a fabulous day!

Aug 2008

26

Look what I got

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by Lia Halsall


Tuesday 26th August 2008

Lia

Hello, this is Jen Hendershott and a little bird told me you need a hug! I wanted to let you know that I have been praying for you and hoping for better days. Sometimes life is so tough we never know how we will survive. The good news is God does not throw anything at us we can NOT handle. Please know if you need anything I am here for you and if I were with you, I would give you the BIGGEST HUG!

Your Friend,
Jen

Aug 2008

20

Stop Sabotaging Yourself by Sandy Joyce

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by Lia Halsall

For anyone who’s been living a healthy lifestyle for some time, I’m sure it’s no secret that our surroundings are not, shall we say, supportive.

Let’s face it, if we were to succumb to the ways of convenience, we’d all be 300 pounds with overcrowded villages of cellulite. But despite the challenges we face from our surroundings, I strongly believe that we’re our own worst enemy.

That’s right. I’m saying that you’re the biggest thing in the way of your success!

Forget about the tempting, convenient Burger Hut down the street. Forget about the fancy “indulge yourself” slogans. Forget about the pressures you face from your so-called friends and family to just “have a little.”


“C’mon, it’s just one teeny-weeny, little cupcake.”

We can’t change the world. The only thing, the only person we ultimately control is ourselves.

The truth is, every day we’re faced with several choices, whether we know it or not. Even getting out of bed is a choice. You say, “No it isn’t, I’d get fired!” Yes, most of us probably would — and that’s why we choose to get up and go to work!

Living a lean, healthy lifestyle is like that. It’s full of choices. You don’t have to go to the gym. You don’t have to eat right. Nobody is making you. Sure, there are benefits if you do. And, of course, there are consequences if you don’t. But, it’s your choice.

Every day, every squat, every chin-up, every meal — you choose it. Boy that sounds like a lot of responsibility. And you know what? It is!

For those of you who are successful, bravo! It’s probably become so automatic that you don’t even have to think about it (kind of like getting up for work).

For those of you who still struggle, read on. I’m going to show you some of the common mistakes you’re making, and give you some rules to follow to ensure that you get out of your own way and achieve the body of your dreams!

Read more….

Aug 2008

20

Solid Ground

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by Lia Halsall


Before you 100% commit yourself to any goals and/or dreams you really have to ensure you’re standing on solid ground. To me, it’s basic structural common sense so the same rule should apply to our lives. If the surface beneath you is unstable and/or cracked then sooner or later you’ll fall straight though and this is what’s happened to me recently.

Monday Ronnie pointed something out to me that couldn’t have been any more obvious yet I couldn’t see it. I was desperately trying to live the life of a figure competitor when I wasn’t preparing for a figure competition and failing miserably at it too. The thing is that all of my circumstances had changed, my work, my home, my family, my health & fitness. Everything in my life had changed. Nothing was the same and yet I wondered why I couldn’t perform as I’d previously done. I mean, hello…..it’s not rocket science but it might as well been for me because I just didn’t make the connection.

It’s no wonder I was struggling. I was so task focused that I hadn’t taken the time to stop and re-evaluate my situation. Of course I knew that things had changed but I didn’t REALLY think about it in the big scheme of things. But thankfully I’ve now had my semi light bulb moment. They may not be better yet but they’re in perspective and I’m heading in a new direction.

I don’t look and nor do I feel like a figure competitor. My lifestyle, or lack there of, and weight has spiralled out of control but it’s no longer my primary focus. I eat to much and drink to much with little to no exercise but so what. To put it bluntely, Dad’s dead & Mum’s dying. That’s my life in a nutshell, no sugarcoating no nothing. If this isn’t a good enough excuse for taking a break I don’t know what is. Now don’t get me wrong I know that this behaviour isn’t necessarily the right answer but you know what, it’s mine and mine to make. I’ve done the crime so I’ll eventually pay the time. Like many have pointed out this isn’t a permanent situation for me and it can be easily rectified. But for the time being I’m focusing and fixing my cracked surface so when I do take that next step I’m in a much better position and there’s a less likely chance I’ll fall through the cracks.

Judgement is what it is judgement and I’m going to try to not let it bother me anymore. Judging myself or others judging me. This is my life, it’s far from perfect but I’m doing the best that I can given my current circumstances. I may not get it right but at least I’m trying and learning more lessons along the way. That’s it for today. This has been a tough love post to not only write and also publish. The end. :o )

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