2005 in review

Here it is people, my last post before I jet set off for my first overseas adventure(!) and most likely my last post for 2005. This morning's weigh in had the following result: 82kg!! That means I'm going on my holiday 2kg lighter than what I had originally hoped, so yay for me!

What an incredible year it has been for me. I cannot begin to explain how much my life has changed in just twelve months. The life I am living right now is so far removed from my situation in 2004. I used to dread the end of the year, for it signified another year over with so little accomplished. My sister B used to love saying to me, "so this is Christmas, Philippa, and what have you done?" It was all in fun of course, but that line from the John Lennon song used to haunt me at this time of year. This year, I can answer that question with confidence and pride!

I made a lot of changes in my life this year. There are the obvious ones, like the move to Melbourne and the change in my appearance due to my weight loss, but there are others that aren't immediately visible. I have changed as a person - I'm more confident, I have more energy, I am happy and positive about the future, and I think I'm far more mature than I used to be. I have finally taken responsibility for my life and my choices, rather than blaming it on other people or on circumstances. I took steps to remove things from my life that were making me unhappy and decided to give my dreams a chance, rather than telling myself it was a waste of time because I would never succeed. I was deep in a rut at the beginning of the year, even though I thought I had started afresh with my new job and the selling of the house. Despite these huge changes, the other parts of my life were all the same. I was still over-eating, I was still very backward socially, never exercised and would usually spend my weekends sitting in front of a DVD with a block of chocolate or tub of icecream. My weight went from 95kg to 103.5kg in three months. I was in denial about how big I was and my appalling eating habits. I didn't necessarily think that being big was a bad thing, but it wasn't until I made the changes and starting being healthy that I realised what a negative effect that extra weight had on my life. Once I started exercising and eating well I made the connection between the feelings of tiredness and lack of motivation and the state of my health and fitness. It hasn't been easy, but eight months later I have lost over 20kg and am feeling better than I have for years - possibly ever!

My weight loss has improved every area of my life. I'm a more confident, social person who is no longer afraid to get out of my comfort zone. I'm willing to try new things, to meet new people - nothing is too difficult for me anymore. It's an amazing feeling. I'm very excited about what the year 2006 holds for me. If I continue on this positive life transition then hopefully this will keep flowing through to every facet of my life, not just socially but professionally as well. I have every confidence that I will reach our goal weight next year and I will work hard at maintaining them - because this is not a fad, this is not a diet - this is for life. I hope to keep enjoying life in Melbourne and keep enriching my life with new people and new experiences.

Finally, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your friendship and support since I started the blog in September. This blog has given me so much - I have made new friends, I get such a buzz from people's kind words and compliments, and seeing other people succeed motivates me to keep going, to try harder. I don't know if I would still be going if it weren't for all of you. You're all amazing!

I wish all of you a happy and peaceful Christmas celebration and all the very best for 2006.

Surviving Christmas

Santa Philly - Christmas 2003. Side angle was very flattering! I was a size 18 here and weighed at least 95kg.

Welcome December - and summer! I can't believe 2005 is nearly over! What a year this has been.

We bloggers all seem to be coming up with plans for managing Christmas and all the social events that come with it.

Let's face it, this time of year it's very easy to be seduced by food and drink. Work parties, family functions, get togethers with friends, all bursting at the seams with Christmas goodies. Everywhere you look, there's something delicious. You see your favourite chocolates in the lolly bowl. You watch your mother's delicious sticky date pudding being cut into thick slices and drizzled with hot butterscotch sauce. Your workmates urge you to just have a few drinks, and get into "the Christmas spirit" (literally!). You think to yourself, "surely it won't do me any harm to just have a little bit? Just a taste?"....

I think we've all been there. We go to a party with the best intentions, but end up having three of four of every nibble on offer, drinking our weight in Vodka Cruisers and champagne and having three servings of dessert. We stagger home, our bellies full and bursting, and wake up with a headache and a bloated stomach. We curse ourselves for not having more self control. And, even worse, we tell ourselves, "well, I've blown it now, I might as well eat whatever I like for the rest of Christmas!" (or was that just me - last Christmas?!)

Thankfully, I've moved on since last Christmas and I've now learned some healthy, sensible habits. I have more respect for myself, and more confidence and faith in myself to do the right things. But, truth be told, there is just something about this time of year that makes me want to eat, drink and be merry. We had friends round for dinner last night and it ended up being a very point friendly night - salsa with rice crackers and vegetable sticks to start, homemade Butter Chicken with rice for main (yes I served curry in spite of the searing heat!) - but I found myself wanting to get things that I never normally want - corn chips, for example, to go with the salsa. I used to think that corn chips were healthy! I haven't eaten chocolate for a few months now, but something about Christmas makes me want a wheelbarrow full of it! Why, why does this happen?

I've compiled a list of tips that I've collected from various sources over the years on how to stay in control with social situations, especially over Christmas. These are things that have really helped me, but they're only suggestions - you've probably got heaps of your own. And, hopefully, while you're at the party, you'll get some lovely compliments about your weight loss, which will motivate you to say "no thanks" to the chicken curry puffs and sausage rolls!

• If possible (and appropriate), speak to the host of the party you're attending beforehand about what will be served. Offer (again, if appropriate) to bring along some low fat snack platters, like dips with various vegetable crudites, that you will be able to fill up on.
• If you are attending a buffet, have a plan in advance for what you will allow yourself and don't go back for seconds. Have plenty of vegetables and salad.
• If you're going to a drinks and nibbles kind of party, have your lunch or dinner, or at least a healthy snack, before you go. If you arrive at the party hungry, you'll be doomed!
• Have a plan to drink mostly water and diet soft drink or mixed drinks made with diet soft drink - Midori and diet lemonade (my favourite!), rum or vodka with Diet Coke, etc.
• Eat slowly and talk to the other people who are there. Socialise and take the focus off the food.
• Allow yourself one treat - a small serve of dessert, a few glasses of your favourite wine - so you don't feel deprived.
• Know your weaknesses. Stay away from things that you know, once you start, you won't be able to stop eating. Mine is chips!
• Have a plan for each function you attend. Focus on your goals and the bigger picture. Remember this is one meal, one day.
• Feel proud of yourself for being in control!

If you do indulge, don't beat yourself up too much about it. Again, remember that it was one meal, one day - or in the case of my last few Christmases, three meals, one day! Make a commitment to being as healthy as possible during the holiday season, make all meals that are outside of Christmas functions and parties healthy ones, get as much exercise as possible and enjoy yourself.

Don't worry, it will soon be all over - for another year!