Breakaway

I'll spread my wings, and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky
And I'll make a wish
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway 

Kelly Clarkson

Well peeps, I'm taking a well deserved week off from work... apparently it's well deserved, so my workmates say... I'm just pleased to be away from that desk -  for 9 whole days it's somebody else's problem.

Anyway I managed to get a last minute timeshare week , 2bedroom apartment at Boambee Beach Resort for $199 (perks of the industry  suppose) and on Saturday we packed up the car and headed off on the 4 hour drive to Coffs Harbour. We couldn't stay the whole week, but decided a long weekend would be enough.

On arrival, I was impressed with the resort. The apartment was roomy, clean, with everything we needed... including the spa bath!

After a quick trip to the local Toormina shopping centre for supplies, followed by a twilight explore of the resort facilities, we settled in to watch the the first night of Olympic competition. 

I got up early-ish (we are on holidays after all) and went for a run, and found myself exploring the picturesque Boambee Creek Reserve.  After breakfast, we headed off to the Coffs Markets, 3 lots on a Sunday.  Not the best markets I have seen, but we did discover Dutch Caramel Waffles... Yum!

At the Jetty Foreshore Markets, Coffs Coast Camels were doing Camel rides for $10, and when Isabella asked if she could have one, I decided that I would too... It was on my Bucket List, and I always imagined doing it somewhere exotic overseas, but I thought... Why not here? Why not now? and why not share it with my daughter. She was quite thrilled to do something special with Mum, and I was quite thrilled that I wasn't worried about being too heavy for them.

After the Markets we went to the Plantation Hotel for $8 lunches, followed by a Baskin Robins Waffle cone, before lumbering back to the resort for a swim.

Trying out my new swimsuit, the pool was heated but still cold, and the spa was warm, but after a while I braved the cold water and did lots of laps.  Another family joined us in the spa, and my husband whispered to me "how does it feel to not be the fat one anymore?".... it felt bloody awesome!

Day 2 we hit our favourite Coffs Harbour attraction, the Pet Porpoise Pool.  Its a small place, but you interact directly with the dolphins. The Dolphins choose to interact with you.  After the show, we just hung around and watched them play, and one dolphin brought his ball to my daughter and threw it at her, wanting to play catch. We stood for the next hour playing ball with Zippy... one of the most rewarding experiences ever.  The girls had been before when they were younger, but I am pleased we took them back now they are older so they can remember it.

The best thing about this holiday for me, was that I got involved.  Rather than sitting on the sidelines watching my family experience things... I WAS DOING IT.  I ran, I swam, I played Tennis, I played basketball, I played Mini Golf, I rode a Camel, I played with a dolphin... and unfortunately I ate a lot of bad food... but that is a different story. 

A Good Deed

Today I ticked another item of my Bucket list.


I have no idea why it took me 40 years to do it, but today I finally donated my blood. 


My workplace organised a pickup from work in the Blood Donor Van, and my Workmate Melissa (another first timer) and I went off to do our good deed on Works time.


The ladies were lovely, and made us feel at ease, 500mls of the Red Stuff later  and we were treated to pastries, milkshakes, cheese & crackers, lollies.. before I thought...oh crap the calories.

And I got told not to do any strenuous activity for 24 hours, and I realised I would have to miss my Zumba class tonight! 
Hmmm not the best behaviour the day before weigh in (again) but at least this time I can feel pleased that today I did something good.
I saved lives today.

There's gotta be more to life...

I wouldn't blame you for thinking that this weightloss journey is all I am about.  
Granted, it is consuming almost every thought at the moment while I concentrate on getting it right, and making it permanent.... but there are other things in my life, and I have other goals and resolutions I have set.


#1. Giving up soft drink - I have told you that one already here.

#2. Taking my lunch break.  - I have an hour for lunch, and I rarely take even half of it. I end up eating at my desk, or taking only a 15 minute break. So I have decided that for my own health (stress levels etc) I need to force myself to take breaks.  I went to the shopping centre today and ran some errands in my lunch break, and I did feel very refreshed.  We have a staff gym at work, so with an hour break there is no reason I can't sneak in a 20 minute workout. Or even a nice stroll in the park, or take a book and catch up on my reading. We have a great staff cafeteria, so even just leaving the office to have my calorie controlled lunch with some workmates once a week would be an improvement. So any of you workmates reading this..lets make a lunch date!
#3. Put in a vege garden. - Not talented in this area, but I want to grow a few of my own veges. My girls are keen as well, so I better get researching how to do it.

#4. Go on a cruise - I did promise myself we would go on a cruise before the end of 2012. The Costa Concordia hasn't put me off (much), however the deal was that I couldn't go until I looked good in a bikini... Maybe early 2013 instead.

#5. Finish my course - I am lucky enough to be doing a government funded course through work. I'm doing Cert IV in Business, and I'm half way through.  I know it won't actually take me too long to knock off the rest, I just need to make the time and knuckle down and finish it.  Then I can start work on the Diploma!  Well why not, I'm getting qualifications and It's not costing me a cent.  I have until June 2013, but I want to get this in the bag by end of 2012, or mid 2012 (ideally).
#6 Finish writing - I have 4 different novels started, and none finished. I want to get one done, and If I don't get a publishing deal, I can publish it myself. Maybe I could tell the story like a weekly serial in a blog instead!. 

#7  Europe for my 50th birthday - This is the big one, the very top of my Bucket List. I stopped this from being a dream and I have started turning this into reality.  I have made detailed plans of where I want to go and what I want to do and it comes to a 106 day itinerary.  I will be eligible for long service leave by then, and if I save $50 a week until then, there will be more than enough. However I have my shorter 60  day version that I will be happy with if something doesn't go to plan. The kids will all be 18+, and Joe and I can head off guilt free and wander the globe. 

There are so many other things, but these are my top focus at the moment, some shorter term, some longer term, but all achievable if I work at it. All of these things are totally dependant on me, there is no luck or chance involved. If I want it then I have to do the work to get it.

A Marathon Effort

I'm kidding ...Right?
I don't really think I can run a Marathon yet...Do I?
Nah, you are right...I don't.  But I did have a Fun Run/Marathon of some sort on my Bucket List, and it is one thing that I really thought I would never cross off. 


I can, however, work towards a 5km or 10km Run at this years Gold Coast Marathon on June 30 2012.  I'm thinking of doing 4km or 8km on May 13, 2012 in the Mother's Day Classic

GULP!!
Did I really just say that....out loud!


Cass (I told you about her yesterday) has convinced me that I will be able to achieve this Goal, so I am officially starting the 20 week Training Programme.  I have a running programme to follow. It starts with interval training, run 4mins, walk 2mins (x 4) and slowly increases each week until I can run 10km. It's called the 'Beginner 10K Training Programme' so if I follow it, and then can't do the 10km route at the GCMarathon, then I'm suing for false advertising .


I am going to get up at 5am tomorrow morning and start Day 1... Baby steps.

It'll be real when I have officially entered, but I actually think I can do this.  Me saying that in the first place is a miracle, only a few days ago I was still thinking Cass had rocks in her head.


There...I have written it down, I am now accountable to you.