tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20206684798089125212024-02-20T12:44:43.361+11:00The Don's MeddleAll things health, well-being, motherhood, photography, travel & #fmspad challenge!thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.comBlogger170125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-85082136346966821912022-03-25T19:50:00.001+11:002022-03-25T19:50:27.180+11:00Who is Dons Health, Fitness & Wellbeing?<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Another year older, I realise I have come so far with my health, fitness and wellbeing beliefs. I am like a sponge, I love learning new things, reading articles and keeping my Facebook and Instagram published is something I am passionate about, doesn't matter how many people read it, I am drawn to writing posts and publishing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span><span style="background-color: white;">I was driven to start my FB and Insta pages, to spread the healthy message out there instead of the unhealthy diet & exercise messages that you see on social media, I am passionate about the body and the mind being healthy. Check me out </span></span><span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thedonshealthfitness" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/healthyformaddie/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Even though I am not a trainer anymore - I still have so many training routines in my head, not to mention choreography to dance classes I have done (albeit badly)! The not giving a shit what people think is the main thing I would say to everyone - be you, be loud, be proud, dance like people ARE watching if that is your thing, never apologize for being you. My purpose is to be a voice - to be heard, to share the love, messages and be a a positive person online and in person! I dont know everything, nor claim to, I just love health, fitness and wellbeing. Giving back to the community is something I just love being able to do, I feel like I have had such a great life and I am driven to help those who need. We are all living on this earth together, lets be kind, compassionate and help others.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span>I still have the same drive and passion for health, fitness and overall wellbeing. Being healthy and focusing on overall body and mind health as opposed to trying to drop weight, get lean and train all the time. I am struggling with body image and coming to terms with myself now that I am older, have injuries that limit my training in the gym as well as being diagnosed with having endometriosis. I started going through peri menopause about three years ago - I decided that enough was enough and I started eating better and looking after my metabolism - which you will see me go on about on my </span><span> pages. Metabolism is the key to living a full happy and healthy life - no diets, no fads, no starving yourself. It truly is one of the reasons why I didn't study to be a dietitian, because I didn't believe in the healthy food pyramid that all GP's use (don't get me started on BMR). </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">So who am I? I was born in the </span><span style="background-color: white;">Pilbara (think red dog) love the outdoors – how could you not growing up in the bush!
I love all things nature, the beach, walking! I have always been a curious (nosey)
person. I love talking to people, animals talk to me, I love travelling and
meeting new people and I love all things health, fitness and
wellbeing. I am passionate about all things health, fitness and wellbeing –
physical and mental health! Its just in my DNA.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">I grew up playing many sports - netball,
basketball, golf, swimming, softball. I loved swimming, especially squad
training for swimming and many years of netball and basketball has helped my
knees degenerate – and a few other niggles. I have just turned 48 and I just
started writing about who is The Don’s Health & Fitness page, a page I
started so long ago when I was a PT and it has involved as I have involved in
my cocoon.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span>Where did it all start, the fitness thing? Aside
from always moving/running/playing as a kid, I always had a feeling there was more to life than
Western Australia, so I packed up my life, sold everything, had one backpack
and moved overseas in 2000, I started in Belfast, where my dad is from and met
my extended Irish family. From day one I understood myself so much more,
meeting all my cousins, some I had never met and some I haven’t seen since I
was a kid when they came out to Australia.</span><span>
</span><span>I started to understand the Irish connection – felt an amazing
connection to Belfast and Ireland, nothing like being met at the airport by 15
family members you have hardly met/seen for years.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">I moved to London and continued gallivanting around
England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Europe, USA, Egypt – so many amazing places,
I lived away for five years, met some amazing people, worked in some amazing
jobs in Ireland and England, it was truly an amazing experience, there is so
much life outside Australia, so much history, culture, fashion, cultural men
and architecture! Living it up!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span>Lifestyle changes, I no longer was the six pack fit girl (because I thought that was sooo important, not), I started filling out my travel jeans (again not a bad thing, just society conditioning us about weight gain), living in London I experienced actual weight gain for the first
time in my life, I was always a tall skinny lanky girl who was physically
active with sport and competing, training weights, London was a much slower
paced environment, more drinking, not much money, so cheap eats (hello Tesco
tuna & sweetcorn sandwiches) ….. I worked hard, travelled hard, partied hard. </span><span> </span><span>I used to work part time in a gym just to get free membership, only thing the gym had a bar (seriously - nothing beats a cold brew after a bicep curl or two) I then was lucky to work in Nutrition and studied
with other dietitians at Middlesex hospital in Central London as a Dietitian Assistant, it was something
that came naturally to me, working with people, the main purpose was to make
sure they were able to get the calories and hydration they needed, depending on
their ailment – I worked in pediatrics, ortho, Max Fax was the most eye
opening (no pun intended) some TB cases and trachea wards – It was refreshing
working with people that talked positively about calories all day long – the
priority was to feed our patients, we fed so many through nasal and gastro
tubes – it was amazing.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1876" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiSwZPLaGncq5zVIMUU9KEVnN2PebVKlwZdOBN1VMKwaXTINfbCcPCRndaRzy6SO6U07yPMhSUPGyozQuODOwn6NMieFZ7ifXxjeAzzbtzOGNYwR168cnr_PlzPbTkJfgSpiGw2zlraPT0PTyFJbwYU_A_o5IdeVHIz49TaYiTDunz2fRIMPTmbed7g/s320/Lucerne.jpg" width="320" /></span></div><img border="0" data-original-height="1876" data-original-width="1072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnN-Rz_CEt0sDqJ1fDgWE3jUFSQUcdiN4H6MK9HuZgdS8RCcIqwdiWpxR05DYn4HngKITR3swJx7czDRRZCXtWma_g6PJ3ntwJLrNovnqu5p_PbXx-mHJ8WnvvqksgCFeDI8Lm9Qo5EP-ih3gFeFl-yUeCpc0xx0xfzK7doghmASB7cCpDnlVfJ0dTA/s320/Praque.jpg" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; text-align: center;" width="183" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1876" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJtFhkApCJZT5Ws-ivxj2EhsuUYxf_3EJ49ZYUPY7SCgYHO2vTZoJ__JdZeBa1s7iqSeSgm0BKUJHka7p1SQP55-zNueX8Ax4YOHGkg3yDzCd2SkXd5DKDhM87kVy_4yrjQ0ls-ky5mKFjb5-Tb9pHWgoppsdT-2sQciaxZc8ppljFRqUkRfPIET2Cg/s320/NYC.jpg" width="320" /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1876" data-original-width="1072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmL00cotuG4Vwy5jO174cd7-bDxM0M1B8B18uTY-yD--4XUOFG4fXFyd4j_KQBgSQMWK0BHS-nX8JXBH2gmZ0fjn2FvDCKGqXI5P1UMcui_lxGpFCyHHFbqZz14bSf1Xjmqe-aqBX4rzAMXPNijs8Pi4yPazwa9q-NY0NqbBanO2LNBou_mpPYHAgsZg/s320/Travel.jpg" width="183" /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">I then started
feeling very sad, all the time, like permanent PMS. I felt like something was
missing & drank lots, smoked lots (some weed, mostly menthol ciggies)
(hello share house London) – because I was working the in the hospital and I
had it available to me, I started counselling because I assumed I was not
dealing with the patients I was working with in the hospital, many passed away,
leukemia kids were the hardest, the diagnosis I was homesick – I had Seasonal (SAD)
depression disorder - seasonal depression from living in grey, dark and raining
London. It was truly an eye opener, I had always been a happy person and this
sad, foggy feeling was taking over my life, I only had mild depression and I
remember thinking god how do you cope daily with depression if it was severe,
this was something that I learned from definitely, how I thought I was ok when
I wasn’t. I was so happy with friends, travel and living in London.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span>I missed the sunshine, my body and vitamin D were
buddies. I kept myself busy in London for another couple years, trying to keep fit in by </span> running home from work was definitely a
challenge. So, I started studying a Certificate III in Fitness to distract me
from drinking pints and I decided to move back to Australia just after I
graduated, this time settling in Sydney as a friend I knew from London had
moved home to get married. I worked full time in a corporate job and studied my
Fitness Certificate IV PT part time whilst working & running boot camps.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">After I finished my PT cert, I continued to run
bootcamps but added some shifts as PT at Fernwood Rosebery to my schedule. I
ran boot camps three mornings a week (Pinkie Bootcamp), worked a corporate job
and did PT three or four nights a week at Fernwood in Rosebery! Loved it, it
was a great introduction to training with women, proper weight training. I also trained myself at
Fitness First and met some amazing people who are still now my friends (fitness
friends are for life)!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrMu4sqANjR6SWUcFeWyEFVdoQ-J0J-m4IOeiWCdM7b6urjxkY_YHkbcVJ4Ofc0soN72-H6etWIHyNoZx1j1cVPKXtuAt3yDFz7K-uXqBpEvy7OlrUu5j-sGp6RT0cCbCTjNpk--kpFKQw62Kqen0MMV-eH0FoYzpchuMZmWhGlfKdQMdMuRHZwc8dw/s604/PT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrMu4sqANjR6SWUcFeWyEFVdoQ-J0J-m4IOeiWCdM7b6urjxkY_YHkbcVJ4Ofc0soN72-H6etWIHyNoZx1j1cVPKXtuAt3yDFz7K-uXqBpEvy7OlrUu5j-sGp6RT0cCbCTjNpk--kpFKQw62Kqen0MMV-eH0FoYzpchuMZmWhGlfKdQMdMuRHZwc8dw/s320/PT.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span>I completed many triathlons, charity runs and the
Oxfam 100km challenge, I loved all things outdoors and fitness! The injuries
started to get more frequent, taking longer to heal – tore my hip flexor
training for the Oxfam 100km was the toughest – I had NO idea that little
muscle had such an important job until it didn't work anymore. I had to pull out of doing the race a week or
so before, heartbreaking, so much time put in training every weekend, night
training with headlamps.... but I was the best support crew ever and was at
every stop for my crew to feed them, re tape their feet,/knees and be
motivator/feeder/coach for 32hrs. We raised over $10k for Oxfam, so that was a
highlight. Another highlight was when my friend Dave Mack said to me “you
should come to training bootcamp with me and my friend Louise”, I didn’t
realise he meant Louise Sauvage!!</span><span> </span><span>I did
her bootcamps, so amazing! Loved them!</span><span>
</span><span>We even did a Pink Triathlon together, another highlight! She is just an
amazing person, I don’t think she knows how much I loved her session and being
able to do the triathlon with her, always a special place in my memory.</span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNUeAlKgMTDlGohBCML6EXjIA2hJM3wqTF5DuBmEJ4Idp0-UcAYGrE0k4p-DVeGooXMGLYoOxUtYbJogFklD-x_HvxCBKmzbshXKP5uZHwFTsHoZtsIpQJ37LYVE5lvqlfyEG6kWNRmh7bGom07QSGWR_3na8wyrjljrLjVgfIwp_dmGCZk0VwneJDg/s604/Pink%20Tri%20Louise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="453" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNUeAlKgMTDlGohBCML6EXjIA2hJM3wqTF5DuBmEJ4Idp0-UcAYGrE0k4p-DVeGooXMGLYoOxUtYbJogFklD-x_HvxCBKmzbshXKP5uZHwFTsHoZtsIpQJ37LYVE5lvqlfyEG6kWNRmh7bGom07QSGWR_3na8wyrjljrLjVgfIwp_dmGCZk0VwneJDg/w147-h195/Pink%20Tri%20Louise.jpg" width="147" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbmC47-OD40bQoCKBCLgGN7GTiEf0Ouh2fVNSPUDSuMWzRH-toze2icu59SS8GECwMfugTkl3GReW2QJDni-bcWCTLSwsZTqMMx7BAIDbExMMIr_TaR0r6WYyAXG4YAzPLgFr1mXgzYXhKOdtq7SdU6eDjgbDov5QY0g55FQceVGbEQ5RPIcad8boag/s276/Pink%20Tri%20Donna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="186" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbmC47-OD40bQoCKBCLgGN7GTiEf0Ouh2fVNSPUDSuMWzRH-toze2icu59SS8GECwMfugTkl3GReW2QJDni-bcWCTLSwsZTqMMx7BAIDbExMMIr_TaR0r6WYyAXG4YAzPLgFr1mXgzYXhKOdtq7SdU6eDjgbDov5QY0g55FQceVGbEQ5RPIcad8boag/w140-h207/Pink%20Tri%20Donna.jpg" width="140" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64sxLE52jNAMZf1OJuRvMro5ufaUvzpjqrsGun1yf7lpdZmYUrKhKKiuxShMHFUQQy6IFKHDQaiM972Uc6Zt43KnHXrrGFwriwH8DwbmWaEqNDVZ7519Y51OdyBP8elPLhxWspCSO2D91WpMIXjNQM2f7KyYoex5BaOjDz6DrENWIrlj4nK0UpnL_jA/s604/Oxfam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="604" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64sxLE52jNAMZf1OJuRvMro5ufaUvzpjqrsGun1yf7lpdZmYUrKhKKiuxShMHFUQQy6IFKHDQaiM972Uc6Zt43KnHXrrGFwriwH8DwbmWaEqNDVZ7519Y51OdyBP8elPLhxWspCSO2D91WpMIXjNQM2f7KyYoex5BaOjDz6DrENWIrlj4nK0UpnL_jA/s320/Oxfam.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>Trekking was another passion – from Thailand, New
Zealand and many places in Australia – I loved putting on my camel pack,
Solomon’s and wet weather gear and just walking for many kms - limited treks
due to bad knees and hips slowed me down, but I still enjoyed the thrill and
the challenge. I do need two knee replacements due to worn patella's! My knees
hurt everyday and my range of motion has decreased. I cannot squat with more
than bodyweight or do lunges.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg568E20foya7oXK3G0l2PrZoHA46ZE80nWSDCjlDdKsH0mGNPqxZjhbVTCRTS0aR4erJZmeAJ1IzCsGfXzxV9A6lsmo7sHBgnTUz-b6anU8YA_ye0bvttl-MYpkyVJEix40hqSEeY-pqWv5se8zRyIfNT6svH9lw_K7bQcdNoVscDKOpa_USMXlzFjBw/s2048/Mothers%20Day%20Classic%202011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1529" data-original-width="2048" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg568E20foya7oXK3G0l2PrZoHA46ZE80nWSDCjlDdKsH0mGNPqxZjhbVTCRTS0aR4erJZmeAJ1IzCsGfXzxV9A6lsmo7sHBgnTUz-b6anU8YA_ye0bvttl-MYpkyVJEix40hqSEeY-pqWv5se8zRyIfNT6svH9lw_K7bQcdNoVscDKOpa_USMXlzFjBw/w218-h163/Mothers%20Day%20Classic%202011.jpg" width="218" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uuzi3ZKmTUAoH8kmXCaHiJfNKcPCNKyLGQg2vMUVvEsq69E8_PwZ9XMbaQHjb6TfFpcUmZOnYZof7cpZJMgl04gKU9baJTP0V7VA93tFuCTr_lSRoy7ZZyicLUAYEuoA3CqOheNDuRUGyrJGwJ-_9l6z7hpQpSpQviHHwDGzECByWtXPOoN2Y5bG4w/s2048/Donna%20and%20Jamie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1530" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uuzi3ZKmTUAoH8kmXCaHiJfNKcPCNKyLGQg2vMUVvEsq69E8_PwZ9XMbaQHjb6TfFpcUmZOnYZof7cpZJMgl04gKU9baJTP0V7VA93tFuCTr_lSRoy7ZZyicLUAYEuoA3CqOheNDuRUGyrJGwJ-_9l6z7hpQpSpQviHHwDGzECByWtXPOoN2Y5bG4w/w146-h195/Donna%20and%20Jamie.jpg" width="146" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVl-EI_C_PyrQKy-xT3X14EMEkS-dFG6Vygp1hOWZs-FN6AZ1K1eoWnnrZB6n33BUhsUWjhh4z7NwuSonjR2WSeSwQxt-EIU3usmPOZ2_6Cbivcu6ugFnE-Ld1W2gWNr8SWSlcRB0lZf-f37zcEtEzmZ6iAssKPTIRtAVwbjYvLlV2EfXc6XPRjrRO0Q/s407/EY.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="246" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVl-EI_C_PyrQKy-xT3X14EMEkS-dFG6Vygp1hOWZs-FN6AZ1K1eoWnnrZB6n33BUhsUWjhh4z7NwuSonjR2WSeSwQxt-EIU3usmPOZ2_6Cbivcu6ugFnE-Ld1W2gWNr8SWSlcRB0lZf-f37zcEtEzmZ6iAssKPTIRtAVwbjYvLlV2EfXc6XPRjrRO0Q/w131-h218/EY.PNG" width="131" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRbmspDtcZkQhDwVGWsI0ED27bntHx-ACr3HqrqKezbd6QT42MsT3fmp7VAFKgB4K-p1h_6eUrvjDsvXRV5Re_vLd3te8Bycr0-KvtrwJEgZ68BIOCdU-MaPGdXrNps7xwln40FZCtSSUzef5LLhNNN1pgCMYHeb2d8Hl88GrF4jF6MVqXF8q8A6vWQ/s604/NZ%20glacier%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRbmspDtcZkQhDwVGWsI0ED27bntHx-ACr3HqrqKezbd6QT42MsT3fmp7VAFKgB4K-p1h_6eUrvjDsvXRV5Re_vLd3te8Bycr0-KvtrwJEgZ68BIOCdU-MaPGdXrNps7xwln40FZCtSSUzef5LLhNNN1pgCMYHeb2d8Hl88GrF4jF6MVqXF8q8A6vWQ/w217-h163/NZ%20glacier%202.jpg" width="217" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNaNfy7z-rFzN4_-UqqPTSY2U_Nhm1HDxIjGtg7g2czXIS6m66uuYRHjtli4cxopOQcjy7FJA6b3eK78WlH2kaSbF7v9vsSMsi_20wbhEtFVvZpr7FT7bG9hHGBhAjQSNJriA3mmwc5Iu3k9D1uAAcxEUj6xUyWPElhJb3KTARfXEY2N5vbqnEOCdzw/s604/NZ%20glacier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNaNfy7z-rFzN4_-UqqPTSY2U_Nhm1HDxIjGtg7g2czXIS6m66uuYRHjtli4cxopOQcjy7FJA6b3eK78WlH2kaSbF7v9vsSMsi_20wbhEtFVvZpr7FT7bG9hHGBhAjQSNJriA3mmwc5Iu3k9D1uAAcxEUj6xUyWPElhJb3KTARfXEY2N5vbqnEOCdzw/w212-h158/NZ%20glacier.jpg" width="212" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">When I couldn't keep up with my clients (running) I
stopped doing bootcamps and kept doing PT for a few years. I felt a bit beaten
by the fitness industry and didn't agree with so many training fads and diets -
but that is what most clients wanted - quick fixes. I decided to just focus on
my training and enjoyed my gains, I travelled more and mostly during this time
I was single. I had met different guys through friends, the gym and just didn't
have that urge to settle. Too independent to be honest with you. So many were
intimidated by me, tall, confident women who spoke her mind and lifted more
than most of them, they couldn’t handle that I was a PT and always tried to
compete with me, it was exhausting. Anyone I met from the gym were just ego, no
real nice guys – the ones who were nice weren’t clicking with me being me –
Sydney was a tough place for a single girl in her mid-thirties. I had a lot of
fun but kept concentrating on my fitness goals. Dating, dating was hard in Sydney, everyone was always trying to set me up with someone... </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span>I have so many great friends, I loved my work, my
training, travelling whenever I wanted, it truly was an amazing time in Sydney –
I decided to give online dating a go, you know all new and shiny – RSVP – it
was hard, some of the dates I went on were hilarious – I had a guy talk to me
about his mountain bike for 45mins. 45mins. I think he assumed me doing
triathlons meant I liked lycra, that was my least favourite leg of the tri! Ha-ha
- I met an Italian guy who was 19 years older than me, let’s say we became
friends – my name is Italian, but not me. Ahh the guy who spent the dinner
telling me about his wife, that was a highlight, I did order extra expensive
cocktails to get me through that one. I met a lovely detective who had a cute
beagle (not a euphemism), but was very jealous and had trust issues due to his
previous wife cheating on him with a colleague. So, I decided to cancel my RSVP
account, I was going to be a spinster! I enjoyed dancing with my
friends at all the gay clubs in Sydney and then training at the gym.</span><span> </span><span>I was going to stay single forever. Life was
much easier.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span>I didn’t cancel my account it seemed, and I got an
email a few weeks later from my now husband.</span><span>
</span><span>I finally met someone who I connected with instantly, lots of fun,
laughter and no bullshit, no rules about dating, he didn't care about the gym
and dating me and my gym bag (that went everywhere with me), 11 years later we
are still together and have a five-year-old daughter. Man, what a ride. But so
worth it. I met the love of my life when I was 37.</span><span> </span><span>I was like “where have you been”?!</span><span> </span><span>Seemed he wasn’t ready until then either.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUjpKVLeSTUx7pox40mOq6Vhtas4cFaCbFw2tuXG0LCZnnVIJyu9KSwH30V-n3iRhxkDqHq907k9Go4ZFRACh_9CDrBqbM_BglEaaY8z2_hT3gUrQ9yi7j92kd8-jtmbVzUZwXoig59t1Ikd66fTWeVfLfEIEJOppk_oXife8W8yARIh--nOgHDMIeg/s940/D&D%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="940" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUjpKVLeSTUx7pox40mOq6Vhtas4cFaCbFw2tuXG0LCZnnVIJyu9KSwH30V-n3iRhxkDqHq907k9Go4ZFRACh_9CDrBqbM_BglEaaY8z2_hT3gUrQ9yi7j92kd8-jtmbVzUZwXoig59t1Ikd66fTWeVfLfEIEJOppk_oXife8W8yARIh--nOgHDMIeg/w179-h119/D&D%202.jpg" width="179" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQy7PSfKest1sOEfj0VVEemdw_ocJP8Bq2kVLpA1fAq1MEBhgLWsBc4UKywFhEEFqmBGwJyI-6xkuYKUr-FLDZdBfbNe5yw9ZJzmdjIEoM9UIKIJ2qWA6nm2KfbNs0ZieKsiBzjUBxIlsSuzWo7lLUOZmqRaYRUEvIadrr0cr4XtZqLjqKY0M_eDFQA/s940/D&D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="940" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQy7PSfKest1sOEfj0VVEemdw_ocJP8Bq2kVLpA1fAq1MEBhgLWsBc4UKywFhEEFqmBGwJyI-6xkuYKUr-FLDZdBfbNe5yw9ZJzmdjIEoM9UIKIJ2qWA6nm2KfbNs0ZieKsiBzjUBxIlsSuzWo7lLUOZmqRaYRUEvIadrr0cr4XtZqLjqKY0M_eDFQA/w174-h116/D&D.jpg" width="174" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span><br /></span></p>*trigger warning - miscarriage/loss**</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Turning 40 in 2014 was a good year - I got married
and then we tried to start a family straight away. Coming off the pill was the
start to some health issues that started to arise. The pill had kept at bay
some issues but also had helped me have a high egg reserve (86% at 40, not bad
at all). We fell pregnant every time we tried (competitive much) but had
trouble staying pregnant and had three losses, which was the hardest year of my
life.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Weight gain from being pregnant 9 months out of 12
and having no child was tough, two hospital surgeries, depression kicked in. I knew the signs, I knew that feeling of dread, cotton wool making your head fuzzy, wanting to just not engage with anyone. I put on weight and struggled with life daily. I couldn't even try to be happy or anything, I was grieving my unborn babies, my pain and the fact that my body had failed me, I have never felt so failed
by my body. I found blogging helped and have a few posts on this blog account, really helped get my thoughts and memories down on paper so to speak, which I am grateful as I read them often now and am so glad I kept our angels stories alive in our hearts. We took a few months off trying and went to Bali early 2016 for a
friends wedding - and were were pregnant but didn't know - we had Maddison
December 2016. The best experience ever seeing that squished little alien coming out of you. Took me a few days to comprehend. What I did know was I had never felt love so strongly before that day, the instant love was amazing, after everything we had been through I was so glad to experience this.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhca_O66v3jv3qiELC5CZhGYpLzjfWXI-B3Q9anrFjnC3O8WijW7sVP9Ie2QKP3Xpax9Vf19lOdr1qMTau4yyfJ9WZwn8d9ytPdNjjVWPCvdwkeNhbEpvnEuCJOoI6z5p8BL2w4JKrw9A5Q040uD2DvLLtoaNiHIh0bixd8wOxZ37gxXKkWfg1k5MbZRw/s960/Maddie%20Jones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="528" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhca_O66v3jv3qiELC5CZhGYpLzjfWXI-B3Q9anrFjnC3O8WijW7sVP9Ie2QKP3Xpax9Vf19lOdr1qMTau4yyfJ9WZwn8d9ytPdNjjVWPCvdwkeNhbEpvnEuCJOoI6z5p8BL2w4JKrw9A5Q040uD2DvLLtoaNiHIh0bixd8wOxZ37gxXKkWfg1k5MbZRw/w109-h198/Maddie%20Jones.jpg" width="109" /></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">I was ok after having Maddison - I got up to 116kgs
with her full term (I was 89kgs when I fell pregnant, up from 78kgs when
married). I was healthy and baby was healthy. After Maddie was born I got down
to 82kgs quite easily without going mad - just eating healthy for
breastfeeding's and walking. Our GP was great, she did however put me on the contraceptive injection which would be the start of all the complications, weight gain, anxiety and mood swings to come after coming off the depo injection. 20kgs weight gain in about 4 months. Heavy periods, painful periods, migraines so bad I couldn't move. Really struggled. It was a tough time and I felt isolated with having a small child also and doctors really couldn't offer me anything except going on medication - that snapped something in me and I started properly eating metabolically - proper foods, exercising less and doing everything different to how I used to (overtraining, low calories) - it reduced all my symptoms and really noticed a difference. I have reduced cms and some kilos - and still have a long way to go. But mentally, mentally I am in a good place - this is the key. I recognize the black dog, and he comes to visit less these days as I balance getting out in nature, walking, swimming and eating proper foods and not restricting myself, I don't binge eat anymore and have a healthy relationship with food. It really is truly liberating.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">So I post about how I am going, my walking, the metabolic eating and endometriosis - I love sharing Fitness Friday posts and how I am enjoying yoga more to stop the mind, stretch and strengthen the body. I am looking forwards and not back to the person I used to be, we have grown and our training now has changed and grown to suit. I still love doing community challenges and it drives me, keeps me accountable and helps so many others. If I can just make one person think that they CAN achieve their goals, that is enough for me to hit send and publish. I am ensuring my daughter grows up with different conditioning about the body - to be strong, healthy and happy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoj2XDaaJbom_lpCe_RUM7jc-FqYGN8Xue6y3wl7QJQlDZzjkZEMfEly5hjXPvoTaxBm0gjUJWHuUNUjA1IW2psucd5iuBNFrEb_wjCUHiTemsHNs3je0lcxODy0Tev-KfYbDlqctgX-BigUQ60yT_av5BC2nA7AbDHkvknnFKDZbMasqwypQixTxRzg/s706/body.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="706" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoj2XDaaJbom_lpCe_RUM7jc-FqYGN8Xue6y3wl7QJQlDZzjkZEMfEly5hjXPvoTaxBm0gjUJWHuUNUjA1IW2psucd5iuBNFrEb_wjCUHiTemsHNs3je0lcxODy0Tev-KfYbDlqctgX-BigUQ60yT_av5BC2nA7AbDHkvknnFKDZbMasqwypQixTxRzg/w220-h220/body.jpg" width="220" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Nt3P58LL1h2a77wQ082jJOlTAH5qSnkUseu1h71q81Sk9mL9xQa09S5W0fyoOA7W548j8-KjuZBA1DcPPGFO6LFDn_Wl8H2PyW4S8S47pgWsW5YoIg2O5Ho6alSwkQAjEn9QYL4LAAJNGQCr8_nDaNoET1nhFl_b4BoEsaA8_-GWiUDvmQ-0Vka0dQ/s960/48%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Nt3P58LL1h2a77wQ082jJOlTAH5qSnkUseu1h71q81Sk9mL9xQa09S5W0fyoOA7W548j8-KjuZBA1DcPPGFO6LFDn_Wl8H2PyW4S8S47pgWsW5YoIg2O5Ho6alSwkQAjEn9QYL4LAAJNGQCr8_nDaNoET1nhFl_b4BoEsaA8_-GWiUDvmQ-0Vka0dQ/w162-h216/48%203.jpg" width="162" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3LPQB3IR0Ts1At-Soil2wdR54z6jKLY35uug5Bc7JFKTuORc4Ka845GQv6INGz2ybJyq7p_hVi-EzAkVcwWZHmpA5U3i5B71Igp1UhnOdtO9wDV6rulBvplrRnCDb3XoZTZPZSSLerc-kzI-NpWcbr61hegBCLx3_IK832d4rwSkPcuroa7SNmFQZg/w160-h213/48%202.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="160" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLFi9NB_nAlfmptDj2psIqUrFPDIavSoX8_jNtX7LM_icIrMQABSt_nsfrk7KNayGeaIdXMElw2cElFI3cBOOs6inFHUwsLsyVS2ZZ1ClDhpZzQ4rfwdozwBsMOFlOO6zH5Owb9rzYe66Tn1kyva60uPwkQ6H5FdwAO0Yg0YP0zV5m9LfSPqCv5AVig/s1280/71141959_10156378825162187_8023299011177873408_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLFi9NB_nAlfmptDj2psIqUrFPDIavSoX8_jNtX7LM_icIrMQABSt_nsfrk7KNayGeaIdXMElw2cElFI3cBOOs6inFHUwsLsyVS2ZZ1ClDhpZzQ4rfwdozwBsMOFlOO6zH5Owb9rzYe66Tn1kyva60uPwkQ6H5FdwAO0Yg0YP0zV5m9LfSPqCv5AVig/w158-h210/71141959_10156378825162187_8023299011177873408_n.jpg" width="158" /></a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3LPQB3IR0Ts1At-Soil2wdR54z6jKLY35uug5Bc7JFKTuORc4Ka845GQv6INGz2ybJyq7p_hVi-EzAkVcwWZHmpA5U3i5B71Igp1UhnOdtO9wDV6rulBvplrRnCDb3XoZTZPZSSLerc-kzI-NpWcbr61hegBCLx3_IK832d4rwSkPcuroa7SNmFQZg/s2048/48%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: black;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></o:p></p>thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-39949171889950968122021-09-30T20:15:00.004+10:002021-09-30T22:14:15.630+10:00Just Start Today<p><b> <span style="font-family: arial;">Just Start today.</span></b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_7VzurOzsJYy76_MG7s8Ss0h1Mc0Rnw4TqDR788r1FDNafFufywfFNNupjvimgAKP6UiPREvE6wTue6EIzOIYeIkRFItnVdhDlfqp3TmWK1XIeve7QwBYhbedGnAw3uQkeNJh_Ibvjr1/s291/creating+new+habits.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="291" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_7VzurOzsJYy76_MG7s8Ss0h1Mc0Rnw4TqDR788r1FDNafFufywfFNNupjvimgAKP6UiPREvE6wTue6EIzOIYeIkRFItnVdhDlfqp3TmWK1XIeve7QwBYhbedGnAw3uQkeNJh_Ibvjr1/s0/creating+new+habits.JPG" width="291" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There is never a perfect time to start towards your goals and changing your habits. Just Start today, here.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It can take up
to 21 days to change a habit, there is your first milestone to reach, let’s focus on that, just
doing something different/new/changing for 21 days. How hard can that be? Time to get out of
that Lockdown or winter funk - you are important, you matter and your mental
and physical health is important for you and your family/friends.</span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So, <b>where to start</b> I hear you
ask, choose only 1-3 goals at a time, and choose goals with a measurable
timeframe - i.e. reduce screen time before bed, increase mindfulness to 15mins a
day, try yoga once a week, do a walk with friends every Sunday, eat less
processed foods daily, keep a gratitude journal, go for that check up before end of October etc - start with the following 5 action steps before you just start:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1 - <b>Awareness</b> - Change
starts with awareness - you know you need to make a change, this is the first
step. What do you want? Or as lucifer asks (if you watch the show), "what do you desire?". What do you want to change? Write it down<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2 <b>- Desire</b> - you have to
WANT the change to make it happen. To be a better version of yourself, to be more present, to change your body or mind, you will
need to visualise or see the positive outcomes and feel that you are ready for it, you want
it now. Results wont come straight away, which is why so many people fail early
on in a new challenge. Be reasonable and set smaller goals to start to reach
your goal if it is a large one. Focus on the 21days to start.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3 -<b> Learning</b> - You live
what you learn. If you always seem to get stuck at this point, why? Have you
learnt something new about yourself or is the change too hard and you go back
to your old ways because it is safer and easier. Only way to get in the water
is to go all in and see how you go. Sink or swim time. You can get in and out of the water as many times as you need. There is no right or wrong and failing is
the best way to move on with other challenges. Might even help you work out which goals are still current, not old rehashed ones.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4 - <b>Action</b> - You have to
take action. If you don’t, you wont get any changes, any results. Just step by
step, day by day. Little changes to create a new habit. You have to do
something. Simple things lead to bigger things. Planning is a big part of action - plan out your action steps.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">5 - <b>Repetition</b> - and
repeat and keep going…. Once you are confident you can make alterations to the
changes, goals or start new changes, goals as you ride the habit train of success. It isn't just A to B, it is all over the
shop, that is how you learn as you grow. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Planning is key, <b>how are you
going to achieve your goals</b>, what is your first step, is it booking in an
appointment with the doctor for that check up you have been putting off? Is it
joining a gym, yoga studio or fitness centre? Is it putting some apps on your
phone to track screentime or adding some new mindfulness apps (Insight Timer is
my favourite).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Your first step could be really
simple as writing in a journal everyday for 21 days - three things I am
grateful for today.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Or setting your alarm a little
bit earlier in the mornings to have some quiet time to yourself before the
house wakes up - maybe do some stretches or an online class. This sounds
amazing to me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They are your goals, what makes
you happy, what do you desire. Do what is important to you and not the
expectations of others/social media etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Write down your goals - how are you going to achieve them? I will post some tools to help you, first step is to write down your goals. Somewhere you can see them or find them to keep you focused. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mine are:</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1. Less screentime during the week, off social media and </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Netflix</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> by 9pm.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2. Reduce PUFAs in my diet, eating more metabolic foods to help with endometriosis symptoms and treatments.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">3. Exercising 2-3 times a week to reduce bodyfat and increase strength.</span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Are you ready- time to write out your goals. Day 1 is nearly here #21daystochangehabits</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><p></p>thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-23718658837970510632021-08-02T16:44:00.001+10:002021-08-02T16:44:33.128+10:00Why am I eating the Metabolic way?<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Malgun Gothic"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">I keep banging on about metabolic eating but it really is just so the way to eat. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">After years of yo-yo dieting and dropping bodyweight quickly and then creating binging habits and anxiety over food and eating the wrong foods, I remembered my studies in Nutrition (four certificates), and amended some of my eating to how I believe food works for our body at a cellular level, not against our bodies.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">I managed to keep food as something I enjoy and didn't restrict myself too much. It made more sense to eat for fuel than to restrict, but I suppose the damage had been done. It used to frustrate me as a PT when clients would want to focus on "just dropping 5kgs but I don't want to change my lifestyle". </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">When I found Kitty Bloomfield, Craig McDonald and Kate Deering, who have adapted Ray Peats research into metabolism and eating to fuel the body it was like "yes, this is what my beliefs were, before the fitness industry told us all not to eat full fat nor carbs"! The conditioning had been done... when you feel fat, you would restrict food and train more, right? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">WRONG - exercise cause stress on the body. You need only a little. Excessive exercise and restrictive eating further damages you at a cellular level and your metabolism slows down which causes many other health issues (hormonal issues, weight gain, sleeping issues, digestion and on and on).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Back to metabolic eating. When I first started eating this way it was just before covid started and I noticed an immediate difference. I had only reduced all PUFAs, introduced carrot salad daily and ate more sugar (including ice cream and fudge daily). Good lord - it was like the angels came out of the clouds and started singing. I dropped cms. my Skin improved and it was just a liberating moment.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">I felt free, I felt in control, I wasn't hungry, I didn't want chocolate and I slept really well and woke up feeling like I had slept well, instead of being tired.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">So, back to now. With all the excuses aside I pretty much have stuck to the metabolic eating way for over 18 months now and it really has freed my negative thoughts about food and training to burn calories. I have implemented many new changes. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">The last few months have been up and down with hormonal issues and covid lockdowns, just a few things to disrupt and haven't been doing the metabolic eating properly, purely to being lazy, disorganised and just not feeling like looking after me. All good. It happens to all of us. Work, kids, winter. So instead of doing it 60/40, time to get it back up to 80/20.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Some food prep last night saw me excited to start today knowing I had lots of good nutrients to get me through the day and not reaching for the mint slices at 3pm.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">My lunch today is something I love. A fav, sometimes I have with fruit and sourdough also.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3bCwK1JakSM8xFlE-FEZlGQlao3_2OrxAxTbSuEqq-L0Z5YHaeACwhf1jbOjz0PCyluB-6UYXIiwn4vblzuLjySCdlfB2wT6KU9Y7C_2FIuXCwt-DvoNZOlh_AhEkF8w_vShhkGbgl_o/s2048/lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3bCwK1JakSM8xFlE-FEZlGQlao3_2OrxAxTbSuEqq-L0Z5YHaeACwhf1jbOjz0PCyluB-6UYXIiwn4vblzuLjySCdlfB2wT6KU9Y7C_2FIuXCwt-DvoNZOlh_AhEkF8w_vShhkGbgl_o/s320/lunch.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: left;">Doesn't</span> look much right but check out the nutrients:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Potatoes </b>– cooked in my new air
fryer with coconut oil and salt – carbs and fibre, vitamin c, vitamin B6,
potassium and manganese. Potato is so
starchy as it is glucose, so I have it with protein and fat to help balance the
blood sugar. Stable energy whilst
keeping stress hormones low.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b style="color: black;">Juice – Nudie orange</b> with no pulp
(pulp can irritate me) – natural fruit juice can help with vitamin c and sugar
(yes, sugar, it is good for you in the right source) – sugar helps with tissue growth
and repair, maintaining homeostasis (including your body temperature), fueling your daily activities, converting T4 to the active form T3 (thyroid hormone)
and also helps the liver detoxify the body. Plus it tastes amazing and calms
the adrenals!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Malgun Gothic"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Grass-fed Beef burger</b> – so good –
less processed crap and just good quality beef which contains iron, zinc,
vitamins A and E, B12, B6, Selenium, Zinc. Who needs to take a multivitamin?
Mixed with some light swiss cheese – calcium, protein, saturated fat! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Malgun Gothic"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fats are GOOD</b> for you fat isn’t bad.
I am avoiding and limiting PUFAs from my diet (post to come on that). Saturated
fat is good for your body – they remain solid at room temperature and turn into
liquid above room temp (saturated just means carbon bonds being saturated with
hydrogen).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means they wont be destroyed
by light, oxygen or heat, they won’t produce free radicals when cooking that
cause damage to your body and cells. I used coconut oil in my cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other good fats are butter (without any
vegetable oils etc), ghee, dairy products from pasture with fat, chocolate fat (mmm
cocoa anyone).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Malgun Gothic"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">I used to eat what I thought was
healthy (nuts, seeds, brown rice, broccoli, kale, sweet potato, lean meats and vegetables
oils). Limited dairy because of fat and I thought I was intolerant – turns out
take out vegetable oils, broccoli and other processed foods like nuts and nut
butters, I can tolerate dairy perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The toxin in the broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables can cause
inflammation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Malgun Gothic"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Lots of salt and Heinz Tomato Sauce
– delicious, if I had mustard I would put on there also and have some sourdough
like an open burger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So so good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Salt is good, salt helps replenish minerals
lots in the body. Just the plain white salt. The pink and orange <o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">colour represents the high levels of toxic inorganic iron and Celtic salt: the grey colour is due to residual mud and impurities. You just want the sodium chloride (you can get an abundance of the other minerals from your food) so just go for plain white sea salt or pickling salt that is free of anti-caking agents and added iodine</span></span></p><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Salt can also:</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="👉" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/t51/1/16/1f449.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span>Support proper thyroid function and metabolism</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="👉" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/t51/1/16/1f449.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span>Enhance insulin sensitivity</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="👉" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/t51/1/16/1f449.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span>Help improve sleep</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="👉" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/t51/1/16/1f449.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span>Increase energy</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="👉" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/t51/1/16/1f449.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span>Important for hydration & hydrochloric acid production</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="👉" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/t51/1/16/1f449.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span>Help your body absorb nutrients</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="👉" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/t51/1/16/1f449.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span>Decrease inflammation</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="👉" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/t51/1/16/1f449.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span>Reduce stress</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Salt excerpts from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sugarandstrength/posts/1077450949434801" style="color: black;">Kitty Blomfield FB Page</a> - as I have used her pages so much! </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Other people to follow:</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.jessicaashwellness.com/">Jessica Ash Wellness</a><span> all things hormones and especially PCOS</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://katedeering.com/">Kate Deering</a><a href="https://katedeering.com/"> </a> <span> Author of how to Heal your Metabolism - a MUST READ!</span></span></o:p></p>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://raypeat.com/">Ray Peat</a><a href="https://raypeat.com/"> </a> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> the researcher! </span><br />
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUPbXBBPT3A-4zcUzLMdRk2T3q2LlXXtEiWfqWSio4C5P9Re2uXHDKEVMREaieq0MQUIadTqxp_fh6BJMxo23mOPi12Uc9Oce5pSxijJ8DzNiU6_ir2GfetR6GzY8z3dfOQiQhGedLOGp/s526/JD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUPbXBBPT3A-4zcUzLMdRk2T3q2LlXXtEiWfqWSio4C5P9Re2uXHDKEVMREaieq0MQUIadTqxp_fh6BJMxo23mOPi12Uc9Oce5pSxijJ8DzNiU6_ir2GfetR6GzY8z3dfOQiQhGedLOGp/s320/JD.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p>thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-75783160009812563162021-04-06T17:57:00.013+10:002021-04-06T18:10:33.030+10:00How I ended up here.....<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>2011.....</b></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E4F70nbnX55AarcIFzPP3TK9jROZBS1VjFOEAsw-e59ZAHqo6N6OkZj8m6lpy1btTQzRpV4PbAzP244wugkzJjHv0yug3FCnyEvbkRXJ8iHEbYCNM3ws58feUUQ9b5NJHSjJUjWm16Ms/s828/DM+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="828" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E4F70nbnX55AarcIFzPP3TK9jROZBS1VjFOEAsw-e59ZAHqo6N6OkZj8m6lpy1btTQzRpV4PbAzP244wugkzJjHv0yug3FCnyEvbkRXJ8iHEbYCNM3ws58feUUQ9b5NJHSjJUjWm16Ms/s320/DM+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hVp-k4_IrY8u1fjMQxMU_55Fk8vZBDOujnCD3xFEqw3Jel7t1UgJGYM72ULfNUWpCahnj7I5nljtB8L-snIhnMtN-bWYl6Dg5Y7ESE9sxlHJ-1J81VQsvg28Ik1kbil9FYtkS-FBRz1S/s828/DM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="828" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hVp-k4_IrY8u1fjMQxMU_55Fk8vZBDOujnCD3xFEqw3Jel7t1UgJGYM72ULfNUWpCahnj7I5nljtB8L-snIhnMtN-bWYl6Dg5Y7ESE9sxlHJ-1J81VQsvg28Ik1kbil9FYtkS-FBRz1S/s320/DM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Now 2021</span></b></span><p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTOymwui4C2qwOqnCIt03PSY7sC5rteGjaFXca5VeHMpNF31KjVeF4YYala-YlyJYoaBle25VCqvs9rciVLBEdRBp0NgOdRhjx0uiIYqDGA3BpPlIYh9wfiO5irlZRlFUfELYJbKubNcp/s2048/DJ+now+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTOymwui4C2qwOqnCIt03PSY7sC5rteGjaFXca5VeHMpNF31KjVeF4YYala-YlyJYoaBle25VCqvs9rciVLBEdRBp0NgOdRhjx0uiIYqDGA3BpPlIYh9wfiO5irlZRlFUfELYJbKubNcp/s320/DJ+now+2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2Vb9bvTHND53dEmBxRi85AC_bUhyPquBH2ILoFwb0UGJGP5JC-fvaK-iXxj_77-jAO466dkeK3r5Y-JtZ9w0KIIbS84oSzu8m0-n1W0w4RdTvJoKJYXRHIqxgQIEj9ClKx7snJRe7Vo0/s2048/DJ+now.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2Vb9bvTHND53dEmBxRi85AC_bUhyPquBH2ILoFwb0UGJGP5JC-fvaK-iXxj_77-jAO466dkeK3r5Y-JtZ9w0KIIbS84oSzu8m0-n1W0w4RdTvJoKJYXRHIqxgQIEj9ClKx7snJRe7Vo0/s320/DJ+now.jpg" /></a></div><br />S<span style="font-family: helvetica;">o how did I end up here? What on earth has my body been through all these years? 98kgs and 47 years young. Finally understanding my body and metabolism, after damaging it for so long......</span></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The sad thing is I have pretty much been on a diet since I was 15 - when I was tall and about 55kgs (think Nicole Kidman, without the crazy red hair). I was tall and lanky and sporty, I had the metabolism of an elite athlete. So why did I start dieting and begin over 30 years of unhappiness to weighing myself and worrying about what I looked like, how much I weighed? Because I wanted to be perfect. I wanted to be the fittest and everywhere you looked in magazines (no internet that early) were pictures of thin women in bikini's, the diets and fads that you must do to look thin. I thought thin was fit back then. Oh man if I could go back and slap myself.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I never really started putting weight on until I moved to London - I would always put on a few kgs here and there after a new diet and then would go out partying and eating/drinking like normal again but never more than 5kgs. I would go from 64kgs to 69kgs. I moved to London and was about 71kgs, in about a year I had gone up to 83kgs. So I did weight watchers and went back down to 73kgs. Ahhh phew. Up and down this happened when I used to eat cheap food (fast food, low nutrient) and drink my calories. I would then start running or back doing triathlons and swimming to get the bodyweight off. it was a continuous cycle of starving myself and overtraining to get smaller. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I also had an insecurity that men didn't like tall overweight women, so I couldn't change my height, so I thought I would change my body to get men to like me. I was a tall, outgoing confident girl who would be "too much" for most men. I also would like to go back and slap that girl who was 26 years old and still thought she had to be perfect for a man. My goodness. So I didn't really have too many long term/serious relationships for more than a few months in my twenties and early thirties, just lots of drunken nights and random hook ups or relationships with men that wouldn't last because they weren't really a good fit, because of my previous relationships all being with people I couldn't trust. The issue wasn't with me, it was them. Slap slap. Why do we give men so much power? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So fast forward years of dieting, becoming a personal trainer and training others I really started to change my thought patterns on eating, training and found that the low calorie diet and cardio wasn't the key, that weight training (something I learnt when I was 18) was still the best way to train, and my favourite way to train - loved being fit and strong (and another way to intimidate men was to have biceps and strong back muscles haha)! I stopped dating, started training and had a great time in Sydney with friends and travelling the world and experiencing so many great countries. Life was good, I was happy. After a few years I realised it would be nice to spend all the fun time I was having with someone special, I had dated in Sydney and it was a hard gig. Before all the Tinder apps it was old school meeting with "friends of friends", or people at work trying to set you up with their friends, because you know you are both single! It was not fun. I had started dating on RSVP online and had been on some pretty funny dates. I met a guy who loved bike riding more than life, the spanish man who was an alpha male and didn't like alpha women and put me down constantly, the detective who had a cute beagle, the Italian guy who lived with his parents still at 34! I had just about given up when my now husband sent his first message/stamp to me and we went on a date. It all made sense, it was easy, it was fun and full of laughter (snorts and all), fast forward to being together 10 years this year, married for seven and with our four year old daughter, things have never been better with love and family. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Being the heaviest I have ever been and happy. Truly happy, until I look in the mirror and see the reflection looking back at me and i feel so unhappy. My hormones and body have been through the wars the past six years. Whilst becoming a mum has been the best thing I have ever done, the journey wasn't good on the body. All the dieting caught up with me and my hormones went fucking mental after we had experienced three miscarriages in a year, then I had my daughter and was put on depo injection. My body was officially in a bad place. Mentally I was unstable, i was sleep deprived and constantly worried about my new baby. My body was 25kgs heavier and i couldn't sleep, my hands and feet were constantly cold, I was so tired, achy and just started feeling beige and due to the contraception, didn't have a period. I needed to do something drastic and change, I wanted to be a healthier, more stable role model for my daughter.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Knowing that quick diets and fads wasn't the way, I came off the depo injection I had been on for over two years and started to notice a difference within a few months. I got my period back which was a great indicator of how my body wasn't coping, it was painful, it was heavy, it was making me want to curl up and die every 28-30days. I felt horrid. Fat, bloated, ugly. I tried to do a few training programs, cardio and eating healthy foods. I just felt like I was going on a roundabout, around, around and no stopping. I was stressed at work and being bullied, my anxiety was through the roof and I didn't know what to do. I knew I had to do something as I wasn't happy and it was starting to affect my relationships. I had been down this dark rabbit hole before and knew the signs, I also knew I could get out of this hole and do something.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Then I found Kitty... </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">18 months ago, after stalking Kitty Blomfield (for about six months), from </span><a href="https://www.nustrength.com.au/" style="font-family: helvetica;" target="_blank">Nustrength</a><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> who created WinatLife, I started following her advice, based on </span><a href="https://raypeat.com/" style="font-family: helvetica;">Dr Ray Peat</a><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> and her </span><a href="http://www.thenutritioncoach.com.au/" style="font-family: helvetica;" target="_blank">Nutrition Coach</a> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">advice</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">. I have also read Healing my Metabolism by</span><a href="https://katedeering.com/2015/01/how-to-heal-your-metabolism/" style="font-family: helvetica;" target="_blank"> Kate Deering</a><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> - these sites and books I highly recommend reading if you have </span><b style="font-family: helvetica;"><u><i>any</i></u></b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><u><i> </i></u>of the following issues:-</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">*constantly on a "diet"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">* have hormonal or PMS pain or peri menopause symptoms</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">* have bloating, digestion issues</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">*have sleep issues</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">*have low intimacy issues</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">*have cold hands and feet</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">*thyroid or autoimmune issues</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">*weight gain </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">*mood swings<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">* anxiety</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">*depression (obviously if you have severe depression this is not doctors advice, just a place to start and see if diet can help you)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What you eat is really what <b>FUELS </b>your body and mind. How your body responds to food is always changing and the fitness industry is<b> still conditioning us</b> with the "eating less, training more" method which leads to so many of the above issues and more. Read the above, click on the links.... and just let it absorb. It makes sense. So much sense.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>NEXT BLOGPOST: </b> foods I am eating and how I am training less, how I am sleeping better and how I reduced my peri menopause symptoms.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><div><br /></div>thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-68012881841765771482020-10-09T17:28:00.003+11:002020-10-10T09:12:53.799+11:00First Nine <p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <b>FMSPAD - October</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I have created a new Instagram account @snapsbydons to capture my photo-a-day challenge run by @fatmumslim. Such a fun and creative challenge which I enjoy. Makes me stop and capture daily events and prompts. </span></p><p><img id="id_acf3_b961_110_e8e2" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/e20u3yIt5tfn1aHP0cBH4xV-cwLmbiZD77gCyVKRSOMVEqfJWM3W5y7pMEnk50c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><b><span style="font-family: arial;">A Fence</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Daily walks during isolation saw us looking at all the amazing flowers in the gardens in the streets around the block from our place. We would always have a walk and spot the prettiest flower or brightest flower we could see. This is now something we do anytime we walk around the block, or going to the nearest park. This fence is one of our favourite as it has lillies in the front garden, which i love and with the green painted fence, puts a smile on my face when we walk past.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">A Funny Shape<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Not sure what these statues are meant to be, they are our morning routine as Maddison likes to run ahead and "hide" in them and I always have to play the "where is Maddison game", quite a fun way to start the morning. She always comments on the funny shapes..... </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">A for Sale Sign</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;">Something about the colours of leaves on the ground... a quiet street and a footpath covered in orange and yellow leaves. The green For Sale sign captured my eye as I took this photo and was perfect to use for this prompt.</span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Afternoon Light</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Venturing out on the long weekend Public Holiday Monday to the newly built park down the road just as the sun started to go behind the trees. Such a great time of day as the temperature cools down and the sun isn't so blinding. I love watching the colours of the trees change as the sun hides behind them.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Your Parents<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;">I am so very lucky that my parents are still around, even though they live in another state. This is my favourite picture of them holding their first grandchild two hours after she was born. Just love the look of joy and happiness on their faces.</span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></b><b><span style="font-family: arial;">What’s in your pocket</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;">Cleaning up after the weekend I found some seashells in my pocket. I used to love collecting all different kinds of seashells when I was younger as I lived 1500kms from Perth and the nice beaches. I would like to start collecting nice ones again and display in a nice vase.</span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></b><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Half Full</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;">The tide is out my Nanna used to say if you ever gave her a cuppa or a drink and didn’t fill it to the top! I have a habit of filling all drinks half full, think because I am a clutz and always knock things over as I am easily distracted. My morning juice though always only need about half a glass with breakfast to add extra vitamins.</span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">A List<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;">Being in isolation I found that I had reverted back to writing daily lists in my journal to keep myself organised with the changes in routine and to get all the thoughts out of my head and in some order in my daily planner. Have always loved a good list and have a habit of rewriting my lists if they become too messy.</span></o:p><b style="font-family: arial;"> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></b><b><span style="font-family: arial;">An unmade Bed</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;">A nice sunny and windy Friday today, working from home means sheet washing day! Nothing beats fresh sheets off the line after a long (short) week. I normally make the bed daily as I find that is a good habit to get the day started with a task completed!</span></o:p></p><br><p></p>thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-60030532338445965882020-08-10T10:44:00.005+10:002020-08-10T10:53:31.738+10:00Always in my heart.... <p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">With all the chaos of the world at the moment, my dreams have been a little all over the shop. I try not to watch too much media on COVID-19 and I have been watching a lot of Netflix, so the imagination doesn't need any more content! But they have been very vivid and meaningful the last week or so. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have always been a date person, I remember dates. Mainly birthdays (some I forget, some I remember like friends from high school)! Whatever is retained in my brain I will remember the dates and this includes the dates of my angels. Sometimes it is like I do forget a little and for some reason the dates make me think for a second until I remember that is right, I know what that date is coming up. I do get a little teary and think about what we went through, but I know I am a stronger person and my spirituality lets me cope with our angels and I know they are somewhere and happy. Not destined for us but we were able to have the happiness and love that came with finding out we were expecting. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My dreams this week have been of children. I thought it might have come from watching some shows but then realised that the names of the children in my dreams are those of my angels, sending me a story to show they are happy and that is pretty amazing. Sometimes they are little and then they are much older like teenagers. So special to have these moments to cherish. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Today is the due date of our third angel Baby G - baby girl. I knew she was a girl. I am not sure if she was or not but in my heart I feel she was. She was my last angel. I remember just feeling so sad and broken. Why couldn't we keep our babies we so much wanted? I know now that they were getting us ready for our fourth pregnancy with our daughter Maddison. August is a busy month as the 14th August is our anniversary of our second loss, our boy MJ. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You can read my posts here about <a href="https://thedonsmeddle.blogspot.com/2015/03/our-little-poppseed.html" target="_blank">Poppyseed</a>, <a href="hhttps://thedonsmeddle.blogspot.com/2015/08/this-cannot-be-happening-again-swearing.html" target="_blank">MJ</a> and <a href="https://thedonsmeddle.blogspot.com/2015/12/heartbroken.html" target="_blank">BabyG</a>. My angels that weren't strong enough to come earthside in 2015, making it possible for our gorgeous Rainbow baby Maddison to be born in 2016. I truly believe our angels came to us to prepare us for Maddison's arrival. I am so very grateful and blessed she chose us and not a day goes by that I am not grateful for having her in our lives. Life is so precious and for enjoying everyday the laughter and smiles of our rainbow girl.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://thedonsmeddle.blogspot.com/2015/12/reflections-of-2015.html" target="_blank">Reflections of 2015 - the Toughest year.</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I am so glad I shared my stories as they are really important to me and part of who I am. I read them now and then and think of my angels often. I know many go through loss and difficulty to getting pregnant and I think talking about our stories is a positive conversation that can help not only us, but others that suffer in silence. Know your story is important x</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Always in my heart. Always loved. xox</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Maddison is getting so big now... a true blessing for us.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhoPjdj7Aci3nQO38SHUgAsgwZ3LcEoQ7EgrQOo3pym22KdmmLjXV65ofF2Nf2b6vT4Elw3PX9-O2EEp6dCTwfz8hoGJ7HIFscEsVYO63uACTzShaXzzyIMZevUyMSJaxKY8i5jGakGmU/s2048/Maddison+Fairy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhoPjdj7Aci3nQO38SHUgAsgwZ3LcEoQ7EgrQOo3pym22KdmmLjXV65ofF2Nf2b6vT4Elw3PX9-O2EEp6dCTwfz8hoGJ7HIFscEsVYO63uACTzShaXzzyIMZevUyMSJaxKY8i5jGakGmU/s640/Maddison+Fairy.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-53013171502900883252020-05-29T16:52:00.001+10:002020-05-29T17:09:18.415+10:00The next nine..... #photoadaychallenge<div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica" style="text-size-adjust: auto;">Seems I added my snack blurb to my last post.... the picture is in this one! Haha publishing joys.</font></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica" style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></font></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><font face="helvetica"><span style="text-align: justify;"><font style="text-size-adjust: auto;">Missed a few prompts this week and realise that May is nearly over! Ah well, June will give it another crack and maybe add a theme! See what <a href="https://fatmumslim.com.au/" target="_blank">FatMumSlim</a> </font></span><span style="text-align: justify;"><font style="text-size-adjust: auto;">proposes!</font></span></font></div><div style="text-align: start;"><font face="helvetica"><span style="text-align: justify;"><font style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></font></span></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_4c6b_c513_9136_2b07" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/uWdrz_mwW9_nLlE7GTf6JaA3Rb0QzNExpeWw_L46YO5KyncK6uCTdomFkOp34j0" style="font-size: 16px; height: auto; text-align: justify; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica" style="font-weight: bold; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></font></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica" style="font-weight: bold; text-size-adjust: auto;">Snack</font></span></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify; text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="helvetica">Into the city today, second time this week after a doctors appt. going to get a breast ultrasound and needed a little snack for comfort. Getting off the train at Town Hall, I grabbed a little Bread Top goodness. Coconut for comfort as I sat waiting to get my breasts checked after a lump and rash appeared on my right boob. All clear, results came back good. Grateful. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="helvetica"><br /></font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="helvetica">Two Things</font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify; text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="helvetica"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;">Many battles have happened in our rental property as the owners live in the US and don’t really seem to care too much about the property. The side fence has been falling down for many years and finally got approval for a cheap quote (well the neighbours did, they own their house) to get the fence fixed. There were way more than</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"> </span><i style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;">two things</i><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"> </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;">wrong with the fence once completed but this photo shows two definite flaws in the joinery (or lack of)! Mr Carruthers my woodwork teacher would not be pleased.</span></font></div><div style="text-align: justify; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="helvetica"><br /></font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="helvetica">In the Kitchen</font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify; text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="helvetica"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;">One of things we do together is bake in the kitchen. We decided to try and make our own playdough, because the other stuff kept getting eaten, lost, hard, mixed with other colours….. was a very fun and sticky mess made</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"> </span><i style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;">In the Kitchen. </i><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;">Good times.</span></font></div><div style="text-align: justify; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="helvetica"><br /></font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="helvetica">Reflection</font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="helvetica">Natural reflection of the trees in the water that had fallen from the sky. A mirror of nature’s beauty. A reminder that we are surrounded by beauty in times that are uncertain and unprecedented. To reset and enjoy nature when the noise gets too loud and we need to enjoy our natural reflections all around.</font></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify; text-size-adjust: auto;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><b style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><font face="helvetica">I isolate here</font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="helvetica">With a nice hot cup of tea….. in my new cup thanks to Drew’s work sending a thank you hamper…. Which included this great <a href="https://www.robertgordonaustralia.com/" style="border-color: rgb(66, 133, 244); color: #4285f4; cursor: default; pointer-events: none;" target="_blank">Robert Gordon</a> pottery mug, made in Australia. Lovely way to <i style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">isolate here.</i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><b style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><font face="helvetica">Routine</font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="helvetica">Walking my moo to day-care is a great part of my daily <i style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">routine. </i> We walk and count the cars, look at the lights turning green, we wait for the green man to cross the road and pick flowers on the way and look out for butterflies. For Maddie it is a morning nature walk with me and for me it is time with my girl and some exercise, not sitting, not driving the car all the time to day-care.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><b style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><font face="helvetica">Something Green</font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="helvetica">Park is open! Words we were excited to hear after spending a few months in isolation and not going to my favourite park – Sydney Park. I knew everyone would flock there to get daily exercise and didn’t want to be going where there were lots of people. So was nice to finally get back there, do some walking around looking at the ducks, birds and seeing the new baby swan cygnets. We always had to check to see if we could see Eric the eel and we did, he is a fat little thing!<u style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></u><u style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="helvetica">I enjoy Sydney park as it is so lush and <i style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">green, so many green somethings </i>to admire. It is getting outside and into nature but just down the road.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><b style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><font face="helvetica">Breakfast <u style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></u><u style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></u></font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="helvetica">Eggs bru is my favourite <i style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">breakfast. </i> I could eat eggs everyday for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Breakfast is such an important start to the day to get the body and mind fuelled for the days activites. Good fats, protein and so warm and yolky. Divine.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><b style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><font face="helvetica">Lunch<u style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></u><u style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></u></font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="helvetica">Not the most sexiest food picture but so good and delicious. Bakes salmon and boiled potatoes with butter for <i style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">lunch. </i>Fuel again, good nutritious food to keep the body going and functioning with the nutrients it needs. Warm and nurturing, and a bonus being at home everyday to cook a yummy and warm lunch.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: none;"><br /><br /><br /></p></div>thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-21401725074457440082020-05-26T12:01:00.001+10:002020-05-26T12:49:56.581+10:00Photo-a-day Challenge 2020 - first nine.......<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><font color="#9c27b0">Gosh I love this challenge,</font></b> I used to be so good at remembeirng the daily prompts and taking a photo everyday to the prompt and posting it. Loved doing some write ups also (will add a few links below to posts from years ago, my favourites).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica">May was "An ISO Photo Challenge" given we are all in Isolation still. Most of us since March. April was a free photo a day challenge and I was a little lost with being at home, working from home, entertaining a three year old and trying to NOT get this virus thing. Was quite a stressful time and I just kept home, kept away from the shops and kept my daughter at home also.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica">May was still lockdown, still in isolation #iso but decided to complete a few challenges that excite me. This is one of them. I may not of done ALL the prompts. I used to love writing about the photos, like keeping a diary or journal, digitally.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica">Here are the first nine I completed:-</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img id="id_3d10_1955_8126_c212" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0V5TlEmfuFlSRZSlF4xbk1eYSz2NrTRYnKv4lMta3yM1z_SjzsYi2d45kj2ioOo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><font face="helvetica">A drink</font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica">GIN..... since having Maddie I havent been a BIG drinker like I used to be (the Irish liver). I used to ask Drew to get me a couple G&T cans for a Friday night (i know right)! So he decided that given the current circumstances and to save money, he brought be a bottle... ahhh heaven. There is something divine about fresh lime, ice and tonic poured slowly over a good nip. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><font face="helvetica">Dreaming of.....</font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica">It isn't a secret that I have put on quite a few kilos in the past couple of years... it is also been hard for me to try and get those feckers off also. Miscarriages, hormones, pregnancy, my age and many injuries mixed with anxiety and stress from life has made me doubt myself, doubt my abilities and reaching the 100kg mark on the scale. The great thing with Iso is that I have spent a lot of time on my own, inside, away from people and found myself again (who needs to go to India hey), has been the perfect reset I needed, even if during a crisis. So am dreaming of a healthier body & mind to be a positive role model in Maddison's life. To ensure I am here for her in the long term. Only good things to come. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><font face="helvetica">A fave room</font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica">When we realised that we would be at home working daily and Maddie would be home also, we shifted our kitchen area to accommodate a working space that we can all enjoy. I thought it would be great to have a wall of art that Maddie had completed, gave us daily motivation and was so much fun. We had paint, crayons, pom poms, cardboard, glitter to play with and boy did we make a mess :) best time ever really, spending time with my daughter.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><font face="helvetica">I made this</font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica">Proud of my body for carrying this child and making me a mum. I made her and housed her, so very much a proud mum and love all the feelings associated with having her in my life. Best thing I have ever made (i know I had help in the making process...) but she was growing inside me, hiccuping inside, moving around and dancing. Life.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><font face="helvetica">A throwback</font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica">Yup a baby picture.... of my little chubba bubba in the sunshine watching Daddy play football. When we could all go outside and enjoy others company, hug, high five and enjoy life. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><font face="helvetica">The Sky</font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica">Having good weather really has helped the isolation.... sunshine = happy feelings. This view is from my back patio. The trees and the sky I see daily. Walking outside for work breaks to feel the sunshine on my face. Good to be healthy and alive.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><font face="helvetica">Self Care</font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica">Mothers Day candle burning as I sit and drink some red wine. The house is quiet, the cat is sitting with me as Drew puts Maddison to bed and I just am here. Happy. Content. Grateful.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><font face="helvetica">Working Here</font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica">Sometimes sitting at her own desk to work isnt as much fun as sitting on my lap as I try to do emails. We would do daily tasks together and called it our "work". Drawing, looking up the Taronga Zoo or San Diego Live Cam feeds. Working here.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><font face="helvetica"><br></font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><font face="helvetica">Snack</font></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica">Into the city today, second time this week after a doctors appt. going to get a breast ultrasound and needed a little snack for comfort. Getting off the train at Town Hall, I grabbed a little Bread Top goodness. Coconut for comfort as I sat waiting to get my breasts checked after a lump and rash appeared on my right boob. All clear, results came back good. Grateful. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="helvetica"><br></font></div>thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-29662148366368118462019-04-18T10:03:00.002+10:002019-04-18T10:05:25.411+10:00health mentally<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9kO-d3xmIRUbqadNDqXn5siKI4I1EFEzLKKOdOtk2xuFqJuLXEVElDpvKSTKegFmX3UyelBY9nP-PUfyABYcmV4Yc04iBT9Vy7Uyn0NpaJaOlASaOFxKK396jptet1uGSRJUneFoxIFB/s1600/snap.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="126" data-original-width="616" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9kO-d3xmIRUbqadNDqXn5siKI4I1EFEzLKKOdOtk2xuFqJuLXEVElDpvKSTKegFmX3UyelBY9nP-PUfyABYcmV4Yc04iBT9Vy7Uyn0NpaJaOlASaOFxKK396jptet1uGSRJUneFoxIFB/s640/snap.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It
is hard to put a positive spin on the stigma that surrounds mental health – but we all have mental
health. If you have a brain, you have mental health and some of us suffer ill
mental health. That doesn’t mean some are entirely broken or damaged, but need
help, guidance, love, support and assistance. An open mind and lots of understanding. Sometimes being honest and saying you are not sure how to deal with things, is the perfect place to start.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We
all should look after our mental health. I feel that sometimes the stigma
around mental health and mental illness is the because of the wording used so
freely by the media and on social media that those dealing with ill mental
health all fit under one umbrella. This is not the case. We all have mental
health issues, we feel happy, sad and can have emotional days and mood
swings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are caused by hormones and
some can eventuate from experiences in life, or a trauma, leaving us with
emotions that we don’t understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whilst there are many that have illnesses that are hereditary or just
part of our DNA make up, I believe that we need to discuss the importance of
looking after our mental health with our kids from when they are old enough to
understand, so that it isn't something bad, similar to how we encourage looking after our physical health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Healthy in both body and mind are important
to achieve homeostasis. Balance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There
is a lot of pressure to be “normal”! To be like everyone else. I like the idea
of being different, unique and being ME. It has taken me a while to come to
this conclusion (dealing with many demons) and getting caught up in the rut of
how I should look, be, act a certain way etc. To keep WHO happy? Lets educate others that being different is a great thing, we dont all want to be the same! Make different normal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Who
depicts what is normal anyways?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Focusing
on being healthy, happy and enjoying life to the fullest is important, but also
understanding that everyday doesn’t have to be a happy and productive/efficient
kind of day, that rolling with emotions is how the brain works and to let you
know that you are human and have to deal with stress, mindset and emotions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Having
mental health issues are completely ok and many have them, just in different
ways and that makes us all unique, because you are you and you are fantastic,
the world really is a better place with you as you. I tell this to myself when
I get caught up with any negative thoughts – the latest I have include things
like, “am I a good mum to Maddison”, “does my husband still find me attractive
after getting older and putting on weight”, “am I really good at my job”, and
the big one at the moment is about my fitness, letting go of who I used to be
and be happy with how I am now, yes I am older, have injuries and more bodyfat
than I would like, I am slowly getting back to being stronger physically and I
think this is helping me mentally, not going on the roundabout of “I used to be
this”.…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So
I try and focus on all the positive things in my life daily. What am I grateful
for today (not last week)I ask myself each morning, this sets me up for a more
positive thinking kind of day. I know I have to challenge myself to keep from
having the black dog around, but if he visits, that is ok because he has been
around before and I know how I can be with him there and know how to send him
on his way. I even realise that he comes sometimes like my subconscious mind is
trying to let me know I am not dealing with something properly and it is
affecting my mental health. I now know what I need to do to alleviate any
depressive, anxious thoughts and feelings, it is quite empowering once I accept
that I have had depression and mental health issues with anxiety since having
Maddison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This makes me realise that
those who do have serious ill mental health are always not as lucky to have the
light at the end of the tunnel or balance that I have at been lucky to have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We
need to give mental health more talk time. We need to make everyone realise
that dealing with anxiety, depression and ill mental health is part of life,
that many suffer and that they are not alone and there are many people out
there who can help them talk through issues and hopefully get them to a better
place, mentally. To know they have support, guidance and help if things get too
out of control. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So
what is the reason for this long winded brain dump?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suicide. Suicide is the biggest killer in
Australia at the moment. Not sharks, not car accidents, not cancer or heart
disease. Suicide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This word is also
thrown around with mental illness and that matched makes it hard for people who
haven’t suffered any mental health issues or know someone who has how big this
is, why are our children thinking that life isn’t worth living? Because we
don’t talk. We don’t give them a safe platform to talk and they feel like they
have no options. Adults are under more pressure these days with work and
family, money and expectations. Everything that happens is online now, so many
opinions, judgements and everyone having an opinion and putting it out there
for all to read. This isn’t healthy. We need to educate ALL about understanding
more about their anxiety, depression or dark thoughts/demons and know that they
can talk to anyone about anything without judgement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wish we could see ourselves as others
see us. Wouldn’t that be amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bullying
and mental health are two issues that I really am drawn to lately. Having dealt
with my own depression issues in London many years ago and having really bad
anxiety and depression after Maddison was born, I can truly empathise with
those who have bigger mental health issues, stigma needs to be removed,
discussions need to happen. We need to make sure that everyone is truly ok and
if someone says I’m fine, they are probably not. Keep talking, keep listening,
always listen – people will think if you don’t listen to them they wont be
heard by anyone, and that is not the case.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-32375469315905694812018-12-28T11:04:00.001+11:002018-12-28T11:13:53.283+11:00#healthyforMaddie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhig8jlqma16Zp5c38QEb-XboeY6VbL21TPj4r9ofsIMGV7nkGlQsq5twVEZDPwK-sg-v_65ImW_Kl1fV6ZeSrZJ87lJaPqtPJB2stVjWpSDfVXPv5SK2n2XzIRK8Kdr0Mj1p2IBG0Fz4tC/s1600/IMG_20180102_160811_457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="1074" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhig8jlqma16Zp5c38QEb-XboeY6VbL21TPj4r9ofsIMGV7nkGlQsq5twVEZDPwK-sg-v_65ImW_Kl1fV6ZeSrZJ87lJaPqtPJB2stVjWpSDfVXPv5SK2n2XzIRK8Kdr0Mj1p2IBG0Fz4tC/s320/IMG_20180102_160811_457.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
Can you believe in three days it will be 2019?!<br />
<br />
Now I normally don't believe in New Years resolutions- I believe readjusting goals is healthier and achievable.<br />
<br />
2018 was a blur for me really when it came to my health and fitness goals. I really struggled with getting motivated and achieving goals.<br />
<br />
Things I achieved in 2018:<br />
* managed my anxiety and had less panic attacks in the second half of the year due to mindfulness<br />
* relaxed more and didn't set my expectations too high<br />
* averaged two workouts every week one yoga and one weights or HIIT<br />
* let go of toxic thoughts focused on the positive<br />
* started filming myself after sessions and posting on social media for motivation and to keep me accountable and honest<br />
* took more time out for self care<br />
* lots of fun activities with my daughter<br />
<br />
No point going over what I didn't achieve as it is in the past and I am not using up any energy focusing on what hasn't happened.<br />
<br />
2019 will look like this:<br />
* planning, organisation to be healthy with food prep and getting my training done, No excuses<br />
* playing with my daughter and scoping out new play areas/parks/water parks for weekly play<br />
* Jonesfit will be in the house daily<br />
* moving the body more to get stronger and drop body fat and increasing muscle mass<br />
* January will be the start of no sugar. No wine or beer also for January<br />
* blog more and film workouts and my progress<br />
* have some amazing outfits in my wardrobe screaming to be worn<br />
* being a healthy role model for my daughter<br />
* reducing negative thoughts and doubt<br />
<br />
I know I am enough.<br />
<br />
I am strong and can achieve anything I desire.<br />
<br />
I only report to myself.<br />
<br />
Xoxoxox<br />
<br />
Follow me as I change my mindset, body and health:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/healthyformaddie">Insta</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/thedonshealthfitness/">Facebook</a><br />
<br />thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-10363849950356355942018-08-20T14:08:00.002+10:002018-08-20T14:08:48.046+10:00#healthyformaddie<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The struggle is real.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Getting healthy and under 80kgs is my goal.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reducing my sugar intake, training more and strengthening my core, my body and my mind.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The struggle has been so real. I admit some of it is probably in my head. Having struggled with depression before I wasn't surprised when it happened again after the birth of my first child. I have struggled with anxiety and depression more after we had many heartbreaks trying for our daughter. The fear of something happening to her has increased my anxiety and I have struggled with work and relationships for the past year and a half. Life has changed and I too must change.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">20months after having a baby I am still struggling to get rid of the fog, the stresses of working life and family life. It is real and not always just an excuse. Unless you have had the fog and struggles, it is hard to "just" get things moving. I have gone from 96.5kgs to 89.8kgs in a year, have reached a plateau now. Before we tried to have a baby I was 79kgs, having put on a few kgs after not training so much. Putting on 18kgs during the trying to get pregnant process really has been tough. My mental state mostly has suffered and the body is carrying more fat than it should be and I have adopted some unhealthy eating patterns which need to cease.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been slowly making changes with my patterns of thinking. My thought processes and confidence all play a part in getting me healthier, fitter and to being the best version of me, now. Not the person I was 8+years ago. My mindset and body are so different now and this is the canvas I must work with and adapt to suit.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#healthyformaddie is my challenge to get me in a better frame of body and mind so I can be the best mum for my daughter, Maddison and be around longer to see her grow!</span></div>
thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-83620894103427871982018-01-05T00:46:00.000+11:002018-01-05T00:46:01.426+11:00Sugar free<div dir="ltr">
Sugar free started two days ago - give me strength!! So far so good......</div>
<div dir="ltr">
I inhaled sugar when pregnant and seems I am addicted......... no more excuses. Sugar is my weakness, I don't even enjoy it anymore. Now when I say "sugar free" I don't mean fruit- because fruit is awesome. I am talking about the packets of mint slices biscuits, blocks of chocolate, ice-cream, red licorice.......Sugar in my tea and diet/skim drinks/products.<br />
#putdownthemintslice #sugarfree #iqs #healthyformaddie</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9aaDHXVn3L8tYbSz4wihxEnAYQHtRlYAw7G7uxB-Kioz-oTZJAknOouxGoTio5xKVY9MDPOnp_rNp7ATVJCBADrqkRtGycTntV9O2dzai8QF6nYc4KKklDa1FXoGD4nTvSH8nA9gBL7S/s1600/img_90332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1132" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9aaDHXVn3L8tYbSz4wihxEnAYQHtRlYAw7G7uxB-Kioz-oTZJAknOouxGoTio5xKVY9MDPOnp_rNp7ATVJCBADrqkRtGycTntV9O2dzai8QF6nYc4KKklDa1FXoGD4nTvSH8nA9gBL7S/s320/img_90332.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-23798490744838774782017-07-31T08:18:00.001+10:002017-07-31T09:33:12.795+10:00So many dresses!!!<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Currently renting an old house in the Inner West of Sydney and dealing with a typical old house problem - mould. After sorting out the process with the landlord/real estate, we are now going through the treatment phase. This means making sure there is no mould on items before the treatment commences.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have lost a few items to mould and yesterday I decided to finally go through the side of my wardrobe that I am not currently wearing - this is due to weather being winter, but mainly because they don't fit me anymore.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have some amazing dresses from halter necks, maxi dresses, saba shifts and a few LBD's that are just sitting there, wanting to be worn and shown off. I could wear them in winter too with tights and a jacket. I have some truly stunning summer dresses from Frocked, formal dresses bought in the UK, Cue dresses brought that I wore to the Michelle Bridges end of challenge parties in 2010 (I did two rounds). I was pulling out these mould free dresses and just getting more and more excited about my fitmamma challenge starting today and expanding the clothes I will be able.to wear again. I have "started" many times in the last few months, but haven't been 100% committed, really just going through the process because I thought that is what I wanted to do, but wasn't ready.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until now, see my previous post <a href="http://thedonsmeddle.blogspot.com.au/2017/07/mojo-is-back.html?m=1">here</a>. I have had the switch finally flick on and am super pumped, excited and confident.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is day one of cleanse (green smoothie shot below courtesy of my good friend Kobe). Reducing dairy, caffeine and eating clean and healthy. Eliminate all over processed and junk foods.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back into the LBD like in the photo below, the evening before my wedding in 2014!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTl7dqU87jjNKPE5PvmalQJP_nSOBGdj8SWIXQGy7yV1K0qUFW5_YPZSSuyKKguaekyYXyuFoce519ZkJkTMLSttWShanQziA_9FdsuQzbMESmieH75QM2RyzdJLaCAbiqZHSzxfj5L-A/s1600/Screenshot_2017-07-31-08-29-03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTl7dqU87jjNKPE5PvmalQJP_nSOBGdj8SWIXQGy7yV1K0qUFW5_YPZSSuyKKguaekyYXyuFoce519ZkJkTMLSttWShanQziA_9FdsuQzbMESmieH75QM2RyzdJLaCAbiqZHSzxfj5L-A/s640/Screenshot_2017-07-31-08-29-03.png" /> </a> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNu4DRxPqPjylc38vyXTBp0svVNzeFmPjAoqGy52jw0eLQdzrlqB-OqJr1fBMAQ2uxJIv_RzCowkHFUD55ZkDjJe_P_c82e_lx-hXO6HinmjMuifZKDhQ-TAtyySp-O2K4ZmCvjEdqwaJd/s1600/IMG-20170731-WA0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNu4DRxPqPjylc38vyXTBp0svVNzeFmPjAoqGy52jw0eLQdzrlqB-OqJr1fBMAQ2uxJIv_RzCowkHFUD55ZkDjJe_P_c82e_lx-hXO6HinmjMuifZKDhQ-TAtyySp-O2K4ZmCvjEdqwaJd/s640/IMG-20170731-WA0000.jpg" /></span> </a> </div>
thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-86746812041050234592017-07-28T15:07:00.001+10:002017-07-28T15:07:56.598+10:00Mojo is BACK!!!<p dir="ltr"><br>
Had an interesting session at the gym this morning. I booked in for my free 30min PT session. I have been feeling shit about my body and fitness. I was thinking, I cannot get back my healthy leaner, fitter body, I have lost my mojo.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So, I booked in the 30min session thinking I was going to have to do regular PT sessions again to increase my strength and fitness and reduce my wobbly bits (bits not tits). WRONG. I have been focusing on the CAN’T side of things instead of the CAN. In my head all I was focusing on was my old tired and injured body. Not training regularly for the past 2 years has definitely taken its toll on both my body and my mind. I had started believing that what I saw in the mirror had become who I was. WRONG again.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I had just faint memories of an energetic woman who loved the gym, who loved training and was super inspired to achieve her goals, and now even though there are some weak areas in the body due to many contributing factors she loved challenging herself, seemed a distant memory. Pictures and events on Facebook kept popping up to remind me of these great achievements and they started making me feel even worse about myself. I tried to look at them as motivation, but I just felt defeated. I know you cannot compare yourself to how things were 10 years ago… time changes and things in life happen. </p>
<p dir="ltr">My headspace has been taken over by becoming a mum. One of the most amazing experiences ever and it is like I shut down many other parts of my brain to use it for mum responsibilities (even trying to speak some days was a very hard task) and this brain shut down, I think is totally acceptable!! This little person arrives and I was functioning on little to no sleep and trying to feed this little person every couple hours, which took a couple hours and that was my day pretty much for three months. So in that space of course I had lost my fitness mojo, replaced it with multi-tasking between sleeping, feeding, burping (the baby mostly) and staring at this amazing little mini-me (or in my case mini-drew, spitting image of my husband). Yes, I had lost my fitness mojo, but fuck me it is worth it every time I look at Maddison. I am still amazed that at 42 years young I became a mum. I became responsible for a little mini-person and I had started accepting in a positive way that I was softer and wobblier than before I had her and that this was normal, this is ok. And you know what? It was ok, now it is time to get out of first and into second gear and start getting back into the swing of things fitness wise. No more excuses (the “I had a baby” excuse is 7months old). I had those first few crazy months to get my head around having a baby (still getting my head around it….). My body is still going through some pretty crazy changes (thanks hormones) and I honestly never thought I would find my fitness mojo again, until this morning.</p>
<p dir="ltr">After joining the gym two months ago, I had only been a handful of times and didn’t really feel the pump. I was struggling with finding ME time. Time for me to have away from home, work, family and concentrate on just ME. I felt guilty. I felt lost and torn. I know making time for myself is healthy and should be a priority, but I was struggling and felt flat, lethargic and useless. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The light has finally switched on people and I feel the fire in my belly (not like heartburn when pregnant, a real excited desire to achieve)! The desire to push myself has returned, the desire to rebuild this body, bit by bit, to strengthen the areas that have weakened or become tighter than ever before has returned. Things are going to be different and it is going to take some time to rebuild this new model, now , What shall I call her??</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHJfPWdHoWSFSw8FOm1RBGE54qYzflkozH47RpjT65vhP2TYOB2eNa_F0rpEVrPNy95yyn-9hmGTTGTt6w9rMt8gXMlsf_oxQhGtVXFAXDbogj8uftWQEjgo-igpbK6ow_KbOwbflJ57B/s1600/Screenshot_2017-07-28-11-45-26.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHJfPWdHoWSFSw8FOm1RBGE54qYzflkozH47RpjT65vhP2TYOB2eNa_F0rpEVrPNy95yyn-9hmGTTGTt6w9rMt8gXMlsf_oxQhGtVXFAXDbogj8uftWQEjgo-igpbK6ow_KbOwbflJ57B/s640/Screenshot_2017-07-28-11-45-26.png"> </a> </div>thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-54535267696676951582017-07-04T20:06:00.001+10:002017-07-04T20:12:08.578+10:00Back to the grind......<p dir="ltr">After having nearly 8 months off work I went back yesterday to a great role in the city. I did so with mixed feelings - guilt, sadness and excitement. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I felt sooo guilty leaving my little Maddie after spending everyday with her since she was born - technically we haven't been apart for 16 months if you count womb time haha!! Lots of tears the last few days everytime I look at her and give her bottles to her. So happy that hubby/Dad is on paternity leave and they are having a great time together.... going to take some time to get used to leaving the house all day. 5am bottles and 530pm shower and bottles are the goal for me everyday.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Sad that I don't get to see her for all the hours in the day that I used too..... no singing play school everyday or having random moments and cuddles - that face!!! Love that face, her eyes just look at you and it is the best feeling in the world - she makes my heart beat so loud and proud to be her mum.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Excitement to be able to return to work and learn a new role in a new company with great culture and people. Wearing makeup and big girl clothes instead of trackies!! Catching the train and listening to music or reading having some me time feels good. Lunching with friends in the city and enjoying hot coffee and sitting down to eat breakfasts and lunches.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Still early days and have a long way to go on this transition from sahm to working mum. I know I will find a good balance and spend quality time with Maddie when I can. </p>
thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-57273581091249822632017-05-26T16:34:00.001+10:002017-05-26T16:37:53.809+10:00Chocolate Anonymous <p dir="ltr">Being pregnant has kicked my chocolate eating into a full blown nasty habit.... I dream of chocolate and sometimes have panic attacks if I don't have it.... I know it is a bad habit that my pleasure centre in the brain controls and sends me the signals aka cravings to satisfy its dirty hunger. No more!!!</p>
<p dir="ltr">No more I said.... even trying 90% dark chocolate to stop me eating large quantities hasn't worked. I need to go cold turkey. Cold bloody turkey.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Check out my Facebook page & join me with your bad habit for 30 days (wine, social media, trashy books, cheese, ciggies, porn etc) whatever your addiction is that you want to kick to the curb.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Starting 12pm tomorrow!! You can do it, join me and feel good, in control and taking one step at a time to change our habit!</p>
<p dir="ltr">https://www.facebook.com/thedonshealthfitness/</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaTQPLsUtgPVQuJ4GCBZDD_cBecyS80cLFooz7nWJ5ZcQwx1uZji446w2B-ZNE_Zsd-cqI8yqdVDC7k_bv2zptJWlH-x9gtGHMSXDFWxLENc8ojYEjqPPDeDS8-3o9WUx6GzABZmUAaVX/s1600/IMG_20170526_162819_419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaTQPLsUtgPVQuJ4GCBZDD_cBecyS80cLFooz7nWJ5ZcQwx1uZji446w2B-ZNE_Zsd-cqI8yqdVDC7k_bv2zptJWlH-x9gtGHMSXDFWxLENc8ojYEjqPPDeDS8-3o9WUx6GzABZmUAaVX/s640/IMG_20170526_162819_419.jpg"> </a> </div>thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-35213150874537265632017-02-21T16:27:00.000+11:002017-02-22T09:58:06.907+11:00Boobies and feeding!! Pressures of breastfeeding<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Breastfeeding sounds so natural right? You get pregnant, carry them for 10months and then they are magically meant to latch onto your boobs and drink every couple of hours for at least 6 - 12 months (or longer if you have the time and/or patience). I have seen so many ladies just popping bub on and suck suck suck. I knew it would be a challenge as I have heard from so many mums just how challenging it would be, so you think I would of been prepared hey?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Breastfeeding is harder than being pregnant and PUSHING out the baby combined. Waiting for the colostrum to come out and the milk to come in to feed your child. To give your child the best start in life, to build up her immune system and give her comfort by being skin to skin and on your breast. If it so darn natural, then why is it the hardest thing I have ever had to do? You have two people who have just met for the first time out of the womb and you are expected to know what to do. Maddison did root around and try and find my breast which was good, glad one of us knew what to do.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For me it hasn't been an easy experience. Being induced and then having midwives (god bless them) milk me everyday to get every last bit of colostrum out of my boobs was definitely an experience!! I have never had so many people interested in my nipples before or felt so much pain with them milking me dry. It was totally lost on hubby as he kept walking in to find a young midwife feeling up his wife. Maddie did latch but not very well, she would get frustrated no matter how many different positions we tried with the lactation consultant, my milk just wasn't through enough for her and it was a frustrating time for all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Leaving hospital without my milk coming through was hard, she was getting as much colostrum and a little milk as she could and that seemed to be enough for her but we got formula on the way home, on advice from the midwife "just in case". This was the best advice from the midwife, I didn't want to "give up" just yet and I wanted to breastfeed. I wanted to provide the best I could for Maddie, I wanted the closeness, the convenience and knowing that I could settle my daughter with the breast if I needed to when she was hungry, sleepy or not settling. Skin to skin is something that I cherish as it is a special bond with my child.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Christmas Day my milk came through, five days after she was born and it was a stressful time trying to feed her. She would not latch and I ended up going back to the LC and getting a nipple shield which made my girl feed so much better, but still not EVERY feed of the day, we still gave her expressed milk and then some formula to top her up. It was hard trying to trust your gut and asking for advice I felt that I was doing the wrong thing by not exclusively breastfeeding my girl. It has been a looong eight weeks. Maddie has done so well with mix feeding and she is sleeping like a champion. She has just decided to not want to bf at all, no matter how sleepy she is, hungry she screams as soon as I try any way to latch her on (even after expressing).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hate that I am feeling so emotional, guilty and torn about giving up breastfeeding my little girl and just expressing what I can for her and giving her formula for the rest of her feeds. I had these expectations that I would breastfeed for as long as I wanted. I wanted the closeness and bonding time with my little girl, knowing I was giving her mothers milk. I imagined that is what breastfeeding would of given me long term. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am focusing on what is important for both of us right now and that is a happy, healthy growing baby girl and a non-stressed mum! She is putting on weight, sleeping well and is happy and loves grabbing my hand when I feed her the bottle (whether expressed breastmilk or formula) we still have cuddles and she still loves going to sleep holding my finger against her dummy - it might not be the consoling I thought she would get from the boob, but she doesn't realise the difference. Only I am aware of the no breastfeeding changes. She is fed. Fed is best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am focusing on are the positives. I have to believe that I have NOT failed my daughter and I truly believe I have tried everything in my power to get breastfeeding exclusively but it was not happening for us. I have made lactation cookies, drank the tea, eaten the vitamins, pumped, pumped and pumped and put her on the boob so many times. She now accepts a bottle and isn't too fussy who gives it to her (win win) Daddy can give her a feed at anytime. It has been nice to have a sleep in on the weekend and wake up to the two together having a bottle - that is perfect bonding time that is important for both of them. We can leave the house at anytime and know that she has food ready to go which is always helpful for those days you just NEED to leave the house before you go mental!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My expectations have been shattered. I will not lie and say I am disappointed and sad. My expectations have changed. I have realised that we are so very lucky. We spent a long time to get our gorgeous girl and I am just happy that she is here, healthy and striving. I must stop listening to the inner critic and the BF nurses who harp on that "breast is best". Breast is best if all circumstances ALLOW you to Breastfeed! Many many women cannot breastfeed their children. Many friends I know weren't breastfed and they turned out ok (me included). I am giving her what I can and for how long I choose to express (or when the milk runs dry) and know I have started her on the right track and formula will keep her growing up to be a healthy girl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So I am taking all the advice I have had from amazing friends (you know who you are). I am doing what works for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So if you are struggling to feed, if you are stressed and it is taking over your mind and putting you in a negative place, it is time to work out what is going to work best for YOU and your baby. Your mental health is important. Your baby needs you to be on the ball and there for them at all times. As long as they are fed, loved and hugged they will grow to be amazing little people.</span></div>
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thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-78524710169459145412017-01-16T16:09:00.001+11:002017-01-16T16:09:23.425+11:00Becoming a MUM!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sitting here listening to the cute noises my daughter is
making in her sleep I cannot believe it has been nearly a month since she
arrived to meet us.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The whole experience has truly been amazing and I still cannot believe
she came OUT of me. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There is NO
way being pregnant for the first time prepares you for the arrival of your baby
– even though you have had ten months of “being pregnant” you literally have NO
idea until they are born how amazing it is to grow a mini person inside you and
see them for the very first time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I repeated the “I cannot believe she came out of me” line at
least 10 times a day when we first brought her home when she was two days
old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was just perfect and so
cute and I just could not stop looking at her. It is so true what they say, all
the pain and uncomfortableness is totally worth it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The journey to become a mum has been a long one for us; we
started trying a few months after we got married in 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially it was just coming off the
pill and then tracking the cycles and hoping we got pregnant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2015 for us was a tough year suffering
three miscarriages, which was such a tough time for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I blogged about my experiences as I
felt it helped to get the weight of the losses off my chest and hoped that it
helped someone out there who was suffering in silence to know they are not
alone and we should talk about our children we don’t get to meet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">2016 was going to be a different year for us, we just didn’t
know it yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had somehow gotten
stronger together through all the pain and the recovering from two
“evacuations” and I decided to have a couple months off “trying” to get
pregnant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My headspace wasn’t
quite in the place it needed to be and I could not do another two-week wait
after ovulating to see if we had conceived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After three months I felt it was time to try again and that
is when we conceived, on Easter Monday to be exact (TMI).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a friends wedding in Bali in the first week of April
and we were looking forward to a few days away with friends and I put out of my
mind that “we could” be pregnant and for the first time since we started trying
actually relaxed, enjoyed myself with eating, drinking and having a great
holiday/wedding celebrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
just didn’t want to be consumed anymore by getting pregnant; if we were I was
happy to wait until we got back home to deal with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to be “normal” and enjoy the cocktails, beers and
eating delicious foods that Bali has to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the best time ever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So after Bali I had the two-week wait to see if I got my
period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally I have to take
the test the day I am due or a few days after for the hormones to be high
enough for the pregnancy test to read it as positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did it at 3am in the morning around 4 days before I was
due – no idea why – just was awake and needed to pee and had the tests sitting
there, I don’t know if I “just knew” or was being my usual stubborn and
inpatient self (I would say a mix of the two)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was positive! Holy crap I thought, should I wake up Drew
and let him know or wait until the morning?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lets just say that was an early wake up alarm for him, he
had NO idea ha-ha and thought it was all a dream – woke up a few hours later
asking me “are we pregnant or did I dream that you told me you were?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The first few weeks I had this strong feeling that
everything was going to be ok, that it was our time to have a child and my gut
was right as I saw the heartbeat flicker on the screen at the earliest
ultrasound ever at 6 weeks 3 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My doctor wanted to get on top of things early and ensure all was ok
this pregnancy, I didn’t mind and Drew didn’t come to this scan – not sure if
he thought it would be too early or if he would just see nothing on the scan
moving and it would be like losing our other babies all over again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think he needed reassurance that
all was ok this time before he would go with me to a scan again, and I cannot
blame him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came with me a week
later to see the same flicker on the screen, our baby this time had a beating
heart, we have never gotten this far before!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So pregnancy went well, felt like forever some days, but I
really did enjoy being pregnant, even with the afternoon sickness, nausea and
hormones making you turn from a mushy lovely wife to a narly cranky cow within
seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I embraced it all and
just hoped that our little MJ (mini Jones) or babygirl as we called her (I just
knew she was a girl) was going to be ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had so many scans throughout the pregnancy because of my age and our
history and it was all very reassuring.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">That feeling when you see your little baby forming from a
dot to a little person on your 10/16/20 week scan is truly the most amazing
sight ever. Someone above was looking after our baby girl and us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt her growing inside me and just
hoped that she would make it to us ok and I was doing everything I could to
provide a safe and healthy environment for her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Our local gp and midwives at the Royal Hospital for women in
Randwick looking after us, we had so many appts, blood tests to make sure all
was ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grew bigger and could
not wait to feel our baby girl move!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Having an anterior placenta meant that I wouldn’t necessarily feel all
her movements or see her arms/legs stick out of my belly as the placenta was in
the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed getting HUGE, I
loved my body changing and was so happy to have a healthy and vital
pregnancy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything was going
well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">July saw my newly started Operations Manager role made
redundant at nearly 5 months pregnant and September we were advised that the
owners of our unit were selling the property and we had 90 days to move out and
find a new home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They say
everything happens at once, I took this as a good sign (gosh I can be SO darn
positive sometimes).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must admit
it was a little stressful, but we managed to just take each day as it came and
looked at so many different properties every weekend.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Working on a temporary contract at the Powerhouse Museum was
perfect for this pregnant mamma to be, great people, friendly and the hours
were flexible and the role not too stressful and on top of that we found a nice
house (yes house, with grass and no stairs) in the inner west that we moved
into and we were back on track.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I could not believe at how fast (and sometimes it felt slow)
the year was going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was moving
slower and walking to and from the train station took me 23mins each way
(normally takes 10mins).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started
catching the bus to work and then the train home so Drew could pick me up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The waddling was hilarious and I could
not believe at how slow I had become, I am a fast walker, one of those annoying
people that walk so fast they over take everyone on their way past….. the only
people I overtook were old ladies with their walking frames and one day I overtook
another pregnant woman (yes I did feel bad for feeling awesome for that, she
was ready to pop and about 32inches shorter than me)!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Working up until the end of November was perfect my
temporary role that started out as a 4-6 weeks lasted me four months! I had a
week to myself before my parents arrived from Perth to make sure they didn’t miss
the arrival of their FIRST grandchild, in case she came early (I was a prem
baby arriving at 32 weeks) and having my folks drive me around was great,
especially on those hot days where we would just go and sit in an
air-conditioned coffee shop for hours (mixing retired parents with a pregnant
woman)! Was great to spend time with them before baby girl arrived and I was
hoping she would come early in December and not too close to Christmas.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Being an AMA pregnant mamma (Advanced Maternal Age) meant
that the hospital would want me to be induced and not go over my due date to
avoid any risks of being an older first time mum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was not my choice but I didn’t want to take any
unnecessary risks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hoped and
prayed that she would come on her own and when she was good and ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was due on the 20<sup>th</sup>
December and was born on the 20<sup>th</sup> December after being induced at
exactly 40 weeks to the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
been in hospital for two days prior to her being induced to prepare my cervix
for delivery as it was NOT ready at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I never wanted to be induced, I hated the idea that my I
would not be in control and my body wasn’t going through the birth when it was
ready and naturally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I
embraced that my body is stubborn and I didn’t want to put any risks on either
of us and just went with the flow. Babygirl was very happy inside, good to know
the environment I created for her was so comfy she just wanted to stay there a
bit longer!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After having two procedures – the gel and a balloon catheter
to “ripen” my cervix I was finally ready to go to delivery suite from the
antenatal ward on the day she was due.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My waters were broken at 815am and I had a couple hours of horrendous
contractions coming at irregular times as the midwife Jo tried to control them
with the oxytocin drip (synthetic version of the hormone the body produces to
go into labour).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had never felt
anything like contractions before and they were not fun at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not get comfortable and in a
good position to prepare for them as they were so irregular being controlled by
the drip in my arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jo tried to
get them under control but I didn’t want to take it anymore and told her to get
the epidural ASAP.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><o:p> </o:p>Three hours was enough, I was only 4cm dilated (2cm had been
from the earlier two procedures) and I did NOT fancy doing that for another
10hrs. The gas made me sick
and I didn’t feel in control. Drew was being amazing support to me and even an
assistant to our midwife, helping her with things she needed to prepare me as
well as feeding me water and putting cold compresses on my head. It was nice to feel the effects of the
epidural take place and we could both have a rest until it was time for me to
deliver our daughter. So glad I
made that decision. Things got
quiet and no-one was stressed, our daughter was getting ready to make her
appearance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It was a bizarre feeling being told that I had to push and I
was numb as from the waist down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
could not believe that in about 20mins I would be meeting my little girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing her come out was truly amazing,
seeing that little head and her being placed crying on my chest only to be
comforted by my warmth was the best thing I have ever experienced in my entire
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had gunk all over her
but was perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I am now a mum! I have the most precious girl in the world
and she is worth all<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> the </span>growing
pains, stretch marks and sleepless nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking into her eyes I feel so much love, more than I ever
could imagine I would feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is
our little angel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-33899526735331373932016-10-20T10:43:00.003+11:002016-10-20T10:49:24.010+11:00Feeling very grateful today!<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8j55l" data-offset-key="5kk2r-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5kk2r-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="5kk2r-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5kk2r-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; text-align: justify;">
<span data-offset-key="5kk2r-0-0" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most days, life is pretty great! No matter what you are dealing with at the moment, remember to stop and appreciate the simple things in life that make you smile. Take time out to just be. Spend time with those who make you smile, eat the chocolate, sleep in, drink all the wine and remember life is what you make it. </span></div>
</div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4ft6g-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; text-align: justify;">
<span data-offset-key="4ft6g-0-0" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8j55l" data-offset-key="ckndg-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ckndg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; text-align: justify;">
<span data-offset-key="ckndg-0-0" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the moment I am going through one of the biggest transformations of my life, being pregnant. It encompasses my everyday with my protruding bump arriving minutes before I do, reminding me of the precious life growing inside me (especially when I misjudge something and bump into things, bump first, sorry little one)! I cherish each day, every movement she makes, the aches and the pains, the sleepless nights, but I also am so very grateful to be pregnant at 42 and being able to grow and nurture our daughter inside me. It really has opened my eyes to life and what is important for me, right now. I cannot imagine what it will be like when she arrives in about 7-9 weeks from now. I know I am happy right where I am, I don't feel like I am missing out on anything as I have truly had the best experiences in life for the past 42years. Ok i might miss sashimi, wine & running yolks.. but they will be back on the menu soon. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="7f1ua-0-0" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8j55l" data-offset-key="3b06i-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3b06i-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; text-align: justify;">
<span data-offset-key="3b06i-0-0" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have started noticing many things as my fast walking pace has been replaced by a very, very slow waddle. On my waddles around the place I do notice as people overtake me (frequently) that everyone is all so busy, rush rush, heads stuck in our phones. Obviously I have to be more aware of my surroundings as people just walk into you without looking and this allows me to people watch more (one of my favourite pastimes). </span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3b06i-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; text-align: justify;">
<span data-offset-key="3b06i-0-0" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3b06i-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; text-align: justify;">
<span data-offset-key="3b06i-0-0" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have noticed children playing, laughter, heard conversations between people walking past and really find it amazing the things I pick up now that I wouldn't of before as I too would of had my head in my phone and my music on to block everything out. Everyone doing what they need to do each day. I recognise the familiar faces I see daily from the buskers in the tunnels at central to the same people I manage to be at the coffee shop with at the same time each day and the friendly faces that smile at me as I huff and puff along.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="3b06i-0-0" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3b06i-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; text-align: justify;">
<span data-offset-key="3b06i-0-0" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was sitting on the train going home the other day and there was a gorgeous sunset and I think I was probably the only one in my carriage that was appreciating the gorgeous skyline and didn't have my head in my phone. I didn't reach for my phone to take a picture either to share on Facebook or Instagram (I know shock horror), I just sat there smiling at the gorgeous red skyline. Truly amazing. </span></div>
</div>
thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-57316484261882843542016-09-23T13:38:00.002+10:002016-09-23T13:38:30.896+10:00Overthinking is not good for you!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What goes on in our minds everyday as women!! Sheeesh we seriously have to watch our thoughts!! Well I do.... Myr thoughts should be monitored, because most of the time they are worrying or stressing about things that are either out of our control or haven't even happened or will not happen.....ugh. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blaming the pregnancy hormones I have been a bit anxious this week as our baby girl starting moving quite a bit and I got super excited, so when she didn't move as much I started stressing like nothing else (which apparently is not good for you either ahem). So I spent a couple nights this week just obsessing with my large tummy begging her to move. She moved when she normally did when I was lying down sleeping around midnight and 5am but apparently I wanted MORE and made a special trip to go see my GP today to listen to baby girl's heartbeat. Which was perfectly fine, strong and LOUD. I knew somewhere in my gut that all was ok, so why didn't i listen to that and to the voice in my head that was making me super anxious.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After some happy tears (from Dr Z and myself) and a big hug I left the GP with a prescription for my asthma medication (because it is in a box somewhere after our move last week) and made me feel like I had a reason to go see my GP hey.... she said come everyday if you want and I will be more than happy to listen to her heartbeat! Aww bless. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I am normal apparently. Being nearly 7 months pregnant I have connected with my little girl and of course I was going to worry if i had just an inkling of something could be wrong. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So it was ok to worry a little (hah a lot) and so glad I went in and checked things out to be on the safe side and now I feel so much more relaxed and after the nice walk back from Hyde Park, I treated myself to a delicious beef burger (from Create cafe at the Powerhouse museum) and a banana milkshake - because they taste effing amazing & I am sure there is some goodness in the milk that will be absorbed by Jones Junior! You know calcium for strong bones and all that jazz......</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, happy mamma means happy bubba - back to my yoga breathing and meditation each night to relax myself and control the thoughts, because they are not good for you. I need more peace and calm in my body. Trusting the gut is imperative and I would never ignore something major if it happened, but good to know that I have my gp on my side and a very supportive hubby who lets me just be me, all large, swollen, achy and hormonal and he still loves me! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Winner winner chicken dinner. </span></div>
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<br />thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-33375609023676379832016-09-14T13:16:00.000+10:002016-09-14T13:19:17.028+10:00Going with the flow!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jSiZG2eENbZVPO_JoCyUW1VicijsSkW8l_3F50Jvkghv26FrLocQNHl_iSnJA4DK8sr7GsNJkVswhfrY_Itl88lbsIxV91xFn3rupKlZGpNCdqBZ6rJGGv0CgSfoH5tmpDBEdiFOMcvc/s1600/flow.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jSiZG2eENbZVPO_JoCyUW1VicijsSkW8l_3F50Jvkghv26FrLocQNHl_iSnJA4DK8sr7GsNJkVswhfrY_Itl88lbsIxV91xFn3rupKlZGpNCdqBZ6rJGGv0CgSfoH5tmpDBEdiFOMcvc/s400/flow.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">L</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">ife surely is bizarre. I am a big believer of everything happens at the right time and this year has been no exception. Pregnant for the fourth time with our first viable pregnancy is bloody exciting, tiring, scary and effing amazing (all can be experienced in one day). The last 26 weeks surely has been a roller coaster ride whilst growing our baby girl <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/jonesjnr/?hl=en">#jonesjnr</a>, filled with interesting cravings, plenty of nanna naps, emotions, hormones and morning/afternoon/evening sickness. I wouldn't have it any other way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">2016 started off with a new job, moving out from the EA space and moving into management. Was an exciting time, working for a fundraising company and had two staff reporting into me and was excited to be learning new skills and put my highly organised skills to the test to see how I could be the best Operations Manager I could possibly be. Six months into the role, it was made redundant due to restructure. That is cool shite happens right, everything will work out and to be honest in hindsight probably was the best thing to happen as I am now working at the Powerhouse museum in a great EA role temporarily and I am feeling relaxed and less stressed than I was before, which can only be good when one is growing another human inside her hey? My gut told me it was the right thing, I learnt so much and I look forward to exploring that space again after the arrival of baby Jones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">We had talked about moving house when we found out we were pregnant back in April, then decided to stay put because we love our apartment and the area and were already so settled and coming up to four years in our place..... then the owners wanted to "pop-in" and have a look at the property.......................... alarm bells ringing please, you only do that if you want to SELL! Bingo two weeks later we were given 90 days - so a temporary job and having to find a new place whilst pregnant at 42, yes this is how I imagined my life in my 20's, haha, bring it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">So we have literally JUST moved, we found a great HOUSE with a backyard and NO stairs (why did I think stairs would be good at our old place hey, in denial I was) and I am just going with the flow. Trying to pack up the house when nearly 7 months pregnant was not fun at all, so tiring and I was extremely frustrated at how LITTLE I could physically and mentally do. Thank god my husband has taken it in his stride and just got things done, what a legend. Definitely won the lotto there peeps. I of course did the admin side of things with moving Foxtel, AGL, changing our addresses on bills and ensuring our first food shop is delivered to fill our fridge and pantry with food noms. Normally I would of unpacked the kitchen and gotten all my clothes organised - last night I ordered thai for dinner and made the bed (after sorting out the fur cat in the spare room). That was plenty and off to bed I went at 8:30pm! Even today I am not overthinking what I need to do, just will see what I feel like doing. What is going on! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">2015 taught me that shit happens and you just have to go with the flow the universe gives you. It has reminded me that yes change happens and it can lead to much better things, to never look back and ponder "what if" and to deal with the card you are being handed right this very second because you never know where it may lead you. I have a feeling this will come in handy with a newborn also - as they aren't able to be project managed and organised!! I look forward to see how that pans out in 3 months time! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Less stress on oneself is important, lower expectations and just do what you can :) sometimes is the best approach. It feels good.</span></div>
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thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-82879869073590546622016-09-06T16:43:00.002+10:002016-09-06T16:43:15.568+10:00Spring is here & a smoothie recipe to try!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB7uh96326LHblFkojnnyku2c7D-32etXfwUokcF1_DAdmh9qIj0wVdx5UiNTYka6aCzBDl-PcvyVqiX4lkNni5RiQCp8Hws-LzKLl2IaF5L5gPThvbU8K3zRtwbKSL0wbFn-O1DmBM8O/s1600/s.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB7uh96326LHblFkojnnyku2c7D-32etXfwUokcF1_DAdmh9qIj0wVdx5UiNTYka6aCzBDl-PcvyVqiX4lkNni5RiQCp8Hws-LzKLl2IaF5L5gPThvbU8K3zRtwbKSL0wbFn-O1DmBM8O/s320/s.PNG" width="272" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If the sneezing hasn't alerted you, spring is here! I do love this time of the year, when you don't feel the chill in the air most mornings/evenings and the sun feels so nice and warm, but not too hot on your skin. You can sleep with a window open a little and you may even think about swapping the duvet or your wardrobe over to summer attire (that might be getting a little ahead of myself), it is only day SIX! </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The food we consume changes as the months get warmer, swapping stodgy warm comforting meals for more fresh fruits, salads, smoothies. I feel like my body craves foods it hasn't eaten since last spring! My current craving is watermelon! I cannot get enough :) I have it with yoghurt, on it's own, in smoothies, delish! So refreshing and the daily weather hasn't even gone about 22 degrees yet for more than a day at a time! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I look forward to sharing some spring recipes I have been wanting to try and some other nutritious yummy healthy foods as the month gets warmer!</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Normally I would be excited to exercise more outdoors and start planning all the fabulous walks/runs that Sydney has to offer during the warmer months, but with baby Jones due in 3 months time I am intrigued to see how the warmer weather treats my body & mind in the coming weeks. I am excited the outdoor pools are now open so I can transfer my swimming from inside pools to the great feeling of an outdoor pool. Ahhh. I have my maternity bathers at the ready! Walking will be more an earlier task than later due to the warmer weather and carrying around a watermelon shaped tummy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Looking forward to more beach walks and yoga classes outdoors as bump gets bigger and I ensure I keep my body moving to help with the arrival of Baby Jones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here is a recipe that I am super keen to try - sounds delish!</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #2f65a9; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 32px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 40px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: start;">
<a href="http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/20588/watermelon+strawberry+and+lime+frappe">Watermelon, strawberry and lime frappe</a></div>
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<br />thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-33601171290831443522016-09-02T16:53:00.002+10:002016-09-02T16:53:33.032+10:00#ilovebeingpregnant <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#ilovebeingpregnant is my hashtag for today – I jokingly say this when I am tired,
cranky, moody and just want to go home and curl up in the foetal position, eat
something with cheese in it and watch trashy tv, I am loving being pregnant nonetheless just
having a loooong day/week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have joined a couple Facebook pregnancy forums and they
are fantastic for asking those questions that you don’t want to trouble your
partner or others with and everyone has a good chat, says their opinions and
you all don’t care as you are all fat, hormonal and in the same boat. Bizarre club to be in, but loving it all the
same. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The one main thing I have noticed creeps into the discussions all the time is weight gain & weight loss in pregnancy (oh I havent gained anything this pregnancy and am so happy etc). I thought since we are
growing another human inside us “most” of us wouldn’t be <b>too worried</b> about the
weight gain, especially for those who are having second or third children, but
there is still that bloody stigma attached to “how much weight” is being gained
in the pregnancy and when baby is born time to drop the “baby weight”. I feel this is a very unhealthy state of mind, so much attached to getting back to your perfect body after baby - you have just grown a full size person in there.... what do you expect?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is definitely a healthy weight gain in
pregnancy and unhealthy range for sure – but I feel some are trying to drop
weight whilst they are pregnant which is just dumbfounding me. Unless you are cranking it on the scales, risking gestational diabetes etcand
eating like nothing else, than let your body just do its thing. There is eating well when pregnant but also just eating what gets you through the days sometimes is OK! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I understand that your body is now not entirely your own to
do as you please – I get that and some ladies feel like they aren't ready to make the changes with eating and exercising etc! My body
has changed so much it is amazing, I am in awe of the way my boobs have
gone from a small C to nearly a DD and how my hips and waist have totally
expanded to grow our little girl. I
still feel so blessed to be carrying our child and I really am not thinking too
much about the weight gain side of things or making sure I eat super “clean”
all the time. When you are feeling nauseous
trust me the last thing you want is broccoli or something healthy, you want
toast and you want it NOW!! Salty chips
from McDonald’s for about five weeks I needed at least twice a week to keep my
afternoon sickness at bay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have for the first time in my life EVER reached triple
digits on the scales and am not an obsessed diet/exercise mess. I am probably the calmest ever about my
weight. I feel (majority of the time)
healthy and happy, despite some aches and pains that are associated with growing
a mini me, I am feeling content being 101.5kgs. I am very happy with the 6kgs I
have put on in 24 weeks, baby is right on target growth wise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I don’t know if it is
the fact that I put on most of the weight last year after suffering three
miscarriages and my body went through something I would never wish upon anyone,
hormones and depression, this led me to go from a healthy 78-81kgs to 94kgs
when I got pregnant this time is the reason why I am not letting myself get too
obsessed with crazy diets. I was tired,
lethargic and couldn’t imagine going to the gym after my third loss and
majority of that was the depression and feeling so empty and lost. I was in a
dark place and just wanted to hide away from the world. Having a few months off not trying was great,
I got back into swimming, walking and yoga and then Easter weekend fell
pregnant with our little #jonesjnr. I
was probably the strongest mentally I have been in a very, very long time.
Obsessing about weight is time consuming and draining. I had come to terms with the fact I was
heavier than I had been and that is ok.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will say I admire those who have the energy to keep going
to the gym and training throughout their pregnancy as I have definitely relaxed
in that department and I do wish that I could have gotten to a lighter weight
before getting pregnant again, but here we are. I love my bump. I love that my
body can grow a person and just as I thought I would, am enjoying being pregnant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The posts on the Facebook group made me realise just how
content I am. My eating habits have
changed so much and I don’t have to stress or think about what I am eating, I
am just enjoying eating a range of foods and exercising daily. Some days I walk for over an hour, I have
gotten back into doing yoga a couple times a week and LOVING the swimming
pool. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I look forward to continuing this healthy
journey through the rest of my pregnancy and into motherhood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-76168134599049583122016-08-02T16:17:00.001+10:002016-08-02T16:17:23.095+10:0020 weeks today!!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Had my 20 week check up with one of the Doctors at the Royal Hospital for Women - I am able to go back to my midwife for the next appointments, yay!! No concerns from the doctor (who reminded me so much of Nina from Offspring). Heard the heartbeat today which still amazes me! Cannot wait for our little girl to start kicking me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">140 days to go apparently until my little bundle is due to
arrive and meet us. To get this far in
the pregnancy is truly amazing, it is everything I thought it would be and I am
loving my bump so much. Even during the
nausea, afternoon sickness, all day heartburn phase I was so happy. I would
feel miserable but have a smile on my face (most of the time anyways). Because
those signs meant I was having a healthy pregnancy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have had five scans to date. The first one was at 8 weeks
as my doctor (god love her) was paranoid about how things were going after our
three miscarriages last year. When she
suggested getting a scan I thought it would be a good idea to ease my mind
also. We had decided not to tell anyone,
not even family, until we saw a heartbeat on the scan. Well I saw a heartbeat at the 8 week scan,
and we had another one booked for the week/10 days after so Drew could see the
heartbeat also, was so amazing to see the little flicker of life. We had quite a harsh Russian sonographer who
was not happy at all that I was getting another scan in such a short timeframe
as she was concerned I wouldn’t see anything else due to the scan the week
before, once I told her it was purely so Drew could see the heartbeat she had a
big grin on her face and showed us the flickering signs of life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then we continued on with normal scans at 12, 16 & 20
weeks. NIPT testing at 16 weeks (for
Down syndrome and chromosome testing which included finding out the sex of our
little girl), all came back good.
Morphology scan at 19 weeks (for 20 weeks) to check the heart, brain,
lungs, limbs, spine & kidneys etc, a very thorough scan and it was truly
unbelievable to see the valves in the heart working, all four chambers were
perfect. Love that our sonographer
showed us everything as she checked our little girl, still love that sonographer
(told her I loved her at my 16 week scan) am sure I am not the first to do so. I just loved how the sonographer would give
our little girl a nudge to move her into the position she needed her to be in
to complete her checks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nothing prepares you for seeing that little bundle up on the
screen. To see her all comfy and moving
her arms and legs around, we cry every time.
It is just so beautiful to see our little creation and I still find it
hard to believe she is inside me, even with my protruding bump! We are waiting ever so patiently to feel our
little girl’s first kicks, I cannot believe I am waiting to feel something kick
me from inside! I have felt small
flutters and movement but nothing that can be felt by touching by belly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have enjoyed sharing our baby news on social media with a
little “Coming Soon” piccie and a few scan piccies too:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:imagedata></v:shape>13 week scan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">18 week bump shot</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">19 week ultrasound scan</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Our announcement on Instagram/Facebook</span><br />
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thedonswellbeinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796162883433911773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020668479808912521.post-33696780960643795002016-01-26T21:19:00.000+11:002016-01-26T21:19:25.573+11:00Happy Australia Day!!<div dir="ltr">
A gorgeous day today in Sydney after the weather people reported this week would be rain, rain & rain. It was a warm day and the sun came out to play! </div>
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Enjoyed a quiet day staying local and not heading anywhere that would be totally packed. A nice late lunch in Redfern, which ended up being a great choice.as the Rabbitohs were training and we got to see the Burgess brothers stay back and talk to fans/sign kids shirts! Gorgeous boys they are #swoon</div>
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After a slight wander in Redfern we drove to our favourite beach, Coogee for a little stroll along the beach and home to have a #gaytime icecream and chillax!! Perfect Australia Day 2016.</div>
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