The Don's Meddle

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. 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.   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...

Can you believe in three days it will be 2019?! Now I normally don't believe in New Years resolutions- I believe readjusting goals is healthier and  achievable. 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. Things I achieved in 2018: * managed my anxiety and had less panic attacks in the second half of the year due to mindfulness * relaxed more and didn't set my expectations too high * averaged two workouts every week one yoga and one weights or HIIT * let go of toxic thoughts focused on the positive * started filming myself after sessions and posting on social media for motivation and to keep me accountable and honest * took more time out for self care * lots of fun activities with my daughter 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. 2019 will look like this: * planning,...

The struggle is real. Getting healthy and under 80kgs is my goal. Reducing my sugar intake, training more and strengthening my core, my body and my mind. 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. 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 pla...

Sugar free started two days ago - give me strength!!  So far so good...... 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. #putdownthemintslice #sugarfree #iqs #healthyformaddie

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. 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. 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 ...

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. 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. 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 facto...

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. 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. 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. Excitement to be able to return to work a...