4. The only benefit of all this rain, is that my herb garden is flourishing, producing way more herbs than I am able to use. I was very chuffed at being able to use some of my very own spring onions on the weekend. They were raised from seed, and have been non-existant until recently. There is something very exciting about being able to use/eat something you have grown from scratch.
Although these mushies probably aren't edible...

Better news to report this week, with a 0.5kg weight loss. I am much relieved, but can't say I've been 100% good with my eating this week. Exercise, on the otherhand has been super good (compared to normal). I also re-assessed my measurements, and in the last four weeks, I've lost 16cm in total. Pretty good eh? Especially since I've only lost 1.0kg during that time.

Boot camp has started on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, for 8 weeks. I've been to the first two sessions so far, and while they aren't as tough as I thought they would be, we have been promised that by Week 4 it will be really tough. Can't wait for that (sense the sarcasm).

I've been tossing up a few options for my eating plan, and while my current plan is working ok, it feels as though it is more of a maintenance plan, rather than a weight-loss plan. I really don't want to go back to counting points or calories, so I'm investigating some other options. This week I managed to stay with my self-imposed ban on the big 4 (alcohol, softdrink, icecream and softdrink), and plan on continuing this.

Our first boot camp has started the same week as this year's Biggest Loser. I really like this show. For me, it's not that motivating, but I do enjoy seeing the contestants shrink week after week. Plus, how can you not watch a show, where there are such cheesy/stupid comments. For example, the first episode, the contestants are entering an athletics field/track, and one of them says "when we walked in, I just knew we were in for some exercise". Well duh. I am looking forward to the promise of a slightly different format, with a bit more focus on preparing and cooking healthy food options.

My goals for next week, include:

Movies, television shows, plays, etc I watched:

Best meal or food eaten in the past month:

Most of Sunday was spent recovering from the night before. In fact, Monday was spent a very similar way. I regret not making the most of a four day weekend, like Caitie did, crafting. I did have big plans, but you know the old saying...

For Australia Day, we went to a friend's place for a good ol' traditional BBQ. The boys watched the cricket (also very Australian), and the girls sat around chatting, listening to Triple J's hottest 100. I served up a dessert dipping platter, that was extremely easy and very yummy. After a couple of hours of not recognising any of the songs being played, and wishing for the days that bands like Pearl Jam were in the countdown, I convinced Jason to go home.

Friday night we went over to the Gordon's so that Jason could help them set up their new broadband. Emma makes the best pies. Charlie did help out by trying to eat the raw pastry, in between, placing the pies on the oven tray. She is growing up so quickly. She told us all about her first day at day-care, or 'school' as she calls it. Sounds like she can't wait to go back next week. Angus, too, is getting bigger, and hasn't managed to rid himself of that red hair.

With boot camp starting next week, Leah, Ally and I attended the fitness and nutrition seminar held on Saturday. It was 3 hours long, and I wasn't at all impressed with the information provided to us. Having been told the same-old stuff before, I was hoping for more of the biomechanics stuff, that had been promised, but instead, it was a mish-mash of stuff off the internet. The organisers, while good at training, need to stick to that, and leave the mental & nutritional side of things to others.

Saturday night, we again headed to the Gordons' for tea, this time for a BBQ with Kirsty and Luke. Jason and I set up Kirsty and Luke the night before, by telling Charlie, that she should go 'shopping races' with them. Sure enough, she remembered, and how can anyone say no to that face. At one point, I was told "Come on Ony. No dinner, just shopping". Every adult went home with sore backs (from bending over very short prams and trolleys), and sore hamstrings.