Houston, we have a problem...

I want to be healthy and happy. Thin does not equal happy of course. But fat certainly doesn't either - and I'm heading that way. I have felt miserable about my shape and weight for some time, but really thought "uh oh" when I realised that I avoid looking in any mirror when I pass it, when I shop etc. If I catch a glimpse of myself, I quickly turn my head away... Not good - and certianly uncalled for as a grown, otherwise kick-*kitten* and confident woman and mom...

So here goes - this is me;

I am a professional working full time - and then some - and have a fulltime family :) Between that and liking my carbs a little too much and hitting 40, the weight has crept on - slowly but steadily. I am tall so for a long time, I could pull it off, but then I saw a picture of me at "sports day" looking very differnet from my "inner image of myself". Yikes. Went straight back on to MFP and started from scratch again.

I did 5 weeks in Jan-Feb where I took up running (for the first time ever!! I've done loads of other exercise and had numerous gym memberships "pre-parenthood", but NEVER liked running.). To my utter surprise I loved the running after a few weeks of hideous misery and even started looking forward to my runs.

Then I sustained a running injury (very ironic really consideirng that I was not at all doing any great distances yet). Saw a physio for 2 months, could not even do long walks ---- and totally lost my resolve and put back on the 4 kilos I'd lost. :(((((((

My injury has now healed, I've done a few runs again (short and sweet, but glad to be back out there) and finally jumped and started MFP again on Friday last week (yes, well planned, huh? Just before a weekend with not even work to keep me busy and on the straight and narrow... :)) Anyways, I got thru the weekend without exceeding my daily calorie goal (1350 cals for a 1.5 lbs weight loss per week - with any luck).

I'm giving up carbs (pasta and bread and rice mainly as they're my huge downfall. And I don't really need it - it's just comfort). to begin with replacing it with lots of veg, salad, fruit, pulses, beans and lentils and lean meats. Bits of cheese for treats :) And homemade muesli bars, which are basically tonnes of seeds "bonded" with apricot, raisin and date processed to a paste to bind the whole thing. Wholesome, healthy, low GI and tastes almost like a treat. (Although it's obviously not a cake... But I will try to forget about that as best as I can :))

I've set myself a few "mini goals": Once I can run 5 km, I can start on the carbs again (as I'll need them to build up stamina and distance on the running).
I'm off on holiday in late Oct - will need to wear swimwear pretty much the whole time, so losing a fair amount by then would be wonderful and spur me on.

My ultimate goal is to lose 10 kilos - 15 if I can. But mainly to get in shape and be healthy. Feel free to add me - I think I'm going to need a lot of support to stay motivated - and am happy to supply motivation right back!