Getting better at consistency

Hi hi hi!

Oh gosh I don't know where to start.  It feels like years since I blogged, yet it's only been 2 weeks.  Of course, as always, I have so much to say.  But for the first time ever have realised

that I have to admit to myself that I don't think I'll ever get it all out on paper (computer).  I will try though!

Where to start....well I'll just start as of now.

Things are ok.  Miraculously, I am sill on track.  How can this be?  It's been about 9 weeks now.  I have never been on track for this long, ever.  I can't believe it.  It's exciting!

The round hasn't been without it's slip ups, but there's really been nothing major.

#mealprepselfie

Each week I've probably had between 1-3 days on average where I haven't been able to train at all due to injury.  This is on top of my normal 1 day a week rest days.  There's been possibly just 1, maybe 2 days across the 9-ish weeks where I just haven't trained, because....well, for no very valid reason.  But, the rest of the days, I've trained, even though it's been at injury induced partial intensity for most of it.

The same with food: I've had maybe 4-5 days where I've (unplanned) eaten slightly off plan.  I've had plenty of treats!  Plenty.  But it's all been planned and scheduled and that's what works for me.  To have 4-5 (random, mostly non consecutive days) where I've eaten a little more than I should is just incredible for me.  For EIGHTEEN years, I've been in the cycle of trying to lose weight, and bingeing, then trying to lose weight.  I count the last 3 years as the time frame for this particular effort - (3 years ago I was at my highest ever weight and I'm still on my current mission).  But previous to this "weight loss journey" / mission, I had previously
attempted and failed for a further 15 years.

Lunch today (tinned soup). Couldn't eat it. Example of why I need time to cook

But whether I count the last 3 years, or the last 18 years, I have never been 'on track' for this long.

I had a little stint a couple of weeks ago where I ate somewhat freely for 2 days.  It was probably the 'worst' I've been.  The first day I gave myself off.  I was flown interstate to accept an award at a luncheon, and to me it was a special thing where I just didn't want to have to be restricted.  I let myself eat freely that day.  It wasn't insane and certainly wasn't bingeing

though.  The next day I found it so hard to go back to normal, so I sort of had a second 'free' day.  This second day was a big red alert for me: it was the 'worst' I had been all round.  I don't know how, but I managed to pull myself out of it.  I did a 'before and after' (this pic) and just I guess reminded myself that this whole thing is a journey with the ups and downs, and reminded myself of what I really wanted.

And I got straight back on track!  #thatneverhappens

Even though I haven't strayed, I've had a frustrating past 2 weeks of weigh ins where I've gained on both.  The first week (Week 8) I gained 200g.  Not a biggie.  But today (Week 9), I gained 1kg!  And I don't really know why.  I had my saving grace monthly 'calorie free day' on Sunday.  So really, that is probably a very huge contributing factor.  But other than that, I have been so good - in fact I tightened up my

act 1.5 weeks ago.  I cut out a few sneaky snacks that had crept in, and started my new 'walking half way to and from work thing' (I've explained it on Instagram, I'll explain it here on a blog post soon).

So I really thought I would have a loss today.  I told myself at the start of Week 8 that I would go really hard for the next 4 weeks and yeah, tighten up my act.  So this is the result of the 1st week.....hmmm that plan isn't going so well!  I will reassess everything and check my goals etc. in the next couple of days.  My Week 8 measurements weren't as great as I thought they'd be.  What I see in the polka dot dress didn't show on the tape measure.  I'm a

Week 8 results

bit up and down with picture comparisons.  Some days I compare pics and can see changes, others are simply demotivating.  But people are starting to notice, and regardless I know I just have to keep going and it will happen.  I got down to 10.6kg lost for the round as at last week, but after today's effort, I'm now back to 9.6kg for the round.  Which I am still happy with!  And still 3 weeks to go (and beyond of course). :)

Other than that I have just been really busy.  Outside of my day job, I'm an actress/producer/writer/director.  Long story as to why it was rushed, but last week I suddenly had a new script to write for a new show that I'm opening in just 5 weeks.  Help!  I finished the script on Sunday thank goodness, as it just took every spare second outside of

Meal prep last week

work and essential activities to get it done.  I had to ignore everything and everyone, I cancelled plans, I turned my vibrate function off my phone for the first time ever to help me be less distracted, and I just attached myself to my laptop.  I am not a fan of forced creativity, or rushed scripts: it was awful!  lol.  But it's done now.  Compact rehearsals are going to make my July absolutely non stop, but it will be worth it.  I had a break from the stage last year and it made me so sad (I've been acting for 20 years) so I am just so incredibly happy to be back doing it again this year.

My jars:going well!

Anyway, this is the reason I haven't been able to blog for a couple of weeks!  Oh how I craved to blog instead of script writing last week!

I'm back now, yet more behind in everything than I usually am anyway.  But I'll just try and manage everything I usually do, around rehearsals.  Somehow.

I have heaps to update about running as well, but I'll leave that for another post.  I'm completely behind in recording my stickers etc. so I will do that soon (I record daily so I can easily go back and work it out). 

We had a machine in at work last week that we could use if we wanted to measure all our

'The health machine'

health 'stuff' eg. weight, BMI, heart rate, blood pressure, health age, body fat etc.  It was interesting to see and I appreciated having access to it.  It was a little stressful as I went in with workmates, and some of our data was displayed on the screen.  I had than panic rise inside me, being brave and not making a deal of it, trying to be normal.  But hoping to goodness they were looking away at the time.  I long for the day I can do stuff like 'normal' people. eg. use a machine like that and discuss my results in the 'normal' way my friends do.

I volunteered for the first time (finally) for parkrun on Saturday!  I chose the role of tail runner....because I know how it feels.....and so I could still get in my exercise!  I was so surprised at the end that they gave me a token and said it counted as participating in parkrun.  And coincidentally, that event marked my 25th parkrun!  I'm very, very slowly vying for that 50 shirt. ;)

I've stuck to my cook ups and meal preps each week which is another win as I'm usually pretty inconsistent with that.  I didn't have time to prepare much during "Operation Write a Script In One Week" this past weekend though.  It wasn't terrible as I had more than half the weeks meals already prepared / left over from the previous week so I only needed to find a handful of meals.  I ended up supplementing the weeks meals with something cheap, simple and very quick: tinned soup.  I didn't feel good doing this, but you gotta do what you gotta do.  It was just a once off; I can't wait to get back to cooking proper meals this coming week.  The soup's been going okay, until today (see picture above).  It was gross and I can't stomach chicken that doesn't need to be refrigerated.....I ended up throwing it out.  Bring on time for cooking again!

I'm sick at the moment (just a cold, I think run down) for the first time in so long I can't remember.  It's making me a little less productive, but the good part is, sickness caused rehearsal tonight to be cancelled, which is why I'm being able to blog!

This round, this year, lately......it's all been showing me that I think I am finally learning what it means to be consistent.  How to accept the bumps in the journey.  And how to make them part of your story: in the most positive way.  

I'll be back soon for more of the millions of updates I have for you.

Lotsa love, 
Coco Girl xo

P.S. I haven't had time to add my Operation Polka Dot Dress pics from the last couple of weeks onto the page above yet - I will do soon, but this is the latest.  I am happy with it! 

Latest polka dot dress pic 1

Latest polka dot dress pic 2