Back on my bike and loving it

With the weather warming up it was that time, time to get back on my bike.  I never realised how much I missed riding my bike until I got back on.    With the hopes of being closer to goal weight next year, I might just save up the pennies for some winter gear and try and cycle through the winter.  Very brave talk for me because when it is cold, snuggling under the duvet seems like a much more inviting option.

At Saturday's weigh-in I was down another 0.8kg's (1.76 lbs).  Considering it was a TOM week - I was very happy with the result.  So far I am still on track to lose the 10 kg's (22 lbs) by the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge.  Woohoo!!  Climbing hills with 10 kg's less has got to be easier.  Right!!  What is different this time around.  I watch everything that goes into my mouth.  No grabbing greasy burgers etc. after races.  I have only done one race and that was a fun run/walk and not eating crap afterwards seems to have been my reward.  I did however sneek in a coke.  BUT boy am I craving a piece of chocolate and not just any chocolate - it's the new Lindt Mousse dessert ones.  Have to figure out how to get this one out of my system.

That hill is still the same

At the top of the hill

I'm not sure if the Kyalami Race Track is considered the ideal training grounds but for me it is perfect.  The major draw card being that it is SAFE and secondly it is a few minutes drive from home. 

At least this time I made it all the way to the top of the hill.  When I first started cycling I walked this hill often before being able to ride it all the way to the top. 

Read here about my first ride at Kyalami 2009

Coming soon....My first 5km fun walk report.

Riding the 94.7 Cycle Challenge for Pink Drive

I'm not sure if you remember but a couple of posts back I mentioned that this year I will be riding the 94.7 Cycle Challenge for Pink Drive - 'Pink Drive is a non-profit organisation that is committed to improving breast cancer awareness, education, and providing and offering services to women across South Africa, particularly to those who do not have access to information on breast health'.     Read more over here Pink Drive

I need to raise R3 000.00 to be apart of the Pink Drive team on the day.  So far I have managed to raise R1 680.00  I am halfway there.  Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to this very worthwhile cause so far. 

My donor page :  please donate here 

Today while at the Natural & Organic Exhibition which was combined with The Women's Show I bumped into the peeps from Pink Drive.  What an amazing bunch of ladies.  After chatting to Lize de Jonge (Project Manager) I feel a lot more informed about mammograms and what to expect.  What I especially love about this project is that they take it to various clinics where they offer this service for free to those who cannot afford it.  

You will be hearing a lot about this charity initiative in the next 3 months.  I'm proud to be apart of it.

Living it...or should that be loving it...

I am heading to my third week of Weigh Less and I happy to report another 1 kg down.  Woohooo!! 

The new plans offer such a variety that I try and spend more time trying to fit in the yummy meals more than worrying about what to eat.  This is a good thing as lunches have been my downfall.  From toasted wholewheat/brown pita with feta, onion and tomato to wholewheat wraps with lean bacon, avo and other salad goods.  Good stuff.  I'm still however avoiding those cans of tuna - what's with that.  hehehehehe  I just cannot seem to swallow tuna lately.

So right now I am living the Weigh Less way and loving it.  It is giving me ideas - I probably would have never of thought of these meals for lunch.  It has taken the boring and mundane and made it interesting.  Some days may not be a 100% but when I stray - I enjoy the moment for what it is and savour it.  Like on Saturday when I enjoyed the Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks or that half a cup cake today.

But now I worry...

For the past two weeks I've dropped the 1kg a week but from tomorrow I throw cycling into the mix.  Last year when I started cycling the weight loss came to a practical grinding halt - I'm hoping that between Weigh Less + Eat Smart for Sport by Liesbet Delport that this time I'll keep everything on track so to speak.  My aim is to be 10 kg's down by the next 94.7 - and so far we're 2 kg's down.  8 to go.  By keeping focus, the cheats to a minimum - I know that I can do this.  

Time to dust off the Road Bike and Charity initiative

94.7 Cycle Challenge 2009

It is that time of the year.  Spring is in the air (while almost) and the cycling season gets into full swing.  Yep, it is time to dust off my trusty stead (road bike) and hit the road.  Well, not literally I hope. 

This year feels alot more organised.  I know exactly which races I want to do and I know which charity I am raising funds for.  Yep, last year I rode for the Sunflower Fund in the 94.7.  This year I will be riding for Pink Drive, you can read up more over here : Pink Drive Charity initiative  (Breast Cancer awareness and prevention).  They are hoping to get about 400 cyclists to raise about R1 million which will enable the Pink Drive organisation to purchase another Educational truck that will travel the country educating people that early detection can save lives. 

I need to raise R3000.00 (about $410.00).  This means that at the least, I need to find 30 people (family, friends, aquaintances, generous souls) to donate R100.00 ($15.00 - worked on an approx. exchange rate of R7.50 to the $1.00) each.  But any amount can be donated.  Donations can be sent via Paypal, SMS and EFT.  Please donate here  if you can.  I'd really appreciate it and you would be supporting a good cause.

Should I not be able to raise the R3000.00, the money that has been donated will still go to the Pink Drive Charity - I just won't be able ride with the group.  I will still, however, be taking part in the race should this happen.  But I am determined to raise the R3000.00

Taking part in my first Road Race (Meals on Wheels) with my mountain bike...very grateful for my road bike - it is much lighter.

Meals on Wheels will be my first race this season and it is taking place on the 19th September.  There is another one which takes place on the 5th September but I'm still deciding. 

My main focus this time around will be weight loss.  I want to be at least 10kg's lighter by the 94.7.  I can honestly say that I have been down this road a thousand times, well, this time the POA is already in action and I have already lost ONE of those kilograms.  Woohooo!!  I know I can do this!!  I have also realised that on the weekends that I do race that I don't have to eat for an army and that eating normally will suffice but the plan is also not to race every weekend but knowing me and how much I love cycling that could change.

So here is to the new season and getting ready.  What are your goals??

Chat soon.

Book review : Women Food and God by Geneen Roth

It would be that very important 'A-HA' moment that I had while reading Chapter 10, which is the very reason I am struggling to write this book review.  It's that DARNED VOICE!!  I'm working on it and all I can tell you (the rest of the world) and hubby is that, well, Rome was not built in a day - okay.   I'm scared (insert you know what here) that I'll do the book an injustice by reviewing it. 

Women Food and God is incredible.  You know when you sort of know things but it takes reading a book to really 'know' these things.  Well that is how WFG was for me. 

I can now understand my relationship with food, I can see how I use/d food in moments to numb certain 'feelings' that I just don't want to feel.    I can now accept that YES..I do binge.  Not everyday, not every week but I have my moments.  I also believe that I now have the best tool in my bookshelf to help me heal.  WFG has become a constant companion and can be found in the kitchen, in the lounge and next to the bed.  

I can see me struggling with the eating guidelines just as Diana is.  Visit and read about Diana's WFG experience here so-hows-that-working-out-for-you-diana 

After a major flop and trying out one of the newest Fad diets in South Africa - The Tony Ferguson Diet from Australia and sort of taking 20 zillion steps backwards from achieving so much in the past year and a half - I am once again reteaching myself about living healthy and eating healthier.  These low carb/low cal diets are really not worth it. 

from the book...

"Diets are the outpicturing of your belief that you have to atone for being yourself to be worthy of exisiting."


and further on....


"It will make sense to you that hatred leads to love and that torture leads to peace because you will be operating on the conviction that you must starve or deprive or punish the badness out of you."

Even after reading WFG and agreeing with it and believing it can help me - I still believe I need direction in my quest to eat cleaner and healthier.  What we put in our bodies at the end of the day MATTERS!!  I am considering continuing with my Weigh Less journey.  Whether I will work out my own programme or sign-up has yet to be decided. 

You can also read what Connie has to say about WFG here book-review-women-food-and-god
It was Connie's post that actually inspired me to read WFG.  Connie has taken it a step further and is doing the 15 week programme women-food-and-god-15-week-program  I still need to start this and you can find more info here 15 week programme (the link can be found on this page).

There is also a online retreat : selfguided online retreat  I would love to do this but with living in South Africa, even $147 is just out of reach at the moment.  One day!!

"Stephen Levine, a Buddhist teacher, says that hell is wanting to be somewhere different from where you are. Being one place and wanting to be somewhere else. Being constantly agitated - another word for nonaccepting - about the inevitable. Being in a relationship with someone and refusing to surrender to the love because you don't want to give yourself to something you will eventually lose."

I may not be following Geneen's ideals to the T but I honestly believe this book can make a difference in my life especially the way I treat myself and my relationship with food. I have created my own hell and I'm working to find my way back to the real me and hopefully heaven. 

Enjoy!!

A moment to breathe

Tanya, me and Flo

We have had very 'social' weekends for the past two months or so.  When a gathering we were meant to go today got cancelled I was relieved.  No need to rush and go somewhere.  Time to stay at home - clean house, do some reflecting and relax!!  Not sure housework is relaxing but being at home and just being able to 'be' is heavenly.  It won't be too long and cycling events take over weekends and the extra training during the week will keep the whole family busy even if it is only me that gets on the bike at the end of the day.  I'm very lucky to have such a supportive family.

Although Spring is not meant to be here for another month or so we have been blessed with 'Spring' days.  Being able to dress a bit summery helps with the mood.  Isn't it amazing the differences the seasons can make to ones 'state of mind'.  One thing you cannot fault South Africa for and that is our weather.  Pity violent crime tends to have a lot of us wishing we could immigrate to 'greener' pastures and those who can - have.  For the most I love my country but there is a part of it that is scary and leaves me wondering about our futures, especially my boys futures. 

I finished 'Women Food and God' by Geneen Roth this morning while enjoying my lie in.  I promise to have a review for you shortly.  I hope I do it justice - the review - that is. 

My cupcake

It was just the right size.  Not too big and not too small.  A nice end to an amazing buffet breakfast. 

Hope you're enjoying your weekend just as much as I am.  And if you're in SA like me that you're enjoying the warmer weather.