Instagram!

So, I finally found the app that transforms your photos into fabulous and retro looking amazingness….. I know that’s not even a word, but whatevs! :-)  I still can’t figure out how to get smiley faces on my blog…………….  how do you do that??

 

Anyway, here are some photos I thought I would share with you!

 

IMG_1519 IMG_1521 IMG_1527 IMG_1529

 

Aren’t they fab??  I’m going to use this app. ALL. THE. TIME. :-)  You have been warned….

 

On to other health related news……I finally dragged my butt to the gym on Thursday!  I burned over 400 calories in just over 40 mins!   Man it was tough, but I did manage 18 minutes on the cross trainer and 25 minutes on the treadmill.  I did a walk/run combo on the treadmill.  I started off walking for one minute, and then running for one minute.  It did feel easy at first but after 15 minutes I started to feel how out of shape I am.  Not to worry, I pushed myself, but didn’t go to the extreme like I normally do.  When I do that, I end of thinking it’s way to hard and don’t work out again for weeks on end!  In fact, the last time I was at the gym was in June……or was it May…???  Well, whenever it was, it was a LOOOONG time ago! 

 

I had missed my WW class last Wednesday because of a bad migraine.  I had had it since Tuesday morning of that week.  It really was bad.  I went to my class just Wednesday there and I was half a pound heavier than when I started – but….. not to worry.  I have to just own it and move on and do the best I can to start following a healthier lifestyle!  I saw my doctor on Thursday about my migraines and she gave me a new tablet called “Clotam”.  I unfortunately had to take one  yesterday as I felt another migraine coming on and it did the trick!  It was like a miracle.  It just disappeared and I felt fine the rest of the day. 

 

We are hoping to go to the gym later tonight, or failing that I will do my Tae Bo DVD workout!  I love Tae Bo – Billy Blanks just makes you feel awesome!!  Go try it and see for yourself!!

 

Well I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!!  I’m off to get ready to go for lunch with my dad =)

Testing Live Writer!

This is just a test…………..

Sunset

This Live Writer is amazing!  Too bad I can’t get this on my iMac :-( 

 

I think I will start using my laptop again for blogging….it seems so much easier with this Windows Live Writer!!

New Facebook Page!!

I thought it would be fun to add a Time to Make a Change Facebook page!!  I have never ever done this before, so it's all quite new!  Someone please "like" me!  Ha ha ha!  Just click on the pink button on the left side!!  Or go here.........  Facebook - Time to Make a Change!

Hopefully it can be a quick way to update what's happening with me.  I didn't want to use my personal facebook page because everyone gets really annoyed at workouts and what I'm eating or going to eat!  I need proper support and encouragement!

Please bear with me if it looks a little bare at the moment - I hope to update it frequently with food posts, weigh in, measurements and hopefully some advice and insight (eventually!)

I hope it takes off!

Aphrodite's Advice

I was clearing out a drawer the other day, and I came across a small note pad.  It has a cute little guinea pig on the front and underneath it says "Aphrodite's Advice".  Now inside this little note pad was a world I used to live in - a world where I exercised consistently.

Basically it's a record of a lot of my workouts from July 2004!

Here are a few excerpts of my little book of fitness!!
Thursday 1 July 2004 - 25 mins treadmill - 3.15km - 151 cals.

Sunday 4 July 2004 - 55 mins treadmill - 7.68km 441 cals
 Chest press 30kg - 2 sets of 10
 Hip abducter 23kg - 2 sets of 15 (I hated this machine - totally pointless!)
 Ab exercises and stretches.

Thursday 15 July 2004 - 55 mins Cross Trainer - Level 12 (wow!) 632 cals burned!
Saturday 17 July 2004 - Tae Bo Advanced - 1 HOUR!  (Wow - I must have been really fit back in the day - I can't even do the basic tae bo nowadays without nearly dying!)

There is also a weight entry from Monday 19 July 2004 - I weighed 120lbs!!
Today I weigh 195lbs........


On to August 2004 - I was leg pressing 190lbs!!

Basically, I exercised nearly every day - doing a mix of high cardio, weight training and stretching!

Maybe I should just use my own advice and follow the workouts in this note pad - It worked then - and it can work again.  I just need to get my ass off the couch and do it......

Wednesday Weigh In Results, recipes and dessert.

Starting Weight:   199lbs
Last Week's Weight: 195lbs
This Week's Weight: 194.5lbs
Total Loss: 4.5lbs

So this week's weigh in was entirely expected.  I had way to many Pro points yesterday - I stopped tracking at 42 pro points but I still had some activity points left over from my long walk on Sunday!  But it's really not the best idea to eat almost 50 pro points the day before weigh in.......... I'm just glad I lost.  

I thought I would also include a couple of "recipes" and tips for some who are looking for healthier alternatives to their favorite foods!

First of all is PIZZA!  I love pizza.  A few years ago, I was totally addicted to Pizza Hut and for almost 2 months I was having Pizza Hut pizza 4 times a week.  Now I can't stand it - it tastes phoney, yucky cheese and not like pizza AT ALL!  This was my dinner tonight - it's only 7 points, but you can add or subtract from it what you like.  My pizza consisted of: (I weigh EVERYTHING!!):
Pizza and Salad - the healthy way!

1 Warburton Square Wrap (or any wrap you like!)  - 4 pro points
20g Caramelised Onion Chutney - 1 pro point
40g Weight Watchers Reduced Fat Grated Cheddar Cheese - 2 pro points
1 Large Sliced tomato - 0 pro points

Just slather the chutney over the wrap, evenly distribute the cheese, add tomato and anything else you like and just bake on a pizza tray or baking tray for about 15-20 at about 150 degrees.

Doesn't it look delicious? It really is a blank canvas - add more veggies like roasted peppers, mushrooms, a bit of pineapple and ham, the only limit is your imagination.  Unfortunately, I didn't have anything else in the house I could use on my pizza.  I served it with a simple side salad, baby corn and 10g of onion chutney.  

The other "recipe" is a dessert, which is totally yummy, includes 1 of your 5 a day and is a lovely sweet treat to look forward to at night after dinner.  

1 Med/Large Banana
1 Curly Wurly (or any low calorie choc/toffee bar)

Peel the banana and cut lengthways but don't go all the way through or to the ends of the banana.
Break up your desired choccy bar and stuff into the banana
Wrap in foil, pop in the oven for about 20 mins at about 120 degrees and VOILA!

Gorgeous yummy dessert for only 3 pro points*
(based on pro points for Curly Wurly)


I wish I had a photo of this, but sadly I always end up eating it before I remember to take a photo!

That's all I got for today!

Ciao =)



Walking, Lattes and Staying on Track!

Last night I thought it would be a good idea to go for a long walk on Sunday, but I wasn't sure where to or how far I would walk.  When I got up this morning I thought I would walk for half an hour and then just turn back.  I changed into my exercise gear, leashed up Molly and hit the pavement!  

I walked, and then I walked, and then I walked some more!  When I first set out, I felt lethargic, and my legs felt really heavy.  It was hot out today (for a change!) and the sun was shining so I just kept thinking to myself "just put one foot in front of the other".  

I ended up walking almost 6 miles to Partick, which is in the West End of Glasgow.  Partick has a great mix of pubs, cafes, second hand shops and restaurants!  I kept walking until I reached a lovely little cafe and decided to sit outside (well I had to since I had Molly with me!) and enjoy a well earned Latte!  The cafe was on the shady side of the street, which I think was just as well since we had walked for well over an hour in the blazing sun.  I did stop a few times before this to let Molly drink some water, her tongue was hanging out!




Molly is thinking something...... not quite sure what....!


As I sat here enjoying my Latte, I looked at the road up ahead to see probably one of the steepest hills in Glasgow!  And I thought to myself  "I'm going to walk up that hill!"

After I finished my Latte, I went inside to pay for it.  I managed to catch my bag on the corner of one of the chairs inside the cafe and it crashed to the floor!  Oooops!  I was slightly embarrassed at first and then I thought "hey, sh*t happens!'

I headed out to tackle this hill that loomed towards me.  

OMG!  That hill was a bastard!  I am not even kidding - I felt like I was climbing a vertical street!  I would even say this street rivals those in San Francisco!  I love SF!!  One of my fave places in the world!  Well, that and Orlando......


I hope they turned their wheels to the kerb!

Can you tell how steep this street is from this picture?!?  It looks tame here!!

I walked back down the hill, and headed home again.  A few points along the way I really wanted to phone Kenny to come get me, but I kept going.  My legs were sore, my hips were sore, but I kept going!
Poor wee Molly's legs were wiped too - she has been sleeping ever since we got back home =)

All in all, I had a fabulous workout!  I burned almost 1200 calories and walked almost 12 miles, and earned 15 WW activity points!!  

I hope to have a great weigh in on Wednesday - I'll see y'all back here then!  

Until then, have a happy and safe July 4th!!!!!