Achieving the Impossible - Our big moment!!

As the years move on, and my body refuses to release the fat, Im learning so much about myself and am more at peace than ever.

Over the last few months, I have undertaken the Body for Life programme, with minimal effect on my body fat. I have been back mountain biking, doing weights, eating 6 balanced meals a day and keeping busy.

I was hoping to have lost body fat before our big trip. It didnt happen, so I did it anyway. I have such an amazing playmate in Brent, I cant help but be enthusiastic about life!!

In the centre of the North Island of NZ sits the Tongariro range. Between Mount Ngarahoe and Mount Ruapehu lies a track. Well not exactly a track, more a series of marker sticks across some random terrain. Incorporating the Tongaro Crossing, one of the most spectacular day walks in NZ, this was my biggest challenge to date.

Day one we donned our packs (mine weighed 17kilos and was tied up so tight at my hips it created the most specacular muffin top I have worn in some time). We set out for a walk through sub alpine scrub for 3.5 hours to Mangetepopo hut, which sits directly below the Tongariro Crossing. Being a gym bunny and cyclist, I was not used to walking for so long, and by the time I reached the hut my hips and knees were as stiff as a rusty hinge and my feet were screaming for mercy. I managed to throw some dried out pasta stuff together, cook it, and woof it down, before we hit our top bunk in the hut and proceeded to completely conk out.

Before this trek, I decided sleep would be of the utmost importance, so bought some ear plugs. Funny thing was, it was me that snored that night, and all nights!!

The second day was very wet, overcast, and visibility was very low. The weather forecast was for light showers and clearing in the afternoon. We decided that if we set off then visibility would be so much better by the time we climbed the "Devils staircase"

Ok the Devils staircase is exactly as the name described. A huge rock face, with no path to speak of but it just goes up and up and up. to be honest, if I had known where the top was and seen how far I had to climb that day, I never would have bothered. But visibility was poor, very poor, so in my ignorance I climbed. Brent led the way and kept a manageable pace. I found it extremely scary scrambling up big rocky faces with 17 kilos on my back, affecting my balance but like the nutter I think now I might be, I kept going...up up up.

Wow at the top it was like being on the moon!! We reached a crater it seems. The weather closed in worse and got wetter and windier. We plonked through the ankle deep puddles to another rock face. As we climbed, we noticed a family of Asian people standing about talking to other trampers in front of us. When we reached them we noticed the mother was in a state of panic. It seems she was suffering from hypothermia, the family all clothed lightly and in JEANS!!! with what I can only describe as light sneakers on. Mums jacket was flapping in the wind.

What was upsetting the mother? She was cold. Hypothermic in fact. And frightened to go up the ridge, or down the hill. Brent invited them to follow us, but 5 minutes into our climb, I knew that the weather was turning into a blizzard, the family were in no way equipped to do hard ridge climbing in stormy conditions, and the mother was deteriating. I was insensed!! They were going to kill us all!!

I threw them a survival blanket, yelled at the mother to do her jacket up and walk FAST down the hill till she got to the bottom. I left them behind with a survival blanket, and told other trampers going down, to watch after them. I heard later than two people were rescued off that hill that day. Im guessing it was the mum and someone else in the family.

We continued up the ridge. The ridge is so thin that you could easily lose footing and go over into the crater or down the rock fact on the other side. As we literally crawled up the ridge, the wind battered us from the side. It raged on at around 60km/hr, battering us from the east as we tried to move up the ridge. I have to say I have NEVER known exhaustion like it!!! I was so fatigued, and cold I crawled behind a rock and cried. Thank God for Brent. He gave me chocolate, I opened my pack and grabbed another layer of clothing to put on under my jacket, and after 5 minutes of rest, we continued up the ridge against the battering rain, hail and wind.

I was just feeling so intrepid, and pathetic at the same time, and what do you think I saw? Some mountain runners. Dressed in shorts, a t shirt, and running shoes. RUNNING!!! Flying over the ridge like it was nothing!!! Here I am having the most dramatic moment of my life and these guys literally flying over the ridge, smiling and warning us that it was "a bit exposed up the hill"

God I laughed!!! Stuffed, cold, and frightened, I felt like such a twit!!! It gave me a surge of energy to get over the top and down the soft scree down the other side. Such a memorable day!!

We continued over the next crater, up another ridge and down down down a zig zag hill to the next Hutt. When we arrived, wet, bedgraggled, and slightly hypothermic we noticed only 6 people were there. I found out the next day that everyone else had either decided not to chance it, or turned back. I feel REALLY intrepid now!

Day three and the sun was shining like no ones business. We had wet socks, wet shoes, wet coats and wet packs. Undeterred, we set off, climbing up the hill for the first 2 hours. We met a lot of people who, bolstered by the fine crisp morning, were crossing the ridge in peace, taking in the views and strolling like they didnt have a care in the world. What a different day!!!

We headed down past the Emerald lake, and descended down a HUGE lava flow from the 1950s into what I can only describe as a scene from lost in space. I had to laugh....danger Will Robinson...danger!!! A mercifully flat surface for the next hour took us into a scene from the beach. Big sand dunes, and lots of them. By lunch time, like an Oasis in the desert we discovered the next hut.

Because we decided this was going to be a 4 day tramping trip, we only lunched in this sand dune Oasis, woffing down instant mash and pasta (revolting but a good carb hit for the super athlete) and set off for our last 3 hours to the Hut we would be sleeping in. What an amazing transformation of scenery in that three hours!!! From sand dunes, to scoria hills (and lots of them) to this amazing Alpine garden complete with pebble paths and then into native NZ bush, and river. It was such a treat, I didnt realise I was so exhausted till we had to go uphill an hour before the end. After 8 hours of walking, we finally reached our destination, which by the time we got there my feet felt like I was walking on knives and my hips needed a damned good oiling!! After a wee sleep, and a laugh with the other trampers, we sat by the river and contemplated our next day.

The last day was the most glorious day of the lot. Easy undulating terrain, soft on the poor knackered feet. Just 5 and a half hours of walking, climbing, descending and wondering how many damn ridges there could be. Then we saw it....the big Oasis!!! The building right next to where our car was parked!! I could see Mount Egmont, over 100km in the distance, the mountains around me, the Whakapapa village and the end. I still cant believe we had two hours to walk yet to finish!! My feet were in so much pain by now every step was excruciating, every movement a force of willpower and every minute a torture. The worst part of that day was the driveway to the car. By then I was praying for a wheelchair!!!

It was done!!! 48 kilometers, 4 days, many hills, river beds, rocks and sand!! For the next two days, I could barely walk, my left foot swollen and pained and my knees stiff and unable to bend for stair descending.

But you know what? I will do it again. It was a part of NZ you would never see by road, and it was a challenge that taught me just how mentally tough I am.

I may never get to my perfect weight goal, but life is not on hold!!! Live for today!! Tomorrow is just around the corner!

Good Gracious where have I been?

Well its been simply ages since I last contributed to this blog. Its been a heavy year with lots going on, so I simply forgot about the blog.

Since my last entry, I have been to Sydney. I met with a bunch of the Sydney gals who are on the Weight watchers site and enjoyed taking in the sights of the city. Sydney really is a pretty city and the people are very nice.

Ok that was in May. Since then we redecorated a house, which took all over our time for a couple of months. We would get up at 5.30am three times a week and do a killer spin class, and every night after work off to scrape, sand, paint and quietly go mad. No weekends off, no breaks. Not surprisingly I crashed spectacularly. Adrenal fatigue is what happens when you do too much exercise, never rest, have large amounts of stress in your life and it is more of a reality when you have Hypothyroidism. Boy did I hit the wall. I had to have time off work and re evaluate my life.

My friend suggested I see a guy who is a Kinesiologist. I visited him and said...well Im here because I cant lose weight and my friend said you might be able to help. He laughed and told me its worse than that. Yea you not only can't lose weight, but I bet you sweat all night profusely, are having heart palpitations, twitching eyes and cant get a full nights sleep. Oh and I bet if I push you will tell me that you feel overwhelmed and on the verge of tears a lot. Boy I gasped!!! He advised me there are three levels of exhaustion, and I was at level 3...the one where your body fights against you and you are more susceptible to diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

I listened...boy did I listen. After he treated me, he put me on magnesium, and Withania, adrenal support and told me to stop EVERYTHING!!! No more exercise. Lots of sitting about, stop focussing on anything, and re consider the things in my life that cause me stress. I saw him monthly after this. I added Mega B complex, fish oil, flaxseed oil and eventually iron (doctor told me my iron was dangerously low). Im writing about this in case anyone else is going through the same thing not knowing what it is.

After three months of doing nothing, I added to my recovery a job change. I enjoyed my job, but it was causing a certain amount of stress, and I felt a change would be good. I had three weeks off work between jobs....I highly recommend it. So far so good.

So what about now? Boy do I feel alive. Unfortunately I gained 8kg during my rest faze but I decided that was temporary and probably par for the course, a wee setback.
I just started a Body for Life challenge and in two weeks, the weight is falling off again. The new job seems promising, and will be busy, but different type of stress.

From here on in, I will be following this 12 week programme and my next posts will follow progress. Watch this space!

Our Great Holiday

In March this year we met with a bunch of ladies and some guys who are working on their own weight goals. It was simply amazing. I had developed friendships all over NZ and Australia and there were people I still hadnt met in my life. Brent and I converged upon the Gold coast, but not before a Karaoke night with Georgie, the mad Sunshine coaster. We only had one evening together as she wasnt going to be joining us on the Gold Coast, so naturally we wanted to make the most of it.

What a laugh. We were hecklers, we were fan clubs and we were stars all at once. The best bit is there couldnt have been more than 9 people there in total!! I think Georgie can make a party out of an empty cardboard box. The funniest bit was Brent falling asleep at the table while we partied on.

On the next morning to Brisbane, which, I have to say freaked me out because after 23 years since the last time I was there, it looked completely different and I didnt recognise the place. We rondevoued with Petina who had arrived from Perth and was laxing by the river with a friend. After a lovely coffee, we took a couple of pics, jumped in the car and headed to the Gold Coast. Once we had dumped our bags, it was time to play. Petina convinced me to buy a pair of board shorts at Target because thats the done thing over a swimsuit at these places and off we headed to Whitewaterworld to meet up with Bojana and Kim, a lovely couple who were already playing in the water. I think I amost lost my voice that day. Terror struck me going down some of the rides. I really dont have the stomach for the fast stuff, but my ego demanded I keep up with the crew and I was a trooper. I loved being a child again. I think every adult should let it all go at least once a year!

Finally in the evening we picked up Rose, another great mate who was flying in from Melbourne. Two other gals, Erica and Lisa were on the same flight but didnt fancy being folded into our wee car. Shame, Petina and I had amazing fantasys about their discomfort all the way to the airport (snort snort)

After meets and greets and hugs and mwah's mwahs, we headed off to the surf club for an impromtu dinner. One high energy function this. Lots of laughter, trying to get to know each other really quickly, a realisation that what we knew of each other on line, was actually representative of who each other was. I had so much pride, because I had organised this social occassion and it was a huge success.

Over the weekend, more partying, dinner at a casino, a drunken reverie, and late night girlie sessions. It was not enough, there wasnt enough time but it was fantastic. The best bit is people formed firmer friendships. My own were made rock solid and promises to keep in touch were heartfelt.

Once everyone was gone, Rosie Petina Brent and I headed for Movieworld again with Bojana and Kim. If I thought Whitewaterworld was freaky, I nearly had my heart stopped on the Superman rollercoaster, the Batman torture thingy and the Diehard kill me now ride. I was greatful for the sit down quietly ones. Oh my beating heart!!!

Once the girls had gone home, Brent and I stayed in Brisbane a couple of days. We visited a place I lived when I was young, and caught up with an old flatmate. He was just lovely and again, I felt there wasnt enough time. It was a surreal experience because my memory was so different to what I saw around me. I was like..wow...wow. We walked everywhere, took a trip round the river, caught buses, trains, hit malls, and with our newly purchased UBD, took tiki tours round the suburbs. Its not a pretty city, but very interesting just the same.

Once back in Caloundra, we stayed with Laurie. Laurie and I have been friends since I was 7 years old, and I flatted with her in Brisbane many years ago. Her father lives next door to my Dad and we always remained close. She was amazing and just made us feel we belonged. Im not one for people putting themselves out for me, and we got to feel just so at home. She arranged for a friend of hers to take us 4wd out in Rainbow Beach, which is accessed via a barge at Noosa. It was an eye opener for me. Dozens of 4wd's going up and down the beach, people camping at the top of the beach, with flags out so they dont lose their camp site, and people fishing in the water. Im not sure Im keen on sharing a beach with fast vehicles, but it was very interesting.

While on the Sunshine coast, we found the walks, the beaches, the malls, and just kept busy day after day. We made it to Australia Zoo, and watched little Bindi Irwin do her thing for her audience. I have to say a lot of people worry about that kid being pushed, but if you had seen her mother, and other obviously close people just beaming with pride, and singing along with her, you would know that the kid is surrounded by nothing but love and support and a very very proud mum.

This was an amazing holiday. We never even sat on a beach we were so busy. Our last night was in Brisbane again, after a day exploring. We spent our last night walking at night round the city. Actually I thought we were looking for a curry, but Brent apparently had other ideas. After about an hour or two walking, he sat me down in Brisbane Square, asked if I had a good holiday, smiled and said "there is just one more thing" . I was tired and hungry, so I didnt click. I said whats that then? He put his hand in his pocket, pulled out a box, gave me a second to go into shock and got down on one knee "Lesley, will you marry me?" For the first time in my life I was speechless!!! Totally speechless!! I squeaked out a yes and just grabbed him so I wouldnt fall over!! Wow!! How can we ever top that holiday!!!

Well thats 2007 at its best start. I gained 5kg as you will see from the pics, but the good news is that half is off already and Im planning on restarting my focus on weight loss. Winter is good. You work harder because you are cold!

I hope you enjoy the pics. New technology enables us to show more. What a great programme!!

Having to fight the couch potato tendencies

Its been over a year since I started losing weight. It has slowed down considerably, and so have I. Im in mortal danger of becoming a couch potato again in my life. This bothers me, so what did I do? Went out on a spree and figured if I was going to become a couch potato, I would become one in such amazing style such as you will never see again. This is not a couch, its an experience!!. Life is good. Dammit I have to focus on weight loss for the year again!!!

Dinner with my mate Rose

Well it was a fleeting visit, but we larfed and talked and talked like two old friends who hadnt seen each other in years.

In fact it was the first time we ever met....we are friends from Weight Watchers.

Rose is from Melbourne, she has a nickname Stevierose and we met in an online board for weight watchers. She happened to be holidaying in Rotorua for a couple of weeks, and had to fly out of Welly. So a quick txt and dinner was set.

Im seeing Rosie again in March, and I cant wait. What a gal. She is so intelligent!! Full of ideas and I found her to be stimulating. It was hard to leave.

Big hugs Rosie...see you at Ab Fab!!

Ohhhh wot a great arse!!

Well there it is. From size 22 to size 12!! Lots of cycling, Lots of walking, weights, everything and lo and behold...the arse!!

This picture was brought to you by the Letters A R S and E. It was published on the express wishes of my dear friend Karen (Ekko63) who I wouldnt get too close to with such a peach.

For you Karen...and do enjoy :-)

Xmas 2006 - What fun!!

I We just enjoyed Xmas so much!! What a great family day!! We really loved being together and it was just one laugh after another. Im blessed with an outrageous and hilarious family. I just wanted to share a couple of pics of our big day. My sister is the bum slapper while we were bopping on down to some hot sounds.

Do ya love me cleavage? Not as big as last year aye!!!