OMG has it been that long!!!

Today a friend asked for list of anyone who has a weight loss blog. I immediately gave her mine, but then it suddenly dawned on me that wow I haven't been on here for so long....

Life has been good to me, I really think I have finally seen the light with my band. I don't ever actually really stop and think about the band these days, or ever find it stops me having anything I want.

My mind is completely different though, I live on fish and love fresh produce. Something I never thought Id say out loud LOL. I couldn't tell you the last time I went to McDonalds or KFC and for those of you who know me, know that I almost had shares in those places pre-band days.

I am very active and am just making the most of life. My weight is 83kgs and does still fluctuate, I have a love of wine and do admit that its half my reason that my weight just does not want to get below the 80kgs, but look, at the end of the day, I'm happy with who I am, I'm comfortable in my own skin (another first for me) and Im just really enjoying my life.

Ultimately I guess I would like to loose another 10kgs long term. But I am not worried how long this takes. Currently a size 16, I haven't been that since I was 17. So I am happy!

A few weeks ago I got another tattoo, yes I was warned it was addictive LOL. My reason behind this was though to reward myself for my achievement and to have a constant reminder of where Ive come from, I will attach a pic. But the words I chose were " she believed she could, so she did" and I stand by this, if we believe hard enough and trust in ourselves we can achieve anything"......

On a different note: this past week I have had a Hysterectomy, for any of you who have been through this or who are contemplating it, you must check out a great page called www.hystersisters.com the information on this page is invaluable.

Another Update

Well its been ages since I've updated, I guess cause nothing majorly exciting has been happening, well when I say that, I mean not with my banding life.

On the other hand, my photography venture that I decided to embark on has become an amazing journey. I have been overwhelmed with the support I have received and am so excited with where it is taking me, for those of you who have facebook, please come across and like my page Just Simply You, and for those of you who don't and maybe interested www.justsimplyyouphotography.com

Without the banding journey though, I am absolutely positive that none of this would be possible. I would not have had the confidence to pursue my goals.

I am now sitting at 82kgs, I would be lying if I didn't admit that I am itching to be 80kgs but just because it's annoying me that I just cant seem to get under it... I do know the reason why though..... and that would be the wine LOL.... so it is the choice's we make isn't it.

The past two days I have had quite a bit of heartburn, which is something I haven't had in a very long time and I had forgotten just how uncomfortable it is so have been sipping on boiling water all day which definitely helps the discomfort.

Anyway I shall upload some photos, I hope all of you out there who are continuing your journey are going well, I love to hear feedback from you and am always wanting to know of others blogs so please don't hesitate to let me know yours.

I believe blogging can be a great tool in helping us be a little more true to ourselves, often its much easier to sit and write something down than to actually say the words. Its also an amazing thing to look back upon as you go forward with your journey, I look back now and truly feel as though my photos are someone else. So its a nice pat on the back to see how far you've come.

Loving Life & Living it to the Fullest

I know Ive been a little slack on the updates of late. Im sorry to those of you who have been messaging me. To be honest Im just too busy loving life!

6 months ago I decided to live my dream and start making photography my career. I have always loved taking pictures of people, capturing expressions and giving people something they can cherish forever.

So I'm doing it.... I'd love you to follow this journey with me and just like on here give me feedback, constructive criticism, after all everyone starts as an amateur we learn from listening and watching. So please join me at www.justsimplyyouphotography.com or find me on Facebook under JUST SIMPLY YOU

As far as the weight and the band goes, I couldnt be happier. I sitting on a comfortable 84kgs which is where Ive been for a while now. Im happy, confident, loving shopping and in general living life to the fullest. I cant believe what I missed out on all these years hiding behind my fat.... dancing for example - who would have thought I would looove it so much... haha...

On the weekend I went to my first Lovedale Long Lunch in the Hunter Valley (Im very fortunate to live in a beautiful part of this country which is just around the corner) our buses theme was roaring 20's and if some of you remember I attended a party last year the same so was very excited that I already had an outfit that I was comfortable in. I had a blast and sat there looking around at all the people feeling such a mix of emotions (some will tell you that had more to do with the wine LOL) but it was a feeling of joy & sadness that why had it taken me to 36 years of age to realise I was good enough to not only attend something like this but to enjoy it whole heart idly without any reservation to what others might have been thinking of me. For the first time in my life I was enjoying being looked at and not once was I thinking OMG they are judging me.

Once again I had my shoulder of strength with me, the gorgeous Tarnya Haines. I truly dont know how I would have dealt with many of my emotions over the past 4 years without her friendship and support, she is my angel.

I will upload some pictures from the weekend (the tasteful ones of course haha).

Hope you are all well and learning to love yourselves a little more each day. We ALL deserve happiness. Have a great week xxx

A year gone by

I was sitting at work the other day and had to write down the date and it suddenly made me realise that it has been a year since my tummy tuck... wow! hasnt that flown by.

I still have to say it has been the best decision I have ever made. I am amazed by how much confidence I have now, and how I feel that "the one within" is finally showing herself on the outside.

When I look back on photos of me from a few years ago, I see the sadness in my eye's, I know the thoughts in my head were those of wanting to hide from the world. I would always be invited out yet never went, lacking the confidence as my outfits wouldn't be trendy enough or I would simply feel as though I was being stared at for being the fat girl....

I cant say this weighloss process has been easy, nor has my change in self confidence, sadly this has made me loose some people whom I considered priceless friends, but why! why would they no longer want to be my friend because I finally felt good about myself. I still struggle to understand that.

I still believe I am a good person and care deeply for my friends, but in gaining self confidence I guess I realised I didn't have to be the backup friend anymore. I stopped being "there" for everyone at their beck and call and started to assess how many of those friends were "there" for me when I needed them. Amazing how many of my "friends" dissapeared.

Anyway I am not going to sit and feel sorry for myself, I am so proud of myself and the decisions that I have made. I treasure the relationship I have with my husband as my confidence and love of life has bought us closer together than weve been in years and at the end of the day he and my kids are my world and what they care about matters most to me.

I will attach some more pics from the last few weeks and an updated one of my tum, I dont think much has changed there but its good I guess to see how things are a year on.

Hope your all well and life is treating you good, and for those of you who are struggling at the moment dont forget how beautiful you are on the inside and believe in yourself that what's within truly matters most xx

Well it has been forever since Ive been on here, I had my slip all fixed and am doing great, I had a new band put it which isnt sewn in so that has been a little weird getting used too but its now working great for me, I did gain 8kgs after my slip whilst trying to get my levels right again but am now sitting in just the right spot and have managed to loose that 8kgs again.

So not alot to tell but just wanted to update and say all is going fantastic.