Showing posts with label dieting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dieting. Show all posts

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Fat free forever - again (sigh!)

Tee hee. Nine kilograms in fifteen weeks. Not the kind of numbers they get in "The Biggest Loser", so woulda been voted off by now, but slow, steady progress.

This is my third - no, fourth - serious go at the diet plan known as "Fat Free Forever" (book by Diane Barker, now Wilson). I have a success letter in the second edition of her book. I sometimes joke that I should write my own version of this book, called "Fat Free for Five Years", since that's about how long it takes to fall off the wagon - and you always end up putting on even more weight that has to come off.

Of course, it also gets worse with age as your metabolism keeps slowing down. First time on this diet plan (early 1990s) I went from 90 kg to 78 kg from one Christmas till the Easter, and it was so easy. Next two times, in about 2005 and 2007, I went from over 101 kg down to about 82 kg. This time I've had to start from a record-high of 105 kg. I really can't afford for there to be a "next time". This time has to be the one that holds. No more "yo-yo" dieting.

The key to Diane's diet is to treat your body like a car. You never wait till your car runs out of fuel, you keep it topped up. So... huge, sensible breakfast, sensible morning tea, medium-sized sensible lunch, sensible afternoon tea, small sensible dinner. No starchy carbohydrates (bread, cereal, pasta, potato, rice) after 3pm in the afternoon. Walking every day. Celebrate with a Junk Food Day meal once a week and, in fact, your body loses weight after that junk food because you've shocked it and your faster metabolism works extra hard to get rid of what you just put in!

If you think about it, it's exactly how we ate as skinny kids in the 1960s. If we were really, really good we got takeaway fish & chips on a Friday night, or a rare dessert on a Sunday after the baked dinner, or a bag of sweets when grandma visited. There were only about six Kentucky Fried Chicken stores (now KFC to hide the "Fried" bit) and one McDonald's to cause us to nag for junk food. Sigh. Life used to be soooo easy.

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Watchu tolkien 'bout?

Framed Middle Earth map and photos
Framed Middle-earth map in my school's new BER library.

Hahaha. A friend just compared me to the Valar of the JRR Tolkien books. Tolkien Gateway, the Tolkien wiki, says: "The Valar (like any of the Ainur) have no fixed shape."

Especially after Christmas, methinks.

I do like the sound of Irmo (aka Lórien), "Master of Dreams and Desires".

Something to keep in mind for the new year.

Friday, July 31, 2009

Itchy eBay trigger finger!

After selling 40 Hoyts' "Star Trek" logo aluminium water bottles to my friends at the Playtrek toy collectors' listserv, I had some Paypal funds just sitting dormant and burning a hole in my pocket - and my finger just sorta, kinda hit that pesky, tempting eBay "Buy it now" button.

I had accidentally come across a thread, on the Star Trek Prop, Costume & Auction Board I now rarely seem to visit, about someone selling off a "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Pakled costume. With the "It's a Wrap!" eBay auctions no longer running, I keep forgetting to go back there and chat with my fellow costume collectors. It's been to long, but my visit tonight was rewarded!

Now, as a long time Data impersonator in my heyday, a Pakled costume (rather like Data's lookalike evil twin, Lore, wore in "Brothers") was way too hard to pass up. Sadly, I'm carrying enough weight, and am jowly enough, to do the full Pakled these days! (As I found out when I bought my "Enterprise" Tellarite Ambassador costume - and I can wear it without the fat-suit undergarment that came with it!)

From "The Samaritan Snare":
Grebnedlog
Grebnedlog the Pakled
(He looks for things to make us go - and spend up big.)

The exciting "It's a Wrap!" eBay auctions finished up many months ago now, and I must admit to some withdrawal symptoms. Tonight was chance to grab a fantastic, authentic Trek outfit, at an excellent price, and considerably lower than the seller had paid for it himself two years ago!

The original "It's a Wrap!" listing said:

STAR TREK: TNG "GREBNEDLOG" THE PAKLED FROM "SAMARITAN SNARE"

An elaborate Pakled costume featured in the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "Samaritan Snare" for wear by Chris Collins in his portrayal of "Grebnedlog". The costume is a series of thickly padded tan and brown elements consisting of texture patterned trousers, a thick woven sweater, a quilted jacket with brown trim and affixed brown leather straps and buckles, a pair of brown painted rubber boots, fabric gloves, multiple brown leather straps with buckles, and a sash with straps. The costumer's tag reads #143 TNG "Samaratin (sic) Snare" PAKLID (sic) – Grebneblog (sic) Chris Collins. This costume is believed to be one of the last two remaining Pakled costumes. Chris Collins is also known for his portrayal of the voices of "Cobra Commander" in the "G.I. Joe" animated series, and "Starscream" in "Transformers".

The late Christopher Collins did his animated voice work as Christoper Lawrence Latta.

Pakled costumewhitePakled jacket

Pakled boots

Pakled gloves

Today's photo of the day, to continue the theme: my Pakled customised action figure from the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode, "Samaritan Snare", accompanied by an official Playmates' Lore, from "Brothers":

#82

Two Pakleds
We look for things to make us go - broke.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

The rocky road to dieting?

#4
Rocky Road doughnut from Krispy Kreme, Central Station.

I first saw this delectable new, limited edition Krispy Kreme variety on Monday afternoon, and I realised today that, if it was still in production, it might make a great subject for a photo. The one I had my eye on was actually right at the front of the glass display cabinet - it had twice as many marshmallows! But I was a little reluctant/guilty to insist on buying it.

I have since eaten the evidence. All in the name of art.

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Daisy Sunshine - in the sunshine

Susanne Gervay book launch

On yet another of Sydney's string of very warm days, I was off on the train into the city this afternoon, alighting at Central for a brisk, if very sweaty, walk along ever-colourful, if now slighty worn-down, Oxford Street, through Darlinghurst, Paddington and then Woollahra, to the beautiful and stately Hughenden Boutique Hotel!

I had been invited by author Susanne Gervay to attend the launch of two "Making Tracks" books for children: Felicity Pulman's "Turning the Page" and Susanne's own "Daisy Sunshine". These are the final two titles in a series published by the National Museum of Australia, with each fiction book highlighting an artifact from the Museum's amazing collection of significant, historic Australiana.

Because Susanne's book is set squarely in 1975, and focused around some feminist memorabilia of that decade, there was a pervasive presence of cork platform shoes, long dresses, hippy headscarves, and a rousing chorus of "I Am Woman".

It was fun hobnobbing with the members and friends of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators of Australia, and renewing many old acquaintances. A great way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.

The Hughenden is owned by Susanne and her sister, and is just around the corner from another very famous building, which also has a strong link to Australia in the 1970s. I had some time to kill before the book launch was due to commence, so I took a nostalgic stroll down...

Moncur Street

... to see...

Moncur Flats
Moncur Flats, 83 Moncur St, Woollahra...

...otherwise known as...

Number 96
Number 96, Lindsay Street, Paddington!

On the way back to the station, I was on the look out for the ATC of the TH...

Paddington Town Hall

Sunday's magic number: 96.4. Walking in the heat of the day. Did it help?

Sunday, January 25, 2009

A rule is a rule

I've been thinking tonight that I'm still, pretty much, a stickler for rules.

When I was a kid, I used to see other kids breaking rules all the time. Used to drive me crazy.

Near my house there's some government land that provides a ten-minute shortcut to the train station. It's covered with "No trespassing" signs, but everybody uses it. During the Sydney Olympics in 2000 they officially opened it up, created bitumen approaches to the existing footpath that bisects the land, then locked it all off again afterwards. Although I did use it for a few months after the Olympics, I just can't stand climbing through the tin-snipped hole under that "No trespassing" sign...

However, there's something very... appealing about an event such as this:

Tomorrow, an event called Central Flash Mob is getting together a massive group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who will freeze for five minutes in the waiting area for CountryLink and intercity trains at Central Station in Sydney. They will place themselves in various culturally-united positions (handshakes, hugs, etc). The exact time of the freeze will be at 9:15am on Australia Day.

After the five-minute freeze they will then disperse abruptly as if nothing has happened. It would be amazing to see the bedazzled expressions of the unwitting staff, tourists' and commuters' faces as they see hundreds of people just freeze in time.

For law-abiding little ol' me, it's like rule-breaking without breaking rules. It's kind of like in the 80s, when attending science fiction conventions in Brisbane, we had to try not to look like a street march (banned by Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen) when groups of us went out into the Queen Street Mall for a late-night coffee.

I need to be in the CBD tomorrow afternoon, and I'm not so sure I want to be, ah, "stuck" there all day! So I can't attend the flash mob, although I'd love to be there. I'll be sure to freeze here, at the computer, and I'll look for the footage of their efforts on Youtube.

Oh! Here's one they prepared earlier! I hope there's a video for tomorrow's event.



Sunday's still too-high number: 96.4. Sigh...

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Rats!

Some friends on Facebook were reminiscing about the old television show, "Fawlty Towers". My favourite scenes included: the moose head snagging Sybil's cardie; Basil the rat - or Syberian hamster - in the ratatouille; the fire in the kitchen; the cat eating the poisoned meat and coughing up a furball; the deaf woman complaining about the view from a Torquay window... So many funny things in that classic series.

Which had me remembering:

I raised rats as pets during the early 90s. When I started at a new school as the teacher-librarian, several of the teachers were excited about the idea having one or two baby rats in their classrooms. The principal didn't like the sound of the idea, though, so we kept calling them Siberian Hamsters. The joke went on for weeks.

The principal went on leave and suddenly everyone had their cages ready! A few weeks went by, the kids were all abuzz, and everything was very positive. One teacher even made herself a sign for her pet corner that read "Our Siberian Hamsters".

I said, "Won't it be funny when the boss realises they're rats" and the teacher looked at me, surprised, and asked, "RATS?????"

Oooops.

Sunday's still too-high number: 96.4. Sigh...

Sunday, January 11, 2009

The little black pantha who tried

Alas poor little black pantha (lower half of image, centre). He tried and tried but just couldn't make it. Already a "late bloomer", with all his much taller blue brothers and white sisters long turned to garden mulch, it seems he's not going to make it. Four days of high temperatures appear to have crisped his unopened deep purple agapanthus blooms. RIP.

Black pantha agapanthus
There he was!

Sunday's not so magic number: 96.5 - Oh dear. Too much post-Christmas cheer. Hey, it's just been too hot to do much walking! Mind you, I was out walking all day on both Thursday and Friday.

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Raiders of the lost weekend?

My frustrated Facebook entries tell the sorry tale. Of interrupted (my) sleep, and the bizarre effect the Christmas season has on some people.

* Ian is awakened at 12.10am by a violent, abusive domestic dispute across the road. 'Tis the season... [12:26am]

* I think they sent one police car per phone call made to 000. Thank goodness. [12:27am]

* Would you believe the police delivered him back to the house, drove off - and the abuse started all over again immediately? Now carted away for a second time... Happy New Year... [1:33am]

* Ian is still awake at 1.34am. [1:34am]

* Ian is going to try bed once more. Third time's the charm? [2:43am]

* Ian is awake and still feeling seedy. [7:11am]

* Ian is still hearing aggressive male voices floating through Penrith. Lighten up, everyone. [12:49pm]

* The thick accent sounded like it was the same guy from early this morning, but in a different house. I couldn't believe the police delivered this morning's idiot back after his first paddy wagon ride. [10:44pm]

* Ian is thinking of turning in, to regain yesterday's lost beauty sleep. (I have an excuse for not being beautiful today!) [11:21pm]

Sunday's magic number: 94.5 - Not too shabby, all things considered.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Decorating the outdoor room


Outdoor Christmas tree

I'm just back in from decorating the big pine tree in the back garden for the festive season. I had to make two trips up the ladder; I realised on one of the very last small baubles that tubes of Christmas balls from the bargain shop (@ $4 per tube of twelve) are not going to have a high level of quality control. One bauble was missing a string, and several others had to be retied - but I ended up gluing all of their plastic connectors, even though they were already on the tree, since the summer sun is bound to make the plastic brittle and they were only clipped into place.

The larger balls are sequined, and were only $1 this morning at The Christmas Cave's massive sell-out. Not much of a range left, but these balls will probably last okay. If they don't get blown over the fence. The previous batch of outdoor Christmas decorations lasted about three annual outings.

At least this year I didn't step back from the ladder to admire my handiwork when I was finished. Yep, straight in the pool that year... - wallet and all.

Outdoor Christmas treewhiteOutdoor Christmas tree and dragon

Sunday's not so magic number: 95.5 - 'Tis the season to be naughty.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Flowers? For me? You shouldn't have...


Agapanthus

Mother Nature provides!

I'm just back in from rescuing 13 fallen agapanthus blooms that didn't survive Friday's rain and Saturday's wind. My birthday bouquet! Goes perfectly with the colour of my eyes. And skin. And antennae.

Sunday's magic number: 94.8 - Whew! Room for some cake tonight.

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Staying fit in the workplace

When the original Star Trek crew heard there was a new movie coming, and that they might be replaced by all-new actors, Dr McCoy started up a new calisthenics program for the bridge crew.

Bridge 1

Bridge 2

Bridge 3

Bridge 5

Bridge 4

Sunday's magic number: 95.0. I need McCoy's advice, methinks.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Christmas - and rain - in the air

Any plans to do anything interesting yesterday were put on hold when the weather switgch back and forth between overcast, rain and sunshine, with no less than three frustrating sun showers every time I planned to leave.

I did a little housework instead: cleaning out the cockatiel's cage, alphabetising recent DVD purchases, bringing out some bags of Christmas decorations...

'Tis the season to be domesticated.

Sunday's magic number: 95.4 - sigh.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Maria in town

My friend, Maria, from Brisbane, was in town for a fleeting visit, so we took the opportunity to do over the Sydney CBD shops before she had to board her airport-bound train.

It was just like the good ol' days.

Being the lead-up to Christmas, we also took in the sights of David Jones' traditional Christmas windows...

DJ's window

These windows are such an important, nostalgic part of Christmas in Sydney. A trip to the city in the festive season without visiting the DJs windows is just... not done!

Sunday's magic number: 95.6 - ho ho ho hum.

Sunday, November 09, 2008

"Your Pupaccino (tm) is served..."

Today, Jack ended up accompanying a small group of friends to the Newtown Festival: a huge and colourful inner-city community event, featuring music, food and craft stalls. Staged annually for the past 30 years by the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, this festival just gets bigger and brighter each year. There must have been over 200 stalls. The organisers also boasted four performing stages, a huge kids and family area, a writers' stage and learn-to-be eco area.

After a few hours of walking around the festival, in the not-too-unpleasant heat, Jack had earned a visit to Cafe Bones at Leichhardt. Cafe Bones is in a leash-free area, and serves the only Pupaccinos (tm) in town.

Tongue action
Ice cold Pupaccino (tm) - note the tongue action.

Jack has't been there since he was a little pup. That time, it was his first ever off-leash experience, and I found out how badly he responded to his name when he scarpered off after a trio of schnauzers. He also embarrassed himself by polishing off every other dog's pupaccino.

This time he performed much better. If I waited till he seemed to be returning to me under his own steam, then I called his name, waved a bag of liver jerky treats, then he'd actually look like he was doing as he was told. He was totally oblivious to the pushy, three-legged beagle who hovered over abandoned pupaccinos like a wet-nosed, three-legged furry vulture.

If you own a dog, give yourself a treat and take your deserving canine friend to Cafe Bones.

Cafe Bones, LeichhardtwhitePupaccino Bar at Cafe Bones

Sunday's magic number: 94.9 - okay, I'll blame yesterday's shopping trip for some of those extra kilojoules.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Up 'n' go art


Up 'n' Go tree

I've been passing this work-of-art-in-progress now for several years. Located in the front garden of a row of industrial shopfronts on Coreen Avenue, Penrith, someone has been diligently hanging their empty "Up 'n' Go" instant breakfast drinks in the tree.

At first the tree reminded me, very much, of a bush in the yard of my cousin's house in Bargo. She discovered it full of used teabags one day, only to realise the ornamentation was due to her husband "decorating for Christmas" (Read: chucking his used teabags into the tree, for mischief, mainly).

The Penrith version of this art form features "Up 'n' Go" packets, which are threaded on wire - so there's been a great deal more planning than impromptu chucking. Simply marvelous urban art.

I took the pic on my way home from today's Pieroth wine-tasting harbour cruise. It semed like such a looooong walk... Hic!

Sunday's magic number: 94.0 - Sigh...

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Looming half-century

I understand that Michael Jackson, Madonna - and the Smurfs (yes, those annoyingly cute little blue guys without antennae) - are all 50 years old this year. That landmark is approaching for me, too, in just a few weeks. Now, I know the "National Enquirer" often reports bits dropping off Michael, but I wonder if Madonna or the Smurfs have suffered from niggly health problems this year?

Nothing one needs to see a doctor about, necessarily, but those annoying twinges, extra kilos, leaky tear ducts, creaky joints, that teeny, tiny print of serial numbers on new elerctrical equipment, and other things representative of a human body entering another new decade. Things that make you say... "Ouch... Sigh".

Sunday's magic number: 93.1 - just as well!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Working for scale? Chipping away?

I'm bored. I want more chips.

Damn that Hamish & Andy and their two-for-a-better-price Gravy-flavoured potato crisps.

Sunday's magic number: 93.9 - maybe the scales really are broken?

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Hump Day of a long weekend

Sometimes the universe is just having a big belly laugh at our expense.

No one in Sydney wanted to believe the weather forecasts that predicted rain for the long weekend, but here we are, two days into it and very soggy underfoot. Mind you, after years of drought conditions and water restrictions in Sydney, our gardens aren't complaining.

A friend from Perth happened to mention she was going to be in Sydney over this weekend, for her husband's family reunion activities. Yay! Egged on by a mutual friend in the USA - the wonders of Facebook Friends and three-way texting on our virtual Walls, I started to make serious plans to rendezvous with her. But... she is spending most of the time on New South Wales' central coast, so I had to be up for two long train journeys to get to her.

No problem, I'm reading a good book at the moment ("Star Trek: Enterprise: Kobayashi Maru" - but you already knew it would be a Star Trek novel).

By the time I factored in that my friend's "free" part of the weekend was narrowing down to a small percentage of the whole trip, and that she'd have no transport of her own, and that she was staying in a town that doesn't even have trains stopping at it - add in a bus ride to my two long train rides - plus Daylight Saving, which started today and therefore we've all lost an hour already - plus inevitable train delays due to the heavy rain...

... it will be much simpler, and faster, to visit her in Perth.

I hope her in-laws' reunion festivities aren't too dire, but methinks I'm not going after all.

It's the thought that counts. No?

I can hear the universe chuckling to itself. Or is that thunder?

Sunday's magic number: 93.9 - no, maybe it was my own stomach...

Failure: DVD rewinder