Some exciting news to share...

I've been a little quiet on here for two months...

and I've GAINED weight...

but it's all for a good cause ;)

My new toy...

I was a very spoilt girl this year and received a spin bike from my family for my birthday! My brother is manager at WorkoutWorld Penrith and I have purchased a lot of equipment from him over the years!

He's helped me set up an awesome home gym and I love my new bike...I look forward to having my first workout on her on Monday!

The last piece of equipment I'd like to purchase is a full rack of free weights (1kg - 10kg). I'm saving up and hopefully soon my gym will be complete!

I love working out at home! I've got some awesome equipment and enjoy getting up early and working out before the kids wake up. It's my me time and I now get cranky when I miss a workout....(come to think of it, that would explain the foul mood I'm in at the moment!!!)

Missed a few workouts this week, so look forward to getting back into routine on Monday and smashing it in my gym!

My amazing birthday cake!

Yesterday my daughter turned 4...and today I turned 31.

Unfortunately we've spent most of the last two days at Liverpool Hospital, as my sister is very ill. When we got home tonight, my hubby wanted to do something special for me...so he made me a birthday cake...

...fresh FRUIT cake!

I absolutely loved it!

My family have been extremely supportive of my journey and I received some amazing birthday gifts...

• my family all put in together and bought me a spin bike...
• my beautiful sister-in-law bought me a WW magazine subscription and the brand new WW 2013 calendar...
• and my gorgeous husband made me the best cake ever!

I love all my family so much and I know I would not have achieved so much over the last few months without their love and support. It's been a pretty tough year emotionally...and they have been there whenever I needed a hand, a chat, a hug or a shoulder to cry on.

I have the most amazing family in the world :)

Got my skates on...

I went roller skating yesterday...for the very FIRST time!

I wanted to reward myself for shedding 10%, 10kg and competing in my first triathlon...and I didn't want the reward to be food related.

So, I told hubby and the kids that I wanted us all to go roller skating! With three first timers and hubby who admitted he wasn't very good at skating...this was going to be one interesting and hilarious event!

We went to a brand new skating rink that has opened about 20 minutes away from our house...and I have to admit...I was nervous! I was nervous about staying upright...and how on earth was I going to look after the girls if I couldn't even stand up?

Well...there was nothing to be worried about! The staff were amazing and very encouraging! They showed us a few basics...like how to get back up after a fall...and gave the girls a 'skate mate' (a triangular frame with wheels that they use to help teach people how to balance and skate).

Thank goodness for the skate mate! I used one skate mate with my older daughter and my hubby was with our younger daughter! I skated tandem around the rink with my princess until we both got our confidence...then she used it by herself and I attempted to skate without an aide!

We had an absolute ball! I have to admit...it wasn't as scary as I first thought...and I didn't fall once...must have been beginners luck! The four of us laughed and laughed...and enjoyed being active as a family! I've had a bit of an emotional week...and it was just what I needed...to have fun!

The girls are starting skating classes next Saturday...and we're going back next Saturday night for my younger daughters and my birthday (we're a day apart). I bet you can guess what my girls requested as their birthday presents.....

...you guessed right...a pair of skates.

...But guess what...

...I requested a pair of skates for my birthday too!

Fun times ahead!

Triathlon Pink - Saturday 6th October 2012

Today I competed in my first ever triathlon! I loved every minute of it!

I created a video of my amazing day...I hope you enjoy it!

One more sleep...

One more sleep until I compete in my first ever triathlon!

I'm nervous and excited, especially because I've had less than 2 weeks of preparation for the event.

I had decided I wasn't going to take part in the triathlon, rather sign up for the Pink Fun Run instead...that was until some dear friends encouraged me to still enter and give it a go ;)

So, Triathlon Pink short course, here I come!

Some of us ladies in the SWSyd Crew are going to wear our team shirts, pink hats and tutus!

My girls wanted to dress up too...so here they are ready to cheer for mummy and the SWSyd Crew tomorrow!

What a view!

This morning hubby and I went on a 6km bike ride. We're loving our time down the coast and the view this morning was amazing!

We're heading home this afternoon :(

I've had a great time away. While we've been here I've eaten really well and stuck to my daily PP allowance. I've gone for a swim, a run and a bike ride. Have gone for beautiful walks and accumulated more then 13,000 steps daily. I wore a costume on the beach and felt more confident in my own skin.

I've still got another 12kg to shed, but I'm concentrating on how far I've come...9.2kg down, fitness has improved immensely and I'm starting to run! I love my new lifestyle and I love the changes that have already occurred.

I have enjoyed our 'time-out' down the coast and it's given me even more determination to keep travelling on my journey and achieve my goals.

The hardest post I've had to write...

I haven't posted in over a month and so much has happened in that time.

I should have been in Perth tonight, partying hard with the SWSyd girls at the Round 2 12WBT finale but unfortunately am unable to travel. I thought tonight was the best time to reflect on the last few weeks and share with you what has been happening.

So here goes...

During Week 8, I found out I was expecting. I was extremely excited, but nervous as I had had a miscarriage in February this year and hoped that history wouldn't be repeated.

I eased off the exercise, but continued to eat really well. I felt fantastic...but extremely tired! My blogging fell behind, as all I wanted to do was sleep...I was so exhausted and would be in bed by 8:30pm most nights.

I hit 6 weeks and was relieved...I had gone past the dreaded 5 weeks...where I miscarried last time.

I continued to walk most days and stuck to my healthy eating. I felt fantastic and on Monday 20th August I had a dating ultrasound (I was 8 weeks pregnant). Our little jellybean was doing well...a great size and had a strong heartbeat.

My precious little one

We were so excited and told our two gorgeous girls. They were going to be big sisters and were very happy. Life was great...

...that was until I woke up the very next morning.

I was bleeding and I broke down. I went straight to my GP and she took bloods. They raced through the results and told me that my HCG levels were great...not to panic and to have bed rest. So that's what I did. I tried to stay as calm as possible and rested. It got to Thursday (23rd Aug) and I was still bleeding. I rang my obstetrician and explained what was happening. He brought my appointment forward and I saw him on Monday (27th Aug). He examined me and performed another ultrasound...he could still see the baby and heartbeat. Even though I was relieved to hear this news, I was still extremely worried. I was still bleeding and the baby's growth had slowed down. I was instructed to continue on bed rest and was to return on Thursday (30th Aug).

Thursday morning came and back to my obstetrician we went. I walked in and the first words I said were "I'm still bleeding". He performed another ultrasound and explained that he could see the baby, but couldn't get a good picture of the heartbeat. I was sent for further ultrasounds and my worst fears were confirmed...at 10 weeks pregnant, my baby's little heart had stopped beating.

I was booked in for surgery the very next day (being last Friday). I came out of theatre and was in recovery for two hours. When they moved me back into the day surgery ward, my blood pressure dropped really low. I had absolutely no energy and just wanted to sleep, but the nurses brought me some food to eat, to try and get my blood pressure back to normal. It stayed quite low for the remainder of the day but I was allowed to go home.

We were devastated...and the hardest thing was telling our girls. My family have been so beautiful and extremely supportive. My hubby, my mum and dad have been amazing. They knew when I needed a cuddle, a shoulder to cry on and dropped everything to make sure I was ok. They shared school drop-off and pick ups and looked after our girls whilst I was on bed rest. I love them all so much.

I was in a lot of pain last weekend (both physically and mentally). I didn't do much for the first few days after surgery...I was just totally exhausted. I'm feeling a lot better this weekend (and have even managed a few walks on the treadmill)...but I'm STILL bleeding...19 days now. I'm over it. I just want the bleeding to stop. I see my obstetrician for my post-op appointment this Thursday. Hopefully he has some test results and can shed some light on what caused the miscarriage.

I want to thank three special SWSyd ladies who have been so supportive over the last few weeks. To Carly, Jayne and especially my gorgeous Rose...thank you for your words of encouragement and your prayers. Your messages really helped me through this difficult time and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

So to reflect on Round 2...
I am so proud of my achievements.
- I managed to shed 7.8kgs and maintained (and even had a few small loses) during my pregnancy.
- My fitness increased...and I even ran 3km without stopping.
- I've lost heaps of centimetres from my body and am starting to like what I see.
- I was in the top 15% of Round 2.
- I made some amazing friends...and love our SWSyd Crew.
- And my biggest  achievement...I beat emotional eating. Through everything that has happened, I have not had one binge. I have not had the urge to turn to food...and that is just mind blowing! I'm in control of my emotions and I'm not letting them rule me.

So, where to from here?
I missed Round 3 registration, so am unofficially doing 12WBT this round. I have decided to not count calories, but to go back to counting my ProPoints (Weight Watchers). I've counted points for the last 12 years (so it's kind of embedded in my brain!!!). I enjoyed the break that counting calories gave me, but I'm a true WW at heart and just feel more comfortable with the points system.

As soon as I get the all clear next week, I'm going to start training again. I'm going to follow the 12WBT Intermediate exercise plan and look forward to running again...did I actually just say that?!! I really want to participate in our SWSyd group workouts and events this round (as I missed out on all of them last round due to illness and then the pregnancy).

I hope to fall pregnant again in the future and pray that everything goes well. For now, I'm giving myself a few months break. We've been trying to conceive since November last year and have had two miscarriages within 6 months. I emotionally need a break. I want to concentrate on my health and my weight-loss journey. I am determined get to my goal weight by the end of the year. I know that I can do it...I've overcome my biggest hurdle...emotional eating...and know that with the amazing support from my family, our SWSyd Crew...and my two little angels...I will get there.

KidsMatter

I have been pretty quiet over the last few weeks. As many of you may have read on our SWSyd Facebook page, my daughter suffers from Generalised Anxiety Disorder and last week she moved to a new school. I know I typically write on this blog about my 12WBT journey, but today my post will be on raising awareness of childhood anxiety and depression...an illness that is very often overlooked.

Image via HERE.

Anxiety and depression run in my family and I have watched many of my family members suffer from these disorders. It is crushing to see your loved ones break apart in front of your eyes and watch them struggle from day to day. Watching my daughter suffer from anxiety and being told by her psychologist that she was on the verge of childhood depression absolutely broke my heart. Isabella is only SIX years old, and was diagnosed with her disorder at the age of FOUR. Too young to have to be dealing with these debilitating feelings and sadness, but unfortunately childhood anxiety and depression are on the rise.

The problem is, teachers in our primary schools do not know enough about childhood anxiety and depression. I should know - I am a teacher, and I've seen first hand how a lack of knowledge can disadvantage children suffering from mental illness. Unfortunately unlike a broken arm or a broken leg, mental illness can not be "seen"...and if it's out of sight, it's out of mind.

Well, that is not good enough.

What schools are failing to understand is that mental health and wellbeing is vital for learning and life. Children who are mentally healthy learn better and are better equipped to deal with the transition into adolescence and adulthood. If children struggle with their mental health in the primary school years and it's not dealt with, then it is quite often guarantied that they'll suffer depression later in life.

Some hard facts...

• The early years are a crucial time for growing healthy minds.
• It is estimated that one is seven school-age children has a mental health problem, and only one in four gets the help they need.
• In addition to feeling highly anxious, children’s thinking is usually affected. The threat or danger they are concerned about appears to them to be much greater than it actually is.
• Anxiety can result in physical difficulties such as sleeplessness, stomach aches, headaches, or diarrhoea. It can also involve irritability, difficulty concentrating and tiredness.
• Children with anxiety problems are often quiet and obedient. This can lead to their difficulties being OVERLOOKED.
• Feeling depressed is more than just feeling sad and depression in children is more common than most people would expect.
• Studies carried out in Australia and in the USA have estimated that 3% of children may suffer from depression.

The good news is that there is a program that is raising awareness of mental health in primary schools.

Image via HERE.

KidsMatter Primary is a national collaboration between the education and health sectors. It was jointly developed by the Principals Australia Institute, beyondblue, and the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

KidsMatter Primary aims to help:

• improve the mental health and wellbeing of primary school students
• reduce mental health problems in students
• achieve greater support for students with mental health problems and their families.
• nurture happy, balanced kids.

Isabella now attends a KidsMatter primary school. We made the decision to move her to a smaller school and one that truly cares about the mental health of their children. She has settled in quite well and wakes up in the morning wanting to go to school. She is smiling more and is happier. We have a long way to go in helping Isabella deal with her anxiety, but with a strong partnership between school, her psychologist and her loving family, I know we'll get there.

In honour of...

I did it last year and I'm doing it again...the City2Surf in honour of my grandfather.

My beloved Nonno Michele passed away in November 2010 after battling stomach cancer. My Nonno went through a lot in his life and I was always inspired by his strength. He loved his hometown in Reggio Calabria, Italy and said that the happiest moment of his life was when he met my grandmother, Nonna Maria. Not long after they were married, Nonno was drafted and sent to battle in World War II. He became a prisoner of war and he never told us much about this time, only that he survived because of his short stature (as the bullets would fly right over the top of his head)!

Nonno travelled to Australia in the 1950s, in search of a better life for him and his family. He worked hard for many years at Diary Farmers and he did a fantastic job of providing for his family. For the last few years of his life, my Nonno was very sick. No matter how much pain he was in, he still managed to keep his sense of humour and keep us smiling with his jokes. He was a strong man, and no matter what life threw at him, he fought back. He was a true soldier and he fought a hard battle. I miss him very, very much.

Cancer is a terrible disease and my hope is that they will one day find a cure.

My husband Alfie and I took up he challenge last year and ran the 14km City2Surf race. It was a deeply emotional experience and I know that Nonno ran with us every step of the race. We raised over $1100 for the Cancer Council NSW and I was so proud of our achievements. (Read more about my first ever City2Surf in this post.)

This year TEAM Nonno Michele Soldiers On is born! My brother Mario and sister Kristina join Alfie and I and we look forward to racing together as a family, in honour of our beautiful Nonno.

Nonno Michele soldiers on...that is, he lives on within our hearts. We are his soldiers and we're on a mission to raise funds for the Cancer Council NSW. You can find our fundraising page here. If you can spare a few dollars, please get behind us and donate...and let's help find a cure!

Are you planning to compete in the City2Surf?

The 2011 City2Surf

This was originally posted on Monday 29th August 2011.

On Sunday 14th August, I competed in my very first City2Surf race. The City2Surf is a popular road running event held annually in Sydney, covering a 14km (8.7mi) course. The event is a "fun run" as well as a race, attracting both serious runners and community participants who can choose to run or to walk. The largest timed running race in the world, the event attracts more than 80,000 entrants who start in staggered groups based on previous running times and early entry.

This year my husband (Alfie) and I were in the Westpac Yellow Start group. We ran in memory of my beloved Nonno and raised much needed funds for the Cancer Council NSW.

Here is our fundraising page, which outlined our reasons for doing the race. . .

The morning of the race was a very emotional one. Alfie and I visited Nonno at the cemetery and I had a good cry. I told Nonno that I was running for him and was going to do my very best. My personal goal was to complete the race in under 2 hours.

It was pouring rain as we drove to the city, but it didn't dampen our spirits. . .we were pumped and ready for the race! The atmosphere in the city was awesome! There were smiling faces everywhere. . .and some very neat costumes!

Some of the lovely characters who competed in C2S 2011!

Alfie and I were proudly wearing our Cancer Council NSW singlets. The photos of Nonno were pinned to the front and back of my shirt. Nonno was there with me every step of the way.

We were at the back of the pack, so it took us a little while to get to the start line. The view from the top of the hill was amazing. . .so many people - all sharing the same goal. . .to successfully complete City2Surf 2011.

People lined the streets and cheered us on! Street performers and DJ's were spaced around the course to entertain us as we jogged by. . .everyone was so encouraging! About 20 minutes into the race, a gentlemen jogged beside me and asked if the photos I had pinned to my shirt were of my grandfather. I said they were, and he commended me on what I was doing. As he ran off, tears were streaming down my face. This race was special. . .I just hadn't realised how special!

Heartbreak Hill (the halfway point) is renowned for being the toughest part of the course. . .and they weren't wrong! It's over a kilometre uphill and pretty tough on the body. I was so excited to reach the 7km mark. . .in under an hour!

As we neared Bondi Beach, a women ran past and congratulated me on my efforts. . .that was it - the waterworks started again! As we ran closer and closer to the finish line, I became more and more teary! Turning the corner and seeing Bondi Beach was one of the greatest moments of the race. I was almost there. . .I had done it!

The last 400m was extremely emotional. . .with tears streaming, I held onto Nonno's photo and we ran to the finish line. I was so proud of myself and hoped that Nonno was proud of me too.

My time. . .1hr 57min 11sec - I HAD ACHIEVED MY GOAL!

We went back to cemetery in the afternoon and placed our medal and bib next to Nonno's photo. He was with me throughout the entire race and we did it together!

The City2Surf was an amazing experience, and I look forward to competing again next year. It was such a big achievement for me and I'm so proud of myself. We raised over $1100 for the Cancer Council NSW. I would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who sponsored us. XXX