Fly, fly away...

Source

It's getting cold in NZ now. The beginning of the week warranted torrential rain, then I had to get out the wool coat for the first time this year. Now that it's winter my feet are just getting so itchy... 

It's only 2 months and 10 days till I head to Europe for three months. I'm terrified and excited at the same time! It's insane to think that I'll be there, all on my own, knowing no one, and not knowing the language (well), and not having anyone to fall back on. Slightly terrified really. But I can't wait to meet all these new people on Busabout! 

But at the same time, I'm dying for the next 2 months to come and go - because it's a huge adventure, and it's outside my comfort zone and it couldn't come at a better time. I need these three months to learn, grown, breathe and ultimately explore who I want to be. 

I've been reading Dr Libby Weaver's book Accidentally Overweight. It's a huge wake up call to chronic-dieters and easily stressed/highly strung people like myself. I'm slowly getting better at breathing and taking time to myself. I just lie on my bed with some nice music on and relax... seems to help a bit! I've also stopped counting calories and somehow this is actually helping keep the stress down - hard for someone who's a Type A control freak! I'd beat myself up every time I slipped, and that wasn't great for my mental wellbeing. And to be honest - I'm not eating as badly now. I know that I can have that chocolate cake if I want it. Or I can have that piece of dark chocolate after dinner. I haven't exercised all week and I don't care. This is a revelation for me. 

This weekend I am taking some time for me - I'm going to clean out my pantry, go to BodyBalance, do a bit of yoga, maybe go for a walk, read my book, listen to music and just do me time. I deserve it. You deserve it too. So take this weekend to just relax and do what you love. Breathe, let go, and de-stress. 

xx

Catching up!

I've been off the radar for a bit - I know, I'm sorry! It has been a pretty busy April for me. Here's a run-down:

I started April off vowing to do 30 days of the 30 Day Shred - which lasted about 6 days before I became bored and started on 6 Week 6 Pack - which eventually fizzled. 

On April 12th my mum and I jetted up to Auckland for the Josh Groban concert (follow him on Twitter - he's hilarious). It was the first time he's been to NZ to perform a concert, and I bought his album "Oceano" when I was 13. It's been 10 years and it was lovely to see him in concert - hilarious when interacting with the audience and with his Q&A questions. FYI, if he were a woman for a day he'd go get a mani-pedi. 

That weekend was a big rush - mum and I went shopping in the morning, caught up with friends for lunch, rushed to get mani-pedi's in Takapuna, then rushed back to go to the concert at Vector Arena. 

I've been told that I probably have Adrenal Fatigue - which I had suspected for a couple of months. I'm currently trying to counteract it by taking some zinc supplements and other such Adrenal-supporting herbs. I'm also turning down the heat on the exercise routine. Instead of consistent high intensity classes I'm taking BodyBalance a few times a week, and going for walks. Calming things. Also, trying to get a good nights sleep and not "stressing the small stuff". My Chiropractor thinks that this upcoming three month trip is going to do nothing but good things - and I'll probably lose weight even with eating amazing food. I won't be stressed out and I'll be walking everywhere. It will be coming at the right stage in my life! 

So, I headed back home to South Canterbury on ANZAC day - because it was a Thursday, I took two days off annual leave and made it a 5 day weekend at home. I needed a break, a bit of relaxation and calming country air. Every morning mum and I went for long walks around The Down's (the hills around our town, it used to be a volcano). I was able to just relax and chill out for a bit which was nice. We caught up with family friends and I cuddled a 3 week old baby. 

So the goals for this month are:

1. Getting a good amount of sleep.
2. Not stressing about work, or flatmates being messy, or not getting a workout in, or gaining weight. What will be will be. 
3. Having plenty of chill out time - time where I'm not connected to the computer or anything technological. Getting out of the house and going for walks etc. 
4. I won't be making the mistake of doing low-calorie/high-intensity workouts again. 
5. Going to BodyBalance 3-4 times per week, walking other days. 

Phew. I think this Adrenal Fatigue has been building since about May last year - when my flat was horrible and it was stressful to go home. I had a lull over summer where it was nice and relaxing, and then it all exploded again this year... I'm so looking forward to this break in July! 

Summer Euro Trip Packing Guide.

I made this packing guide on Polyvore to help me remember what I need to bring on my trip. This consists of:

• Black tanks x 2 
• White tanks x 2 
• Blue tank
• Blue tee 
• Striped tee 
• Printed short sleeved shirt 
• Red short sleeved shirt 
• White long sleeved shirt 
• Denim shirt 
• LBD 
• Maxi dress 
• Black skinny jeans 
• Blue skinny jeans 
• Black midi, maxi and mini skirts
• Coloured skirt 
• White, Black and Denim shorts 
• Blazer
• Trench Coat (purchasing in Florence at The Mall) 
• Bikini's x 2
• Sandals
• Jandals
• Chucks
• Flats 
• Black bag
• Brown cross-shoulder bag 
• Scarves x 3 
• Hat
• Belt
• Statement jewellery

The combination of outfits I can make out of this list is endless! 

Health and Fitness Update.

Source

In health/fitness news: this April I'm going to push myself into doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred or Ripped in 30 for the month. I've done it 5 times already in conjunction with my other workouts (BodyPump, BodyAttack, incline walks). Doing it every day for a month will be a challenge but I want to see what I can do and how my body can change.

Over the last year I've actually gained weight on a 1500 calorie diet. It doesn't make sense. I've now looked into it and believe I've lowered my metabolism (my Basal Metabolic Rate) so low from 2 years of dieting, that when I have one day of high calories/a week here and there of normal eating (usually my Friday nights of nibbles and drinks with the guys at work and over Christmas and New Years and the summer holiday in Totaranui) my body has held onto these extra calories as fat for when I go back into the 1500 calorie diet. Subsequently, I've gained 5kg since this time last year, when I was in the best shape of my life.

So, in order to get my metabolism ticking again, I've been eating at my TDEE (AMR) of around 2000-2200 calories per day. And maintaining. And having so much more energy and alertness. I've been doing this for about 4 weeks now while exercising and haven't lost at all, but I haven't gained either. I guess this amplifies the fact that losing weight is a very fine line between under eating, over exercising and over eating. I'm re-evaluating the way I think about food.

this first week of April I'm eating at my BMR or slightly higher depending on my activity levels. next week I will take it up 200 calories and do similar, then back down - yo-yoing my calories to keep my body guessing. This should technically bring my metabolism back up.

Parisian Shopping Sprees.

Source

I think I'm a little bit addicted to browsing Zara online and figuring out what I'm going to buy the first day I'm in Europe (Paris for one day - I will shop, I will eat a macaron from Laduree, and I will wander Parisian streets). Since I'm only taking over the basic essentials - think 2 x skinny jeans (my Lee's in Black and light blue), 4 tank tops, 3 t-shirts, 1 black skirt suitable for churches, sandals or flats - I'm going to need to stock up on some fashionable outfits to fit in with the locals. I'm planning on looking suitably Parisian-chic in Paris, Romanesque in Rome, etc. You get the idea. Thankfully I have European features! 

Of course I will be heading to Galeries Lafayette - a mall in Paris that I've heard is absolutely stunning inside (think huge, glass dome ceiling and amazing architecture with miles of designer clothing stores). 

Galeries Lafayette - Source

Source

I purchased this bag from the above Etsy store in February - It's the perfect size and I absolutely love it. The leather is super thick and durable and I think it's going to last me a while! Bonus - it was only $150 NZD including postage. It has a place perfect for my ipad mini, two internal compartments (great for lipsticks and compacts) and is big enough for me to carry a small water bottle, and my DSLR and wallet. I've had so many comments on it already. 

It's now less than four months until I leave on my big adventure and I'm so super-duper excited! New experiences, new people, new places and all these amazing things to try in just a few, short months!