A few Pics...

Me being a poser about to leave work... December 19th 2009

Me (far right) and 3 of my brothers - Christmas Eve 2009

Coro Gold - New Years Eve!!

Summer boardgames at the bach... Dec 30th 2009

Me and my bestie.. about 3 weeks ago..
Oh and.....My Stunning new God Son Quinn !!! - taken 27th Dec 2009!

Mike.

Its a new dawn, its a new day...

Hey All! Happy New year..even if I am a little late!

I have been sooo slack at blogging!!!

I stopped the intense dieting at the end of November after achieving my goal weight of 92kg..yep thats right I got there!...and then I decided to go off the radar and enjoy the silly season!..which I totally did, camping, beers, summer tan, lots of beach swimming, beers, croquet, walks, concerts, beers, food, more beers...a general re-claim of life with my new found energy! but in doing so I put on a fair bit of weight..about 6kgs!!

I didn't plan on being so relaxed but had a summer romance with someone 7 years my junior and I got a bit party party (ahem).. summers over now and am back in the real world.. the mission..

Have started the Optifast mission again and am back down to 96kg.. am a couple of days in and going good!

I will post some photos of the summer soon and will start posting more frequently again.

Cool news - My doctor has begun the referral process for plastics...a full abdominaplasty rebuild, trying to suss out funding because its a solid $20k.. will keep you posted... hopefully hear from the plastics unit soon for a consult. Will keep you posted!

Peace.
Mike

Hi, I havent forgot about you!

Wholly Moley, its been over a month - that is shocking. Whats been happening? how am I going? how much do I weigh? all fair questions that I will answer!

So the last couple of weeks Ive been traveling a fair bit - spent 2 weeks in Melbourne for work and have spent the last week in the Bay of plenty and all over the show really! Melbourne trip was for conference and I took an extra few days to check out the sights and do some shopping - well worth it, I had a great time.

I decided to come off the diet while I was in Melbourne - was going to be a mission during conference and social events everynight etc. I did well and kept to the healthy options - salads and fish, red meat now and then and typically stayed away from carbohydtrates - right up to the last 2 nights really.. the last 2 nights I got on the drinks and also was seduced by garlic bread one night out at dinner - it was good times!! Went for a run eraly on in the trip wasnt familliar with the course, unfortunatley I hadnt stretched properly for the 3km down hill and have ended up doing some damage to my lower calf - resulting in me not being able to run for another week yet! - needless to say im a bit gutted and feel strange and lazy! I can feel it in my skin - when you run everyday your skin gets used to sweating and getting rid of the bad stuff, Im not suffering from a break out or oily skin or anything of that nature, its just that it doesnt feel as good as it has in the past few months!

Even with a poked calf muscle I manage to bust out some serious coverage of melbourne on foot, i must have walked about 50km over 3 days, seriously.. very cool place. I will post some photos in a seperate post .

when I got back from Melbourne I sketched out about weighing myseld - I was sure that I would be back up over 100kg - and am stoked to say that Im not!!! at present I weight 97.6kg.. so yeah to be fair the last few weeks have been very static!

Now that Im home I am back on the Optifast - Breakfast and Lunch and trying to build in a healthy dinner instead of optifast at night - typically this is steamed veges still, I am somewhat addicted!

Im going to keep this post nice and short so my minor holiday from diet does not own too much blog space (Eeee) and will post again next week when im back on the running / 'Leah Pananpa - Healthy Living Everybody" ' mission

P.s - Listening to Sola Rosa and Newton Faulkner on the ipod at the mo - great to wander around big cities to.

Peace.
M

Peace

Where to start!?

I’m UNDER 100kgs!!!!!!!!!!

But first, the social pleasantries;

Bless me bloggers It has been a couple of weeks since my last post.

It’s been a busy few weeks of travel and social social’ness!
Probably best to jump back to the weekend before last; It was such a nice weekend the weather was absolutely MINT and it was a very social one. Saturday was Pete’s birthday and he managed to score us all tickets to the Whips and Spurs Party at the races (Ellerslie Racecourse), heaps of people mid twenties and 30’s just getting on it and having a punt or two..Lady luck was on my side and I managed to pick the winner on a few races and walk out with more than what I went in with – pretty cool for my first time at the races! Below is a pic of the shaved head posse prior to the event at Sarah’s – all the lads teaming with the theme.

Sunday was a stunner – I got up early (thanks to no hangover!) and headed off to mission bay about 8am for a bit of wandering and quality IPod time, it wasn’t too busy being early so was really nice..here is a vid just to show you how nice it was!

Sunday Afternoon I met up with Woo and we went to Western Springs Park for a few laps, its soo nice there at the moment – spring = little baby birds, which are quite cute and over protective parent geese are entertaining as long as you are not their target.

Later in the avo I met up with Sarah and Pete (still at the park) and did a few more laps – all in all I think I must have walked about 10kms on Sunday which is good because I had a lazy week leading up due to the flu!

Monday I flew out for Brisbane at 6am and spent the week there working. Was a great week – managed to catch up with our business founders who were blown away by the change – they Had not seen me since January!!
Actually got to spend some time in Brisbane CBD this trip – managed a run through the city on Tuesday night also did South bank and the waterfront which is stunning. Brisbane is an unusual city – it has some amazing old buildings and cathedrals surrounded by huge modern towers – a very cool mix giving the city a cool vibe... some photo’s below:

Anzac Shrine - has a flame burning in the Centre

Old School yet fancy boat down at eagle street pier..

The Casino at dusk

Cant remember what this building was - but hey its very Brisbane.

Another cool old cathedral in the city.

Had a fun weekend just passed – went out on to a house party with my flatmate and met some nice peoples and then headed out on the town(well K’rd actually), for a night of dancing and laughing and even being sober I managed to make it to 4am.. well impressed with my efforts , its been a while! Here’s a pic of me at 4am and I’m not looking like death.

Sunday I even managed to get to the Zoo by 10am for a few hours then meet up with mates at Chapel bar for a lazy afternoon!

Weight wise things are going great! Obviously from the header to this post I’m really happy to let you know that as of this morning I weigh 99.2kg WOHOOOOO under 100kg and into the double digits!!!!!!! –can’t remember when that last was for me – high school for sure.
8KGS TO GO!!! ..... Then I can have a wee “Ceeeelebrate goood times C’MON” get together :-P

Am really looking forward to Christmas Holidays and Summer this year – at this point in time the plan is to head to Tauranga on the 19th December, hopefully that will be exactly 1day prior to the arrival of Fe and Craig’s little bundle and my new god son! Will stay put for Christmas then on the 30th Dec Head to Hahei to relax with Mel and Chris at the Bach! NYE this year is going to be at Coromandel Gold – And GOLD IT WILL BE – Check out the line up on the night!!! : Shapeshifter, Tiki Tane, Kora, Katchafire, Recloose, Sunshine Sound System ... WOWZA I’m getting silly excited just writing about it! 2nd of Jan im thinking head back to Tauranga for a few days and float with the wind then on the 6th Jan road trip to Wellington for Jaq and Andrews wedding on the 7th and making my way back to Auckland on a leisurely road trip that may or may not take a couple of days... What a MINT break.

Will finish this post with a list of things I am LOVING at the moment:
- Magnolia Trees
- Western Springs – all bar the swampy smelly part just above the rise before the playground
- Fresias and Yellow Tulips
- My new T- Shirts from Threadless.com – especially the homage to the flock of seagull hair cut.
- Sunshine on my cropped dome
- Sirocco at the Zoo
- Summer weight hoodies
- Colouring in competitions at Chapel Bar on Sundays.
- Macbeth Shoes on sale at the Lee store in Ponsonby
- 3 Nina Simone Songs (they get their own sub list..that’s how cool they are)

o Feeling Good
o I Put a Spell On You
o I Loves you Porgy

Have a great week everybody, down in Tauranga this weekend so will hopefully get to see some of my fav faces.

Peace.
M

Its weird not being used to your shadow...very odd

So its time for that update

Last 2 weeks Have been mint! As you have read Ive hit the original target that I set for my challenge but it wasn't just that, I had one of those weeks where things head in the right direction, people you feel like catching up with end up crossing your path, you get asked to be a godfather (YAY!), you feel like you are learning things about you, your work, your worldly faith, your fun... its been one of those times and I think its important to take the time to acknowledge it.

Right , thanks for that nice moment.

Sooo... one of the practises employed during this mission has been to apply some magic or just plain trickery of the mind, a bit of conditioning - I have been telling myself for weeks that I enjoy running.. and, you know what, I think I have actually got to the point of believing my own word over what I thought was true reality - do I actually like running? i say "err yes" I believe so.

Having the understanding that you really can condition yourself into believing something is pretty cool, to me its a part of the big puzzle - When you look at running in a very simple form you realise you are throwing yourself from leg to leg to the point of near exhaustion.. jolting, jarring,sweating, aching, sweating , puffing and sweating.. I struggle when isolating the physical aspects to understand how people can say they enjoy it, really I only enjoy the moment you stop running to about 15 seconds after it, when you feel like your body might fall apart and the only thing holding it all together is your sense of self achievement - that is the addictive part. Muscles ache with dignity. Powerful.

Another example of conditioning practised is illustrated below in the photo, these four signs have been on my bedroom wall for about a year - so well before my diet, the whole time they have been gearing me up for a change.

I know the posters are a bit wanky, a bit shameless, but they have helped - not everyone who See's them may understand their purpose at first but time and action can illustrate. Never underestimate the power of your word, and the power of the message that you tell yourself (and others!). That is truly the foundation to self evolution. Wow..deep, must have been organic veges tonight.. apologies. ;P .

Righto, so today I weigh in at 102kg, weight loss has slowed down as expected but still continues. about 1kg a week now.. its been a good week of running Monday through to Sat, killer calves all day sat - I had to stretch out on every step or ledge I could find, think I might have to talk to someone more experienced about my warm up and warm down stretching routine - the one I learnt in school for Jump Rope for Heart just doesn't seem to cut it anymore ;P If you happen to know about stretching please fee free to drop me a comment and let me know what you think is a good stretching routine prior to and after my run and cycle.

My Dad and step mum, Deb came to stay in the weekend which was really nice, we got to hang out and cruise together, went out for a really nice night at neighbourhood (bar and restaurant), caught and had dinner, yay for the Mediterranean Salad. Sunday we went to the Albany Westfield and walked around indoors - shopping malls are handy to walk in when its raining hard outside. Scored a cool shirt too on my travels.

Am traveling off to Brisbane next week for work and will for the first time in the 5month mission will get the opportunity to catch up with our company founders, I'm looking forward to seeing them in person to show them the new me. As I said the other day too I would also share an updated photo of me.. so here's one taken right now...excuse the tired eyes its 11:13pm and I had a big run tonight..eeka..

Just looking that photo makes me sleepy and I know that Ive realised I have to rise early to start work early tomorrow, I'm going to call it a night - end of a post just like that, seems odd for such a deep post to have a flippant end :P I like.

Peace.

M

If your happy and you know it clap your hands...it helps circulation :)

Its quite hard to type while skipping out a celebratory dance...

Today I am officially 60kg's lighter than I was 153 days ago!!!!

This is a very quick post because I'm in the middle of a mission day!

Probably obvious for me to say but things are going great! - weight moved slowly this week but 1/2 a kg fell off while I was asleep last night pushing me over the 60kg point so I am a happy chap!

I will get online hopefully tonight or tomorrow and post some quality, a run down of the last week, exercise, encounters with friends etc..and will throw in a few supporting pics for good measure (one of me and my shaved head..Eeeee!)

The mission is far from over with another 12kgs to get to my new goal weight..but for now I just want to celebrate the fact that I originally set out to hit 60kgs and that day has come.

*clinking glasses of sparkling water everywhere*

Speak soon!

Peace.
M

Not to far now.. 60 kg goal - getting close

Hi All!!

Well, what a mint week it has been, have worked out of town so enjoyed the delights of regional New Zealand (Gisborne and New Plymouth), managed to walk the streets of both towns and even got to do a 6km walk around the bays in New Plymouth - beautiful even in the bleak winter!

When I started this blog I set a target of 60kg.. that would put me at about 103.5kg.. today I weigh 104.6kg... SO CLOSE!! YAY!!!

I have decided that I am going to push out the goal posts and target for total loss of 71.5kg bringing me end goal weight of 92kg. Why 92kg? you might ask..fair enough, however I'm not sure why, think I may have read an online survey suggesting that other guys believed 92kg's is an ideal weight for my height- even though the ideal weight from a medical perspective is about 85kg or something of the sort!...I couldn't imagine being 85kg's, I think I would look unwell (no disrespect to all the 85kg'ers out there).

So I have been away all week with work which put a dampener on the running (didn't want to pack running shoes and clothes in my already very full bag, or maybe was actually just being lazy and decided I would like the week off), like I mentioned above I did get to hit the streets a fair bit and had a really mint coastal walk in New Plymouth.

I stuck to the Optifast while I was away but also had two dinner meals that had meat in them - one night I had salmon and salad and the other meal I had a chicken salad, was really nice although the night I had the salmon I did feel a little bit sickly an hour or so after - think it was just a bit rich for me after not having eaten proper food for sometime.

Got back on Friday night and went a run on Sat morning - just a 2.5k'er. Today I did a 3.8km run and notched up the speed a bit to 7.5km.. went really well.

Still having to buy clothes quite often - just got some new Jeans yesterday...Its crazy to think that at my peak weight I wore a size 52 pants and yesterday I bought a size 38.. wowza... put a smile on my face all afternoon, got a really cool shirt too, Ive gone from 5-6XL down to XL so that's pretty ace!

Body is going well - still have a fair gut on me, but have always known that it will be the last part to go. Skin is as expected..excessive in parts, I guess that will be the next thing to deal with once I'm at goal weight, its kinda dumb that you cant fix everything completely with weight loss, I have done some irreversible damage to some of my skin and will have to live with that for ever, I'm not down about it - just aware that my final result will include inevitable battle scars from the life that was. I still think that I will end up having surgical follow up -an abdominaplasty, Ive been told that I will have to wait a couple of years and hold my weight at my goal point for that time before I would even be allowed to have any surgery.. guess it will give me some time to save up the +$15k required. If anyone knows anyone that can offer advice on how to get it through the public health system then don't be a stranger..get in touch. Please. ;)

So have a busy week ahead and should be showing my face in Auckland, Whangarei, Hastings and Tauranga all before the week is through.. I will no doubt get to catch up with a few of you! Will post again the moment I find out that I have made the 60kg point (will weigh in at 103.5KG), hopefully it will be within the next week.. approx 7 weeks ahead of schedule!!

Right its 11:51pm and time for bed. Have a great, happy and healthy week everyone...

Peace.
M

Belated Update - like most of them ... :P

Hi Everybody!

Wow, this year is CrAzY - the further into the year we get the crazier it seems to be. The last two weeks have been a bit madhouse for me, lots of traveling and work related stuff going on, our store in Whangarei had a flood which we believe may be due to the fact a natural spring has sprung.. I know, seriously, whats that about? does mother earth not understand how busy I already was without having to rip up carpet and rip out counters.. I guess not. haha

Weight is going well still - think that I'm losing about 1.5kg a week now. Am weighing in at 107.5kg today so yeah 56kg loss. Still doing the exercise missions - running and cycling although I missed a night (last night) due a work dinner. Running is getting easier now.. seem to be able to handle a lot better! Got back into the weights too after a couple of weeks off, not sure if you remember but I dislocated my shoulder in a wee (not that kind of wee..) accident a few weeks back and have been cautious about lifting on it, pain seems to have completely stopped now so that is a bonus....although I have to be honest - the weight session nailed my chest for a couple of days afterwards - but its that good pain, the one that tells you its working.

Have a pretty full on couple of weeks ahead with traveling around for work, realised this afternoon that I wont even get back into the office until the 20th of August!!

Overall things are going mint for me at the moment - I have really enjoy my new lifestyle and although I cant say I was ever 'down' on myself before -I can say am definitely a happier and more confident person these days.. maybe its just a bit of ego inflation due to every 2ND person I bump into telling me how different and great I look now. bless.

I know I said that I would post a pic of me looking like Chris from Family Guy (according to my charming little brother Steffan!), haven't managed to find a scanner when Ive had the photo on me so am going to go budget and do the photo of a photo thing - apologies for quality.. .

Here it is.. Christmas 2 years ago... Yagagaaa!

Yeah so bit different now!!!


Anyway - hope all this shamelessness has brightened your day!

Peace.
M

So in blogging terms it’s been about 20 years since my last update….my bad.

Heaps has been going on since my last post. Last week was a very family intensive week with the passing of my Nan and having her funeral just this weekend been. Lots of sitting around and everyone else eating and drinking. My little brother Steffan found this HIDEOUS picture of me from 2 Christmas’s ago… I look like Chris the son from Family Guy… eeeek.. will have to find someone with a scanner and share with you.. SHAME, but sweet because that’s the old me.

Today was my first day back working and I am out of Auckland, I can already tell the next week for me is going to be quiet and boring on the social front – have heaps of work that needs my time now that I’ve had the best part of a week off!

Read my last post again before writing this and am pleased to say for the 4 days following that post I did do heaps of exercise, typically a 3-4km run followed by a 10km cycle each night… Wednesday night I went a bit OTT and did a 4km run followed by a 20km cycle, legs hurt a fair bit on Thursday but not as bad as I had expected.

Weight today is 110.2kg so am over 53kg down now, and not to far from being under 110kg!!! Mint. Am thinking I might set an extended target to 90kg…meaning that my total weight loss on achievement will have been 73.5kg, just don’t think that the 95kg goal weight is going to cut it, don’t think that it will have had significant impact on the stomach region?... will make that call a bit further down the track.

Really need to lift some weights – It’s been approx 3weeks since I have lifted any weights, not because I haven’t wanted to, but I thought it best to have a break after dislocating my shoulder. Shoulder seems to be 90% better now so might get back into it on my return to Auckland.

Think that I will go see a personal Trainer at the 100kg mark to focus more on stomach region...work on my flabdominals a bit.

I had a neck and shoulders massage last week - $15 for 15mins by a Chinese Massage and acupuncturist… wow, why have I not done this before? He was pretty hard out in some parts, a couple of times I came close to wigging out at him but right when I thought I had had enough he would ease up… freaky Asia man was reading me like a book. Slept so well that night! Speaking of sleeping well – I’m sleeping SOO much better these days, due to my weight and body size sleeping was a mission, I couldn'tt sleep on my back because the weight of my stomach would create discomfort…pretty much the same with sleeping on my stomach…but these days , wow, loving it.

Not sure if I have mentioned this previously but a great friend gave me some electrolyte tablets (like Berocca, but no other vitamins and sugar free) to take after exercising… they are great, have a nice taste and seem to help recovery – even if its just me believing they are!

Anyway – am staying with family tonight so should probably sign off and be a bit social.

Have a great week and hopefully you will hear from me again in the weekend!

Peace.
Mike

Hello!! Back from Queenstown. NEW GOAL REACHED!!

Howdy, (Uhmm excuse me, but when did I become a cowboy?)

Its Sunday night and this is a quick little post to let you know that I had a MINT time in Queenstown and am a super happy chappy tonight because as of today I have lost 50kg in total!!! Am weighing in at 113.5kg.

Was full on seeing all the people at the conference that I haven't seen in over a year - they buzzed out.. 2 people even approached me on the 2nd day and said that they weren't sure if I was the same person so they hadn't come said hello and they heard through other people that it was me and they wanted to come congratulate.. shame but cute but shame.. haha.

I haven't exercised this week because I had a cold for the first half of the week and have been at conference for the rest.. back into the running and cycling tomorrow without a doubt, don't feel right for not having done it. Hoping that the week ahead will be a good loss week after having a week off the exercise.

Will upload a couple of photos when I get them - have some from our black tie function of me all suited up, hopefully they photo guy will get them through in the next day or two.. Also a couple of pics of the amazing Queenstown.

Hope you have all had a nice weekend.

Peace.
M

Goodbye Blood Pressure Pills! -- YAY!

Howsit all!?

Am heading off to the FREEZING but beautiful Queenstown tomorrow for 4 days and know that I'm not going to get the chance to update so thought I had better sort something out today!

I went to the doctors yesterday for a check up (my last one was at the 20kg loss point) and the doctor was blown away by my weight loss, he has taken me off my blood pressure pills completely but is monitoring my blood pressure every 3 days for the next week or two... needless to say (but I will anyway!) that I am SO pleased as this was one of my key health objectives with the weight loss!

Weighed in this morning at 115kg on the dot...couldn't quite believe it because I have done zilch exercise and was quite sure that I weighed 116.2 yesterday?? have had a crappy cold for the last two days and pretty much been bed ridden, maybe I'm dehydrated from the running nose and sneezing??? who knows, it will be interesting to get on the scales on my return (Sunday). According to today's reading I've lost 48.5kg in total and today is day 104.

Hope you all have a great week and weekend, and that I get to catch up with heaps of you in person soon... for you Tauranga peoples; I think I'm coming down 24th-27th July so hopefully we can organise to catch up.

Peace.
M

New Mug Shot

Pics from Chch and Pics of ME

A few pics for you...

Chch Arts Center.

Memorial next to the Cathedral.

View from the port hills.

Me

Me again... just in a hiddy side proflie view!

Countdown to 100 days on my diet! NOW UNDER 120KG!!!!!

Another week down nearly…nice

Current weight is 118.4kg which means my total weight loss is a smidge (love that word) over 45kg! AND I am now officially under the 120KG range...I don’t know if you actually understand how great that feels for me! ;)


Had an ace time in Christchurch caught up with heaps of people and did lots of walking...not having a car was a good idea!

Here's a rundown on the weekend:

Flew in on Friday afternoon and caught a cab into town, dropped all our gear of at the Rydges and then did a mish to catch up with my mate Jess at work, went for a cuppa tea at a cool little place called C1, I recommend it to anyone who is down the line! Quickly realised that my two thermal tops and long sleeved shirt were not going to cut it so went of a shopping mission, scored a nice Industrie jacket from the Hunters and Collectors store for $99! STOKED and warm!

Caught up with my mate Damien in the afternoon/eve and went for a walk around the city. We ended up walking down to the court theatre to meet up with Jase and catch up with a few of his mates post show, this ended up turning into a 4am closer at really cool bar called Goodbye Blue Monday, it had a very cool feel to it. Walking home was a good 2km in 0 degree weather...yeah not my favorite, especially as I was stone cold sober!

Saturday got up at 11am and did all of the arts centre and markets, got a few bits and pieces - mainly woolen items to fend off winter. Rocked up at the NZ famous (heaps of mint bands have started their path here!) Dux-Deluxe bar and restaurant and had a really odd carrot and tofu salad... hmm jury is still out on that one.

Sat night Jase and I went to a show at the court theatre called "I Love you, your perfect, now change" which was indeed funny and very well put together; we had been out the night before with 3 quarters of the cast so it was good to see them with their game faces on! After the show we hung out at the court bar and the $3 dollar beers entertained...everyone but me! But I had a good time. Jase, John, Kate and I took off to head for SOL square (where all the bars and clubs are) and stopped in at a nice and warm little French bar and had a few drinks then moved on back to Goodbye Blue Monday... something about that place is so comfortable... maybe its the 10 or so student'esq couches out the front with heater and fires in barrels?? Anyway. roll on a few hours of careless yarning and drivel and all of a sudden its 4:30am and your once again walking the freezing 2km journey home... although this time I was a bit more prepared and had my long pant Calvin pj's on under my jeans, two thermal tops, a long sleeved shirt, a light hoodie, a jacket and a scarf!! it was -2 degrees and I was still cold but I could at least feel my l

Sunday we met up with Jason’s Uncle and Aunt for brunch - go the herbal tea. And then walked about 3km to catch up with a really nice couple that Jase met while he was here for the show last year, I was well pleased they had a fireplace! after that we split up and I took off with My friend Jess (and her dog Scoobie) and headed out to Sumner to catch up with her family which was mint, it had been far to long since we had caught up and I’ve promised to keep in touch more often! We took the dogs (2 pugs) for a walk out to the cliff point (not sure what it’s called - maybe Taylors mistake?) and then cruised back into the city. Jase and I then got a lift from friends back to the airport where we parked it in the Koru club for a while before finally setting off for Auckland on our delayed flight... we landed about 2 seconds before a major electrical storm so was pretty pleased with our timing.

Monday, Tuesday and Yesterday I’ve been vigilant on the exercise with a 3-4km run followed up by a 10km cycle each day. I know that this is helping the weight loss so much so am trying to keep motivated - I almost piked out yesterday but felt bad so drag myself out the door! You always feel a million bucks after a decent bout of 'hyperventilating, spew your lungs out' exercise.

Am staying in Auckland this weekend, have my parents and a set of grandparents coming up for a visit so imagine the weekend will be fairly low-key (Nan isn’t to keen on the dance parties anymore) but I’m really looking forward to catching up with them, no doubt a fairly large amount of wine will be consumed by family and friends, how convenient for them that I am a full time sober driver at the mo!

Hoping for a nice walk at Mission Bay or the Zoo on Sunday morning weather permitting and then head into work for a couple of hours in the avo… I’m away next week at a franchising conference in Queenstown so need to get myself sorted!

Hope all of you had great weekends and the working week is running smoothly for you.

Catch up soon. Will post some pics tonight as my lunch break is fast running out.

Peace.
M

Happy Friday Eve!

Hi All!

Just checking in :)

Have just finished packing for a weekend away, am heading to Chch with my mate Jase to catch up with mates and see a show, should be a great weekend!

Everything is going great on the weight loss front, am now 120.3kg so 43.2kg weightloss in total and very close to being under the 120kg point! Still seem to be loosing at about 2.5-3kg per week.

Have been really good on the exercise this week so am well chuffed.

Went for a nice walk last weekend with Steffan (my brother) in Tauranga - 10km Daisy something'or'rather track around the estuary. Hi Five.

Sunday I met up with Alana and Kathy and went round the Mt...so cold you could almost snap my lips off but really picturesque as always, so well worth it.

Caught up with heaps of family over the weekend, forgot how entertaining it is having all the cousins together, was odd that the Hudson lads were not getting on the drinks this time round with us all on health missions!

Sunday night, Monday and Tuesday I did a 3-4km jog followed by a 10-15km cycle each day...the jogging is still a killer but getting less and less lethal every time.

Am going to take a few photo's while I'm in Christchurch so will post them soon, including some head to toe shots for you all to check out... warning I have HEAPS to go (another 25kgs!) and most of it is in the stomach, haha...nah but serious, stomach needs to catch up with face arms and legs.

Have just purchased my first 2 pieces of thermal clothing and they are great... so much so that I named the brown and black striped top Bobby Brown Stripes.. and he will be joining us on our Christchurch trip, I don't really have a jacket that fits anymore so he will no doubt come in handy. [Personification of random articles: just another example of me keeping it "fresh"]

Well hopefully I might get a chance to update while in Chch...because lets be honest - I have been rather slack at updating at the mo...life has been busy.

I hope you are all well and not letting the winter get to you! anyone Auckland based who feels the need to use the garage gym for a run out of the elements just hit me up!

Have a great Friday (and weekend if I don't manage to check in!)

Peace,
Mike

Woohoo - 40KG DOWN

This post is not a big long novel just a quick lil loudy... I just wanted to drop in and share my celebratory mood with you! I have lost over 40kg now!! :-)

Weighing in at 123kg.

Have been loving the home gym setup and have busted out a 4km jog followed up by a 10km cycle everyday so far.. its mint to be out of the crappy weather!

Hope you all had a good Monday and your week goes quickly!

Peace.

M

p.s - Tomatoes, onion, marinated kalamata olives basil leaves and ground pepppr choped up served on steamed zucchini is the goods.

Time has flown! A SUPER late post...

So its been ages since my last post which is just slack really
but in my defence the last week has been pretty intense.
Unfortunately I have a very unwell family member and have been
spending a lot of time back in Tauranga.

Weight wise things are still ticking over - slowly at the
moment now.. my weight is 126kg :-)
Have definitely felt the cold over the last fortnight with
getting the man flu and all so have begun a garage conversion
into a home gym - have a treadmill, rowing machine, bike and
weights..just need a plasma and stereo and I will be sorted!

Ive started walking up Mt Albert now! for 3 days after the
first time i was quite pathetic - my legs and bum hurt! but now
that I've done it a couple of times I'm getting used to it and
not taking on the ache :-). Went for a really nice walk with Dad and Deb in the weekend,
we went along pilot bay, round the mt, down the main beach and
through the end of town back to pilot... bumped into a couple
of mates on the walk too which is always nice. I also managed
to catch up with some mates - Alana and Warren, Tam and Fe and
Craig! Was stoked that Fe and Craig have just passed the 12week
point - to think a little baby in 6months time! yay. :-)

Have added a couple of different lifts in my weights regime to
focus on different muscle groups, no doubt I will be feeling
sore this week and moving a little awkwardly!

I have a conference coming up in Queenstown early July and
want to have lost at least 40kg by that point. I'm pretty sure
that that will be sweet considering that Ive already lost
37.5kg.. although it seems to be slowing down (i think), its
odd i seem to lose minimal weight Monday to Thursday and then
lose a couple of kg in the weekend??? - I don't mind as long as
it continues!

I've had to buy some clothes since my last post - nothing was
fitting and I was over wearing my jeans in the style of MC
hammer! purchased a nice and comfy pair of Origins, a black
billabong tshirt hoodie and a very cool Palmers button up shirt
- which is a wee bit too small so its a motivational buy at
this point - very much looking forward to it.

Still have my October work conference in Melbourne in mind,
would like to be 55kg down by that point - might have to start
thinking about going to a real gym and getting a PT in
August..?? will need to check the budget!

Am hoping the weather might fine up this week, Jase has his
4 year old nephew here Saturday night so we are thinking
about going to Cornwall park for a picnic with friends and
going for a walk up One Tree Hill... hopefully the sun come to
the party!

Went through all of my clothes when I was sick and created a
couple of rather large piles, not allowing myself to keep any
clothes that are too big for me... have a couple of cool
ripcurl hoodies and fancy shirts that i might sell on trade me
but other than that I might just drop them into the op-shop...
have decided to keep a horrific pair of jeans as a reminder!
Eeek will post a picture at the very end once I've reached my
goal weight..shameless, i feel awkward just thinking
about it! hahaha.

Have a great week, hopefully post again soon

Peace. M

Out of the 130's!!!! + Pics from Weekend

OOooh as of today I am officially out of the 130's and into the 120's (just) - weighing in at 129.5kg! Total weight loss todate is: 34KGS!!! Am really happy and to be honest quite surpirsed, I have been at home unwell over the last 3 days with MANFLU !
I managed to walk down the road to the chemist yesterday to get some cold and flu tablets and almost passed out! Feeling like im on the mend today, am even going to go back into work this afternoon for a couple of hours.

I did manage to get a few great walks in last weekend which must have helped the loss, Sat morning I got up early and went back to the zoo (go the annual pass!) and walked for a couple of hours, I then met up with my mates Rachel and Ross and we went for a walk around western Springs together. Sat afternoon I met up with my mate Sarah and we went for a walk around the Auckland Winter and Botanical Gardens, quite beautiful there! Sat night I went for a 3km walk/run around mt Albert...in hindsight Saturday was all about the walking!

Sunday Morning I got up early because it was a beautiful day and drove to mission bay, parked up roadside just as you enter mission bay (by the weird steel survivor style foot bridge) chucked my ipod on (think throwing it in the air and it magically lands on my ears and in my pocket like a fancy tv ad) and walked all the way round the bays up to ladies and gentlemens bay lookouts (and my favourite house in Auckland) and then back again - clocked in at about 7km.

Walked Monday morning and was joined by Amy monday night, we had a great run. Tuesday morning got up early and went for my morning mission but later that morning got hit by the MANFLU so that was that..

Some pics below from my weekend walks and the zoo..

Hope all is well with everyone!

Peace.
M.

Monkeys playing in the morning sun.

Monkeys sunbathing.

Tiger having a drink...clearly.

A stunning bird that I can remember the name of.

Japanesse Gardens at the Zoo

Western Springs from the Shadows..

Courtyard between the winter and Botanical Gardens at Auckland Domain...

Random update from the Napier Airport Lounge!

Wow, I know that I have been going on about it – but the last 2 weeks have been soo busy! Am so looking forward to the weekend when I can just have some time to chill out!

So far the plan is – head to the Zoo on Saturday morning and walk about 5km.. .this will be my first trip to the zoo as a ‘friend of the zoo’ so I am going to take some time to figure out which animals are going to feature on my regular walking trip! Hopefully the weather will hold itself together over the weekend – if not then I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do exercise wise! I think I will also go to the movies and check out Angels and Demons! I loved the book so figure there has to be some merit in the movie.

Have caught up with a few of my stores team members this week – their response to my weight loss has beencool – its amazing to see how people get motivated from by mission to date – one of the mobile reps today proclaimed that he would not be eating lunch as he needs to go on a diet… good on him for going on a diet, not sure that skipping meals is the way to do it though? But each to his own..

I’m in a great mood today, im luck really that im one of those people that wake up happy everyday, and today was another one of those days – even though it was raining and I had to catch and early morning flight – I didn’t let it get the better of me… I was particularly happy this morning when I discovered that the extra hole that I made in my belt a fortnight ago was now redundant and a new one required.. that is on my to do list for tonight. Clothes sizes are coming down a treat – I have gone from a size 50 pants and 51 shirt to a size 40 pants and a size 46 shirt, maybe even a size 44 shirt now… loosing weight from the stomach region is the hardest and slowest process but is the main objective obviously.

Exercise this week has been zilch – I have been a lazy arse with the rain and need to harden up… I am going to go tonight though because I feel a bit sluggish with out it. Need to also monitor my muscle mass as I think my arm muscles have shrunken in the last week…is that possible?...back into the weights it is :-P

Lots of talent in the Koru Club tonight… thought you might appreciate that random observation.

Have a good night!

Peace
M

NEW GOAL REACHED!!! + Pics from Aus

Weighed this morning and my total weight loss is 30kg on the spot!! I think thats pretty bloody mint for 55 days effort!

Had a great weekend catching up with peoples in TGA, great to see a lot of you and was glad to make it to my nieces 3rd birthday party.. if only I had known it was a fairy costume party - opportunity lost!

Have got some pics ff Brisbane and Bribie Island to show you where I was walking while there - some cool places! Chinatown is pretty impressive and Bribie is stunning in the evening!

Brbie Island Sunset

Pumicestone Passage

China Town - Fortitude Valley Brisbane

The Cathedral in the City

Fortitude Valley Mall

Exercise over the weekend was a bit weak to be fair but did go on a nice walk around the estury with Fe on Sunday, and managed to bust out a 3km mission on mums treadmill Sunday night, so thats something I guess! Back into the regular routine as of tonight.. I think Jase has even committed to comming with me!

Might also need to do a weights session tonight - its been a week!

Hope you are all having a great Tuesday!

Peace.
Mike

Hi from across the ditch...

Morning! well maybe not by time I actually post this update!

Have been a bit slack regarding the regular updates over the last week with traveling so apologies!! I am writing this post from Brisbane.

Week is going well but I haven't weighed in since Monday so not quite sure where things are sitting at the moment - Last week moved pretty slow with only a 1.5kg loss, not sure if the antibiotics that I am on have impacted at all??.... might have to do some research on the topic. Have found a really helpful website; http://www.liquiddietdiscussion.com/ check it out if you are thinking about doing something like Optifast, Tony F etc.

Weather was absolute crap last week in Auckland so walking was really limited and probably only averaged out at 3km a day. Did do a lot of walking on Saturday at the ZOO! Alana and I did a Zoom tour and got to feed the giraffes, hippos, rhino and lions by hand! it was awesome!
Temperature is mint in Brisbane at the moment - I have been walking every night about 5kms - through Fortitude Valley (a very colourful suburb!) and china town. Last night I also walked about 6-7km into the city and checked out the cathedral and CBD.

Heading to Bribie Island tonight and am looking forward to walking round the water edge, might even walk the bridge through the pumice stone passage.

Am managing to stick to my optifast while I have been here and am going out for lunch with my workmates today- go the salad!
Think that i am loosing weight faster this week as my body feels like it is back in a state of ketosis, have noticed the keytones...think this has been due to the increase in walking again so I am pretty stoked.

Will update some pictures from my trip over the weekend and also throw in a couple of pictures from the zoo trip!

Am heading down to Tauranga for the weekend - it is my nieces 3rd birthday party - looking forward to catching up with quite a few of you!

Have a great week!!!

Peace.
M

Mid Week Post

Just called in home to have have some lunch and thought I would jump online and give a quick update!

My week is going well but very busy, Ive got a lot on with work (am away in Aus all next week).

Weight has pretty much stayed the same over the last 3 days which is a bit annoying but I know that it will move eventually... a couple of weeks ago I had a neutral week and then a big loss over the next week, guess its the body constantly adjusting... I have been walking/jogging heaps every day and have done a couple of mammoth weights sessions... chest was burning a bit yesterday!

Picked up a 2-layered bamboo steamer from the Chinese Grocery store for $11... if you enjoy steamed veges then I suggest that you pick one of these little beauties up, well worth it and so easy to use.

Thanks to everyone thats following this blog.. its cool to have supportive friends!

Right, got to bail.. have a business plan to put together this avo and it isnt writing itself... :-)

Have a great week, will drop another over the weekend!

Peace.
Mike.

NEW PHOTO

Last photo of me was taken on the 19th April so I thought I would update with one from tonight... its off my crappy webcam so quality isnt that superb! Be forgiving because I've just been for a 5km walk and jogged heaps so im a bit shattered!






Cher. Peace.

Mike

BLOOD PRESSURE - HYPER TENSION

Quick update - went to the doctor today to have my 5 week check up.

My Doc was well stoked with my weightloss to date and my blood pressure has reduced enough for him to cut my daily medication in half!!! GOT TO LOVE THAT! Thanks doc!

Just been out today to stock up on my optifast... picked up some optifast dessert (new, different, unusual)...it looks on the packet to be like instant dessert - heres hoping it tastes as nice as the choc shake and nothing like the choc bar - they are hiddy (the coffee bar is good tho!). I'm going to have steammed veges tonight followed up with a bit of optifast dessert and weight watchers calorie free jelly - whoa exciting aye ;-P

Hope Monday has been a good'n for you.

Peace.
M

A very LATE update

So it's been ages since my last post...Sorry about that, my bad! Have had a really busy week of traveling and family events so haven't had the chance to get online and deliver some updates..

Have just got back from a weekend in Tauranga, had a great time at my little brothers engagement party - of course I was sober and not eating a thing outside the boundaries of my diet but I still had a superb night, always great to catch up with old faces and meet some new ones. Had a few extended family members and friends come up and talk about 'the new me' ...its really nice to get feedback from other people about the physical changes your going through..its easy to get used to what you see in the mirror every day and sometimes you don't even notice the changes. It was also nice to have the utmost faith in telling people that this is just a snapshot in time and the new me is yet to come!!

Have got home today and jumped on the scales and have a smile on my dial - ear to ear even, am now under 140kg! I weigh in today at 138.8kg which is a loss of 4.7kg in the week - bringing me to a total weight loss of 24.7kg! ...woop woop (did I actually just use "woop woop" to describe my excitement? must have been a late night).

Have been sticking to the walking everyday and have even been building in a bit of interval training along the way! Amy (good mate and flatmate) came on a run through the week and it was mint, the both of us were shattered and sweating swimming pools...we must have looked like a right pair of eggs, we both had on our Ipod's and listened to our own music which meant that it was sometimes awkward to stay in sync with each others pace, but we had a laugh and a good mish!

Alana and I got up early for a really nice walk on Sat morning, 5km, which I think is a great distance for a weekend morning walk. It was 6am and an overcast morning at the mount the air was FREEZING so no one else was up during the first 30 Min's..nice and peaceful! The mount is such a beautiful spot even when the weather is crap and everything is a different shade of grey its easy to get caught up in the beauty.

Bought a cool Industrie shirt yesterday - constantly fighting back the urges of shopping up a storm, every now and I lose and pick something up... will refer to these as 'rewards' from now on! hah.

Im Auckland based this week so will try and get a couple of updates in, Wednesday and one in the weekend at least.

Will also post a couple of pics from last night when someone (Fe or Steff) email me some :)

Have a great week

Peace.
M

NEW GOAL REACHED

YAY!!! IVE REACHED ANOTHER GOAL - HAVE LOST OVER 20KG!!!

Jumped on the scales this morning after a few days of not looking and have reached one of my big goals - I have now lost a total of 20.6kgs and am sooo stoked!

Today is day 31 of my mission and I am happy to report that I'm still going strong.. it's so easy to be motivated when the weight is comming off quickly!

Have done a couple of decent walks this week, its been crazy busy with work and traveling but have managed to keep up 5-6km per day on average. Have done four weight training sessions on the arms this week,and upped the weight yesterday - feeling it today. My little brother Steff showed me a couple of lifting exercises for working on your pecs..one in particular is a killer(thanks Steff)! Have realised that laughing helps me when im doing weights - might be due to endorphins (is that how you spell it? hmmm might just start calling them endolphins) endolpins being released into the system are supposed to make you happy right? well whenever my arms turn to jelly and I am facing a realistic fear of dropping 26kg's of dumbell into my face I cant helpbut crack up laughing - it gives you a little extra boost and helps you get through the third set of 15...especially from 12 to 15 - those last three lifts are seriously an effort!

Have also decided that I should start doing sit-ups after my weights session also to build muscle and help with the skin factor.. havent done a sit up in years, geez it's been hard enough just getting up out of a seated position (heh) let a lone actually doing it for fun... managed to do 30 lastnight which I guess is a good start!

Am thinking I will go for a walk to the vid store soon and drop off some dvds. The weather outside is absolute she-ite so im going to have to talk myself into it!...because I plan to go out and dance for a few hours tonight with my mate Sarah Ive been rationalising to myself that I dont need to go for a walk - luckily my disatisfaction with being big and unfit is still top of mind! Im going to go put my walking shoes on...

Peace.
Mike

On the mission..

Evening. Just had a nice shower after a long walk in the rain... light rain, you know the type I mean.

Ive noticed that when I walk, my mind wanders to a place in the future when im enjoying life; Joining the soccer team, going for regular cruises on my bike, going for a run....I find it motivating, and its often the thing that will make me walk the extra block. Ive always listened to people when they have told me to visualise what you want - but ive always quietly thought it was full of hot air...might have to rethink that because it seems to be helping.

Righhto.

Went to the doctors today and saw the nurse. Had a couple of conerns about my blood pressure - Im taking a blood pressure pill everyday for hypertension and have been for a few years now.. today I noticed when standing up from a seating position im getting dizzy - thought maybe my blood pressure had naturally dropped and was now too low with the pill ... no such luck. Blood pressure is down but not significantly enough to take me off the pill. One day! Have followed up with a few people online and need to make sure im keeping up the water intake. by the way the nurse cracked me up ...her solution was for me to stand up slowly! so there you go.. haha.

Peaace.
M

Just checking in....

Here are the pictures that I promised to post - the first is of me today and the second is of me at the end of Feb this year....

Today is the Sunday the 19th of April, its 10pm and Im just peacing out at home tonight... have just finished a couple of hours work an though it would be a good idea to log in and drop a few lines.

My week has been good, ended up down in Tauranga for the weekend and got to tkae my niece to the park.. cute attack, even though she was in a mood! heh, kids have got such a sweet deal.

I busted out a couplt of nice walks on the beach over the weekend and even managed to catch a sunrise on Sat morning...there is something about watching the sun rise that is soo cleansing and refreshing. I walked away feeling like a newer fresher version of me.... throughly sugest everyone tries to watch the sunrise from the beach at least once every 6months.

Weightloss total as of today day 24 is 16.8kg....am really pleased as early in the week I was strugling to move any weight, i decided on wednesday that weighing myself everyday was getting a little bit OCD and so I left it until this morning... :-) Im hanging out to reach the 20kg down goal but its good to have a motivating goal.

Have also noticed that my fingers and wrist circumference are getting smaller watch is getting loose and a ring fell off my finer today... its a good feeling, and something that im not used to.

I saw some cool clothes shopping today - seems that my interest has begun peaking. Looking forward to having options - its been a long time since I have been able to just rock into a normal menswear / street style shop and grab something off the rack...exciting.. might have to start a new savings account just for clothes. At the moment am going to make do with what Ive got in the way of clothes (ive got heaps and heaps and heaps to be honest) will just use a belt and wait until my current pants get a bit too MC hammer before I invest... just incase I awake the shopping monster I know sleeps inside.

Peace.

M.

So far its been a really interesting 20 days, Optifast is a full meal replacement program with shakes, bars, soups etc. the only non processed food that you eat on the program is 2 cups of non starchy (no root based) vegetables.

I have found it can get some cautious responses from people who dont suffer significant weight issues. Usually after spending some time talking about it people are really supportive!

I caught up with family and friends in the weekend and they were so pleased to see that Ive taken control of my weight! Have had a couple of true tests - my best friends 30th birthday where we rented a beach house for the weekend and everyone drank and ate and partied all weekend, I of course cannot jsut eat anything (other than the optifast 3 meals a day) and definatley cannot drink alcohol. We had one day at a winery for lunch where I managed to talk the owner into making me a basic salad luckily.. can you believe that this wasnt on their menu!?

The other test was easter weekend - when everybody is all about chocolate, funny enough i didnt see one single easter egg so the weekend went extremely well, shouldnt really be labled a test I suppose but it was just the knowledge that if i wasnt on this lifestyle change I would have smashed a few cadbury eggs without a doubt!

Part of my plan to a healthier life is about excercise - Over the last 20days I have walked 136km and have built this in to my daily routine with 3kms in the morning and 3kms at night everynight... Have discovered that I really enjoy walking the street with my ipod on, gives me an opportunity to either think about all the things going on in my life, day to day, works stuff etc - or it gives me the time to notice little things -like how much i like trees and how acorns remind me of my primary school days! Excercise is definatley something that I will have in my life from now on.

Started lifting weights in the weekend to help build lean muscle mass in my arms - at this point I am clearly a complete sissy, am working my pecs (actually man boobs at the moment) and am doing a couple of different excercises - they hurt like sin yesterday but managed to bust out a good session on them lastnight, and to my surprise they are nowhere near as sore as they were yesterday. not sure if i will do again tonight or give the body a break.. who knows, will make the call tonight.

Will post a couple of pictures for you later - a photo of me the week before I started and what I look like today... Not a HUGE difference in my eyes but still a change.

Peace.
Mike

Stats and Details

Okay so thought I should post some details so you know what we are dealing with!

My name is Mike and I am 27 years old. My height is 182cm and on the 26th March I weighed in at 163.5kg's.

I am currently 20 days into a strict VLCD (Very Low Calorie Diet) called Optifast weight loss progam and today weigh in at 148.9kgs... needless to say I am bloody stoked!

I have been waling approx 6km a day and have developed a schedule where I get up at 5:30am everyday and walk 3km and then repeat the same track after work at 7pm...

SO FAR SO GOOD...cant complain, cant complain.

:-)

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog, the description reads that this is all about my journey to a smaller me, but that is not entirely true. Yeah it is about my weight loss but it is more importantly about what I want from life and what I see through a refreshed set of eyes on the way. Sometimes you are going to get me talking pounds lost and cm's gone, and other times you might hear about how beautiful my walk was..or that bloc party are the goods to listen to on your ipod while pounding the pavement... this blog is mine to do with what I see fit - I will keep you posted along the way.