Friday, July 29, 2005

Right back at ya!

Thanks for all your support, everyone. Below are some general responses to your comments and some emailed questions I've had.

Sleep
I don't need much sleep - five hours is plenty, six is almost too much! I do sleep better when I've had some exercise during the day - often I will sleep right through my five hours, rather than waking on and off through the night. If I have a bad night's sleep (three hours or less), I am more likely to have a 'hungry' day the next day and have less willpower. A few times I've pulled all-nighters, where I work all day, through the night and the next day too. That wreaks havoc with your eating.

Walking
My 2.5km walk in the morning takes just over 20 minutes, whereas my 5km evening walk takes almost an hour - in the evening I have the dog with me and just can't walk as fast. And, yes, I now look forward to and enjoy my exercise - and miss it if I don't do it. It took me a while to get to that stage. In the first 4-6 weeks of doing WW, my motivation was low and I easily found 'reasons' not to exercise. But planning each week helped me build the habit.

Weekends
I often struggle to eat all my points on a Saturday - I eat breakfast later, then I'm busy for much of the day with rugby, so I often don't get around to eating much from late morning to late afternoon. Sundays are less structured and if I don't plan my food I find myself either not eating enough or eating too much! I still wake very early in the weekends, but read my book or watch a DVD until a slightly more respectable hour - like 7am!

Family
I really admire those of you who are fitting in your lifestyle changes with raising a young family. Our household is just us two 40-somethings, the teenager and the dog. So I can fit THEM around my day, instead of trying to snatch some spare time when kiddies are at school/sleeping/beating each other up. So, if you are losing weight and getting fit while your kids are young - GOOD ON YOU, because your kids will get lots of benefit from it too!
My man and my boy have both been very encouraging and supportive. Here's a couple of photos of them. Mark is about to get on his flash new GSXR1000. Behind him is the house on the beach that we sold last year. Jake is playing in the family Christmas Day tennis match - a tradition we started to get everyone off their bums and out of the house! Aren't they lovely?


12 comments:

Mary said...

Hey, you've got some good lookers there hon :-) I love seeing family photos! You are doing so well Sue and your discipline is something to be so proud of and it is really inspirational to me. Just had to look at your stats again and WOW!

Jaykay said...

What a big strapping son you've got there!!

I don't think I could survive on 5 hours sleep a night. I get grumpy if I don't get 7!!

But like you I'm an early riser and often tiptoe out of the bedroom at 6.30am on the weekend so as not to disturb hubby....he likes to sleep in!!

Kt said...

lol, I'm with Jesse, your son is HOT :P he must have got great genes from his parents :)
hey your exercise is great - you cover quite a bit of time each day! well done!

michelle said...

Your son does look older Sue. I don't sleep much either and get up about 5.30. Makes for a long day but good when you can use the time to exercise. Have a good weekeend.

Margaret said...

Congrats on another good loss Sue. And your family are lovely. I appreciate the comment you made about doing this journey with young families. I have seen a difference in DS1 (3.5yrs) already. He often flexes his muscles, asks if he can exercise on my fitball, and will jump 4 or 5 times on the tramp before he declares that he is tired. LOL. Right now DH has taken both boys to the beach to have a play so I can rest. Mmmm. Better actually go and lie down LOL. Hope you have a great weekend :)

Suzy said...

Great boys you have there!
I so agree with you and that it must be so hard to fit in exercise and lifestyle change while raising a young family. It is much easier with only adults in the house, although it does take courage and determination to change when you are older too! I know!

Sue said...

Steady girls - he's 16!

Kate said...

Hehe, I'm with the others on this - 16 - looks more like 22 - he's a hottie!!!

Kellee said...

Sometimes I wonder why the Almighty created us the way they did - I'm at an age where I need about 9 or 10 hours sleep a night, but I have a small child that doesn't like me to sleep in, whereas you don't need much sleep but you don't have anyone to keep you up! Doesn't seem quite logical, does it? Like M said, thanks for that comment about young families... it is tough, but well worth it, as I'm sure you already know.

You're quite an inspiration. Thank you.

CaramelKitKat said...

They didn't look like that in my day!

Thank-you for the answers to my Qs, always interesting.

Jules said...

Your boys are lovely and that Jake looks familiar - an AB in the making I guess!!

Margaret said...

How about a picture of poor old Moose! Imagine trying to make him run. LOL. You are a classic. And fantastic to boot :)