Dan, downsizing and advice from the Laude

By Virginia Winder
Felt like crying today.
Not for me, but for Dan Carter. Imagine being so close to the Holy Grail of rugby and getting injured.
OK, so I did have a few tears watching the national anthem and the haka. Kept putting myself in Dan's boots.
But a team is not just one man and the All Blacks looked magnificent against Canada - especially Jerome Kaino and Zac Guildford.
Now I'm sitting here with the laptop watching the NRL final. Go the Warriors!
Haven't been sitting around watching TV all day.
Went for a 55-minute walk tonight and my pace has improved greatly. However, my left Achilles tendon is niggling me. Thought about jogging a couple of times, but pleased I didn't! Don't want to snap the jolly thing.
Tried on some jeans today that I haven't been able to wear for two years! They fit just fine.
Put on another pair and they were way too big for me.
They will go into my pass-on pile - I'm not keeping any clothing that is too large for me.
There was another period in my life when I lost some weight. Just hovered around the 100kg mark, but never got lower. That time I kept my bigger clothes - just in case.
This time there will be no going back and I look forward to ceremoniously discarding.
Always to a good cause - anybody who wants them or to the Taranaki Hospice Shop. Hey, and my clothes are pretty cool, so if you're keen, make contact. I'm giving away only (not selling).
Had an offer of some smaller clothes from a friend who has also down-sized herself. So good to have some in-betweens until I get to my goal weight.
Have no idea what size clothes I'll end up wearing. Started off at size 22 or 2xl, so will keep you posted. Got some 24, 26 and 3xl in there too, so if you're keen...
The only clothing I'm allowed to buy now are bras, undies (necessities, that I won't buy second-hand), sports shoes and socks.
Size 20 and 18 hand-me-downs in other clothing will be gratefully accepted!
So were some words of wisdom from Fred Laude, the owner of Petit Paris.
"You know why French woman don't put on weight, don't you?" he asked today, while I was buying bread.
"No," I shook my head.
"It's because we start a meal with a green salad that lines the stomach and gets the enzymes working."
Must investigate that, but will give it a go.
Fred also recommends finishing with cheese and a bite of something sweet.
Will give the cheese a miss (that was one of my greatest downfalls), but a square of chocolate works for me.
Always.

Today, I:
Walked for 55 minutes
Discarded 3 pairs of jeans
Worked for 30 minutes
Hung out with whanau
Slept for 8.5 hours
Ate three great meals, but discovered I don't like polenta
Drank 3 cups of coffee
Drank lots of water
Drank 1 chai latte

From Paris to Paris - the big dream

By Virginia Winder
My day began and ended in Paris.
Well almost.
Met a friend at Petit Paris for morning tea and a motivational chat. Another friend, a Kiwi who has been to Paris this year, joined us.
We talked of dreams, songwriting and the peace of this place by the sea.
The other woman, a Frenchwoman from Paris, works at Sport Taranaki.
She talked about tramping on the mountain after work in summer, staying in a hut overnight and getting up early, walking off and heading to work. She inspired me so much I bought tramping boots on the way home.
Now ready to tackle Te Maunga o Taranaki.
My exercise for today was not on land, but in the pool. Swam 50 lengths of the 25-metre indoor pool and am feeling fitter and faster.
Came home and watched Tonga beat France in the Rugby World Cup - allez la rouge!
Then got Skyping.
The first call was to my sister, Felicity, and her husband, Bevin, who are house-sitting in Sydney, near Manly. Go the Warriors!!! Gosh, I'm getting more patriotic by the day!
The second Skype was to Camille, our French daughter, now living in Paris.
Camille was a French exchange student who lived with us for a few months in 2006. We love her dearly.
We also have a Swiss daughter called Jeanette and an Italian daughter called Lucia. We love them too!
Can't show favouritism!
In fact, we often say these young women would probably be great mates if they met each other.
Now, you're probably wondering what on earth this has to do with my quest.
Actually a huge amount.
You see when my doctor suggested I consider stomach reduction surgery, I instantly thought: "I could spend that money on a trip to Paris."
So, along with the goal of losing half my body weight and completing a half-ironman I want to go to Europe to celebrate the year I turn 50. Warren also hits the half-century in 2013, so we've got a double reason to go.
But it's important to have tangible, achievable goals closer at hand. That means the Big Day Out in January 2012, camping at Oakura Beach after that and the triathlon on January 29. Have got my eye on a series of walk/run events this summer and am also considering a mountain summit in a few months' time.
For now, I'm living this moment, training for my life and dreaming of Paris.

Today, I:
Ate three healthy meals
Drank lots of water
Slept for 8 hours
Worked zero hours
Swam 50 lengths of a 25m pool
Spent time with friends and family

Living on Back Beach time

By Virginia Winder
After three days fighting a virus, my body has won the battle.That means I'm back to good health and feeling vibrant!
To be honest, being sick is downright boring and a waste of time. Begone illnesses - there is no place for you in my exciting life. Good health, you are welcome and I embrace you.
See that - a positive affirmation slipped in there.
It was pretty easy being positive today.
What glorious weather. No clouds, no wind, just golden sunshine as brilliant as daffodils, or a Canteen bandana. They were being sold on the streets today and there's a cool four square man one and a bright green one designed with help from Lisa Tamati. Good for keeping the sun off my neck while biking and walking.
Went for an amazing walk down Back Beach this afternoon. The waves were perfect for surfing and the bottom carpark was full, but there weren't many people wandering towards Tapuae.
Warren, Xena and I walked to Mum and Dad's rock and then over into the next bay. Warren climbed among the rock pools and I strode to the end of the next point.
It was one of those days when you just soak in the beauty of nature and just be - right here, right now - and feel full of serene joy. Cue angel choir singing and all that.
As I'm writing this, Warren is out cooking the first barbecue of the season, The Rapture is on the stereo, there's a glass of cold pinot gris beside me and I've already made the first Greek salad of the summer (well it feels like it!).
This has been a full day of meeting people, talking to friends, gathering stories and just loving life.
Hey, and good news - I've now lost more than 10kg!

Today, I:

Ate two tiny mouthfuls of Petit Paris tarts (blueberry and hazelnut) and inwardly thanked Fred Laude for making such tiny guilt-free treats!
Drank two Ozone coffees today (mmm)
Drank two glasses of pinot gris
Dranks lots of water
Ate two nutritious, low-fat meals (soon will have)
Walked for 40 minutes on black sand
Slept for 4 hours (couldn't get to sleep)
Worked for 6 hours