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Tuesday, 21 July 2009

Kiwi KISS goes silver – New Zealand gets the bronze.

It is a silver anniversary here at Kiwi KISS - 25 years since I began my first small class on July 14, 1984.
The celebration comes in a week when the OEDC has announced that New Zealand is the third fattest nation in the developed world. Third after the USA and Mexico.

I am not surprised. Recently I carried out a comparative analysis of the joining weights of members who joined me classes in 1984 compared to present day.
The results shocked me. In 1984 the average joining weight was in the range of 68 - 69 kilos. Today the average has risen to 92.7 kilos. And no – before you ask – the 1984 sample was not a group of very short people.

How has this situation come about?
I agree with one health expert, interviewed on the radio this morning, who stated the entire blame cannot be placed at the door of the fast food industry nor on a lack of exercise. I partly agree with his opinion that the answer lies in the laboratory, not in seeking a ‘cure’ as he may have been suggesting, but in identifying what is actually going into our food. However, have we become so PC in our fear of upsetting someone that we can’t state the most obvious factor? – We eat too much. In public commentary I rarely hear this statement made.
It can be argued that there are other contributing factors such as stress, emotional issues,
genetic pre-disposition, lack of time, finance – but weight gain in most cases still comes down to food past the lips – that WE fed in.

Food boundaries continue to be obscured. In 1984 it would have been considered greedy to sit and eat a whole packet of chips on one’s own. It wasn’t considered ‘good manners’ to eat in the street and we certainly didn’t eat and drink as we drove our cars.
We ate our meals, at a table, washed up and moved on.

A deferred responsibility mentality is also a major contributor to our problem – “I want it now and will worry about the consequences later”. It is these consequences that have placed us third in the world.

In 25 years I think I have only ever placed about 3 advertisements for my classes - I have never needed to. All my members have arrived at my door on the unrequested referral to a friend. On launching Weighinonline.com last year it was suggested I place a small ad on Facebook. After one week my ad was pulled with a covering letter saying I had made an unsubstantiated statement. That statement was that I said “I cared” and according to Facebook I could not prove this to be true.
I do care. I care that you can achieve a weight that is comfortable for you. I care that the general population is getting bigger. I care that women and men try ‘fad’ diets which ultimately fail causing a loss of hope and I care because I believe that weight loss can be achieved through eating healthy food.

There is a quote of which I am particularly fond of. It is from Middlemarch by George Eliot and it goes like this.
“If we had a keen vision and feeling of all ordinary human life, it would be like hearing the grass grown and the squirrel’s heart beat, and we should die of that roar which lies on the other side of silence.”
It is time that we found our voice and ROARED on the other side of silence.
Hand back the ‘bronze’ placing – this is not a race we want to win gold in.

Tuesday, 07 July 2009

I’ve surfaced!

And I know – you were all thinking I had packed up my tent and left town OR that I was out and about having fun.

Absolutely not!

No – it has been head down and dare I say it, ‘bum’ up as I pounded the keyboard writing my new book. In fact I have pounded so hard I have actually worn the letters off some of the keys. Just as well I am a touch typist!

I am grateful to my family and friends who were still there and waiting for my emergence because I can tell you that there were some glazed over eyes and suppressed groans when the word went out I was about to write my 10^th book.

Writing is a challenging experience. Wonderfully formed sentences float into your head…usually at around 2am…which one tries to scratch down on a piece of paper, in the dark, before it flutters away. You can imagine what Jac thinks about that flurry of activity!

But here we are finished and I am back.
I will keep you all posted about the launch date in November.

Very exciting.

Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Endangered species

Do you remember the old slap-stick comedy routines where a man would slip on a banana skin. LOLL! Oh…that’s Laugh Out Loud Lots for those that haven’t worked it out yet…. It was hilarious, or so we thought at the time and it acted like a public warning that great embarrassment and injury lay around every corner for the unwary pedestrian.
Worked for me. For years I was on red alert to avoid a similar fate.

I am writing this to let you know that you don’t need to worry anymore. Banana skins have become an endangered species and I say this with some authority because for the last 6 weeks I have made it my mission to seek, find and record how many banana skins are left in the wild.

My method of research: To record on a daily basis, over a 2 week period, all items discarded on the roads over a 3 kilometer radius.

Clipboard in hand, pen at the ready my mission began.   I have to say that in the absence of having a dog to walk this mission has given purpose to my daily routine.
It is amazing what a difference a sense of authority confers on a person as people passing buy almost nod in respect.   You can see them thinking…she must be doing something ‘official’.

Findings:
Plastic bottles = 27
Pizza boxes = 7
Fries packets = 29
Bottle caps = 32 (suggesting some people throw caps out of the window and discard the bottle elsewhere…. watch for this coming to your neighborhood soon.
Drink cans = 15
Milkshake tops/straws = 11
Chocolate wrappers = 9
Supermarket trolleys = 3
Bikini top = 1
Shoes = 1 (shame…it was quite nice)
Beer bottles = 8
Hedgehog (squashed) = 1
Apple cores = 0
Banana skins = 0

Conclusion:
FOOD, is no longer the preferential snack. Not only did I not find a banana skin but I also didn’t see one apple core, peach stone or anything else resembling fresh food.

I would like to think that perhaps those that eat such ‘endangered species’ are also those more in tune with the environment and, going against all current trends. actually put the skins and cores in the rubbish bins provided. I am going to leave myself with that delusional thought rather than be seen at 6.30am, going through my local bins.

I mean, there are limits to this research.

Now, I know what you are probably thinking and don’t tell me to get a life and to get out more, because this is exactly how this all started – I got out more and didn’t like what I saw.   Now the dilemma – it seems socially irresponsible to walk past the ‘subjects’ every day. Should I pick it UP!??

Monday, 19 January 2009

A new life – maybe this year!

“I’m going to run away’, I said to Jac.
“Yip, I am going to run away, change my name and start a new life”
“What’s brought this on so suddenly?” asked Jac.
“I want to be WILD, free as a bird, live on the road – and not have to return to the city.In other words I want to holiday-on.”
“You are already somewhat wild, free as a bird and live on the road” said Jac.

“Yes I am wild, wild at having to go back, yes I am a bird and yes I do live on the road but traveling most of the day in congested traffic jams is not quite what I had in mind.
I am definitely for the off!”

“What are you going to miss out on by going home?”Jac asked.

“Got you!” I thought.“The sound of waves breaking on the beach, seagulls paddling in the surf, clear beautiful evenings – I want to capture these moments forever AND I can’t do that at home.”

“No problem,” said Jac, –“it can be arranged.”
So, courtesy of Jac, let me share with you my captured moments.
Oh…and I haven’t given up my thoughts of running away, in fact when I mentioned it to a few people they were keen to join me.I will let you know when I am for the ‘off.’

In the meantime join me at the beach.
Thanks Jac.

Monday, 22 December 2008

Christmas Message!

I realise now that writing a blog is very much like losing weight.
We start off with a hiss and a roar, nothing going to stop us – then out of the blue we get distracted, wander off and miss a day or two – then a week – then months.
And like losing weight, one just doesn’t leap in and get started mid-week, or before Christmas and don’t forget New Year’s Eve – I mean, it would disrupt our flow.
After New Year would be good, when the holidays are over and definitely on a Monday – 19^th January sounds promising.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may 2009 see us all achieve and realize our goals.

Monday, 21 July 2008

A Before and After Story – with a bit of a bite!

We all love a good ‘before and after story’ and I guess that’s because it leads us to the anticipated happy ending.

And it is here, with the word “ending” that I have an issue - for many things in life, the ending, is in fact, the beginning of the next story.

I want to share a before and after story with you – and this one has a bit of a bite.

Seven years ago I was advised I had a problem that, if not attended to, would lead to complications in the future.
The solution was drastic – unthinkable – how would I manage to eat, face people – three years of treatment!!!? WHAT WOULD PEOPLE THINK!?

I procrastinated for two years – in fact wasted two years of treatment time. My decision to proceed shocked even me – and after the initial treatment I sat in my car, looked in to the mirror and screamed – “What Have You Done!?”

For nearly THREE years, (did you get the 3 years!!?) I endured discomfort, difficulty eating – my speech was impaired and I suffered ulceration. The old saying that 'time passes' (when you are having fun) is so true when the time has passed – but let me tell you it was one hell of a long time - at the time!!!

Everyone had an opinion.
“What does Jac think about it all then?”
“Why are you doing it? – you were alright how you were.”
“Does it really matter at your age?”
“Do you think it will make you look younger? Now that did amuse me. At my age, 3 years of looking like an apprentice of Dracula, with the hope of looking younger.
NO. NO. NO!

Last week I went for my 2 year check-up.
My specialist made an important point – “Everyone can’t wait to reach the end of their treatment – but it is the 20 year outcome that is important to me – the maintenance of the treatment long-term”. A small movement was detected and an adjustment was required – I am back in a splint for another 2 months.

We work hard to achieve our success story – we need to feel equally committed to the long-term outcome. As it is with weight loss –
we want to lose the weight but we often equally don’t really want to have to do it. We choose the outcome we get. Thoughts of – it will take too long – can’t wait. Time passes – regardless.

Maintenance of what we have achieved continues – deal with small changes rather than starting again. I work on a 1 kilo margin – and have never been above it.

Is it worth the effort? – Absolutely – without doubt!

Oh yes – my ‘critic’ had some input too.
“What a shame, dear, that you left it so late in your life.”
Maybe – but I intend to get good mileage out of these choppers - just look out for me in the rest home – I will be the one smiling.

Monday, 14 July 2008

Life Journeys
Weigh In Takes the Cake - Celebrating 24 years

Weigh In Slimming Club is 24 years old today and to celebrate, at our classes, we are going to enjoy the most delicious cake.

You may well ask, since we are a weight loss group, ‘What is the difference between this cake and a regular cake?’

And the answer is – NO difference!

We just don’t eat the whole damn cake.

Happy Birthday Weigh In and thank you for 24 years of friendship, fun, and the incredible opportunity to meet so many amazing Kiwi KISSers.
Now where is that cake!?

Monday, 23 June 2008

Buckets of Cold Water and an Umbrella

Setting a personal goal begins with a single thought that flutters through our mind like a summer breeze.
As we return to this thought it begins to evolve into an idea which we visit regularly.
It is at this point that our idea will either be allowed to flourish into a goal, or is squashed and ground beneath our heel.

Five years ago I had a thought which became an idea.So excited was I that I raced to friends and family for them to share my enthusiasm.Few people can immediately share your vision – because it is yours alone and sometimes words cannot fully express it – yet.

So here come the buckets of cold water.
The technology isn’t available.
The cost would be prohibitive
How would it work?
Who has the IT knowledge to create this?
….and on it goes.

As the words tumble down on us we feel our enthusiasm wane, dilute and begin to drain.
Doubt replaces the vacated space.
Maybe they are right.
How silly of me to even think about it.
I knew it was outside my expertise
Perish the thought that I might succeed!!
Forget it.

It is easier to walk away because to not do so opens us to ridicule and “I told you so” from the spectators.

How often is a brilliant idea lost before it has the opportunity to become a goal?

How often, in the future, do we see the maturation of ‘our idea’ being developed and feted by someone else?
“Oh,” we say, “ I thought of that…”
My thought, all those years ago, was of an ‘accountability partnership’ online.
My idea was a website where I could personally provide one-on-one guidance, an interactive diet, a food planner that as you fill it in it displays on my screen and all the tools for successful weight loss without physically attending a class.
My goal of the WeighInOnline website has been realized and was launched last Tuesday in partnership with an amazingly talented technical and creative team.
Yes there were challenges - buckets and buckets of cold water.

But I brought an umbrella.

Nurture, embrace and follow your thoughts-ideas-goals - their realization is in your hands.

Monday, 09 June 2008

Silver-Haired Service - “Wasn’t that nice” I said to Jac.

You realise how fast time is flying by when you have just had the closing ceremony for a ‘significant’ birthday and WHAM! – the next one arrives.

I was dwelling on this when I discovered a whole new and positive dimension to getting oldER.

Last weekend we were on a flight to Sydney. The cabin attendant wandered through the plane, he passed us, but then he stopped and returned. He smiled and leaned towards me.
‘Would YOU like a blanket?” he said in a very kindly manner. Do you know how hard it is to get a BLANKET on a short flight!?

“Isn’t that nice”, I said to Jac.

A 7am departure with a 5am check in gives new meaning to red eyes - when you are a year oldER. Now it is red eyes with a face severely challenged by gravity!

Emerging from the Terminal ar Sydney, an elderly man rushed up to me and said “Give me your bag”.
PANIC! OMG! It's a Bag Snatch!!! – Jac stop him! Quick!
“Relax” said Jac – “did you not consider that he is trying to help you”.

“Isn’t that nice”, I said to Jac.

Jet-lagged (after a 3 hours flight!!!) we wandered around the city and stopped wearily outside a busy café during the lunchtime rush. Indecision. Was this a good place to eat? What was on the menu? Were there any tables?

A waiter, watching our dilemma came to the rescue. He ushered us in to the café, showed us how to order from the counter, found us a table, made suggestions on the SANDWICH we were ordering off the blackboard and even moved a couple of business men in suits who tried to sit at our table. “Oh no,” he shouted waving his arms, “that table is for THIS couple!”

“Isn’t that nice”, I said to Jac.

But where was our hotel? No map, no idea!
It was now 5pm. We stopped a courier as he raced down the street, head hidden behind parcels. “Excuse me. Are we heading in the right direction for Jamieson St?” Jac asked. “Wait there” the courier called, “I will be back soon”. Not only did he return, but he took us to his van, located a map, found the hotel and gave us detailed directions on how to get there.

“Isn’t that nice”, I said to Jac.

“People have been really lovely to us today and I suddenly know why. It is because when they look at us they see an ‘old couple’. We now qualify for the ‘Silver-Haired Service!’.

So I approach my birthday with a whole new attitude.

I don’t feel any oldER so I will take the painkillers for the aching joints, I won’t look in the mirror with my glasses on and I will gratefully accept all the new benefits of Silver-Haired Service’. It is a win – win situation!