The (not-so) secret ingredients for change

I have quite the soft spot for cupcakes, Smarties, ice-cream and (more than I should) biltong – anytime of the day or night, and finishing a packet of NikNaks – no problem there either. Like most I knew my lifestyle was not the healthiest and over the years I have tried changing it, each time failing dismally. Until now. 

I am officially halfway into week three of my USN12-Week Challenge. Now I realise that I am still in the ‘easy’ phase, but trust me it hasn’t been challenge free. 

On day seven we were invited to a friend’s birthday – at an Italian restaurant. Not only did I have to say no to delicious looking pizzas and pastas, but I had to avoid the cupcake table too. I had visions of running past the table and diving face first into the cupcakes, and, at one stage, I thought, “one cupcake, surely it can’t make that much of a difference?”. Truth is, it can. One cupcake could’ve set me back those seven days, and that is when I made a conscious decision that I will stick out the 12 weeks – no cheating.

So why did I fail in the past with changing my lifestyle? Simple. I didn’t have goals, the knowledge, a plan of action or a reward system. I believe that these are four vital ingredients to any behavioural change. 

The goals. My goals are not in kilograms or fat percentage, but rather in perception. My goal is to look in the mirror and like what I see. To know that I look the best that I can. 

Also, I have never owned a pair of shorts (and my dresses and skirts are all knee-length). For once in my life I would love to own a pair of cute shorts, which I wear to flaunt it, rather than (boardshorts) to hide it. 

Gain the knowledge. Now here I am quite privileged. Because I work in wellness, I am exposed to things like what is a healthy lifestyle, the healthier choice and what healthy weight loss is. But remember, Google is your friend. If you don’t know then read up about it or ask. (PS: One of my favourite websites is ShapeMag.)

Go and see the dietician or fitness consultant. Spend the money to see a professional and know you are doing it right rather than attempting it on your own. Not finding out the necessary know-how can lead to you not seeing results and giving up. If you are interested in the USN 12-Week Challenge, contact USN for any tips or advice – they are great at getting back to you. 

Have a plan of action. Changing something is like finding your way to a place for the first time, you need directions. I took about two months reading up about low GI food, the USN products and getting together some recipes. Based on my research, I then selected my USN products and drew up a meal plan. I also made sure I knew how to do the exercises properly – to optimise results and ensure that I don’t hurt myself.

The reward system. If you work hard, you deserve a little reward. Once a week I treat myself to some guilt-free dessert. While you can have the USN Protein Dessert every day, I prefer to use it as my reward. I also plan to extend my tattoo once I have reached week six, and to get a decent pair of jeans after the 12 weeks.

To add some sprinkles to the ingredients

A lifestyle change requires commitment – remind yourself why you are making the change, what the benefits are and visualise yourself having reached your goals. 

Dedication – say no to that cupcake. Get up on a Saturday morning and go to gym, run that extra two minutes. 

Motivation – when those last four lunges seem impossible the drill sergeant in my head reminds me that today’s weakness is tomorrow’s strength. And in any case impossible actually is (I'm)possible. 

Cut it out – your taste buds will adjust. Cutting out the sugar out of my coffee was hard. When I started the USN 12-Week Challenge I was still putting in half a teaspoon of sugar. A friend then gave me the advice; cut it out – your taste buds will adjust – and it has.

Support – it helps – a lot! When we were at the Italian restaurant, bf didn’t mention once how nice the pizza was, only when we got home did he say that was the best pizza he has ever had. I appreciate that. It’s the small gestures of support and words of encouragement from bf, my (wine loving) friends and my mom. 

When it comes to a healthy lifestyle, I often hear people say, but I don’t have the time. I don’t think it’s time you need, it is support (think about it), but that is another blog for another time.

Review: Linkin Park, Living Things Album

Hidden in my perfectly alphabetised CD collection, under the letter “B”, are all the Backstreet Boys albums. Yip, back in the day I was quite the pop princess, not something I like to admit, but we all have our dark secrets. 

My taste in music changed one day in 2001. I was lazing in front of the telly, like most matriculants do, watching MTV, when on came a band called Linkin Park. I loved the combination of the screaming vocals and rap, not to mention the sound of the electric guitar.

What started out with Linkin Park progressed to Korn, Rob Zombie, Slipknot, Disturbed, Apocalyptica and Amon Amarth – to name a few bands known by the average person.

While I was introduced to a world of wonderful bands, Linkin Park held a special place for me and I remained a great fan. Hybrid Theory and Meteora benchmarked Linkin Park as a nu-metal band, taking music to a new level with their brilliant and unique sound. 

Then came Minutes To Midnight. While the album wasn’t a complete disaster, it wasn’t the band’s best attempt either. But, I reasoned, no band can bring out masterpieces all the time. Korn’s Korn III: Remember Who You Are and Marilyn Manson’s High End Of The Low are good examples. 

However, the release of A Thousand Suns was like an asteroid the size of Texas hitting Earth. Enough said. 

Living Things review
When I first heard Linkin Park was bring out a new album I cringed ever so slightly.

One of my favourite online music webzine, Music Review, reviewed the album and gave it 85/100, stating that “LIVING THINGS is the band at its finest in years…”. The reviewer included that the group has (constantly) reaffirmed that they’ve moved away from the nu-metal sound. So I wasn’t expecting the Linkin Park that was.

The first three songs were listenable and it gave me the hope that I would be clicking on the ‘Like’ button on Linkin Park’s Facebook page. The tracks that followed made me realise that never again will I click that ‘Like’ button. 

A complete overkill on the electronic sounds, which drowns out Chester Bennington’s vocals on some parts, made me want to bounce the ball in mockery. Other songs made me want to take out the album and recheck that it really is Linkin Park and not some boy band from my previous life. Perhaps Linkin Park should contact Wade Robson to choreograph some synchronised moves for them during their next tour.

Both Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda have insanely brilliant voices. Mr Hahn clearly still got the moves and Rob, Brad and Phoenix are still masters in their respective instruments. The lyrics to the songs are still deep and meaningful, but the sound is awful.

I remember the last time I bought a Backstreet Boys album. I listened to the first two songs then shoved it in my CD collection and forgot about it. The same will happen to Linkin Park, the exception being that I listened to Living Things twice (all the way through).

Living Things is a sad reminder of a band that was and will never be again – and I can’t get over it.

Listenable tracks: Lost In Echo, In My Remains, Burn It Down – skip to track 7 – Victimized – eject CD.

For the love of a good book

When I was a child I use to walk up the road to my mom’s workplace after school. I’d pop in say hello, and then run across the road to the library. There I would stay until the librarian would remind me it is 16:30 – home time. I grew up in a library. I grew up surrounded by books. 

Today I cannot walk into a bookshop without walking out with a book, or two, and I never give a book away or sell it. As a teenager I read SweetValley, give me a break ok, I’m a girl. I actually started collecting the books and had well over 250 books (ranging from Sweet Valley Kids to University). In Varsity I gave it away. Yup, GAVE IT AWAY. I regret it more than accidently spilling acetone on my iPhone 4. I swore never again. Hence, I keep every book I buy. 

I realise that in another 10 years I might need a room to store my books in, which suits me fine. In fact my aim is to one day have a reading room with a large comfy chair, fireplace and bookshelves of all shapes and sizes. Here is a walk through my perfect reading room;

Minus the ornaments and wasted cupboard space. Visualise rows and rows of books.

I simply love this bookshelf! In fact I have convinced bf that one day when we have children, yes my Trend Stalking friend plural, this will be the centrepiece of the child’s room. Except it’ll be the child’s name.

I love open and airy spaces so another window would be fabulous! With the chair of course, comfort is important if you are planning on spending hours reading.

 I spotted this canoe-bookshelf at a shop in Clarens. I think it’ll fit in well with my collection of bookshelves.  

Now what would a reading room be without a fireplace? The stepladder isn’t a bad idea either.

Here are some other bookshelf ideas which I simply love, and will have to make space for;

 

Now you must think I am crazy considering that we live in a digital world and I can have every single book I desire on one device. I have the Kindle app for my iPad, and every other book app you can think of, but it is simply not the same. I love turning a page and the smell of books. As long as I am around, print will never go out of fashion, all for the love of a good book.

Best I go and pick bf off the floor. Once he sees this, he will faint – guaranteed. 

For fabulous, practical, easy to implement, home ideas visit www.thefurnishingtouch.co.za.

Lessons learned from a man named Robert

A friend once told me that people come into your life for reasons, seasons or a lifetime. It amazes me that some lessons can come from the most untraditional source, someone who is briefly in your life. For me, it is a man named Robert. 

Never judge a book by its cover. It is an old lesson I try and live my life by, especially after meeting Robert. His life story, passion, humour and confidence in who he, quickly taught me that there is so much more to a person than the exterior.

It’s not what you are, it’s about who you are. This lesson combines with the one above. Who you are is what is inside of you – your gender, race, hair colour and eye colour doesn’t matter. What matters is who you are. 

Fairy tales happen. Robert and his wife’s love, and like of each other, blossomed from friendship, through one of the biggest transformations a man could go through. Real life fairy tales are when your partner knows your past, goes through your present with you and is willing to be there in your future. 

There is a difference between love and like. This was probably one of the hardest lessons I have ever had to learn. I remember Robert asking me once if I like my boyfriend, my immediate reaction was “I love him”. It was only when I found myself in a situation where I truly loved someone, but no longer liked them, that Robert’s words came flooding back to me – “you can love someone with your whole heart, but do you like the person?”

Know who you are. This lesson inspired the blog entry you are reading now. A few years ago Robert signed my copy of “Trans”, his life story appears in the book. At the time I looked at the message and though, “how odd, what is that suppose to mean?” A few days ago I picked up the book and read the message again, I now get it;

And to answer Robert’s question from back then, no, “Foxy” was never a part of my identity.

It is a message from a man named Robert that made me realise I know who I am – the good and the bad – I know.

Zuma Spear: Getting all their dicks in a row

This is one of those occasion where 140 characters are simply not enough, and beforehand, I apologise for the language, I will wash my hands with soap as soon as I hit publish.

The Zuma Spear. Fuck. My initial reaction is “what a bunch of idiots!”. But, wait, are they? [They being the ANC and COSATU]. 

Driving to work this morning I drove past four beggars. Their shoes are falling apart, their clothing are merely means of covering up. One of these beggars should be in school, preparing for July exams. But wait. Even the children in school cannot prepare for their July exams because they don’t have books. These children are not only deprived from theoretical learning but also from the wonderful world of Dr Seuss and Beatrix Potter, but those are luxuries –much like food. 

Tonight, members of the ANC and COSATU, when you enjoy your steak, vegetables and rice (drenched in gravy), and raise your glasses to celebrate your well-earned victory over the City Press and pat yourself on the back for being so clever, spare a thought for the man sleeping on the stairs at a shopping centre. The man you swore to house. 

Think of the child who will never know the joys of going to bed with a full tummy, let alone Dr Seuss. The child you swore would never be hungry again. 

The child who desperately wants to improve his life but isn’t getting the tools he needs to do so. The child you swore would receive an education. 

Think of them. 

The people are wearing your party’s t-shirts, President Zuma. They have placed their faith in your abilities to improve their lives and give them hope for a better tomorrow. Instead, you allow a canvas to cover up the real issues.

Yes, today the ANC and COSATU march because of some dick, while they smear close the real issues.

Tulip, fetch!

This is something that I simply had to share – Tulip playing fetch. Admittedly it would not have been worth a share if Tulip was our dog, but she is not, she’s our cat. Yup, our cat plays fetch.

One would think that this is not normal cat behaviour, but I have come to the conclusion that it is perfectly normal for Tulip to play fetch, because of two reasons;

1. This is a special game she plays with bf, she never brings the ball back when I throw it. In essence she has CHOSEN who she’d like to play this special game with.

2. Tulip just had to prove that anything a dog can do – a cat can do better, and look cuter.

Gearing up for THE challenge

I seem to enjoy taking on challenges lately. Early last year I decided to change careers, so I enrolled into Unisa and started my BA in Psychological Counselling. In June I started a new job, in an industry I didn’t even know exists, and in December we moved out of our flat and into a house. Ok, so the last one isn’t quite a challenge, but it was a big change.

As I type this I am mentally preparing myself for my next challenge – the USN 12-Week Challenge.

Bailey Schneider took up the challenge roughly seven weeks ago and I’ve been following her progress. Last week I saw some “slightly older” pictures (before USN) of Bailey, and then some new ones. My jaw dropped and suddenly I had this thought, “hey, maybe I could…”, and so I started stewing over the thought.

Oddly enough Bailey’s slimmer figure is not what inspired me to take up the challenge, it is her attitude towards it that made the difference. Not once did Bailey say she wants to lose 20kg, or look like Heidi Klum (after all the airbrushing) – Bailey’s goal is to be the best version of herself.

For me, therein lies the secret to ensure my success – to be the best version of myself.

 

So instead of obsessing to look as good as what “she” does (referring to women we so blindly idolise) or try and fit into society’s version of perfection, I will embark on the USN 12-Week Challenge to look MY best. For me.

However, before I start this challenge, I first need to complete another – round one of exams, which conveniently ends AFTER the JoburgWine Show.