8 April 2010
Weigh in: 139 kg
Weight loss to date: 15 kg
Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION

I’m back again !!! (minus 2 kilos of me that I’m happy to see gone!)

First of all, thank you all for you great words of encouragement, you really do not know how this helps me to stay focused.
The support has been unbelievable from brothers, sisters, nieces, great nephews, friends, work colleagues, my directors and people I have not met. Donations have even come in from as far away as London (Thanks Jan.) In the back of my mind I can always hear those who have said “you won’t last” or “yet another diet derailed” and all the negative comments. I must say that these were all quashed by the words of encouragement that you have all given me both by donating and leaving comments on my blog post.

It was a week of ups and downs.  As I have previously said, being a General Manager means a lot of entertaining and last week was no exception.
I had a client last week who, to say the least, is very important to the hotels business. He is old school and believes – and practices – that if you’re doing business it must be over copious beers and cigarettes. To actually sit for 4 or so hours and not have a beer or cigarette in a pub and then dinner in a fantastic restaurant is unbelievably hard.

As Anton has pointed out to me, I will have days and occasions where I will be tempted and will fall off the horse, and that if this does happen, I must get back up, brush myself off and get back on. I’m happy to say that this was not one of those times. The encouragement along with Anton’s tips helped me through and after more spring water than is in Franklin River and no cigarettes, I left without breaking my diet or giving into my craving for a cigarette. As a footnote, I took a leaf out of my Boss’s book (he is extremely health conscious) and had plain grilled fish for dinner with no butter or dairy – it was fantastic and I enjoyed every mouthful.

Easter, now let me tell you, what a time to be on a get fit program (Thanks Anton for keeping me on the straight and narrow). I don’t suffer from being a Chocoholic, but let me tell you, that when you have mountains of chocolate all around you it’s very difficult. I am very glad to say I survived and didn’t touch one bar.

As you may know, I come from an extremely large family, I am the youngest of 13 siblings and when there is an occasion for us to be together, we jump at the opportunity. Easter Saturday, my brother from Perth was over and quite a few of us were together for dinner. Whether this is correct or not, I think I have failed in the past as it was all or nothing, and when I did stray off the path, I stepped off the path. I have made a conscious decision that at times I will not be as rigid and Saturday night, I enjoyed the pleasure of some fantastic Western Australian Sauvignon Blanc – this was a special treat and I did enjoy having the splurge. At all times I knew how much I had drank and was mentally working out what I would have to do on Sunday morning as penance.
To my own surprise, I jumped out of bed on Sunday morning and walked for just over 5 Kilometers and I burned over 800 calories.

I am not promoting that you break out, however being realistic is helping me on this journey – a treat now and then is good for the soul.

This was a lesson that Anton had been nurturing in my psyche and let me say that it has worked. For every action there has to be a reaction. I am proud of myself for being able to react positively to a night that I thoroughly enjoyed, relaxing, laughing, sharing stories with my family. At no stage did I fell that I was deprived and that everyone else was having all the fun. I enjoyed the night and reacted positively on Sunday morning.

Please know it’s not easy, you turn on the television and you are inundated with very tasty looking fast food ads, you walk down the street and are surrounded by food just saying “eat me”. I arrive at work and there is excellent food around me and guests enjoying themselves.

I received a package this week from Michelle Hanton, founding director of Dragons Abreast, this included their book “A Dragon’s Tale” detailing great tales of courage, laughter, strength and friendship by women with breast cancer. Thanks Michelle, these are the real heroes. I strongly recommend that you all buy a copy of this book as it is a great read.

I am taking one day at a time and addressing each challenge as it arises.

Well enough, you all want to know if I reached my goal this week??????? Remember it was to smash the 140 mark which has been an elusive target for me.

This week’s official weigh in ——— 139 KGs

As you can guess I was ecstatic.

The hotel directors continue to be a great support and will this week by donating as promised $1300.00 to Dragons Abreast ( $100.00 for each Kilo lost )

Also I must mention Scot from “Switched on Media” who  has matched the hotels donations and has donated $1300.00 with a promise of more to come. Thank you Scot, I know that Michelle and Dragons Abreast are absolute blown away by your support as they are with all the support and donations that they have been receiving.

Thank you again for all your support and please follow my progress on my weekly blogs.

- Steven

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Meet the faces of Dragons Abreast

Dragons Abreast provides a face for the breast cancer statistics. We promote awareness and early detection whilst encouraging those living with breast cancer to lead a full, active and healthy lifestyle through participation in the sport of dragon boat racing.

“I have been explaining to our Dragons Abreast members that Steven has chosen us as beneficiaries. The common reaction is one of awe as they read his story and also of gratitude to learn that we are the beneficiaries of his efforts.
Many of our members have had their own battles with weight loss, regaining fitness etc and can fully relate to what Steven will be going through. This is a tough road to walk but the presence of a backup crew and achieving small goals – one step at a time – makes such a difference when the going gets tough. We are blow away by the way everyone is getting behind Steven!”

- Michelle Hanton, founding Director

Track donations that has been raised for Dragons Abreast or MAKE A DONATION.

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/

Tags: weight loss

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