WELCOME!

WELCOME!!

When I started my first family blog 2 years ago never would I have thought I'd be here creating a second blog. This blog really has stemmed from multiple comments from friends and family that I should put together all my healthy tips and recipes in one place for both themselves and others to gain inspiration from.

For those who are unaware of my background story I shall give you a quick rundown. Now where do I start?

Starting from as far back as my memory stretches I have been a health conscious person. I became a vegetarian around the age of 7 basically once I worked out exactly what animals I was eating! I was always a very physical child and went on to do quite well within Athletics, softball and in my teenage years weighlifting. At the age of 16 I was the QLD state champion and held QLD records for my efforts. At 17 I participated in the Australian Weightlifting Championships where I placed fourth for my weight category in the Under 20 age division. Obviously exercise was always very important to me back then and continued to be well into my mid 20s when I fell pregnant with our first son.

Over the years of being pregnant with my four sons I gained a significant amount of weight. Having four children in 6 years and with the last two of those only 14 mths apart from each other I found myself at my all time greatest weight. After having my 4 boys I also found myself with various pregnancy/birth related medical issues that needed to be addressed. I underwent a Hysterectomy when my last son was 11 weeks old to repair prolapses and damage from the delivery of my first son. Later the following year I needed hernia surgery on 2 sizable hernias within my abdominal wall.

I found myself very overweight, sluggish and suffering from low self esteem. I knew then I needed to return to my healthy ways and become the kind of mother who had the energy to keep up with my children. I wanted to be able to show them the way in life and not just stand back and watch from the sidelines. Approaching my mid 30s and knowing my childbearing years were behind me I knew now was the right time to do it.

That was 2 years ago now. I have since dropped from a dress size 18 to a 12, lost 27 kgs and regained the youthful, energetic life I always loved having prior to becoming a Mum. I continue to show my boys everyday that they are capable of doing anything and everything they put their mind to. This past 6 months I have returned to a healthy BMI, have done things I never imagined I would do like the Story Bridge climb,  rockclimbing at Mt Barney and running distances up to 7 kms. I run a few times a week and continually push myself further as the months go by. My health has never been better.

If you are at a stage of your life where you want to make healthier choices, increase your energy and regain back some of your youth then I invite you to follow along with me whilst I show you simple healthy tips, great tasting and super healthy recipes for everything from breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and beverages. You don't need to take all of this on board, just take from it what you need. Adapt these tips to your own lifestyle and tastes but I guarantee you if you commit to making the lifestyle change you will soon see a healthier you!

Below left: At my heaviest Oct 2010. Below Right: Feeling fantastic Nov 2012.