Welcome!

My name is Mel and I am married & a mother of two beautiful son's. You may or may not find my story interesting but if you do I invite you to join me on this hopefully fantastic and successful journey.
I hated sports in primary school and even more in high school. You see I was unpopular in school. This is not a great situation to be in during a sports day. If you are a girl you are made to wear a nice sports skirt with bloomers and sports shoes. My father dressed me in horrible boyish shorts and daggy shoes/socks. Yes, clothing is very important in school popularity ranking. VERY! It also helps to have nice hair, skin and teeth or generally for everything on your person to be in perfect condition so as to not attract any negative attention from the popular crew. Unfortunately that was not me. So I used to try and get out of sports with any excuse under the sun. My step mum was very understanding about my 'situation' and used to kindly write me a note to excuse me from sports whenever she could. "Dear Teacher, Melissa is unable to participate in sports today as she needs new reading glasses" or "Dear Teacher, Melissa is unable to participate in sports due to a sore throat" very funny stuff now I think about it and my gosh am I ever so grateful for my step mum being on my side.  And so began my unhealthy dislike and terror for participating in any form of group sports activity.

Just a small amount of time has passed & it is now approximately 26 years later...... 

I had my last baby boy on the 15th of May 2010 and recently felt it is time to get back on the wagon so to speak. I put on about 9kgs of weight during each of my pregnancies in 2008 and again in 2010. And I lost that baby weight pretty much as soon as my babies were born, yes I know I was very lucky. But my problem was, I was overweight to begin with.

Actually I could not even tell you the last time I was at a healthy weight. Probably when I was 19 or 20? the same year I met the love of my life. Yeah I know, you hear of it all the time. Couples getting together, becoming complacent and getting 'chubby' together. That was us in a nutshell. We did no exercise, we partied hard and ate whatever we wanted when we wanted it. This behaviour caught up on us very quickly, too fast in fact and we didn't know how to or care enough to fix it before we spiralled into the black hole of being overweight. So here I am.

I have never ever in my entire life felt this strongly or passionately about fitness as I do right now. The switch was flicked into the "ON" position by whatever or whomever, I'm not really sure. So I decided to join weight watchers. It worked last timed I joined, back when we were to be married in 2001. So on the 23rd of August 2011 I joined Weight Watchers again. And it was the best thing I have done. I have never been a dieter. I can't say I have ever tried any fad diet at all, EVER. Maybe I should have? Whatever the case was I am now in an amazing headspace and it bewilders, pleases and brings me so much happiness. I have been inspired by a couple of people. One of course is my husband who along with me got a tad podgy over the years. But this year he has been in training and has lost an amazing amount of weight through plenty of hard work, dedication and with plenty of discipline. Well done honey! The boys & I are grateful to have you around for many more years to come.
Another person is a lovely lady I met online who lives near New York. We met whilst doing a photography course which is a passion we both share. She is an inspiration in so many ways and I admire her so much.  Thank you M B!

I really want to get fit & I have seen some results from my efforts so I am now driven to keep going and make my life a healthier, happier one in regards to my fitness and weight maintenance.

I began my weight loss journey as of my first WW weigh in at 91.7kg and I am pretty sure that number would have kept climbing had I not taken some immediate action. I was floppy, podgy around the thighs, butt and tummy. Oh and those hideous arm flabby wings that jiggle when you wave your guests goodbye at the end of a dinner party where you have eaten far, far too much food.

My goal weight is yet to be decided (by me) but essentially the 5% goal is 87.2 kg, my 10% goal is 82.6 kg and I think the WW leader and I chatted about the ultimate goal being 74kg which when I look at that written down it blows my mind. Hmmm one step at a time.