Goals for 2015

Since we are now heading into 2015, I thought it might be a good idea to write down my top 10 goals and things that I want to accomplish this year (fitness and non-fitness related)

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1. Gain strength in all exercises and continue to increase weight lifted each week.

2. Squat 100kg.

3. Overhead Press 35kg.

4. Continue to focus on building up my core strength.

5. Go to bed earlier and work on getting more sleep (7-8 hours a night).

6. Educate myself more on nutrition and increase the micronutrients in my diet.

7. Spend less time on social media, specifically Facebook (which I have been doing for the past few months already).

8. Save $10,000 for our USA trip next year.

9. Plan our first around Australia road trip.

10. Read 2 self-improvement books.



As you may have noticed, I have not put anything like ‘lose 5kg’ or ‘get to 16% body fat’ as a goal that I want to achieve. The reason for this is because, while that is great, I need to focus on goals that aren’t purely vanity-focused. Now I am not saying that you shouldn’t have a vanity-focused goal, but I have tried and failed with this many times before. Only working towards a certain number just does not work for ME. It is not enough to hold me accountable and keep me on track.

Focusing on my health and strength has allowed me to have a goal that I can really work towards each day for an extended period of time. Before when I would reach a weight loss goal I would celebrate that I had reached it and then I would fall back into bad eating and not exercising. Having strength gains and health as a goal makes it easier for me to stick to as a lifestyle. The weight loss aspect is just a bonus!

New Zealand Trip Oct/Nov 2014

We just got home from spending two weeks visiting family in New Zealand. I didn't take many photos at all, instead I took the Go Pro with me everywhere and filmed instead. I swear that thing was the best investment. I enjoyed some delicious food while still making time to work out. We went on a ton of bush walks and tried to stay as active as possible. We went to the stock cars, spent time with family and enjoyed lots of fireworks.

Our holiday in pictures with a 10 minute video at the end :-)

Blue Mountains

I dreaded the 4 hour car ride from our home to the Blue Mountains with a 3 year old in tow. Thankfully he did amazing in the car (this is coming from a child who used to scream blue murder every car ride from birth-2 years). To say I was proud was an understatement.

Once we arrived at the blue mountains, we checked in to the campsite, set up the camper and then hopped in the car and headed for Govetts Leap Lookout.

When Lachlan first saw the lookout he said "Wow, its beautiful Mum! Can we go to the park now?".

Lachlan noticed a walking trail (one of many to come over the next few days) and declared that we walk it. So we walked down and down and down a little bit more until we reached another lookout. Unfortunately we had to walk all the way back up the steps. Good thing I am all for a good workout!

The next day we headed to the Three Sisters Lookout and Scenic World. Here are some pictures from the Three Sisters Lookout. Yes my son was mid tantrum (got to love those terrible threes!).

Scenic World was great and we went on everything. Thankfully we got there early because it was jam packed when we went to leave at 11am.

We went on the worlds steepest railway - that thing was no joke!

We also went on a beautiful waterfall walk.

The next day we set off to Jenolan Caves. The drive in was harrowing to say the least. Most of it was only one lane so meeting cars along the way was difficult.

We decided to visit the Orient cave and it did not disappoint. I was surprised at just how many children were on the tour. Thankfully Lachlan loved it too and was so well behaved, especially given the length of the tour (2 hours) and the slow moving pace.

We had every intention to eat smores at night but by 6pm it was just way too cold to think about sitting outside. So we just ate the marshmallows and chocolate inside the camper by the warmth of the heater (and by we I mean me).

By the last day I was ready to kill the barking owls that started up at 5.15 every morning. I thought it was a dog barking, turns out I was wrong.

Here are a few pictures from a small lookout we found in Blackheath.

Here is a little video I put together of our little holiday.

New Zealand Trip 2014

We set off to New Zealand on the 21st of January for my Nana's 80th Birthday. We were somewhat cautious going on a plane as it was Lachlan's first time, but this was a birthday I was not willing to miss. To cut a long story short, our plane had brake problems and was not able to land in Wellington, so we were flown to Auckland instead. Our 3 hour trip turned into 7 hours, add to the mix a overtired toddler and the fact that we almost missed our rental car, and it made for one stressed out mummy. Thankfully we made it to my hometown in one piece after a 90 minute drive and pulled up to my Nana's house just as the sun was setting to surprise her.

We spent many days catching up with friends and family. Lachlan got to meet his great grandad for the first time.

I got to help with my Nana's Birthday Party.


















I got to see my Aunty Helen from the USA who I haven't seen in years.

I got to catch up with my friend of almost 17 years, Jennifer.

We got to try and launch the contiki at the beach one night with my uncle Brendon.

and best of all, we got to celebrate Nana's 80th Birthday together as a family.

Complete with the family tradition the 'Birdy Dance'.

Kayla, my cousin who Lachlan adored.

With a pinata made by my talented cousin, Natasha.

and laughs all around reminiscing about old times.

Melts my heart...

 We went on a bushwalk

to the local playground

and watched the sun set at the beach while eating fish and chips..

Then after a quick 9 day visit, it was time to leave. Lachlan wanted to bring Nanny and Poppy home with us, and was upset to find out that he couldn't. The flight home went a lot smoother than the flight over, and the hot wheels cars and planes from Nanny kept Lachlan amused while at the airport. After a very long, tantrum filled 4 hour drive, we arrived home safe and sound.