Chinese Gardens Sydney

So today decided to head into the city to the Chinese Gardens in Sydney I had been there only once before when I was very young, only around 7 or 8 - I even got lost today and had to ask for directions! But I had such a great time!

The day started like this

Waiting at the station for the train- was so busy for a Sunday morning!

Train approaching the platform

Then it was time for almost hour long (and yes people I took the fast train!) train ride into the city - changing at Central for Town Hall Service

Waiting on the train

Town Hall Station- couldn't believe how quiet it was!

Then it was time to make my way to the Garden.  Now for me - navigation is usually not an issue, but man the city is a confusing place, and to be honest the people who tried to help me with direction wasn't exactly the most helpful.....I think I may have looped a block at some point!  But I got there eventually!

I love these statues- so gorgeous!

And the other one!

As I moved throughout the garden I really felt a sense of calm, being at ease and feeling whole, and happy with myself. 

Through my walk through the gardens there were so many beautiful icons, buildings and natural beauties.  The ones that really caught my attentions first off were the buildings

The next thing I noticed were the natural cascading waterfalls and rock features, just so beautiful and serene

There was also some beautiful features also which are just again so gorgeous-

 
 

As you can see I have taken loads of photos I had such a fantastic day and feel so calm, in control and at ease.  I even bought a 2 charms representing my birth year

 

 

Weigh In 8/10/11

So this past week had been really good for me, I was has been really focus and has counted all my PP (even if I went over!!), but that is what weekly PP is for!  

I had done a big hike through Knapsack last Monday (thank god for long weekends!!- had no time before then!), which definately aided my in pulling the big 2.1kg loss come weigh in on Saturday morning.  

This week is was time to focus on me- usually I am the first the volunteer for things, help people out and put others needs before myself, which is fine to do some of the time, but not all of the time, as your own needs start be negelected.  I will still help people out and look after them, but I also need to remember to look after myself.  

This weekend I also headed out to the Chinese Gardens in Sydney.  I had been there before, around 12-15 years ago when I was young, and wow it has changed and since I have been doing the Kung Fu and Tai Chi I have a greater respect for the garden and was more intuned to what it was about and how it can help me achieve what I want to achieve.  Anyway, more on that later!

Plan of action for the coming week

- Tracking- Like today I had Hungry Jacks for lunch I had just enough PP in my budget to cover it- went over by 4, but I need to track everything - whether it be good or bad, to keep me accountable

- Exercise- I have Kung Fu twice a week, but I will also walk / run before Kung Fu and also on the other days and may even swim- depending on how the back holds up

- Remain Positive- No matter what happens- keep site of my goals and stay focused

New Motivation + Kung Fu and Tai Chi

Recently I had been feeling a bit stuck, loosing then gained and so forth and really, just not in a good space.  

I started taking Qi Gong or Tai Chi where I train at Emerald Dragon, and it really put things back into perspective for me.  I started revisiting why I was loosing the weight and what I wanted to achieve out of the changes I was making and not just to lose weight, but to improve my mental state and calm and to also learn new skills.  

Martial Arts and especially Kung Fu is something I have been wanting to try for a long time but have always been too scared to, but now I have built the confidence to do and have even earnt a stripe on my first sash.  And tonight also was doing tumbleturns and flying kicks and things that I would never have been game enough to do previously, so I definately feel like I have come a long way since starting my training at Emerald Dragon

Basically my mind set is to know that I can achieve and do anything I put my mind to!

I realise this a quiet a short post, but will definately be posting some more things soon, but be sure to check out the videos!

Weigh In

Okay so weigh in wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  I actually ended up loosing 0.1kg, which I realise isn't alot of weigh, but I know if I gained again I don't know what I would have done.  I think mentally it would have affected me quite badly and I would have went further down into a deep hole with not much hope of crawling out

But now its time to focus on the coming week, I have done a healthy shop and since lately I have been craving Asian based foods, I'm satisfying that craving by making Teriyaki Beef with Sesame Spinach and Chicken with Broccoli with Garlic Sauce and Curry Chicken Pasta- which I made this morning and looks absolutely delicious!

Now moving onward and downward (lol) to next week!