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Back on Australian soil with the family

Hello my Jenny peeps!

I hope you’ve all had a fantastic start to 2012!

Wow, what a start it’s been.  It feels like no sooner than I got back to LA that it was time to leave again – but I’m happy the family and I are back in Australia – this time for much longer! YIPPEE!!

Packing up for the big move was a task and a half, I can tell ya. But a good task – I’m so close to getting to my goal weight I can taste it – but more of that later (if the rest of the family don’t beat me to it).

Clearing out my wardrobe was actually a treat.  Thanks to the “not quite 15kgs just yet but almost” I’ve lost with Jenny I had to decide what pieces to keep and what to toss. Normally it’s a hassle but knowing I was going to need to re-vamp it with some new stuff to fit my new shape, it was a breeze.  Tossing out all the “suck me in” undergarments was the best bit! Look out Sydney sales assistants, I’m on my way!

Of course, my kids wanted to bring everything, but as a family we decided it was time for a big clean up.  So, each of us had a limit as to what we could bring, and when that was reached, the rest was donated to a local women’s shelter.  I’m a big believer in teaching my kids to give back.

I guess you could say I’m not the only one in the household that has “downsized”.

Any mum that has had to move house knows how stressful it is – as my 5 year old would say, “What’s going to work? Team work!” As a family we grouped together and did it all as a team. Believe it or not all in two weeks.  Then came the other mission, choosing the right location for family life, selecting the right schools. My girls are very down to earth, so the idea of public school was a great fit, and so far so good.  The kids have travelled with me all over the world, so they’re not strangers to adapting to different places & lifestyles.  They’ve fitted in straight away, and now have more active social lives than me & my husband put together! Ha ha ha.

So, with that lot sorted out, it’s back to concentrating on day to day family life and career, I can’t wait to play dress up with my banging Jenny body on Dancing with the Stars and X-factor this year. Jenny’s been my safety net when it comes to eating healthily and maintaining my svelte new shape (can I say that about myself? Yes I can). Being on Jenny has also helped me keep my energy levels up so I can get it all done.

Let me tell you, one of the biggest changes I’ve noticed is how easy it’s been to re-jig my workout time so that I can incorporate the kids for some quality time too. For example, taking the baby in the stroller when I go for a walk, taking the kids to the park for a game of basketball or just jumping in the pool for a swim & splash session. Doing it this way takes away the guilt of making time for myself to exercise.  Because as we all know, balancing a career and family life is pretty hard.

Coming from my Girl Power background making sure my daughters have a healthy and positive body image is very important to me as a mum.

Now, can I just tell you if you’re thinking of joining me on Jenny (and if you’re already on the program, you’ll get drift) how important it is to be firm with the family when it comes to your snacks?  My kids & hubby just love to steal mine, but I make sure I hide the Banana Berry Bliss (for the uninitiated it’s a frozen yoghurt / ice cream kinda thing – and just divine).  It’s my guilt free treat (how does Jenny do it?).

Thanks for visiting my Jenny page and reading this far.  Hopefully you’ve been inspired to join the program, or at least had a laugh!  For you lot out there that are on the program, well done!  I know what you’re going through, but the end result is gonna be great, so stick with it.  We all deserve a great big pat on the back for doing it the Jenny way.

Much love & happiness,

Mel. x