Who says I'm not happy being me?

A year ago Mrs D asked me to be her maid of honour at her wedding. Sitting in a lovely conference room in sunny Sydney I was overwhelmed and wow excited. I’ve never been in a bridal party before let alone being maid of honour. And I agreed.

The wedding was taking place in Austria (no not Australia) in 6 months time AND Mrs D is a small size 6. Next to her I look like the elephant woman.

So I joined the gym, going at least daily, started eating calorie controlled frozen meals and cut out carbs. Everything I could to shed a few kilo’s to look just past half decent walking down the aisle next to her. And it worked, the wedding was amazing, my holiday after the wedding (well if you’re in Europe in July then it is a must) but I was depressed. I’m not a gym person and I don’t get any satisfaction out of eating a calorie controlled frozen meal. The part that depressed me more than the gym was the comments. Suddenly everyone started commenting or thought it was their right to encourage, offer pointers or tell me how great I was looking. I did this for myself, and not anyone else, and I don’t see when it became your everyone’s right to tell me how I was going. No one tells a skinny how or what to do to make them look different.
I stopped the gym and the cardboard foods a few months after the wedding, it wasn’t sustainable and I couldn’t justify the costs (getting slim is expensive) and the weight is slowly starting to creep up again.

Yesterday I rejoined a new gym, and I’ve made the first step into making sure that I’m doing something for myself again. Hopefully without the constant monitoring from all my friends this time. My goal in New York with a skinny Miss JJ. I realised though all of this that a number on a scale isn’t important but how you feel is. I need a personal goal to keep me motivated and that motivation isn’t something that comes from other people.

My love affair with Santorini

Some people come to Santorini for the magical sunsets over the Caldera, some come for the romance, and some for the nightlife. I’ve wanted to come here since I was a small child. I remember watching a television program about the lost city of Atlantis and I glimpsed the white washed blue domed churches that are synonymous with the island.

My first time was 5 years ago and I’ve been drawn back 4 times. The first time was as a back-packer, the second as lone traveler, the third with my boyfriend and the forth, crashing the honeymoon of my best friend. To say I’ve seen everything the island has to offer would be an understatement, but to say I’ve had enough would be a drastic exaggeration.

You start with the churches, those white washed blue domed churches that are all over the island. Climbing stair after painted white stair, every corner showing you more of the history and the enchantment that is on offer. Cruise ships arrive in droves to take in this startling island and looking up, makes you smile in absolute amazement at this picture perfect village perched on the top of a volcano.

My 6 things about Santorini:

• It's the ultimate romantic destination: Without being in your face. I love romance - even if it isn't me being romanced.
• The best weather: There is something about the sun there, even in summer, it is absolutely perfect.
• Look at me !!: It is no where near as showy as other islands in the Mediterranean. Comfortably chilled.
• Something new around every corner: Each time I visit, I have found a new village, or area never found before.
• Lots of my favorite animal ever... DONKEYS
• Greek food: Enough said

Photos: http://kelliejane.redbubble.com/