How long?

I can hardly believe it's been that long since my last post.
How time flies.
The good news is that I'm still smoke free, and down 25lbs thanks to a revisit to Slimming World. It's the only way for me to lose weight, and since I started, I've managed to keep mostly to the plan (amazed!) and the results are encouraging!
My wardrobe has doubled as I can now fit into most of the stuff hanging in there which have been patiently waiting for their time to come!

Unfortunately I have sustained bilateral rotator cuff injuries, and am due for the first lot of surgery in 2.5 weeks (eep!). This will mean a substantial time off work (oh no!) which in turn will mean more opportunity to get out off my backside and out of the house.

I'm going to try and detail a little more about the SW plan to this blog, to ensure onward success.

day 6

Off out for the evening, may indulge in a little joggle later but trying to keep upright with ear infection is proving difficult.

Infection control meeting today which always makes me squirm and then rush home to shower in Dettol, bleach and limescale cleaner. I feel like I've contracted something hideous just by turning up.

Nowt else to report.

Day five

Slow mimble.

Busy day......may blog later!

Day 4

My effort was a wee bit further....like twice as far, but my Garmin was playing about a bit!

I saw highland cows and Exmoor ponies, two swans and lots of green snails.

Left over Salmon and potato salad for lunch, and meatloaf with asparagus (farm fresh just picked) for dinner.

I've signed up for a 'Fresh Start' NHS course to commence next Tuesday for 12 weeks.

Crappity crap!

I am having trouble sitting on/getting off the loo, my muscles (small and flabby) in my legs are shrieking at me when I try and do anything....even turning over in bed. This should give you an idea how long ago I put any stress on these muscles.






not my thighs!

Jeeze.

HAW (Horrid American Woman) showed no mercy tonight, but I think I wussed out a bit on the squats!

BBQ left overs with a salad for lunch, and prawns with more salad tonight for dinner. I did leave room for a small slice of MIL date and walnut cake!

Tomorrow I'm walking at 05.30 with neighbour. At least it won't hurt as much!

Day 2

DOMS suck!

My legs ache and my flabby arms took a bashing yesterday, so I whooped their teeny fibres again this morning! That hurt too!

I had a healthy choice breakfast and then La famile headed off to the  Bucket and Spade Run 2013 on the front in Ramsgate. It was such a beautiful day, and I was green with envy at some of the cars. bikes and vans

We stopped for a licky ice cream between us (the dog ate most of my husbands) and walked back home to fire up the BBQ.

Back to work tomorrow and an 05.30 start...got to meet the awful woman....

day 1

The plan was to get up at 05.30, whizz  mimble around a set route, home for a hot shower and spankingly healthy breakfast. before running some errands in town feeling very smug.
The reality was that I shuffled downstairs to a mug of tea at 07.30, already in a funk because I was late, had a luke warm shower and NO breakfast, before joining the longest queue in the bank!

The warmer weather on the south coast seems to bring out the worst in fashion for some. Think 'People of Walmart' and you'll be close.  One woman dressed almost head to toe in badly fitting lycra with her nose against the pie shop window said "Issss too facking 'ot to eat a sausage roll". Now I hate to admit that the golden flaky pastry on a home made sausage roll is known to be a particular downfall of mine, but I'm dubious about the origins of the piped pink goo inside a Greggs sausage roll! The lady herself looked a lot like the Greggs sausage roll (you are what you eat!). And that got me thinking......if I were a food, what would I look like?

I look like several shelled walnuts in a condom!

Gaaaaah!

And so to Juneathon, and another month at trying to fit a little exercise into my day. I'm not going to be up there on the leaderboard, nor win any prizes for the most miles/kilometres/planks/dressing-gown runs (no wait....I could do that one!), but I will try my best.

I managed a small walk with the dog, and a 25 minute beasting from some muscle bound American woman!

Logged and blogged.
Please feel free to leave a comment......

Well it had to be done.....it's that time of year again.

It's Juneathon!

I've healed up from surgery and will be attempting to start right beck at the beginning with my programme.

My weight loss has all but stopped since I had surgery, but I've managed not to put it all back on again.

So here's to the next month!

Laid up

I'm currently under house arrest!
Ok, so that's not quite true, but I have had to stop my Janathon efforts and blogging due to surgery on my leg on 16th Jan. I have managed to do some very slow and painful miles since, and as a result I am 26.4 mile into my virtual route. I'm afraid it's about 14 miles short of where I wanted to be, but once the leg is fixed I can ramp the mileage up a bit.

Good news on the weight loss front though. Since I shifted my focus from weight loss to healthy adaptations of recipes, the weight has come off slowly and steadily.

I had been having spinach and cheese omelette's for my breakfast recently, and although they taste great, I wanted something different. As I have a lot of time on my hands being off work post-op, I have been busy in the kitchen trying a bunch of different recipes. Yesterday afternoon I made granola to be used as a topping rather than a cereal. This morning I had fresh fruit with natural yogurt and granola. It was delicious, and far less sweet than the shop bought granola (and less expensive too). I have been looking on some US sites where devotees to clean eating have an array of jars in their fridge with very suspicious looking contents. They claim to taste better than shop bought stuff, and I have no doubt they do....it's just I'd have to eat it with dark glasses on! Some things look like they should be in a lab not a fridge!

Todays efforts will be on the elliptical traininer as it's still slushy under foot, and I really could do with keeping upright to aid post op recovery!

Slow poke day

It's been a laborious slow old day...one that just seems to have gone on forever, and has been like wading through treacle. I was glad to get home to pick up the pace a little.
Tonights Janathon effort was a speedy 2 miles, taking me to 18 miles from home since 1st Jan. I'm quite pleased with my resolve, at it seemed to have wained somewhat in the past 6 months, but like with the decision to stop smoking, this seems to have stuck! Long may it continue.

I'm off to make some hummous for work tomorrow, as I don't like the stuff you can but from the supermarket. Infact since I stopped smoking, a lot of things taste different now. I was quite happy to buy things like hummous, flapjacks, peanut butter, crisps, smoothies etc (there's your weight problem right there!) but I'd rather make my own now.....it all tastes a little 'plasticky'. I know that the 'to buy organic or not' debate rages on, but I do like organic if possible....and in the summer, nothing beats home grown.

When I was running regularly, my recovery drink was organic milk and a banana. At the moment I bearly break a sweat, so I've no need for anything fancy. Just a wipe over with a damp cloth and a nice cup of tea!

8th jan

Early mornings didn't last long....sooooo tired this morning. I felt completely wiped out and not able to focus never mind excercise!

Managed 2.5 miles when I got home.

Knackered now! Off to bed.

Early morning jiggle

I have been known to shirk the odd session when I come in from work, due to a bad case of CBA's.
Because of this, I got up at 05.45 and listened to some choons from 1988....whilst walking my janathon effort. It was over before my body had a chance to question what was going on! I was janathoned, showered, breakfasted and ready to go by 07.30am.
I'll be repeating this during the week as it gives me more time in the evening.

I was listening to The Communards this morning to pass the time. It made me feel a little melancholy in that I was a young student having the time of my life with my best friend when some of the songs were released. I went to see the Communards three times on one tour at the UEA dancing all night..........great times, great memories. It made me feel rather ancient and creaky!

Same time tomorrow morning though!

Foggy Mimble

Very foggy this morning.....did a brisk 3.5 mile walk with the dog. We're now 12 miles into our journey, and would be level with Herne Bay.
Wikipedia states:

Herne Bay is a seaside town in Kent, South East England, with a population of 35,188. On the south coast of the Thames Estuary, it is 7 miles (11 km) north of Canterbury and 1 mile (2 km) east of Whitstable. It neighbours the ancient villages of Herne and Reculver and is part of the City of Canterbury local government district. Herne Bay's seafront is home to the world's first freestanding purpose-built clock tower, built in 1837; until 1978, the town had the second-longest pier in the United Kingdom.

(Pic Sorce from Google, not my own)

So there we are, our first virtual town passed!

In other news, a 2lb weight loss makes this week quite sucessful all round x

My dogs are barking!

Apparently that's slang for 'my feet hurt'.

Well F-I-L is home after a short spell in hospital. He now has to take things a little easier for a while.

No janathon effort for 2 days whilst we were trailing the countryside. The good news is that I managed to get out for a 4 mile walk with hubby and the dog this afternoon, and now 'my dogs are barking'! I think that's the longest I've walked/run/been upright for in a while.
I'm managing well with my eating plan trying to trick my metabolism by varying my calorie intake every day. I mentioned this to my friend, and she thought tricking my metabolism meant asking the nice lady for a grilled chicken wrap, and then pushing a written note towards her saying

"Shhhhhhhhhh....I can't sat this out loud or my metabolism will hear, but I'd like two sausage rolls and a bacon buttyinstead of the wrap please".

If only!

So we're 8.6 miles into our journey towards the Hebrides, with 731.4 miles to go!

Poorly dad

Unfortunately my father in law has been taken to hospital with a suspected MI. We're going after I finish work. No Janathon, but will double effort tomorrow.
Play nicely whilst I'm gone x

Rushing......

I have done nothing but chase my own tail today......rush, rush rush! I started with a berry smoothie as I swung out of the door for an early visit, and then proceeded to zigzag across the south east coast from one victim to the next. Lunch was a very rushed leftovers from last night in my most excellent thermos food flask. I then had a pile of paperwork to do when I eventually got home, which I did whilst slurping tea.

At last.....onto the elliptical trainer (still feel a leeedle bit too self conscious to wobble outside yet, plus the fact cardiovascularly I'm rather crap!). I did a rather poor 2 miles but my quads were kicking up as it's the first time I've asked them to do any work in about a year!!

Still, I'm another 2 miles closer to the Hebrides, only another 735.5 to go!

Until tomorrow x

Scotland here I come

Well I did say it was going to be slow, and I kept my NY promise.
2.61 miles of walking with the dog in the Janathon bag.
Whilst in the shower this morning, I thought about setting myself a challenge. I seem to do fairly well at challenges as long as they don't involve restricting food!!!
In 2006 I ran/walked the Great South Run after declaring I would become a runner, shortly before falling off my stool after too many Gin and Tonics! The following year I ran/walked a half marathon for Hearing Dogs for Deaf people. I found the experience very rewarding and was in fairly good shape fitness wise (although the muffin top was still evident!). Last year I challenged myself to getting over 80% in my final three assignments....mission accomplished.

The thought of resolutions puts me right off the New Year. 'I resolve not to eat chocolate any more' lasts until tea time on the 1st January. Many other impossible resolutions are dashed before the end of the first week! This year will be different. This year I aim to be a bit kinder to myself (I really am my own worst critic) therefore my challenge is simple.

I AM GOING TO WALK/RUN TO THE OUTER HEBRIDES IN 2013!

Not all in one go you understand, but in bite sized pieces. I will be logging it on a virtual map.
Today I left home and reached the end of the dual carriage way, right next to McDonalds. Only another 737.4 miles to go! In reality I walked along the seafront with the other half and dawg in a bracing wind, but you get the idea.

So, by the end of Janathon I hope to be nearing London.

Over and out!

Last knockings

Well I'm signed up for Janathon again for next year which is only 2 days away, although I may have an excuse for 16th as I'm having day surgery performed.....I might jog down to the theatre and log it as a short one!
Still off the fags which is a great thing, no temptations despite much alcohol flowing over the festive period.
I have decided not to make any resolutions this year, just to try and regain some cardio fitness. I'm starting slowly like the chap in this month RW said....like a toddling two year old, although they may well be faster than me!

My fitness pal app is logging the food aspect, I just have to find the motivation to get on with getting off my derriere and going for a dawdle! God, I hate this wet and windy weather...it does nothing to help the situation at all!

I'll stop moaning shortly!

Week 1 in a nutshell

Well, not quite what I'd had in mind.

Following the SW Original plan rather than the Extra Easy, I've managed a whole pound.
That is to say I've managed to put on a whole pound.
Yes folks....it's true......bugger knows how, but it was there in all it's glory this morning!

Not to be put off, I'm persevering and making faux doner kebabs tonight made with lean minced lamb, various herbs and spices. I've made it before and it's really good. I've cut up a whole pile of fresh salad to plop in the pitta, and am serving it with a yoghurt and mint sauce. I should be given an A for effort anyway.

(pic from SW site on FB)

I've been working fairly long hours this week, as I'm now taking a weeks holiday culminating in my graduation at Canterbury Cathederal on Friday. My mum and dad in law are coming to stay and we'll be celebrating after the 'do' at a local restaurant overlooking on of the lovley bays near where we live.

I do so wish my mum and dad could be there to see me collect my award. They'd be chuffed to bits. I often think about what dad would have said to me when he found out I'd passed. He'd have told everyone he knew and very likely a few he didn't!!. He'd have been as proud of me as I was of him.

 Mum would just have smiled a lot and told me she always knew I was capeable of better than I'd done at school (I was shamefully bad during my A levels...managed to fail two out of three....dad was furious!).

So on we go to next week. What will I do differently? I'm not at all sure!


I might take this out more often (she loves her hat..........NOT!)

 



 I'll be in the kitchen trying to make a healthy breakfast granola, and I'll be worrying about Friday.

 

See ya x

Revisiting old ideas

Whilst I'm not a great one for sitting in a room full of other pudgy women, clapping like a sea lion when each one loses a few grams, I feel that support is vital if one is to succeed at weight loss.
Whilst I am very lucky to have an extremely supportive husband, he is great in the kitchen, and can make wonderful dinners out of virtually nothing, but therein lies the problem!

He was used to preparing meals at work for 5-9 burly men. Now it's just me and him. However the portion sizes are the same as they would be for the burly men.

I've managed to quit the cigs in the last 2 months (go me!) without a catastrophic weight gain, but when rifling through my wardrobe for something to wear, I came to the sad conclusion that I have lots of lovely clothes, but they're all too tight. I look like a badly drawn sausage in most of my tops. My trousers look like they holding a grudge against me and refuse to be comfortable!

Jeeze, I must have said this 1,000 times before, but I'm done with feeling like this.

I've done the cigarettes, that's behind me. It took willpower and determination to stop.

Now to be able to get back into my clothes again, or else I'll have to go to work in my pyjamas!

Autumn

Good Lord, is it really that long ago since my last post?

I'm off the fags, but still on the sofa (not great). I have an underlying problem which comes in the form of the 'can't be arsedables'. I think it's chronic!

Over the summers, I've been ticking stuff off my list of things 'that I should have done but haven't quite got round to yet'.
Primarily this was finishing my degree which I did in August with a 1:1. After years of study, I could now concentrate on myself a little more and the niggling issues I'd been postponing.
I've been on and off the smoking wagon more times than is necessary, but I appear to have finally cracked it. The weight and running issue is still ongoing and will be my next project, along with the garden redesign (which can be found over at the Clifftop Corner)

So still busy trying to get stuff sorted, but as a wise man once said

 'If you're going to eat an elephant, you have to take lots of bites'. (Wise man was a bit of a tit by all accounts!))

My favourite season is well underway, and I am loving all the pumpkin related stuff that autumn brings with it. Pumpkin porridge is a biiiigggg hit at the moment, sprinkled with pumpkin pie spice (home made as we don't have it in the UK) and a blob of elderberry jelly for sweetness. I use canned pumpkin available in Waitrose for £1.39 a tin, and this lasts all week in a airtight pot. Nowhere else seems to stock it and Waitrose only do it around this time of year, although it has flown off the shelves (which is surprising as the town I live in is more Turkey Twizzlers and Micro chips than pumkin puree!)

Tooth out last night, so off to make something sort and skwishy for dinner!

Jelly Legs Week 2 by bimblebelle24 at Garmin Connect - Details

Jelly Legs Week 2 by bimblebelle24 at Garmin Connect - Details

Jelly Legs Beginners Wk 1 by bimblebelle24 at Garmin Connect - Details

Jelly Legs Beginners Wk 1 by bimblebelle24 at Garmin Connect - Details

So I joined my running club again. It seemed the only thing to do, as I'm becoming more and more sloth like!

I read blogs of people who run before work, after work, during work FFS! I thought I'd better get on and do something too. So here's week 1!

janathon 4,5,6, and 7

A new year, but no enthusiasm.

I've been so hell bent on getting these assignments done and in on time that I've been concentrating on little eslse, however the no smoking is going really well.

I'm going to log a mile and a half for each of the four days above, as I did take the Noodley one for walks. So I'm still in, but not really sticking to the rules as such!

Over and out!

3/31

Hells Bells it was windy tonight. I nearly got washed into the channel! I wussed out and turned round a bit sharpish. I STILL haven't introduced Cedric to his new surroundings yet!

I'm estimating about another mile, but it took me forever!

I took a video the storm this afternoon, but can't seem to shake it onto my blog!

Til tomorrow!

2/31

Quicky.

Too cold to run.

Finished 2nd assignment at last.

Jiggled to Jillean.

Running stuff out for the morning/evening

Back to work tomorrow.

Over and out

1/31 Janathon

Not a greatly inspiring day.

I'm still working on a 4,000 word assignment which is being plagued by technical challenges, and apathy!

I did however manage to get out the door in the pouring rain for a 20 minute WALK around the block, more to stop me stabbing someone than to qualify for Janathon. I'm logging it as one slow, miserable mile!

Tomorrow is my last day off before going back to work, so I will be up early to make the most of the day. I fully intend to get going early, and go out for a run. I'm starting back at basics (again) with a R/W schedule picked from the new RW mag which plopped through the door.

So, walked, logged and blogged. Good luck everyone x

See the activity on RunSaturday

Type:	Walk - Social
Duration:	0:20:00
Distance:	1.00 mi

I'm moving!

I thought to myself this morning.......

If you don't like where you are, MOVE.

So I am.

Not in the literal 'pack up the house and cramp it all onto a lorry' type move, but I'm moving out of the rut, and I've picked a 44 year old body that needs some work doing to make it a better and more user friendly home to stay!

I've been in this old familiar place for too long now. Promising that I would decorate it and make it look a bit better, and then always finding an excuse not to. The exterior looks dreadful, and God only knows where to start on the interior!



Sure, it's a bit bigger than I'd like, but that'll be ok. I'll think about downsizing later.

I've starting the renovations by blocking up the chimney. No more smoking means I don't need a chimney!

Yes my friends, I have finally lost the plot, but planning stuff is a great past time of mine. Putting it into practice is another story.

I thought that if I plan my body/life overhaul like I did when I actually did move, then I can throw out the stuff I don't need (family crap etc) and rearrange the stuff I do need.

So the first job was my chimney!. I'm putting aside 8-10 weeks for that to be finished and it won't cost me a bean! Infact I'll have more money to get new soft furnishings, or even trying to make the saggy old paintwork on the outside look a little better!!

I'm trying out a 21 day trial.
21 days so as not to be too long that I get bored, but long enough to build a new habit.

#1. Quit smoking using 25 mg NRT patch (before moving on to next level down)
#2. Stick to a skin care regime (mine at present is almost non existant, apart from a quick blob of something greasy before I head out the door to work.)
#3.Drinking more fluids during the day (currently dreadful at this too. I think my dad was part camel!)
#4. Bed by 21.30 to make time for a read of my stack of new books (I always complain I have no time to read!
#5. Get up at 06.00 and stop dithering about. Time management!!
#6.Have breakfast before leaving for work.

Non smoking day 2

So far so good!

I've been that out of puff, that a cigarette has been the last thing I've been wanting!

I downloaded a couple of apps for my ipod which are useful to look at every now and again.
One of the suggestions was plenty of fruit juices, so I ventured out and purchased 3 cartons of pure juice (and 4 scones from the oops! counter for good measure).

Horse pills, paracetamol and vitamins ingested with gusto, and I'm feeling a little better.
Still knackered as I'm really not sleeping well because of the pelvic floor challenging cough! Poor hubby has suffered too as I'm clattering around in the middle of the night falling over stuff (the dawg) and rummaging in cupboards looking for more lemon tea.

I'm even missing my works xmas 'do' tonight!

Bummer :=(