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 :=(

Janathon

So I've signed up for Janathon next year!

That's about as much as I can manage at the moment as I have had bronchitis over the last week and have felt dreadful! So much to do and so little energy to do it.

I'm doing ok with my assignments and I don't think there'll be any last minute panicking with them (who am I kidding!).
Christmas is more or less sorted, with the exception of some wine and chocs for aged aunt Molly.

I've dusted off my long running tights, and have signed up again for the running course in Jan with Jelly Legs, so that'll be Monday, Thursday and Saturday's contributions to Janathon sorted. The inbetweeny bits may be that old bag Jillian Michael and her 30 day murder/torture DVD!

I had a twitter chat with the lovely Janathon lady Cathy at http://www.jog-blog.co.uk/ and she gave up smoking 6 years ago. I've done it twice, both times for 6 months. I HATE smoking. The smell, the cost, crappy lungs etc etc.
So I've stopped.
Today.
That's it.
Fini.

I'm drinking green tea with Jasmine, planning my comeback!

From the heart

I've been thinking a lot about how things are, and decided that now I'm more settled, a little less stressed and have more of an idea where I'd like things to head, I've gotta get off by butt and put all these ideas to work.

I've had a crappy couple of years since both my parents passed away, and it left a huge MASSIVE gaping hole on my life. I'm lucky that I'm married to kindest man I could ever wish for, and he is a complete rock. I love him more than words could ever explain.

My life was hectic and unscheduled, I was bumbling along from day to day just getting by. I hated that feeling. There was nothing I felt in complete control of, therefore I just let go. I managed to put on a whole stack of weight by just not caring. Simple as that. I didn't bloody well care! I didn't eat well, I didn't sleep well, I didn't do anything well! The family that I had left didn't want to know me after I told them a few home truths, and that hurt me. I became very angry and very low. I gave up exercising and curled into a big fat ball. I was on antidepressants, feeling a bit hopeless to be honest.

As time has passed by (almost 3.5 years), I've got used to the idea of having no blood family that gives a toss about what I do. I have great friends and my wonderful husband. I'm living in a house that is filled with precious memories of my late parents, I'm studying for my degree (which is nearly finished...yaaay!) and I've got so much to live for.

Time to get back in the driving seat.

I've just made the most delicious vegetable chilli, and am contemplating making applesauce muffins to take to work for breakfast (I always miss breakfast....too busy to sort it out!).

I've read a few blogs where people have lost a huge amount of weight, but I'm only looking at the first 7lbs at the moment. Any further than this might sabotage my efforts.

Bite sized goals are the way I'm tackling this, and I'll just have to be consistant (I'm crap at consistancy).

Lets just try one week of being consistant!!

Heeeeeeeeeeere I am!

Back in the land of the blog!

Very quick update:

Still off and on with WW, joined a running club, can run 3 miles without dying....go me!

Still not speaking to brother or sister....who cares?

Still no job promotion....bah!

Still writing assignments.....almost finished one, one more to go!

Loving the autumn, and vow to blog more

Until tomorrow x

Juneathon 24th through to 28th!

Well I've failed in the blogging respect, but we've been internetless for 3 days, and I've developed a dental abcess which has been truely miserable.

I've been fairly active despite this....doing something every day, my usual walking and grumbling (does that count as two activities?) and lots of displacement activities (as suggested by http://abradypus.wordpress.com/ )

Total miles since internetlessness = 12 (Fri 3 mile walk Sat Jillian woman, Sunday Jillean woman again plus 3 miles, Monday 3 miles, this morning 3 miles)

Weight not playing ball, therefore calorie intake must be exceeding cals out, which makes me go........ eeep!

I'm going to try a 'Back to Netball' course running locally. I may only be 5ft 2, but I was a demon goal shooter in my youth!

That's all x

Juneathon the twentythird

So today is the day I go to the dentist!

Up and out at 04.30 as both weary neighbour and I were awake. The views were stunning (forgot camera again!)as we watched the Bay coming to life. The Highland cattle were all in one field this morning, and nodded sagely as we passed.
Polly (the dawg) is less wildlife friendly, and thinks that all smaller creatures are fair game. This resulted in me being dragged off course into bushes and marshland after rabbits and pheasants!

What to I have to look forward to today?

1) More rotten assignment looking up paradigms, random controlled trials, boolean operators etc etc
2) Having my head drilled
3) Best friend coming for a 'study buddy' session tonight
4) Making pizza for said session
5) Hubby putting up new fire and thermostat
6) Hubby drilling through garage wall to run lead to power thermostat.....and me guiding his drill away from the mains gas pipe!

Today could go one of two ways!!

Juneathon the twentysecond

When I thought it was the 23rd today, and I got up and got half way to my dental appointment, and realised it was tomorrow and not today!!

I got home and changed into my shuffling gear, and went off for a short mimble with the dog. I have no idea how far we went, but I was out for about 40 mins, so I'm reckoning about 2 ish miles.
I got home and started my assignment again (minus chocolate brazil nuts, replacing them with a satsuma, an apple and a mini baby bel light).

Critiquing research methodologies is the DULLEST thing in the world! I'd rather watch paint dry!

So I did! The paint around my new fireplace....I watched it dry. Then I planted my new honeysuckle out, revived a knackered bee with a sugar solution, brushed the dog, sorted out my smalls drawer, got stuff out for tomorrows athon effort, fiddled on Facebook, made some houmous......etc etc.

I still have 3,500 words left to do (surprisingly!)

Juneathon the twenty-first

Longest day??
First day of summer?
Same sh*t all day for me!

I am wholly fed up with walking, but can't do much else at the moment.
Ate half a bag of choc brazils whilst reading dull research (does that count??)
Slept for 2 hours this afternoon.
Falling apart at the seams!!

Juneathon the twentieth

Ok...back in blogging normal time!

I went out this morning with Di for our usual route....but it was piddling down! Big fat blobs of rain which soaked me to the skin within minutes.

I'd like to start having a small shuffle to lessen the time I'm out, but my dear neighbour is not up for a faster pace. I don't want to let her down and put her off going out in the morning altogether. Humph!

In other news....Menieres is being a right pain...dizzy and off balance, so biking is out at the moment.

Cold pork and bubble for tea x

Juneathon the nineteenth

Another time warping blog...just got to catch up!

Dog walk of about 2 miles.
Sill going strong.