Cos this Goose ain’t Gonna be FAT! Week 4 – Update

Week four down and my weight this morning was 140lbs. Looking back at my DailyPlate I’ve just realised that I’ve lost 20lbs since mid September! Only 10lbs to go to hit my goal weight but I’m not hopeful of achieving this anytime soon, in fact I’m not feeling very positive about the rest of this challenge at all at the moment as I’ve just started on some medication of which the main side effect is bloating and weight gain. *sigh* seems like all my hard work is about to be undone but nonetheless I will persevere. So how did this week go:

Exercise

2 x 20 minute elliptical session – Completed
2 x 15 minute rowing machine – Completed
Attend at least one dance class a week – Went back to Zumba again! Loved it! Also managed to persuade a few peeps to come with me in a few weeks time!
Go swimming once a week for at least 20 minutes – Fail – Pool closed due to the snow (we have epic amounts of it in Aberdeen)
50 situps per day-  2/7 – Started out with good intentions and then just failed. Will try harder this week.

Food

Keep tracking on The Daily Plate on Livestrong – Check
Try to eat out (on average) less than once a week – Check – didn’t eat out at all this week… barely ate at all.

So all in all not too bad a week but could have been better. Going to need to tweak my goals for this week to account for the snow – yes, it really is that bad! Ditching the swimming and dancing but will find something to do in its place. Also need to start eating 3 meals a day no matter how small. I’ve gotten so out of the habit that I quite often forget to eat and when I do I feel queasy but the only way to combat this is to get back into a routine.

Me Time – Take Two

So yesterday evening I had scheduled more ‘Me Time’ and once again I ended up manically busy getting things done! Here’s what I accomplished:

• Picked up my prescription from the doctors
• Bought my new HTC Wildfire mobile phone (Uber excited about this!)
• Took 5 old school disposible cameras to the shop to be developed
• Went to the O2 shop to find out about PAYG data bolt on (it is possible – and quite cheap!)
• Tried to get above phone unlocked but was too late and the store was closed
• Went shopping for a few bits and bobs
• Attended a Zumba class

Didn’t have much energy left by the time I got home to do much else. I tried to snuggle down and watch Jurassic Park for the second night in a row but my eyes just kept going together and I couldn’t concentrate on what they were saying so I gave up, set my Lumie to sunset mode and sat on Twitter instead! It was quite nice having the room get darker as the evening progressed.

I’ve just found out that my plans for this evening have fallen through so I have the rare opportunity of yet more time to myself which is great as I’ve been starting to wonder if I should set aside two evenings of me time… one where I get things done and the other where I actually just chill out and do what I want: read, write, sew, craft or watch rubbish TV. This seems to be the perfect opportunity to give it a whirl. I find doing nothing very difficult these days so I’m sure I’ll end up doing stuff anyway!

Uncluttered room, uncluttered mind

Met up with the lovely Holly for a hot chocolate and a chat yesterday afternoon. It was nice just to chill out for an hour yapping away about this and that and our encounter left me with a lot to think about.. mainly about my constant battle with my clutter! (Both mental and physical)

So when I got home yesterday evening I proceeded to get back to the job I started (over a month ago!) and set to work getting my room in order. I actually got a fair chunk done last time before I lost my mojo but this time I attacked it with vengence!  I was probably more ruthless than I’ve ever been before in my life and over the course of one evening…

Got rid of:

Pile of magazines
Old bag with zip broken
3 CD players
1 walkman
18 nailpolishes
3 mobile phone chargers
1 DVD drive
1 pair of headphones
Heart rate monitor with missing strap
Electric toothbrush

Gave away:

4 ring binders
2 storage boxes
2 microphones
Mini fridge

Bringing my totals for #86. Get rid of 101 things I do not need to 42 items. I also have a box set aside with things that I I’m going to throw, sell or give away but I’m not quite sure which yet. I’m hoping  to go through it tonight but I have more me time planned so not going to beat myself up about it if I decide to snuggle in bed with a DVD instead!

An uncluttered room generally helps an uncluttered mind and vice versa!

#58. Take part in NaNoWriMo – Take One

So the month of November is also known as NaNoWriMo so back on the 1st (also the day I started my daily tracking reports) I started work on my first novel about a girl who’s grandmother’s death and break up with her boyfriend sets her on an around the world trip to find herself. It started off great, I loved (and still do) my plot and researching the various goals she was to complete on this journey. I enjoyed pulling out my netbook on the bus and keeping my head occupied with another (albeit fictional) person’s life instead of dwelling on my own. But after this initial burst of enthusiasm I quit just 10 days into the challenge with a measly 10,427 word written.

That pesky little thing called life got in the way and I could no longer switch off and just write. I was stressed out enough without the additional pressure I was putting on myself to write a novel in just 30 days, so I quit. I’ve always wanted to write since I was a little girl but I’ve never had the confidence to believe that I could produce something that others would find worth their time reading. In this plot I felt, and still do, like I had something. So although I’ve quit NaNoWriMo this year (and I fully intend on trying again in 2011) this isn’t a project that I’m going to let slide away from me. I intend on finishing someday and I also intend (scary thought) to let someone else read it. Even if that only ends up being my best friend!

To those of you out there who are still going with the challenge I wish you all the best with it. If you need encouragement leave me a comment and I’ll do what I can for you. If you’re feeling overwhelmed like I was then that’s OK too. The important thing is that we took part in the challenge and that we’ve learned something from it! (Even if that is that your current story idea sucks!)

Craft Update – Cross Stitch Christmas Cards

Been a while since I did a craft update because… well, because I didn’t have time for crafting! But with Christmas looming ever closer I need to get my bum into gear! The last cross-stitching magazine that I bought came with a free kit for making 8 christmas cards which should be just the right amount that I need this year. (I only give handmade cards to family and friends, my colleagues just get boring shop bought ones!) I’ve started by sewing all the patterns on the one piece of aida and will then cut them out and assemble.

The aida provided was a little bit on the small side so I will need to use some other scrap bits for the last few designs and then I should be pretty much there. Also still working on my big gift project, I’ve been taking progress pics as I go along to show all you guys after I’ve given it to the person in question. It’s nice making time to be creative again and once I’m done with my UFO’s I think I’ll turn my hand some of the creative goals on my 101 things list like the scrapbook for my niece.

Speaking of which I don’t think I mentioned it but I am definately taking her to DisneyLand Paris in February so that will be another goal ticked off the list! Cannot wait to see her little face! I am so excited!

#70. Buy a giving tree gift

I have officially crossed off another of my 101 list this week! Yay, feels like so long since I said that! Last week the Giving Tree tags arrived at my work and although I wasn’t in that day I was still able to pick one up on the Wednesday. I cheated slightly and instead of picking the first card I saw I peeked through to find a little girl. In the end I picked Katie who’s two and I set off on an expedition to find her a fab toy for Christmas.

For those of you who don’t know the Giving Tree is set up by a local charity to ensure that no boy or girl goes without a gift at Christmas. It is a great way to spread the Christmas joy without a huge amount of extra expense at a time when money can be tight. I mean will one more gift really break the bank? (If it does I think you need to budget better!) And isn’t that a small price to pay for knowing on Christmas day that some little boy or girl is opening a gift that you’ve lovingly chosen just for them?

Anyway, my Katie will be opening this on Christmas day and I hope that she likes it:

If you’re in Aberdeen there are Giving Trees located in most of the shopping centres (I know that Union Square and The Trinity Centre both have them this year) and if you’re outwith Aberdeen I’m sure if you contact your local authority to see if they have a similar scheme running. Failing that there’s always the fantastic Teddies for Kiddies campaign being spearheaded by Tweeters @DebbieGreenwood and @bexfizz.

Go forth and do some good for Christmas this year!

Cos this Goose ain’t Gonna be FAT! Week 3 – Update

Week three completed – another tough week but absolutely nothing to do with the challenge. Had a hospital appointment where I got some not so good news and have been stressed out to the max so not eating much (hence the 3lb loss this week) but I had an epiphany this weekend and I have so much clarity on things that it’s incredible. I feel like I can take on the world and I’m damned well gonna make the most of it.

Also as it’s been three weeks it’s time for a stats update (in the brackets are the starting stats for this challenge and when I first started losing weight):

• Weight – 142lbs (148lbs\154lbs)
• Bust – 37″(37.5″\36.75″)
• Chest – 29.5″(30.5″\31″)
• Left upper arm – 12″ (12″\12.5″)
• Right upper arm – 12″(12″\12.5″)
• Left forearm – 9″(9.25″\9.25″)
• Right forearm – 9.5″ (9.75″\10″)
• Waist – 30″ (30″\33″)
• Hips – 37″ (38″\38.5″)
• Abdomen – 35″ (36.5″\37.25″)
• Left Thigh – 23″ (23.75″\24.25″)
• Right Thigh – 22.5″ (23.52″\24″)
• Left Calf – 14.5″ (14.5″\15″)
• Right Calf – 14.5″ (14.75″\15″)

I am totally astounded and spurred on by my progress. I’m finally no longer considered overweight according to the BMI indea and that feels great! I want to spend the rest of 2010 getting my weight down nearer my goal and then spend 2011 working on reshaping my body in what I’m tentatively calling #OperationPenny. Here’s my inspiration:

Kaley Cuoco AKA Penny from The Big Bang Theory

Kaley is positively gorgeous in every way and such a great role model. Already got a haircut booked in on Friday to have my hair restyled although more like it is in this picture. Hopefully it turns out OK! Eeks!

Only have 12lbs to lose to reach my goal weight and then I’ll start The New Rules of Lifting for Women again and triathlon training. I want to complete a 5k run towards the end of March, the Swimathon in late April then a cycling thing in the Summer and hopefully my first triathlon by the end of 2011. It’s going to be a busy year!

Anyway… goals…

Exercise

2 x 20 minute elliptical session – Completed
2 x 15 minute rowing machine – Only managed once this week
Attend at least one dance class a week – Two again: Hip-Hop and Breakin’
Go swimming once a week for at least 20 minutes – FAIL! Got to the pool at 11am on Sunday to find out it was closed for a gala… I was not impressed!
50 situps per day- FAIL – Didn’t do this even once this week just didn’t have the motivation. Will try harder this week!

Food

Keep tracking on The Daily Plate on Livestrong – Check – numbers were freaking ridiculous this week though :S
Try to eat out (on average) less than once a week – Did well this week didn’t eat out at all!

Anyway, hopefully I keep up this motivation for the last 6 weeks of the year and beyond! Roll on 2011! Woot!

The Trouble with the NHS

First of all let me say that I am so thankful that we have the NHS here in the UK. I am more than happy to give up a portion of my salary in order to fund this and other services but I hate it when I hear about all the cuts that are being made because the government has overspent. This is the one area where more money needs to be spent. People need to feel that they have somewhere to turn.

I’ve had more dealings with doctors this year than I think I’ve had for probably the past five years and I’ve experienced first hand being made to feel like I’m wasting their time. The first appointment I made with my GP I specifically requested a female doctor as I thought she would be more sympathetic to my plight… boy was I wrong. My concerns were basically brushed off and I was told that I needed to make changes to my diet. I went away still feeling worried but comforted tha they didn’t think anything wrong.

Months later things were still the same. I’d finally had the courage to tell someone about what I was going through and they encouraged me to go back for another appointment. This time it was a different (male) doctor and I was listened to more seriously and given some medication to try. I hoped with all of my heart that this would work and fix me but alas it didn’t help so I arranged trip number three. Again I met the male doctor and while he was skeptical he agreed to send me to a specialist for more tests.

After months of waiting I went to the hospital yesterday for said tests. All of the staff were fantastic and looked after me (I went alone and was terrified) but they all said the same thing; there was probably nothing wrong and this was just for ‘completeness’. They were wrong… there is something very wrong. The doctors words were ‘but at least we caught it now and not in 10 years time’ so now they want to take x-rays of my tummy and try me on some other medication to control my symptoms. I’m not ashamed to say that I am scared…

Anyway, I guess the point of this post is that if I had just believed that first doctor, and not confided in my best friend who encouraged me to go back, then this could have been left undetected for those 10 years and I’d be in a much worse position now. The NHS needs to work on not making their patients feel like their symptoms are all in their head… even if that is the case.

How Do You Know When You’re In Love?

Amy at ForDGRedial posted a thought-provoking question recently:

What is the difference between loving someone and being in love with them?

Here was my response:

This is something I’m struggling with at the moment. I think being in love with someone is when you think about that other person when making decisions. Even little things like what you’re having for dinner or what movie to go see. When you put their wants and needs on a par with your own that’s when you’re in love with someone rather than simply loving them.

With all of this being in the forefront of my brain at the moment with my recent break-up I realised that this was the answer I’d been looking for this whole time: I have to stop thinking about myself in all of this and consider him as well. He wants out and despite the heartache this is causing me I still want nothing more than to give him what he wants and needs. So that is just what I’m going to do. I’m letting go…

Cos this Goose ain’t Gonna be FAT! Week 2 – Update

Week two completed – one of the toughest as I haven’t been there mentally and just feel like I’m going through the motions. As you’ve probably noticed I’ve given up on the daily updates, it just felt like I was posting the same thing each day and if I was bored writing it my readers must’ve been bored too!

After a disappointing cheeky weigh-in on Friday where I hadn’t lost anything I am now down two pounds to 145lbs. My work trousers and new jeans are already starting to feel very loose and I’m actually looking forward to doing my measurements next Monday! I like numbers

Exercise

2 x 20 minute elliptical session – Completed
2 x 15 minute rowing machine – Completed
Attend at least one dance class a week – Two again: Hip-Hop and Breakin’. This is the last week of term so will have to make more of an effort to go to the drop-ins.
Go swimming once a week for at least 20 minutes – Upped my distance and did 35 lengths before the GP on Sunday

Food

Keep tracking on The Daily Plate on Livestrong – Check, still not eating enough though…
Try to eat out (on average) less than once a week – Had Subway on Wednesday but not counting this as it’s not quite eating out but I did go to Wagamama’s for the first time on Saturday evening with some of my old school pals. Shouldn’t be eating out at all this week so should bring the average back down

Going to add another goal this week and that is 50 situps every evening this week. Need to start working on my tummy muscles and 50 isn’t really all that many so should have no excuses for fitting them in! I have a hospital appointment to look into my freaky tummy situation so have been very restricted today in what I’m allowed to eat! (Thanks kitchen staff for making my WHITE bread sandwich with BROWN bread so that I couldn’t eat it.) Also have to take crazy laxatives which are making life unpleasant for me at the moment (sorry if that’s TMI!) but since I’m going through all this crap anyway I’m going to make an experiment of it and see how much weight (if any) I lose overnight on these things!

Until next week, keep it up and don’t be afraid to ask for help or encouragement!