Return from Oz

Yes, I know it's been a while. We went to Oz, had a great time, put loads of weight on and now I'm back to square 1 (well, really about minus 2 actually!).

I also got the news last week that my RCC leader is closing her classes, so I attended her last one last Thursday. I wrote her a poem, which made me cry. I know I'm a wuss, but I get to express myself better in writing.

I am hopeless at doing the weight loss thing on my own, but I've found a couple of inexpensive exercise classes in my area and I'm going to have to look in to joining the dreaded WW. I just can't function without the dread of a weigh-in each week.

Anyway, here's a photo of the vow renewal thingie, if anyone is interrested.

Don't funk with my heart...

Hi.

Yes I know it's been a while, but I've had a not-so-great couple of weeks. I have been slowly nose-diving into a funk and I have zero motivation. My doctor reduced the dosage of my antidepressants about two weeks ago, and I think I'm just feeling the effects now. If I carry on feeling like this I'll have to go back and see him about it.

My weight is unchanged. I know I should be motivated because it's our Oz trip in just over two weeks, but with work and looking for a job and trying to get my coursework done for my Open University tutor and helping my husband with the set up of his business I feel like I'm kind of fading into the background. My time goes nowhere and before I know it, it's time for bed again.

I gave up trying to fit back into my wedding dress for our vow renewal. I would need to loose two dress sizes, so I caved and bought a new dress. I have a lovely outfit to wear in a gorgeous shade of Jade butwill have to get out my Miracle Pants so the whole ensemble doesn't look like a lumpy cabbage roll.

Maybe I'll feel better tomorrow.

Busy Saturday

Went to my tutorial yesterday. I was debating not going, but we are in Oz when the last tutorial runs, so I thought I should show my face one final time. My tutor was just as unimpressed with my last assignment as I was. He went through the next assignment with us and told me that he expected 75% minimum because I have a good understanding of the subject of the next assignment, and I now also understand the way they get marked. I have answered two out of the four assignment questions already, and hope to get it completed and submitted by the end of the bank holiday weekend. Then I have three weeks to write my final assignment before we go away.

It was my Grandma's birthday yesterday. I went straight there after my tutorial and spent most of the day there. My Aunt, Uncle and Cousin from the Lake District were there and it was really good to see them. Then my Uncle from Oz rang, then my Auntie from Oz rang, then my Grandad's family turned up in the afternoon. It was nice to see everyone, but I was glad to get home!

Did okay calorie-wise, although I didn't have breakfast before I went to Uni, so slapped hand for me on that count.

Flip flop feet

Another long walk last night. We will be walking a lot in Australia so I hope our weather picks up so that my man can start walking more in his flip-flops. He needs to build up his walking when he's not wearing boots to support his ankle.

I have an Open University tutorial tomorrow morning. I'm not happy with myself for only getting 60% on my last assignment - it's still a pass, but it's the lowest mark I've received on this course so far.

Cancelled Class

My Rosemary Conley Class was cancelled tonight. Sue, the leader is sick. I hope she gets well soon. To make up for it my man and I went for a longer walk than normal. I'll have to watch my calories this week as I won't get weighed until Thursday next week now.

Snack attacks

I did not stick to my calories today. I know I should have, but I was in a snacky mood at work and that's when I eat more. I never get like that when I work from home. I eat breakfast and then while I'm waiting for downloads to complete or things to update, I'll go put a load of laundry in or make a coffee or tidy up my work area - these are the times in the office I would be searching my desk for snacks. So working in an office is definately bad for my waistline.

I had a great time at Kim's house last night. She made a fantastic pasta and meatball dinner and I took meringue nests, raspberries, blueberries and yogurt for pudding. We had some really nice red wine that they brought back from France earlier this year and just chilled out and chatted. I really enjoy us getting together. It's been a long time since I had such a good friend.

Mmm... crisps!

I didn't go to my exercise class last night. I just didn't feel like jumping up and down. So we went for a longer-than-normal walk. We needed dry cat food so we stopped in at the local shop and I got a bag of crisps. I had been very restrained all day so I allowed myself the treat. They were great, but the raging heartburn later was not.

Later on we went over to our next door neighbours to watch a dvd and eat popcorn.

Monday happenings

The walking is going great. We are both feeling the benefits and even when my man's ankle is fully healed I think we'll still walk together in the evening. Even though we don't have kids, it's become "Our Time". We intend to explore a lot while we're in Australia, so it can't hurt to practice before we go.

My friend Kim sent me a text today asking if I wanted to go to her house on Wednesday night for dinner and wine and stay over. She's just started a new job and I'm really looking forward to hearing all about it.

Not much more to report. Tried to keep within my calories, I could have eaten worse, but I could have eaten so much better too.

Boring Sunday

I did really well yeaterday and kept within my calories again, and we went for an extended walk in the evening. I got a bit more done on my next OU assignment, and that's about all really.

Sat-urgh-day!

Had a lovely Saturday. Went to my nanna and grandads on Saturday morning and ended up having lunch there and staying until gone 3pm. I had promised my nanna I would do her nails, so they didn't keep catching and splitting. It didn't take long but she's chuffed to bits. It's her 82nd birthday next week, so I'll be going over again next Saturday, after my OU tutorial.

My man has passed his exam. I'm so relieved. If he'd failed it would have cost about £160.00 to re-sit and that's cash we just do not have spare at the moment.

I tried on my wedding dress as suggested by my RCC leader. NIGHTMARE. It's so much smaller than I remember and there is absolutely no way on this earth that I'm going to be able to wear that in 8 weeks time! Oh well, it was worth a try anyway! At least I have an excuse to go shopping now!

Brain training

My man spent most of last night studying for his last exam. His head is in bits, but I'm sure he'll do fine. I got my books out for the next theme in my OU course and gave then a look over. Only 2 more assignments to go on this course, but with our 3 week holiday in between. I'll have to get my head in gear and get as much done as I can because my new course starts when we come back from Oz!

Kept to my calories yesterday, but we didn't go walking, we were too busy exercising our brains!

Dress debate

So, I went to my Rosemary Conley Class last night - I've put a pound on, but never mind, it happens. I actually think I've built up tons of muscle in my legs from all the walking we've done - my boots feel tighter, my trousers are tighter round my thighs. Either that or the fat is layering itsself back on ready for winter!

I'm supposed to be wearing my wedding dress when we renew our vows in Australia - so the ceremony is about 8 weeks away - my RCC leader, Sue, has suggested I get the dress out of the wardrobe and try it on to see how it fits now, then leave it hung up in the bedroom as motivation. Good thinking.

My friend, on the other hand, said it's unlucky for the groom to see the dress. It's our 10th anniversary this year, so he's already seen the dress, but knowing my man he'll have forgotten what it looks like! (When our photographer brought our wedding photos, he asked my man if he wanted to look at them. My man said, "No thanks, I don't need to, I was there.")

We're having a vegetarian week (with fish) at home. I'm not a huge fan of meat and will always clear my plate of veggies/rice/pasta first then just nibble at the chicken or whatever. I spent two evenings trawling the internet for recipes and shopped accordingly. Veggie-fest here we come!

Play the game

This was posted on Roni's Weigh and I wanted to play too!

What time did you get up this morning? 7.07am
Diamonds or pearl ? diamonds
What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Transformers
What is your favorite TV show? NCIS
What do you usually have for breakfast? cereal or toast
What is your middle name? Anne
What food do you dislike? Mayonnaise and tomatoes
What is your favorite CD at the moment? Foo Fighters - There is nothing left to lose (has been for 5 years!)
What kind of car do you drive? Mercedes-Smart Roadster Coupe
Favorite sandwich? Turkey Salad - no tomoatoes
What characteristic do you despise? Dishonesty
Favorite item of clothing? A cute white t-shirt with a drawing of a black cat on it that looks like my Stealthy-Monster
If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Australia (6 weeks and counting!!!)
Where would you retire to? Anywhere except the UK
What was your most recent memorable birthday? My 31st, it was my last one before my mum died
Furthest place you are sending this? Doesn't the internet go on forever?!
Person you expect to send it back first? No-one
When is your birthday? 15 March
Morning person or a night person? Morning in the week, night at weekends
What is your shoe size? UK size 5
Pets? 3 cats - Bailey, Stealthy-Monster and Diddler
Any exciting news you’d like to share with us? We are renewing our wedding vows in 8 weeks time.
What did you want to be when you were little? An airline pilot
How are you today? I'm fine, just looking forward to the weekend
What is your favorite flower? Lillies - I love the smell
What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to seeing? Saturday 13th September - Australia here we come!
What are you listening to right now? General office noises
What was the last thing you ate? A packet of French Fries and a hazelnut yogurt
Do you wish on stars? Nope
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Turquoise
How is the weather right now? Overcast but warm
Last person you spoke to on the phone? My husband
Favorite soft drink? Cherries and Berries Cordial
Favorite restaurant? In the UK: Hard Rock Cafe - Manchester, Abroad: El Castillo in Hissaronu, Turkey
Favorite color? Blue
What was your favorite toy as a child? Lego
Summer or winter? either
Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate
Coffee or tea? coffee (de-caff, of course!)
Do you want your friends to email you back? yep, but they don't know about my blog, yet.
When was the last time you cried? When I banged my arm a couple of weeks ago
What is under your bed? Shoes and more shoes
What did you do last night? Went to my Rosemary Conley Class, ate dinner, watched tv
What are you afraid of? the dark
Salty or sweet? Sweet
How many keys on your key ring? Car: 2, House: 5
How many years at your current job? 1
Favorite day of the week? Friday!
Do you make friends easily? Yep
How many people will you send this to? no-one, just my blog
How many will respond? hopefully anyone that finds my blog!!!

Didn't get my assignment finished yesterday, but I only have 350 words to go - no problem! I'll tackle it after lunch, because that's when I work best.

Went to our local retail park last night, and while my man was in the DIY store, I popped into Next, next door, and go the cutest pair of shoes in the sale. They will look great with the bargain wrap dress from the other week!

I found a recipe for a quinoa pilaf and we had it with dinner. It was yum - we'll definately be having that again. I have found a box I can keep my favorite recipes in, so I'm going to write it on a card and file it for future reference.

It's 6 weeks on Saturday until we go to Oz. I need to buckle down - I weighed myself in my pjs this morning and my scale says I've put on this week. I'll have to see what the scale at the class says, but it's usually not that forgiving! I need a presonal trainer and a chef - any volunteers?!!!!! There is no way I'm going to be able to wear my wedding dress to renew our vows at this rate. But on the positive side, I have a lovely cream trouser suit that would look good too. I'll just have to keep trying.

A pain in the head

Didn't go to my RCC last night. I had a really bad headache, so I lay down for a little while and rested. We did go for our daily walk though, so at least I still got a little activity in. Unfortunately we diverted past our local shop where my man decided to buy two large multipack bags of crisps. I am not going to be able to not eat them. We can't have them in the house or I just keep munching.

Anyway, I have an assignment to finish for my Open University course, so must get cracking (or finish it at work tomorrow - either way works for me!!!)

Let there be light

Where did the weekend go?! It seems like I was never away from my desk. And we're being blinded at the moment - the blinds have been removed from the whole floor of our office and the sun is streaming in. It's lovely, but I can't see a thing! (Note to self: retrieve sunglasses from car at lunchtime)

Party in the Park

Back at the park for the family Sunday Fun Day. Lots of different bands and activities on. Didn't stay for the grand finale (Alexander O'Neal) as I got a little too much sun and now have very burnt shoulders and sunstroke.

Ow!

Prom-tiddly-om-pom

My man decided that he'd like to get a bit of culture this weekend. The local park was having a proms night, with an orchestra and opera singers. Very posh!

We walked down to the park (only diverting into the local shop for a bottle of wine and some plastic glasses) with our folding chairs and spent a lovely summer evening sipping wine and listening to the music from Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty in the first half.

The second half was more rousing with renditions of Jerusalem and Rule Britannia, which everyone joined in with.

We had been given a Union Jack flag each when we entered the park and at the end of the second half the orchestra played the 1812 Overture with a backdrop of fireworks while everyone went mad waving flags.

Next year we're going to get there earlier, for the pre-concert entertainment, and take a picnic!

You say keen-wah, I say kwin-oh-ar

What a lovely day again. It was a lovely warm evening so we walked to a local pub, just over 2 miles round trip, but the humidity is bringing out hoards of snails. The country lane where the pub is looked like it had been invaded.

Made a lovely Chicken and Crunchy Vegetable Satay for Dinner. We tried quinoa with it. I keep reading about quinoa on other blogs and we gave it a whirl, but think that we prefer brown rice with a chinese dish because we were still hungry afterwards - it wasn't as filling as rice. I was thinking that it might be nice as a summer salad with peppers, sweetcorn and red onion to go with grilled fish. I'll let you know how it goes.

(and why is it pronounced keen-wah when it looks like it should be kwin-oh-ar?!)

Walkies!

Went to my RCC last night - stayed the same again, so at least I'll have no trouble maintaining if and when I get to goal!

My man met me after my class and we went for another walk. It was lovely and warm and we are both enjoying these walks so much at the moment. Man's ankle is improving steadily and it's getting us more exercise. (There was nothing on tv anyway!)

Hope the weather stays nice for the events in the local park this weekend.

Walking for the Weekend

Busy at work yesterday. The scouser next door didn't have time for a run so my husband decided we would do an extra long walk instead after dinner. It was a lovely evening, warm and sunny, and we both really enjoyed the walk.

We walked a total of 3 miles (4.7 km) and when we passed the park we found out that it is 'Splendid Weekend' this Saturday and Sunday. There's classical music and a firework display on Saturday and then on Sunday there are lots of local bands playing and the highlight of the day is a performance by Alexander O'Neal!

I just hope the weather is nice!

Jelly Legs

I have legs of jelly.

The run and walk on monday have seriously done my legs in. I can hardly move and when I do I walk like my grandma.

I went for a 1.5 mile walk with my man at lunch time yesterday, we had run out of bread and walked to the local shop. Then after work I had to go out and get some groceries.

The scouser next door asked if I was going for my next run, but my Rosemary Conley Class was last night and I knew that if I ran and did the class I wouldn't even be able to get out of bed today.

I went to my class and did the full 45 minute work out and I'm feeling it today.

I will, I promise, run with the scouser next door tonight.

(He recons that I could be running 4 miles comfortably by the time we go to Australia for our holidays - I'm a little bit dubious!)

Run off my feet

When I got home from work, my neighbour (the scouser) was in his back yard and asked how the weightloss was going. I told him it was okay, but I needed to exercise more. "Right" he announced, "Get your running gear on and I'll meet you out here in 5 minutes!"

We ran a loop of our local neighbourhood - it nearly killed me but I managed it. I do not run. I have never run. But I want to. I would love to be able to run without thinking my legs will drop off or my lungs will explode. I want to enjoy running and the scouser has come up with a plan.

The plan is that he's going to make me run every night after work. He is actually very encouraging and funny to run with (being told he'll break my legs if I give in made me laugh!) and will not accdept no for an answer. He's tapped into the one thing that stops me from progressing - I'm a lazy cow!

So the run we did was 1.25 miles (or 2km to the weirdos) and I managed it in 19minutes. I know this is not record breaking, but for me it was a major achievement.

After dinner my man decided it was time for our evening walk. We needed to go to the local store for dishewasher tablets, so we modified our route wand walked a total of 1.1 miles (1.9 km)

This morning, my legs feel like jelly and I have a blister on one of my feet. But it was worth it.

BTW, heres the awful photo of me doing the Race For Life the other weekend - I look like a hippo!

Sweet and Sour

Well, the weekend was not a spectacular success. I have a HUGE craving for savoury food at the moment. This is very confusing as I'm normally a chocolate girl. We went to a house party on Saturday, so I ate before we went and only had a handfull of nibbles from the buffet table. But, they were what I call 'fun food': nuts, crisps, sweets - not good at all.

We did go for a 45 minute walk every day though, but today I feel all puffy - I think I'm retaining water.

I saw my Race For Life photos today - I look horriffic! I have bought one and will post on here when it arrives. I felt fine this morning, but after seeing that photo I feel like the Goodyear Blimp!

None of that "It's not that bad" or "You look fine" - I know I look massive, it's because I am!
(No point denying it!)

p.s. Thanks to Roni for the comment on my last post - I do feel better, thank you. And your pizza making with the Toddler made me smile lots - he looks just like my cousin when he was about 3 years old!

Stay the same

Stayed the same this week at my weigh in. I didn't stay for the exercise as I would have been coughing, wheazing and spreading germs to the rest of the class.

I have a plan, though... Over the weekend I'm going to drink lots of fruit juice and water to get my fluid levels back up. I'm going to stick to my calories and exercise if I'm well enough, and hopefully I should see a loss next week.

The cold, the phone and my wardrobe

I hate having a cold! My eyes are all red and so is my nose. I feel like I'm living under a mound of tissues. I've been working at home for the past 3 days so that I don't spread my germs to my co-workers. (How considerate am ?!) I've managed to keep up to date with everything and was really proud that I'll have no backlog to work through when I get back to the office.

My phone hadn't rung at all - until I went to collect my prescription. It was my manager - why did I feel so guilty at having left the house when I was on a legitimate illness errand - I was waiting in line at the chemist for my pills!!!!! My manager said I sounded like his son, who's voice is just starting to break. So, basically I look like Rudolph the red nose reindeer and sound like a 13 year old boy! That makes me feel soooooooo much better... not.

At least I got a bargain while I waited. I popped into the shop next door to the chemist so I didn't have to stand and listen to all the old ladies telling me about their ailments. I got a lovely wrap around dress for £3.00, and a pair of espidrilles for £1.00. The dress is a little bit low cut at the front, but it's nothing a £1.00 brown vest from Primark won't fix!

Monday Monday

Is it just me, or are Mondays a bit dull? I crashed through all my tasks at work and popped in to see my sister-in-law on the way home, but when I got to bed I just lay there wondering where the day went. I hadn't achieved anything. I hadn't done anything much. The time just seemed to have passed me by.

There was probably lots of stuff I could have done - I can't think what at the moment though - and felt like my day had had some meaning. It was just a day wasted.

The only thing I did realise is that I'm coming down with a cold.

Race For Life

I was sooooooo tired this morning! We didn't get to bed until 2.30am and my race was in Stockport at 11.00am! Breakfast was a bit of a rush, then it was a mad dash (at 70mph!) down the motorway to get to my race.

I almost didn't take part - the race marshals kept trying to make me stand with the spectators, even though I was wearing my race number! This was probably because I was the last racer to arrive (10.58am!) and so had to leg it through the park where the event was being held to the start. Being the last there I had to go to the back of the mass of racers and finally got through the start line at 0.07.46.

The race went quite well, I had to make several dodgy overtakes to move up the ranks of the slow walkers to get to the average walkers, then to the walker/joggers. I knew by the first 1km marker that I had no chance of getting round in less than 40 minutes, but for a lot of people there this race is not about how long it takes, it's about the cause.

I finally made it through the finish line at 1.02.24, giving me a total time of 0.54.42.

Marathon Photos were there, so when the pictures are available, I will post them so you can see what 2 nights on the beer and a race look like!

After the race I rang man to come get me and had to walk another 3.5km to get to where he was picking me up from!

Let's just say, it's now 4pm and I'm going for a lie down!

Night, night!

p.s. Thanks to MizFit for my first ever comment. Sorry I didn't see it till today, but my email alert thingie is a bit screwey at the moment!

Busy Busy

What a hectic day! Man had to get up early to go and price up a job. I went to my Nanna's to see her, my grandad, my dad and his wife. Finally got home at 3.30pm, and had to get organised for staying over in Runcorn (Next door neighbour's mum's 50th birthday barbecue)

Went to pick man up from pub at 4.30pm, but didn't leave until 6.15pm! Lots of friends there we haven't seen for ages. Finally arrived in Runcorn at 6.50pm witht he party already in full swing.

Had to take it easy on the drinks as I needed to get up early Sunday for my Race for Life.

The party was lovely. Everyone was really nice and had a great time - Happy 50th Birthday Carol!

Happy Birthday Hubby!

Worked from home today. I rushed to get everything finished so that I could take man out for a birthday lunch. We ended up going for a carvery, and I was very good and piled my plate up with veggies.

Man was very pleased with his birthday presents and said he will save the book I bought him for the flight to Oz in September. (Note to self: Apply for Australia Holiday Visas!)

Went out with his family this evening. Just local pubs, but we had a really good laugh and got home about 1.30am.