New beginnings

I have been plugging away at the diet and exercise and have succeeded in stopping the rot but not in reversing the trend. A year has passed since I started my last push and I am exactly where I was back then. So, by one interpretation, no harm has been done. But, by another.....how annoying is that??!

I choose to look at it as a positive. I'm no worse off. It is a year during which I have not gained weight and for large part of it was in control.

I must look back at what worked for me between September 2012 and February 2013 to work out how to get back moving in the right direction and then address what went wrong between February and August of this year to avoid falling into THAT beartrap again.

But, first things first, good habits. As ever I'm mindful of not trying to do everything at once and setting myself over-optimistic targets which I will not achive. Mini-targets are always the way for me:

• Carbs - I am STILL eating too much bread and too many carbs. I will set as my carb target - no more than 1 breadcake (roll, bap, bun, etc etc) or 2 slices of bread each day. I have had this for lunch so no more bread for me today. I'm less bothered by pasta etc as this is generally part of my meal and not extra in the way that toast or cereal often is for me but I will work on portion control for non-bread carbs.
• Booze. Too many pints. Last year I actually cut back; d'ya hear me Lesley - CUT BACK! No more casual bottles of beer, in fact no more booze until the weekend and even then A LOT LESS!!
• Exercise. I'm already better at this. I have reinstated running, long walks and training so just need to keep the pressure on and ensure that these don't fall away when the weather worsens.
• Cold showers, black coffees etc etc. Well, surprisingly, I never really stopped on those although the waiting for 3 hours to eat breakfast did fall away somewhat. I think it was just the whole package fell away leaving intermittent rather than actual observation of the regime. I am getting back to doing it properly and I'm sure I'll see the benefits soon. The main thing I need to work on is getting some early morning exercise in - a dog walk, home workout, anything first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Bleurgh....but it WILL happen.
• Blogging. Accountability. Call it what you will, experience from the past tells me that I need it. So you're going to see a lot more of me round these parts....poor you.

In other news the house purchase is crawling along with many a setback but seems finally to be reaching a happy conclusion. IWe've received our mortgage offer so it is just a case of agreeing a completion date with the seller.  She is a bit of a pain but I think she is being mucked around somewhat by her prospective landlord  (ironically I think he's our CURRENT) landlord) who won't confirm the date she may have the house.  But he will eventually and then we will be able to exchange contracts with completion set for the beginning of November sometime. Cross those fingers and toes for us. I can't wait to get in and start decorating and homemaking. I hadn't realised how much living in a rented place (and one which is on the market at that) has stifled that side of me. I want to be building our future, not treading water.

I suspect it might be a tricky thing to get Richard into the whole domestic chores business as he's not owned a house before and his last place was a small flat with tiny "garden"....but hopefully I can cajole, nag and enthuse until I have full cooperation. I'm looking forward to making the place look like we want it to; knowing that it's worth hanging pictures as we won't have to be moving soon; choosing the colours we want rather than putting up with magnolia; planting the garden I want; saving up for furniture we want to live with forever, rather than putting up with the stuff we have for now. I'm sick of making do and temporary ease, putting our life on hold as we are doing at the moment. I'm sure that being in our house will make it more permanent.

I don't remember feeling this way about my last house, much as I liked it. Maybe easy come, easy go was a factor - I didn't appreciate how lucky I was to have such a nice place in the same way I do now? I enjoyed working on it and making it nice but I don't remember the pride I'm already anticipating when I think about the new house.

London....6 weeks ago....sigh....

Well, my laptop is out of intensive care.  I don't think it's cured but at least it is showing some signs of life again.  Trouble is, after so long without it, I am out of the habit of blogging so it may take ME some time to get back to business as usual.  So, to get me back in the swing of things and to liven up all this unfamiliar word only posts, here are some photos from our long weekend in London at the beginning of August.

As you can see, we started at the Tower of London, then Westminster Abbey (which was closed by the time we got there) so we then walked along the south bank to St Pauls.  Gorgeous, gorgeous, historic and vibrant London.  (Sorry Isabelle, I know you have a personal grudge against the place...look away now!) 

So ancient and with meaning and significance oozing out of every cranny.

The White Tower. 

I find certain buildings repeating themselves in my albums endlessly - Tower Bridge, the London Eye and now a newcomer - The Shard. 

This chap was great.  Worth every penny....oh no, the tour was free!  He had to shout to be heard by well over a hundred followers and deal with 90% foreignness but he did it with grace, humour, opinionated political non-correctness and, at times, great poignancy.
 

One of the captive ravens of the Tower.  Poor clipped-wing chap, hopping along, taking one for the team to save the Tower.

 

See what I mean about my Repetitive Building Syndrome.

 

The Palace of Westminster. 

 

The sun came out and the sky was blue for our walk along the river.  I love it.  Those stunning, massive cityscapes in every direction mixing old and new and making you feel that  you are in the middle of Somewhere Important.

I fear photo fatigue may have set in....

Brutal indeed - the Tate Modern.

So, have a great week everyone and I'll be back to write some stuff soon if I can remember how!!

Lazy IT folk....

I had a totally different word for the IT "folk" in mind to be honest but felt that swearing on my blog is just not cricket.  Part of the problem is that I'm too busy to chase them up but, honestly, is there actually a recession on??  Suffice it to say, my laptop remains unmended.

My weight is creeping lower. I have admitted to myself without reservation the fact that I have gained ALL the 17 lbs I dropped but as of today no more and I'm heading in the right direction. Sigh....

Work is a bit hectic.  Our boss is throwing her (tiny) weight around but I'm trying to persuade my colleagues to hold their heads and not precipitate a crisis. She is a tad two faced....all nicey nicey and saying the right things, right up until the point it no longer suits her.

Despite the fact that I had the prospect of a tricksey team meeting with boss present in the afternoon; it was raining lightly; I had a tummy ache;  and I only had a vest top in my gym bag, I still managed to talk my chimp into a lunchtime run! And it wasn't half bad either.  So, there remains light at the end of the tunnel.  I just hope I can keep sight of it.
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Still in the mid 20th century

It is very frustrating that just when I really need the support I get from regular blogging, my laptop is kaput and every IT person I contact is on holiday! I am trying quite hard but also suffering regular setbacks. I seem to be able to stick to my routine most mornings and through the afternoons but my resolve weakens in the evenings and too many carby snacks and big meals are sneaking through.

On the plus side I've been running 6 times now which is almost a habit.

On the minus side, I'm tapping this post out on my phone on the coach back from Middlesbrough where we've been watching the football. I knew it would be a tough day for a dieter but managed to avoid the cooked breakfast and 2 pints with breakfast. I did not, however, avoid the subsequent 5 pints of bitter and accompanying cheeseburger and chips. Oh and I made 2 batches of brownies for the coach cos it was one of the regulars' birthday and had 1.5 pieces!! So, not a great day dietwise!! But fun.

I will work on my chimp discipline from now on and will NOT have any more beer today!!

Frustration

The laptop is still busted and local IT chaps have gone on their hols. I think it's something  simple like the battery pack but it's most annoying. I have a camera full of photos I took at  Rich's Captain's day up at his golf club at the weekend and everyone is keen to see them but they'll have to wait. Grrrrr

On the "fat but happy" front, I realised that, while I am happy, I am not happy being fat!! I was looking around the station this morning and observing how many slim, trim women there were and how far I have strayed from slim and trim. Enough!!

So, I'm back doing something about it. No carbs for breakfast or lunch, my cold shower, black coffee, 3 hour wait for breakfast routine and, crucially for me, an actual run at lunchtime!! I haven't been on a run at work for some time but it was most enjoyable and to be repeated.  Tonight I ate a bit late but resisted homemade gooseberry crumble for dessert Go me!!

Baby steps. I will NOT go  all the way back up. The rot will be stopped and the damage reversed, again.

Aaaaargh!!!

Not hiding. My laptop is on the blink, I and can't use my work one for "Social Networking" and typing proper posts on my phone like this is  too awkward.

So, in short, I'm fat but happy. Busy at work, play and trundling on with the house buying. I'm trying to address the fat bit but can't hide from the fact that I've put most of the stone I dropped back on (I've tried, believe me)!  I WILL be stopping the rot very soon.  In fact, no time like the present....

Wish me luck peeps and I hope to be back blogging properly soon. I have a ton of photos if nothing else!!

Time flies

How did that happen? It's been ages since I lasted posted. Nothing too sinister just having a good time!! We've had a few days off but I'll be back in the saddle soon. Kind of dreading the scales. wish me luck!!

And.......drum roll....I've just noticed that this is my 1000th post!! It could've been a bit more momentous but I suppose that's the way it goes with blogging!!