LadyWitch

I used to LOVE Buffy! Or more accurately Willow and definitely agree with the overwhelming distaste towards Riley!

I could really do with putting a limit on my spending... May have to wait till the next challenge though, as I have a holiday and my birthday in this one! Good goals once again Sylvaa, you'll rock them!

I have a one week holiday in Spain 11-18th June, and my birthday 29th June. Both of these things will impact what I eat and how much I move. I’m planning on the holiday being quite active, with some form of exercise every day, but I’m not silly enough to think that I’ll be able to stick to my ‘diet’ completely while away. As such, my goal for that week is to maintain my weight, and try to be conscious of how much I’m moving. My birthday is on a Wednesday this year, and I’m waiting to see if I’ll have to work it or not (my holiday form is in for approval). If I don’t, then my plan is to go to the gym and have a massage, if I have to work it, then I’ll still go to the gym, but the massage would have to wait. The weekend after, we’re hoping to take a group of friends to a local climbing gym for an intro session! I’ve never been climbing before, so it’s scary as hell, but it was my idea so no backing out now! Once that’s out of the way, I can focus on my primary goals. Overall, I need to get fitter. My weight doesn’t matter as much as being strong and healthy, although I would like to see the scales start to go down. I’ve had the ‘text book’ for the PT course come through, so I’m going to start studying for that. The course starts the 15th October, but throws you almost straight into assessments, so you need to do all the studying on your own beforehand. I know it’s still a long way off, but I don’t want to leave it to the last minute, like I always did at uni Goals: 1: Eat 140g of protein a day 2: Eat 8 portions of freggies a day 3: Workout 3x a week 4: At least 1 running session a week 5: Spend at least 1 hour each week studying for the PT course. Current measurements: Weight: 14st 5lb Chest: 41.5 in Waist: 35 in Hips: 46 in R Thigh: 27 in L Thigh: 27 in R Bicep: 13 in L Bicep: 13 in

I also have a holiday in the next challenge, so my goal will be to do one thing 'active' each day

I'm just glad that you're ok! Glad you made it there and back safely, and did great with your bowling! The challenges aren't going anywhere, and sometimes lift throws us curve balls, the important thing is to keep moving forward and remember that you're in this game for life, so a short detour is nothing to worry about Look forward to seeing your next challenge!

Update time... Goal 1: Get a new job TOTAL SUCCESS!!!! I had one interview, but that was enough! Been working for the majority of this challenge, which has had an impact on my workout availability, but thats something to work on, now that i'm mostly settled in the new job. My reward to myself was to have a massage and pay upfront for the next 4, so I can use them as incentives for getting stuff done (or as a bit of self-love if I'm feeling down) Goal 2: Work out 3 times a week and do Zombies! Run twice a week. Well... Due to starting the new job, this didn't really happen. I've made it to the gym at least once a week for a weights session, but that's about it. I did have my Tough Mudder, so that's something at least. I have one more week before I go on holiday, so my gym workouts will be a bit sporadic until after that, its only a week, and I plan on doing something active each day, but proper workouts will resume w/c 20th June. Goal 3: Track food in MFP and keep under calorie target. I've only missed one day of tracking food, so thats a definite win! However, about a week in, I switched from trying to eat 'less', to focusing on eating 'more'... Protein has become my nemesis! I'm following the eat to perform pattern of eating, and I'm aiming to eat 140g of protein each day... Most days I'm not getting there. I'll continue to work towards this in the next challenge, and once I've increased my workouts again I'll hopefully start building muscle (and loosing weight) Goal 4: Meditate daily and start journal. I've only missed my meditation twice and both times it was because I'd gone out for the evening and didn't get back until after midnight, so my 'before bed' meditation got counted as the next day The journalling hasn't really happened, but it did change into something else. I've been doing a positivity challenge from my therapist. So each night, before going to sleep, I have to write down 3 things that I'm proud of myself for that day. Somedays have been really really hard. Others not so much. But I've done it everyday, with the same exceptions as the meditation and food tracking! Currant measurements: Weight: 14st 6lb / 14st 5lb Chest: 41 in / 41.5 in Waist: 36 in / 35 in Hips: 47.5 / 46 in R Thigh: 27.5 in / 27 in L Thigh: 28 in / 27 in R Bicep: 13.5 / 13 in L Bicep: 13 in / 13 in Not bad. Reductions in most of my measurements (except my boobs... They've apparently gained half an inch... DAMN THEM!!!) and a slight decrease in my weight. I had hoped for more, but considering how sporadic my workouts have been, and the change in 'diet plan' mid way through, I'm happy enough with that. Next challenge has its own difficulties to manage, such as a week in Spain and my birthday, but I'm determined to get back on track. I have 19 weeks until the PT course starts, and want to be as fit as I can be by then!

It does suck, but I'm also aware that I'm over sensitive at the best of times, and this isn't the best of times I'm going to try and talk to them about it the next time I see them... Maybe... Anywho... I did a Thing yesterday... I booked myself on Personal Trainer course starting in October. I have 19 weeks to get myself ready for it. So the week before Christmas I'll be a qualified PT!!! Yikes that's a scary thought! My first client is all lined up though... ME! My goal is to get myself as fit as possible before the start of the course, so that I don't feel like a complete hypocrite! But doing it in a sensible way, by lifting heavy, eating well and giving myself some self-love. All the things I will teach my future clients!

Congrats on passing your exam! I wanted a red to blonde ombre, and went to the hairdressers to get it done on Saturday. My hair was two inches or so below my shoulders. My ends were rather badly damaged, and the stylist recommended against bleaching it any further. So in the end I ended up with all red, and lost 2-3 inches on the length. However, I can now make sure its in good condition, and next time I go in, I'll be able to get the ombre... Sometimes the hair dresser knows best! I would definitely recommend taking her in somewhere for a consultation... They'll either say 'yes we can do it', 'no we can't' or 'maybe we could do this instead'... Either way, teenagers are more likely to listen to a cool hear dresser, over you

Wow! I'm glad you had a fantastic week! I've never been to Lyme Park, but will definitely put it on my list sounds like a fun way to kill a day or three!

The concerts sound amazing! Glad things are going well with your goals I'm so proud of you! Note to Self: Be more like Michi!

Been a bit of a mixed week. Had the high of the TM, a bout of exhaustion fuelled depression, work frustrations and family dramas. None of it on its own amounted to much, but load them all on and by Saturday I was ready to collapse! Instead I went and got my hair done... Had a couple inches hacked off and the colour redone. I then went home and crashed. I'd been out at a friends birthday party on Friday nights, so I was also hung-over which didn't help matters. And the party highlighted something else that I'm struggling with... Since starting the new job, I've not been able to spend my days hanging out with my two friends Cherry and Evie. Cherry I've known for 28 years, we met on the first day of school and have been friends ever since, and Evie I met at a belly dance class 3 or 4 years ago. I introduced the two to each other and they hit it off, which was fantastic. Now however I'm struggling with being left out of things. Evie works part time, and Cherry doesn't work, so they've been getting together during the day, planning events and god knows what else. Now every time I meet up with them, singly or together, they'll mention something that they've done, or refer to a conversation they had without me, and its like a knife in my heart. I'm not sure how to deal with it, and as such have been withdrawing from them both some what. I have no right to dictate who either of them spend time with, and I'm happy that they get on so well... But it HURTS! Its making it even harder to adjust to my new situation than I expected, and is making me prone to bursting into tears. I'm trying to hold to the 'time heals all wounds' idea, and hoping that I'll get used to the change in dynamics soon. If it doesn't I'm not sure what I'll do if it continues hurting like this. Anyway, my workouts have been sporadic, due to the new job. My plans for June are to slowly ease myself into going before work three mornings a week. Once that's habit, I'll try and add in two running session as well, but I've decided not to overload myself too much and do five days a week NOW. Does mean that my initial goals for this challenge have gotten a little lost, but oh well. I'm still drinking a ton of water every day, I'm still meditating at bed time, and I've already done one of my three workouts this week. So its not all bad! Monday here was a bank holiday, so I decided to pamper myself a bit and went to have a hot stone massage. It was lovely! I also paid upfront for my next four sessions, as its buy 3 get 4 at the moment. Now I have ready paid for rewards for meeting my monthly goals! After that I had to go and visit my mother... Which kinda undid all the relaxation caused by the massage My mum is in a home, after my dad (her primary carer) did a runner the day before I started my new job. She HATES it there. She HATES my dad. And she now blames him for all her health problems, claiming that he'd been planning on leaving for years and had been sabotaging her health all along. I seriously had to bite my tongue to keep my opinions to myself. I mean seriously?! Why would he sabotage her health, when that would just make MORE WORK FOR HIM?!?!? Grrrrrr. I'm not quite at the point of burning my bridges and siding completely with dad, but I'm not far off. Mum is hoping she'll get to go home next Monday, and I personally don't think that's a good thing. My uncle, who is wheelchair bound and has a ton of his own health problems, wants to give her the chance to try coping at home, but I don't see it lasting more than a month. He needs a carer in to get him up and put him to bed, and to cook meals. Mum will need even more help. She's gotten used to my dad doing EVERYTHING for her, and the one time I stayed over to help, she had me up 13 times in one night... No-one can survive like that (which is why my dad left). Needless to say, I went to the gym straight after that, and let out my frustrations on the weights better than taking them home and unleashing them on my poor husband!

The Tough Mudder was yesterday. I SURVIVED!!!! And I crossed the finish line on my own two feet! I did have to skip some of the obstacles, as I didn't have the upper body strength or the energy left nearer the end to do them, but I'm so proud of myself for finishing! I also don't ache nearly as much today as I thought I would, although I do have some lovely bruises! And I'm STARVING!!! ran the entire thing fuelled by a bowl of granola and yogurt and the energy bites they hand out around the track. Took us nearly 6 hours and then we drove home before eating... Dinner ended up being pizza, so not the best. I had three slices and had to stop due to feeling nauseous. But it was a great day and I'm already planning to do it again next year! I have a bench mark now, so have to do better each year! He rest of the week went ok. Work was a bit frustrating at the end of the week, due to people not sending me their reports on time. It's not like the submission times have changed, but they all came in late was making my boss frustrated as well! We knew that they'd test the boundaries with me, being builders , we just didn't expect it to start the DAY I went solo... But I survived that, and the TM, so I can do anything!!!

How did the tournament go?!

Popcorn is far from the worst thing you could eat, so I'd still call that a win!

First week at the new job went ok. Serious overload on info, but I guess thats normal in a new role. Food was pretty on point all week, as I took a healthy packed lunch; didn't help that the sales team cooked pizza and garlic bread as part of their 'Fat Friday'. Very annoyed by the action and the term, especially as I was sat in the kitchen eating my lunch while they were doing it. Only made it to the gym once, Thursday evening, and the weights section was packed so I did Zombies! Run, instead. Planning to get my bag packed tonight, so I can get up and go to the gym before work tomorrow. I was hesitant about doing it, because I didn't want to lug my gym and shower kit all the way to work and back... They do have lockers that you can hire on a monthly basis, but they're renovating the changing rooms at the end of the month, and they wont be available for the duration (about two weeks I think), so I don't want to pay out for something I wont be able to use for that time... However, it occurred to me that there's nothing stopping me from leaving my stuff in a locker during the day, and swinging past on my way home from work... So thats what I'm going to try tomorrow. If it works, I'll aim to do it Monday, Thursday and Friday each week. Big scary thing coming up is the Tough Mudder... It's next Saturday! I am in no way ready, and I'm terrified that I'll hurt myself, but I'm damn well going to do it and have fun! Meditation is ongoing... Been doing it every day at bed time, and I'd like to think it's helping to take the edge off the new job/family issues stress, that seems to keep piling up. I do seem to sleep better when I do it, some of the time at least. Hopefully, as I get more used to doing it, my body will catch on that its meant to go to sleep at that time. Went to visit my mum today. She's still in the care home, and likely to remain there, much to her horror. She hates it, and wants to go home, but there's no way she can manage on her own, and my uncle isn't capable of looking after her. She spent most of the time I was there, moaning about the other residents, the staff, and the fact that my dad had been sabotaging her health and it was all his fault... I had to bite my tongue to keep my opinions to myself. All her health issues relate directly back to her 40 a day smoking habit and uncontrolled diabetes, she's had a stroke (possibly more than one) and had a toe amputated, and that was before she broke her hip and lost all mobility. She can just about stand, but thats it. She's never tried to manage her diabetes (type 2) by moderating her diet, and continued to eat crap all the time. My dad left because his own health was suffering and it was the only way out. Having had to put some distance between myself and the family for my healths sake, I'm very definitely on his side in this. No one should have to sacrifice their own health and happiness to care for someone else. I've exchanged a few emails with him (I'm the only one he's in contact with) and he seems far happier than he has been in a long time. I just hope he doesn't let the guilt of walking away eat him up, or drive him back.

Sounds like a good set of goals. It's always a good idea to build on what you know works Good luck in the tournament, I hope you have an amazing time!

I love your goal! There are soooo many things on that list that I haven't done, but would love to do... Newstead Abbey is gorgeous! Have you been to Rufford Abbey yet? I got married there, so it has a special place in my heart! Lindisfarne make amazing MEAD!!!! One of my favourite tipples, and very very tasty!

I'm glad you had a great weekend at the party! Sounds like a fantastic start to the challenge (even if it was week zero!) and your goals sound manageable, which is always hard to get right when you're fighting depression.

I'm intrigued by 'Batman Lessons'... Tell me more?!?!

Well done on the Spartan! I have Tough Mudder in less than two weeks, and really hope its no where near as muddy as your Spartan was!

Thanks for the encouragement folks! Had a bit of a mixed weekend. Friday we went to the Alton Towers Waterpark. It was really good fun and got a ton of walking and swimming done. Food wasn't so good, but that was kinda expected. Saturday we went to a bbq at a friends place, and I ate mostly meat, and had a bit of alcohol. I also managed to get to the gym first thing on Saturday, so that was definitely a win! Sunday we met some friends for breakfast and then wandered around town, before setting up at a pub with an outside seating area. I ended up having a complete anxiety meltdown, and we had to head home early. And while that was happening I found out that my dad has done a runner. He's the primary carer for my disabled mum and uncle, and has been really struggling with his own health. I don't blame him at all for going, and just want him to get well. I have had one email from him to say that he is ok. I then had another meltdown because I couldn't find my degree certificate, which I was meant to take to work. Then today I started my new job. I arrived 20 minutes early, and spent the day having so much info thrown at me, I honestly have no idea how much I'll actually remember tomorrow. I have until next Wednesday before she goes on maternity leave, so I need to know as much as possible by then. There is however a lovely place to sit and eat lunch, pic below, and it's a mile walk each way at the work end. I'm hoping that I'll be able to get my timings down so I can go to the gym in the morning, but that may take a few days. But I'm still here, and still trying!

I've lost track of how many times I've restarted the C25K... I can get to about week 6, and then something goes wrong! But I'm determined to get back to it... YAYYYYYYY! Thank you! Needless to say, this week isn't going to plan. Monday was a bank holiday, and I didn't get my strength workout done, as the gyn was PACKED! I decided 'fine, I'll do it Tuesday'... Nope. A friend came over in the morning for a 'quick visit' which ended up with her staying most of the day and making me KonMarie my dvds... I know it needed doing, but I was a bit pissed off about missing my gym AGAIN! I then had the call about the job, had to go to my councelling session, and then my friend and hubby took me out for a celebratory dinner... And all the food was consumed. Then this morning, I was awake early enough to go to the gym, but all I could think was 'What's the point? I wont be able to do it before work from Monday...' Grrrrrrr. I would go this afternoon, but its the back pain course, and then I have work... Think I'll try and do a BW workout and leave the guilt at the door. Doesn't help that I know I wont be able to go on Friday, as we're going to the Alton Towers Waterpark for my hubbies birthday (which is on Sunday, and will throw out my entire weekend out as well!) On top of all that, the employer that I worked at for 3 weeks before crashing and burning, apparently forgot to tell HR that I quit, and I've been paid for a month I didn't work. So I've had to contact the woman who was my manager for 3 whole days and ask her to sort it out... AND I need to buy new work clothes, as none of what I have fit currently, and I had a major clear out last summer because I hadn't been wearing any of it due to working from home... *sigh* Why does everything happen at once?!

I GOT THE JOB!!! I GOT THE JOB!!! I GOT THE JOB!!! *struggles to maintain calm* I GOT THE JOB... Ok I'll stop now! I start on Monday, its a better salary than I expected, and I'm super excited. Only problem is the amount of time it'll take me to get there, its definitely going to impact my workout schedule but at least I got it! Fingers crossed its as good as it sounded at the interview (or at least as good as any 'admin' job can be!)

Thank you! And yes, it does definitely need FINALLY on the end of that sentence! It's only taken me 9 months to be able to start Just hope it actually helps...

New challenge is here