LadyWitch gathers momentum

[LadyWitch]

I hate the 'down time' between challenges, so I'm ignoring it and starting now!

 

My goals are going to be fairly similar to the last challenge, as I want to build on what I've been doing  That being said, I have a Tough Mudder (my first!) on the 21st May, so I'm doing everything I can to be ready for that... Not sure I'll ever be 'ready' but I'm damn well going to try!

 

Goal 1: Get a new job.

Still waiting to hear back from one job I interviewed for, and applying for anything even remotely valid. 

 

Goal 2: Work out 3 times a week and do Zombies! Run twice a week.

I need to keep up the gym workouts three times a week, and introduce running into the mix. I can't actually run for more than a minute at a time, so I've jumped back into Zombies! Run. My goal is to be able to run a full 5k by my birthday in June. That gives me plenty of time to repeat weeks if needed on the C25K program. 

 

Goal 3: Track food in MFP and keep under calorie target.

I seem to be doing better with the weight loss side of things if I track food. I hate calorie counting, but it's working atm, so I'll keep with it. I want to track at least 5/7 days each week.

 

Goal 4: Meditate daily and start journal.

I've been doing the Calm app for the last month or so, but want to make meditating a daily habit. I started councelling last week, and my therapist wants me to keep a journal, I haven't even started that yet, so will make it a goal to write in it at least 3 times a week. Hmmmmmm should probably make that a separate goal, but instead will use it as a bonus one.

 

Starting measurements (taken from my last challenge thread):

Weight: 14st 6lb

Chest: 41 in

Waist: 36 in

Hips: 47.5

R Thigh: 27.5 in

L Thigh: 28 in

R Bicep: 13.5

L Bicep: 13 in

[Sylvaa]

Hello darling!

 

So glad that you are getting to start counselling now (I feel like I should say finally)!

 

Love that you are keeping everything similar to what worked last challenge. You are going to have to much fun at the end of the month!

[LadyWitch]

Just now, Sylvaa said:

Hello darling!

 

So glad that you are getting to start counselling now (I feel like I should say finally)!

 

Love that you are keeping everything similar to what worked last challenge. You are going to have to much fun at the end of the month!

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...

[Tateman]

I made my new challenge with goals that were very similar to my last challenge.  Might as well stick with what is working

 

Following of course

 

[ScoutSays]

I say stick with that's working for sure!! and I am right there with you looking for a job! May we both find jobs we love!! (or at least tolerate! lol) 

[MichiruSedai]

I just started zombies run!  I've done the first two missions. I'm not actually running for it though, yet.  Great goals, you got this!!

[LadyWitch]

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!)

[Sylvaa]

[ScoutSays]

ACK!!!! I'm so proud of you and excited for you!!!!!!! <3

 

[LadyWitch]

 

On 5/3/2016 at 3:01 AM, MichiruSedai said:

I just started zombies run!  I've done the first two missions. I'm not actually running for it though, yet.  Great goals, you got this!!

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...

 

16 hours ago, Sylvaa said:

YAYYYYYYY!

 

9 hours ago, ScoutSays said:

ACK!!!! I'm so proud of you and excited for you!!!!!!! <3

 

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?!

[Sylvaa]

2 hours ago, LadyWitch said:

 

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...

 

I've had this problem before too! I feel like the program is fairly easy and then BOOM! hard mode and it's like, wait what? Plus (at least the version I used) expected everyone using it to be at a certain pace that I wasn't ready for, so I didn't feel like I was getting the most out of it. Keep trying though! I've gotten to the point where I don't actually walk slow periods, I just slow jog, and it's definitely gotten easier!

 

Ugh for gym issues - but that's no reason to get discouraged! Spending time with friends is important too. I love that you are going to fit in a BW workout! Just think how far you've come by doing one versus saying, "forget it! this week is ruined!" 

 

I hope everything calms down and gets sorted out by the weekend so you have an amazing time instead of worrying over everything else! That place looks super fun!

[Reinfire]

Yay, congrats on the job! And on starting counselling! Things are looking good for you  Following along again!

[LadyWitch]

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!

[Tateman]

Congrats on the job!  Of course everything gets all hectic now!  Just try to stay calm, and hopefully things will settle down soon.  It may not all be perfect, but I think you are handling things well.  new job, have to learn all the things asap, and trying to get in workouts.  Not to mention family issue popping up.  Just try to tackle one day at a time

[MichiruSedai]

Oh yes, congrats on the job!!!!!!

[LadyWitch]

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.

[MichiruSedai]

The family stuff sounds tough... I am sorry you are dealing with that.

 

Good luck on the Tough Mudder!  Those things scare the crap out of me.

[MichiruSedai]

How was your week, LadyWitch? 

[LadyWitch]

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!!!

[MichiruSedai]

Congrats!!

[Sylvaa]

I am so super proud of you! That's awesome!

[LadyWitch]

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!

 

[Sylvaa]

4 hours ago, LadyWitch said:

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.

 

Oh this sucks!

 

I would talk to them about it - chances are they don't even realize how you are feeling about it. Maybe suggest having a standing afternoon / evening date with one at a time or both? 

[LadyWitch]

16 hours ago, Sylvaa said:

 

Oh this sucks!

 

I would talk to them about it - chances are they don't even realize how you are feeling about it. Maybe suggest having a standing afternoon / evening date with one at a time or both? 

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!

[MichiruSedai]

I'm really sorry you are feeling blah about your friends having fun while you work.  I can relate.  *hugs*

 

I am glad that you are taking care of yourself with the massages!  And woohoo on the PT class!