Continue the change and enjoy the journey!

fedupandskint

Decided against a run today as have been cold and wet this morning at dentist check up (went ok) and felt cold all day and am still fighting this cold off. Copped out with 20mins on the stepper on the harder DVD which was very enjoyable and I did it ok, some arm exercises a bit more difficult but this is where I am weaker and want to tone up. Prob should have gone for the run but due to the dreadful weather today thought against it as didn't want to get wet through and cold again

Planning long run tomorrow and have a big lunch of left over stir fry ready to go to fuel the run. This will be the last long Friday evening run as I move it to Sunday morning and try and work out what to have to eat before running 14-15miles. Only 3 weeks left to go before the big day arrives

Then the balancing of work, life, running, uni and assignments can calm down a little I hope!

fedupandskint

Checked the weather forecast and as it was fine this morning decided to go for the long run of 13.42 miles as looked rainy again this afternoon.

That was hard going - didn't have my usual full days food inside to fuel it but did shovel down quite a bit for breakfast to see how I got on running 13 miles first thing in the morning.

Ran it in 2hrs 35mins and it feel very slow at times. Well I've done it, and all I need to do now is to get enough food and drink in to fuel the run and see if I can increase the distance a bit more to 14 over the next couple of weeks.

This afternoon is study afternoon once I've recovered!

fedupandskint

Hmmm, not much studying going on this afternoon. Did manage to settle down after that run for about an hour and make a start. Will do another hour this evening and then type up what I've done to see if it makes sense or not!

What else - couldn't manage the big massive pile of leftovers for lunch. Shoved in half of it then gave up. For some reason craving chocolate big style. That run took it out of me so the next 2 weeks will concentrate on getting better and recovering better.

As the weather picked up and the sun appeared managed to get most of the washing dry and then swept and mopped the floors to get that job done

Tomorrow will clean 2 rooms, some washing and then the same on Sunday. How exciting!

Sunday, will go out on my bike for about an hour then next week its back to running for 3 days and long run on Sunday :j

fedupandskint

I forgot to mention I updated my measurements this week and am very pleased to announce I have lost another half inch from my hips and thighs.

Meaning I have lost an unbelievable 6.5" from my hips and 2.5" from my thighs since last May. Waist measurement I kept the same however another half inch "might" have come off but I'll remeasure next week on weigh in day and see if it really has. If it has I'll be really pleased with that as I'll have got below the goal I set in my head while out on a run last summer. Plus if I do, it'll be 5" off my waist.

Let's see what happens next week!

fedupandskint

No wonder I was tired yesterday afte the run. I mapped it out on Mapmyrun and it came in at 13.42 miles which is a mile or so longer than last time.

Happily feel ok today after lots of food yesterday and recovery bath.

Today is dog walking, bit of cleaning, walking to town and back and assignment. Made a decision to not use the car at weekends if staying at home. Doing ok with this and especially now have a bike to use for short journeys especially. Not spending anymore on petrol than I already do, its ridiculous at the price it is.

Had a little think about this year - so far have tackled the cosmetics, skincare, Q*C tv shopping, continued fitness which is my joy, kept the weight off.

So rest of year is keeping going with all the these and then tackle the journey to become debt free which I keep putting off.

So, the foundations are in place with me, I've changed my behaviours over the last few years. Now its time to takcle the one thing that does my head in - the CC debts and not having much money left over.

Here we go.............

fedupandskint

A nice day today. Walk into town, picked up a few bits then trotted back. Washing dried outside and the showers bypassed here so no need to use the TD today.

Read for an hour, reassessed what to do for assignments and will read for another hour tonight and finish the large chapter.

Did another 20mins on the stepper on the advanced DVD and might do it again tomorrow. Thought it might be doing some toning up, will see in the next 2 weeks what difference its making.

Plan for tomorrow is to make some mushroom soup to portion up, get food ready for tea, sort out work stuff and food, bit of cleaning, more reading, more washing and more cooking. Planning to go out on the bike, might nip out and see a friend if I have time

Right then its treaty dessert time and a cuppa then onto some more reading

fedupandskint

Hmm not much reading done as got a bit distracted by The Voice - really enjoying it, more than I expected to.

Forgot to mention, had a little sort out of clothes this afternoon while trying to find a skirt to wear in the warmer spring weather came across my favourite skirt I couldn't fit into for ages then when I lost a stone wore once, It is now way too big around the waist, another one that got away somehow, too small for ages and now too big and only the right size for a month or two that I missed out on

Oh well, not complaining really, just a bit peeved it didn't get worn more often, just one of those things. Bit weird really these things now being too big, and fitting into smaller sizes. Still getting used to it, especially in skirts and jeans and trousers.

fedupandskint

Managed to get some reading done this morning, then had a break to clean the bathroom and then have the leftovers lunch. Made sandwich fillings for tomorrow when back at work.

Enjoyed watching the VLM and the elite runners who run at the very minimum twice as quick as I do. Good on them and especially the ones who qualified for the Olympics and of course everyone who took part in the VLM. One day I hope to run it myself.

Also rediscovered some brand new pairs of shoes bought 18mths ago in the sale in the middle of winter and didn't wear them last year. So have a new pair of easy wear coral sandals in a wedge mule style. Also a new pair of blue wedge sandals to go along with my brown wedge sandals that still have plenty of wear left in them. Thank goodness I found them and have no need to buy anymore sandals. Just a pair of pumps that's all that's required. Also have a brand new unworn pair of birkenstocks so no need to buy a new pair this year either after last years pair are hammered after daily wear all summer and autumn.

Had a little think about exercising this morning while daydreaming

What do I want to do next?
Run the half marathon and continue on the training plan of at least 3 runs per week
Continue on the stepper to get to 8 weeks and see what difference it makes
Start some abdominal exercises - try pilates DVDs to tone up the poochy bit of my stomach
Do yoga in the mornings - plan for first thing

Far too showery today to take the bike out as I don't feel like getting drenched while out so today's plan is

Read for an hour
Do 20mins pilates DVD
Read for an hour
Put tea together to cook
20mins on stepper
Read for an hour
Get work stuff ready for tomorrow - bag, food, t-shirt, clothes

fedupandskint

How did I get on then?

[STRIKE]Read for an hour[/STRIKE] - done!
[STRIKE]Do 20mins pilates DVD[/STRIKE] - done!
Read for an hour
[STRIKE]Put tea together to cook
20mins on stepper[/STRIKE] - done!
Read for an hour
[STRIKE]Get work stuff ready for tomorrow - bag, food, t-shirt, clothes[/STRIKE] - done!

Not too bad - read for an hour, made a curry to freeze in portions for easy teas after running, prepped up tonights tea, took Mr dog on his usual walk, 15mins pilates for abdominals and 20mins on the stepper

Now its time for another hours reading to see if some things start to make more sense with a hot chocolate and a chocolate eclair and an early night to see if I can sleep a bit better than last night.

fedupandskint

A long day at work today despite finishing early. Decided to go for a long walk with Mr Dog straight away as the showers looked like they had blown over and the sky was bright.

On the way round I felt alive outside and decided to go for a run when I got back, then just as we got back it started to cloud over as the sky turned grey, the showers restarted and it bucketed it down!

Plans changed - no running in that weather! Don't want to come down with a cold after being wet through for an hour. So very glad I decided to take advantage of the weather and go for a nice long walk in the fresh air with my dog. Both of us had a nice early tea and then its onto a bit of reading for the assignment then think I'll do any one or more of the following - yoga/pilates/stepper for 20/15/20 - one or two that's all for just over half an hour