Back and ready to crack on with life!

mumblingtaff

Had a fairly laid back day - went to the gym after the morning dog walk and did a combination of running, stepper and bike for an hour. My legs felt quite tired after the last three days so I thought I'd change it up.
Took the dog to the park at lunchtime, did a few chores round the house, got cash out for Xmas, used up stuff from the fridge and cleaned the bathrooms.
Then, after cleaning the kitchen, took the dog for another long walk to try to tire him out a bit.
I've spent an hour sorting and packing for the Xmas trip and am pretty much ready now. I'm hoping to go to the gym first thing in the morning, then come home, shower and set off for the epic journey home....

Happy Christmas everyone! Xx

mumblingtaff

Hello again! I hope everyone has had a good Christmas . Mine was a quiet family affair with lunch out and a day in the house on Boxing Day. To be honest I was a bit bored, my parents are now well into their 70s and slowing down. I'm so glad I had the dog with me so I could go out for long walks and pass some time. Managed to get out for two long walks a day and a shorter one in the evening so got plenty of exercise. I didn't go mad with food either but was force fed some things by my mum and didn't want to be rude. But on the plus side, I only had two glasses of wine on Xmas day and other than that haven't had any booze at all since breaking up from school.

I went to the gym early on Xmas eve morning before setting off for the homeland and used the fancy weighing machine again and had lost 3lbs, 1% of my body fat (or 1.6kg of fat) and dropped a point on the BMI scale. The blood, sweat and tears had paid off but I just hope that I haven't undone it too much with the couple of days at home - hopefully all the walking has minimised the effects. It's straight back to the gym tomorrow morning but I won't weigh again until New Year's Eve. I really didn't feel like it today after the long drive back home but I have walked the dog lots today.

On the Xmas front, I did get some nice presents, my family were very generous and as well as the anticipated present I got lots of smaller gifts that were either useful or nice luxuries that I wouldn't have bought myself. I also got a new Fitbit for my birthday (my old one broke a while ago) so another useful and wanted item gratefully received.

I've done a bit of a financial audit this afternoon and things seem ok if I don't go too mad between now and pay day. I have a budget that I need to stick to for spending and groceries - need to do a food shop tomorrow but will have a think and write a list before I go. I have plenty of toiletries but do need some household bits and there's very little food in.

I bought some new curtains and cushions from Dunelm online in the sale yesterday - I've had my eye on them for a while to brighten up the living room and they were 20% off and the money was saved in the house and garden account so no additional outlay. I also ordered two pairs of shoes reduced to £7 each from Dorothy Perkins - they look nice in the picture but will go back if they're not perfect. That's the last of my treat money spent now.

Going to try to have an early night tonight - it's been a long day and will be nice to be back in my own bed, think the dog is glad to be home too.

I'm thinking about goals for the next few months until the Easter holidays and may well be back with a list .....

mumblingtaff

Gosh, 2020 sounds a bit mad ! Makes me feel old, I suppose I am 48 now but I'm determined not to act, look or feel it.
So, here's my goals for the first three months of the year, taking me to the Easter holidays that start on April 3rd......

1. Run/gym 3 times a week
2. Lose another 14lbs
3. Complete the 10k run on March 1st
4. Keep going to the group dog walks on the weekend
5. Join the local women's evening walking group to meet new people - first walk tomorrow
6. Apply for promotion if the position is advertised in the new year
7. Get the hall and stairs decorated
8. Do Dry January
9. Get the loan balance down to under £3000
10. Book a summer holiday
11. Declutter study
12. Read three books

mumblingtaff

Morning! Slept quite well (for me) and got up at 6am. Feeling quite positive so going to put it to good use.

Today's plan :-
1. Walk the dog
2. Go to the gym
3. Do a food shop
4. Go on the local women only walk at tea time
5. Do a load of washing and put yesterday's washing away
6. Start sorting out the study
7. Do a face mask and sort nails
8. Look for a holiday cottage for the summer for a staycation with the dog

I started reading a book last night in bed and was reminded how much I do actually like reading. I've just fallen out of the habit. Might have a look in Tesco for a new book that will reignite my interest again. Any recommendations would be gratefully received

mumblingtaff

Had quite a productive day so far....
Two dog walks done, went to the gym and ran 6.5km without walking at all and then did a bit of cycling too, did the Tesco shop and had a nice soak in the bath with a book. Have also done a bit of cleaning, spoken to mum, sorted two loads of washing and ......booked a break in Torquay for me and the dog as soon as school breaks up for the summer
It's just 4 nights in an apartment just off the harbour - long enough to have had a little break away but not so long that I'd get bored. The apartment sleeps 3 so I could potentially take someone with me if the circumstance arose but I'm happy to go alone with pup. Only had to pay a £25 deposit and it's not too pricey (£400) so won't break the bank and will allow me to have a beach holiday later in the summer holidays. Quite looking forward to it now it's booked

Spent £40 in the supermarket on nice fresh food to help with the weight loss regime - I'm actually quite enjoying being good and not missing anything in particular yet, weirdly especially not booze. Who'd have thought! I'm feeling better for it too and much less bloated.
I also bought two new paperbacks (one of which I started I the bath and seems very readable) and then noticed a charity table of used books on the way out - picked up another 3 for the princely sum of £1.50, so I have no excuse not to read now.

Off out soon with the women only walking group for an hour or two - I've not been to this one before so don't really know what to expect - only one way to find out! Will report back later....

joeyjimbles

Welcome back, I have missed your diary and hearing all about Pup. Glad to hear the XOH is finally in the past and that you are moving forward too, so positive.
Loving the motivation to get out and meet people especially doing something that you want to do anyway - walking and running. I've just spent the day in my bedroom going through clothes and making piles for the charity shop, some to sell and some to put away in case I miss them. My wardrobe options, or apparent lack of them, have been irritating me so this was a good way to deal with it and long overdue. Glad it's done though - can't believe I started at 9.30 this morning and didn't finish until 6pm, stopping only to make turkey soup so the DCs don't phone childline - if it still exists?
Welcome back

Happy_Monday

Welcome back, sounds like you’ve had a lovely peaceful break. Sounds like you are really motivated too! I’m doing dry January as well so we can spur each other on! I’m going on a 5k organised run in the morning, the first in a couple of weeks....I hope you’ve enjoyed your walk this evening x

mumblingtaff

Thanks Joey and Happy! Great to see you both.
Very impressed with the wardrobe sort out - mine needs doing again too - you've inspired me to make a start
And good luck with the 5k Happy - let me know how you get on. I'm toying with doing the New Years Day park run, I don't like New Years Eve and never go out so the early start won't be a problem. I think the gym is shut on New Years Day so it would be a good option to get some exercise in.

I've woken up after a poor nights sleep with a scratchy throat - I've taken some paracetamol, walked the dog for half an hour for some fresh air and have decided to ignore it. No time for colds
Last night's walk with the new group was really good - met some nice people and got a good walk in, we chatted all the way round and would definitely go again.
My neighbours on the estate have a Facebook group that I joined a while ago and some of them are going to the local pub at tea time for a meet your neighbours type of drink so I'm going to join them for a while. Will get me out and about and meeting more people, expanding my social circle a bit more. Probably won't drink alcohol but I can be sociable all the same.

I also need to go to the gym for a short session - my legs are still tired from yesterday so just a 5km trot will be enough for today to keep the regime going. I did 23500 steps yesterday with the running, dog walking and group walk so if I get to 10-12000 today that will be enough - saying that I've apparently done 4000 already though!

The bargain two pairs of shoes arrived yesterday too (£7 a pair) and are lovely! Very pleased with them - both are heels, court shoes with an ankle strap, one in a berry colour, the other are snake print. Will cheer up some plainer outfits.

Going to have a think about what I'd like to achieve in my week of holiday that's left now the Christmas faff is over with. Would like to feel like I've done something useful but not do too much school work, although there are some work things that need doing.
Will ponder it in the gym - might be back with a list later

Happy_Monday

Hey MT, oh my goodness the 5k was tough, I’ve not run for a couple of weeks but I’ve shaved a couple of minutes off my last timed event which I’m pleased about. Sounds like your new social group is going well, did you go and not drink? I’ve not had a drink since Boxing Day so getting ready for dry January!

There’s a park run near me that I was thinking of doing on New Year’s Day, we’ve no plans to go out so no worries about running on a hangover!

It’s my first day back at work tomorrow, I’ve been off for 2 weeks so I’m not looking forward to the alarm tomorrow morning....enjoy the rest of your time off x

mumblingtaff

Well done Happy on the run! Very impressive, taking time off your PB
Hope work isn't too traumatic tomorrow for you.

I managed a 5km on tired legs and a bit of cycling at the gym - pleased with that as I was hobbling a bit this morning. Just checked my steps and I've done 19000 today!
I also popped to the pub for a couple of hours with the neighbours and drank diet coke. Very virtuous I really had to force myself to go but it turned out ok, they're a nice bunch.
One positive thing, I wore a pair of jeans that I hadn't put on for a couple of weeks and they were much more comfortable than recently - it seems the exercise, not eating rubbish and no booze are starting to pay off Given me the motivation to carry on.....

I've also watched a few episodes of the new series You on Netflix - it's just as good as the last series, will hopefully get to end of it by the time I go back to school.

Think it will be an early night tonight - didn't sleep very well last night and am feeling it a bit today.
Need to make the most of my week off