I know how she feels
I’m a very chuffed bunny. Tuesday marked the end of my first month at Slimming World and in that time I’ve lost 9lbs!!!!!
I must confess I was pretty sceptical at the start. I’ve never really done a ‘diet’ before and generally speaking I’m pretty disorganised. Considering that I am really not good a sticking to things I really thought I wasn’t going to do that well with the plan.
Well, I can honestly say that in the last month I’ve eaten really well. I’m organised and plan meals. I’ve started to enjoy cooking. Even more surprising is that the times I have been ‘bad’ and fallen off the waggon haven’t really impacted my progress. I’ve been to gigs, birthday parties, drank and had cakes and am still losing weight.
To say I’m shocked is an understatement.
So, now I’m 2lbs away from the target I set myself. I wanted to be 179lb for the photoshoot and I’m now 181! I’ve been losing 2.5lb most weeks and so have a real chance of hitting the target. I can’t describe how good it feels getting this far, I haven’t weighed less than 13 stone since I was about 25. I’ve now lost 3.5 stone in total and can’t believe the difference when I look at photos from before.
Here’s hoping the downward trend continues 
Gruber – the end of a love story
You know I said I was obeying the breakup rules………. well, I lied.
Today I broke one in spectacular fashion. I’m referring to the ‘No shopping’ rule. I bought a new car
Don’t get me wrong, I love my car. I named him Gruber as an homage to Lt Gruber in Allo Allo, who was always talking about his little tank – lets face it this car is not exactly dainty is it and tank is a pretty apt description. I’ve had some good times in Gruber and he’s been very reliable, but the finance package ends in June.
I love my car, but all good things must come to an end
With this being a bank holiday weekend I thought I’d go and speak to the nice people at Citroen and see what deals they might have. That was my downfall. The nice man gave me a very good deal on a spanking new C3 Picasso and I was dead excited, right up until I realised that it meant I would be losing Gruber.
Some soul-searching later I signed on the dotted line and I’ll be picking up the new beastie on Friday. But in the meantime I kind of feel like I’m cheating on Gruber. I have every intention of abandoning him for a younger model (now with Bluetooth and LED lights). Sounds horrid when you say it like that.
So, for the next week I’m going to be extra special nice to him, and then I’m bringing this young man home with me.
The younger model
Gruber forgive me.
To bare, or not to bare……
……… that is the question I put to you all. Let me give you some history.
A couple of weeks ago I booked a boudoir photoshoot with the lovely and very helpful Jo of Divine Divas. I bought a Groupon voucher last November and having lost weight I thought it was time to put it into action. The booking conversation was a little one-sided as I couldn’t really talk much in my open plan office. But Jo gamely struggled on, asking what costumes or props I might be bringing with me. Needless to say I wasn’t about to describe anything with colleagues sat either side! Her parting question of the day just about had me falling off my chair laughing
Have you thought about whether you want to go nude or topless?
I can honestly say that I hadn’t!
Fast forward a week and I needed to call back to postpone the shoot to the 22nd and the subject comes up again. Apparently they have a special black room where they do shadowy type shots (sounds kind of sinister really). She also said that women often book second appointments having regretted not going nude/topless first time.
So, my question for the blogosphere is, would you do it? 
.
I’m still reserving judgement, I may even tell you what I decided come the 22nd.
Woohooo, a new PB
Not, exactly me, but you get what I mean. Down from a UK size 20 2 years ago to a 16 now.
I can’t remember if I posted this or not, but a couple of weeks ago I joined slimming world. The intention was to combat the 4lbs I gained after eating everything that wasn’t nailed down when the BF and I split up.
I’ve never been particularly convinced about diets, specifically my ability to stick to them and their long-term effectiveness. I tend to view them as ‘Die with a T on the end’. I’ve always found the idea of a healthy eating plan a bit more tolerable and this seemed to fit the bill.
So, I got with the programme and gave it a go. I was frankly amazed that I lost 2.5lb the first week as I felt like I had been stuffing myself silly. The meals I cooked were really filling and I ate more fruit than I’ve had in ages, I’m even able to work goodies into the plan without guilt (major bonus). But there was this niggling doubt in my head that week 1 was a fluke and that I was just losing water etc.
Moving on to week 2, I did exactly as I had with the first week and tried some new recipes (all surprisingly yummy). I thought I was doing OK until the weekend when I had a friends 40th Birthday party and Sunday dinner with my parents to contend with. There was alcohol, pancakes and maple syrup, choccy cake and other goodies to contend with and I was just hoping that my weight would have remained the same for the week. Got on the scales today and I’ve lost another 2.5lb . God only knows how considering I’m still not doing an exercise with the knee in the shape its in!
That said I am not complaining as I’m now down to 184lb, which is a new PB in my quest to lose weight #chuffedtobits. Technically, I’m still 6lb away from the weight I wanted for the photoshoot, but I think I’ll be close by the time that comes round.
Now to find myself a sweet little reward, I deserve it
I’ve come over all Laurence Llewelyn Bowen
I’m sure he would approve of my choices
I’ve been indulging my creative side over the last couple of weeks and really enjoying the process. I guess I felt the need to reassert my identity and take control of my environment as my latest ‘project’ is to redecorate my bedroom.
Previously the room was very tranquil and calm in shades of cream and a light yellowy green. This was the way I decorated the room when I moved in here over 9 years ago. I figured that I’m well overdue a change.
What has surprised me is how much my taste has changed in the last couple of years. Not so long ago I would have avoided bold colours and big patterns, now I find I’m drawn to them like a Magpie to shiny things.
So, after a weekend involving decorating I now have wallpaper like this on one wall
pattern that messes with your mind
I love it as as you can ‘see’ the pattern in so many ways. It looks very pretty on the wall and makes quite a bold statement, but I haven’t taken pics yet as it isn’t finished.
I’ve also updated my bedding and bought these
The strange thing is that my bed feels warmer when I sleep under the red duvet. Is that weird? So, only curtains to go and my boudoir project will be complete. I’m sure I can find something fabulous to finish the look, after all shopping is playing to my strengths. I do love it when a plan comes together
Little bit of everything
There’s been lots going on, so I thought I’d do a summary post.
After some serious moping and sofa time following the split with the BF I am starting to feel more like myself. I’ve had some pretty wild mood swings, probably not helped by my self-imposed chick-flick-athon (Bridget Jones, the Proposal, While you were sleeping, Maid of honor, Maid in Manhattan etc). But things are getting back on an even emotional keel, partly through the judicious application of Spartacus and Game of Thrones (Thanks Tub). Mr R and I went diving on Sunday and all was friendly and good fun, so this bodes well to my mind. I owe some serious thanks to friends who have been there throughout to support and keep up flagging spirits. You know who you are peeps and you’re all wonderful.
The knee is officially slightly buggered. I went to the docs today and it turns out the bits that have been hurting me are the medial and lateral ligaments, for those not medically inclined that’s the ones on either side of the knee. Its most tender where these ligaments attach to the bone and sometimes makes my leg feel unstable as well as stabby pains. So, I’m not supposed to do impact exercise, have been referred for physio and told to take ibuprofen for a week. Maybe its time to go back to the rowing to maintain the cardio…….
The problem with points one and two above is that I have definitely started to eat everything in arms reach and am not doing anything to work it off. My weight is going back up, so to combat this I just joined Slimming World. Having been given the info pack I now feel like I’m swotting for an exam. It’s almost too much info to take in. I can see me living on fruit and veg for 2 days until I work out how the hell the programme works. On the plus side it all seems pretty sensible, and I think I actually have a good chance of sticking to the programme.
In contravention of the break-up rules mentioned in the last post I’ve decided to redecorate, but I am getting independent validation on all shopping decisions. Its only been 8 years since I last decorated so a change is probably long overdue. So, I’m starting in the boudoir and going from a light green theme ( not a bad as it sounds), to reds and purples. I’ll do before and after pics as I go along so you get the idea. There is other stuff planned too, but I’ll cover that another day.
Another contravention of the same rule is shopping for my boudoir photo shoot, although worryingly these choices aren’t being validated. I’m sort of gravitating towards a combination of burlesque or masquerade themes. I also like the idea of some quite old-fashioned pictures, something that is more titillating than overtly sexual. More a suggestion of naughtiness, or at least a strong hint, than a full on baring of skin. My shopping has ended up being like something for a kiddies dressing up session – cheap necklaces, long gloves, high heels etc. I’ve even found a set of feathered wings, I’m thinking ‘fallen angel’ . I probably wont use half this stuff, but its been fun looking and has done wonders for lifting my spirits
On a final note for the week I’m now waiting to see if I can find a substitute gig buddy to go see James and Echo and the Bunnymen with me at Brixton academy on Friday night. The lady I was going with had ‘stuff’ come up and now can’t make it, gutted as I was looking forward to a girlie night out. James are a band I always wanted to see and somehow never did while I was a student (twenty *cough* years ago). Hopefully, someone will step into the breach and all will be well. For those of you who have never come across James or heard Tim Booths’ silky vocals here’s the video of one of their best known hits ‘Sit Down’. Sadly, Tims fluffy hair days (old student crush of mine) are over, but the voice is still every bit as good.
Think that’s enough to be going on with for now. In short, I’m happier and I’ll be back when more ‘stuff’ has happened
Now you see me, now you don’t
On Wednesday the long-suffering BF and I split up.
This isn’t a post to rubbish him, far from it. He’s a lovely guy, but we have changed a lot over time and we want different things – nuff said. I want us to be happy going in our respective directions, it’s just rather difficult to maintain my famed optimism in the face of such a large change.
So, if I occasionally drop off the plot for a bit, or appear to be suffering from lack of motivation/commitment, that’s why.
In response to the natural rollercoaster of emotions I have applied Defcon 4 measures – otherwise known as the standard break-up rules:
- don’t buy new clothes
- don’t get a haircut
- don’t date
I’ve also ceased all consideration of a tattoo. I think this might be a good time to sort out some of my unresolved goals for 2013 and I’m working on not just falling into a swimming pool of Ben and Jerrys - we wont mention the bag of Maltesers I just demolished #looksshifty.
Its been years since I’ve been single, I can barely remember how it worked. I’m sure it will all come flooding back, like riding a bike really……. :-/
