Sunday 30 June 2013

Daily #3 (Day in the Life)

Another day where no schedule was in place. It was a good day, but again no photos were taken. I really thought I'd be good at this "Daily Diary" business but lately there isn't a schedule. There isn't any work to be getting on with, which means I make the schedule. The schedule of food, sleep and exercise, plus social time, they are all mine to decide. Which I have always and will always find disorientating. I am probably one of the only people to actually, kind-of-want-to, get a job. I am a big fan of schedules and with a "real" job that is what you get. But this is the last summer and so I should really be just enjoying it, because next year definitely won't be like this. Well, that's what I keep telling myself anyways. It's a chance to just be free, to work on me, and just to enjoy the people that are around me now, while I'm still near to them.

live for today

Daily Eats: 29/06

+Mixed Berry Squash.
+Cinnamon + Raisin Bagel w Crunchy PB + Banana, Cup of Tea, Green Grapes and 2 Rashers of Bacon.
+Green Tea.
+A Granola Oats and Honey Bar + Mango.
+Carvery (Ate Out), smallish-average Plate.
+Half a Pint.
+Wine/Spritzers 
+Cheese Roll, Baked Crisps, Banana.
+Small Glass of Milk.

Me and my mom got our wires crossed, again. It's all to do with how we say dates. In the week she said next Saturday we've got Leanne's baby shower, now next Saturday to me means not this Saturday the week after, but to my mom it means the coming Saturday. Anyways, I thought we were going to a baby shower next Saturday night, turns out it's today. Everyone who knows me, knows I love schedules but I am really learning to let go and to go with the flow of things a bit more than I ever have. By stop being so rigid it has opened a lot of doors and previously barred paths for me, and I can only hope that more get opened and broken down in the future. 

Daily Exercise: 29/06

+Treadmill - 5.2 miles - Felt really good, could have carried on.
+Same Arm, Back, Shoulders workout as the day before - Can't believe how much I am doing and that I am aching for it. I must have lost quite a lot of strength. 

It's a working progress and if I keep doing what I'm doing, which is improving more everyday, then things can only get better and that's all I can wish for.

Tomorrows another day, fingers crossed.

Saturday 29 June 2013

Daily #2 (Day in the Life)

The week has certainly gotten better as it's gone on. The main one is that I'm feeling better, and hopefully I'll be back to full health/strength soon! I walked on the treadmill today, and the feeling in my chest from all the gunk reminded me of having Asthma again in my early pre-teens. It was horrible, but I persisted and in the end got the job done. I must admit after not being on there since Monday, it felt good.


.#happy


Daily Eats: 28/06

I was lazy with my snapping of foodie pictures yesterday. I started off the day snapping, but the day was just random (in a good way) and going with the flow meant I forgot to snap. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it happened so I'll give you a written run down for everything I had.


Cinnamon and Raisin Bagel w Crunchy PB + Banana





I found these babies the other day when me and my mom popped in Tesco for a few bits and bobs. I'd never tried sweet bagels before, but I am definitely a fan now. I've been having these beauties every single day. I am sadly nearly out :-( But lately I have been making it a priority to change up what I eat. After last months porridge obsession I am well and truly over it! Looking back though I really did ruin a favourite. Oh well, I am sure it will make an appearance again, in the future.

Other "Unpictured" Eats:

+ A packet of Walkers Cheese and Onion Baked Crisps.

+We met up at a bar with some family we hadn't seen for a while, and so a couple of beers were consumed over the catch-up.

+But it's fair to say when we got back we will all ravenous. So I'm afraid the packet pasta was reached for, topped with lots of pepper and some mature cheddar. It's a tasty convenient meal that is needed once in a while, and way better than the takeaway option.

Daily Exercise: 28/06

Treadmill - 3.1miles and a Quick Arms, Shoulders, Back Workout  with Weights (2x8 Reps).

I'm just looking to build up my strength, endurance and confidence with exercise again.

Fingers Crossed.

Thursday 27 June 2013

Daily #1 (Day in the Life)

I am seriously thinking about doing daily posts for a week or so, and seeing if it will help me get back on track. Just to help me document my daily eats and exercise at the end of each day. Short, snappy posts about my day and reflecting on the successes. I am unwilling to say that I am on a "downer" at the moment because I don't believe that it's true. Sure, I am not feeling my best. Don't get me wrong, people can't always control the circumstances/situations etc that they are put in but I have a number of choices to make in one given day, and it's up to me to decide them. Good or bad. Happy or sad. I believe in the power of positivity, and I am determined to get that back.

The power of Positive Thinking


Daily Eats: 27/06

Small Banana

Breakfast w one unpictured Cob

Snack before Dinner

Beef Lasagne, Micro Fries, and Vegetables.

Same Bagel as below - only I ate half and toasted the other.

Cinnamon and Raisin Bagel w Crunchy PB and Small Banana


Daily Exercise: 27/06

None today, but I did make it out of the house which is the most that I have done since my 4 miles on the treadmill on Monday. Hopefully tomorrow I'll wake up feeling even better than I did today.


Have a great day/evening :-D

Wednesday 26 June 2013

Still Feeling Terrible!

I am still feeling terrible over here, but is it me or do the older you get the more boring being ill gets? I'm currently on break anyways but when I was younger being ill meant something different entirely. It meant a day of freedom, where I had complete control of the television remote, snuggled up tight with a duvet in my pj's from the night before. Nowadays though it's just annoying and boring. People always used to tell me that because I was a sick kid that I wouldn't be a sick adult. Well they were very wrong. Sure, I don't get ill as often but when I do it's just an annoyance. I'm not a kid any more and my responsibilities heighten each year, and I find myself saying things like I can't afford to be ill.

Since getting back from Paris I have been looking for jobs. I'd love to earn some extra cash this summer, and to attend interviews and such I need to be feeling better. I'm hoping that it's just my allergies and that it will all clear up in the next couple of days. I'm getting seriously antsy being stationary, more specifically lying down.

Hopefully I have done the right thing by resting for the past couple of days, and that tomorrow I can get about without feeling dizzy and nauseous.

Fingers crossed.

Tuesday 25 June 2013

Making A Come-Back

I'm going to do a Paris post when I get around to it. I had such a good time and would definitely go back again. We got to do it all (well most of it). Best of all many of the places we visited were free, because we were under 25 and in the E.U. Which was even better for us students :-D So, I hope to get around to that in the next few days.

My diet lately hasn't been the best it can be and I am trying desperately to regain some momentum. As I mentioned in my Friend Makin Monday post - I am ill. But the worst thing about it is I am ill and I can't put my finger on it. My head aches, my stomach is off and my throat hurts. I am taking paracetamol every four hours but it wont budge. Sure, maybe it's because my diet hasn't been the best of recent days, and crap was consumed that normally isn't. But I am trying to regain my healthy pre-Paris eating and exercise regime. I guess I just need to be patient and take every day as it comes, and every meal for that matter.

To say I don't feel a hundred percent would be an under statement. It all started on Saturday night when I just knew something was up, but when I woke up at half three in the morning (after only four hours of sleep) to catch my flight back to England, I really didn't have high hopes that I'd make it to the airport without puking. Lookily I did but I haven't felt that terrible in ages. I couldn't even swallow tablets without feeling nauseous and heaving.

So today I am taking a complete rest day, unlike yesterday when I ran an easy 4 miler on the treadmill. Well when I say easy it wasn't a walk in the park but neither was I feeling terrible, until I came out of the shower half an hour later feeling like death and have ever since. At the moment I am lying on the settee with a sick blanket, watching the tennis. Which would all be utter bliss if I wasn't so ill I couldn't get comfy.

Anyways, the bottom line is I need to retrace my steps. I need to eat clean and healthy, and I also need to get active again. At the moment I just have so much going on with my stomach I never feel comfortable, just wish I knew what it was. The plan is to get back to basics and then when I feel ready to weigh-in again. Right now is not the time to pay attention to the scale and what it has to say. Instead it is time to concentrate on how I feel once again, notice the bad patterns I have fell into and slowly but surely create good habits again to regain control.

The bottom line is I'm not feeling my best at the moment and that's going to be my goal for the rest of the month, also going into July. To eat better and to feel better.


Monday 24 June 2013

Friend Makin Mondays #14


wpid-friend-makin-monday-for-post3-300x179.jpg
Thanks to Kenlie for hosting :D


Ten Simple Questions


1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought? 
Oh my god, I look as ill as I feel. I got back from holiday yesterday and now I feel terrible.

2. Do you prefer to pay for things with cash or plastic?
It depends if I have a budget for the week or not. If I have a budget I do draw cash out at an atm, but most of the time I just use a debit card and check my bank later.

3. What is one word that you use too often?
It would probably be a swear word. It's one of my worst habits, and when I am around my best friend I drop the word "dude" way too much.

4. Who is the last person outside of your family who said “I love you” to you? 
Probably my best friend :-D

5. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone and mailed it?
Errm, probably never.

6. Have you ever been called upon for jury duty?
Never, no but I think it would be an experience to do it one day.

7. How many keys are on your key ring?
3.

8. List two characteristics that you want to change about yourself.
My impatience of things in general and my self belief could be improved, but as I am getting older they are both characteristics that are naturally improving.

9. Do you bring your own shampoo and conditioner when you travel, or do you use what the hotel provides?
Always bring my own.

10. What is your birthstone?  Do you like it?
I'm a Gemini which has Pearl as its birthstone, and of course I wouldn't mind owning some ;-D

Happy Monday Everyone :D

Friday 14 June 2013

Friday Feelings

This week has gone so quick, and now I find myself with an empty case that I need to pack before tomorrow afternoon when I go down my friends to sleepover so her dad can take us to the airport early Sunday morning. But guess what I'm not panicked. What's that about? My new mantra instead of panicking is, "it will get done". And that's just the thing it will get done, one way or another because I simply always get it done. So why bother worrying? Anyone who knows me, knows that I have always been a worrier through and through. But I can definitely say I am getting better at controlling the worry and the way I react, and that has had to a huge affect on my life in general.

I definitely think I need to be wearing one of these.

This week from Monday to Friday I have got myself on the treadmill everyday, and on Sunday I made time in the morning for a Pinterest Workout. Lately, I'm doing it because I like to do it and because I know it will only benefit me. But I would be lying if a little bit of me wasn't doing it for the weight management/loss. I have gained two pounds in three weeks, which really isn't a biggy but I certainly wouldn't like to gain any more. I am aware that as of late I haven't been eating the best that I can eat, and that sugary/fatty treats are slipping in here and there. But hey, that's life and sometimes it happens. Honestly, I am ok with that but I am aware that I need to cut back on the junk and start getting all my fruits and veggies in again. Not only in my main meals because I am quite good at that, but also in my snacks aswell.

I am still getting used to working out in the morning, mainly food wise, which is why I think I need to change up my breakfast again. I figure if something's not working, then something I am doing needs to change. Not drastically by any means but just little tweaks here and there. When I get back from Paris I am probably going to work on the following:

1. Having treats every now and again, rather than everyday (cutting out daily chocolate and biscuits, sweets etc).

2. Not eating after 8pm.

3. Limiting alcohol intake to special occasions (there have been a lot of birthdays recently).

4. Making sure my snacks are fruit or vegetable based (keeping it natural).

5. Making sure I am getting the fluids I need.

6. Measuring most things, carbs like pasta for sure.

7. Getting enough sleep (probably going to bed earlier).

Basically, the little things that in the long run add up to big things.

Great Quote. Definitely one to remember.

At the moment I am currently feeling tired and I desperately need to get some sleep. But I am still sleepily excited for Paris. I am just hoping for better weather! It's currently warm but rainy, and I've just had a pedicure done, so would like to show it off. So weather gods if you are listening.... please, please, please improve the weather. 

Paris, France
Fri
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21
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Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 65%
Wind: 7 mph
Temperature
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Fri
Mostly Cloudy
21°
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Chance of Rain
20°
11°
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Partly Cloudy
22°
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Chance of Storm
27°
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Mostly Cloudy
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Thu
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27°
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Fri
Chance of Rain
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Ok, begging over, here's my toes. I went for Red even though it's technically summer, because, well, it just goes with everything, doesn't it?


I may not post now until I am back next Sunday, unless I am not running around like a crazy chicken tomorrow. Which at this stage is highly unlikely!

Have a great weekend. Whatever you are doing :-)