09/08-15/08

This week equals a success and I feel completely proud of myself to be saying that sentence.

As I relax now with a well earned beer (or two), I find myself looking back on the week. The lows, the highs, the successes, the failures, it really did all happen. But I battled with myself when it came to food and I made sure that I got a good workout session in (whatever I decided it would be). And two out of three ain't bad, as Meatloaf would say or for me six out of seven ain't bad! The only day I "took off" was Thursday, or yesterday I should say, as I just felt downright terrible after minimal sleep. At one point, I honestly thought I'd pass out from exhaustion. But I powered through, took two Pro-Plus (which I hate to do) and pulled it out of the bag. Now I never recommend taking caffeine in pill form, but yesterday it was necessary and quickly did the trick. I'd say within half an hour I was powering through job applications and continuing on with my Thursday.

Eating healthy and cleaner, and simply working out, doing whatever I chose is what has made my week a success. In my own eyes anyhow. The workouts where beginner and nothing too strenuous was achieved, as in I wasn't flipping tyres or throwing sandbags, which is what I always think about when I think of "proper people" who work out. I ran, I lifted weights, I toyed around with kettle-bells (easily my new favourite piece of gym equipment). Nothing was ever boring, though at times it was hard and I think that's where balance comes into the equation. You need to enjoy what you're doing, but it needs to feel challenging enough to see improvements and changes. These improvements and changes are what make you want to continue and to power through. They are evidence of your hard work and proof of the strength you put into each session. So hopefully 4 to 6 weeks time and I'll see some kind of improvements.

I'm not weighing myself at the moment,a deliberate decision that I have made. It will do no good and so I am going to leave it alone...for now anyways. My goal weight I feel is always 9 and a half stone, with a 25/26 inch waist. Those are the figures I always have in my mind, because I know when I get down to that weight all the opportunities I'll have. Opportunities like wearing shorts and not minding, just the little things like that that make life that little bit easier.

And that's where I leave it for today. Hopefully next week will be just as successful.

xoChloexo

WIAW: Tuesday's Eats and Favourites

As I sat down at my laptop I thought why not write a blog post, and then I remembered that it was Wednesday tomorrow and so WIAW it is. Thanks Jenn for keeping up this link-up...I only have myself to take care of and sometimes that's a struggle, so god knows how she manages to do it!

It's one of the link-ups I always like to take part in if I have the time. And this week I'll be sharing what I ate today, which is Tuesday. And also my favourite dishes from the past week.

Today (which is yesterday) I went swimming for the first time in about ten months. And it was so good to be back in the pool. It was one of my most favourite sports to do whilst growing up, and I always go through phases of going regularly to not going at all. And I think that was very evident in my swim.

I went with one of my housemates, so it wasn't so bad. But with the hours I have been putting in in the gym I thought it would be easier, and it probably was...but it wasn't a 'stroll in the park' in the slightest. It took a few lengths to get into a pattern, more with my breathing than anything. But it felt so so good. With each length of the pool I began to relax, and I could feel the tension melting away from my shoulders and neck. I began to get comfortable after ten minutes of the thirty minute session, but by the end my limbs felt like jelly. When your already poor technique turns into a half-hearted doggy paddle, it's time to get own! But I plan to go again Thursday instead of the gym. I love the gym, but on Monday I definitely wasn't feeling it. The main thing was I got out and went and got a mediocre forty-five minutes under my belt, which is better than nothing. 

I can feel my endurance and strength building once again, after the break I took over Christmas and I am feeling good. But I have noticed a pattern...when I am exercising regularly my eating is more relaxed. Of course it gets better, like most people, when I workout I don't want to put in the hours to no end and not see results. After all, that's how we stay motivated and progress but my eating also relaxes and I don't stress about food as much, especially eating out. I watch what I eat, but not in an overly obsessive way.

I have an healthy approach to food if you will, and that's one of the best parts for me!

Ok, moving on to the good stuff. There's a few meals from the past week that I really enjoyed, but unfortunately I haven't got any photos of them...You could say that I was enjoying the moment...

Yesterday's Eats:

After swimming I was quite hungry, but I needed to take a tablet before I ate and that gave me the time I needed to shower and wash my hair. I enjoyed a small glass of milk before I went in.

Once I was out the shower, I rammed a small browning banana down my throat (a little too fast), and got a bit of indigestion. No photo.

Then, I ate what I was craving...

2 Slices of Wholemeal Toast with a Laughing Cow wedge, 2 Quorn Sausages, 2 Fried Eggs (in Frylight), Mushrooms and Ketchup

A couple hours later I found myself peckish, mainly just craving sugar as it was nearly 2pm and the afternoon slump was setting in after waking up at 08:30 am. So that's when I indulged my sweet tooth in a yoghurt drink and a small kinder choccie bar. It was so good I spent the next five minutes choking on a tickle at the back of my throat.

I cannot get enough of the sweet-crack like stuff lately...why so addictive?

This was last nights dinner. It was basically a mixture of my fridge and cupboard...I haven't been 'properly' shopping in over a week. I've got quite a lot to get through before I need to do a big shop.

Whilst enjoying a whisky and coke I indulged in this old classic of a snack...did anybody else have these growing up?

Favourites from the Week:

 We went to the tea house again, and that's always worth an indulgence.

Over the past week I have been indulging in a whisky and coke when I feel. The first time since Christmas...

I've re-fell in love with an old cereal classic - Bran Flakes Mix.

And I have finally got going with the exercise, so hopefully more healthy food photos to come.

What's your favourite meal of the week?

xoThanks for Readingxo

Weekly Update.

Sophrosyne

(n.) a healthy state of mind, characterized by self-control, moderation, and a deep awareness of one's true self, and resulting in true happiness

This is my word of the day! And definitely reflects how I am feeling at the moment.


This week is one I am calling a success. Not only did I make both my University deadlines but I also got to the gym twice. Score.

On Monday and Wednesday I had deadlines and then on Tuesday and Thursday I hit the gym. And today I had to go class and then food shopping, so all in all not a bad attempt at a stressful week. Next week should revert back to normal. I should have my classes and then the rest is up to me. On top of the two classes I am taking this Semester I have my dissertation and on top of that I have to search and apply for jobs. So although I am only doing three hours in class every week this semester, I am definitely not going to be bored or have lots of free time.

In fact, this semester may actually be my busiest yet. Other than another deadline on Monday for a Creative Writing module I took last semester, I have no other deadlines until March. But I guess the dissertation and the job search are going to ongoing deadlines that I meet every week by chipping away at them.

I haven't come up with an exact plan yet, but I was thinking;

- One day dedicated to... Dissertation. - One day dedicated to...Job searching. - One day dedicated to assignments. and the rest I would change accordingly depending on the week. Obviously this isn't set in stone and I can swap around days depending on how I feel. But the most important thing is that I get my hours in for each and none of them become neglected, like I have done so, so, many times before.

Managing to get to the gym twice felt bad but so good at the same time. I felt good for dragging my butt there even though it was a busy week but I felt terrible! I have lost a bit of stamina and strength I think, which sucks. But I am hoping to work hard this semester and get it back! That's for sure. There's a chance I may be going on holiday in may and with that chance I am taking it in both hands and repping with it. If I don't go I still look good and feel good, right. So it's not for nothing.

My diet has been good, but not a hundred percent where I would like to be. But I keep reminding myself that with every meal I get another chance. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. But by keep repeating it, I am hoping it's a habit that sticks.

I am basically heading in the right direction.

There's not a doubt in my mind that I am ever going to be "perfect". It's not what I strive for.  And that goes for both my body, my eating habits and my exercise frequency etc. It just not possible if you want to enjoy your life. There's needs to be a balance of everything, and I am finally getting to grips with it.

Well, it only took me twenty years haha.

I still haven't weighed myself and I am not sure when I want to face it, but right now I feel like I am doing ok without it. Maybe sometime next week?

I want to work on myself without looking at the scale. And at the moment I am ok with that. But next week...who knows.

xoThanks for Readingxo