Excuses, excuses, excuses!

Things have not gone to plan! Shoulder is still ruling out a lot of exercise, it was feeling loads better and I was getting all optimistic then I spent a day carrying a handbag and a day carrying goody bags round Glasgow (the joys of being a fundraiser!) and it kind of went back to square one. However, I have self diagnosed the problem but will need to wait until I speak to the physio in a couple of weeks before I can really move forward.

I am currently loaded with the cold leaving me with an appetite for junk.

I am in the middle of planning the little ladies birthday party (which she has been planning since last November) spending a lot of time making stuff so leaving little time for exercise but on the upside PVA glue and food do not mix well.

But these are all excuses aren't they?

Why is taking care of ourselves and doing the right thing so blooming hard sometimes?

I'm ill I need to eat better not worse but this is not the logic that is applied to my little brain.

If I really tried I'm sure I could fit some exercise in somewhere - although an extra hour or two in the day would be nice and I am not giving up any more sleep than I normally do!

Today I made a sensible lunch choice and did not buy any chocolate, this feels like a massive achievement! But I'm not getting cocky, I'll be at work till 7.30 and the temptations of the train station await.......

What I need to do is stop making excuses, dig deep and move forward - wish me luck!

Set backs and steps forward

Well this week has been interesting! Went for physio on my shoulder on Thursday and while the physio doesn't think its a frozen shoulder she isn't 100% sure what it is so I have 6 weeks of physio then a referral to orthopaedics, so basically this physio WILL work as I'm not up for an operation :-)
Mean while no exercise other than physio that involves my shoulder, so a lot of thinks involve your shoulder, but I remained fairly positive and was looking at ways of exercising round it.

Then on Friday I did something to my back (bearing in mind I'm being ultra good and not lifting!) I think that actually while the physio was checking how unstable my shoulder is and possibly slightly knocked a vertebrae out! Took it easy on Saturday but then was up from 4.30am in agony.

Sunday morning saw a trip round hospitals resulting in anti-inflammatories and pain killers.
The pain my back has now eased off, so thankfully I have stopped the painkillers as they were making me feel rubbish.

I tried very hard to be good with food but I have to be honest I've not been great, chocolate and crisps have featured as has pizza due to not fancying standing cooking.

But I've not gone crazy and today I am drawing a line. An injury is not an excuse for letting healthy eating for out of the window in fact it makes it more important than ever.

I'm very frustrated at not being able to exercise and know that this will potentially result in more injuries, I use exercise to control by hypermobility and rely on my muscles to hold everything together so today I shall be working out a plan to at least be doing something!

So this week I shall be concentrating on keeping food healthy and good as well as trying to work out some kind of exercise plan.

How has your week been?

Learning to listen.....

Yesterday was a tough day (food wise) I was tired, thank you C who has taken to waking up at 4.30am and only going back to sleep if I am in her bed cuddling her in, so I've effectively been awake from 4.30am - yes this is the middle of the night for the last few nights, I was cold, summer is definitely done and I was a bit bored, I had an application to write and was procrastinating!

Now being tired, cold and bored means one thing I get hungry. Except I don't get hungry really. I get the 'want' for food for something to do and to keep me awake. But yesterday I listened to my hunger not my 'want'. I did add an extra snack but who can resist Soreen, right? I also had an Options Hot Chocolate as a treat but at 60 cals that's a treat I can live with! But I did not stuff myself with the junk I so badly wanted. I went out at lunchtime and even took my purse because 'I might want to buy cake' but I talked myself out of it as I wandered around Lakeland looking at things to make cake! I really, really wanted to stop in at the pasty shop at the station on the way home, but I didn't. I was very tempted to join in the deliciousness by munching through Bake Off, but the kitchen door remained shut!

I wanted these things but a little switch clicked in my brain and I as much as I wanted them and did not want them as much as I want to be in good shape and health. It was hard, I am not denying I didn't battle with myself all day but when it came down to it I feel so much better knowing I won the battle yesterday.

Maybe, just maybe this time I'm going to do this!

16 weeks to go......

......until Christmas! Don't shout at me. Although I do love Christmas and even writing that has got me a bit giddy! But 16 weeks until Christmas that is 16 weeks to make a huge difference! It may be a touch shallow but my sister in law is coming over from Australia for Christmas and I do not want to look fat and frumpy in the photos! So 16 weeks: I would ideally like to lose a stone, which I reckon is doable, but to be honest I know I am pretty muscly and weigh heavy anyway so not too concerned about the numbers, it will be all about the measurements.

Last week went OK, the weekend was a bit wobbly, lots of kids, no time for exercise, in a grump at myself for not hitting my exercise goals and in a grump with Mr F for managing to go and play football 3 times in the week and have a night out when I was lucky to get a shower to myself!

Oh well, have become at one with the fact that I can only do what I can do, cheering myself up with chocolate and Chinese is indeed counter productive! Shoulder is still sore so that is hampering exercise as am limited to what I can and can't do. Gave swimming a go, not a good idea!

So this week I have planned some exercise slots, I will make the most of my active little monkey and get in some exercise that way and I will focus on 16 weeks.

Toddles off singing Jingle Bells and wonders if its too early to get the decorations out .................

No more wobbles!

Missed last weeks #wobbleswednessday! There was a different type of wobble in our house as the little lady started school!! Well to be fair the only wobbling was coming from me, one week into school and she is loving every minute, was very disappointed this morning not to be going to breakfast club or afterschool club!

Anyway, starting school meant 3 half days so we took the week of work, and I took a week of 'dieting' although its not dieting is it? This is just how to eat and be. Full stop. Its not like I am going to reach my target and break out the junk, well I might for a day, but you know what I mean.

All in all it wasn't too bad. I ate more junk than I would normally but I moved an awful lot more than I do at work (resenting the desk job this week) and actually lost a little bit of weight not much but still. By Sunday I was more than ready to get back to some normal eating and craving vegetables!

I guess I am lucky in that I have a VERY active daughter (although you will frequently hear me cursing it) I hope it will continue and I don't want to discourage her. So, given I can no longer keep up with her running while she is on a bike, I have purchased a bike! Now I have not been on a bike for at least 12 years but am enjoying our wee bike rides together, for a 4 year old she is nippy so there is no need to try and slow myself down :-)

What's more it was a bargain! £50 from the very lovely people at http://www.recyke-a-bike.co.uk/ who refurbish second hand bikes, so I can feel I've been nice to the environment.

So am back to it, healthy food choices with the odd treat thrown in. Exercise wise I have got my fitbit back in action. I struggle to say I will do this on this day so instead in a week I will walk at least 70,000 steps, do one cardio DVD, one Pilates DVD, some abs work and one run or decent cycle plus what ever additions the little lady makes!

What are your goals?

Inspiration!

Well today was going to be all about going to my Mums at the weekend, having a fab old time, not going crazy on food but enjoying some treats and basically not sitting down all weekend!

Then I came across this blog post on twitter http://gymforwomen.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/michelles-amazing-story.html?m=1 

The lady in question suffers from EDS (hypermobility) as do I. Luckily I was diagnosed pretty early at about 17 (saying that 12-17 was not good - growing pains Mr Doctor? Errr no!) and although at the time was told there was a good chance I'd be in a wheelchair by I was 30 I also had a great physio who stressed the importance of strength and basically using my muscles to hold myself together. Now this is not to say I have always been great at this my 20's were spent partying, exercise wasn't always easy, I put on weight blah blah blah! But now I am older and wiser I am being a lot more conscious of my role in keeping myself fit and healthy. I've mentioned before how I feel better if I am eating right and exercising and it's not always easy. Yesterday I dislocated my toe walking to work, now a toe isn't a very major joint but my it smarts and makes you walk in the strangest of ways!

The upshot of all this is I AM going to do the Spartan race next year - I have 13 months to be fit and strong for it, frozen shoulder or no frozen shoulder! I will be an inspiration to my daughter, who although not formally diagnosed yet looks like she has inherited my condition.

This time next week Chloe starts school, although this doesn't actually give me any more time, it is almost a new start, I am going to give myself a list of fitness activities I want to achieve in a week (inspired by an MFP friend) and as long as I get those done it doesn't matter when I do it!

What is your inspiration? What is your challenge? Can you inspire someone?

Linking up to #WobblesWednesday and http://ditchflabgetfab.com/an-even-keel-wobbleswednesday

#WobblesWednesday - sticking to the plan!

Last week was great, firmly back on the wagon, focused and determined and do you know what, it worked - the weight I had put on is off. So it should be easy right? Am still pretty focused, had a small slip up yesterday (400 cals for a flapjack???? it was delicious though) but am going to do this. I injured my shoulder a couple of months ago and finally went to the doctors on Monday, turns out I have a frozen shoulder, so have been referred to a physio - who knows how long that will take to come through. So in the mean time I am going to have to modify what exercise I do which is really frustrating! I already have a whole long list of don't thanks to hypermobility (most of which I ignore but ssshhhh don't tell the doc!)

I accept that I'm not going to be able to do as much exercise as I would like so I really need to keep food in check, have a trip to Mum's this weekend so it could be tough. But if I want to be where I want to be then I need to stay focused.

I would like to thank my lovely friends over on MFP who have kept me motivated and on the wagon.

And if anyone is feeling like giving up watch this clip of one of those friends Uncle who finish an Ironman despite being hardly able to walk! A true inspiration, it is not how you finish the race but finishing it that matters!

Linking up with the very supportive #WobblesWednesday ladies

Wobbles Wednesday, wobbling along!

Well, what can I say? I've been struggling. I lost my mojo,, looked everywhere for it, behind the sofa, in the fridge (had to eat a few bars of chocolate to make sure it hadn't sneaked into them) but it was nowhere to be found. We were away at the weekend, so there was a lot of eating out and eating rubbish. We stopped at Burger King on the way home, £18 for 2 adult and 1 kids meal nearly passed out. The chips were so drowned in Salt that C wouldn't eat them! But anyway I digress. I have not been anywhere near the scales as I know I have gained, if not in lbs then in fat!

So yesterday I wobbled, I felt fat and lazy and all I wanted to do was eat chocolate. But I gave myself a good talking to and you know what? I didn't have any chocolate! I am feeling fat and lazy because I am being fat and lazy. I know the only way to get the body I want is to work at it, so why the self sabotage? No idea to be honest. Eating rubbish makes me feel rubbish, not exercising makes me feel rubbish so why it is so easy to laze around stuffing my face? My joints are worse so its a bit of a vicious circle as it is now a real effort to get back into exercising. But I have given myself a good kick up the bum and am feeling a bit more positive.

Part of the problem this week has been lack of planning, so shall be back to planning and think I am even going to put together a workout schedule so there is no excuse!

Linking up with http://nakedmum.co.uk/ a day late, not being in work on Monday has confused be totally!

An amazing body?

So last week I said I looked alright but I wanted to look amazing and while I am still on that mission it go me thinking. We give our bodies a pretty hard time don't we? There is always something to moan about, cellulite, bingo wings, jelly belly the list goes on. In my case if often does this I did not request, the odd dislocation here and there! But do you know what, no matter what shape or size you are, our bodies are pretty amazing.

So without sounding vain I thought I'd write about why my body is amazing!

First off it survived years of partying, drinking more than I should, sleeping less than I should, the usual and it came out of it pretty well intact!

Then it did this....                                and produced this!

 

And if that was not amazing enough it produced food to give my gorgeous little girl everything she needed for 6 months, and continued to feed her until she was 18 months old! If you take a step back and think about it that is too amazing fro words! Its also gave me a delightful set of stretch marks but as this is a positive post we'll not dwell on that!

 

I was a keen gymnast in my youth and remain pretty flexible (it helps that I am hypermobile!) but it's still pretty amazing that I can still do this at 35!

Now the splits are not perfect but my aim is that they will be by the end of the summer!

It's amazing how strong you are without knowing it! I regularly pick up (and throw around, in a good way!) a 26kg child, now if someone asked me to lift that at the gym I'd probably say I couldn't.

I think I'm going to focus on gaining instead of losing. Gaining flexibility, gaining strength, gaining leanness, gaining confidence......

So yeah they may not be perfect but our bodies are pretty amazing! What amazing things can your body do?

 

 



 

The scales dont say it all!

So at roughly the 6 month mark I have hardly lost any weight around 4lbs woo hoo!!!

But I think I have made a difference to my body shape.

This in in January

 

 This was last week

 

Not the best of pictures I know, and was just before me and the little one were about to go swimming and had an invasion of cuddly toys!!

 

But I think there is a difference (maybe its the angle it was taken?)

 

However the point is if I have given even 90% for the last 6 months I would be looking a lot better! I think the problem is I look 'alright', if you walked past me in the street you wouldn't think I was huge, well not unless you were really mean! But I don't want to look 'alright I want to look amazing and I'm only going to do that if I focus and stick to it!

 

I am still using myfitnesspal.com and I do like it, there are some fab people on there who are not just great at motivating but also understand that real life gets in the way.

 

I am still joining in with the great ladies at #WobblesWednesday

 

I have also joined up with #TeamLean2013 on twitter, great motivation. Have joined the July abs challenge to see if I can get this jelly belly

 

 



 

 

looking a bit more toned!

Have done two days on C25K and really enjoyed it, problem is fitting it in! Hopefully the next 6 months will see a huge transformation into awesomeness!!

#WobblesWednesday - Winning!

I am not, nor ever have been a runner, give me a dance floor and I can shake it for hours. Show me a running track and I start sweating, heavy breathing and that's before I've even put my trainers on.
So I was not looking forward to the Mums race at nursery last week, I did not (unlike some other Mums) go prepared, no trainers, jeans on you get the picture. However, I am competitive! In a kind of Monica from Friends way, so when the time came this side took over and I went for it. And my goodness I only came joint first!!! I got a medal and sticker to prove it!

Now I am aware this does not make me a runner but what was better than the medal and the sticker, which were very appreciated, was how chuffed my daughter was! I received an enthusiastic high five and was informed that her and her friends shouted 'Come on Tamsin' for the race, she may have inherited my competitive side.....

Although I was keen on taking part in a Spartan Sprint, I wasn't sure about the whole running side of it. But do you know what? I want Chloe to see me complete challenges, to work hard to achieve things, that you don't need to win the race to win for yourself. So yesterday, I downloaded Couch to 5k, I strapped on my trainers and out I went. Now before you all get excited I ran for a minute at a time for a total of 8 minutes with a one and a half minute walk in between but I did it, it was hard don't get me wrong, but I did it and for me that is winning!

I have Hypermobility Syndrome and was told not to run when I was diagnosed many years ago, but I have been having more flair up and dislocations anyway so I figure the fitter and stronger I am the better it will get, I may be kidding myself but play along for now! I will however listen to my body and not push it too far too fast. My first official run passed with little incident, I dislocated a toe but that pops back in easily, my hip wobbled but a check on posture and focusing on my core and it stayed put, I sweated, I was red, I smiled, I won!

Linking up with Autismmumma for #Wobbleswednesday while Kate at nakedmum.co.uk has a wee break!

Motivated and committed!!

I am a changed woman, on Sunday morning I had done a workout before breakfast and 8am! This is not normal behaviour for me I can assure you. But I think it might start to be.......

Today I have completed my seventh day, yes everyday for a whole week, of 30 Day Shred! It's hards but it's short so it fits in, I have managed to do it every day either first thing on non work days (with little miss giving 'encouragement') or once she has gone to bed but before I do my jobs, yes I am prioritising me!

I am eating roughly 1300 cals per day as I have found this is what suits me for weight loss and I am logging everything. I'm not feeling deprived and am already feeling the benefits of daily exercise, I'd thoroughly recommend it!

I also realised that actually I've come quite far since January, I've lost 7.2lbs which isn't amazing but its half a stone better than I was at the start of the year.

More importantly I have lost 9.5 inches, including 3" from my waist and 3.5" from my hips :-)
It does look like I am destined to have tree trunk thighs for the rest of my life as these have not shifted.

I have also walked 356 miles since January - I love my fitbit!!!

This year has thrown the odd curve ball, being made redundant for one, but I am proud that, although chocolate has been consumed on a weekly basis, I have not completely fallen off the wagon. Actually I think it made me more determined to be in the best possibles shape I can be.

So onwards and downwards, it is my birthday on Wednesday next week and I fully intend to fit 30 Day Shred in at some point. After all what better birthday present than having a toned, fit body?

Linking up with the very lovely Naked Mum who is doing an amazing job keeping us all going for #WobblesWednesday

Standing Tall

Well it has been a little while since my last #WobblesWednessday post. On the day of my last post I found out, quite out of the blue that I was being made redundant  As you can imagine blind panic followed. However, all is good and I am now 2 weeks into a new job which is far better than my last so all worked out fine.
I have not though be very focused on this losing weight lark and have hovered around the same mark for the last month or so.
But posting on myfitnesspal this week reminded my just what a difference posture and making a bit of an effort makes. So here are my before and after pictures, there about 12 hours between the photos, so no weight difference but shoulders back, tummy in and better clothes really do make a difference!! Not sure the front on photos are too different but the side on one really shows a change.
So my normal look is probably somewhere in between but it has reminded me to stand tall.

So as it is Easter weekend I am not expected much but as spring has sprung I shall be 110% back in the game as off Tuesday!
Oh and I will attempt to get better at blogging a bit more too!!! Linking up with NakedMum and her fabulous #WobblesWednesday posts.

#WobblesWednesday

Well here I am nearly a month into the new me! So far I have lost, drum roll please....... 3lbs, but to be honest I am fine with that. Slow and steady, right? More importantly I feel so much better already. My skin is brighter, although this doesn't not distract from the bags under my eyes, I have MonkeyMoo (as my daughter is affectionately called) to thank for that. No one tells you they may still not be sleeping through aged 4! But none the less my energy levels have improved, I am not forcing myself to stay awake until bedtime.

Most importantly I am making time for me. Exercise has become hugely important to me, who knew! I have been really annoyed this week as a calf strain has put paid to proper exercise. Now I am not managing to actually get out to a class or anything but DVD's work just as well for me. So I am making sure I make time to do these.

I have been out for dinner but enjoyed the treat knowing it was all counted for and although it took me over my calorie allowance for the day, I had planned for it and had left over calories from the days before.

I increased my step count too and although I now realise I am not going to get 10,000 every single day, sometimes life just gets in the way, I am aware of how active or not I am being. 

 

This week I am going to do the following:

1) Take month one pictures and measurements, I don't think there will be a huge difference but I hope that come the summer I'll be able to look back and see the small differences every month that have made a big change.

2) Keep up with the exercise and healthy eating - remembering how much better it makes me feel

3) Look into getting my body fat measured, although I freely admit I may chicken out of this!

I am genuinely feeling I am changing behaviour and attitude and that this isn't all going to come crashing down around my ears (or hips as may be the case) when I smell chips!

Although whilst watching Splash! with MonkeyMoo I mentioned that I would be quite happy if I looked like Donna Air in a swimming costume. "But Mum" came the reply "your hair is not as long as hers" which is obviously the only difference!!

Making me happier - Get Fit Get Epic

My big New Year resolution is to do more for me, not in a selfish kind of way but in a I'm not just here for everyone else kind of way.

Part of that I want to get fit and lose weight. Yes I know so does everyone, especially at this time of year. But I have Hypermobility Syndrome which causes issues with all of my joints, I dislocate easily and can, on occasion, have problems getting up, walking etc. I am in pain everyday but it's manageable and no point in moaning. Being overweight and inactive makes is worse, so it is just common sense, right? So, why is it so blooming difficult? Thankfully I am using MyFitnessPal which is a free online community that lets you log food and exercise and make some pretty awesome friends along the way. Taking it one day and 1lb at a time.

I have always been on the chubby side, even when I competed in gymnastics I was not what you would call slender! 

So I will, as much as possible, walk 10,000 steps a day, I will make healthy choices (this is not to say I will not eat chocolate, I will) and I will drink lots of water. I also want to train as a Mokyfit instructor but want to have shifted a stone before I do this!

Not only do I want to get fit and healthy (and in the process look a bit nicer in clothes) I want to set a good example to my daughter.

Now take a deep breath, here are the before pictures, I plan to update monthly and hope I shall be looking a bit more trim next time!
 
 
I am writing this blog not just to make me accountable to the big wide world but this is my entry for the ‘Get Fit Feel Epic’ competition hosted by Kate on Thin Ice and I would very much like to win the goodies on offer. 
 
Oh and I will try and get better at blogging too!!