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!

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

#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!