Ok… Brace yourselves… there’s a LOT to confess!!! Ready?
So yesterday… good things, porridge for breakfast, healthier lasagna and a decentish walk… not a really good walk, just a decentish walk.
Confessions… GULP! 6 biscuits, 1/3 bottle of Tia Maria, quarter pack of honey roasted cashews and a quarter of a pack of sharer crisps!!!!! Yesterday was not a good day, and the scales told me off! I put on 2lb in 24 hours!!!
Today has been better, turkey sausages and turkey rashers with an egg in a buttered white sarnie with ketchup, then chicken with skin, frozen roast spuds and plenty of veggies with gravy for dinner.
There will be crisps later, but no alcohol!
Some good news… I only got up 3 times last night, I had the best night sleep in ages.
We’ll be doing plenty of walking as well this week, we’ve even decided to drive to the coast one day and have a bloody good walk while enjoying the vast emptiness of the landscape!
And of course, I’m going to make sure we eat healthily this week.
Other news, caught up with our daughter and her fiancee last night, was great spending a bit of time with the girls 🥰
Also took nieces to Paul’s parents and spent some time with them this afternoon. Again, lovely catching up.
No other news, life is really not interesting at the moment 😆
I’ll update you again tomorrow, hopefully with a more health aware food diary!
This week has not been so rough with Sofia, i believe we might have found a way to help her understand fractions better… only taken a couple of months 😆. And there’s been some improvement with Lilly’s number recognition. With both kids there’s the threat of not getting good kid stars, which has helped keep Lilly in particular motivated to carry on with numbers, letters and reading whereas before she would say “don’t want to”.
We’ve also managed 2 fun baking things with the kids (cookies and cupcakes), and Sofia was utterly pleased when I told her I much preferred her KFC style chicken (cooked with uncle Paul) to the real thing, so she very happily made that again this week.
Now the kids are back home with their mum, and they will be going to Paul’s mum and dad next week… WOOHOO!!! Freedom!
Anyway, I’ve put the lost water weight back on, I’m not disappointed, this was expected, but my weight is still on the whole dropping, slowly.
We’ve stuck with healthy eating during the week, very little exercise, some sneaky chocolate and alcohol, but on the whole, not too bad.
Today we had turkey rashers, turkey sausages and an egg in a white sarnie (using up Sofia’s bread), and this evening we had a slow cooker kebab. It was in a white pita, and I did have a garlic sauce with it, but it was a proper portion size, no greasy chippy chips, and filled with salad, so a tasty and not as unhealthy a kebab for Friday night!
I’m having a couple of drinks tonight, but they’re long, weak and mixed with pepsi max.
I’m feeling utterly lazy, but am hoping to get of my backside and do some walking this coming week.
I’ve bought a new bra! Well three actually, different sizes, two to go back! I’m now in a 40D, much better than the 44DD I used to wear, but I’ll be so pleased when I will fit 38C. In the meantime, i can now get a couple more bras in this comfortable size.
My scales are showing my weight as 14 stone 1.8lb this morning, so I’m hoping to be in the 13 stone bracket by next weekend. I believe my scales are about 3lb lighter than boots scales, so if by the end of july my scales read 13 stone 10lb, I’ll be really happy. However, I have to be more disciplined if this is gonna happen!
This is my last post until Thursday or Friday evening, we pick kids up tomorrow. I don’t feel ready!
Still feeling a little tired, but not too bad.
I managed to get the housework done today, it’s pleasing to see our home as it should be.
I’m still working through our laundry, but it won’t be a problem.
We popped up to see my daughter and her partner, I’m so impressed! The girls have turned their weed infested patch of mud into a lovely outdoor space!
Paul has been working hard on our garden again today, and is currently ordering some herb seeds and planters! We’ve decided next year we’re going to try our hand at grow your own, so we’ll be looking into buying trugs… I can’t be bothered with kneeling on the floor!
I’m counting housework as exercise.
As for food… Paul made sausages yesterday, Turkey and pork mince, so healthier than pure pork. We had those for breakfast. We had too many sausages… should have saved some for a sausage pasta.
This evening we had friday fish and chips, along with 2 lovely onion rings each! My appetite is not good though, and I left quite a bit of fish and chips.
I’ve realised, if things carry on as they are, even if we can get up to Wales, I am not going to be fit enough to get up Snowdon. Although disappointing, this can’t be helped.
There are still some great challenging walks which I will be able to do, especially if I manage to give up smoking (one of the things I wanted to do during furlough). I’m going to read my give up smoking book during our next decent breaks from kids. I got halfway through the book before all hell broke loose, and I felt my brain was being rewired. If it’s any good I’ll let you know… when I get my next chance to read it!
Anyway, here’s a pic or two of Wales and cottage if you need a little something beautiful to cheer you up 😊
This will be my last post until Thursday or Friday. Stay safe, stay well. 💜
My temperature yesterday was 39.2, today it’s averaging out at 36.5. I feel a lot more comfortable, and less drained.
I’m confused as to why I ended up with heat stroke given I have holidayed in much hotter places, though Paul and I have come up with a theory…
Now I’m thinner, thinner than I’ve been for years, I’ve lost (some of) the protective layer of fat that helped keep my core temperature stable…
Sure that’s not correct, but it’s the best we can come up with 😁
Paul has been a sweetheart today, I told him yesterday that today I was doing nothing. not because I’m lazy I hasten to add, but because I thought this would help me feel better. So Paul has done all our food and kept me supplied with fluid 💝💖
Anyway, moving on…
Sleep was appalling insofar as I got up 10 times for a loo stop, but good insofar as I didn’t sweat the bed out! I also went to bed at about 10 last night, much earlier than usual.
Food has been good today, Paul bullied me into porridge this morning, I really didn’t want anything, but between you and me, he’s right in saying a bit of breakfast will help me feel better.
We had salad, hard boiled egg, cured meats and a bit of potato salad for lunch. It was way too much food, but that gave us left over salad and potato salad for dinner tonight with some venison.
I might have crisps later!
Anyway, nothing else for me to report. I’ll be having another early night tonight (so off to bed in an hour), and doing housework tomorrow ready for return of nieces on Sunday.
Thank you all so much for your messages, I’m sorry I left some of you hanging. I have to say, my heart was so gladdened… Thank you you lovely people!
I have heat stroke. From Monday! Stupid really, I’m not at all burned, I creamed up, stayed in the shade, had a Sunhat and glasses on. But on Monday evening, (after KFC, which I did not enjoy… poetic justice 🤣) I felt so cold I curled up in blankets! Only lasted 20ish minutes, then ended up so hot!
My bed has been soaked both nights because of all the sweating… really quite disgusting… YUCK!
On top of this I think I might have a UTI, as the toilet and I are too well acquainted 😖
So, lack of sleep, heat stroke, general rundown since December, I’m feeling quite, pathetically sorry for myself 🤣
So my food today reflected this ridiculousness! 2 crumpets for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, but healthy salmon and sweet potato fries for dinner.
We went for a walk today, I think maybe I shouldn’t have, but I decided fresh air might be good. I regretted the walk all the way round, but was glad I did it. It was lovely seeing small gatherings, knowing some of these people would be catching up face to face for the first time in months 💝
All that sweating and weeing over night had a lovely side effect… I am a dessicated human being 😄 I lost quite a bit of weight! Obviously that will all go back on, but I liked seeing the figure 😁
Anyway, back to the pimms! Hopefully a good nights sleep tonight 🙂
Wow, when the wheels fall off the wagon, life really keeps those challenges rolling in.
It’s difficult writing this post, I feel awful not having our interaction. So if you’ve missed me, I am very sorry.
I do hope you and yours are well, and if anyone is grieving, my heart goes out to you. ❤
Regrettably there are going to be regular days on end with radio silence from me. I am hoping to start reading your posts on the days I can, but my reading will be as sporadic as my writing.
So, this is going to be just an overview of my life.
When last I wrote, I was hoping for furlough. Before that happened we got an upset message from our 9 year old niece. She and her mum were at the murdering stage! So her mum and us had a conversation, and decided it would be best for everyone if we had Sofia here. My sister in law had done well to be fair, she and her three kids had at that point been on lockdown for 5 weeks… and they’re a volatile family!
We now realise the problem… School work! Sofia does not believe she should be doing any, however she has fallen very far behind.
School work is an ongoing battle, and we struggle not to lose our temper with her. We realised on week two that she was marking work as done when actually she hadn’t looked at it!
Food is also a struggle, she will like something one day and hate it the next. There have been days when she has refused lunch because it’s not what she wanted, and on those days, she has been warned of consequences, and then had nothing to eat until dinner. Well… I say nothing… on both of those days she has, after lots of complaining being given a handful of grapes, and she has no problem eating all her dinner on those days!
After week 1 we then started having Lilly, the 4 year old. Karen needs to earn money.
I was still working at this point, so the pressure really built up.
Week 3… furlough!
Apart from week one, the kids have been going home at weekends, but there’s no rest for wicked. Proper Housework, ready for kids again on Sunday.
I’m knackered. By the time we’ve sorted breakfast and washing, kept 4 year old entertained, done dreaded schoolwork, fought through lunch and more school work, done something nice in afternoon if Sofia’s not wasted her time (she will try and try and try to keep away from school work), had the dinner battle, gone for a small walk, made children to mum video call, got 4 year old washed, in bed and read to, spent a bit more time (usually a silly game) with Fia, made sure Fia’s ready bed at reasonable time, Paul and I basically just collapse!
How do you parents cope! Our daughter was a different child, and she is of course our only reference.
Now several weeks later, Paul and I are having a week’s break! I was knackered before we started having the kids, this week doesn’t seem to be touching the madness at all.
Some relief, Paul’s mum and dad are hoping to start helping out soon. Not next week but the week after, and then we’ll do week on, week off. This will of course depend on advice, I do worry though, I know I’m now paranoid, but I really don’t want them to become ill simply to look after demanding kids.
How have I been doing in all of this?
On the whole Paul and I have kept to our sensible eating, but with catastrophic weekend failures!
I have tried to go on walks and Paul has tried to cycle, with both kids here, that’s impossible. Instead we make do with a slow and short stroll with kids in the evening.
State of mind… mmm… I find I keep thinking about everything I had planned to do while on furlough, concentrate on health and fitness, try my hand at writing, sort kitchen, new recipes, art project. There will hopefully never be a furlough necessity in the future, but what a wasted opportunity for personal stuff. Particularly with writing, I have thought many times over the years, how all I need is three months to just give myself the chance to see if I could do it.
I’m also worried about coming out of lockdown, and the virus getting another hit.
A bit of good news, I am losing weight, even with all the bad weekend foods, it’s very very slow, less than half lb a week, but still, I’m losing!
Paul treated me a few weeks ago, he brought me a Joe Brown’s dress! UK Size 18, a real treat! I love they’re clothes and shoes (and bags), and was lucky enough to get two pairs of shoes and a bag for xmas (dream come true), and I was nervous about the dress, I’ve never, ever owned a Joe Brown’s dress, so no idea if the clothing is generous or small. Also, worried I wouldn’t fit into it during the summer, and that it would then be too big next summer! That would be a waste of money! Anyway, judge for yourself (please excuse the state of my kitchen!)
So that’s my life. I’ll be able to update tomorrow, and although I probably wont be able to backtrack through your lives, I’m hoping read your current posts.
Nothing much to report today, other than…. the never-ending monthly has nearly come to a close!!! WOOHOO!!!!
Work has been work, nothing really going on there.
With regards to “The Snowdon Challenge”, I woke up a little tender today, but nothing serious. Learning from the last couple of days I decided to do six sessions instead of eight, and upped the quantity to four climbs per session.
By the end of the last session I noticed the front of my thighs, just above the knees were definitely feeling worked out. I shall not up the quantity for the next day or two, giving my body a chance to get used to this routine first.
I’m still bunged up with this blasted cold, so I’ve decided to relax this evening rather than go for a walk. Besides, it’s raining and I’ve left my coat in my car!
As there’s nothing else to update you on, i’ll get straight on with the daily details.
Sleep – I have to say, not having to get up at 7am is really doing me the world of good. I still get up naturally about 7.30, 7.45 but now if I don’t get up then it’s not a problem! I still go to the loo a few times, but I just feel so much better with my sleep at the moment, I’m not about to start complaining 🙂
Fluid – 200ml milk, 3 cups of tea, 1 can of pepsi max, and a glass of water (still to be had this evening)
Food – 40g natural nuts, 90g dried fruits and 1 cheese portion during the morning.
For lunch we had 50g brown pasta, small tin of mackerel in honey and mustard sauce and sweetcorn. Very tasty 🙂
For dinner we had healthier fish and chips with frozen brocolli… No surprise there really, it’s Friday 😀
Oh, and there was a sneaky square of chocolate!
Exercise – So no walk or work out today, just the details of the Snowdon Challenge:
Snowdon – 3560 feet
Today – 180 feet
Total – 480 feet
Left to do – 3080 feet
Days completed – 3/21
There we go, there’s my day, looking forward to another relaxing weekend.
Hey all, I’m writing this post the following morning.
Sods law, daytime bored with just a bit of work coming in, evening… not enough time 😆
I’m going to start this post with Wednesday evening. After writing my post, Paul and I went for a walk. I started great! No real aches and pains, just this ridiculous cold!
However…
After not even 1.5 km I had a severe stomach cramp! I needed the loo! Paul had to go home and get the car! I got home just in time. Needless to say, I didn’t go out again that evening!
So then onto Thursday…
Sleep was good once a few loo stops had been done.
I had sparodic moments with work.
In the evening I caught up with mum and Chelle on a video call, which was lovely. I also caught up with Amy and Katie, also lovely.
And went on a walk!
Oh… and pleasing health related news, slight aching from stair climbs the day before, so upped stair climbs to 8 x 3 climbs! (Actually 4 x 3 and 3 x 4 as I forgot an hour 😁)
Snowdon – 3560 feet
Today – 180 feet
Total – 300 feet
Left to do – 3260 feet
Days completed – 2/21
So, on to the daily…
Fluid – 3 cups of tea, 1 can of Pepsi max. Not enough fluid, definitely felt dehydrated.
Dinner was venison burger with cheese, oven cooked spuds, veggies.
Exercise – decent walk and stair climbs.
I couldn’t be bothered with logging the stairs as workouts, would take me longer to start the logging than to do the climbs, especially as my tracker gets confused and turns off!
So that was my Thursday, hopefully I’ll be reporting a good day tonight too.
Just found I hadn’t published this… such a donkey!
I still have my cold with my heavy head, and I’m still on, but apart from that, I’m feeling quite good!
Before I went to bed last night I noticed a bee on the curtain by my back door. I didn’t bother putting it out, thinking it was too cold.
This morning I completely forgot about said bee, until it was discovered on it’s back by the back door!
Obviously I did a little rescue mission 🙂 Using tissue (come on!!! you know me by now! I am a wimp!) the bee climbed on and I was able to pop it in the garden. Then I made up some sugar water so it could have a nice drink.
Seemed to really like that sugar water, was drinking for a good ten minutes!
My little friend had disappeared when I went to check on it before I started work 🙂
Today has been a slightly busier day at work, not at all busy, just a little bit busier.
Still hoping to swap furlough with Liz, but won’t know now until beginning to middle of next week.
The day has been interspersed with my stair climbs. I forgot on a couple of hours, so there were two times I had to double up. I feel a bit stupid reporting these stair climbs as apart from being ever so slightly out of breath, I don’t feel they qualify for exercising, and certainly don’t feel challenging! However, I learned my lesson the painful way! If I have no serious side effects when I get up tomorrow, I’ll up the hourly quantity to three.
On to the details for the day:
Food – 40g natural nuts, 90g dried fruit.
Lunch was 2 slices wholemeal toast with cheese. I had two portions of dairy, so still need to have either a glass of milk, yoghurt or another cheese portion before the end of the day.
Dinner is a maggi bag with chicken, mushrooms, onion, peppers with oven cooked garlicky spuds and mushrooms.
Paul’s weighed out the veggies, this will make two portions of veggies, so with my dried fruits, that makes a total of 5 portions of fruit and veg.
I have eaten some chocolate… I say some, more than a normally satisfying square! Amy and Katie very kindly picked us up an Easter Egg, so obviously I’m making it go away as quick as I can… tonight will be the last I see of it 😀
Fluid – 3 cups of tea, 2 glasses of water – there will probably be another glass of water later.
Exercise – Today I have done 8x 2 stair climbs, that’s 16 climbs and 120 feet
It’s been days since I’ve updated, and to be quite honest, there really isn’t much to say.
For me this isn’t a bad thing, I was forced into doing almost nothing, and until about 8 this morning, felt wonderful for it 🙂
For those of you who read me regularly, you’ll know exercise and I don’t have the best of relationships, I try to love it, I’ve learned to appreciate it, and in return the exercise helps me to feel fitter and healthier, however I took my body for granted last Thursday and the exercise decided to show me just how stupid that was 😀
A little bit of good news, it’s been three of four weeks since I’ve weighed at Boots, and I believe, going by my home scales, that I have lost 2 or 3lbs. I’m happy with this as the exercise has absolutely not been what it should have been, and the food has been only mostly good.
Anyway, on to a run down of my lovely, relaxing weekend.
CONFESSIONS
Several alcoholic drinks
Small Easter Egg (175g)
Crisps
Pizza
Biscuits
ACHES AND PAINS
Calf muscles where a killer
Coccyx pain diminished
Cold become much worse with headache
One ear blocked up
Still on
On top of gum disease again
THINGS I DID
Spent plenty of time in garden
Got bit by ants or mossies!
Visited mum to mow garden (tortoise is out of hibernation and needs to wander :))
Watched the rest of Carnival Row, series 1 on Netflix
Watched loads of films
Just took time at my own pace
Both my sister and I went round to Mum’s over the weekend to mow garden, but more to give Mum some company. Turns out my 38 year old sister has never mowed a garden before! She asked me if she does it like hoovering 😀
Luckily Mum has a decent sized garden, this meant we were able to keep well and truly apart from one another, no touching, and we had a can of pepsi so we could just chuck the can into the recycling, meaning none of us touched anything anyone else touched.
I’m pleased to report, Mum is definitely over her illness from a couple of weeks ago!
EXERCISE
Short list… One walk, this evening.
I just love cherry blossom trees 🙂
AND HERE ARE A COUPLE OF PICS OF FOOD
Ham omelette, veggies, oven baked spuds
Home made kebab with garlic mushrooms and salad
Salmon, Rice, sweetcorn and peas
So there we are, a great weekend, very much appreciated. And now I’m feeling less generally painful, I’m looking forward to carrying on.
As ever folks, thoughts are with you and your families, do stay safe and well if you can.
Trying to lose! 