Hello to everyone and welcome to Michele, my newest follower, very nice to have you on board.
The good news is, after three days off work last week, extra zinc, tonnes of orange juice and a couple of Brazil nuts a day for immune system boosting selenium, the cold started to wane come Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. I went back to work on the Thursday. The bad news is, I am still coughing quite a lot and blowing my nose for Britain but at least I do feel a lot sparkier for most of the day. However both today & yesterday I found myself napping on the sofa in the afternoon, completely unable to keep my eyes open so I guess my body is still fighting it off!
I didn't get to do much thinking (as I thought I would) on the days off, I was just too busy sitting there going "Gahhhhhhhh.....achooo! Gahhhhhhh.....snuffle......splllllltttttthhhhhh" (that last one is my attempt at the noise you make blowing your nose....).
Since then I have pondered over my spreadsheet and I just don't know where I can make any more helpful cut backs to try and pull my overdraft back any sooner than about November, and this all hinges on no disasters happening between now and then! I am impatient though and would love to have results now. But I know I should grow up a bit and realise I can't have everything NOW. Perhaps a bit of that spirit would have stopped me getting into my overdraft in the first place and would help me stay out of it in the future eh?
The plan has to be long term doesn't it? There are no easy quick fixes. Mainly I suppose I am worried about the space & time between now and November and all the temptations, invitations, possible problems and so on that could happen to drag me off the path between now and then. And boredom. There's no getting away from it, I do get bored and this sodding weather isn't helping! Sometimes just getting out for a walk helps but lashings of rain is not conducive to country walks!
I am envious of my fellow bloggers who have interesting countryside and geographical features to look at for free on the weekends. I live in one of the most culture-less and featureless places in the country (that's not an exaggeration it's the absolute truth) so please, next time you're out looking at nearby beautiful hills, cliffs, fantastic old buildings or strolling along a beach front, spare a thought for me! :-)
Still at least I have my holiday in Cornwall to look forward to. The savings are still happening. We've saved enough for petrol now, hee hee! So if nothing else we have the cottage paid for and the money to get there and back plus a little bit more. So if nothing else, we can get there, get home and buy ourselves some delicious seaside chips in between and enjoy the coast for free! :-) In reality if all goes to plan, we'll have saved a fair bit more by end of August so we can get out and about a bit and have a happy week.
Some of my friends are upping sticks all the time to go away on one holiday after another (with frequent weekends away somewhere in Europe to stem the boredom of home). I am sure they see some wonderful things but I think I'm probably right to assume they won't ever appreciate a holiday as much as I am going to appreciate our little jaunt down to the West Country because we've saved and saved for this for well over a year and we probably won't go on holiday again for a few years. I want to enjoy every bit of it from the moment we lock the front door and drive down (i.e good music on the stereo, some naughty snack along the way...!) to that moment of relief when you arrive and put the kettle on. If the weather is kind (oh please be kind!) then every step of every coastal walk will be treasured and I may well reward myself with one or two local ice creams....mmmmm delicious. Peaceful, tranquil nights away from the busy road which we live by and no rushing to get up early for anything in particular, except a lazy, tasty breakfast (hopefully on the cottage patio) and more fresh Cornish sea side air.
Readers, keep your fingers crossed for me that we have an Indian summer this year as if the weather is appalling after all this, I think my heart would break!
OK bye bye for now, I hope to update soon with some more positive news i.e. the cold has finally buggered off and I've had a breakthrough on the money and 'entertainment' front!
Have a good week.
xx
Sunday, 24 June 2012
Sunday, 17 June 2012
Can't Afford to be Poorly!
Evening all, I hope you're all feeling better than I am right now.
Started with a dry, sore throat in the middle of last week which has not got any better and now my nose has started to stream, I'm sneezing and coughing too. I had aches & pains yesterday (slightly eased off now with the help of a hot lemon drink earlier) and generally right now I feel a bit crap.
Really want to get better soon....can't afford sore throat sweets, soft tissues for avoiding a red raw nose and all the rest of it! I do have a throat spray left over from about a year ago which I am eking out and luckily I have lots of paracetamol in the medicine tin which I can just have with hot cordial if the aches come back. My nose will have to put up with my cotton handkerchiefs and a bit of lotion rubbed in should it start to chafe!
Have drunk so much today to try and keep my throat from driving me mad and just finished off a little ice lolly as well! I am not sure I'll be at work tomorrow especially as I work in a hospital and very near to a ward full of elderly patients who've had falls and broken limbs. I am sure the last thing that is required is a load of germs making them feel worse.
If I am off tomorrow, if I am not sleeping, I am going to be taking stock of a few things I think and looking at ways to improve certain areas of my life. The work is sorted (touch wood) but life's never a smooth path, there are always bumps and potholes along the way from one thing or another aren't there?
Bye for now all.
xx
Started with a dry, sore throat in the middle of last week which has not got any better and now my nose has started to stream, I'm sneezing and coughing too. I had aches & pains yesterday (slightly eased off now with the help of a hot lemon drink earlier) and generally right now I feel a bit crap.
Really want to get better soon....can't afford sore throat sweets, soft tissues for avoiding a red raw nose and all the rest of it! I do have a throat spray left over from about a year ago which I am eking out and luckily I have lots of paracetamol in the medicine tin which I can just have with hot cordial if the aches come back. My nose will have to put up with my cotton handkerchiefs and a bit of lotion rubbed in should it start to chafe!
Have drunk so much today to try and keep my throat from driving me mad and just finished off a little ice lolly as well! I am not sure I'll be at work tomorrow especially as I work in a hospital and very near to a ward full of elderly patients who've had falls and broken limbs. I am sure the last thing that is required is a load of germs making them feel worse.
If I am off tomorrow, if I am not sleeping, I am going to be taking stock of a few things I think and looking at ways to improve certain areas of my life. The work is sorted (touch wood) but life's never a smooth path, there are always bumps and potholes along the way from one thing or another aren't there?
Bye for now all.
xx
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
So true...
Had to share this.....hope it come out! *Edit: try and enlarge it to see the text underneath. ;-)
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Not the Right Time...
Hi there, I hope you are all well despite this disappointment of a "summer" so far. Although officially summer doesn't start till about 21st June I suppose but, nevertheless, it still feels like Autumn to me! I've got a big fleecy cardigan on and the halogen heater is on/off as well! Still, what can you do?
Thanks for the comments on the job front. I decided not to apply for it in the end. And here's why:
I have job hopped so much in search of happiness, over the last 4/5 years and finally, I feel happy in the role I am currently in. When it came down to it, the thought of having to go through all the long formal application, a grilling interview and then, should I be selected, start all over again in less than a year of starting my current job, made me feel a bit queasy. When I asked myself what I really wanted, the answer was, simply to enjoy this role a bit longer and really make the best of it and not go for another job just because it was there. Sure it would have been a bit more money but truth is, I don't care about that. It's financially tough at times but the bills are getting paid and we're getting by.
What matters to me right now is getting to Sunday nights and not wanting to kill myself because I hated the job I was going to the next day. It matters to me that I am really getting to grips now with the role and implementing the new knowledge and hopefully really helping people on the other end of the phone. I simply want to have that stability for a while.
I have been in enough jobs to know that it hardly ever stays like that (forever) and one day I will realise I am coming to the end of the 'honeymoon period' in the job and I'll need another challenge. And that's fine. I'll deal with that when it happens and if there is another opportunity within the department I shall go for it. But that's then and this is now. I feel happy with my decision and it felt right for me. My Line Manager may be disappointed with me but hey ho. He'll get over it I'm sure!
So there you go that's that.
In other news, happily I paid off the balance to a holiday we have planned for late Summer down to Cornwall which hubby and I have been saving for since last July! So the holiday is bought and paid for, now we are just saving for some spending money and the petrol to drive down there and back (and around and about should we decide to venture further than the beach & cottage garden!). This has given me a boost as I have something to look forward to now. I don't think we'll have another holiday again for a couple of years at least so, I'm really hoping for fine weather when we're there.
Our fourth Approved Foods order is due tomorrow. I'm so grateful I heard about the site from Frugal Queen's blog, I know I have said that before, but I truly am. This time I've saved a fortune on cereal bars and dairy free desserts which are packed lunch staples in this household. I check most days to see what they have especially by way of breakfast cereals and it is hit & miss but I generally can use a number of things they have on offer.
I popped to Aldi today for the usual weekly shop for fresh fruit & veg and some other usual weekly bits and was delighted to see that they had some Earl Grey tea in for 99p a box! So a box went in the trolley and I had one when I got home...and was satisfied with it. If you like Earl Grey, I'd say give it a go. It may need a little longer in the cup or pot than some of the labelled brands but for 99p, you'd be crazy not to try it.
I also popped into a charity shop earlier and found a fabulous quality striped top with the modern twist 'batwing' effect (I hope you know what I mean otherwise it just sounds horrendous) and a ribbed/tight finish right at the bottom where it sits on the top of your hips. Versatile to go with jeans or work trousers so I was pleased with that. I would post up a photo but it's in the wash as I type! I also got an electric blue plain t-shirt for hubby which he really liked. He can never have enough t-shirts/tops as he's a master of the spilled curry or pasta sauce which refuse to come out no matter what I do, so spending top dollar on clothes for him, even if I was minted, would be pretty stupid.
Something else I decided to try last weekend (Jubbly weekend) was start using bicarbonate of soda after cleaning my teeth normally, for whitening. I can't even entertain the idea of spending £4+ on whitening toothpastes now so I just heap a little onto my toothbrush when there is still some toothpaste left on it, and clean for about another minute, no more than that. It tastes foul however it does the trick and no mistake! A large pot from Tesco cost me 99p and it'll last for AGES. I'm chuffed with that. My teeth feel so clean and although they're hardly Hollywood white (you'd need bleaching kits for that!) they are clean, bright and healthy looking.
Well not too much else to report from here....I am out tonight...being treated to a film at the cinema so I am looking forward to that. All I have to do is drive there which I am happy to do! I can't remember the last time I went out on a Tuesday night so it'll be appreciated. I've cut right back on money for 'going out'. I won't say I never go out as that would be a blatant lie but, it's barely anything these days. I have made a plan for the next 6 months or so and if I stick to it, I should be overdraft free within that time and will have put some savings away. I know some people would say "Why save if you are overdrawn?" but I do because:
a) If something crops up I don't want to go deeper into my overdraft
b) My overdraft is completely free/no interest up to a certain point so it's not costing me anything to save if that makes sense.
Wish me luck, I have to say I need all the encouragement I can get to stick to the plan! I do like to be a little social and see my friends & family but not a lot is free is it, so some money always ends up getting spent. And I can get carried away with the moment at times, I'm the first to admit it. More education (or even some!) is required for the whole country on how not to be a hermit and not run up debts in the process I think!
OK that really is it so I shall bid you adieu for now. Thanks for reading! And feel free to add your comments on what you do to be social, for free or very little money. I'd love to read them.
xxx
Thanks for the comments on the job front. I decided not to apply for it in the end. And here's why:
I have job hopped so much in search of happiness, over the last 4/5 years and finally, I feel happy in the role I am currently in. When it came down to it, the thought of having to go through all the long formal application, a grilling interview and then, should I be selected, start all over again in less than a year of starting my current job, made me feel a bit queasy. When I asked myself what I really wanted, the answer was, simply to enjoy this role a bit longer and really make the best of it and not go for another job just because it was there. Sure it would have been a bit more money but truth is, I don't care about that. It's financially tough at times but the bills are getting paid and we're getting by.
What matters to me right now is getting to Sunday nights and not wanting to kill myself because I hated the job I was going to the next day. It matters to me that I am really getting to grips now with the role and implementing the new knowledge and hopefully really helping people on the other end of the phone. I simply want to have that stability for a while.
I have been in enough jobs to know that it hardly ever stays like that (forever) and one day I will realise I am coming to the end of the 'honeymoon period' in the job and I'll need another challenge. And that's fine. I'll deal with that when it happens and if there is another opportunity within the department I shall go for it. But that's then and this is now. I feel happy with my decision and it felt right for me. My Line Manager may be disappointed with me but hey ho. He'll get over it I'm sure!
So there you go that's that.
In other news, happily I paid off the balance to a holiday we have planned for late Summer down to Cornwall which hubby and I have been saving for since last July! So the holiday is bought and paid for, now we are just saving for some spending money and the petrol to drive down there and back (and around and about should we decide to venture further than the beach & cottage garden!). This has given me a boost as I have something to look forward to now. I don't think we'll have another holiday again for a couple of years at least so, I'm really hoping for fine weather when we're there.
Our fourth Approved Foods order is due tomorrow. I'm so grateful I heard about the site from Frugal Queen's blog, I know I have said that before, but I truly am. This time I've saved a fortune on cereal bars and dairy free desserts which are packed lunch staples in this household. I check most days to see what they have especially by way of breakfast cereals and it is hit & miss but I generally can use a number of things they have on offer.
I popped to Aldi today for the usual weekly shop for fresh fruit & veg and some other usual weekly bits and was delighted to see that they had some Earl Grey tea in for 99p a box! So a box went in the trolley and I had one when I got home...and was satisfied with it. If you like Earl Grey, I'd say give it a go. It may need a little longer in the cup or pot than some of the labelled brands but for 99p, you'd be crazy not to try it.
I also popped into a charity shop earlier and found a fabulous quality striped top with the modern twist 'batwing' effect (I hope you know what I mean otherwise it just sounds horrendous) and a ribbed/tight finish right at the bottom where it sits on the top of your hips. Versatile to go with jeans or work trousers so I was pleased with that. I would post up a photo but it's in the wash as I type! I also got an electric blue plain t-shirt for hubby which he really liked. He can never have enough t-shirts/tops as he's a master of the spilled curry or pasta sauce which refuse to come out no matter what I do, so spending top dollar on clothes for him, even if I was minted, would be pretty stupid.
Something else I decided to try last weekend (Jubbly weekend) was start using bicarbonate of soda after cleaning my teeth normally, for whitening. I can't even entertain the idea of spending £4+ on whitening toothpastes now so I just heap a little onto my toothbrush when there is still some toothpaste left on it, and clean for about another minute, no more than that. It tastes foul however it does the trick and no mistake! A large pot from Tesco cost me 99p and it'll last for AGES. I'm chuffed with that. My teeth feel so clean and although they're hardly Hollywood white (you'd need bleaching kits for that!) they are clean, bright and healthy looking.
Well not too much else to report from here....I am out tonight...being treated to a film at the cinema so I am looking forward to that. All I have to do is drive there which I am happy to do! I can't remember the last time I went out on a Tuesday night so it'll be appreciated. I've cut right back on money for 'going out'. I won't say I never go out as that would be a blatant lie but, it's barely anything these days. I have made a plan for the next 6 months or so and if I stick to it, I should be overdraft free within that time and will have put some savings away. I know some people would say "Why save if you are overdrawn?" but I do because:
a) If something crops up I don't want to go deeper into my overdraft
b) My overdraft is completely free/no interest up to a certain point so it's not costing me anything to save if that makes sense.
Wish me luck, I have to say I need all the encouragement I can get to stick to the plan! I do like to be a little social and see my friends & family but not a lot is free is it, so some money always ends up getting spent. And I can get carried away with the moment at times, I'm the first to admit it. More education (or even some!) is required for the whole country on how not to be a hermit and not run up debts in the process I think!
OK that really is it so I shall bid you adieu for now. Thanks for reading! And feel free to add your comments on what you do to be social, for free or very little money. I'd love to read them.
xxx
Sunday, 3 June 2012
The Jubbly Weekend!
Hi there, how are you on this rainy Jubilee Sunday? I am having a day of enforced relaxation as it's pouring down outside! It's been lovely though - I had a bit of a lie in, then came down to a lovely breakfast of tea & brown sugary porridge which hubby made, then after washing up I embarked on some home administered pampering (free!) topped off my a long hot shower with my favourite soap "Dove" which I treated myself to yesterday as I had some Tesco vouchers. I love the smell of Dove soap it's so nice.
After a frugal lunch of beans on ALDI seeded bread toast (which incidentally is one of my favourite lunches!) I am now watching some tv. I don't know about you but I am middle-of-the-road when it comes to the Royal Family and all this Jubilee stuff. I'm watching the start of the flotilla because it's history in front of me and I feel I want to see at least some of it. So here I am, on the sofa, cup of tea, tv on, laptop here...and I'm quite happy. Hubby has closeted himself away in the other room with his OU studies - he's hardly what you'd call a Royal fan!
Life's been quiet generally although I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday to discuss my recent blood test results. I already know what it's going to be about......I am vitamin D deficient. I had to visit the nurse for something else in this last week and she looked on my notes when I mentioned it and told me! I am happy that at least I know what I am being "recalled" for and I know that it is quite easily treatable. And on the plus side, once my Vit D levels are back up to what they should be I am hoping this will give me a big boost and help my back problems as well. For those who don't know, Vitamin D deficiency can give way to aches & pains and bone pains amongst other things.
There is a vacancy opening at the hospital within the department I work in and I am in a dilemma about it. It's going up a banding and I would be a "Senior" should I go for it and get it (and my Manager thinks I should go for it and that I have as good a chance as anyone even though I have only been there 8 months!). However I quite like the job I am doing right now and would quite like a bit more time doing it if I am honest.
But these opportunities don't come up very often. I know I could do the job although there may be a short period of time to get some foundation knowledge built up (wouldn't take too long) but the big question is...do I want to do it? Lots of people are saying "Just go for it!" even if for the interview experience but I need to answer the question of myself first: "do I want this job?" before I waste anyone's time (including my own) filling out a long application form and going through the tough interview process. And what happens if I do all that and actually get offered the job and I am still not sure if I want it! Imagine that! (Getting ahead of myself a bit there though I know.)
OK well I hope you all continue to enjoy your "Jubbly! weekend break and the spectacle that is this flotilla, should you be watching it.
Bye for now.
xx
After a frugal lunch of beans on ALDI seeded bread toast (which incidentally is one of my favourite lunches!) I am now watching some tv. I don't know about you but I am middle-of-the-road when it comes to the Royal Family and all this Jubilee stuff. I'm watching the start of the flotilla because it's history in front of me and I feel I want to see at least some of it. So here I am, on the sofa, cup of tea, tv on, laptop here...and I'm quite happy. Hubby has closeted himself away in the other room with his OU studies - he's hardly what you'd call a Royal fan!
Life's been quiet generally although I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday to discuss my recent blood test results. I already know what it's going to be about......I am vitamin D deficient. I had to visit the nurse for something else in this last week and she looked on my notes when I mentioned it and told me! I am happy that at least I know what I am being "recalled" for and I know that it is quite easily treatable. And on the plus side, once my Vit D levels are back up to what they should be I am hoping this will give me a big boost and help my back problems as well. For those who don't know, Vitamin D deficiency can give way to aches & pains and bone pains amongst other things.
There is a vacancy opening at the hospital within the department I work in and I am in a dilemma about it. It's going up a banding and I would be a "Senior" should I go for it and get it (and my Manager thinks I should go for it and that I have as good a chance as anyone even though I have only been there 8 months!). However I quite like the job I am doing right now and would quite like a bit more time doing it if I am honest.
But these opportunities don't come up very often. I know I could do the job although there may be a short period of time to get some foundation knowledge built up (wouldn't take too long) but the big question is...do I want to do it? Lots of people are saying "Just go for it!" even if for the interview experience but I need to answer the question of myself first: "do I want this job?" before I waste anyone's time (including my own) filling out a long application form and going through the tough interview process. And what happens if I do all that and actually get offered the job and I am still not sure if I want it! Imagine that! (Getting ahead of myself a bit there though I know.)
OK well I hope you all continue to enjoy your "Jubbly! weekend break and the spectacle that is this flotilla, should you be watching it.
Bye for now.
xx
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Results
Evening all, how are you today?
I am sitting here in floods of tears watching "Planet Earth" and seeing the baby elephants struggling to cross the river...some got swept away and it was the most heartbreaking thing to watch. The elephant group has been reduced due to poachers (for ivory) so the Matriarchs who can judge the river are not around...so the younger ones take the risk and this what happens. It's so so sad and distressing to watch. Oh but here we go, they are about to update us on it actually.....
...so further down the river, the babies do struggle but they eventually make it out. Oh good God what a mess I am watching this. They must be so distressed and exhausted! But good news, they made it out and off they go. Ohhhhhhh dear, pass me a handkerchief!
Anyway it wasn't my intention to write about struggling baby elephants but there you go!
Well I got my blood test results back today and mostly good and in range for the things I was tested for. The Vitamin D test didn't come back for some reason the Nurse on the phone advised so I will need to see if the Doctor calls me in the next few working days because that was one of the things I wanted checking. My calcium levels were a "bit" high but without knowing what my Vitamin D levels are I don't know if that is a worry or not.
However iron, B12, folate were all ok which is good news especially as I have struggled with anaemia in the past.
My back ache is gone though my lower back is slightly stiff in the morning but a hot shower sorts that out. I am back on my bike this week which I think is helping actually as well as saving me £2 a day when I need to take the car!
As for the weight, well, I don't think I have lost anything even though I have been trying hard to stick to a calorie limit and get some exercise. But someone said to me today that I looked "tiny" especially top half and none of my clothes are feeling tight so...I don't know. Part of me wants to just forget about what the scales say but part of me thinks I can't ignore it in case there is something 'hidden' causing me weigh 2.5 - 3 stone more than I look! Sometimes it is hard to know what to do for the best and I don't want the GP to think I am some paranoid hypochondriac!
Right, I am off to make my frugal home made lunch for tomorrow. Nearly the weekend! I hope you all have at least one nice thing planned for your break.
Cheerio for now!
PS. ARGH! Now they're showing a buffalo being attacked by lions! It's all too stressful for me! Think I'll put on Die Hard or something mindless!
I am sitting here in floods of tears watching "Planet Earth" and seeing the baby elephants struggling to cross the river...some got swept away and it was the most heartbreaking thing to watch. The elephant group has been reduced due to poachers (for ivory) so the Matriarchs who can judge the river are not around...so the younger ones take the risk and this what happens. It's so so sad and distressing to watch. Oh but here we go, they are about to update us on it actually.....
...so further down the river, the babies do struggle but they eventually make it out. Oh good God what a mess I am watching this. They must be so distressed and exhausted! But good news, they made it out and off they go. Ohhhhhhh dear, pass me a handkerchief!
Anyway it wasn't my intention to write about struggling baby elephants but there you go!
Well I got my blood test results back today and mostly good and in range for the things I was tested for. The Vitamin D test didn't come back for some reason the Nurse on the phone advised so I will need to see if the Doctor calls me in the next few working days because that was one of the things I wanted checking. My calcium levels were a "bit" high but without knowing what my Vitamin D levels are I don't know if that is a worry or not.
However iron, B12, folate were all ok which is good news especially as I have struggled with anaemia in the past.
My back ache is gone though my lower back is slightly stiff in the morning but a hot shower sorts that out. I am back on my bike this week which I think is helping actually as well as saving me £2 a day when I need to take the car!
As for the weight, well, I don't think I have lost anything even though I have been trying hard to stick to a calorie limit and get some exercise. But someone said to me today that I looked "tiny" especially top half and none of my clothes are feeling tight so...I don't know. Part of me wants to just forget about what the scales say but part of me thinks I can't ignore it in case there is something 'hidden' causing me weigh 2.5 - 3 stone more than I look! Sometimes it is hard to know what to do for the best and I don't want the GP to think I am some paranoid hypochondriac!
Right, I am off to make my frugal home made lunch for tomorrow. Nearly the weekend! I hope you all have at least one nice thing planned for your break.
Cheerio for now!
PS. ARGH! Now they're showing a buffalo being attacked by lions! It's all too stressful for me! Think I'll put on Die Hard or something mindless!
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
The Doctor Will See You Now...
Hello again and hello & welcome to my new followers. Lovely to have you around. It always makes my day when I see someone else has decided to follow my ramblings! So thank you for choosing to follow. And thank you to all who commented on my last post where I was quite flat. I appreciate your time to try & cheer me up.
Well I went to the Doctors today for a chat and some tests. I do have to go back on Friday morning for a fasting blood test as she was concerned enough by my symptoms to agree to it. So we'll see how that comes back. She is also going to check my iron levels (full blood count), Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, folate and something to do with calcium as well. Very thorough eh?
I also had a bit of an MOT whilst I was there. Blood pressure slightly elevated at 141/85 (second reading) but that was not high enough for her to be concerned to 'take action' I guess especially if you take into consideration the "white coat" factor, oh, and the incident in the waiting room of which I shall tell ye more in a minute!
I also asked her to listen to my heartbeat and that was fine too. I asked for her to check it as I am aware of palpitations at times, and seems I was there, I may as well ask!
She also weighed me and I was 80kg. The 'system' said my ideal weight was 66kg. Even the GP looked at me and said "No! No way, that is TOO much!" (in her lovely accent with it's slight West African twang) and she went on to say "If you tried to get down that much you would be *this* thin (holding up her finger) and you would be ill!"
THAT, dear readers, really made me happy! I was delighted that someone in the medical profession agreed that losing over 2 stone just to fit into a chart, is a ridiculous notion. What she did say, is, if I want to aim for something, aim for the weight I was last time the (previous) GP weighed me which was 75kg. She advised trying for a kilo a month (2.2lbs), so, take it slowly and don't rush it. I was perfectly happy with that. That is 11 pounds to lose from today.
11 pounds does feel a bit daunting but I think it's do-able if I make some sensible changes and really look at what I am getting for my calories during the day. It's like getting more for your money really isn't it?
So there we are. Just the blood tests to be done and results reviewed so we know if there is anything to include more of in the diet then I can really get on with it.
I shall post again in due course! Fingers crossed.
Oh! And the waiting room incident! I was sitting there minding my own business, when a elderly gentleman came in and sat next to me. This guy had some health issues in that he couldn't speak (not sure if it was due to a stroke or something else) and he also had an issue with his leg. Anyway he sat next to me and before long had got my attention to check what the time was. I told him the time and he gestured he wanted to go out for a cigarette (naughty!) but he was next in the queue - did I think he had time? I said "No, you'll have to wait I think" to which he looked a bit deflated but hey ho.
Then after that, he took a bit of a shine to me and he managed to point out to me that he was wearing his Manchester United track suit bottoms (!) to which I said "OK, well I don't think you're going to win the league this year!" which he waggled his hand at as if to say "Maybe!" then he gestured to ask me who I supported. I showed him my keyring which has the Liverpool emblem on it and that cracked him up! We were having a right little conversation between us I have to say. But then he made a rocking baby gesture to ask if I had children. I said no, then he checked my hand to see that I was wearing an engagement & wedding ring and checked that yes I was married. THEN, bold as brass he asked me if I wanted to go to the pub and have a drink with him! At 9.45am to boot! I said no (oh really?) but he seemed surprised by that (?) and was trying to pursue it but luckily, his Doctor called him in. I sat there stressing out thinking "Please let my Doctor call me in before he comes back out!!"
My doctor called me in just as he was coming out, he made a sweeping gesture for me to go through the door before he came out so I said "thank you!" and rushed through to my GP's room all a-fluster!
So, with all that in mind, perhaps a 141/85 blood pressure reading wasn't too bad eh??
Till next time!
Well I went to the Doctors today for a chat and some tests. I do have to go back on Friday morning for a fasting blood test as she was concerned enough by my symptoms to agree to it. So we'll see how that comes back. She is also going to check my iron levels (full blood count), Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, folate and something to do with calcium as well. Very thorough eh?
I also had a bit of an MOT whilst I was there. Blood pressure slightly elevated at 141/85 (second reading) but that was not high enough for her to be concerned to 'take action' I guess especially if you take into consideration the "white coat" factor, oh, and the incident in the waiting room of which I shall tell ye more in a minute!
I also asked her to listen to my heartbeat and that was fine too. I asked for her to check it as I am aware of palpitations at times, and seems I was there, I may as well ask!
She also weighed me and I was 80kg. The 'system' said my ideal weight was 66kg. Even the GP looked at me and said "No! No way, that is TOO much!" (in her lovely accent with it's slight West African twang) and she went on to say "If you tried to get down that much you would be *this* thin (holding up her finger) and you would be ill!"
THAT, dear readers, really made me happy! I was delighted that someone in the medical profession agreed that losing over 2 stone just to fit into a chart, is a ridiculous notion. What she did say, is, if I want to aim for something, aim for the weight I was last time the (previous) GP weighed me which was 75kg. She advised trying for a kilo a month (2.2lbs), so, take it slowly and don't rush it. I was perfectly happy with that. That is 11 pounds to lose from today.
11 pounds does feel a bit daunting but I think it's do-able if I make some sensible changes and really look at what I am getting for my calories during the day. It's like getting more for your money really isn't it?
So there we are. Just the blood tests to be done and results reviewed so we know if there is anything to include more of in the diet then I can really get on with it.
I shall post again in due course! Fingers crossed.
Oh! And the waiting room incident! I was sitting there minding my own business, when a elderly gentleman came in and sat next to me. This guy had some health issues in that he couldn't speak (not sure if it was due to a stroke or something else) and he also had an issue with his leg. Anyway he sat next to me and before long had got my attention to check what the time was. I told him the time and he gestured he wanted to go out for a cigarette (naughty!) but he was next in the queue - did I think he had time? I said "No, you'll have to wait I think" to which he looked a bit deflated but hey ho.
Then after that, he took a bit of a shine to me and he managed to point out to me that he was wearing his Manchester United track suit bottoms (!) to which I said "OK, well I don't think you're going to win the league this year!" which he waggled his hand at as if to say "Maybe!" then he gestured to ask me who I supported. I showed him my keyring which has the Liverpool emblem on it and that cracked him up! We were having a right little conversation between us I have to say. But then he made a rocking baby gesture to ask if I had children. I said no, then he checked my hand to see that I was wearing an engagement & wedding ring and checked that yes I was married. THEN, bold as brass he asked me if I wanted to go to the pub and have a drink with him! At 9.45am to boot! I said no (oh really?) but he seemed surprised by that (?) and was trying to pursue it but luckily, his Doctor called him in. I sat there stressing out thinking "Please let my Doctor call me in before he comes back out!!"
My doctor called me in just as he was coming out, he made a sweeping gesture for me to go through the door before he came out so I said "thank you!" and rushed through to my GP's room all a-fluster!
So, with all that in mind, perhaps a 141/85 blood pressure reading wasn't too bad eh??
Till next time!
Monday, 7 May 2012
Keep On Keeping On...
Hello there everyone, how are you? How is your Bank Holiday going? It's cold, grey, windy & drizzly where I am, atypical Bank Holiday weather eh? Firstly thanks to everyone who mentioned I could change my Blog settings back - I did so and it's so much better.
Well apologies for the lack of blogs recently, I am feeling very uninspired about things I have to admit. There's no money, the weather has been horrendous for the last month at least which means I can't even enjoy a nice walk and then on top of all that, last weekend my lower back decided to give out! It's on the mend now - I found some free yoga advice & videos online which have helped plus I have a friend overseas who is very into yoga so she offered some tips too.
However all things concerned, life feels bland at the moment. Just getting up for work, coming home, eating dinner, not doing much in the evenings, going to bed then doing it all again.
I did throw myself into trying to lose a bit of weight didn't I. That went well for about 3 weeks (lost about 5 pounds) then all went downhill when I hurt my back (bloody typical!) as it meant the aerobic exercise pretty much went out of the window and I comfort ate as well, all last week. So I need to get back on track with that as well. I have definitely put some weight back on so I am probably back to where I started.
I am actually off to the Doctor this coming week for a bit of a chat as I am worried about a few things: my weight for a start. WHY do I weigh so much when people think I weigh about 3 stone less than I actually do? I want my blood pressure checked and if possible, my Vitamin D levels checked along with my iron. And possibly blood sugar levels as well as I keep getting the shakes & instant hunger which is a bit weird. One of my sisters is hypoglycaemic and she's urged me to talk to the GP just in case as I also get jittery, bad tempered & get some headaches with it as well.
Oh dear! I feel like a bit of a wreck at the moment if I am honest. But, I am just carrying on, just trying to keep my head above water financially for now with a plan to try and improve things later on this year. I hope, I really really hope, that the sun comes out soon. I am feeling very lethargic and down. I need the sunshine to cheer me up. I am longing for a lovely long walk in the warmth but it's just not happening.
Well apologies for the depressing post. I just wanted to check in with you.
Here's hoping you are all doing much better.
Take care. x
Well apologies for the lack of blogs recently, I am feeling very uninspired about things I have to admit. There's no money, the weather has been horrendous for the last month at least which means I can't even enjoy a nice walk and then on top of all that, last weekend my lower back decided to give out! It's on the mend now - I found some free yoga advice & videos online which have helped plus I have a friend overseas who is very into yoga so she offered some tips too.
However all things concerned, life feels bland at the moment. Just getting up for work, coming home, eating dinner, not doing much in the evenings, going to bed then doing it all again.
I did throw myself into trying to lose a bit of weight didn't I. That went well for about 3 weeks (lost about 5 pounds) then all went downhill when I hurt my back (bloody typical!) as it meant the aerobic exercise pretty much went out of the window and I comfort ate as well, all last week. So I need to get back on track with that as well. I have definitely put some weight back on so I am probably back to where I started.
I am actually off to the Doctor this coming week for a bit of a chat as I am worried about a few things: my weight for a start. WHY do I weigh so much when people think I weigh about 3 stone less than I actually do? I want my blood pressure checked and if possible, my Vitamin D levels checked along with my iron. And possibly blood sugar levels as well as I keep getting the shakes & instant hunger which is a bit weird. One of my sisters is hypoglycaemic and she's urged me to talk to the GP just in case as I also get jittery, bad tempered & get some headaches with it as well.
Oh dear! I feel like a bit of a wreck at the moment if I am honest. But, I am just carrying on, just trying to keep my head above water financially for now with a plan to try and improve things later on this year. I hope, I really really hope, that the sun comes out soon. I am feeling very lethargic and down. I need the sunshine to cheer me up. I am longing for a lovely long walk in the warmth but it's just not happening.
Well apologies for the depressing post. I just wanted to check in with you.
Here's hoping you are all doing much better.
Take care. x
Sunday, 22 April 2012
I Go Away For a Week and Look What Happens!
Hi there! Well, lookie here....Blogger's got a whole new look! At least it has on my input screen, I presume it has on yours too? Not sure what I think about it to be honest but I guess I will just have to get used to it won't I?
So how are you all today? Dodging the showers out there hopefully! Hi to new followers and thanks for the recent comments as well.
So, going back to work was awful as you would expect but once I got into the swing of things again I guess it wasn't soooo bad. I really detest getting up early though so having a long week off where things are a little more leisurely makes it even worse when things get back to normal! I asked a friend of mine once, who is a very very early riser, how she did it when the alarm went off at such ungodly hours (in my opinion anyway!) and the answer was pretty simple. "Well we all have to get up at some point so I just get on with it!". Can't argue with that and I do try and keep that in the forefront of my mind on the days when I am tempted to hit snooze for that bit of extra zzz time...a slippery slope that is!
As you can probably imagine, I was happy for the weekend to arrive but I haven't really done anything exciting with it....but to be honest that is fine by me! I had a massive basket of washing to sort out as well as the sheets & towels as ever, a frugal meal plan to, errr, plan, dinner to cook last night, chores to be done around the house and some Wii fit exercise to be carried out!
The Wii fit exercise was crowbarred into my day last Monday after a shocking revelation on some scales recently (pre-holiday time). Although to look at me you wouldn't say I am overweight, three pairs of scales and numerous body charts all tell a very different story. By about a stone and a half apparently! Now, I am 5' 7" (67cm to those of you who work with sensible measuring systems) and weighed in at 12st 13 (181 pounds or just over 82kg) on a pair of hospital clinic scales. This is H-E -A-V-Y for a 41 year old female. However everyone whom I have dared to confide in, bar none, have all said "No! Really? You don't look it!" when I made the big reveal. So I think muscles and big old bone density (yep that old chestnut) really must play a part in this?? Or am I in denial?
I fit into tops that range from a size 8 to a size 12 and trousers which range from a size 12 to a size 14 depending on the make/brand. (All sizes UK sizes obviously.) So from that, assume what you will but I would hope you would assume I am not a contender for "A Year To Save My Life - Obese Special".
Anyway the scales scared the bejesus out of me because fairly slim or not fairly slim, nearly 13st is pretty bl00dy heavy and I need to do something about it. So this week I decided to take action! So I have signed up to an online calorie logging site (available at Everydayhealth.com if interested) and set a sensible calorie limit which incorporates a 500 calorie drop (per day) to try and lose a pound a week. I also decided that although when the weather is good I do cycle to work, it's too inconsistent so I need to incorporate more exercise. So that's why the Wii and the Wii Fit board have been dug back out!
I bought the Wii stuff a few years ago when I got a bonus from a better paid job and although I used it for the first year or so, it then got put away...like so much in life sadly. But! Happily I realised this can be a very useful tool in my war on weight so out it came again along with Wii Fit and my Just Dance discs. I have used it 4 times since last Monday (inclusive). I weighed myself last night and I am down to 12st 8! So 5 pounds gone since I weighed myself just before my long week off.
I am pleased with that and I am really enjoying the extra activities I am doing. I love the 'step' activity on Wii Fit (though was never interested in it, in real life strangely!), love the jogging (but again you wouldn't catch me outside jogging on the mean streets!), the rhythm boxing is fun as is "Kung Fu Moves" and if you want a real laugh, try the hula hooping! (I don't do that for too long....you do feel like a plum!)
As for Just Dance, that was made for me. I absolutely love it. Some are definitely harder than others but some are easy to follow but give you a great work out. I love dancing, I always have had dance in my life in one format or another but now I can't get out dancing for real due to lack of funds or facilities (or just feeling too old to even think about going to a club for that sort of dancing!) this helps fill a gap. I recommend it for some fun movement if you need a bit of activity injected into your day. I have Just Dance 1, 2 & 3 and I still go back to quite a few on the first disc.
So, that's what I am up to at the moment, trying to shed a bit of excess baggage! Wish me luck and if you have any pearls of wisdom to offer....feel free!
Bye for now.
x
So how are you all today? Dodging the showers out there hopefully! Hi to new followers and thanks for the recent comments as well.
So, going back to work was awful as you would expect but once I got into the swing of things again I guess it wasn't soooo bad. I really detest getting up early though so having a long week off where things are a little more leisurely makes it even worse when things get back to normal! I asked a friend of mine once, who is a very very early riser, how she did it when the alarm went off at such ungodly hours (in my opinion anyway!) and the answer was pretty simple. "Well we all have to get up at some point so I just get on with it!". Can't argue with that and I do try and keep that in the forefront of my mind on the days when I am tempted to hit snooze for that bit of extra zzz time...a slippery slope that is!
As you can probably imagine, I was happy for the weekend to arrive but I haven't really done anything exciting with it....but to be honest that is fine by me! I had a massive basket of washing to sort out as well as the sheets & towels as ever, a frugal meal plan to, errr, plan, dinner to cook last night, chores to be done around the house and some Wii fit exercise to be carried out!
The Wii fit exercise was crowbarred into my day last Monday after a shocking revelation on some scales recently (pre-holiday time). Although to look at me you wouldn't say I am overweight, three pairs of scales and numerous body charts all tell a very different story. By about a stone and a half apparently! Now, I am 5' 7" (67cm to those of you who work with sensible measuring systems) and weighed in at 12st 13 (181 pounds or just over 82kg) on a pair of hospital clinic scales. This is H-E -A-V-Y for a 41 year old female. However everyone whom I have dared to confide in, bar none, have all said "No! Really? You don't look it!" when I made the big reveal. So I think muscles and big old bone density (yep that old chestnut) really must play a part in this?? Or am I in denial?
I fit into tops that range from a size 8 to a size 12 and trousers which range from a size 12 to a size 14 depending on the make/brand. (All sizes UK sizes obviously.) So from that, assume what you will but I would hope you would assume I am not a contender for "A Year To Save My Life - Obese Special".
Anyway the scales scared the bejesus out of me because fairly slim or not fairly slim, nearly 13st is pretty bl00dy heavy and I need to do something about it. So this week I decided to take action! So I have signed up to an online calorie logging site (available at Everydayhealth.com if interested) and set a sensible calorie limit which incorporates a 500 calorie drop (per day) to try and lose a pound a week. I also decided that although when the weather is good I do cycle to work, it's too inconsistent so I need to incorporate more exercise. So that's why the Wii and the Wii Fit board have been dug back out!
I bought the Wii stuff a few years ago when I got a bonus from a better paid job and although I used it for the first year or so, it then got put away...like so much in life sadly. But! Happily I realised this can be a very useful tool in my war on weight so out it came again along with Wii Fit and my Just Dance discs. I have used it 4 times since last Monday (inclusive). I weighed myself last night and I am down to 12st 8! So 5 pounds gone since I weighed myself just before my long week off.
I am pleased with that and I am really enjoying the extra activities I am doing. I love the 'step' activity on Wii Fit (though was never interested in it, in real life strangely!), love the jogging (but again you wouldn't catch me outside jogging on the mean streets!), the rhythm boxing is fun as is "Kung Fu Moves" and if you want a real laugh, try the hula hooping! (I don't do that for too long....you do feel like a plum!)
As for Just Dance, that was made for me. I absolutely love it. Some are definitely harder than others but some are easy to follow but give you a great work out. I love dancing, I always have had dance in my life in one format or another but now I can't get out dancing for real due to lack of funds or facilities (or just feeling too old to even think about going to a club for that sort of dancing!) this helps fill a gap. I recommend it for some fun movement if you need a bit of activity injected into your day. I have Just Dance 1, 2 & 3 and I still go back to quite a few on the first disc.
So, that's what I am up to at the moment, trying to shed a bit of excess baggage! Wish me luck and if you have any pearls of wisdom to offer....feel free!
Bye for now.
x
Saturday, 14 April 2012
Trying to Enjoy My Last Two Days Off Work
Hi there, how are you all today? Welcome to my recent new followers, it's lovely to see you! And thank you to all who have commented of late. I see we are all pretty similar when it comes to the National Lottery! Yes just how lovely it would be to look after those nearest & dearest to us as well as enjoying some financial freedoms ourselves.
So here I am, the last two days off of work before back on the bike and back to the grindstone on Monday morning. I am still massively grateful I have left the other awful place I worked at before but I am not going to pretend I'm looking forward to going back to work after such a nice week off! I think that's probably another thing we're mostly all in agreement on isn't it? But it has been lovely with a good balance of relaxation, busy times and seeing friends and my Mum too.
So it's a fairly sunny day today but fresh...the wind is a little chilly but it's good washing drying weather for the towels and other "whites" I washed overnight. I was awake at about 8.30am this morning when postie knocked for a signed delivery and I was up & about properly not long after that. I have given the kitchen and bathroom a clean and I really should give the lounge a once over but I appear to be glued to the sofa with Liverpool v Everton on the radio! Anyway all housework was done on Tuesday so it's hardly a hovel. I'll get my act together when the game finishes and whip the vacuum cleaner around and a duster.
We're off out tonight to a comedy show. I bought a couple of tickets for Jo Caulfield a while ago with the intention of taking a lady I work with, as a thank you for all the lifts she'd given me to work over the Winter period but unfortunately it didn't pan out as her sister subsequently booked the same date for her wedding...how very dare she! Some people are all self self self aren't they? Only joking obviously. So anyway, hubby is coming with me tonight - it's the first night out since his birthday treat in February when we went to see the Spaghetti Western Orchestra (who were brilliant). I am looking forward to going out, it is a bit of a drive but not too bad. Part of me would like to just snuggle up on the sofa tonight with a film but I will go out and hopefully have a good giggle.
Tomorrow I am really hoping will be dry even if not sunny as I would like to get out for a walk and get some fresh air/exercise. I am carrying some extra weight at the moment even though my friends have said they can't see where, I know that I am as two pairs of scales have told me so! So I really need to start getting some more exercise as well as watching what I eat for a while. I'm still fitting into all my clothes though so it's hopefully salvageable!
Well I do hope that you are all having a good weekend, whatever that involves for you. Wish me luck for Monday....!
Bye for now. xx
So here I am, the last two days off of work before back on the bike and back to the grindstone on Monday morning. I am still massively grateful I have left the other awful place I worked at before but I am not going to pretend I'm looking forward to going back to work after such a nice week off! I think that's probably another thing we're mostly all in agreement on isn't it? But it has been lovely with a good balance of relaxation, busy times and seeing friends and my Mum too.
So it's a fairly sunny day today but fresh...the wind is a little chilly but it's good washing drying weather for the towels and other "whites" I washed overnight. I was awake at about 8.30am this morning when postie knocked for a signed delivery and I was up & about properly not long after that. I have given the kitchen and bathroom a clean and I really should give the lounge a once over but I appear to be glued to the sofa with Liverpool v Everton on the radio! Anyway all housework was done on Tuesday so it's hardly a hovel. I'll get my act together when the game finishes and whip the vacuum cleaner around and a duster.
We're off out tonight to a comedy show. I bought a couple of tickets for Jo Caulfield a while ago with the intention of taking a lady I work with, as a thank you for all the lifts she'd given me to work over the Winter period but unfortunately it didn't pan out as her sister subsequently booked the same date for her wedding...how very dare she! Some people are all self self self aren't they? Only joking obviously. So anyway, hubby is coming with me tonight - it's the first night out since his birthday treat in February when we went to see the Spaghetti Western Orchestra (who were brilliant). I am looking forward to going out, it is a bit of a drive but not too bad. Part of me would like to just snuggle up on the sofa tonight with a film but I will go out and hopefully have a good giggle.
Tomorrow I am really hoping will be dry even if not sunny as I would like to get out for a walk and get some fresh air/exercise. I am carrying some extra weight at the moment even though my friends have said they can't see where, I know that I am as two pairs of scales have told me so! So I really need to start getting some more exercise as well as watching what I eat for a while. I'm still fitting into all my clothes though so it's hopefully salvageable!
Well I do hope that you are all having a good weekend, whatever that involves for you. Wish me luck for Monday....!
Bye for now. xx
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