Me in my small corner.

2012-02-11T01:40:00.000-08:00

Well that was another fast week at work - feeling positive that I lost 2lbs in weight hardly even trying. What a difference a pedometer and a food diary can make. It really is all about psychology eh? You really do need to get your mind under control and your mind in control of food intake.

I have been trying to increase my fruit consumption - not easy. My weakness is stil in replacing sweet stuff with savoury/healthy choices. So I find myself in Starbucks to relax for a short lunch break and in front of me is a coffee (americano with milk) which is fine but alongside the coffee is my favourite skinny ginger muffin.......the skinny is a delusion since it contains 399 calories. So I enjoy it but of course that value in calories is my whole lunch. Now in anyone's estimation that is not good healthy eating.

This weight action plan we are part of is good - they want us to cut down below 4 hours the time spend in an evening just sitting at either TV or computer - makes sense since it is often in those times we nibble! also it is too easy to waste hours when we could be doing something like walking!!

So I am all for improving my efforts this week and it should get easier being part of a great group at work who all want to lose weight. A bit of healthy competition can be good and I really do intend to get back into my size 14 clothes within about 3 weeks and then get into a size 12/14 by May/June time. Don't want to be over ambitious - just a steady loss of 2lbs a week will be a healthy way to reduce and the walking should keep me toned.

I am happy this weekend - Robert has been busy with Rotary this week and it is great to see him with energy to do that - he is out all day today training. Alex is home and it was good to go for a lovely meal with her last evening at Carluccios at Canary Wharf - noisy but nice atmosphere.

Today we will go shopping but even if it is 9:50 there is no sign of Alex - she will get up sometime later!

We will talk again.........

2012-02-07T12:22:00.000-08:00

What a good day - was busy at Clifton House today until early afternoon when three of us went along to Barking for a payroll contact meeting - was good to enjoy the company and meet up with friends I have known for many years in my NHS work.

I have written down my steps again and my food intake. This weight management programme is starting to influence me - making me think again about my intake, my lifestyle, getting moving and thinking positively! It is good at work that so many of us across the team are taking part - I have been able to talk to folks and share what they are doing to make improvements for them.

I have another 3 days at work and they promise to be full of variety - suits me well - meeting loads of different people and taking part in different events......life is good.

Can't wait until Friday this week - Alex will meet me after work and as we go for a lovely meal together I hope she will be full of chat - just like old times!

Now something I need to change tomorrow is that if I visit Starbucks I need to choose something other than a beautiful skinny muffin at 399 calories.

2012-02-06T12:13:00.000-08:00

Well today was a good day - first time in ages I got to the bus stop and the bus arrived - was a good start to the day. I arrived at the office by 7:55 so always good to enjoy peace and a chance to crack on with e-mails and work. By the time the team arrives I am on top of things and feeling ready for the day ahead.

The day seemed to pass quickly today - but my journey back was a bit of a drag! I started well on a fruit breakfast but my lunch time I enjoyed my stem ginger skinny muffin at Starbucks. However, soup and oatcakes this evening has balanced my day and added to that was 7000 steps - all is well.

If I increase drinking water and fresh fruit I can do this. Talk again soon.

2012-02-05T06:02:00.000-08:00

Hello again - not so long a wait this time before I felt ready to add to my blog.

Today I dropped Robert at Church in Barking and started off on a lovely walk. I decided to walk through to Barking Park and it was a great decision. Fresh snow, frozen lake, beautiful ducks and birds, lovely little families with tiny tots and bigger kids were enjoying their snow adventures. I walked and felt the benefit as my muscles got stretched and I felt I was getting some good exercise.

More than anything I found peace and tranquility -so great to find time to relax and be at one with God. The old song came to mind 'Come ye yourselves apart and rest awhile.....and in My quiet strength again be strong' - a lovely Bible invitation in which we are invited to come away from all the busy-ness and hassle of life and find strength in God again.....

I am feeling positive after my 8000 steps today to enter a week of trying to do better to shape up.......we are faced with major NHS changes and for that too I need to be ready - to give advice, to support staff as they face changes they may not like and of course for my own career I need to work some plans out for the future. Has been good this weekend to have un-interrupted time with Robert - I don't take that for granted. We are apart from each other for much of the working week so always good to make the most of our weekends.

So bring on another week and let's hopeI can report good things!

2012-02-04T12:11:00.000-08:00

Hey it's been too long since I have added a post and even if no one is reading I need to be more disciplined - just to motivate myself!!

Well our new weight programme has started at work - first session was Friday 3rd and I was glad! There are 15 of us keen to have a go at changing our ways so that we can lose weight - take it off and keep it off for good. It takes far more than diet and I am ready for that. However I need to really apply all that I know and understand to be true - listen to new ideas and theory and get cracking. Now I did lose some weight over the last year but I mean that I need to get smarter at this thing.......no use taking a year to lost weight that has to come off - I need to get serious.

Now the start this week is gentle on us - but how inspiring and supportive it is to come together with colleagues who all want the same results.....we had a good laugh Friday as we met for one hour and shared our starting points. I am far too heavy for my height but I don't get over excited about that - what I want to see more than anything to a reduced size in clothes - I love it when I can shop smaller - what a difference that alone makes to my confidence and general well-being.

So it's all new and exciting because we have experts feeding into this programme and they too mean business. This first week I have two homework tasks - each day I have to record my steps and everything that I eat or drink - that alone will start to have effect - soon!! When I say that, we have been told just to be as normal (for us) as possible this week but record it all - not to go mad in this intro. week otherwise the programme could become too difficult for us - suits me for now. Isn't it interesting that when we have to commit to write down what we have done that it starts to change our attitude to food?

Thinking about that fact I think that as a Christian it is really important to take stock of what we are doing and think about what we should be doing....and I personalise that - what should I be doing - where should I be going and what difference can I make in this world? My weight loss plan is not just to change the way I look but I believe that being overweight can spoil so much in my life - I want to be better, look better, feel better and live better - talk again soon x

2012-01-24T13:08:00.000-08:00

What a good day at work - we all met this morning at a local 'etc' centre where we enjoyed breakfast, some team building activities all around communication, lunch and some time to talk together! It was really enjoyable and a real bonus for me since originally I was due to be at an Employment Tribunal Court for the day.

So January is going in nicely and I don't normally like January despite having my birthday this month. The weather so far has been good and that helps.

Working in PCTs at present is not too easy but I still enjoy HR work and I meet some lovely people. I hope that in some way I can say the right thing at the right time in assurance, guidance and empathy. As a Christian at work I find opportunities to witness to my faith in God and I stilloften feel a sense of excitement and happiness as I feel God leading and supporting me.

The great thing in life is that we can all experience life long learning - I am still learning about people and their complexity and diversity of need - I also learned today that I (and you) have two floating ribs - seemingly!!

2012-01-23T14:08:00.000-08:00

What a lovely afternoon - met Robert at Green Park and then went to the Rotary Club of London Burns' lunch - haggis, neeps and tatties as well as great company, a piper, a Scottish singer from the English National Opera, a Scottish dancer and a good atmosphere. It meant that I was in the office for 7:30 but was worth it. Robert and I walked along from Green Park through Piccadilly and up Regent Street. We had a coffee in the comfort of Caffe Nero and then had a wander through John Lewis before coming home.

Had a lovely relaxed evening and looking forward to the rest of the week. Was thinking of how much we take for granted around us today and took some photos - Gordon McInally was a speaker at the Club today - he came down specially from Edinburgh and returned for another Rotary evening Burns' event! Was good to catch up with Gordon - who fits in his dental practise between - there are really dedicated people keeping the Rotary wheel turning. Cyril Halstead, a Salvationist, was there today and he works tirelessly for the Club - he has served God through the Army for many years - God Bless such good people.

2012-01-22T23:52:00.000-08:00

Monday 23rd January 2012

This is a new day and a new working week - with variety all over it. I have two half days off - today for The Rotary Club of London Burns' lunch and Wednesday for my birthday that comes round whether I am ready for it or not. Tomorrow we have a team building day close to here in the morning and I have a day at Warehouse K, close to home. to end the week i have two external meetings - one at NHS London and one at Barking payroll. Life is good when it doesn't stand still.

Coming into work today I was reflecting on the fact that the tall office blocks and smart restaurants were all planned and appeared without us being aware of the planning.......our lives are being planned as we move through oblivious to what is being planned for us. God is bigger than us and we need to learn to allow Him to undertake. His plans are bigger than us and yet they include us. Let's trust Him for all that's to come.

Hope your week is filled with variety - and if not at work, then at home and in your social life.

2012-01-22T02:05:00.000-08:00

It is Sunday and the sun is shining. As I write this much of the TV centres around debates on political issues. Interesting to realise how there are so many views on one subject. Some of the debates leave me cold since people are all conditioned differently and influenced through what has happened to them in life and sometimes I wonder if there really is an answer.

Now I know that as a Christian I really do believe that Jesus is the answer to what we need but when I look around where some people choose to worship each week I wonder how the world will ever get that message! You see some Churches look like historic societies - many members look back to the 'glory days' when these same churches had hundreds of members. My eyes have been opened to the Alpha Churches who saturate their efforts/plans and worship in Prayer and Bible study and keep outreach very much on the agenda......they are growing and more young and family people are joining or at least attending.

Do many people go to Church because they have always gone there and their friends are there? We have a responsibility as Christians to worship in a relevant way and to ask the right questions of what we are doing and why? I am not attending my 'normal' Church at present and I am happier not to since the worship was not relevant or sound - nor was the focus of the Church.......I will find my way again hopefully but for now I will worship in different ways and in different Churches. What I am certain of is that Jesus is my answer and I am able to trust Him for my needs and my direction.

I have an interesting and varied week ahead with two half days off - one for the Rotary Club of London Burns lunch where Robert will speak and one for my birthday when Robert and I will enjoy some time together. I never really feel like celebrating my own birthday - I can't believe my age since I don't feel this old - but life is not over yet!!

At the end of this week I have my first weight management session.......I really do mean business and have introduced a few changes already - starting the day with porridge when i can may help - having fruit before eating other foods is another positive to help digestion!

I am excited about the next months - Robert is keeping quite well and every day is good in that sense. Alexandra is at University and although it seems to have been all fun at present as new students have joined them, I hope that the serious study is starting this week! I do miss her but I love her so much and I am so pleased that she is at University and on her way into her real adult life. This evening Alex will be at her Church in Buckingham and will sing in the worship group - she is sincere in her faith and is glad to share it. I pray that god will shape and protect Alex all the way.

So as I go into this day I can say God is good and I pray that you too will discover this.

See ya!

2012-01-19T14:27:00.001-08:00

So what has happened today? Had a good day at work - got lots done and felt as if I had achieved some good. I enjoyed a coffee at Starbucks (with a skinny muffin) but at least I have had 5 of my 5 a day which is a miracle for me! I won't comment on the other food I had but I did enjoy it.......

need a bit of comfort food when Alex is away from home!!

Now it'd be great if I could work my way towards a good breakfast - 5 fruits and vegetables and a nice healthy early evening meal - and I will get there. I need more focus and that is so hard to achieve in certain parts of our lives eh?

Anyway, Friday tomorrow and I start work at the 'close to home' site before going off to Liverpool Street - at least I get a chance to do some stepping and that is important. Maybe, just maybe I will be geared up this weekend to start some serious walking! Talk again later.

2012-01-18T00:20:00.000-08:00

Well it is mid week and so far so good at work with variety and plenty to work on. Today I am at Clifton House and then Mile End this afternoon for two meetings.

How am I shaping up? Well I am setting time aside to ponder over Susan Brown, vicar of Dornoch facebook blog each day which is good for the soul! for the body matters - well it has been too cold to walk - so apart from a bit of extra walking to and from work I am saving some up for the weekend (no pressure though!!).

I am logging at work the amount of fruit and veg consumed (not too good to date) but on a positive note I have started today with two pieces of fruit rather than my usual croissant - more to do with the fact that I hadn't lifted caseh so didn't have enough for a croissant!! However if it means that I need to leave myself cashless not to be tempted so be it.......

so the show must go on - I have a lot of improvement to do and by the end of this week - in the interest of improving my skills and brain matter I mean to visit a nearby institution who provide counselling courses. See you soon!

2012-01-17T12:13:00.000-08:00

Well today I was back at work after 3 days leave with a weekend in between so when the alarm sounded at 6:30 I didn't feel fantastic. However I do enjoy my life in HR within the NHS and at least each day is a little unpredictable - well there is some variety anyway!!

So what was new today? We have started a Health and Wellbeing drive and each floor had a lovely box of fresh fruit delivered - all available at slightly subsidised cost. The idea is that we all try to gain points through healthy eating, exercise, and changing things for the better within our lives. This is good - not easy but good. January is a fairly dull, dark and uneventful month as we wait for pay day to help us recover from Christmas but God is good - he is faithful whatever we face. Every day is such a gift and it is really important that I don't waste one!

Waiting for Alex to phone - she has been gone for two whole days now and already I miss her! Isn't it great though - and a relief - when our child grows up and becomes strong enough to go on without us (in part) - to make their own decisions and learn by their mistakes and successes?

Talk again soon.

2012-01-16T12:16:00.000-08:00

Well here I am in another year - 2012 and I need to catch up blogging since it is already half way towards February!

I have changed the name of my blog and inspired by the children's song ' Jesus bids us shine - I base it on the line 'you in your small corner and I in mine'.

I really appreciate my Facebook network - I have met up with friends again from schooldays in Penicuik. Those days seem 1000 light years away from the here and now and yet I have gained so much by sharing on FB with those early friends. Elma and I have met up (with Helen too) in York where Elma now lives and then again we met up in London - twice in a year and yet we had not met since we were teenagers. It is so easy to pick up together again - nothing to prove to each other, no pretence and just a feel good time to share together.

Susan and I both became Christians when we were young and attended different churches in Penicuik - now Susan is the minister of Dornoch cathedral and I share the news of her ministry via Facebook - now that is wonderful and so inspiring.

Today I have enjoyed a day off work - just Robert and myself at home, having taken Alex back after 6 weeks to University in Buckingham. How grateful I am for Robert being in remission and keeping mentally and spiritually strong - and how grateful we both are for Alex and the fact that she has a strong Christian faith and that in her little corner, in rural Buckingham, she is sharing her faith and sharing fellowship.

I have had a few days off work - good to relax and get organised at home. Tomorrow is a new day - a new working week and I am going to look for something new!

2011-09-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

Hello again - almost mid September - a sad day today as we recall the New York disaster of many lives lost - so many people leaving so many memories.

Well how am I doing - I am properly into my size 14 skirts now - blouses between sizes still but I am feeling better and stronger and I am managing to keep mainly to 1000 calories. However this coming week I want to be stricter on myself and rather than estimating too much I want to eat more fruit and better foods whilst still counting. I can probably eat more that way anyway.

Calorie counting works for weight reduction (or size reduction as I am doing) but it is too easy to waste calories and sap energy. I am slimmer for Alex going to Uni and I am going to use her going to focus my mind on seeing her a few weeks in and her noticing I have lost more weight - let's face it I should have some empty time when she goes so I can get stepping more which could help! See you soon.

2011-08-19T05:50:00.001-07:00

Hi again - need to get a bit slicker at updating - mid August already - soon be Christmas. Well life is interesting at present - going through it as Alex waits to see where she is heading off to for University.

I am pleased at least to be able to report that although experiencing a fair amount of pressure I am not reaching for the chocolates! This is good - I am losing weight - although not weighing myself at all yet. I know I am changing shape and clothes are getting baggy - can get into some of my smaller sizes and could be a size 12 by Christmas - so all is positive on that front. Still sticking to calorie count and it gets easier as I go...not tempted as I used to be by all the nice sweet things. My taste buds have changed - I enjoy olives now which is handy for snacking on low calorie - well I think they are - lower than a bag of sweets anyway.

We are looking forward to enjoying a Scottish break soon - at the Edinburgh Festival - and hope my family see a lot less of me than they once did!

Bye for now.

2011-07-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well almost the end of July and the summer is yet to arrive properly in the UK - we can keep hoping - although it is warmer this week. Well life is often about resisting temptations even with food - it feels good when I can sit in a cafe with friends or family and whilst they eat I am content with a low cal bar or just a coffee - well I don't always do that but I am finding it easier now to do it!

The reason I have to count calories is that I have no willpower (or am too much of a free spirit) to stick rigidly to someone else's diet - this way I please myself how I do it.....and I ring the changes.

Today I enjoyed boiled eggs and salmon for breakfast - then enjoyed a coffee with milk mid morning. At lunch time I enjoyed a chicken wrap (381 cals) in Wetherspoons and later I will have some cous cous and veg.

This is all good and I am getting stronger as people comment on how I am looking good and losing weight. Now I still am not weighing myself because until I get a lot slimmer I am far too heavy and find that bit depressing. I have bought some size 14 clothes for our holiday - and have 4 weeks to fit properly into them! So here goes.......see you again soon.......

2011-07-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

Another week has passed and today is the 1st July - can't believe it!

Well I am so pleased to have been able to break a few habits this week and pass on the large amounts of 'goodies' (well baddies really) I would normally consume.

I have stuck to 1000 calories most days and on the days I have gone over my maximum has been 1200 which should still guarantee weight loss.

Lovely to see so many nice clothes in the shops for summer - but would rather not buy many at this size - so depressing even to try clothes on in front of those large mirrors......so nothing else for it but to keep counting - see ya later when I am slimmer!

2011-06-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

Well another week of counting successfully - and this is good - I am so keen now to get on with this and get into a size smaller clothes - no weighing for me because that is too depressing! However it has got easier and most important of all - apart form passing hundreds of sweet shops and chocolate displays, I have ben able to be quite natural about this. I can go into coffee shops and eat out with Robert and Alex without choosing the wrong things.

So here's to another week and by the time the end of August comes I will be into those size smaller clothes!!!!

2011-06-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

Well hello again and it's good to be back on a positive note......I have been sticking to a calorie controlled diet for over a week now and I am managing to discipline myself.

Alex has been sitting her A Level exams and I felt as if Robert and I were also part of them - so I am so relieved that is over - results in August.

We decided to go to Pizza Express close to Barts Hospital for a meal together to celebrate this ending and I was so pleased that I saved 800 calories and could enjoy a proper meal. During the day I had a banana and 2 squares of chocolate - a total of 190 calories and then I had the special Pizza at c.500 calories with a tiny dessert and coffee - yum - that was absolutely lovely!

So having conquered the urge to eat, eat, eat I am having loads of green tea and water and I am counting everything - and guess what? I am so enjoying my food!

I can still have chocolate but it is dark and if I want my caramel shortcake at Cafe Nero then that is fine as long as I knock off around 350 - 400 calories and that is significant out of 1000 a day! So I sometimes just have a corner of Rob's cake.......now to up my exercise and keep going so that I can be slim once again and feel so good at last.

2011-06-15T11:39:00.000-07:00

Well, well, well 15th June 2011 - how time flies - will soon be Christmas! However, before that I want two short holidays now that Robert is well and can come away with me. Of course I don't want to be too fat when I go so how have I been doing in shaping up.

I have made my way back to the gym rather than swimming - and this week I have resorted to a calorie controlled diet -the best way for me. Why? Well I find it far too hard to resist chocolate forever so I count the calories and enjoy it.

Some pressure came off over the last month when the Consultant was able to tell Robert he is in remission - and some other pressure came on with Alex's A levels but they will soon be over. The next real pressure will be in August when the results come in........

This year is proving to be interesting and it is great to have things to work at together as a couple - Robert and I are happy with his health improvement and looking forward to Alex's bug adventure this year as she plans to go to University. Life is good but I still plan to get some of this weight lifted so I can enjoy life more.

Talk again later.

2011-06-05T11:58:00.000-07:00

Well another weekend almost over and feeling good! I don't take forgranted the fact that I really do love working in HR - that doesn't mean that it is easy or always good fun or that people don't get on my nerves sometimes but generally I love my job and so the thought of Monday and the week ahead is normally a positive one!

I have done far better this week - Robert is home again and that is always helpful when the regular trips to Barts stop for a while......also to have us together as a family at home does help us to function better.

This is a challenging month for Alex and yet we are so proud of her because she has finished her job with the City Airport since she successfully found a job at Jamies Italian restaurant at Canary Wharf. All this change and yet she is studying well and seems well motivated to get good grades in her A Levels.

I am nervous for Alex and really hope she does well but I am confident that whatever the results she will do well.

So what about my shape up? Well I have had some positive comments this week which have helped - someone thought I was a smaller size than I am - and she is a size 6-8!! Also Robert noticed my waist is beginning to come in again....a bit to go again but I have managed to resist a lot of goodies (well baddies but you know what I mean!)

I am trying to eat far better and less in the evenings - also then I don't need to feel guilty in having an occasional treat. It is important that I enjoy my food of course and I am - anchovies, beetroot, oatcakes and hummous, porridge, cornflakes, lime juice and so on!

At work I am trying to leave off the coffee and stay on green tea mostly which should help.

With summer here life is positive - easy to get out and about so no excuses not to move eh?

See you later.

2011-05-20T13:46:00.001-07:00

I am back already - today I started my day again with porridge and oatcakes with hummous - and that lasted me until lunch time at the office - had some green tea and water too!

I found myself around 11:00 reaching for my purse - bad habit of nipping to the cafe for chocolate - I realised that didn't want that so put my purse away!!

Have also resisted chocolate caramel shortcake at Nero's Caffee today - and that is my favourite. I had corner of Rob's cake instead and that was fine! Scottish people always eat with hot drinks.....

We went to Nando's for tea and I had hummous and pitta bread - and a few chips! Robert was impressed when I passed the cakes and chocolate aisles in Waitrose.

Didn't even say or think 'I'm not allowed that' - just thought 'I don't want that!' - I need to keep working at this and I will. Talk again soon.

2011-05-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

I've left it too long to blog - this is meant to inspire me to do better but when I haven't felt that I have been doing very well I have chosen to ignore my blogging!!

Anyway - an interesting month since mid April and I have a few things to look forward to. Sticking to my theme I am looking forward to seeing Hazel in June - she is coming down for a long weekend and I am having the Friday and Monday off as leave so we are going to enjoy London together - only thing is that I suggested that we will both be into size 14 by the time we meet - and time is marching on.

I have taken myself to task again - walking increased - not always 10,000 steps daily but at least 30 minute walk daily - often far more.

I had got into a bad habit of going into my new office near Liverpool Street and on route I was collecting a nice breakfast roll or croissant and flapjack or similar - too many calories!! So I found the 'fattummyclub' website advertised in the Times this week and I am back on porridge and oatcakes to help me cut down on sugar. I will do this because I hate having a tum - when I was younger I had such a skinny waist and flat tummy - that made me look and feel feminine.

So over yet another 'sugar binge- ing' period -and trying hard to stay positive and focus on losing weight as well as improving health and moods. You see, like so many people I find it so hard to contain my sugar/sweet consumption to a reasonable level and once I start I find it hard to stop. I have been quite pleased to discipline myself more where I focus on what I have resisted in a week - so this evening I didn't give in when Robert and Alex decided on a Chines Takeaway...they enjoyed that and I had porridge and oatcakes! They also saved money......

I'll be back again soon since I need to keep this up.

2011-04-17T08:47:00.000-07:00

Is it really that long since I added to this blog? Well what has been going on with me in these last few weeks? Office moves, Alex's 18th Birthday, more treatment at Barts for Robert and a week off work which was most welcome.

As I attempt to shape up I realise that wellbeing is more than just physical stuff but involves emotions and mental health and wellbeing......I was quite tired by the end of March with all the redundancies at work as well as making new appointments and entering into the unknown.....all of this can bring so many uncertainties and made me feel vulnerable at times. However we are into a new period now and as always I am always grateful when I have come through the tougher times and can enjoy being in the here and now!

Robert's treatment has gone well to date and although he would much rather it was all over, we are so glad as a family for all the good days and for the lovely new people we have met on our journey! God is so good and we continue to trust in Him for healing, guidance and hope.

Alex's 18th was lovely - she took the weekend off her job at The City Airport and on the day itself we picked Robert up at Barts. and went to Jamie's Italian restaurant at Canary Wharf for a meal - with Alex's boyfriend Callum and the three of us. A new restaurant for us and the meal was lovely. Then the next day, Mother's Day, Alex and I had a special day out together at The Sanctuary - a women's only Spa at Covent Garden - we will be back again but must save up first!!!

Alex and I had a pre-birthday shopping day in London and that too was great - can't believe my little girl is now 18 but it is a great relief to see how she has turned out!!!

Well - how is my shape going - I have had to really 'get a grip' this past week because with all the changes and emotions around Robert's health etc I had been eating so much chocolate and sweets - and I hate my shape! Anyway I have been glad at the treats I have been able to resist over the past few days - chips at Nandos, cakes in Nero's, chocolate in the supermarket and even biscuits and cake at home - yes - this is good!

Anyway I had to buy some new clothes this weekend and these are the last size tent clothes I will buy. My sister will visit us in June and Alex starts her A Levels then so my target is that I (and my sister Hazel) will be lovely size 14s by June - that is 2011!!

Talk again soon x

2011-03-19T14:01:00.000-07:00

Hello again - yesterday my little sister was 50 - where did all these years go - unbelievable and yet I am grateful for all that time and the fact that we have survived!

We get one go at life and how quickly it passes......so how have I done this past week or so? I was glad to start swimming more seriously again and how much better I feel for that - I swim now every 2nd day (so as not to overdo it and sicken myself!) and I swim 50 lengths of the pool at the Crown Plaza Hotel in London Docklands. It's lovely there and sometimes like this evening I even get the pool to myself for a short while. The reason I count my lengths is that I am normally too relaxed and spend time between the jacuzzi, steam room and sauna rather than exercise too much - so I am determined that I will feel the benefit of actually swimming this time.

On food - well a bit better - less sweets but I could do a lot better.....so here's to another week ahead.

Robert has been great and that has motivated me much more - I have had more interest in getting the house straight again - I have had to neglect things a bit whilst Robert has been in hospital so whilst he is feeling stronger we are both able to do a bit and that is motivating - thank you God!

Talk again soon - bye for now!

2011-03-07T12:03:00.000-08:00

Hi - another week and we are well into March already but the treat of moving out of the winter months is that it is actually light when I leave work in an evening - which makes me feel much more alive!

Robert is doing well this week again which is great considering he is half way through his 3rd cycle of Chemo. I love getting time in the evenings to get into visit him and spend some valuable time together.

Alex is doing well with her studies at college although the pressure is mounting now as she has had to select two out of her 4 choices of University. More pressure ahead though as the exams get closer and you get one go at A Levels - as long as she does her best that's all she can do - and of course I want Alex to be happy in her life whatever way it goes.

So how is my re-shape doing? Well today I had the most expensive swim ever at the Crown Plaza Hotel - last time I went was 1st October.....now that is bad but we were on holiday in Spain in October (and I swam and walked a bit!!) and then Robert got ill so that's my excuse. I cancelled Robert's membership and kept mine so I have now made my way back and did 30 lengths as well as relaxing in the sauna, steamroom and jacuzzi - now that was good and I felt good afterwards.

Alex and I are coming off milk chocolate - cutting down fatty dairy stuff - so I have had dark chocolate and that is surely better eh? All being well Rob will get home this Thursday and I will get more time when I can get stepping again and swimming....watch this space!

2011-02-27T13:07:00.001-08:00

Had a good day with family today - Robert's daughter Alison came with her four lovely children. After a roast dinner we went to our local park to feed the ducks - but after such a lovely morning it started to rain and it was so icy - really cold! So according to well formed habit we got back into the car and went off to Costa Coffee - was lovely to sit there for a while with 4 happy kids - and we resisted cakes each since we had enjoyed a big dinner - a corner of caramel shortcake just helped the coffee taste so good though!!

I am so happy that this week has been so good - robert seems to have got a lot stronger after his blood transfusions and although he moves off to Barts Hospital again tomorrow for 11 days the three of us feel positive about his 3rd round of chemotherapy - God is taking care of us and helping us face this whole journey with a positive spirit. Friends have been so good promising prayer and remembering to visit or call - that is good - we all need support outside of our own immediate family.

So how can I do better this week? I have introduced eggs and bananas for breakfast to avoid having to much bread through the day - and I feel that this gives me a healthy start to the day.

I need to increase my water intake - the office is so hot at work so apart from anything else I need to keep hydrated. I will be active this week at work and visiting Robert at his 'city pad' but to prevent me overdoing it we are hoping we can cut my visits to every 2nd day with Alex visiting in between and that way I can go after work by car - avoiding congestion charge and car parking - we will see if that works anyway.

I need to avoid comfort eating this week - because naturally I really miss Robert being at home - wish me well!

2011-02-21T14:34:00.001-08:00

Can't believe that today is 21st of February already - and by now I could have been slimmer, trimmer and toned - so why not?

I am feeling quite focused, quite strong - enough to cope with current challenges and quite ready for my new role in the NHS but I do need still to go further than this.

I have a pedometer, I have a gym/swim membership, I have good food in and I have all the resources I need to get slim and yet I still need to remember to start new habits, break old habits and stick to them!!

I have been so glad recently with so much to challenge me personally. Robert's illness means that I need to be and stay strong - it is a bit of an emotional roller-coaster at times and yet I am quite calm and peaceful. So many times as a Christian I know that I need to apply my faith - to simply put my hand in God's hand and trust - and yet it is too easy to bring cares to Christ and take them back again! However I am managing to apply my faith to this situation and that makes me stronger.

So this week I need to get my head around being strong around chocolate and goodies which are bad for me - wish me well!

2011-02-12T13:08:00.000-08:00

OK I'm back again to report on how I am shaping up!!

Well I have to say I am feeling okay and did quite well with shopping this weekend. Robert fortunately is back home after weeks in hospital so if he keeps free from infections that cause real concern he can stay at home and have twice weekly Chemo check ups before his next round! At least for now I am enjoying having hubbie home and not missing the daily trips to the City to visit him. Because Robert is unwell I am having to do more around the house and that is good for me - gets my body moving more!! Strange how I feel quite motivated to get the housework done when I know Robert is here and safe.....

However I do have to confess that I could still do so much better on the eating front......I did fit into my red suit this week which was good - it is only a size 14 BUT it is Hobbs and good quality so isn't a real 14 - they are just generous!

Been a funny week - Alex has suddenly become very interested in her Glasgow University conditional offer rather than Warwick (boyfriend influence) and that does not disappoint me - I had tried unsuccessfully to persuade her that Scotland could be good! Anyway that's all for later in the year and she has some tough exams and challenges to face first.

So why am I avoiding talking food? Well- actually I have really enjoyed my food this week and

have done a bit more stepping than normal through the winter but I need a bit of a push.

I do feel that if I can get into a better exercise routine things will be a lot better - I am off on leave from work for 3 days next week so surely I can make an effort to get moving! Wish me well!

See ya..........

2011-02-06T09:52:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed a it of a lie in today - after a tiring week that felt so good! Dropped Alex off at the City Airport for work and then took myself via Canary Wharf to Barts to visit Robert.

Life is a bit limited at present but I was really content just to sit with Robert today and read The Sunday Times together. I do love my work but how I love being with family at weekends. It would be somewhat easier if we actually had more family close to us, I am so appreciative of friends support and prayers. One of our friends who is now over 90 took time to write a lovely letter in a card for Robert - that goes a long way.

I had a lovely surprise at Canary Wharf today - I met Gill Rowson who I hadn't met for years - her husband was my first NHS boss at The Royal London hospital - and I started working there 23 years ago!! Will be good to make contact again with John - he was good to work for and he still lives on the Isle of Dogs.

So how has today gone - well I have tried and improved some things - I had an apple - and do you know how many thousands of vitamins are in an apple? I remember being in a nutritional lecture once and I was impressed - but aren't they difficult to eat - and noisy? Well I do intend having apple every day this week - but I will have to be creative - maybe bake them!

I want to be positive this week with calorie counting - it seems to be the best way for me to keep track - problem is with trying to lose weight when you are too big - you can put a lot of food away until your stomache shrinks - I need to drink loads of water to fill me up and clear toxins and then I want eat only when I am hungry!!

I'll let you know how that goes - sounds easy and should be easy but I do love snacks!

2011-02-06T01:50:00.000-08:00

Hi again

Was happy yesterday at Waitrose to avoid the chocolate and biscuit aisle!

Since Robert has been in hospital I have been a bit careless and eaten far too much chocolate so time to get 'back on track'. Old habits are so easy to stick with but new habits are so hard to establish!

So I need to establish a pattern of healthy food shopping and add some variety to my trolley - one new fruit of vegetable weekly could help so this week I added the Sharon fruit. I did buy some cakes but am trying gluten free - supposed to be better for all of us. I am fortunate that Alexandra is into cooking and often makes us a tomato based pasta sauce - lovely with garlic and chillies etc.....so at least I got that stuff in too - and avacados and prawns etc!

I have improved on shopping with more whole and less processed foods but I normally come back with chocolate and sweets too!

I really want to get to size 14 in 6 months - not too much to ask and should be absolutely possible - problem is with weight gain that we think we are one size and then as I did yesterday when we buy a lovely blouse in that size it doesn't fasten - another warning sign to stop eating rubbish and to get moving.

I am committed again to my pedometer 10k each day but I need to attach it again from tomorrow and really mean business!

Bye for now - helpful comments welcome with new ideas!

2011-01-16T14:59:00.000-08:00

Hello again - so soon! Well I am actually feeling quite pleased with myself - I normally eat way too much on a weekend when I have time to relax. I have been able to stick to my plan whilst Rob and Alex have eaten meals. I have made a bit of an effort though and made sure I made a large pot of soup today so that I can at least have a hot liquid meal - soup is quite comforting really.

Today after a fruit smoothie for breakfast I decided that I would eat a solid lunch and this meant that I had one of my favourite cakes with coffee when I was out - then once I returned home I ate a prawn and pasta salad with a slice of bread. This evening I had a yoghurt (muller light) with my soup and I am satisfied. So here I go until I shift some of this weight. I'll be back again soon. x

2011-01-14T13:18:00.000-08:00

Well here I am again and how time flies when you are having fun - and even if not! Can't believe we are in January again - seem to have far too many birthdays and that is not good when you are over 21!

My journey keeps changing and recently it has been a bit demanding with Robert being diagnosed with Leukaemia in November - rocky road to Christmas but now he has started his treatment we are both (and Alex of course) relieved that there is some hope.

I have had a busy 10 days - work is 'full on' with NHS changes and I have been out of the house more than in it as I have visited Robert in his City pad - near St. Paul's. Barts is a specialist Cancer and Cardiac hospital and I am so grateful that we live close enough to it for Robert to be treated there.

So as you may imagine my mind has been all over the place - and it doesn't change the fact that what we put into our bodies can really effect our shape and health. I have been trying to ensure over recent months that we all get enough reds in our diet. I am trying to increase the reds Robert eats but at the same time we can all learn from that - tomato sauce, fresh and tinned tomatoes, red peppers, beetroot, red grapes etc are on my shopping list regularly.

From this week I read up on a 21 day detox plan where you have liquid breakfast and evening meal and just the one solid lunch each day. Now I can't say I have the solid bit really right yet but it is a good idea and I feel less bloated already. Today I had breakfast and lunch liquid only so that I could eat out this evening and how I enjoyed that meal! This way I don't feel guilty about having what I fancy once a day as long as I am disciplined in my liquids!! I could keep improving the quality of what I am having to include veggie juice (maybe) but soups are ideal for the 2nd liquid meal of the day because at least they are hot.

So I will blog these new changes and as I 'up my steps' once more I should be able to report a healthier and fitter me! Bye for now x

2010-09-25T16:24:00.000-07:00

It is after midnight but I wanted to report on my 15000 steps completed yesterday - was a good day! Now I need to keep this up and walk myself thin because I bought a skirt today thinking it would be loose on me but no - I will need a couple of weeks walking to get back tot hat - how quickly weight piles on the middle at my age.

So today (after a decent sleep) I should also cope with at least 1ok - here I come!

2010-09-22T14:31:00.000-07:00

Well it is now Wednesday and I am pleased to report that I have completed 30000 steps since Monday - now this is good. I am also doing my best to control my calorie intake - I read that for 1 calorie it takes 7 steps to use up!! So I need to keep this up but already I feel more positive and the exercise is the real secret of success for me......so wish me well!

2010-09-19T07:45:00.000-07:00

Well told you I would report back - and here I am after a successful (if expensive) Waitrose shop. I felt good deciding that I didn't want the chocolate aisle or the biscuit of cake aisle and I bought some good food for us all without the rubbish. Just as well because the cost of food has shot up eh? Anyway I have my packet low cal soup for lunches this week and stoneground bread and green tea and other goodies - I want to start yet again to discipline my eating habits......

2010-09-19T03:42:00.000-07:00

Back again - have been having a good talking to myself.....why do I say in one breath I have to get off chocolate and then deliberately have a bar with my mid morning coffee? I looked up the web to see if I could find some inspiration and found a book that could brainwash me into coming off chocolate - it had many positive reviews that told of people who were now in control and are able to shop without buying chocolate. Now should I need to buy a book or join a slimming club to lose weight? No I should apply what I already know in depth.

Even thinking about the effect on me of carrying too much weight - tight jeans digging in at my middle; sore feet that hate carrying extra weight day after day; the horrible feeling when I see people who do control their weight and compare myself to them; the hatred of myself when i catch a vision in the mirror - do I need to go on?

So I have had a lovely weekend so far and because I have been out more than normal I need to shop for some groceries - I will go and I will stay in complete control and choose what I want - and what I do not want - I want some fruit and healthy stuff - but it needs to satisfy and I don't want stuff that will be lovely for a moment and make me feel negative 5 minutes after eating it - so no chocolate?......well I will report back later!!

2010-09-16T13:06:00.000-07:00

Hello again - I have decided to do something positive and get writing again - blog myself into doing better than I have done recently.

Over a month now until we are off to Eastbourne for the Rotary weekend and then within a week of that off to Spain again - so how good would I feel if before then I managed to shift a few stubborn inches?

Funny they talk about mood foods and I often deny it but this week I have wanted sweets so much and when I buy them I know I shouldn't but I do and they taste so good....sound familiar.

I must try better and to help me I will blog!

Bye for now x

2010-08-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

Well can I believe this - it is already 10th August - Robert and Alex are in Scotland visiting family and I am here covering the office!! However I always love to have things to look forward to and on 25th August I am off to Scotland on my own and travelling 1st class by train right to the centre of lovely Edinburgh. Before then I have to keep trying to be healthy (well!!!) and fit. This week since Ron and Alex left on Friday last I have completed over 10k steps each day which is great and I will maintain that.

The temptation is to overeat when I am on my own and I have been buying sweets on the way home but at least I am walking! More later x

2010-07-25T13:05:00.000-07:00

Lovely holiday in Madrid and Alicante with Alex and Robert - we had loads of time together and some on our own with time to read, think, meditate, sunbathe, swim and .........eat!!

Holidays are a great time to relax and contemplate about our lives.......one thing keeps me back a bit and that is my unhappiness at my size. Now I know there are loads of women larger than I am but I am not at a healthy weight and I want to do better. I have a month now at work until I have some time with my family in Scotland and in this month I want to walk and swim. Rob is considering joining the Quad Club with me so that we can swim together about 4 times a week which would be a great encouragement to us both to get and stay fit. This is a good time for this since Alex is out quite a bit now with Callum or other friends and we have time to do something together.

Work promises to be full of interesting changes over the next few months which is alway good and in these summer weeks I intend on getting out and about. Rob and Alex are off to Scotland for 10 days during August as I cover the office at work but in that time I will have no excuses - I can walk, walk, walk.........

Follow my progress - and keep shaping up!!

2010-06-25T21:11:00.000-07:00

Hi I am back - what a quick week!

Has been a good week - tried a bit of raw food, liquid only etc during the days at work and managed not to over indulge which was good.

Evenings have been good - not that I have not been tempted by take aways but all of us have avoided these this week. I had spend a lot on supermarket shopping anyway and Alex is really into cooking now which is great.

She made African rice which was lovely - also a couple of different pasta dishes - so felt a lot healthier eating this week. Of course I love my oatcakes and hummous - nice and light - and they help me to stay off sweets a bit too!

I am up really early today - before 5am because I was tired last night and went to bed early so have slept for hours! Lovely to ease into the day on a weekend and appreciate free time.

Planning to go for a walk and swim soon and then to Canary Wharf later for coffee with a FB friend, followed by a shop browse and then a lovely lazy afternoon and evening - with another walk later on perhaps!!

Really looking forward to my holiday now - want to walk quite a bit before then as well as on holiday.

Have kept off sugar mostly this week but one day I bought low fat mallows and ate the lot in one evening - better just to avoid buying it completely!!

Talk again soon x

2010-06-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

Right that's it and enough is enough!! I am really annoyed at myself for moping about and complaining about my weight when I had all the solutions in hand and was doing well in shaping up.

So what am I going to do about this? I have read about magic diets - the Alkaline diet, the new Atkinson diet, the liquid only diet etc but you and I both know that diets don't work for the majority of people so why would it work for me? Now all of these options of course are quite appealing because I want my weight to just drop off and if I really could stop eating I could see some of that........but I am me and I love eating.

However - sometimes it is good to ask what we want as the outcomes in our lives - and for me I mainly want to feel really good about myself including my share and mostly I want a waist and flat tum because without these I really don;t feel very feminine or attractive.

So what are my real options? Well that is quite easy in that I do need to eat something for fuel but I need to stop living to eat!! Also I need to get off sugar because if I can do that I will cut out cakes, sweets, and all the things I don't need. I also need to move, move and move more.....now I have absolutely no excuses - I can walk to work - I can walk back from work. I also have a monthly gym membership with access to a lovely swimming pool etc.

Motivation?? Yes I have ordered a nice black dress for 10 days time and a Rotary event so want to look okay. I am going to a 2 day Wellbeing Event next week and in 3 weeks time I will be in Spain - in the sun and possibly on a beach.

So I will maintain the blog and get the pedometer back on tomorrow and hopefully be proud of myself by next Sunday!!

Bye for now.....join me if you wish.

2010-04-25T09:45:00.001-07:00

I can hardly believe almost a month has gone by with no blogging - wonder why? I have been avoiding the blog because I have been intending doing far better at shaping up. So what have I to report now?

After a few weeks of working many hours and not doing too much more I decided that I was too haphazard on my exercises and my clothes were beginning to strain a bit so I need more discipline. I started again yesterday ensuring that I wear my pedometer and do at least 10k each day......I am noticing the effort involved. This way however, I can attend the Crown Plaza Quad Club for lovely swims a couple of times a week without feeling bad about not using the gym.

I have really enjoyed some lovely walks again and have some sun into the bargain. My feet are a bit sore so I need to get a decent pair of walking shoes or trainers but apart from that I can't complain.

The marathon today was great to see 'live' as I stood in a front row position at Canary Wharf for 2 hours. One runner even had bare feet - ouch!! It's not something I have any desire to take part in but I really did admire hose who have the 'gutse' to do this - some many times over!!

The Greenway in Newham is really enlightening - a walk that takes me for miles across the roofs of houses - well if feels like that! I have found parts of Newham that are new to me and it always amazes me the different types and styles of homes.

So - I have had a lovely long weekend and feel good for it and this coming week I will get really fit and active again as I re-build my stamina and enjoy the way walking makes me feel so good - fresh in my thinking and positive in my outlook. I get loads of time on my own to meditate and I am so grateful for all that I have and the peace and love God has given to me.

Robert and I have a lovely week-end to look forward to in mid May and I have some clothes in the wardrobe that I may be able to wear if I keep this up.......

Bye for now...I'll blog all week so that I can record my progress.

2010-03-28T15:14:00.000-07:00

Well what a lovely week-end - and we have almost reached the week at Spring Harvest we have looked forward to for months! I will only work Monday to Wednesday this week and then on Thursday we will take Ally Cat to her posh cattery before packing to go.

Alex has a birthday meal planned with her friends for Thursday and then the three of us leave around 10am on Friday for Minehead.

So how has my shape up programme been going since last time I wrote? I decided I need to get of sugar as in chocolate, cakes and sweets asap so on Friday when Robert and I were out I cut right back - and enjoyed the real food far more. Since then I have maintained this which is great because today I was faced with a whole table of desserts to die for and resisted quite easily....now for you that could well be normal but for me this is a miracle.......so here's to a positive week following the same programme!

2010-03-26T15:13:00.000-07:00

I have had a lovely relaxing day off today - using up annual leave and taking opportunity to spend a bit of time with Robert - since I work all week and Rob is retired!

Work is certainly not without pressure - most of it because there is so much to do and fit in and even more I want to do - fortunately not because of the tasks........I love HR work and the variety it offers.

However I do realise that it is so easy to snack wrongly at work - to buy sweets, crisps, chocolate and snack on these rather than have a proper break.

Last week at Waitrose I did buy a lot of food but tried harder to focus on avoiding too many wasteful calorie foods - in place of buying choccie biscuits I bought (alongside our usual oatcakes for hummous) I bought spiced oat biscuits - and we all like those.

Today I decided that I am taking in far too much sugar so when we were out I deliberately avoided the cakes and chocolate bars and am quite pleased to have lasted one day!

As well as my exercise and cutting down on sugar I should feel a bit healthier for Spring Harvest. Can't wait now for our Easter highlight - Spring Harvest was so uplifting and encouraging last year and we are going to have a great time. Talk again later.

2010-03-16T13:44:00.000-07:00

Well now - why is it so long since I have blogged? It is like this......the more I think of diets - as they say in all the literature about the same I think of food. So when someone suggests low fat diets that is fine by me but I buy Turkish delight bars and big bags of mallows - because after all they are low fat eh? - BIG mistake - the more I eat the more I want because sugar makes me crave sugar.........so I joined the gym for gym and I resorted to lovely jacuzzi, swim, steam room a and sauna - and so far have been once to the gym!! (well it is a bit boring eh?).

So why have I got the nerve to start blogging again - because I have cracked it this week - the sun has come out and that's what I was waiting for so I have walked 10k steps yesterday and today - and have not over eaten .........

The swimming pool is out of action for now because the pump needs repaired so I really should put in one visit to the gym this week - and I will - after which I will enjoy a lovely sauna to relax.

Of course Sunday was mother's day and as you would expect I got a large box of chocolates - and have eaten most of them but that was a treat. I have three weeks only until our Spring Harvest break so I am keen to feel good for that break!

Take care - I will be back healthier and happier soon.

2010-02-22T09:32:00.000-08:00

Now what can I report? Am I shaping up? Am I really on the way to my ideal weight and shape? Well.......my home is shaping up - my holidays plans are shaping up - I have made an appointment to get my hair done - I am happy with Robert and Alex - o and my job is absolutely fine - enjoyable even, but......I have decided that with this tedious cold wet weather I need to re-join the Crown Plaza gym - I need to work out indoors for now. All this weather has finished my best resolve to walk, walk and walk some more......

So I am calling the Quad later this evening and will make my first visit tomorrow........then I really need to be consistent and strong. With an I-Pod and pedometer I will go......

By for now!

2010-02-08T13:37:00.000-08:00

Another week gone and we are almost at half term!! Now what does that mean now for me? Alex is 'all growed up' with a lovely boyfriend and a lovely group of other friends so no doubt she will be organising her week away. I was going to take the week off but since my colleagues have a better excuse than I have with young kids, I will still have Thursday and Friday but will carry the other 3 days forward a bit.

I am so excited about seeing our home decorated fully - all white (except one front living room wall) and then we are having 14 white wooden blinds fitted all round the house and wow that'll be lovely. After that we will get some shelves for ornaments fitted and some lovely new pictures for the walls before our new corner suite arrives. We are so fortunate to have had a tax refund and are making sure we put it to good use.

Anyway all of that will now make me look slimmer......but victory today - I have finally built my steps back up and today I did 10,000 steps for the first time in weeks. The weather is still cold but I really need the exercise again - and it stops me eating quite so much. So here I go again - 10,000 each day - for at least 5 days.

I'll naturally report my progress - hope you will join me!!

2010-02-01T11:56:00.001-08:00

Hey I am back fairly soon after blogging last time! So what have I to report today?

Our unit at work was hard to survive in - some days it makes us heady.....but I survived that.

We started our flexi time trial today - and I completed nine and a half hours - not particularly by choice - our work keeps on coming in!! But at least now I can benefit from the extra hours I work -I will ensure that I take some time back over the month as I accumulate hours.

For breakfast I had a banana and oat biscuits - less than 200 calories - I did have drinks during the morning but only one with milk.......need to get used to having some black drinks to cut on dairy as well as calories!! Then rather than eating bread at lunch and tea time - or potatoes, I had a small tin of fish (in a chilli sauce) with a can of diet coke for lunch and this evening had a high protein tea - hamburger, bacon, egg and brussel sprouts with just a bit of brown sauce!! Then I had one more oaty biscuit. So I have cut back a bit particularly on carbs and empty calories. I have also jumped about a bit tonight as I have stepped indoors!

I don't feel fantastic - still a bit heady but I am tired and will get an early night. Hopefully I can get up earlier tomorrow so that I can walk to work - need to get into that good habit again since it makes my stepping easier to complete. Talk again soon!!

2010-01-31T11:35:00.000-08:00

Hey ho we have got through January and I am soooo glad about that. Now before you tell me off for wishing my life away, January can be a bit miserable as people drop with colds, flu and bugs and moan about waiting for their January pay!!

Of course I had a birthday in January so I actually had a lovely time and we have also had the privilege of being able to buy some lovely things for our home - but I need to feel that Spring is on the way so still make no apologies for being glad that January is over.

Along with so many others - and maybe in particular women, I have eaten so much rubbish through the cold winter days. It is so easy to reach forthe comforting foods. The doctor has warned me off dairy and fattening things since I will put my health at risk if I don't keep my weight down etc, etc.......

So what can I do about this? Do I feel ready to change? The fact is I must get going again properly and I feel quite enthusiastic about getting fit and taking some weight off for good.

I have a few positive weeks ahead - we are having the house fully painted, new white venetian blinds for all round the house and then we will have our suite delivered. That is good and will give me a few things to work on around the home......but also in terms of quality family time together we have a lot to look forward to. I have saved 5 days annual leave for February, we then have a week in Minehead in April and can look forward to the summer holiday time when we plan to go to Madrid and Alicante.

So to be at my best I MUST begin tomorrow (no more procrastinating) and really get into shape - more active, more responsible about eating the proper calories and nutrients and

I am going to blog my progress again so that I can at least use that to inspire myslef and drive myself to better days!! I'll be back soon to tell you how well I am doing.........

2010-01-22T13:57:00.000-08:00

Hi - well another week over and it has been a good one!!

Alex has had her first AS Level exam in Politics so is relieved that is done - I am glad she will be able to have a long lie tomorrow because she has had long days this week - an evening at College introducing Cambridge University (with a lovely meal in Islington afterwards) and another evening when she was away all day with a theatre trip in the evening - she loves it but it is tiring with all the travel across busy London........o to be young again eh?

Anyway what about me and my shape up plan...forgotten? successful? failing? Well after all the cold and snowy weather it has taken some time to build up my walking again....I am up to over 5000 each day again though. Now I know that is not 10k each day but I am planning to build that up again over the next week because it is feeling more 'end of winterish' each day!!!

I have been busy at work and have lots of home things to get done but I am happy and keen to get walking further again and as the Spring approaches I am so grateful for my strength to walk. I have had a lot of health tests over the last few months and whilst I am fit it is important that I get fitter! Talk again soon......bye for now x

2010-01-16T00:33:00.000-08:00

Hi - well we have reached the half way point of the month - already at 16th and tonight I attend Diane's 50th at West Ham Football Club Hotel....a fancy dress party - should be great fun.

The ground is now clear of snow and ice since the rain has washed it all away so I can get back to some serious walking very soon!!!! I have managed to maintain 5000 steps each day which is good but need to get moving again now that I can walk without fear.

I have watched 'My Big Fat Diet' this week on TV - quite educational on how to cut calories and lose weight - a few people have said how I am looking smaller but I know the truth so here's to a good week ahead.

I don't generally like January - it's a bleak dreary month but next week-end I am having a long week-end off work with Friday afternoon and Monday off to celebrate my birthday so feel more positive already - see you soon!

2010-01-09T15:52:00.000-08:00

Here I am again and it is almost 10th January 2010 already - what an interesting, white and slippery week this has been!

Was thinking this week as I carefully chose my steps in the snow and then the icy pavements and roads that we should be just as careful with our lives to make sure we don't slip and fall but often we take our eyes off the road and bang - just like my physical fall there we go!!

Anyway I have done fairly well this week given that walking has been so difficult - of course there was not the option of taking the car in to work and back but I could have got on a train. I walked both ways each day and that felt good......

From Monday I need to try to get back into a proper routine - the roads are still very icy but the sun has been out today so if I choose my path carefully I will be able to have evening walks as well as the day trips.

I normally don't like January very much - except my birthday which I like to have as a holiday since Robert is at home anyway and of course pay day but so far January looks okay. It is amazing how - although I don't like driving in it the snow really brightens everywhere up - it is white and glowing when we look out over the roofs and gardens and that feels good.

We are about to arrange payment for our April holiday to Spring Harvest - a Christian festival - the three of us are going and how we are looking forward to it - it is so encouraging and uplifting to share Christian fellowship and relaxation with other Christians.

Then we have our summer holiday to book up and this year for Spain we plan to go via Madrid because London City Airport have flights that will take us there - and the airport is 5 minutes from home! This will allow us to see another part of Spain - the Cities are always interesting to see and explore. So I have lots to look forward to this year - and I also want to focus more on what I am eating as opposed to the walking I am doing - I need to speed up some weight loss since I keep eating chocolate and sweets and that damages my shape - bye for now!

2010-01-01T14:55:00.000-08:00

Hey I haven't added to this blog since last year - well here I am after the first day of a new year - a lovely day at that.

Now I started this blog to chart my success/progress on my shapeup programme - for 2010 I think I now need to quicken the effort and add in a food focus element!!

Last evening - early- we had a lovely family meal, Rob, Dean, Alex and I - at the local Yi Ban Chinese restaurant - it is an impressive restaurant opposite the London City Airport on the Royal Docks - 5 minutes from home. Alex then went off to join her friends for the fireworks on the Thames and we went back to the docks for the fireworks that Yi Ban had prepared - that was nice - safe and was far better than just sitting inside watching TV!!

Today the four of us went to Lakeside shops and that too was good - we didn't overdo the visit and didn't stress ourselves out by looking for clothes in the sales.......just a nice time together - relaxed and stress free!

On our return - we all just relaxed - had a meal, watched Eastenders high drama and chilled. This is all good - I haven't worried this past week about my stepping - although I have done some - but I start again tomorrow in earnest after a few days of overeating chocolates. So more reporting after that - it is very cold but no excuses - I have Alex's old Ugg boots and a warm wooly hat.....just ignore me if you see me - I do look ridiculous but I am warm! Bye for now and Happy New Year to you.

2009-12-20T01:13:00.000-08:00

Hi folks - well it is now 20th December and I am trying to stay calm about the things still outstanding for Christmas. We all have choices in life and one of these relates to how we will handle Christmas with all the commercialism, pressure, focus on money, focus on food etc. This is not what Christmas is about for Christians - it is a time to enjoy the reality that God gave us the greatest gift of all in Jesus who brings us real meaning to life.

A few years ago I realised that I was getting so pressured around Christmas - trying to have the best Christmas ever each year.....now I do my best to enter into things but to keep things in context - I do love shopping but I hate people shoving and being rude so I do my best to avoid the rushes and crowds most of the time.

So have I been walking - o yes I have and how pleasant to walk through E16 and see the lights increase as the days pass to Christmas......the snow has made things look nice even if I am having to watch my feet a lot! I am keeping up so far although today I have 2000 to do from yesterday and another 10k for today - so a long walk is ahead of me!

When I was walking yesterday through quiet streets - most people were staying inside in the warmth because it was sooooo cold.......two neighbours were arguing at their doors and involving their families in it.....I felt so sad to hear that - tempers frayed - real anger surfacing and I knew that however resentful to each other they felt they would each have regrets today!

We have to protect ourselves sometimes in life from things that would make us over anxious and push us to the edge.....so Happy Christmas all - keep your focus on your faith or at least your loved ones this Christmas. I am intending to keep walking but as Christmas comes, as a bonus I may reduce my expectation for a few days - down to 5k a day rather than a constant 10k!!!!

2009-12-12T00:53:00.001-08:00

Well that's another week gone - it is now under 2 weeks until Christmas and I am not organised!!

I love Christmas but I have resolved not to have a stodgy Christmas - Dean is coming down and he is used to walking long miles so I will be walking each day of the holiday (as you would expect of course!!)

So how have I done this week - absolutely great - there has been rain, wind, cold and calm......the weather winter but I have managed my 50k steps so far with 2 days to go to complete my 60k. Last weekend I was pressured because I had to do 10k Saturday and Sunday and that can be too much......this week it should be easy. I am going to Canary Wharf with Rob for a coffee whilst Alex catches up on her sleep - think I will resist going to Oxford Street today since Alex and I will be out tomorrow and then Robert and I are up the West End on Monday.

So I am feeling fitter, more positive and have plenty of energy and I intend to keep this pattern of exercise up - and cut out some sugar from my diet!!!

2009-12-06T13:10:00.000-08:00

Can you believe that it is 7th December in a few hours.......I love christmas and we are truly in the count down period now. I love to see houses lit up - to see children fascinated by Santa Claus, to see all the imaginative marketing ideas to get us to buy so much more than we should - just have to resist that.....and I love the feeling of anticipation as people plan for a lovely time with family and friends. However I realise how empty and difficult Christmas can become for so many people and it can be a challenging time of the year with so many differing expectations.

As a Christian my challenge is to guard against the materialistic aspects and keep Christ and the gift of His peace and joy central to everything I do.

So how is my shape-up programme coming on as I approach Christmas with all it's food and extra chocolates? Well I feel better and a bit lighter.....my size is decreasing - slowly but surely. It could all be a bit faster if I could give up more food and that is what I have to do this week and try harder than when have tried this before!!

Yesterday I walked and walked around London E16 - and for the first time I cross the high foot bridge across from Britannia Village to Excel - absolutely stunning views and it was all lit up because it was early evening by the time I crossed. I live in a fascinating and changing area of London and I walk through streets I have not been in before so my walking is so enjoyable.

So as I move through December I want to continue my walking to keep fit and well. I also want to drink more water and less carbs.....I will do better than last week!! Talk again soon.

2009-11-29T02:55:00.001-08:00

Well where is time going? I am so pleased December is fast approaching - I will be delighted when Tuesday comes because then the count down really begins.

Christmas is such a special time for Christians - and others of course - but it is great to keep the real meaning of Jesus at the Centre to make it all worthwhile.

We all have to face each year the challenge of creating a special Christmas - much set on idealistic pictures of happy family Christmas times........Christmas and it's 'special-ness' is not for ours to create - God created that and I thank Him for that. So whatever resources we have and whatever we can or cannot afford in material things this year, I pray that many many people find peace within themselves, with God and with other people.

So how is my re-shape going? I have had a good week again.....I am keeping to the walking at 60,000 steps each week and that is guaranteed - however it makes me realise how much weight I may be putting on if now exercising. I have just bought new trousers but I got size 16 - now I know I can fasten 14s but it is taking a bit of time to get any discipline into my diet to speed up the real size 14!! The excuses are of course the weather and dark nights - not to mention the long working days but my intention is still strong enough to get there.

Of course people are so encouraging - slow weight loss is more sure to last - and yes I believe that but one thing is sure I could do even more towards limiting calories.....so here I come December 09 and I will do a lot better towards Christmas Day!! Bye for now.

2009-11-22T13:49:00.000-08:00

Hello again - how quickly time passes and yet I am so excited about Christmas coming this year so November feels slow!!!

Well how is my weight loss - or life transformation going? Walking is good and the positive thing is that I really enjoy the walks - even in the rain. Now London weather is quite kind - it's mild much of the time. Dark evening are proving a bit of a challenge but I am still on track and always complete my steps.

I tried something new this past week - I decided that it could be easier to leave step count on pedometer and see 60,000 steps as accumulated amount.....meaning that if it really did get impossible to complete a day I could make it up next day......well I am returning to daily totals.

The reason for this change back is that the high numbers are misleading and it was too easy to limit my steps too early in the week - so I had two 5k days at the start of the week which pressurised the end of the week and compressed much effort!!

I had a visit to the GP this week and have had to have loads of health checks with another important one this coming week - however I feel good in myself and I have to keep walking out of doors for the benefit of wellbeing and positive energy!!

Talk again soon.

2009-11-15T13:38:00.000-08:00

Hi again - well what an interesting 'stepping' week - now that the evenings (and mornings) are dark it is a challenge to get stepping - and to stay safe.......

However I am pleased to say that I am doing well - still 60,000 steps each week in total and this week - from tomorrow I am going to keep the step count going so that on the days I go over it can off set the days that may be harder to fit a walk in because of rain or wind.......

I am hoping too that this will help to motivate me to try even harder at walking (exercise) because although I am happy that my shape is changing - it is still a bit too slow and I want to feel slimmer for Christmas.

So - work is good - family life is good - I am excited about Christmas and so here goes - a harder try at increasing exercise to offset eating!!! Talk again soon.

2009-11-08T11:13:00.001-08:00

Hello again.....I have had a good week but my great intentions for sticking to low carbs lasted only half a week. Absolutely fine and dandy whilst I had office days and could prepare my lunch and eating for the day but not so when I am out and about.

I had lunches of chicken/fish/cheese with celery and tomatoes - that was good with nuts in between meals for protein and vitamin B for energy but hard to keep up longer than a few days.

My stepping has been successful again - some days it is tough and would be easy to give up because it is cold and dark now but I need to keep going or I will really put on so much weight.

With Christmas to look forward to I am motivated to maintain this walking programme since I feel far better for it and it clears the mind. I notice new things every time I am out and about and even although company would be good I love my walks and know I need them for my health. Too easy to sit back and watch TV!!

Talk again soon.

2009-11-01T12:05:00.000-08:00

Well watch this space this week - I will be!! With another good week of stepping over - I have not disappointed myself on steps since 1st August - I need to get really serious about weight loss.

Now this is serious because I am find sugar i.e. sweets, chocolate, cakes, all addictive and really hard to give up because I am trying to change a bad habit of a life time. Now it is not that I am better than I was and I have some weeks when I am so very much better than ever - but this is still an issue for me. The reason it is such an issue is that I seriously want to be size 12 for Christmas and I am still a long way off this goal.

All is not lost - I have hope and I would love to stick to meat, chicken, nuts, veg and bright coloured salad stuff....and water......watch this space - can I do this????? I will report back mid week!

2009-10-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

Well what a good week ended by two full days off work and a trip to Brighton with Alex.

It's surprising how short a break needs to be to allow me to relax.....on Wednesday an Thursday evenings we had two lovely meals, one in Food for Friends vegetarian restaurant and one in Giraffe - this is a chain but first time for us.

Now that would have been absolutely fine - eating out each day and relaxing - and of course I did my 10,000 steps Monday through to Friday this week BUT the issue is I bought lovely chocolate and sweets for the room each day. Yesterday I loved the Scottish tablet I bought - really authentic but it did help me decide that I have to stop sugar intake again.

Despite all my walking and effort to keep that exercise up, I am spoiling it with over eating of bad foods. So in this lead up to Christmas I need to make more improvement......nuts coming up!! Good news this week is that I can go into Saturday and Sunday with only 2x5000 steps to achieve now. Bye again......

2009-10-25T14:14:00.001-07:00

Well here I am and there you are!! What is my news this week?

I have done well on walking and even gone over some days......although I confess that on Friday I left without my pedometer and maybe skimped on steps so added some deliberately over yesterday and today........

Now can you believe that since 1st August (and a little patch before my holiday) I have been 'at it' - stepping is good for my health generally and I believe it helps keep bad heads away etc - it also helps me to remain positive and gives a real feel good feeling as I walk around and spot new things each time I am out.

However I have been thinking about the best way to tackle my eating plan and David inspired me this week...he had been to a rigorous boot camp run on military discipline rules and he has been taught all about the importance of abandoning carbs generally and increasing protein and nut snacks with coloured veg/salad to make meals........

the point being that our bodies really need protein and the right fats but does not need as many carbs as we generally imagine they do. So if I am really going to get serious about better eating and losing real weight I will seriously consider copying a bit of what I did ages ago - a bit like the Atkins eating plan.

However I have a great week lined up and I am so looking forward to my girlie few days with Alex so I will not promise this week that I will decrease dramatically on intake - bit I will eat less than I have been doing or at least substitute some sweet things with nuts!

So into my 13th week now of exercise and that is a changed lifestyle - all of August and September and almost through October - this is for the long term......bye for now x

2009-10-19T12:39:00.000-07:00

O I have been tired today ever since I had to pull myself up out of bed - away from a cosy duvet and hubbie!!! Normally I am full of life in the mornings - today I was feeling the effect of a few late nights and a full Conference Weekend.

So I am into week 12 of my T- Plan......and I am still stepping and feeling better for it. I accidentally caused a change to my medicine 2 months ago - blood pressure tablets. So I was prescribed half the regular daily dose of one of my tablets and despite this my GP was pleased with my BP reading on Friday morning. My walking seems to be working......who knows if I get some power walking built up I could come off tablets altogether.....maybe not!!

I had a look at those wobble FITFLOPS this evening at Lakeside tonight - but £139 - expensive eh? I plan to fit in some nice long Saturday walks during the winter months - all wrapped up with good walking boots/shoes on to keep me comfortable.......

This past week-end I was quite pleased - on Saturday I only needed 5000 steps and did over 11,000 which was good - and then I even fitted in some dancing at the Rotary Ball!

So I have learned patience and my weight is not falling off but it will be long term if I keep this walking consistent and even increase it.......my 14s that fasten up now will be getting looser in future weeks - and by Christmas 2009 - I will be delighted to be a slim 14!! Talk again later x

2009-10-13T14:12:00.000-07:00

Well I made it through the week-end doing my 10,000 steps each day....and of course this week with having Conference from Friday to Sunday I have had to think things through. This means that I must not leave any week-end days with 10000 steps owing....so each work day plus Friday I must complete 10,000 then I can take it a bit easier on Saturday and Sunday. Of course I will be walking in Eastbourne and I can fit in seaside walks but I am also in Conference sessions - maybe if I wiggle in my seat I can clock a few steps (cheat!).

I have a busy time before I get away though - work is full on, we are actually leaving Alex at home this time (her request of course) so I have to get her some food in for her and friends! I also have to somehow fit in a doctor's appointment (should have gone after my hols - August) and a wee visit to TK Max to return trousers that are too long (not too small) and hopefully I can exchange for something to wear at Eastbourne - size 14 of course!!!!

Good news though - although weight loss is slow (well I have not even weighed myself but you know what I mean!!) I can fit into even more 14s more comfortably - just imagine that lovely dress I could buy for our works Christmas 'do'!!!!

So bye for now - Oh and I am cutting food this week - so far so good!!

2009-10-09T13:59:00.000-07:00

Wey-hey Friday again.......and I love the week-ends because work is busy and demanding (even although I enjoy it) and I need a break for 2 days each week!!

So how is my Plan going? On Monday an Tuesday this week the weather was bad so I did only 5000 steps which has meant that the 5 days following need to clock up 10000 steps each!!!

That's fine though because I am comfortable and disciplined on my steps BUT I could still learn loads of discipline with eating......this is so hard....I have such a sweet tooth.

So one week to go until a lovely long weekend away in Eastbourne for the Rotary Conference and I need to reduce my eating from this week-end and again count calories more carefully (now I am sure I keep hearing that!!!!)

So into another week - soon be size 12!!!!!

2009-10-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

Hello again.....well what is going on with me? Since our office move I have felt productive - the office layout offers me more chance to get some constructive work done - but I am deprived of natural light and have been headache-y when in the office all day.

I have started the week feeling quite good but the weather has been cold and wet and I have used this as an excuse to take a lift to and from work.....not good so far.

So Monday and Tuesday I have done my minimum 5000 steps which means that I have no option except to step 10,000 for the remaining 5 days of this week. However I am feeling relaxed and cool about this and will do it.

Calories are harder to control than steps however... I have been enjoying too many sweets and this has to stop somehow. That means that I have to focus and keep a grip on calories because otherwise I am in danger or spoiling my plan......so here goes to the rest of this week. I'll be back x

2009-10-02T12:28:00.001-07:00

Well it is Friday at 8:30 ish and I have had it!! I am tired but happy - and after a good day at Stubbers with Health Centre Teams I had to step so many thousands of steps which was demanding - but hey I have done 3 days at 10,000 and 2 at 5,000 so have two more 10,000 to do this week-end and that is all very possible.......

I have kept up my steps all the way through my Plan but I do seriously need help with eating....fruit and nuts look good but I keep stretching for sweets and chocolate - I need to try a bit harder to discipline myself.

I have had a good week at work with variety of responsibilities and people and I look forward to tomorrow when I plan to walk early and relax later on - then on Sunday again I plan to walk early before Alex and I go to Hillsong in the afternoon.

So here's to a good week-end. Interesting when I give Pedometers to people to get them started they tend to state that they are not working properly....we all imagine that we are walking more than we actually are!!!

Robert and Alex have been struggling with bad colds recently so here's hoping I can keep well.

See ya x

2009-09-29T13:44:00.001-07:00

Hi - where does time go? It is incredible to believe that we are nearly through September - but even if I don't believe it, we are!!

I am also into yet another week trying to lose weight. So.....stepping is all good - but I need to cut back on food....and feel that this is what I always say.

So I intend to get very serious this week - I will again try a food diary because if I want to feel better for the Rotary Conference and actually wear size 14 I need to get serious.

The truth is I am pleased that my size 14s now actually fasten well on me....but I am not confident that they look good enough - need to take a bit more weight off.

So onwards I go - okay still allowed everything but in serious moderation........

See ya soon x

2009-09-25T15:14:00.000-07:00

Well another week over and full success in terms of stepping targets and I can fasten some of my size 14 clothes.......

I am really enjoying walking because the weather has been lovely and this week-end I will enjoy the Docklands/North Woolwich/Silvertown/City Airport/Royal Albert Dock/Home walk and the weather is set to be good all week-end so I will even wear my shorts and sunglasses!!

This week-end I am taking Robert with me - because he has been walking a bit this week and this longer walk will do him good - and of course the reward is that we will stop for coffee at the London City Airport which is very nice!!

So into another week and I am pleased with some progress this week - several people have commented on my decrease in size and my belt tightens another 3 holes further along!!!!

See ya x

2009-09-23T14:30:00.000-07:00

Hello - I have just enjoyed a lovely meal at Rotary, Barking as well as an interesting talk from Hannah who is a fitness trainer who has applied to study medicine.

Hannah spoke to us about the importance of exercise alongside healthy eating and she confirmed some important truths for me.

Once useful tip was to concentrate on what you can include in your diet - not what you can't include and it will change your way of thinking!!

She also emphasised the importance of brisk exercise - moderate intensity for 30 minutes on 5 days.......so my walking needs to step up a bit I think!! No more strolling for some of my steps if I want to lose weight.

O I am so looking forward to being slim by Christmas - of course I will also be much slimmer within the next 3- 4 weeks if I concentrate even more!! Bye for now x

2009-09-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

Back again - what a beautiful sunny morning we had in London today - I set off on my walk with a fleece on and only got a short distance before removing it.....I did just under 12,000 steps and what a lovely walk it was.

I followed the Capital Ring from Beckton District Park which took me across to North Woolwich and from there I circled back home. I came along to Silvertown and stopped at the London City Airport for a cup of tea - and a read of the Times. Since the airport is now connected to the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) there is even a Starbucks now as well as EAT.

I just love this area of East London because it is evolving and ever changing....yet it is fascinating to see little old houses amongst the new flats and houses......and of course there is still plenty of room for improvement in the East End but it is good to live here. Of course it does help that I work close by - if I worked further out I would want to live there too!!

Well my steps are going well and I feel that I can be confident that I can maintain the pattern into the future - and listen - I bought a pair of size 14 trousers this week-end AND they fit me......okay I don't like a couple of little lumps showing BUT they fit me.....I just have a bit of further work to do to look good in a size 14!! Then I want to throw my 16s and I will not return to that size again - I have had enough of being fat - fat is NOT beautiful!!

So this week - I will focus on my food intake more to get a better balance and try to guarantee some fat falling off......see you soon. x

2009-09-19T13:48:00.000-07:00

Hi - it has been so good today to catch up on home and family things since I have been pushing myself at work all week and that has been my main focus.

Alex too has had a busy week - first week at her new College with her journey across London to Angel and all the steps at the station taking it out of her!!!! that's before she starts the heavy 6th form work. She has enjoyed the social life anyway - new friends - new journeys and new surroundings in that lovely part of London.

So before I start another busy working week with everything going on (NHS Changes are all over the place and cause us loads of HR work - but I really love my role) - I need to make sure that I catch up here.......

Today has been good.....Alex and I spent a bit of time shopping - she managed to buy another dress at the end of summer - for her party tonight at Josh's - a friend from school days just gone!!

Today for me was a 5000 steps day and Robert and I enjoyed fish and chips tonight from the Custom House Chippy!! I have learned to keep calories low when I want a treat like this and how I enjoyed that meal!! My old ways would have involved fitting in chocolate immediately after a meal but that has stopped now. I am allowed chocolate or anything else of course but it is good to in control enough to decide I don't want it!!

Tomorrow is a 10000 steps day - the last one this week and I will enjoy a lovely London walk.

I'll get up early for that and whilst Alex has a sleepover at Ashley's house I will walk, walk and walk some more before making dinner for Robert, Alex and myself. Talk again soon x

2009-09-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

Hi - time flies and that is week 7 of my Shapeup Transformation over already.

Well it is fair to say that I am still not a size 14 and also that I think it could take another month to get there. Now that is a shame because some people lose weight really fast BUT remember that I am looking for a life change that is maintained and improved on and so I have to be patient.

My stepping is certainly making a big difference to me......I have overdone it a bit this week at work by staying late each day and so I am in need of a good rest but normally I feel wide awake and very well. I am sleeping soundly; enjoying a lighter tummy and hips and my size 16s are slipping to my hips and skirts are sliding round my waist as I walk......this is good but I can't wait until I feel them falling off me.

I keep trying my smaller clothes on and it is good to see that another couple of inches and they will fasten!

I feel better about myself - feel balanced in mood most of the time and feel really positive.

I have things to look forward to and visualisation helps. When Robert and I go together to Eastbourne this year (I will miss Alex who is staying at home) I will be slimmer and will be into my smaller clothes - that is a certainty because I still have a few weeks to work on myself until mid October.

Then I am having a couple of days off in half term and then for Christmas I can look forward to a visit from Hazel and Dean - and the 5 of us will be active and really enjoy some quality time together. Dean loves walking and so we can all walk.......so here's to a bright future.

2009-09-16T13:46:00.000-07:00

Back again and so soon......I have a little navy skirt in my wardrobe and from Massimo Dutti - I bought it 2 years ago in Spain because I liked it and was sure it would fit - it was in the sale - sound familiar?

When I got it home to London I tried it on and it would not go near me...hardly pulled over my hips.

Now I have been testing my size by trying this skirt on over the past months - and guess what - tonight I tried it on and it fitted (well a wee bit tight but it fastened and almost sat on y hips!!!!).

This seemed wonderful and is of course an achievement.....I was so pleased because I thought I had got into a neat size 24 but the label says UK 18!! Now I can't believe this but it still fastens and the fact that it would not go near me previously is surely progress? Just not enough yet obviously! What a tough life.

My steps are going well this week - yesterday over 11k and today almost 11k - so I need to push myself a bit more to reach my goals.

Fortunately this is mid September and I have another month until the Annual Rotary Conference. This will give me another date to spur me on. I will visualise what I will look like by then and that will inspire me..... bye for now.

2009-09-15T12:38:00.000-07:00

Hello again ....... well into the 7th week and all going well so far. I am intending following last week's plan doing my 10,000 steps each day Monday to Friday and then 10,000 over the week-end days. Work is so busy these days that I hardly get time to think but I do need to think carefully about how I can adjust my eating further to cut carbs and let the weight fall off.

I am confident that I can still change my shape this year...it is changing already and by Christmas I would just LOVE to be a lot slimmer with a waist and well proportioned feminine shape!!

2009-09-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

Hello again.

Well 6 weeks truly over now since 'T'Day when I started my shape-up plan and I have now started my 7th week.

I have introduced the change I was considering - so that on day 6@7 after doing 50,000 steps over 5 days I will do an additional 10,000. The good news is that over this week-end I have completed 14,194 steps which exceeds my target!!

There is however a downside......I bought low fat pink and white mallows - I can have these on calorie control BUT I have been overdosing on these - so from tomorrow I need to seriously count my calorie intake! Talk to you soon.

2009-09-12T16:16:00.000-07:00

Hi - what a great day I have had.......I did 8,500 steps by doing door to door collecting at Theydon Bois and a little bit of Asda collecting....this means that my intention of doing 5000 steps on both Saturday and Sunday in addition to my 50,000 weekly steps is happening - only a couple more thousand steps tomorrow and I have cracked it!!!

I was careful with calories today because I knew we were in for a real treat this evening in London......well I was not wrong - the meal was absolutely perfect and I did not feel guilty for enjoying it - and of course I can always cut some calories tomorrow eh???

Talk again soon!

2009-09-11T13:05:00.000-07:00

Yes that's week 6 complete and also my 5 days of stepping.......I will however add a bit more for this week since I need to speed up weight loss.

I am so pleased that I have my steps as a normal 'life-style' thing now - I am feeling better and moving better for this improvement.

What really does get to me though is that when I am shopping with Alex it is so frustrating that the modern clothes shops have XL sizes that don't go near my size....how bad is that? I am glad that I am beginning to put things right because I really hate having to look for big clothes......how many lovely things I see in size 12 - so roll on Christmas.

I'll be back.......

2009-09-10T14:50:00.000-07:00

Well they say a change is as good as a rest and I agree after our lovely day out in London for Robert's Birthday.

I always take our Anniversary and my B'Day off work as leave and so this year I decided that it would be good to add in Robert's Birthday!!

Howard and Mary - my brother and his partner let us know on Monday night that they were coming to London for a few days and after meeting them on Tuesday for a meal we arranged to meet up today and share the day in London together.

We trecked London, took in Covent Gardent, the National Art Gallery in Trafalgar Square, Wholefoods at Kensington and a bus trip back to Kings Cross and then finished the evening with a lovely Italian Meal close to their Travelodge.

Our meals and breaks today were good and because I have got out of the bad habit of snacking in between I really enjoyed my food without guilt. It was good to relax together as family - we see so few of family that it is always good.

My steps were brilliant today - 13,268 - so although I absorbed many more calories than usual that is absolutely fine - I may do 5000 Saturday and Sunday though to make up for this!!!! Bye for now x

2009-09-09T12:21:00.000-07:00

Well hello again - I have taken time to come back again!! However this does not mean that all is not good - well that means that at least I have maintained my stepping targets.......

What I cannot say is that into my 6th week I am a size 14!!! Not yet but I am not defeated.

People at work have been commenting that I look good - think that means that they notice I am looking a wee bit better. I also feel a bit better.

I have been enjoying the satisfaction of keeping up the exercise with steps but I know I could do a bit better - maybe I'll increase next week!!

I have been enjoying my food - and this week at work I decided that I'd order half sandwiches - inspired by Pret a Manger's idea of selling half sandwiches. Half is enough although I have been adding crisps and that will stop because I thought Walkers Crisps were 130 cals - they are 180 - what a waste eh?

So okay - what about my new target? and have I failed to reach that smaller size in my target time ......well I can squeeze into my 14's - I just hate the bumps - some people this size call themselves a 14 - but okay I am re-adjusting my target to be more realistic ......by the time I go to Eastbourne mid October I SHOULD be and WANT to be a size 14.....then of course I still want to be size 12/14 for Christmas 2009!! Wish me well......by for now.

2009-09-05T12:52:00.000-07:00

Hello again.....well today has been good although I have not been as strict on calorie counting as I could have been!! That means that tomorrow I need to peel back a bit - but that's what I like about calorie control.

Alex and I went to Waitrose this evening and it is a lovely shopping experience - ok Asda is cheaper but it is too easy to load up on 'bargains' at Asda and think less about what we are buying....at Waitrose it's good to carefully shop - make sense?

We bought lovely trout for tomorrow's dinner. Before Alex became 'veggie' we always had a Sunday Roast and then for a while Robert and I continued that but it was difficult to get Alex to have anything decent, Now she will eat fish and so we all enjoy that some Sundays. Salmon can be a bit strong in taste but the trout is lovely. These have the herb butter with them and even come in 'bake in the bag' wrapping which is great.

I go into week 6 of my plan on Monday and I mean to make a few changes to how I eat......need to increase fruit and vegetables - get more goodness from my calories so watch this space. Bye for now.

2009-09-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

Hello again.....well it is going well so far this week - that's 3 days stepping done already just another 2 to do this week!! It is certainly easier now but I should put in a bit more effort next week and increase - I won't over commit though - don't want to put myself off!!

Calories - going well but not really eating as well as I could......trying to vary my food a bit.

One good thing last night was that Alex wanted to go to the Wimpy to eat....quite like it there since it is not the fast food like McDs and you get served. I was really surprised - the whole menu had calories attached to the items - this actually influenced my choice - so I had onion rings and salad because I was too short on calories to have a lovely pork rib!!

So 5th week progressing to plan....skirts loose and maybe with another 10 days I could be better shaped for that dress!! I'll keep you informed.

2009-08-31T13:55:00.001-07:00

Hi - what a beautiful sunny and hot Bank Holiday Monday we have had here in London........Alex went off with 3 friends to Notting Hill Carnival - had a great time and was barely home but I dropped her up to Plaistow for a sleepover!!

Robert and I set out in the car today and I had to turn around because he took unwell - shivering and shaking. Fortunately he is okay now - well not 100% but much better.

So what happened to my steps?......I have to say I was tempted to abandon them and make up for it in the week - but the first day of the week is a bad time to have a rest because it puts me under pressure on the week-end, and next week-end I am busy and won't have much time to Step.

I did nearly all of today's steps indoors....so by the time I had finished I was red and hot but boy it did feel good to complete them. Think I will do Monday to Friday steps this week - it is far easier to fit them into my working week than on week-ends at present.

So what can I do differently this week to speed up my weight loss plan? I am going to try most days to have only 1000 calories....and more water. Of course I am slightly less fat but I am still too big - I am still in my size 16s - albeit they are a bit looser - but I need to be size 14 very soon. OK I may not be properly into a size 14 for 12th September but I will get there soon!!

So I start my 5th week - and I mean business - feel free to join me - I need all the moral support I can get! Bye for now.........

2009-08-29T13:26:00.000-07:00

Well what an interesting day.....strange when you plan and look forward to a shopping day and then it turns out so different to what you expected.

We started this morning without breakfast because I knew we would eat out and I wanted to save my calories......so we had a lovely orange juice each with a toasted fried egg sandwich at Covent Garden and I had a cup of tea.......

At lunch time - we were in Camden by then - Alex had food from a stall and I didn't know what to have so I had one tiny fork full of rice - hardly enough to taste ......then I had a black coffee - NIL CALORIES.........

Before we came home - 7ish I think......I had 100 calories in a Boots shape bar.

So I had loads of calories to use this evening and just as well because I was hungry by then.....so we had chips and although Alex and Rob both had large cod I had a battered sausage - not the most healthy but I did enjoy it.

I am certainly enjoying my food when I do eat these days - normally I would really find it difficult to pass a fudge stall as at Camden and all those lovely sweets and chocolates up in London but I do feel I have things under control now.

Now if my body can get that message that'd really help as I go into my 5th week. I have done my part - all of my planned walking and all of my daily calorie control......so BODY - get shedding this horrible excess weight - NOW!!!!

Talk again soon. Bye.

2009-08-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

Hi again - can't believe it is Wednesday of my 4th week already - and that it is September next week!

Well I did enjoy today as a rest day - I did 14,500 steps yesterday and my feet were so sore - but of course I still have 3 more days to walk this week which means that I am on the hoof again tomorrow, Friday and Saturday.

I am feeling good - more balanced in mood and think I am looking a bit better (less all round) so I will keep going. I am not changing shape very quickly but hopefully it is slow and sure.

I still have a bit of time to get to size 14 although I am still in a size 16 today!! I can actually fasten my size 14 clothes but they look terrible - with bumps and lumps all over!

So here goes to much more effort. See ya!

2009-08-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

Hi - so how have I been doing. I had a lovely day yesterday but did most of my steps indoors - we were at Canary Wharf for a coffee in the morning and then went a run to Epping Forest in the afternoon where we walked a bit but that didn't even dent my 10000 - however after jumping around, wobbling and dancing I did it - so again my 5 days are complete for this past week.

I think my calorie count is in order but since I stopped writing things down I find it is so easy to go over......I need to be strict on this or I won't lose the weight I need to lose - stepping alone will not do it for me. I will however this week try to power walk a bit to speed things up!

So I am not fading away yet....my skirts seem to be feeling a bit looser but I want more than that......going into my fourth week. Talk again soon.

2009-08-21T13:07:00.000-07:00

Hi - Friday and a week-end away from work to look forward to.

Having 'stepped' my way through 4 days this week at work I had today off AND I followed that Grazzia Magazine advice and had a lovely big Indian meal this evening at home with Rob and Alex......without worrying about calories - so hopefully my body now is totally confused and my metabolism will stop slowing down!!!!

So tomorrow I step again which is fine because I will be shopping and that uses a fair amount of steps - I will also return to counting calories - but having a bit of what I like too!

Only 3 weeks now until I will be going to the special event I want to be slimmer for so I will work hard in these weeks since it would be absolutely wonderful to get into a smaller size!

Bye for now.

2009-08-20T12:28:00.000-07:00

Well what a lovely day I have had - Alex is working with us in the NHS this week - not in my department but another corporate department and she is having a good time!! Today she treated me to lunch at the Unusual Coffee Shop next to our offices.

Alex ordered a cray fish sandwich and I have one quarter with half a small bar of green and black dark chocolate........now that was good for me - low calorie and very satisfying. So I am learning to stay in control by eating when I am hungry - this evening I cooked chunky haddock fingers and whilst Robert had chips with his I only added peas - and that was lovely - just right.

I read an interesting thing about calorie control today in Grazzia magazine - seemingly - because we slow down our metabolism by cutting down cals and our bodies slow down to match reduction, we should confuse our metabolism by ONCE A WEEK having a full meal of whatever we want to eat and this will speed it up again - sounds appealing.......

Now with the week-end coming up I may just follow that advice!! I am now comfortable on 10000 steps each day for 5 days and that is good - I am used to exercising now. Just a speed up required now.

I can see myself in a size 14 but it's still a dream - my 14's go around me but still show too many bulges! So another 3 weeks??? Hope so! Bye for now.

2009-08-19T10:44:00.000-07:00

Well, what a hot day - although I only felt the sunshine and heat after 4:30 when our Health and Wellbeing Conference ended and I walked quickly along Park Lane to Bond Street Station.

Interesting day - this morning there were so many goodies on offer with our coffee and I didn't even want them - then this afternoon again huge muffins on offer and I didn't want any - now for me that is wonderful. Lunch was nice - salad and little bits so it was easy to have a decent meal but reasonable within calorie count.

Now to top my lunch time experience in that lovely 5 star hotel in Park Lane I sat and talked with 2 girls - one was telling us how she lost 7 stone and her hubbie lost 10 stone on the Lighter Life plan.....wow! The other is a fitness instructor and had some good advice too.

On my way home I checked my pedometer and wanting to avoid going out this evening to walk (Alex is going to Cinema with Rudy and I will be out later to pick up and take Rudy home), I got off the train at Canning Town and walked home. So by the time I walked home in the heat I was relieved to have walked 10500 steps - YES!!

Although I envy the quick weight loss via Lighter Life and similar plans I know that I need a lifestyle change and this way of steps and calories is right for me. I just need to be consistent and patient until the weight that took years to go on comes off again!!!

Talk again soon - bye.

2009-08-18T12:40:00.000-07:00

Hi - well Tuesday of my 3rd week and I hope I can remain patient - I keep looking for a miracle shape-up and this weight that took a long time to build in layers is stubborn and wants to stay......Robert and Alex have commented on a difference but I know I am not yet near to a size 14!!

Still I need to be consistent....and I have to admit that this plan is quite easy now....maybe next week I will add in some real stretching to speed things along.

For me half the challenge was getting started - your get to the stage where you know all the theory around weight loss but getting started is tough......I have often thought 'tomorrow I could stick to liquid only' or 'just have fruit and water' and then next day before I know it a Mars Bar is in my hand!!! Familiar? Well this time 'no way' - I have had enough of carrying extra rolls around with me and feeling ugly because I am too heavy.

Bye for now.

2009-08-15T01:28:00.000-07:00

It's the week-end again and that's week 2 of my plan complete. Mostly I have felt it easy to follow the 10000 steps over 5 days and 1250 calories - although realistically it is easier to keep within 1500 calories daily. I have managed the odd treat too - just counted it in so as to maintain my plan.

The good thing about this approach is that it is work-able long term and I am allowed any foods as long as I note them and count calories. The other positive thing is that if I go over one day on food intake I can peel back next day.

So how am I doing on changing my shape? Well I notice some small changes but not significant yet.......I have to use 'visualisation' to keep imagining what I will look like and feel like once the weight is off!! So I will be careful this week-end to enjoy my food but not over indulge and I need to step 10,000 steps today.

Relationships are so important in life.....Robert and Alex are back from Scotland and I am spending some quality time with both this week-end. Bye for now.

2009-08-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

Hi - I am surprised that I am sleeping so well these days - especially with Robert and Alex in Scotland. This is helpful of course since I need my energy to be tip top for work.

I have done well - a whole week now on calorie control alongside 5 days steps.......

so what next? I do need to increase water intake which hopefully can help me lose weight.

I have been trying on my size 14 clothes and they are very tight - with a wee gap before they will fasten!! I still have just under 5 weeks to get to that size 14 so any suggestions welcome.

I'll keep going....probably need to consider increasing exercise later this week even if stretching etc indoors.

Talk again soon!

2009-08-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

Well - after a good Sunday (missing Rob and Alex but happy they are enjoying Scotland) I am just soooooooo pleased that I seem to have food under control now........now it may be that I am under control but whatever...I am pleased.

This means that I have succeeded in my first full week of calorie control coupled with 5 days of stepping.

I am thinking differently.....yesterday I was shopping and didn't even go into a coffee shop - now I did plan to but it was better I didn't so that a cake didn't become an issue.

I did some shopping for food and have bought some treats - with reasonable calorie counts - I am trying to be positive - I can have whatever I want - there are no forbidden foods but my maximum count daily must be 1500 and I am averaging 1250.

The weight is not yet dropping off but I am visualising my new shape and I still have 5 weeks to get into a size 14!!

I can do it and I will.......see ya!

2009-08-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

Back again....I am relaxing after having my total calories - except 100 which I can have later and having completed 1o100 steps.

Wonder if Alex and Dean have climbed the hills tonight close to Edinburgh - now that is some stepping!!!

Well - how do I feel after my first working week of 'turn around' - quite pleased that at least I have lasted. Tomorrow I need to do another 10000 steps - but that should be quite easy - shopping, cleaning and walking generally since I don't have the car. Then Sunday I can have a rest!!

I hope that by the end of next week I begin to notice a real difference in my shape and clothes - maybe not a big difference but already I can see where my waist should be so hopefully.......

Bye for now....

2009-08-05T10:45:00.000-07:00

Now listen up - today was day 3 of my 5x10,000 steps for this week and I am pleased to report on 10,512 steps - and the day is not yet over!!

I am waiting for Alex to make and exciting vegetable curry with will be a treat tonight - have only had 500 calories so far today (despite having been in E1 and passing lovely curry places!!) so I am safe to have a curry.......

Main challenge today was avoiding sweets at work - Amanda filled up the sweet bucket and presented me with a bag of fudge - I made her take it away but had one square and it was delicious (yes I did count it).

Bye for now......

2009-08-04T14:37:00.000-07:00

Tuesday late and the end of day 4 of my Turnaround programme........

Success again I am glad to report - i.e. 10437 steps and only 930 calories......

Have to admit though that when I completed over 7000 steps to work and back and had almost 3k to do this evening I did them all indoors and that was a challenge.....I was on the trampet; the stairs and dancing in front of Alex's mirror....only hope that there is a lot less flesh to move and shake within a few short weeks - I can see the potential shape coming but it's kinda in the shade at present!!

More tomorrow......byeeeee.

2009-08-03T14:17:00.000-07:00

Hello again - Monday today and day 3 of my TURNAROUND...........

I feel soooo gooooood today because after coping yesterday even with loads of goodies in to eat, I have again managed my steps and calories.

I walked to work today and back again which ensured that my steps would be easier to complete.

Robert and I walked around the park this evening and so I completed 10927 steps. I also consumed 1150 calories which is encouraging.

I went for a coffee with Kathryn today and just had a black coffee with no Green and Black's chocolate bar - this is a miracle! I then delayed my lunch (forgot it really because the office was so busy) and this evening I enjoyed oatcakes, banana and orange juice. After my walk I treated myself to crisps at 131 calories and a breakaway at 99 calories. That was a nice treat but of course empty calories so maybe tomorrow I will swap crisps for an egg and apple!!!

I am aware that although I have been positive and able to contain my eating today, I hvae had a lovely 3 weeks holiday and a good first day back at work. I need to be consistent now and keep control even if tomorrow is more stressful!

Later this week Robert and Alex are going to Scotland so even more important then that I don't comfort eat when I am at home alone....I will be busy de-cluttering the house so maybe I will be okay.

2009-08-02T13:16:00.000-07:00

Hi again.....well another week-end almost over and I am nicely relaxed.......

it has helped that work friends have assured me that no disasters have happened whilst I have been away. It's great to get a decent break from work but quite an effort too to ensure that everything is in place before we go - and then of course before we know it we are back - all good though.

Have had a lovely refreshing day today - Greg and Alison and 4 kids came for the afternoon and evening and the children are delightful.....so naturally kids and we had a lovely time at the park.

Well how have I done so far on my new regime? I have resisted after eights, ferrora rochet(??) chocs, a lovely chocolate cake and carrot cake - but I did have a 'wee' bit of the bannoffee pie Alison made with her own fair hands......and I have counted it in and still come within 1400 calories so far today......

I started the day well by doing housework and getting the dinner on BEFORE I had breakfast - this is normally hard for me......then Alex boiled eggs and that is what I had for my breakfast - one biled egg at 80 calories with 1 oatcake and hummous.......then the next time I ate was at 3pm with the roast chicken dinner.......I did have 3 roast potatoes as well as 2 yorkies on my plate but did not eat them - YES YES YES!!! The yorkies did not go to waste!!

So a good day so far - and it is getting late so don't expect to do much damage now.....am I in control?? I'll be back daily this week with a report!!