bigtum's Journal

Off on Holiday

Apr 03 2009 15:45

Only one more working day to go and then I will be on holiday - yay!

Myself, the hub and furkids are renting a small farm cottage and having a week of quiet and relaxation in a no cell ph reception area - bliss!

I am feeling overdue for a break, been feeling a bit stressed lately with money, health, job etc. Have had a few slip ups with the healthy eating but doing not too bad, weight seems to be maintaing. However my exercise regime has gone down hill. Now all I am doing is the very odd run and walking. I really miss having the energy to bike, swim and do step like I was. However I am not sure how to get back these energy levels. Am working with a Naturopath and have upped by supplements to include Withania and Mexican Valerian which are suppose to 'even me out'. We think my main problem as that I can go too fast and furious at work increasing stress hormones and adrenalin which leaves me crashing tired at the end of the day. Plus sleep not always so good. Wish I could get out of bed earlier in the morning to go to gym or swim - perhaps after hol I will try and get a schedule together again - I need a buddy to help encourage me but most of my friends are already busy or not very fitness inclined, still I'll ask around.

We having a garage(yard) sale this weekend to try and raise some money for our holiday which we cant really afford at the moment but we booked it ages ago and now I am hanging out for it. Plus there is a free "Bark in the Park" doggy day out on Sunday which we will take the furkids to, should be fun and weather suppose to be good. Might try and add some photos to gallery if I get a chance.

Getting tired

Mar 26 2009 16:55

Well have been doing better with less cheating lately. Drinking heaps of water and herbal teas. Still battling with tiredness during the day and having dream filled sleep. Not sure if the supplements the Naturopath has given has made a big difference but i will keep on taking them and have another appointment next week. I know that patience is required to try and get the formular right. Its just the cost when money is tight. Anyway I have been doing a bit of my own research and so will ask her some questions about various vitamins and minerals and see what she thinks. Also told my doc that I am looking to come off antidepressants and so will be cutting down from 30mg to 20mg of my citalapram - will start this when go on holiday in couple of weeks.

Still finding it hard to give up my 1 alcoholic drink a night during the week. I just find it so enjoyable to sit down and put my feet up with a drink. I know that I am still within the healthy range for how much alcohol I consume but I just would like more control over this when I have won so many other battles. Anyway got lots of books from library about nutrition etc to read whilst on holiday - cant wait!!

Belly Fat

Mar 12 2009 16:48

I have been reading a bit lately about cortisol which is a hormone the body produces which can result in belly fat! I also read that caffine can increase your cortisol levels so guess what I have given up coffee - not that I drabk much anyway, usually only 2 cups a day if that. But instead I now drink tea and have found a nice green tea with raspberry. Green tea suppose to be v.good.

Also found this interesting article on CC about sleep and cortisol which I think probably relates to me as I dont always sleep so well, even if I go to bed early.

http://caloriecount.about.com/sleep-more-eat-less-b275357?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_20090305&utm_term=continue1

Missing CC

Feb 19 2009 17:36

Well I haven't been able to log in as regular as i use to. Mainly because I normally do this at work. I have been very very busy at work plus the company have installed new software that lets them see what sites and how much staff are surfing the net. I have always been pretty good and mostly just use it in my breaks but I had to change my home pages and now I dont always remember to log in. Anyway have had a catch up on CC today and it is gerat reading so many posts.

My weight is still pretty much maintaining which is good but my exercise regime has been a bit shocking of late. Anyway I'm looking forward not back and have made a more concertive effort this week. Also getting some helpful tips from my dietician man. Worked out a good food plan and realised that I have been eating too much protein and not enough carbs. So now working on tryin to get this balance a bit better. Also looking at the timing of when I eat what. I have traditionally eaten lunch quite late - 1.30 - 2pm just because I get so busy at work. Now I try to make sure I eat lunch closer to 12pm. Also eating more fruit for afternoon snacks rather then at morning tea because I now have more cals at breakfast to last my energy levels in the morning which means I'm not already running short by lunch. So I hope that all this will accompolish my goal of having more sustainable energy levels which will mean I am more motivated to exercise after work when traditionally I feel knackered.

Other than that its life pretty much as normal. Our summer seems to have come to a bit of an abrupt end and the weather has been cold and rainy over the last week. However I would like to say a special prayer and best wishes for the poor people in Australia that are coping with the fallout of the Melbourne fires and the devestation they have wrecked.

2009 flying by already

Jan 29 2009 17:00

Does anyone else feel like this year has started off with a hiss and a roar! I mean it's nearly the end of Jan already! Have been pretty busy at work but managable load so that's good. Have got back in to my run training in prep for my goal of the half marathon 31st May. At the moment I am doing 5km (3mile) stints twice a week and will slowly build to 10-12km by end of March.

I have also had my first session with my dietician on Monday, it was just the initial consult. I did get weighed, BMI and fat tested and I have to say was surprised at the results - in a good way! For the fat test he used this machine that you stand on and it send electrical pulses through your body - something about these pulses and the resistance measures the fat. I am also keen to get the fat test done the old fashion way with the calipers at the gym just so I can compare the results between the 2 techniques of measuring. Anyway for the dietician I have to keep a food journal for the next week, writing down everything eaten and drunk - I said I was an old hand it this because of the Calorie Count website! Anyway I will be interested to what pans out and what recommendations he might make.

What else is new - umm starting taking some chewable iron tablets to help boost energy levels and because I dont eat a lot of red meat (not a vegetarian or anything its just expensive and I really like chicken). Also am trying Cod-Liver Oil tablets to increase Vit D levels - which are suppose to help you feel happy and enrgised (this is the vitamin you get from the sunshine). Anyway haven't noticed and substantial effects yet but too early to tell. I might also get a blood test next time I'm at the doc and just see if there are any other areas that might be lacking. I just feel like I need more energy sometimes - usually at 3.30pm! The dietician did say that he hopes we can come up with food ideas that will give me what I need without having to take supplements - which I am undecided about yet.

Well must fly, fruit & veg shop then step class.

Adios!

What a week!

Jan 19 2009 16:37

Well had a great week last week. The Hen's night was heaps of fun!! Played some dirty party games then went in to the city for dancing. Only went to 2 clubs - one of them was a gay bar! That was an interesting experience but they had great music which was what we were there for. Also we each put a $2.50 chip on the roulette table at the casino and won $90 off one spin - so that paid for the taxi to the next club and a round of drinks for the girls. Finally got home at 5am very dishevelled and sweaty from all the dancing - I think I must have burnt off all the calories from the drinking with some very energetic dance moves. It was a great night out and my best friend, the one getting married had the time of her life. It was all good fun and nothing got too out of hand - unlike the stag who got whipped with his own belt by a stripper! Anyway spent rest of time staying at mum's house, going for swims and reading lots. The wedding on Saturday was a beautiful ceremony and I am so happy for them. It just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy when you see two people so in love. It also bought back some fond memories for me and hubby.

I missed my puppies terribly while I was away and they were very excited so see us when we got back Sunday night. As a treat we let them sleep on the bed with us, but with 4 of us there isn't a lot of room so it will be back to their own bed in the crate tonight.

Have to get back in to some serious running training this week. Time is going so fast already and before I know it the half marathon will be here!

The day after

Jan 09 2009 08:19

When to step aerobics for the first time since week before Christmas. I thought it was going to be a killer but actually wasn't as bad as I thought. We had a really small class - only 4 of us plus instructor (who currently has pink hair??). It was a new routine but familiar moves so didn't have much trouble getting it together. The best thing was we had fast rock music! I'm sure that made a difference to my energy levels which were so so beforehand. I thought I worked really hard and did all the high impact options. Felt really proud afterwards for making such a good effort and kinda surprised because I thought I had probably lost a bit of fitness over the holidays. Not feeling too sore today, calves a little tight. Tomorrow is usually the the telling day though so hope I will be up to dancing at the Hen's night tomorrow night. Really looking forward to it. I know it will be a boozy affair but I will try not to get too written off, just want to have a good time - haven't had a girls night out in absolute ages!!

Naughty puppy

Jan 07 2009 15:22

Currently working on trying to train one of our dogs Maggie to be less agressive towards other dogs. She has always been the more "friskier" of the two. It is very embarrassing when we meet other dogs on our walks and she barks and snaps at them. People dont always expect it because she looks so cute and harmless. Her brother Seamus is the opposite! Anyway bought a head halter and have started walking her on that in an attempt to make her heel better and tug less. She doesn't like it but hopefully perservearance will prevail. If I give her a tennis ball to carry in her mouth while she walks with it on she is fine because she concentrates on that. Only problem is her bother tries to take it off her! Also might think about getting some "professional help" with a couple of obedience lessons. We are planning on checking out some kennels in the next few weeks for them to stay when we go overseas in September.

She seems to be getting better with small children as we saw alot of the neices over Xmas/New Years.

Back to the grind

Jan 07 2009 08:39

Back at work this week. Actually it is nice and quiet with most people still away so I am having a really good catchup on over due/back log stuff. As of Monday I am back in to healthy habits again, I have a wedding to go to next weekend so want to make sure I am looking my best! I have just had a big catchup on reading forums etc. Its great to see so many new people joining, I really wish them all the best and hope they can stick with it.

Finding the mornings and afternoons a bit hard energy wise at present as I am use to having sleep-ins and nana naps during the hols. However still walking the dogs and biked to work today. Tomorrow will be doing my first step aerobics class since before Christmas - I know it will be painful!! Also hope to fit a swim in Friday lunchtime.

Merry Christmas

Dec 26 2008 19:25

Yay Christmas! I love this time of year. Most people are so happy and full of goodwill. Its great to be with family and to have time off work to relax. Got nice pressies but the best one was the surprise visit from my sister all the way from London! It has been so good to see her again. We are off to the boxing day sales tomorrow - I am going to buy a new IPOD with my Christmas money - 16GB. I have a 4GB that is full-up and I have to keep deleting stuff before I can add new songs/audio books, so will probably give this to my hubby. So very excited. Also off to see Twilight which has only just been relased in New Zealand. I love vampire movies and have recently read the book which I enjoyed. Have managed to fit in some exercise in, lots of walks with the dogs and today some short runs. I am not even bothering to count calories this time of year and have been quite bad. However I am trying to moderate and have been quite good at not snacking on sweet things which is usually my biggest down fall. However the alcohol has been flowing pretty freely I must admit. Oh well its Christmas and Im on holiday. Will be back to being good from the 3rd of Jan onwards.