Not A Proper Blog

I am feeling more like myself today, for the first time in nearly a week.  I still have the sore throat and cough, but the tiredness is gone.  I was soooo sleepy all week (very unlike me) and disorientated, not able to focus on anything.  So, in much better form you'll be glad to know!

One of the downsides of not feeling well was that I did no exercise at all this week.  (not sure if I caught a virus or if seeing the half marathon course actually hit me like a lightning bolt).  But you would think the lack of exercise would be off set by the complete lack of appetite.  But this is me we're talking about - I was only sick and not lucky enough to be touched by the miraculous hand of an angel, so my lack of appetite means that of course I ate, but didn't enjoy anything I ate.  I am going to wait until Monday morning to get back out exercising.. Why  not tomorrow?  Because tomorrow is Mother's Day and I expect to have an extra long lie in, followed by some nice treats!  But definitely, Monday morning....

I had a look at the calendar and these are some of my upcoming events:-
2 weeks to Simple Minds gig in the Olympia / night out on the town
10 weeks to Bobby's First Holy Communion
12 weeks to the 10k Mini Marathon
21 weeks to the 13.1m Half Marathon
23 weeks to family holiday in County Clare ..

When I set these dates on my calendar, I envisaged buying new clothes for each one...  I have lost 14 pounds in eight weeks - which is great, but not actually noticeable to anyone but me. I have lost weight off my face but really nowhere else, and I presume it will be awhile before I drop clothes sizes.  Until then shopping will continue to be the depressing nightmare it has been for the last number of years. Hopefully come May though I can buy something pretty for Bobby's big day...  Hopefully.

 When I said to Bernard how happy I was to lose the weight without any actual effort he got a bit annoyed with me.  He feels I have made a  huge effort, especially as I've been getting up and working out before the kids get up out of bed.  But to be honest, after I work out I have about ten minutes during which I can sit in silence, have a cup of tea and read The Journal on line,before the morning mayhem begins.  And it's the thought of that short, quiet interlude that actually propels me up and out of bed in the mornings.  Plus I enjoy the 'me time' I get from the work out.  It gives me a chance to sort things out in my head, projects to be done, plan meals for the week, etc. and  I have so much energy afterwards.  Also, by the time the kids are up and we're in the thick of it all, I've usually forgotten that I've done any exercise at all. :-)

This is the first time I've taken the focus off of food and losing weight.  I plan to get fitter, healthier and yes, of course, I hope weight will come off as a result.  But I have stopped planning my entire life around food.  Usually when I want to lose weight, I cook stir fys and crunch celery sticks, surround myself in rice cakes, and deprive myself of all things nice.  And the result - food is all I can think about!  Then comes the regular weekly weigh in - and regardless of the number, it's the day you Eat!!  Eat, eat, and eat some more - coz you have six more days before the next weigh in....  Over the last few weeks I have not consciously changed my eating patterns, but I have noticed changes.  Smaller portions, feeling full quicker and responding to that by not cleaning the plate, and I don't have the urge to eat in the evenings while watching tv.  I haven't had a chocolate bar in weeks - because I haven't wanted one, despite having my period.  Remarkable!  Plus the early mornings have resulted in an earlier bedtime and I have been sleeping so much better.

Anyway, I'm proud of how I'm feeling.  There is still a long, long way to go but I am getting there.  If this was a proper blog, I would have numbers, and charts, and progress pictures...  But it's embarrassing enough just writing this shit down.  Pictures?!  Actual statistics?  Nope.