G'day!
Well, am officially unemployed now. I finished up yesterday after nearly working for Croissant Express for 6.5 years in total. I have worked in many of the stores in Perth CBD and neighboring areas. Recently the company stores have been franchised bar one, - and I have worked for a franchisee since January 2011 in what happens to be the original store where the business began. Have met many great people, travellers, friends and great contacts from many different countries over my time at Croissant. Plus the customers! Some I have known for years! In the more efficient stores, staff are always on the go, going 'at it' at a fast pace! Early starts are a part of the business, particularly the bake shift which starts at either 4am or 4.30am depending on the shop! I remember the days when I lived in East Perth, had the 3.15 or 3.20am alarm, then up, dressed, brekkie, then biked to work, sometimes a dangerous mission!
Also I remember my exceptionally long hours I did when managing, - quite often at the shop by 4.30am to bake, then sometimes not home till after 7pm at night, then sometimes had paperwork I forced my way through till early alarm the next day! When managing, my store was a 7 day a week affair, also open an hour longer than the other shop due to it's location, - I guess I could/should of organised it better but I ended up often being there 7 days and sometimes all of those were very long days! I did get demoted from managing, - on the basis I didn't have enough control over staff, (no employee would fear me lol!)
Will miss free coffee on tap also, but have already put nail polish on today, have thrown away my worktops bar 1, (boss didn't want them back), plus my shoes! Definitely time to move on. I stayed as long as I did as I appreciated the full time aspect, no evenings or weekends now, - rare in hospitality! Also my limited driving confidence put stops to a few things and making resumes and typing out cover letters is something I DREAD!
OK, - as for THAILAND, - yes I'm still going! It would haunt me forever if I didn't. Whatever size and fitness level I am, I will make the best of it and hopefully have a great time! Honestly, if there weren't all the booking dramas, if I had been on track as I hoped this year all round I would be totally excited. I actually ended up getting my Kumuka trip refund this week finally, still haven't got all documentation yet but next weeks job is chasing that up. I ended up visiting another travel doctor which was a much more efficiently run practice and paid $240 for what they recommended. I had the combined Hep A and Typhoid vaccination and also the flu jab for the first time ever! Also I got the insect repellent recommended, plus an Anti Biotic for any minor stomach upsets overseas if they occur and also a booklet talking about safe travel in other countries.
I watched my final AFL game for a while, - it's a great sport to view.
Over and out, more soon!
Pip :-)
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Expenses......Expenses......Just doesn't stop!!!.......
Hopefully someone INCLUDING myself can learn from this:
January this year I booked a holiday for Thailand, leaving October 19.
I had put a deposit down, changed my itinerary a few times at the start. Then I made a decision and paid for flights, a tour, travel insurance, some transfers in full..........all up, very exciting, all confirmed, (so I thought). I had 9 months to really get fit, stay on track, be in 'the zone'. I visualised myself as a fit toned size 10, maybe some muscle and ab definition, effortlessly getting in and out of kayaks, not worrying about hanging torso flab, not puffing up the hills when trekking and managing all the bikeriding easily and feeling very confident in myself.
I put in a few decent stints this year, (as any other year) when I thought, - this is IT, finally, this yoyo behaviour is over for GOOD, I have some momentum, am making good progress! I'm in the zone, invincible, not going overboard at social occasions, really feeling able to maintain this lifestyle! But NO, alas, little day to day issues arise and back to my long and familiar yoyo cycle and all it entails........
Firstly, mid July I was informed that Kumuka has gone bust, therefore my tour was cancelled! My agent who I booked with in the city has transferred to another office, 1.5 hours away, also away from any public transport routes so I couldn't really go talk to her! She talked on phone with trying to organise me on a similar tour with another company, hopefully getting a refund soon. No action, ignored e-mails, delay in process on phone calls. THEN I decided to look and find tours myself. I was informed I couldn't get the flights refunded as other similar tours were possible. I found another what I 'deemed' suitable tour in the same dates as my flights and rang the agent to book that. It took weeks to know what was happening. Then the agent sent one of her 'friends' into the city to get me to sign documents and pay for the new tour. I did all that, but we were both in a hurry as I had another appointment elsewhere not long after. I could tell guy really didn't want to be there, he made it clear to me he was doing his friend a favour and next time: - for my information it all should have been done online! BAD service in hospitality, - lol!!! THEN I get home I look in my pack of travel documents and see a big lots of sheets about the dangers of travel in Thailand, (motivating, - NOT!) Plus info on my flights! BUT no receipt or itinerary of the new tour I had just paid for! I'm in Thailand for 19 days, the tour is for 16!
So another e-mail to agent informing her, it took her 2 weeks for her to reply, and she just said she needs my passport number, I gave it. That was a week ago, no new info so more chasing up required by me! Still no refund from original tour company Kumuka either.
Last week I thought I had better think about travel vaccinations so rang up a surgery in city and went after work today. The communication system I have to say between the receptionist, doctors and nurses was HOPELESS today! Won't go into that one! Anyway have been advised I need to make another appointment and have over $600 of injections for safety precaution! WTF????? I guess I should have known this but all of that didn't occur to me, you learn these things! If I go ahead with injections, I need to make another appointment.
I still have 3 different nights outside of the tour unaccounted for accommodation wise. Last weekend I actually sold my car, it's gone, (yay!!!)......good effort by me but I got a bit less than I initially hoped for! A lovely couple purchased it. Back is nearly good, did a leisurely 37k ride yesterday. However with all that's gone on, I again allowed self to 'lose the zone' for too long and feel over 80kg, unfit and fat and uncomfortable with the excess fat.
The thought almost is here to call this Thailand trip a '$4500 write off'......for now before it gets even worse. But I would feel disappointed in myself, my well travelled best mate would really think I am a loser.......lol! More importantly so would I though! It would be even more expensive to get there from NZ.
But I feel I should suck it up, go, try and take some good photos, hopefully not get sick or terrorised somehow over there and do my best to learn and enjoy. Kinda right now want a holiday where I feel 'at ease' though while in a new place ;-) lol!
'In the zone' aspiring Pip certainly operates differently to 'off track/scared/pre-occupied' Pip. However this trip IS a real headache to organise and try and chase anything up on! Even I admit I have had quite a bit on my mind of late/this year so do cut myself some slack. Some/many good decisions! Some self created chaos! But excuses to allow myself to 'get outta the zone' make it worse!
OTHER LESSON: Don't book travel too far in advance. Also YES, I am ringing insurance companies, writing letters and all! Some occasional good fashioned caring service helps! My agent is nice, I know it's not a nice issue for her to deal with but I should have refunds, all necessary documentation etc etc.......... When I have booked anything on the internet myself, not too far in advance and printed documentation out at an internet cafe myself I have never had dramas.
Gotta still laugh and smile!!! :-)
Pip :-)
January this year I booked a holiday for Thailand, leaving October 19.
I had put a deposit down, changed my itinerary a few times at the start. Then I made a decision and paid for flights, a tour, travel insurance, some transfers in full..........all up, very exciting, all confirmed, (so I thought). I had 9 months to really get fit, stay on track, be in 'the zone'. I visualised myself as a fit toned size 10, maybe some muscle and ab definition, effortlessly getting in and out of kayaks, not worrying about hanging torso flab, not puffing up the hills when trekking and managing all the bikeriding easily and feeling very confident in myself.
I put in a few decent stints this year, (as any other year) when I thought, - this is IT, finally, this yoyo behaviour is over for GOOD, I have some momentum, am making good progress! I'm in the zone, invincible, not going overboard at social occasions, really feeling able to maintain this lifestyle! But NO, alas, little day to day issues arise and back to my long and familiar yoyo cycle and all it entails........
Firstly, mid July I was informed that Kumuka has gone bust, therefore my tour was cancelled! My agent who I booked with in the city has transferred to another office, 1.5 hours away, also away from any public transport routes so I couldn't really go talk to her! She talked on phone with trying to organise me on a similar tour with another company, hopefully getting a refund soon. No action, ignored e-mails, delay in process on phone calls. THEN I decided to look and find tours myself. I was informed I couldn't get the flights refunded as other similar tours were possible. I found another what I 'deemed' suitable tour in the same dates as my flights and rang the agent to book that. It took weeks to know what was happening. Then the agent sent one of her 'friends' into the city to get me to sign documents and pay for the new tour. I did all that, but we were both in a hurry as I had another appointment elsewhere not long after. I could tell guy really didn't want to be there, he made it clear to me he was doing his friend a favour and next time: - for my information it all should have been done online! BAD service in hospitality, - lol!!! THEN I get home I look in my pack of travel documents and see a big lots of sheets about the dangers of travel in Thailand, (motivating, - NOT!) Plus info on my flights! BUT no receipt or itinerary of the new tour I had just paid for! I'm in Thailand for 19 days, the tour is for 16!
So another e-mail to agent informing her, it took her 2 weeks for her to reply, and she just said she needs my passport number, I gave it. That was a week ago, no new info so more chasing up required by me! Still no refund from original tour company Kumuka either.
Last week I thought I had better think about travel vaccinations so rang up a surgery in city and went after work today. The communication system I have to say between the receptionist, doctors and nurses was HOPELESS today! Won't go into that one! Anyway have been advised I need to make another appointment and have over $600 of injections for safety precaution! WTF????? I guess I should have known this but all of that didn't occur to me, you learn these things! If I go ahead with injections, I need to make another appointment.
I still have 3 different nights outside of the tour unaccounted for accommodation wise. Last weekend I actually sold my car, it's gone, (yay!!!)......good effort by me but I got a bit less than I initially hoped for! A lovely couple purchased it. Back is nearly good, did a leisurely 37k ride yesterday. However with all that's gone on, I again allowed self to 'lose the zone' for too long and feel over 80kg, unfit and fat and uncomfortable with the excess fat.
The thought almost is here to call this Thailand trip a '$4500 write off'......for now before it gets even worse. But I would feel disappointed in myself, my well travelled best mate would really think I am a loser.......lol! More importantly so would I though! It would be even more expensive to get there from NZ.
But I feel I should suck it up, go, try and take some good photos, hopefully not get sick or terrorised somehow over there and do my best to learn and enjoy. Kinda right now want a holiday where I feel 'at ease' though while in a new place ;-) lol!
'In the zone' aspiring Pip certainly operates differently to 'off track/scared/pre-occupied' Pip. However this trip IS a real headache to organise and try and chase anything up on! Even I admit I have had quite a bit on my mind of late/this year so do cut myself some slack. Some/many good decisions! Some self created chaos! But excuses to allow myself to 'get outta the zone' make it worse!
OTHER LESSON: Don't book travel too far in advance. Also YES, I am ringing insurance companies, writing letters and all! Some occasional good fashioned caring service helps! My agent is nice, I know it's not a nice issue for her to deal with but I should have refunds, all necessary documentation etc etc.......... When I have booked anything on the internet myself, not too far in advance and printed documentation out at an internet cafe myself I have never had dramas.
Gotta still laugh and smile!!! :-)
Pip :-)
Thursday, September 20, 2012
BLOG DIRECTION........and THOUGHTS!!!
G'day!
I have been thinking about my blog direction, - pretty much over all of this year.
When I first started this blog, - I loved my vision for it, - and was happy with my first few posts, the photo posts, updates, news and what I consider interesting tidbits of my life! I loved blogging in that sense, and was really enjoying my attempts at photography even though I was having trouble at posting edited pictures to my blog.
When I first started this blog, - I was in a body composition/weight range that I wanted to maintain and again, - thought all binge issues/wildly yoyoing weight was GONE. So I didn't want to go on my 'old' repetitive tangent about that. Instead I wanted to talk about other fitness challenges, (such as the half marathon I did just after starting this blog). I've always been passionate about fitness, health and nutritious food, a bit of wine, developing my elementary photography and travel/adventure so I wanted the tone of this blog to reflect that.
I am an open person, (I like that about myself in general), - although sometimes think I can be a little too open for my own good. I wanted this to be a fully public blog talking about stuff I would be happy for anyone to read so I linked it to my facebook profile and wanted to mention it to anyone who I met whom I considered may have been a bit interested.
However the last few months I have found my posts to be a bit repetitive on the yoyo weight thing with not a handle 'I'm happy with'. After a couple of 'glitches' turned into binges and more alcohol consumption than I was happy with over too long, - I felt embarrassed, still yearned to talk about it. So I took my blog link off facebook.
I will let you in on a little secret! One day in the next 2-3 years I wish, nah plan, nah will kick off a little fitness training business on the 'side'. I am not sure what my exact logistics or what my target market (s) will be. I am not aiming for this to be my full time job/business but I don't rule out future possibilities. This could be personal training, - either mobile, contracting at a local gym or from my home in future, or start off as a weekly fitness class in a park or at my home, or even starting by volunteering to take a weekly free 'fitness class' for any willing participants at a resthome once I get the necessary credentials. The thought is very exciting anyway!
This may work around another hospitality job or similar. Hospitality is good as it keeps up one's people skills! Perhaps I will work toward more employment in the sport/fitness/health industry or something associated.
There are a few books/blogs that I read/have read lately that I find really inspiring. The authors have been posting some really great stuff! I find different inspiring stuff leaps out at me from many different blogs and books, - but I fear if I start to list them, I will miss out someone important! ;)
I actually typed out a post a couple of days ago, but when I re-read it before posting I deemed it to sound really self indulgent and negative. In a nutshell it talked about many years of yoyoing behaviours, feeling despair about not being now where I want to be or feel I really 'need' to be but I had huge detailed descriptions and took about 5 long paragraphs to write it! Luckily I didn't post it and decided to go to bed!
But on a lasting note I will mention one book. That is my recent e-books I have read written by Michael Hill Jeweller! Why I mention him is that he really didn't put full wheels into action toward achieving his business dream till age 40. Up until then he worked hard at various stuff, but it took until then, and the catastrophy of him having his family home project that he put lots of effort into constructing.......burn down! Then being left with not much till he decided to take on his dreams! I guess most of us know about the success of Michael Hill Jeweller today, - and he is now about 74 and still fit, focussed and involved and doesn't even want to retire.....! The message I am taking from that, - is IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO START! If previous attempts weren't long lived IT'S NEVER TOO LATE!
My life is gonna take quite a few fun changes in the near future. While I don't at all aim for a 'marketing blog' as such, - I don't want it to be or turn into a whinge fest or place to vent day to day frustrations that is taken off my facebook profile. I guess a reason why I may blog frustrations is because I don't want to verbally do it with mates I see most days. With the view to starting a side business in a few years I would like to have a year or more of 'public blog posts'! I am still deciding whether over the next few months to delete/edit a few posts and re-create this..........or go for it 'third time lucky' and start a new blog. I have been giving this all a bit of thought amongst other stuff!
Other than that:
* 6 more days of work!
* 4 weeks tomoz till I fly out to Thailand!
* Back is getting better, still a little sore but can tell it's on mend, nothing major. Just took slightly longer than a week rather than a few days!
Till next time!
Pip :-)
I have been thinking about my blog direction, - pretty much over all of this year.
When I first started this blog, - I loved my vision for it, - and was happy with my first few posts, the photo posts, updates, news and what I consider interesting tidbits of my life! I loved blogging in that sense, and was really enjoying my attempts at photography even though I was having trouble at posting edited pictures to my blog.
When I first started this blog, - I was in a body composition/weight range that I wanted to maintain and again, - thought all binge issues/wildly yoyoing weight was GONE. So I didn't want to go on my 'old' repetitive tangent about that. Instead I wanted to talk about other fitness challenges, (such as the half marathon I did just after starting this blog). I've always been passionate about fitness, health and nutritious food, a bit of wine, developing my elementary photography and travel/adventure so I wanted the tone of this blog to reflect that.
I am an open person, (I like that about myself in general), - although sometimes think I can be a little too open for my own good. I wanted this to be a fully public blog talking about stuff I would be happy for anyone to read so I linked it to my facebook profile and wanted to mention it to anyone who I met whom I considered may have been a bit interested.
However the last few months I have found my posts to be a bit repetitive on the yoyo weight thing with not a handle 'I'm happy with'. After a couple of 'glitches' turned into binges and more alcohol consumption than I was happy with over too long, - I felt embarrassed, still yearned to talk about it. So I took my blog link off facebook.
I will let you in on a little secret! One day in the next 2-3 years I wish, nah plan, nah will kick off a little fitness training business on the 'side'. I am not sure what my exact logistics or what my target market (s) will be. I am not aiming for this to be my full time job/business but I don't rule out future possibilities. This could be personal training, - either mobile, contracting at a local gym or from my home in future, or start off as a weekly fitness class in a park or at my home, or even starting by volunteering to take a weekly free 'fitness class' for any willing participants at a resthome once I get the necessary credentials. The thought is very exciting anyway!
This may work around another hospitality job or similar. Hospitality is good as it keeps up one's people skills! Perhaps I will work toward more employment in the sport/fitness/health industry or something associated.
There are a few books/blogs that I read/have read lately that I find really inspiring. The authors have been posting some really great stuff! I find different inspiring stuff leaps out at me from many different blogs and books, - but I fear if I start to list them, I will miss out someone important! ;)
I actually typed out a post a couple of days ago, but when I re-read it before posting I deemed it to sound really self indulgent and negative. In a nutshell it talked about many years of yoyoing behaviours, feeling despair about not being now where I want to be or feel I really 'need' to be but I had huge detailed descriptions and took about 5 long paragraphs to write it! Luckily I didn't post it and decided to go to bed!
But on a lasting note I will mention one book. That is my recent e-books I have read written by Michael Hill Jeweller! Why I mention him is that he really didn't put full wheels into action toward achieving his business dream till age 40. Up until then he worked hard at various stuff, but it took until then, and the catastrophy of him having his family home project that he put lots of effort into constructing.......burn down! Then being left with not much till he decided to take on his dreams! I guess most of us know about the success of Michael Hill Jeweller today, - and he is now about 74 and still fit, focussed and involved and doesn't even want to retire.....! The message I am taking from that, - is IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO START! If previous attempts weren't long lived IT'S NEVER TOO LATE!
My life is gonna take quite a few fun changes in the near future. While I don't at all aim for a 'marketing blog' as such, - I don't want it to be or turn into a whinge fest or place to vent day to day frustrations that is taken off my facebook profile. I guess a reason why I may blog frustrations is because I don't want to verbally do it with mates I see most days. With the view to starting a side business in a few years I would like to have a year or more of 'public blog posts'! I am still deciding whether over the next few months to delete/edit a few posts and re-create this..........or go for it 'third time lucky' and start a new blog. I have been giving this all a bit of thought amongst other stuff!
Other than that:
* 6 more days of work!
* 4 weeks tomoz till I fly out to Thailand!
* Back is getting better, still a little sore but can tell it's on mend, nothing major. Just took slightly longer than a week rather than a few days!
Till next time!
Pip :-)
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Back Update, Life, The 'Mother' of ALL Challenges coming up.....
Hello all!
Firstly will say I have had a bit of fun lately! I had a work function on Friday evening, - the 25th anniversary for the company I work for. Therefore all employees, some ex-employees and owners from all 26 shops within the company were invited to come, party together for a few hours! Yummy cocktail snacks and drinks were supplied. Also an occasion to get dressed up! As party started at 6.30pm on Friday, I didn't really have time to go home from work, shower, get changed etc, then get back into the city. Therefore I took a spare change of clothes, shoes, makeup etc into city and paid $8 to have a shower in the city! I took my hair straighteners, but there were no powerpoints so I couldn't straighten my hair to feel fully groomed though! And of course had to carry a backpack with dirty work clothes, work shoes etc about. Great night! However a crowd of us planned to go out to the bars for a bit after the party. I wasn't allowed in......just because of my backpack! I offered to let bouncer look in bag, asked if there was a place it could be left but no..........therefore had to go home early!
Saturday was great! I attended a friends 40th, - it included a day out playing supa golf, visiting a chocolate factory, 2 local wineries for tastings and a local brewery for more tastings. We then went to the host's home for a BBQ and drinks around an outdoor fire! There were a good few of us, we hired a bus, - was a fab day! Pics of it are on facebook. Perth weather is being superb, - high 20's, bright sunshine, not a cloud in sky or no wind! I feel lucky to have great mates, - and also got to visit local places I hadn't been into to while living here! The Swan Valley in Perth is only a 20-25 min drive from here, (I have even driven there on a few occasions)! However going into wineries and breweries isn't something I have really done on my own, - instead I drove past them and went into the coffee brewery if on my own and driving haha!
Now for the back, - it is a pain in the arse and has been for a week now. Instead of walking freely at my normal pace of about 7kmph, I am now limping, looking a bit like a cripple and maybe covering 3-4kmph! I look like an older person getting up from a comfy seat! For example I need a prop, then I try one direction, - argh no, then another so I need to think a few seconds in advance before getting up from a seat, the lower and more comfy the seat, the harder it is to rise from. I feel so embarrassed about that! Particularly trying to rise from a seat on the busy train to and from work, - when I get a seat that is! Working is uncomfy, - on feet all day, bending, lifting, moving as fast as poss. I tried to talk boss into going home early on Friday, - no avail. Back feels great though, if lying down flat on it, or even sitting. As I can hobble about and sleep, I thought it would just go away by now and be back to normal but no. Ideally I would like to be granted a week or doing nothing lol! Anyway I think I will suck it up and go and see someone now, - such as a doctor. However all this is such a great expense.
Today I tried to walk the 6k to pick up car from Friday. I was hobbling with handbag at about 3-4k an hour and heard a runner come up on footpath behind me. I looked behind, got out of her way and stood on one side of footpath so I didn't disturb her running rhythm. She then asked if I was OK, - I said yes, just back was a bit sore hence the awkward weird walking but I was fine. She told me I looked really sore and asked me where I was going. I just said train station, 2-3k away at that point but I would get there fine. She pretty much insisted she took me as I looked in so much pain, (her home was only a couple of houses away!) She did take me there, she was very lovely, I did feel a bit embarrassed but there are still many kind caring people in this world! From that experience, - I decided to get it seen to. A runner picking me up cause I was a hobbling walker!
As for the 'Mother of All Challenges', - tomoz is the day, 17 Sept, I need to get my shit together for once and all. Cause of back, - training may still be a bit slow for a while. However nutrition, alcohol intake, (or less of it), time in bed must be on track/in control/in the 'zone'. Still I will be keeping off the scale, - but my day-day actions will tell me if successful or not, and over time whether fitness levels are increasing. A few weeks I should notice clothes getting looser. And I still want to become and stay binge free, - working forward, for good! Yep, I can do this! Eventually am working toward being a size 10 average, fitter than ever strength and cardio wise and maintaining the controlled lifestyle. Whether that means back at a fit 62kg or coming in with more muscle/strength at 64-66kg, - will remain to be seen!. Of course that is a good few months off. I feel fat now, bought some new clothes recently to try and feel attractive in the 'now', definitely can't afford to get any fatter, only leaner! There will be 'no diet', 'starting weigh in' or the like. Just controlled lifestyle habits I strive to keep, although the training may take a while to pick up again. Pretty much I want to adhere to being sugarfree, - just keep it to the odd social occasion to fit in in mindful small quantities.
There has it! That is all for now :-)
Pip
Firstly will say I have had a bit of fun lately! I had a work function on Friday evening, - the 25th anniversary for the company I work for. Therefore all employees, some ex-employees and owners from all 26 shops within the company were invited to come, party together for a few hours! Yummy cocktail snacks and drinks were supplied. Also an occasion to get dressed up! As party started at 6.30pm on Friday, I didn't really have time to go home from work, shower, get changed etc, then get back into the city. Therefore I took a spare change of clothes, shoes, makeup etc into city and paid $8 to have a shower in the city! I took my hair straighteners, but there were no powerpoints so I couldn't straighten my hair to feel fully groomed though! And of course had to carry a backpack with dirty work clothes, work shoes etc about. Great night! However a crowd of us planned to go out to the bars for a bit after the party. I wasn't allowed in......just because of my backpack! I offered to let bouncer look in bag, asked if there was a place it could be left but no..........therefore had to go home early!
Saturday was great! I attended a friends 40th, - it included a day out playing supa golf, visiting a chocolate factory, 2 local wineries for tastings and a local brewery for more tastings. We then went to the host's home for a BBQ and drinks around an outdoor fire! There were a good few of us, we hired a bus, - was a fab day! Pics of it are on facebook. Perth weather is being superb, - high 20's, bright sunshine, not a cloud in sky or no wind! I feel lucky to have great mates, - and also got to visit local places I hadn't been into to while living here! The Swan Valley in Perth is only a 20-25 min drive from here, (I have even driven there on a few occasions)! However going into wineries and breweries isn't something I have really done on my own, - instead I drove past them and went into the coffee brewery if on my own and driving haha!
Now for the back, - it is a pain in the arse and has been for a week now. Instead of walking freely at my normal pace of about 7kmph, I am now limping, looking a bit like a cripple and maybe covering 3-4kmph! I look like an older person getting up from a comfy seat! For example I need a prop, then I try one direction, - argh no, then another so I need to think a few seconds in advance before getting up from a seat, the lower and more comfy the seat, the harder it is to rise from. I feel so embarrassed about that! Particularly trying to rise from a seat on the busy train to and from work, - when I get a seat that is! Working is uncomfy, - on feet all day, bending, lifting, moving as fast as poss. I tried to talk boss into going home early on Friday, - no avail. Back feels great though, if lying down flat on it, or even sitting. As I can hobble about and sleep, I thought it would just go away by now and be back to normal but no. Ideally I would like to be granted a week or doing nothing lol! Anyway I think I will suck it up and go and see someone now, - such as a doctor. However all this is such a great expense.
Today I tried to walk the 6k to pick up car from Friday. I was hobbling with handbag at about 3-4k an hour and heard a runner come up on footpath behind me. I looked behind, got out of her way and stood on one side of footpath so I didn't disturb her running rhythm. She then asked if I was OK, - I said yes, just back was a bit sore hence the awkward weird walking but I was fine. She told me I looked really sore and asked me where I was going. I just said train station, 2-3k away at that point but I would get there fine. She pretty much insisted she took me as I looked in so much pain, (her home was only a couple of houses away!) She did take me there, she was very lovely, I did feel a bit embarrassed but there are still many kind caring people in this world! From that experience, - I decided to get it seen to. A runner picking me up cause I was a hobbling walker!
As for the 'Mother of All Challenges', - tomoz is the day, 17 Sept, I need to get my shit together for once and all. Cause of back, - training may still be a bit slow for a while. However nutrition, alcohol intake, (or less of it), time in bed must be on track/in control/in the 'zone'. Still I will be keeping off the scale, - but my day-day actions will tell me if successful or not, and over time whether fitness levels are increasing. A few weeks I should notice clothes getting looser. And I still want to become and stay binge free, - working forward, for good! Yep, I can do this! Eventually am working toward being a size 10 average, fitter than ever strength and cardio wise and maintaining the controlled lifestyle. Whether that means back at a fit 62kg or coming in with more muscle/strength at 64-66kg, - will remain to be seen!. Of course that is a good few months off. I feel fat now, bought some new clothes recently to try and feel attractive in the 'now', definitely can't afford to get any fatter, only leaner! There will be 'no diet', 'starting weigh in' or the like. Just controlled lifestyle habits I strive to keep, although the training may take a while to pick up again. Pretty much I want to adhere to being sugarfree, - just keep it to the odd social occasion to fit in in mindful small quantities.
There has it! That is all for now :-)
Pip
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
SORE BACK, NEW.....DRESS.....JOBS!
G'day!
I didn't mention on Sunday's post that I had a somewhat sore back. Sore enough that it restricts my freedom from powerwalking, or if I lean back a bit I get a slight 'spasm' I think feel that's uncomfortable. And if lowering myself somewhere or getting up, I'm using props a bit, and sometimes halfway through think, hmmm, pain, 'lets change direction'. In public I'm a bit concious of looking like an unfit older person as I have to grab some railing and get up slowly from a seat instead of jump out with complete freedom!l Lying completely horizontally on my back feels like magic. I am not sure exactly what caused this sore back, - but I know it happens on average about once every year or two and lasts about 5 days.
I never have an 'incident' where it suddenly becomes sore. I regularly do such stuff as cycle with a relatively heavy uneven load on my back for a reasonable or long distance. I also often pick heavier loads than most people without thinking straight off the floor, know I can become lazy with bending knees, lowering self to lift properly etc. Also when feeling slightly 'frenzied/outta the zone' my posture can be really bad I think. Also, for over 2 weeks I haven't done any disciplined weight training which is very naughty, - however I can't blame this injury on poor form from resistance work!
I left work early yesterday, it was expected to be a quieter day but in the end wasn't! Working was uncomfy, and I was prob going at 60% my normal pace if that all round. I do feel guilty putting it down as sick leave, - as I wasn't sick, just injured and ended up having quite a productive but enjoyable afternoon on my arse. So me being me, will prob deduct those few hours from my annual leave. I had a workmate and a couple of others tell me though, (them seeing me hobble about):
* 'Go to get it seen to at a doctors, demand being referred to specialist for an x-ray, it's your back, you have only one, don't worry about work till there is no pain! There may be issues that need treatment/operation/alignment, ....I know of such and such......who needed this and only known from a back x-ray'.....
* 'I have always had issues with my back, unless you regularly see a chiropractor to loosen it, various muscles/bones won't get enough oxygen. Your back is worth it, you have only one, look after it, chiro appts may not always be the answer but it's better to keep on top of it than not go. Once your back is stuffed, you lose everything sport wise'! (Enough to put shits up me a bit)
I keep hearing and know of lots of horror back stories. And at the whiff of a sore back, I am fortunate that many people have shown concern for me.
Once I went to a doc a few years ago to get docs certificate to be off work cause of a similar sore back - but they also gave me their recommendations, - tried to refer me to a specialist, told me I should have physio. But the money issues! That occasion I rang up my parents with the 'sob story'. Their ideas are:
* backs in a similar scenario to mine mend themselves, as do lots of lightly sprained knees, ankles etc. By all means google exercises etc, but don't be conned into spending money upfront for physios, scans, chiros etc upfront. Different scenario if severe pain lasts a good few weeks or if something is broken of course.
In all honesty I have always found this to be the case with me luckily!
Mostly within a few days. Once years ago I badly sprained an ankle by rolling it in a huge pothole when running , couldn't walk on it for about 3 days, then treaded lightly for a bit. A few weeks later I could jog carefully but it took a few months to reach the strength of my other ankle. About 3 months after that injury I explained my injury to a sports physiology tutor and she told me it would never heal fully,.....but it did very shortly after.
With my 'sore back' at the level it is, the luxury would be having this entire week off work, not moving much. However the 'reality' is working, sucking it up, being a bit careful, even if I only operate at maybe 70% normal speed all round. Either way, I think recovery time would be about the same.
Oh, I bought a dress from Veronika Maine! A nice one, (size 14) that fits now, suits shape as best as poss atm, has the potential to be taken in, (not that I have ever done that). Straight after work I went looking. I felt a slob in the dressing rooms seeing myself in dirty workclothes, (after working in food, cleaning all day, hair under a cap). I saw myself from all angles as the angles in Myer show us. Had no makeup, and pimples were more visible than I thought, I won't even get onto stomach area.
In general, secretly I think I can be quite attractive if I do hair such as straighten and comb it, wear nice natural makeup, concealer, mascara, eyeliner and wear decent clothes. Optimally I would like to look leaner and more toned, (particularly mid section right now). I deem best features to be arms, shoulders and legs below my knees, other than that smile! But I did look like a slob today at all angles in that mirror in work gear, straight after work!
So there we go!
Pip :-)
I didn't mention on Sunday's post that I had a somewhat sore back. Sore enough that it restricts my freedom from powerwalking, or if I lean back a bit I get a slight 'spasm' I think feel that's uncomfortable. And if lowering myself somewhere or getting up, I'm using props a bit, and sometimes halfway through think, hmmm, pain, 'lets change direction'. In public I'm a bit concious of looking like an unfit older person as I have to grab some railing and get up slowly from a seat instead of jump out with complete freedom!l Lying completely horizontally on my back feels like magic. I am not sure exactly what caused this sore back, - but I know it happens on average about once every year or two and lasts about 5 days.
I never have an 'incident' where it suddenly becomes sore. I regularly do such stuff as cycle with a relatively heavy uneven load on my back for a reasonable or long distance. I also often pick heavier loads than most people without thinking straight off the floor, know I can become lazy with bending knees, lowering self to lift properly etc. Also when feeling slightly 'frenzied/outta the zone' my posture can be really bad I think. Also, for over 2 weeks I haven't done any disciplined weight training which is very naughty, - however I can't blame this injury on poor form from resistance work!
I left work early yesterday, it was expected to be a quieter day but in the end wasn't! Working was uncomfy, and I was prob going at 60% my normal pace if that all round. I do feel guilty putting it down as sick leave, - as I wasn't sick, just injured and ended up having quite a productive but enjoyable afternoon on my arse. So me being me, will prob deduct those few hours from my annual leave. I had a workmate and a couple of others tell me though, (them seeing me hobble about):
* 'Go to get it seen to at a doctors, demand being referred to specialist for an x-ray, it's your back, you have only one, don't worry about work till there is no pain! There may be issues that need treatment/operation/alignment, ....I know of such and such......who needed this and only known from a back x-ray'.....
* 'I have always had issues with my back, unless you regularly see a chiropractor to loosen it, various muscles/bones won't get enough oxygen. Your back is worth it, you have only one, look after it, chiro appts may not always be the answer but it's better to keep on top of it than not go. Once your back is stuffed, you lose everything sport wise'! (Enough to put shits up me a bit)
I keep hearing and know of lots of horror back stories. And at the whiff of a sore back, I am fortunate that many people have shown concern for me.
Once I went to a doc a few years ago to get docs certificate to be off work cause of a similar sore back - but they also gave me their recommendations, - tried to refer me to a specialist, told me I should have physio. But the money issues! That occasion I rang up my parents with the 'sob story'. Their ideas are:
* backs in a similar scenario to mine mend themselves, as do lots of lightly sprained knees, ankles etc. By all means google exercises etc, but don't be conned into spending money upfront for physios, scans, chiros etc upfront. Different scenario if severe pain lasts a good few weeks or if something is broken of course.
In all honesty I have always found this to be the case with me luckily!
Mostly within a few days. Once years ago I badly sprained an ankle by rolling it in a huge pothole when running , couldn't walk on it for about 3 days, then treaded lightly for a bit. A few weeks later I could jog carefully but it took a few months to reach the strength of my other ankle. About 3 months after that injury I explained my injury to a sports physiology tutor and she told me it would never heal fully,.....but it did very shortly after.
With my 'sore back' at the level it is, the luxury would be having this entire week off work, not moving much. However the 'reality' is working, sucking it up, being a bit careful, even if I only operate at maybe 70% normal speed all round. Either way, I think recovery time would be about the same.
Oh, I bought a dress from Veronika Maine! A nice one, (size 14) that fits now, suits shape as best as poss atm, has the potential to be taken in, (not that I have ever done that). Straight after work I went looking. I felt a slob in the dressing rooms seeing myself in dirty workclothes, (after working in food, cleaning all day, hair under a cap). I saw myself from all angles as the angles in Myer show us. Had no makeup, and pimples were more visible than I thought, I won't even get onto stomach area.
In general, secretly I think I can be quite attractive if I do hair such as straighten and comb it, wear nice natural makeup, concealer, mascara, eyeliner and wear decent clothes. Optimally I would like to look leaner and more toned, (particularly mid section right now). I deem best features to be arms, shoulders and legs below my knees, other than that smile! But I did look like a slob today at all angles in that mirror in work gear, straight after work!
So there we go!
Pip :-)
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Weekend Update and F**K the scales!!!
G'day again! Hope it's been a great weekend for everyone! I have had fab weather here, paper said temp was to hit 29 degrees today, - I think it may have, it was fantastic/awesome!
I watched both footy games, - awesome displays from Fremantle Dockers last night and West Coast Eagles today! Finals footy is fantastic, - exhilerating to watch! I'm making the most of this as next year I won't be able to watch the footy, will only be able to go online to check up the scores and write ups on the games, players and news. Since I have lived in WA since Jan 2005, - I have gotten into enjoying the footy, being inspired by the players and checking out their hot bods as well!
BTW I have lived in QLD from March - Oct 2000, then again from April 2002 - Sept 2003. In 2001 I lived and worked in Queenstown NZ, from Sept 2003 - Jan 2005 I worked in Queenstown and Arrowtown NZ.
As for the scales, - no I haven't got on them since my last post or for infact, - 2 to 3 weeks I think. Going by my clothes and behaviours I would expect to see a number which really doesn't please me. It's not the scale number that won't please me, - it is also my behaviours, current 'look', actual fitness level etc amongst much else. But for some reason, - seeing the result on the scales could actually bring on tears, - not just frustration.
So,.......one may ask, - 'What am I going to do about it'?
I have decided to do pretty much the same as I was doing in the 29 day challenge with just a couple of small differences. The only differences are:
* Sugarfree objectives which applied to my 29 day challenge still apply, - only difference is there are occasionally parties and social situations where hosts make special efforts to plate up special cakes or desserts. Not partaking, (when everyone else is) feels awkward. This isn't a regular occurance and when it happens,I like to practice moderation and go with the flow, - however after party finishes, I need to get straight back to on track, sugarfree etc.
* At least 4 alcohol free days a week, with only ever drinking on a 'school night', - (ie an evening with work the next day) if there is an important party. Any nights I DO drink, - I have limits which I must keep within.
* The MAJOR difference though............................f***king off the scales!
Instead 'progress' will be measured by:
- how I stick to 'day to day' objectives, (whether I feel in a 'zone' that's going somewhere positive or in 'excuse making mode').......that one can start being achieved instantly. Making controlled concious choices rather than those........'I shouldn't but.........' ones which delay the inevitable!
- Weeks where training objectives are ticked off feel great, - go for those!
- I know fitness performances don't improve in a straight line, - but if the trends feel in the right direction, - that is fantastic.
- Unfortunately fat loss and re-body shaping needs to be a priority yet again, - for health reasons, to feel more attractive and achieve better fitness standards and to fit clothes. By looking in the mirror going by garments of clothes I know if I am making positive inroads here. I don't expect to see any major progress for 4 weeks here.
Basically the reason I want to f**k the scales off is, - I know I am lots fatter than I want to be, I know have gained a few kg at lightening speed in the last couple of weeks and mentally don't want to go through the same old slog with the scales just so soon to get rid of it yet again!
I would love to change some lifestyle patterns, action patterns and beliefs for life.
In the past if 'on track', I generally got on some scales at least once a week, often lots more. If 'outta the zone' and I know actions are heading in wrong direction and I'm wasting 'time', - then I can stay clear of them for months!
I'd love to make a behavioural change of making long term lifestyle changes without being a slave to the scale! I'm sure I will get on them at some point, (like an assessment to do with my course next year) but can't see any reason to this year step on a set of scales!
3 weeks of work left!
Talk soon!
Pip
I watched both footy games, - awesome displays from Fremantle Dockers last night and West Coast Eagles today! Finals footy is fantastic, - exhilerating to watch! I'm making the most of this as next year I won't be able to watch the footy, will only be able to go online to check up the scores and write ups on the games, players and news. Since I have lived in WA since Jan 2005, - I have gotten into enjoying the footy, being inspired by the players and checking out their hot bods as well!
BTW I have lived in QLD from March - Oct 2000, then again from April 2002 - Sept 2003. In 2001 I lived and worked in Queenstown NZ, from Sept 2003 - Jan 2005 I worked in Queenstown and Arrowtown NZ.
As for the scales, - no I haven't got on them since my last post or for infact, - 2 to 3 weeks I think. Going by my clothes and behaviours I would expect to see a number which really doesn't please me. It's not the scale number that won't please me, - it is also my behaviours, current 'look', actual fitness level etc amongst much else. But for some reason, - seeing the result on the scales could actually bring on tears, - not just frustration.
So,.......one may ask, - 'What am I going to do about it'?
I have decided to do pretty much the same as I was doing in the 29 day challenge with just a couple of small differences. The only differences are:
* Sugarfree objectives which applied to my 29 day challenge still apply, - only difference is there are occasionally parties and social situations where hosts make special efforts to plate up special cakes or desserts. Not partaking, (when everyone else is) feels awkward. This isn't a regular occurance and when it happens,I like to practice moderation and go with the flow, - however after party finishes, I need to get straight back to on track, sugarfree etc.
* At least 4 alcohol free days a week, with only ever drinking on a 'school night', - (ie an evening with work the next day) if there is an important party. Any nights I DO drink, - I have limits which I must keep within.
* The MAJOR difference though............................f***king off the scales!
Instead 'progress' will be measured by:
- how I stick to 'day to day' objectives, (whether I feel in a 'zone' that's going somewhere positive or in 'excuse making mode').......that one can start being achieved instantly. Making controlled concious choices rather than those........'I shouldn't but.........' ones which delay the inevitable!
- Weeks where training objectives are ticked off feel great, - go for those!
- I know fitness performances don't improve in a straight line, - but if the trends feel in the right direction, - that is fantastic.
- Unfortunately fat loss and re-body shaping needs to be a priority yet again, - for health reasons, to feel more attractive and achieve better fitness standards and to fit clothes. By looking in the mirror going by garments of clothes I know if I am making positive inroads here. I don't expect to see any major progress for 4 weeks here.
Basically the reason I want to f**k the scales off is, - I know I am lots fatter than I want to be, I know have gained a few kg at lightening speed in the last couple of weeks and mentally don't want to go through the same old slog with the scales just so soon to get rid of it yet again!
I would love to change some lifestyle patterns, action patterns and beliefs for life.
In the past if 'on track', I generally got on some scales at least once a week, often lots more. If 'outta the zone' and I know actions are heading in wrong direction and I'm wasting 'time', - then I can stay clear of them for months!
I'd love to make a behavioural change of making long term lifestyle changes without being a slave to the scale! I'm sure I will get on them at some point, (like an assessment to do with my course next year) but can't see any reason to this year step on a set of scales!
3 weeks of work left!
Talk soon!
Pip
Thursday, September 6, 2012
CAR SALE SCAMS......DECANDENT CARAME'L!......SLEEP DEPRIVATION........HOLIDAY UPDATE!
G'day!
Hmmm, well it's fair to say I have 'felt' busy, constantly 'behind' the ape-ball, (whatever that is) and outta the zone!
There are a few reasons outta my control for me feeling like this, (hard luck), but in all honesty lots of reasons are in my control!
OK, - start with car scams! Last weekend I was pleased with the fact I took on a project to drive somewhere slightly new and out of my normal 'narrow rut of driving'. I am a nervous driver, am very particular about roads I choose, and unless it is a very quiet road with just one lane on each side of the road, I am also picky about the time of the day I drive! Therefore going somewhere slightly 'new' or out of the way gives me a slight feeling of accomplishment! Anyway last Sunday morning, I drove to a bigger service station for the first time, used the commercial vacumn cleaner to vacumn the inside of my car, then I went through the car wash going for the top grade wash, polish and wax for $18! Then drove home, took some pics of the car. Then headed to a party on Sunday arvo.
On Monday evening after work I decided to post some ads to sell my car online. I started with the Quokka paper, couldn't work out the activation code process so gave up there! Then I tried www.gumtree.com.au, filled out all details about the car, after a bit I worked out how to downsize my photos so I could include them in my ad. I put up 6 photos! THEN, just as I was about to post, I lost the whole thing, - waste of a good couple of hours work! Very frustrating as it was bedtime! But determined Pip didn't let that stop her, so I tried again and finally got the ad posted! Felt slightly accomplished then and learnt new stuff in the process.
The next morning on my break at work I checked my smartphone to see if I had received any enquiries, and received 2! They both sounded normally casual, maybe Australian, I listed my car at a particular price but said it was negotiable in the ad! Both enquiries asked my 'firm price'. I decided to lower my negotiable price by $400 and responded to both saying I can 'do the car for that'. Their initial messages came to me via SMS, but they asked if I can please respond to their e-mail addresses and listed them, which I did.
The first response then came back to me saying the price and condition was fine, he would like to pay via PayPal, he is working overseas and would unfortunately not be able to come, view the car, wants to claim it for a holiday. He talked of his 'agent' organising a courier to come, pick car up from mine and taking it to wherever he wants to take it. I was feeling a little hesitant at this stage, but told him the car is his when I see the funds. Next he came back with garbage on how he is adding an extra $1050 to my asking price and how he would really like me to forward $950 to his 'agent' in England as that covers the courier cost. The other $100 is the 'transaction processing fee'. All said via e-mail in broken English I may add! We did a record day at work within the 2 years the current owner has had the business so that was all our focus yesterday. When I got to my phone after work this car 'guy' said he had sent the money for car PLUS $1050 to my account, would have PayPal e-mails notifying me of this, the money had left HIS account and can't be returned. For the money to reach MY account, I had to firstly forward $950 of my money via some money fund to England! THEN apparently I could access his money and he could organise details about getting the car! I did have a feeling it could be a scam, but I was concerned it wasn't, and he had really lost his money. He wanted prompt replies from me, expressed concern about his money etc. I annoyed lots of people with this story and my sister and her hubby were very helpful! Bloody hell I was stressed though, felt like a right dork and with the busy work days of late, record day at work yesterday, late nights, early mornings, things on my mind I felt tired, stupid and hopeless! And I had another similar sounding car enquiry first up e-mail from a different address and ignored it. The person now knows I know it's a scam, so the e-mails have backed off!
OK, as for holiday, I decided to try another phone call to ring travel agent. I still have flights, no evidence of funds from Kumuka, (who went bust). I booked original trip back in Feb! I still was undecided about whether to go on another similar tour which ended up sounding better but at a similar price to the original, - or just stay at a cheap resort in Thailand for the 18 days to try/save money or to not go! (I didn't want to not go). I did ring up my travel insurance company to try get a refund on flights and original tour. However Travel insurance only covers illness/accidents and lost baggage etc WHILE overseas, not cancellation of tours, that can only be done via the travel compensation fund which is already in process by my travel agent.
I will now confess the only reason why I'm not quite as excited about Thailand as I was.........was that in Feb when I booked it, I visualised going there as a fit, toned, athletic size 10 person who effortlessly looked good in a bikini, who prioritised keeping up a certain standard of fitness, (kinda in top 20% in my age group) and someone who had no food issues that concerned me but what I considered a healthy general standard! I had put in good bursts of activity to achieve this, just kept on undoing it which seems to have always been my way after I create some momentum.
Even when I started that 29 day recent challenge I knew I had rapidly put on some kg fast, thought there was a 50/50 chance I'd see 80kg. So seeing that 81kg on day 4 of that challenge really peeved me! I knew I was never going to see 62kg or even 68kg by time I hit Thailand then. I had just hoped to carry on the good work from my 29 day challenge, (I did so for a further week). So 5 weeks after the 81kg read, I saw 75.5 and felt a good bit fitter, noticed a bit more definition, but still was 32% body fat, knew I still wanted to get quite a bit leaner and fitter!
Well, the 75.5kg was a couple of weeks ago. If I was still on track/in the 'zone' and about 74 odd I would be happy enough about that. I had come to the conclusion if I stayed on track, in control, made sure parties didn't turn my habits outta control beyond the party, I would be satisfied to feel fit, in control going to Thailand at between 70-72kg odd. Magda, when I saw you in Adelaide I remember being 71.8 and actually if I am under 72kg, have been on track for a while, I am generally size 12 and feel 'reasonably attractive'. Top limit for the BMI read thing to be 25.0 or under is 72.5kg I think. I decided to aim and would have felt content if I had achieved that for Thailand.
But these last 2 weeks I have felt stressed, tired, under the pump, have binged, made friends with caramel anything, chocolate, cheese, wine, icecream, leftover shit food at work, just can't seem to get enough. Dunno what it is about carame'l! That means caramel sauce by the shitload, any icecream or gelato flavours with a strong caramel ripple and caramel sauce on top, caramel cheesecake, caramel mudcake, caramel 'slice', iced 'caramels', - new to the market! Thickshakes make with my favourite caramello type icecream, caramello chocolate! I like my hair colour even, - dark chocolate base with caramel coloured foils haha! After the carame'l/choc behaviour, came the 'cheese indulgence train' to get rid of that after sweet taste. Then with only 5 hours in bed, maybe having had added wine to hte mix the prior day, I wake with a 'junk food hangover/queazy stomach' that my mental belief tells me that only overly savoury brekkie food and lots of coffee is going to enable me to be as fast as poss, productive at work etc! All power of the mind of course! Going by how I feel, and my behaviours, I feel like that 75.5 has turned to somewhere around or at least 80 again these last 2 weeks but seeing that would seriously crush me right now! I have been active with not being in bed, racing about at work like a mad thing. But as part of the Ultra-ironman, the only thing I can record is an 18k bikeride on Saturday.
6 weeks tomorrow I depart for Thailand! 3 more days tomorrow will be my last day at work! Seriously under 72kg in 6 weeks is prob a too tough ask for how I want to go about it. I don't want to lose hard earnt muscle weight or create unsustainable habits in the lifestyle I want to ge in by losing it too fast to get there! I had further probs with itineraries/receipts which stressed me out yesterday when I was already stressed by the car scam nonsense but that takes forever to explain. But I think it will get sorted, - just hard work it feels!
So, - I have decided probably the best plan for me is for a change, - NOT weigh self for a good while, pretty much get back to a similar resistance/running/cycle routine that I was doing aiming for fitness progression on all fronts. Will accept I may have taken a couple of steps back but can still train hard. This training idea takes about 7 hours a week which I should be able to manage now. I do have a few parties on the horizon which will be fun but I still won't fit the clothes I would love to wear! Anyway the idea is to stay in control, (to a social level I'm happy with) at these social events, and be straight back on track after so I stay in control with behaviours I don't regret! I then can leave for Thailand feeling that I have been on track for 6 weeks, fitter than now, (I was getting quite fit so shouldn't be too unfit), hopefully a few fat kg less with clothes fitting better but if nothing fits or is deemed suitable I can purchase a couple of suitable garments from K-Mart. Also as a single traveller to feel safe, respect culture and not attract attention from unwanted people, it's prob best to wear loose coverup shirts and longer shorts than skimpy bikini type attire saying 'look at my hot bod' anyway.
With work feeling so busy, and too little time in bed till alarm, I am finding it all a struggle. But I admit lots of it is due to organisational planning, just finding the time to curl up, clear schedule, refocus etc is hard.........but I guess this is the real world, not earth shattering problems and to better myself for good, I need to choose a better way to deal with day to day annoyances/issues etc haha! I do know, I have a choice with how I act! I do also know, 'unwanted' urges die if we don't act on them. When 'tired'......a common excuse if 'can't be bothered', 'tomorrow', 'next week', 'next month' but it is terrible putting our 'ideal' life/behaviours on hold cause we are on a downer, tired, stressed or whatever! I do credit also I LOVE WA, Perth, - will miss it! I have created quite a bit here. NZ will be exciting, I see lots of opportunities, I just want to feel I give them a good shot to a level I am happy with when there, - not cloud it be behaviours of the last 2 weeks!
If anyone is still reading by the way, I applaud you! While I was 'almost' sucked in scam wise, I can be stubborn and determined. I know these are common issues, 2 glasses of wine tonight have put me in a good mood for now - lol, maybe expressed in how I wrote this! I love to be positive but am also fully about honesty too :-) And with everything happening, I NEED to stop spending excess money!
Till next time,
Pip :-)
Hmmm, well it's fair to say I have 'felt' busy, constantly 'behind' the ape-ball, (whatever that is) and outta the zone!
There are a few reasons outta my control for me feeling like this, (hard luck), but in all honesty lots of reasons are in my control!
OK, - start with car scams! Last weekend I was pleased with the fact I took on a project to drive somewhere slightly new and out of my normal 'narrow rut of driving'. I am a nervous driver, am very particular about roads I choose, and unless it is a very quiet road with just one lane on each side of the road, I am also picky about the time of the day I drive! Therefore going somewhere slightly 'new' or out of the way gives me a slight feeling of accomplishment! Anyway last Sunday morning, I drove to a bigger service station for the first time, used the commercial vacumn cleaner to vacumn the inside of my car, then I went through the car wash going for the top grade wash, polish and wax for $18! Then drove home, took some pics of the car. Then headed to a party on Sunday arvo.
On Monday evening after work I decided to post some ads to sell my car online. I started with the Quokka paper, couldn't work out the activation code process so gave up there! Then I tried www.gumtree.com.au, filled out all details about the car, after a bit I worked out how to downsize my photos so I could include them in my ad. I put up 6 photos! THEN, just as I was about to post, I lost the whole thing, - waste of a good couple of hours work! Very frustrating as it was bedtime! But determined Pip didn't let that stop her, so I tried again and finally got the ad posted! Felt slightly accomplished then and learnt new stuff in the process.
The next morning on my break at work I checked my smartphone to see if I had received any enquiries, and received 2! They both sounded normally casual, maybe Australian, I listed my car at a particular price but said it was negotiable in the ad! Both enquiries asked my 'firm price'. I decided to lower my negotiable price by $400 and responded to both saying I can 'do the car for that'. Their initial messages came to me via SMS, but they asked if I can please respond to their e-mail addresses and listed them, which I did.
The first response then came back to me saying the price and condition was fine, he would like to pay via PayPal, he is working overseas and would unfortunately not be able to come, view the car, wants to claim it for a holiday. He talked of his 'agent' organising a courier to come, pick car up from mine and taking it to wherever he wants to take it. I was feeling a little hesitant at this stage, but told him the car is his when I see the funds. Next he came back with garbage on how he is adding an extra $1050 to my asking price and how he would really like me to forward $950 to his 'agent' in England as that covers the courier cost. The other $100 is the 'transaction processing fee'. All said via e-mail in broken English I may add! We did a record day at work within the 2 years the current owner has had the business so that was all our focus yesterday. When I got to my phone after work this car 'guy' said he had sent the money for car PLUS $1050 to my account, would have PayPal e-mails notifying me of this, the money had left HIS account and can't be returned. For the money to reach MY account, I had to firstly forward $950 of my money via some money fund to England! THEN apparently I could access his money and he could organise details about getting the car! I did have a feeling it could be a scam, but I was concerned it wasn't, and he had really lost his money. He wanted prompt replies from me, expressed concern about his money etc. I annoyed lots of people with this story and my sister and her hubby were very helpful! Bloody hell I was stressed though, felt like a right dork and with the busy work days of late, record day at work yesterday, late nights, early mornings, things on my mind I felt tired, stupid and hopeless! And I had another similar sounding car enquiry first up e-mail from a different address and ignored it. The person now knows I know it's a scam, so the e-mails have backed off!
OK, as for holiday, I decided to try another phone call to ring travel agent. I still have flights, no evidence of funds from Kumuka, (who went bust). I booked original trip back in Feb! I still was undecided about whether to go on another similar tour which ended up sounding better but at a similar price to the original, - or just stay at a cheap resort in Thailand for the 18 days to try/save money or to not go! (I didn't want to not go). I did ring up my travel insurance company to try get a refund on flights and original tour. However Travel insurance only covers illness/accidents and lost baggage etc WHILE overseas, not cancellation of tours, that can only be done via the travel compensation fund which is already in process by my travel agent.
I will now confess the only reason why I'm not quite as excited about Thailand as I was.........was that in Feb when I booked it, I visualised going there as a fit, toned, athletic size 10 person who effortlessly looked good in a bikini, who prioritised keeping up a certain standard of fitness, (kinda in top 20% in my age group) and someone who had no food issues that concerned me but what I considered a healthy general standard! I had put in good bursts of activity to achieve this, just kept on undoing it which seems to have always been my way after I create some momentum.
Even when I started that 29 day recent challenge I knew I had rapidly put on some kg fast, thought there was a 50/50 chance I'd see 80kg. So seeing that 81kg on day 4 of that challenge really peeved me! I knew I was never going to see 62kg or even 68kg by time I hit Thailand then. I had just hoped to carry on the good work from my 29 day challenge, (I did so for a further week). So 5 weeks after the 81kg read, I saw 75.5 and felt a good bit fitter, noticed a bit more definition, but still was 32% body fat, knew I still wanted to get quite a bit leaner and fitter!
Well, the 75.5kg was a couple of weeks ago. If I was still on track/in the 'zone' and about 74 odd I would be happy enough about that. I had come to the conclusion if I stayed on track, in control, made sure parties didn't turn my habits outta control beyond the party, I would be satisfied to feel fit, in control going to Thailand at between 70-72kg odd. Magda, when I saw you in Adelaide I remember being 71.8 and actually if I am under 72kg, have been on track for a while, I am generally size 12 and feel 'reasonably attractive'. Top limit for the BMI read thing to be 25.0 or under is 72.5kg I think. I decided to aim and would have felt content if I had achieved that for Thailand.
But these last 2 weeks I have felt stressed, tired, under the pump, have binged, made friends with caramel anything, chocolate, cheese, wine, icecream, leftover shit food at work, just can't seem to get enough. Dunno what it is about carame'l! That means caramel sauce by the shitload, any icecream or gelato flavours with a strong caramel ripple and caramel sauce on top, caramel cheesecake, caramel mudcake, caramel 'slice', iced 'caramels', - new to the market! Thickshakes make with my favourite caramello type icecream, caramello chocolate! I like my hair colour even, - dark chocolate base with caramel coloured foils haha! After the carame'l/choc behaviour, came the 'cheese indulgence train' to get rid of that after sweet taste. Then with only 5 hours in bed, maybe having had added wine to hte mix the prior day, I wake with a 'junk food hangover/queazy stomach' that my mental belief tells me that only overly savoury brekkie food and lots of coffee is going to enable me to be as fast as poss, productive at work etc! All power of the mind of course! Going by how I feel, and my behaviours, I feel like that 75.5 has turned to somewhere around or at least 80 again these last 2 weeks but seeing that would seriously crush me right now! I have been active with not being in bed, racing about at work like a mad thing. But as part of the Ultra-ironman, the only thing I can record is an 18k bikeride on Saturday.
6 weeks tomorrow I depart for Thailand! 3 more days tomorrow will be my last day at work! Seriously under 72kg in 6 weeks is prob a too tough ask for how I want to go about it. I don't want to lose hard earnt muscle weight or create unsustainable habits in the lifestyle I want to ge in by losing it too fast to get there! I had further probs with itineraries/receipts which stressed me out yesterday when I was already stressed by the car scam nonsense but that takes forever to explain. But I think it will get sorted, - just hard work it feels!
So, - I have decided probably the best plan for me is for a change, - NOT weigh self for a good while, pretty much get back to a similar resistance/running/cycle routine that I was doing aiming for fitness progression on all fronts. Will accept I may have taken a couple of steps back but can still train hard. This training idea takes about 7 hours a week which I should be able to manage now. I do have a few parties on the horizon which will be fun but I still won't fit the clothes I would love to wear! Anyway the idea is to stay in control, (to a social level I'm happy with) at these social events, and be straight back on track after so I stay in control with behaviours I don't regret! I then can leave for Thailand feeling that I have been on track for 6 weeks, fitter than now, (I was getting quite fit so shouldn't be too unfit), hopefully a few fat kg less with clothes fitting better but if nothing fits or is deemed suitable I can purchase a couple of suitable garments from K-Mart. Also as a single traveller to feel safe, respect culture and not attract attention from unwanted people, it's prob best to wear loose coverup shirts and longer shorts than skimpy bikini type attire saying 'look at my hot bod' anyway.
With work feeling so busy, and too little time in bed till alarm, I am finding it all a struggle. But I admit lots of it is due to organisational planning, just finding the time to curl up, clear schedule, refocus etc is hard.........but I guess this is the real world, not earth shattering problems and to better myself for good, I need to choose a better way to deal with day to day annoyances/issues etc haha! I do know, I have a choice with how I act! I do also know, 'unwanted' urges die if we don't act on them. When 'tired'......a common excuse if 'can't be bothered', 'tomorrow', 'next week', 'next month' but it is terrible putting our 'ideal' life/behaviours on hold cause we are on a downer, tired, stressed or whatever! I do credit also I LOVE WA, Perth, - will miss it! I have created quite a bit here. NZ will be exciting, I see lots of opportunities, I just want to feel I give them a good shot to a level I am happy with when there, - not cloud it be behaviours of the last 2 weeks!
If anyone is still reading by the way, I applaud you! While I was 'almost' sucked in scam wise, I can be stubborn and determined. I know these are common issues, 2 glasses of wine tonight have put me in a good mood for now - lol, maybe expressed in how I wrote this! I love to be positive but am also fully about honesty too :-) And with everything happening, I NEED to stop spending excess money!
Till next time,
Pip :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)