Looking after myself

1. Went for my first walk/run of the year after work yesterday. I didn't push myself too much but was close to my typical time (40 mins for 3.3 miles) and was smiling all the way round. It felt so good to be exercising in fresh air again. 

2. We visited a housegroup last night to see how we fitted. I enjoyed it and it felt good to have a proper bible study after a long time without a group. 

3. Pilates after work today. She was kind to us on our first week back. 

Who'd have thought...

I don't really remember why now, but around the start of June I decided to try the "couch to 5k" podcasts from the NHS. I guess I was trying to improve my fitness levels, keep my joints moving, and maybe burn off a few extra calories. 

Well, today was the 2nd run in week 5. This is the week when it gets a bit more serious...  On Monday I ran for 3 bursts of 5 minutes each, with 3 minutes' walking in between. Today was 2 bursts of 8 minutes with 5 minutes' walking in the middle. Until today 5 minutes was the longest stretch I'd done. 

At the weekend I'll be trying for 20 minutes running with no break in the middle. Part of me thinks it'll be horrendous, but I didn't think 8 minutes would be possible either and actually it was pretty ok. 

Who'd have thought?!

Good as new

1. We wore pink to work today to raise money for Breast Cancer research. I found a cerise cardigan I've not worn for some months... I liked the feeling that it was something new (and it seemed to fit better than before too!)

2. I enjoy the good-humoured camaraderie with my colleagues. We take our work seriously but there's still time to laugh.

3. I went for a walk after work this evening, to try to persuade a sciatic nerve to stop complaining. I felt better for the fresh air and exercise. It's been a crisp, cold but sunny day.

Learning not to procrastinate

My challenge to myself to leave work by 5pm continued this week...
- I think the latest was about 10 past, the earliest was 4:30
- it's encouraging me to focus a bit more during the day: rather than thinking "I'll come back to that" I try to finish it off straight away
- I've completed 3 (out of 5) annual reviews this week, and where I would normally have stayed back when it was quieter to prepare, this time I've managed to fit it in during the day.  And they went quite well too...
- I've started a couple of tasks that I've been putting off as needing time to think through (and guess what - they're not so complicated after all)
- I finally remembered to bring in the booties I'd made for a colleague's new daughter.  I'd intended to make a bigger pair (she was 10lb 1oz, 3 weeks ago) but decided to bring them in anyway and explain I can replace them if needed.

I haven't managed as much guitar practice this week, but one step at a time...

A good day...

- I've set myself the challenge of making sure I finish work on time this week. So I powered through my To Do list, ticked off a few bits and bobs, and clocked out at 5pm. I enjoyed feeling organised today.

- The sun is still shining - what a boost!

- I made it to Pilates after missing the last 2 weeks. I managed to do more than I expected and can see definite progress in what I can achieve since the start of this year. Maybe the time off was a good thing...

- My prayer triplet were all able to meet together as well; it seems ages since all 3 were around at once so it was good to catch up.

- and I drove home in almost daylight. I love the long evenings when it's still light at 10pm.

relaxing, playing and reviewing

1. It's been good to have an evening in tonight - we've enjoyed some of the veg chilli I made for the freezer a couple of weeks ago, with a glass of red. Yum.  A few more calories than I was aiming for, but I'm not being too strict - it's all been pretty low fat, and is still a lot less than I'd been having over the last few weeks...
2. I've dug out my guitar again, to have a practice before housegroup tomorrow.  I played through some of the older songs which I'd forgotten.  Not sure what to use tomorrow evening yet, but we'll see.
3. I've been looking back over the knitted makes from last year.  I started a list of makes on New Year's Day to see what I made last year - I'd only got as far as the baby gifts, so now I've finished part 2 with knits for the home.  I'm enjoying looking back at my makes and reliving them.

Making progress

1. My Pilates class this evening was hard work, but I'm encouraged that I'm able to do so much more than I used to be.
2. My new eating patterns are starting to take effect: I feel much less full (bloated!) and I'm relearning how much I actually need ...and I'm regularly getting at least my 5 portions now.
3. The start of this year feels quite positive so far: lots to do but we're finally making progress.

restarting

1. The clearout continues... we took some more junk to the skip on Sunday (this time from the garage) and the brown bin is full of branches.
2. My own sorting-out has started too... I'm trying to relearn how much I should eat each day, and maybe lose the stone I've gained in the last year or so.  Not a diet (honest!) but "recalibrating" my thinking to know what a reasonable level is - I'm hoping it will help me to readjust so that I can stabilise at a good level.
3. And I've restarted knitting again after a long break over the Christmas holiday.  There's a 2nd mitt to finish after its friend was made last December, and the last piece of the garter stitch blanket when I don't want to concentrate on counting stitches.  And I've got 2 takers for handmade items in Pay it Forward 2012.

Christmas greetings and ready for bed

1. I took the biscuits around the office this morning - it was lovely to be able to offer something homemade and wish everyone a happy Christmas.  It's only a small thing, but I enjoyed it.
2. We had the lab clean-up in the afternoon, followed by the baking I'd brought and some fizzy pop from Susana.  She'd also bought a load of luxury crackers, so it was a very festive way to end the year together.
3. I've been fighting a migraine since yesterday evening, but not so bad that it's stopped me.  I'm looking forward to an early night tonight.

strength and catching up

1. I started the pilates class thinking I didn't have the energy or strength to keep up, but actually managed more than usual.  I can definitely see some progress in what I can manage.
2. Lovely to catch up with my friends afterwards for our prayer triplet
3. I've almost done the homework for next week's course!  It'll be sent in the morning.

weekend plans

On my own this evening... Andrew's gone to visit his brother for the weekend... so I'm watching too much tv.  I really should go to bed though - I'm incubating a cold and some sleep might be a good idea.

My weekend plans have changed a bit though

• my hairdresser has cancelled for tomorrow
• setting off for Sweden early on Monday (not Sunday evening)
• maybe going to go shopping in Carlisle tomorrow if I feel inspired
• I'm in Andrew's car too - probably not the best weather for driving with the top down...
• definitely looking forward to 2 mornings when I can sleep in :o)

fascinating and practicalities

yesterday:
trip with work to visit the Thorntons factory in Derbyshire...

• I nearly didn't go, but late on Tuesday it was back on!
• the air was full of chocolate dreaminess

today:

• feeling very tired after 400 miles on the road yesterday
• not looking forward to starting out at silly o'clock for Monday's travel, but there's a quiet voice telling me it'll be ok...

...and I've finally got my hair back to the colour it should be ;o)