Not as bad as I thought...

Checked my "stats" this morning and they weren't as bad as I thought, was convinced I would have gained weight this week but I haven't. Percentages fat to muscle moved (a tiny amount!!) in the right direction, so I feel a little less downhearted and am looking forwards again. Pinned a copy of the "Take responsibility" post below onto the fridge door and am just about to make a to-do list to try to prioritise and make better use of my time. Things TO DO - make a To Do List!!!

Still too much cake!

Pretty hopeless, me. Slipping up so soon after making all these big commitments. It's so easy to make excuses. We really haven't had a lot of time, but it really doesn't take long to do a wee bit of exercise, it's just so much easier to watch the telly and have another piece of toast! But, the funny thing is, if I was giving someone else advise, I'd be saying, forget it, it's a blip, it's done - the thing to do is start again and keep going, but somehow because it's me, I feel like I'm pretty useless having lost the way so soon after getting started and feel, because I'm really not in the habit of doing exercise, that I might never be and it'll always be difficult.

We met with my brother yesterday and spent some time talking about a course he is doing at the moment. One of the things he said was about this sort of negative thinking about yourself and a tool to help was to jot these thoughts down and go back to them later when the situation isn't so immediately personal and you could look at them more objectively. (Hope I've explained that ok - I know what I mean!!!) So, anyway, that's what I'm trying to do. Not get bogged down thinking about it too much, but just get on with it and do it. Pick myself up and start again... It's up to me after all.

I read something on another forum that I've copied below. I don't know if it's by someone famous or by the guy who wrote the post, but it is motivational so I don't suppose anyone will mind me copying it down here. Thanks to whoever it was anyway!!

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"Now's the time to grab the steering wheel of your life. Delve deep within yourself and take responsibility for your health and behavior. Ask yourself hard questions and face the truth of what needs to be done. Weight loss is not always easy or fair but you are the only one that can lose weight for you. Take a turn for the better!"

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PS Good news is that hubby got his bike today, boy it looks swish! Bad news is he's hurt his big toe (swollen, black and blue and **** sore.) Good grief!

Wish it was next week...

Yesterday we found one of the feral cats we feed (on a Sunday as part of a rota) had passed away. He didn't come running for his food as usual, so Hubby went looking for him and found him in one of the little "kennels" one of the other volunteers made for them. Poor wee soul. He lost his best mate, Hamish, not so long ago and was pretty down for a while, but had picked up again. Thankfully he seemed to go peacefully in his sleep, curled up with one paw over his face. Felt so down. Hamish (black and white) and his friend The Little Black Cat who have both gone to "Rainbow Bridge".

In the back ground is The Fluffy Cat who became so friendly she was found a home with one of the local vets.

The tri-colour at the rear is still part of the community at the feral site.

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RAINBOW BRIDGE

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"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... "

Author unknown...

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Today was difficult too (work stuff - that other story again, maybe I'll tell it one day!?) Then thought we'd pop into the bike shop to see if Hubby's bike was on the horizon. Thought that would cheer us up BUT it probably won't be in until next week now. Pah!

Have you ever heard of TRAINEO.com?

Again, thanks to the bike forum, http://www.bikeforums.net/ have joined Traineo a free site where you can log your progress on fitness and weight loss. (See the logos at the top of this blog) It has forums and all sorts of things to help with motivation. Have yet to really explore it, but it looks like a good tool. I've come to the conclusion that "going public" might give me the kick up the bum I need to keep at it! Let's hope so...

Too much cake...

Today was our first bike ride since my last post here. It was one thing after another - both reasons and excuses! We'd a visitor, so we were doing the touristy bit. It was fun - toasties and scones, and craft shops and bothies for sale, more coffee and cake and sitting chatting but no bike riding. What little weight I had lost I have regained!! Then we both had a bug of some sort - too much cake!!? Then it was foggy or too windy or it was raining, or I was too lazy or I was preoccupied with work problems but, again, that's another story and not for this blog. But today, although it was blowing a gale to start with, the wind died down, the sun came out, and off we went and it was great. Felt a bit tentative to start with, but did better than I thought. Again we went on the same route as before. I think we're kind of stuck with that until 1) hubby gets his mountain bike (soon - hopefully it should be delivered next week!!) and 2) I lose a little of my fear of the traffic. But the route we are doing is great for me learning at the moment. It's a bit hilly, has a few bends and it's quiet countryside scenery, averages just one car passing us on each trip. I think I am getting the hang of things now and just need (lots) more practice. There are woodland trails branching off it that we'll tackle once hubby has his MB and we are both really looking forward to that. My new padded-bum leggings arrived from the US. Have I mentioned this? I'll get on my hobby-horse again for a bit... It would appear to be impossible to buy large sized cycling gear in the UK. Obviously most of us stiff-upper-lippish Brits think that large women shouldn't be encouraged to get fitter and certainly shouldn't be allowed to wear appropriate clothing if we do! Companies here XXL size (if they do such a thing) is a size I'm not likely to be in a month of Sundays.

However thanks to some of the members of the marvellous http://www.bikeforums.net/ I discovered that I could buy big stuff there at a very reasonable price (even including the postage), so that's what I did. See below:-

http://www.aerotechdesigns.com/

There's another couple of companies I'll have a look at too. But, anyway, I would certainly recommend the padded bum pants! I've plenty of padding of my own, but they really seemed to make a difference! Not sure I'm built to look good in lycra, but who cares if it does the job! Just need something now to stop my face going beetroot red and I might lose my self-consciousness altogether!! So let's hope for another nice day tomorrow...