Gym Gin Game of Life

Ride in Peace Luis

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

This time last year Mum and I were in Barcelona. The purpose of our trip was to attend the Catalunya MotoGP in Montmelo (and we had fun using Instagram to follow in Jorge Lorenzos footsteps)

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My first gp abroad intensified my obsession with the sport (and of course the riders). Fans of MotoGP are very much like massive family – It doesn’t matter what your nationality is or which rider or team you support, we all get along. Mum and I left our hotel and walked towards Passeig de Gràcia, where swarms of people wearing T-shirts with 46 (The Doctor is popular everywhere and rightly so) 26, 99 and 93 (he’s Spanish after all) were walking in the same direction as us; we jump on the train and sat opposite two lovely Spanish ladies, one a Marquez fan (she seemed nice so I didn’t hold it against her) the other a Dani Pedrosa fan (love him). When you arrive in Montmelo there’s a short walk to the circuit – just follow the crowds through the streets (it very much reminds me of Twickenham on match days – people selling food, drinks and memorabilia outside their front doors) When we reached the circuit we saw the warm up sessions and I managed to get some good-ish pics of the boys and their toys before we walked down to our stand to find our seats.
Race time!! We watched the little buzzy bees of Moto3, our very own Danny Kent won – Yay!!  Moto2 followed seeing Zarco win and Sam Lowes finish in 4th. Then it was the big boys turn! I was wearing my I💛VR T-shirt (it was a tough decision between that and my Dani one) and mum wore her Vale one too. We were surrounded by Spaniards wearing Marquez tops and caps. Marc crashed out of the race – I punched the air and my three faves (Jorge, Vale and Dani) went on to take the podium steps.

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Crashes happen all the time, Cal Crutchlow can vouch for this (he’s always in the medical centre, stressing out his poor wife Lucy) I said I punched the air last year in Catalunya, I did; Marc crashing meant my fave riders got the trophies, but I never wish any of the riders harm. Lets say 90% of the time the riders get back on their feet, looking like Michelin men if the airbags have gone off (this was Marc last year, out of the race but absolutely fine just a little bruised); 9.5% they might need medical treatment, have some plates fitted to their collar bone or have an ankle pinned. Rarely does anything really bad happen. Yesterday however during free practice 2 that horrible 0.5% crash outcome occurred. Luis Salom, a proper little cutie, tattooed arms but with the most genuine smile and twinkle in his eyes crashed at turn 12 and tragically lost his life. Racing has its risks, all the riders know this, but racing is in their blood, they have such a passion for it. Yesterday morning Luis worn a T-shirt with this Nelson Mandela quote on “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up” These riders are very much living their dreams. Safety levels improve year on year and thankfully tragedies rarely happen, so when they do its extremely sad and upsetting. Ride In Peace Luis Salom #Mexicano39

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I will enjoy watching the race this weekend from the comfort of my sofa, keeping my fingers crossed for all my favourites to cross the line in podium positions. I’ll next be trackside in September for the British round at Silverstone and then I’ll be jetting off to Valencia in November for the final race of the season – I can’t wait!!

That was a rather sad start to my blog this week, but as in use these posts as almost diary entries I wanted to write something the sport I love watching.

What have I been up to over the past week.  Well in parts (the gym) not very much, in others (socially/dates) quite a bit.  So last Friday I was on a half day at work and when I finished at 12pm I drove to The Rowbarge at Woolhampton to have lunch with my gorgeous friend and her adorable new baby girl.  The sun was shining(ish) so we sat outside and enjoyed a glass of Pimms with our lunch and had a proper girlie catch-up.  I also had a scrummy cuddle with Ellie, the cutest little bubba around.  After lunch, I headed into town to have my hair cut (nothing exciting just a pre-holiday trim / weight loss aid)

Saturday was a rather lazy day, Mum and I popped into town for a little mooch around the shops (somehow I managed to purchase a new skirt for Florence – Oops) we then went round my sisters for a cuppa.  Sunday my sister was out, but mum and I still went on our family Sunday afternoon walk.  We didn’t go far, we drove into town and then had a little stroll along the canal.  Sunday evening, was date night.  I had another enjoyable evening with the cute Italian, we had dinner and then went back to his to watch a film.

Bank Holiday Monday – yay finally a Monday that I don’t hate!  I went to my sisters for lunch so she could update me on the events of her Sunday.  Then Sunday evening I had another date!  We met in Portsmouth and had a delicious meal in Carluccio’s followed by some drinks in one of the bars at Gunwharf Quays.  I had Tuesday booked off work as annual leave, so I stayed the night in Portsmouth and then spent the day shopping in Gunwharf.  Actually I was well behaved and the only purchases I made was a top for mum and a fathers day present ready to give to dad.  I did pick up numerous tops, dresses and handbags but somehow managed to resist (I think perhaps I’m coming down with something, it’s really the only explanation)

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With my somewhat hectic weekend I didn’t go to the gym for a whole week!  My first and only visit this week was Thursday nights HWP!  Very poor show!  I have even treated myself to new gym leggings to go with my new pink bra and top – I’m hoping my new outfits will motivate me and inspire me to get my Kim K down the gym (it hasn’t worked yet – But I’m certain Phil will help kick my arse Monday at PT)

I think I’m in for a quiet week this week.  The countdown to Florence is in full flow now, I’m so excited, the 19th can not come round soon enough.  We need to do some final planning, but other than packing really I’m ready and raring to get there.  I will of course be down the gym throughout the week, trying to get back on track and lose a few more lbs (before I pile it all on with all the scrummy food and drink in Italy!)

Until next time, thank you for reading.

L x

RIP Winston

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

Oh Hi! Yes, I am still alive! Apologies for the complete lack of GGGoL posts over the past few weeks, last night was the first time I’ve had really to write my blog (now I’ll struggle to remember what I’ve been up to – Old age and all)

Now do you recall I mentioned my car failed its MOT and was booked in at the garage? Well sadly Winston didn’t make it, his life support was switched off on Saturday 14th May, aged 10 years. We had some good times together, lots of fun journeys, my first trip to Cornwall, numerous drives to airports for my many holidays, lots of visits to Silverstone for the Motogp (my parking permit was still stuck on the windscreen). As one life ends another begins and I’m pleased to announce the safe arrival of my shinny Night Blue new Golf. He (yes my car is male) hasn’t officially been named yet, but I’m leaning towards Boris.

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What else have I been up to over the past few weeks. Well I’ve been rather naughty and I’ve been shopping (more than once) buying new outfits for my holibobs and I think I’m just about kitted out, I’ve got some new pairs of shorts, playsuit, shirt, vest top, dresses. I like to look stylish when I’m on holiday – Look good, feel good, and I am going away with my gorgeous little sister so I need all the help I can get from my outfits.  I’ve also bought a few new pieces for work (I’m telling you this gym malarkey is costing me a blimin’ fortune). Last Monday I debuted a gorgeous new H&M dress to co-inside with my first drive to the office in my new brum. I love new things.

So Florence is less than 4 weeks away now and I’m sooooo excited!! I’m usually really good at planning and organising holiday things (I’ve been on quite a few solo vacations over the past couple of years) but I think I’m almost too excited that I just haven’t been able to plan – Anything! So my usually not so organised sister has taken control and we have a vintage Fiat 500 self drive Tuscan wine experience booked – Perfect! We have a rough idea of what we want to see and do so things are coming together. I have also been informed that we will be eating at least one gelato a day, and will be eating the Italian way with our antipasto followed by primo, then secondo finished with dolce, all washed down with copious amounts of Prosecco and Chianti – I seriously can not wait; although I’m not looking forward to coming back the size of a casa.

Now, gym. I have been going, perhaps not as often as I should or I planned to this month and I do seem to have lost my gym mojo a bit; which is actually really sodding annoying! I’ve been having my usual PT’s with Phil and I’ve been working out with my fellow Moany Bitch, we’ve been to a couple more Spin classes, and I’ve been attending the Healthy Weight Programme (we did a core workout session last week – I feel like I should have abs like old school Peter Andre). At the moment I feel like I’m actually becoming less fit and fatter, although I know this isn’t the case when the clothes I’ve been buying are smaller than I used to wear (I even had to treat myself to a new pink VS Sports Bra on Saturday due to my shrinking bust!) It was lush shopping with my friend Saturday and being able to pick up smaller clothes off the rails, try them on in the changing room and for them to fit my body perfectly and flatter my ever changing shape. I think I might need to channel those feelings when I’m having my fat days at the gym, to encourage me to work my Kim K that bit harder – Bring the A game as Phil is forever telling me to do.

Dates! Now the cute Italian went home for a week at the beginning of the month, he’s back but we haven’t had a chance to see each other yet, we’ve been messaging and I might be seeing him Sunday.  I had been hoping I’d have another date lined up with someone else, but I’m obviously not in favour at moment – silence speaks volumes right!

It’s bank holiday weekend approaching and so far the only date I have set in in stone is catching up with one of my closest friends on Friday with her new bubba; well she’s five months old, but I haven’t met her yet. I’m so looking forward to snatching some cuddles. Other than that, I will naturally spend time with my mum and sister; we’ll probably go on another afternoon stroll ( we went to Snelsmore again weekend before last – No bog issues this time!).

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I think that’s me done for another week. Who knows when I’ll type again, I’m just so shoddy at the moment aren’t I? Shocking!

Enjoy the rest of your week and the bank holiday weekend (I do appreciate those few Mondays that I actually don’t hate and kinda love).

L x

No Ed, my legs don’t work like the used to before!

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

So here we are again another week has come and gone and I survived PT last Monday and my second Spin class yesterday – Yay me!

Last time you may recall I said that Phil had a HIIT workout planned for me. Well a HIIT session did take place, moany bitch Laura was on form, constantly whinging as Phil attempted to kill me. He has this obsession with making me run on the treadmill without turning it on! It’s just ridiculous – The belt is not long enough for starters for my legs to get up any form of speed and 45 seconds is too long to attempt it; 45 seconds honestly feels like 5 minutes. I was a sweaty disgusting mess by the end of my hour. Numerous expletives were used and I felt half dead, as luck would have it Phil will not be charged with manslaughter as I did survive and surprisingly I didn’t ache on Tuesday – Bonus. I did however suffer a broken nail, which I wasn’t best pleased with.

My PT started an hour later last week, so to kill a bit of time, I did what I do best and hit the shops for a spot of retail therapy. I thought I’d start having a little look around for holiday clothes (only 6 1/2 of weeks to go) and I left Next with two new pairs of shorts and a vest top. The shorts are actually already a little on the big size; I mentioned this to Phil

Me – I’ve bought some shorts ready for holiday, they’re a size 14 and they are already feeling a little loose – They’ll be ok for Florence though, I mean I probably wont lose any more weight before I go will I?

Phil – Well if you carry on the way you’re going and keep up with your gym visits, then yes, you could quite possibly drop a dress size.

Me – But I’ve NEVER been a size 12!

Phil – Well if you keep it up you might well be.

Me – Hmmm well perhaps I’ll keep hold of my new shorts for a few more weeks, I’ve got 28 days after all, but then maybe I’ll change them for a smaller size – Eek!!!

Now don’t get me wrong I’m loving the fact that my body is starting to change and take shape, and I love to shop, but the thought of having to buy a whole new wardrobe is actually a little daunting and stressful (not to mention expensive). With the weight and inch loss my feet do not want to be out done by and also appear to be shrinking. I normally wear a size 5, Monday evening I tried on a pair of 4 1/2 shoes in Next and they were a little big! So not only will I need to buy new work attire, casual and going out clothes, it looks like I’ll be needing a mass of new shoes too! I suppose on positive with the shoes is I’ll be able to buy from the kids range and save a few pennies on VAT.

Tuesday I went to the gym and did a sesh on the trusty bike – I lasted an hour and leisurely cycled just under 23km. Wednesday was my usual rest day, no gym, I did however get a bit of a lecture from my sister re dating. We’ve decided to agree to disagree.  Thursday was the third HWP class where we discussed emotional eating. When I think of emotional eating I feel like this is done when we are feel down and low, but of course that’s not always the case as when we are happy we also find ourselves eating (and drinking) perhaps in excess.

After the previous Fridays food and drink downfall, I had intending on being good, I failed. Friday lunch I went to the pub and had a scrummy goats cheese roll with chips and a cheeky glass of wine. Then my sister asked if I’d like to go round hers for a naughty dinner, so I ended up having a chicken korma – Massive OOPS! I did however go to the gym before consuming the curry so hopefully I’d burnt of a mouthful or two before I started eating.

Saturday my car was in the garage for its MOT – It’s failed. This lead to a rather angry, annoyed Laura who subsequently had a lazy day dossing around the house.   I caught up on some programmes recorded, which was good as I needed to free some space in preparation for this weeks MotoGP in Le Mans.

On Sunday we had another girlie Mummy and daughter afternoon stroll. We went to Snelsmore Common this week. Again another beautiful spot right on my doorstep that I’ve only been two a few times before (I was put off going there as a child as there are snakes slivering around up there). There are pathways to follow, which we used for most of our walk, but we did go off track slightly, which wasn’t the best idea for my sister who was wearing some white converses (these ended up very muddy as we trekked through some bogs)

Sunday evening I had another date with the cute Italian. We had a lovely dinner and then went back to his to watch a film – Overall an enjoyable night and end to a fab day.

Yesterday was Bank Holiday Monday so I didn’t have a PT session booked in with Phil. Knowing this you may be impressed to read that I went to my second Spin class! I didn’t get in from my date till gone 1am and when I got home I had a cup of tea for bed, so it was probably around 2am before I went to sleep. I’d set my alarm for 8am but actually woke up around 7:30am. I got up, had some breakfast (something I rarely do) and got dressed in my gym clothes ready for the 9:30am class. I went with my new gym buddy, fellow HWP attendee and moany bitch and we sat at the back of the room like naughty school girls. We didn’t however go unnoticed as Sam (who took the class) is my friends Personal Trainer, plus there were only 7 of us in the class. So normally my moany on a Monday is reserved for Phil, but yesterday Phil was off the hook and Sam witnessed my moody ‘Are you kidding me’ face as he kept telling us to increase the resistance. One of the tracks played was Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud – Jeez it’s no wonder Ed’s a millionaire, that song goes on for flippin’ ever! “When your legs don’t work like they used to before” No they don’t, they don’t work because Sam is outright mean (not a one off, he’s always mean apparently) and Mr Sheeran composes songs that last about 10 minutes!

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*disclaimer -Sam is not female, but this pic best represented me at the end of his torturous class yesterday*

So that’s me done, another week (and a bit) covered. Not sure what this week has lined up for me as yet (car’s going to the garage again tomorrow, so I’ll probably be angry at some point). Gym visit done tonight, night off tomorrow. I have decided that May is going to be my month for upping my game again at the gym and working hard to ‘Love Me’ before Florence, so be prepared for whingey Laura!  No dates set up as yet (the Italian is back home for a week, so won’t be seeing him). No other dinner dates planned that I’m aware of, so my next blog might be a little dull (my life is rather Eastenders though so I’m certain that won’t be the case)

Hope you all have a fantabulous week.

L x

3, lost count & zilch.

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

I can’t believe how quickly last week flew! Seven days pasted in a flash. So what did last week see me getting up to? Well standard Monday – Starts with me as always being all Boomtown Rats asking the question “Tell me why I don’t like Mondays?” Once I’ve got halfway through the day my mardiness is at a high but stable level and I then have to try and psych myself up for PT. So I must admit I wasn’t looking forward to seeing Phil as I thought I would get told off for not going to the gym and for not doing that leg paralysing workout sheet he gave me the week before. To be honest I don’t think he was impressed with my lack of gym visits however I couldn’t walk; a simple visit to the toilet felt like it took about hour round trip, so there wasn’t much I could do really. Monday he went easy on me, thank god. But I’ve been told I need to bring my A Game this week – Eugh! This week Phil has told me we’ll be doing a HIIT session, now I’ve told him its more likely to be a LIIT or MIIT – I’ll fill you in next week (if I survive).

Tuesday evening I met up with my new gym buddy and fellow HWP member and we did our own little circuit sesh. We established that we are both moany bitches in our PT sessions, but apparently this isn’t reserved solely for our trainers, as we also bitched and moaned to ourselves doing the exercises we’d chosen and set up – Go figure. Wednesday as you know is my evening away from the gym. Thursday was the second HWP. Only half the group could attend this week, but we’re off to a promising start with a total of 11kg lost between the 5 of us there for weigh in. The food class covered portion control and the gym class this week worked on our core muscles. After the 30 minute gym class Helen was taking a Spin class and somehow managed to persuade 3 of us to join her. Well that may well be my first and last Spin class! It’s hard work and I was a sweaty mess at the end of the 45 minutes. I am however amazed that my legs did not ache at all post workout. I was convinced that I’d need a scooter to get around Friday/Saturday, but no, my legs completely surprised me and caused me no issues what so ever. Amazing! So perhaps I need to give Spin a second chance.

There was no gym Friday night (sorry Phil) because I had a dinner date with one of my besties for a very long overdue catch up and gossip. Now I had intended to be good and sensible and not actually drink lots (I’ll admit now that I also had a cheeky Pinot a lunch) but some evenings don’t go to plan and a number of cocktails were consumed – Oops! How do you go from classy civilised Cosmopolitans and Espresso Martini’s to copious messy cheap Hubba Bubba cocktails?? The evening goes from Sex and the City to Towie in a clink of a plastic glass. Oh dear. This being said I did as always have a fabulous evening – Thanks Chick – Mwah x

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Thankfully I had foreseen that Friday night could get a little messy and I’d pre-empted a Saturday morning hangover and so took some Ibuprofen at the start of the evening. I got to my sisters (my night out crash pad) around 3am was asleep by around 3:30am and alive and kicking at 8:30am Saturday morning. Impressive given the nasty cocktails we’d been drinking. Now although I was feeling fine, I still opted to have a lazy Saturday spending half the day with my sister before heading home. Sometimes a chilled out weekend is required (I am getting old after all).

Yesterday I had a lush day with my sister and mum and we went for a walk / hill climb at Beacon Hill. This place has been on our doorstep all these years, but it was actually the first time we’ve ever been there. Gorgeous views of the Berkshire and Hampshire countryside and Highclere Castle aka Downton Abbey. After our trek we headed back to my sisters for a scrummy roast dinner. Yummy. After dinner I headed home to watch the MotoGP race which saw my Yamaha boys clinching the first and second step of the podium – Yay. So the weekend concluded on a high just as it had started on Friday evening.

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Sadly there have been no dates this week and subsequently no board games played. A potential date with the cute Italian may be on the cards for Sunday, but nothing is set in stone just yet. I will of course keep you posted.

Hope you all have a fantabulous week.

L x

 

 

Dates, diets & dumbbells

~ lorz83 ~ 2 Comments

Perhaps you thought Phil had killed me off on the 1st of April given I’ve not written a post since the end of March – Well he hasn’t and I am very much here, alive and shuffling.

So what have I been up to in the 2 weeks since I wrote my last post. As you may remember a month or so ago I told you that I’d been asked to write some posts starting in April, the first of which you may have read yesterday. For the next 11 weeks I along with 9 others will be attending Newbury Nuffields Summer Healthy Weight Programme and I will be blogging about it so people can follow my progress and get some insight into what the course is all about. Unlike Weight Watchers where you count points or Slimming World where you have different coloured days and syns the HWP looks more at eating clean (makes me think of The Body Coach Joe Wicks and him saying “Midget Trees”) and making the right choices for each individual. We’re all different, we all break food down in different ways, this may be due to conditions or illnesses, lifestyle, age, intolerances any number of factors and so this course will educate us and help us find what works for us (and what doesn’t) and make the right choices. So Kim the Kiwi (I think I may start calling her Kimwi – What do you think Kim?) is going to help us with the foodie side of things. We all have to complete a food diary, whereby honesty is the best policy, which Kim will look at and advise if she believes changes can be made. She will also be providing us with recipes, she made some delicious protein bars for Thursdays introduction session (she was coming across a little like a feeder though so we may need watch out for that). Then there’s Helen who looks after the fitness side of the programme, so while Kim looks at what we put in our bodies, Helen looks at the output we can achieve from the food we’ve eaten to fuel our bodies and puts us through our paces to burn as much energy as possible. And she certainly had me burnt out Thursday evening – I was knackered! I believe there are still spaces on this current course if any of you are interested or perhaps after you’ve read my weekly posts you’d like to join the next round; contact Nuffield on 01635 899255 for more info.

My dates with Gym have been a little lacking lately, but the visits I have made I’ve tried to really work my Kim K off. In my last post I said how I was having my PT session on the Friday due to the Easter break, well I did go to the gym and I did see Phil however neither of us were really in the ‘zone’ so I spent the hour on the exercise bike and Phil sat with me and we just had a good old gossip – The perfect work out for me. Monday it was back to normal and PT straight after work. After Fridays skive, Phil had told me I needed to bring my ‘A Game’ to the gym for PT, well I think I went to the session at more of a B, possibly a B+ Game; Phil wasn’t standing for this and pushed me hard on the Wattbike and by the end of the workout I was at an A-, perhaps an A and he was relatively pleased with my efforts. On the Friday as part of the HWP I had a session with Steve (yes, I’m becoming a bit of a Personal Trainer hussy it would seem) who again put me through my paces on the Wattbike and then the Lateral Trainer. Its good to mix things up a little and work with other people as we all do things our own way. Phil did keep a beady eye on me whilst I was working out with Steve; this went against me on Monday when he really cranked my programme up a gear as apparently he’d seen how hard I was working for Steve so thought he could push me harder. Ouch! That’s all I can say. My legs have never felt so heavy and stiff in all my life, walking was the hardest task EVER! They still felt like lead Thursday evening when Helen had us doing circuits!

I told you last time that I’d been ‘playing’ Tinder and you may also recall that I went on a date at the end of February and I hadn’t ruled out seeing him again. Well I have seen him again, I saw him Wednesday before last and again yesterday evening. I’m not 100% certain there’s a spark there but we do get on well so who knows where it will go. I also went on a date last Sunday evening with a cute Italian (gorgeous accent and a designer wardrobe to make any girl jealous) and had a really nice time, so hopefully I’ll be seeing him again soon; watch this space.

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Well that should have you all caught up with what’s going on in the world of Me. PT tomorrow and week 2 of HWP on Thursday, with a gym and sister visit in between and perhaps a date who knows. Oh and its now only 9 weeks until I’ll be saying Ciao Firenze – So excited!

L x

Tea and I’m Toast

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

So the Easter bunny has now been and gone and although I didn’t actually receive any eggs I have consumed the odd Malteaser Bunny or two I’m feeling rather mahoosive. The lack of dates with Gym probably hasn’t helped matters. I caught a hideous cold last week and so over the bank holiday weekend I felt pretty grotty. I had PT last Monday and I honestly lost count of the number of times I told Phil I couldn’t do one of the tasks he set me; I’m shocked he didn’t clout me around the head with a nearby kettlebell in truth. My legs were feeling dead throughout Tuesday but I still detoured to the gym for my evenings bike session – Jeez was that tough. Seriously had I been on an actual bike I would have fallen off it because I was pedalling soooo slowly. The plan was to go for a lunch time walk on Wednesday, but when I woke up my legs felt like lead and moving was such a challenge the walk was replaced with a trip to the pub (sadly no gin, just a diet coke). As Wednesday progressed so did the poxy cold someone had so kindly decided to share with me. I’d booked Thursday off work to extend the Easter break and had intended to go to the gym and spend a good few hours there – No, that did not happen as I woke up feeling like death! Friday and Saturday I pretty much felt the same so again there were no dates with gym.

For an Easter Sunday treat my sister treated Mum and I to afternoon tea at The Vineyard (one of my absolute favourite places) We had full afternoon tea with matching Lalani teas – So we had three different teas to complement the three courses, sandwiches, scones and cakes. It was all very delicious and naughty and again is another factor to me having a fat week.

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This weeks PT has been moved to Friday as Phil went away for the long weekend. I had planned to go and do my own workout but then I woke up and saw Joe Wicks, The Bodycoach, was doing a Live HIIT workout on Facebook at 9:30am so I decided I’d give that a go instead of my solo gym visit. So around 9am I changed into my gym clothes, turned my laptop on and along with 18,000 others around the world jump up and down around my living room working up a sweat.   Although it was hard going at times, Joe does make it fun and I stuck with it for the whole workout (which lasted around 35 mins including warm-up, workout and stretches) I’ll definitely do more of his workouts especially if he does them at weekends, when I really can’t be arsed going to the gym.

Ooh so I’ve booked another holiday – Eek!! Betty aka Mum and I will be jetting off to Valencia in November for the last MotoGP race of the season and some last minute winter sun. So i’ve not got Florence and Valencia to look forward to and although my Italian hollibobs is only 12 weeks away I do still feel like I need to fly to warmer sunnier climes before June (perhaps I can get a last minute deal in April?!?)

I’ve been having a little fun playing on good old Tinder (yes yes that tragic comical dating app) Being single is tough, I feel like the search for eligible men is a full time job. Where are they all? Where are all the ‘normal’ decent, tall, dark, handsome, available* (key word, I am often attracted to those currently attached, which isn’t ideal) My sister / dating competitor shared some of the tragic, pass the sick bowl chat-up lines she’s been subjected to recently, I thought i’d share them with you for a giggle.

“I hear you’re good at algebra, could you replace my X without asking Y” and “Wow – Your name should be Google because you’ve got everything i’ve been searching for”

Do you see and appreciate what us single girls have to deal with? Honestly its stressful – thank goodness for gin and wine that’s all I can say.

Ok well that’s be done for tonight I think – Providing Phil doesn’t kill me off Friday I shall try and write another piece over the weekend.

Until then sweet dreams.

L x

 

Jiggly bum and men in leather

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

Apologies I’ve been exceptionally rubbish the past week or so – Minimal gym visits, a serious lack of gin consumed and gaming appears to be on pause.

So last week I only worked out once! Worst week EVER!! I’ve not been feeling all that well the past few weeks, I’ve been feeling sick and had a really nasty pain under my ribs and back but despite this I still headed to the gym last Monday for my PT session. I was late arriving as I was in a meeting at work that overran, so when I arrived Phil was set to cram an hours workout into 45 minutes; well that was until I told him about the pain I had. Phil was concerned (see he’s a softy really) that my symptoms could be appendicitis so with that he ordered I stopped warming up on the bike and drove myself to the doctors to get checked out. Believe it or not, but I was actually really annoyed and disappointed to be leaving the gym without working out (I did however walk out of the gym looking the best I ever have, makeup and hair completely in tacked). I detoured to the doctors surgery on my way home and was impressed at how quickly I was seen. The doctor ran some test and gave me some antibiotics for an infection and sent me on my way. I managed to drag myself back to the gym Tuesday where I did my usual on the exercise bike and also went on the cross trainer then I got my cossie on and did 24 lengths in the pool which concluded my gym visit for the week. See I told you I was completely rubbish!

So I was happy and pleased to see Phil on Monday for my PT – Not that Phil or anyone else would think that I was happy to be there given Moaning Myrtle was out in force! Now as I’ve previously mentioned I’ve always been rather pleased with my derrière, but something has happened to it recently and i’m not happy about it. I told Phil and had him in hysterics.

Me: “Something has happened to my bum! It’s gone all jiggly and squidgy and I’m not happy about it! What the hell has happened to it?!? Is it this sodding bike? Has the bike ruined my previously pert(ish) bottom? I’m telling you that if someone was to hit my Kim K now they will sprain their wrist from the ricochet!”

Phil: (Laughing) “That’s so funny”

Phil assures me it’s not the bike per se, but is down to my gym visits and that it is a good thing meaning my workouts are working and it will firm up again. It had better tighten up – I’m livid with its current form.

After Phil burnt a few extra calories laughing at me he had me doing butt exercises – I don’t think he listened to me properly when I told him it had gone all jiggly and any muscles I had there appear to have gone into hiding as he was telling me to clench my bum, which is difficult when you don’t seem to have anything to clench!

I didn’t go Tuesday evening as I went back to the doctors for a check-up and was told all’s ok and that it’s probably just muscular pains. Wednesday is sister night so no gym. I went Thursday, bike and cross-trainer. I didn’t go last night which was bad so to make up for it I went today – Yes a weekend visit!! I had to get some new tyres so whilst they were being fitted I walked down to the gym did just over an hours workout before heading back to collect me car. A productive Saturday.

From this weekend through to November many of my weekends will be taken up with men in leather as the 2016 MotoGP season gets under way in Qatar. Tomorrow evening is race time and I’ll spend the entire 45 minutes with my fingers crossed for my favourite riders to do well. I’m very much team Yamaha, with Jorge Lorenzo hoping to maintain the World Champion title and the legend, The G.O.A.T, The Doctor Valentino Rossi hoping to get his 10th title following on from the nail biting final race in Valencia which saw Rossi start from the back of the grid following an ‘incident’ with Marc Marquez (I’m not a Marquez fan – in fact I risked getting lynched by his natives in Catalunya when I screamed and punched the air when he crashed out the race). Although I’m backing the boys in blue, I do (because its me and can’t just have one/two faves) I would absolutely love Dani Pedrosa to win. He’s come close numerous times but never seems to have luck on his side. I’m hoping that perhaps Jorge may have thrown the bouquet at the end of 2015 and Dani’s caught it. I will also be backing all the Brits: My buddy ‘The Honey Badger’ Cal Crutchlow, Local Lad Bradley Smith who I hope has another good year as there’s some uncertainty over Tech 3 renewing his contract for 2016, Scotty Redding is looking set for an amazing season on his new ride Octo Pramac bike. Then in Moto2 we’ve got Sam Lowes who has qualified in 2nd place for tomorrows race and the reigning Moto3 World Champion Danny Kent; another local lad who did so well last season to become the first British Champion since the late great Barry Sheene. Sorry for those not interested in bikes, this will all be very boring, but seriously you should watch at least one race – 45 minutes of slick calculated physical racing may have you sat on the edge of your seat and hooked like me (the men in leather is an added bonus)

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I’ve been asked if I’ve been on any more dates since my last a few weekends ago, the answer to which is no. We have been exchanging messages however I’m just not really feeling it. There wasn’t a spark, I didn’t feel my heart racing. So no scrabble or game of life is occurring at present. There is a game currently on pause, whether I’ll hit play again anytime soon or hit the reset button I don’t know; I’ll keep you posted.

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I think that’s about all I have to type about for this week – another rather boring one I’m afraid. I’ll try harder to have a more interesting week. Oh I have been asked to write a few posts starting in April, so I’ll definitely have things to blog about then, so watch this space.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

L x

Mission Love Me – Work in Progress

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

I’ve had a rather uneventful week, so I’ve not really got much to write about – Hallelujah I hear you all cry.

I had quite a few comments after my last blog, all of which were positive, so thank you for reading and sharing. When I met with Phil on Monday he said after reading my blog he was expecting a really fired up motivated Laura – Um No! I hate to break this to you Philip but I’m not sure you’ll ever have a pumped up, motivated Laura on a Monday – Sorry. Needless to say I was very Moaning Myrtle throughout the hideous workout he had me do. I do often think that Phil is delusional and from another planet, however he does seem to be whipping my butt (thighs and arms) into shape, just need to lose the rubber ring from around my waist and I’ll be a much happier me.

I was told this week at work that I looked like a Disney Princess – A lie I think, however if my Prince Charming (or The Beast, I feel I was vibing Belle on Wednesday) would care to find me anytime soon I won’t complain (for a change)

Over the past week or so I’ve been told by quite a few people that I’m “looking good”. Those two little words mean so much to me, even if I still don’t often believe myself, its a massive boost and again contributes to Mission Love Me – So thank you. Mission Love Me isn’t so much about looking good, although it does play a pivotal role, its more about feeling good; and I am beginning to feel good(ish) about myself so my mission status is – IN PROGRESS.

Today is Mothers Day (or Betty’s Day as my Sister and I call it) T and I took Mummy Roberts out for a scrummy lunch at The Carnarvon Arms. The perfect Sunday spending time with my two favourite ladies. My Mum is lush! After my mopey week last week she thought I needed cheering up and so gave me this gorgeous leather jacket I’d fallen in love with a month or so ago in the Mint Velvet sale (she bought it for my birthday but after seeing my sad little face when I went into the shop to see if it was still there only to find no sale items at all she gave it to me early) – Thanks Betty you’re the best, Love you x

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Wishing all my mummy friends a Happy Mothers Day – I hope you’ve all had a fab day, especially those who have celebrated their first Mummies Day.

See I told you not much has happened this week, so that’s me done I think. Hopefully I’ll have a more eventful week, perhaps my Knight in shining armour will turn up (wishful thinking perhaps)

L x

The Fat Friend

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

It angers me so much when perfectly healthy gorgeous women are labelled the ‘Fat One’. Jesy Nelson from Little Mix has been the target of yet another abusive attack following the bands performance at The Brits Wednesday evening. Why are girls so sodding spiteful?!? How many of the nasty insignificant girls (they’re not women) would have the courage to even get up on stage in front of thousands of people, let alone get up on stage in a skimpy outfit! I know I wouldn’t be able to.  People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones!

Having always been the ‘Fat Friend’ I feel an overwhelming respect towards Jesy. Let’s face it if you’re even one dress size larger than your friends you’ll always look bigger. That being said a size 12 is not big, far from it.

I hated school. The reason for this was bullies. I’ve already mentioned that I was the ‘Big’ one (I was around 5ft 6″ and a size 14 when I started secondary school) and I had it all stacked against me; I had acne (the joys of PCOS) my hair was auburn with a natural wave to it (pre Ghds) I had train tracks and I became short sighted at 14 so began wearing glasses (thankfully only to read the whiteboard and my lovely mum bought me Gucci glasses, so they were fashionable at the time). Seriously I was a bullies dream, handed to them on a plate (or school bus).

Weight and size should mean nothing – Personality and confidence is what counts. That being said, when you’re constantly faced with images of Skinny Minnies and you hear or read nasty comments about larger women it’s often difficult to believe that’s true. I mean my ‘Mission Love Me’ is basically about me losing weight so that I will love myself and change my body to became what I perceive men want. Those vindictive words said to me whilst growing up got me to my core, I remember every single jeer, every tear I cried. In many ways I’m thankful to the bullies, they gave me my hard mardy exterior, to which many may get the impression that I’m confident; but really I’m shy and the bullies left me with scars, scars from a battle at 32 years old I’m still fighting. ‘Mission Love Me’ is just that – I go to the gym now (still not as often as I should) to help me feel good about myself. To change my body, and my state of mind. No matter how much my body changes, I will always be the ‘Fat Friend’ and I fear I will always be in the search of ‘perfection’.

Gym visits this week = 3

Not my best efforts I know, and again I do feel bad. I went on Monday for PT for another session of torture fun! I said to Phil that I’m basically the female Karl Pilkington – I’m always moaning haha. I also hit the gym Tuesday and Thursday. I should have gone Friday, but I just wasn’t feeling it this week. It was a really long week, that had got me a little down and more mardy than the norm so I just wasn’t in the mind-set for working out.

On Wednesday I got some news that I wasn’t expecting nor was I prepared to see. It upset and made me angry even though there was no reason for it to which then makes me even more angry for being annoyed and angry in the first place – Does that make any sense at all? Either way my gorgeous sister sensed and knew that I’d be feeling mopey so she came over for dinner with a lovely bunch of roses to cheer me up – Thanks Sissy x

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Last night I went for dinner with one of my oldest friends, we’ve know each other for 17 years now, which is crazy! We had a lovely meal in Bills and I caught her up on my ‘Eastenders’ soap opera life. There were lots of “No!” “I can’t believe it” and “WTF” said through out story time last night, as tragic as my life is, it does make my friends and me giggle and smile.

Hot of the press today – We have booked our holiday to Florence. Yippee!! I’m so excited, June can not come round soon enough. The countdown to gelato, pizza, pasta, wine and espressos has begun!

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Oh I also went on a date this afternoon. Not sure there was a spark, however it went well and I haven’t ruled out seeing him again. So all in all my week of ups and downs has finished on a relative high.

L x

Please Return To…

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

It feels like its been such a long week!

Well you’ll be pleased to read that my paper cuts and scratches from all the envelope opening and flower arranging have healed nicely following the bombardment of cards and roses I received from all my admirers (typed in jest). I did thoroughly enjoy my nonconventional Valentines date last Sunday with my lovely friends and Adam Hills. Adams act was really funny, we giggled lots and saw a lot more of Mr Hills than we expected due to his ‘F**k You Cancer’ strip.

I had my usual PT on Monday. This weeks was a cardio packed workout, bike, rowing machine (I have blisters to show for it) and cross trainer. As you all know the reason I’m working my Kim K off and have these Personal Training sessions is to aid in my mission, Mission Love Me. Its tough and I’m nowhere close to accomplishing this yet, however I’m getting there slowly. My workouts with Phil are definitely helping, as when I’m with him I’m not hating myself so much but hating him for half killing me!

This week has been my worst for gym attendance in a long while, I only managed to get my butt there twice! Such a poor show and I’m annoyed with myself, however part of the reason for this (lame excuse I know) is on Tuesday evening the Cross Trainer and I had a little disagreement. The Cross Trainer won the fight and my left leg looked as though I had two knees, the second new knee being located between my actual knee and my ankle! Over the past few days my shin has gone from shades of purple/red to now a delightful greeny/yellow (its a treat for the eyes – Not).

I can really see how I’m paying the price for my lack of dates with gym this week. I’ve felt more sleepy and lethargic and my body looks and feels more squidgy. Despite this I did however manage to fit into my sisters size 10 Banana Republic jeans – This seriously made my Saturday evening (although my sister wasn’t as impressed!) There’s no way I’m a size 10, I’m not even a comfortable 14 yet so I think it was a fluke that I squeezed myself into them but either way it put a smile on my face and made me do a silly ‘I’m getting there’ dance around the bedroom. I also treated myself to a new dress for work last weekend in a size 14, so although I’m having a fatty feeling week, my efforts at the gym are beginning to pay off.

A work colleague asked me what I am doing – He said that every time he sees me I’m getting smaller and smaller. Again hearing comments like this really help me stay motivated and focused. Today I went into trusty M&S, I wanted to get a new strapless bra. They didn’t have my usual size, so I took the size smaller into the changing room to try on. Now, today my worst fear was realised…….my boobs have got smaller!!! Now apart from my wrists and ankles (which are both ridiculously skinny) and my Kim K (I’ve always been pretty happy with my derrière) my boobs I’ve always loved. I’ve lived by the moto, ‘If you’ve got them flaunt them’ or ‘If in doubt whack them out’ so to say I was mortified to purchase a bra that is two cup sizes smaller today is an understatement. My plea to you all is, if you find my missing cleavage, please return to L Roberts. There will be no cash reward, however if returned, I may be able to put them to good use and get us some free drinks at the bar (Browns in Reading is normally a safe shout)

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Back to good old Marks & Spencer, fellow gin drinkers, you must try their Ready to Drink Mint & Cucumber Gin & Tonic – It’s very refreshing and went down a treat Friday evening.

I’m still in need of a holiday – My sister and I are still looking into Florence in June, but I definitely need to get some sun before June. I would have perhaps visited my friend in Turkey, however news this weekend from him that his girlfriend of five and a half months is 14 weeks pregnant has almost certainly put paid to that happening, which is really naff. I’m going to have a little look on Secret Escapes in a second, see what deals I can be tempted by.

I’ve been trying to channel Carrie Bradshaw over the past week or so, I’ve been thinking about relationships, and finding ‘The One’ so I might post a little piece for you to read over the next few days (when I actually get round to typing it up from notes I’ve jotted down on my mobile)

Until I type again, Happy Smonday.

L x