HWP – Week 1

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to my first HWP post!

For those of you who are new to reading my blog – Welcome! At the end of last year I decided that 2016 is going to be the year I learn to love myself ‘Mission Love Me’ and to aid with said mission I have upped my dates with gym and suffer weekly torture (he assures me it will get easier) PT sessions with Phil.

So ‘Mission Love Me’ I guess has a few levels to it, however my starting point is to lose weight and tone up my jiggly belly, thighs and bingo wings in the hope that I’ll actually be able to look in the mirror and love the reflection I see and in turn love me.

About a month ago now whilst at Nuffield Newbury, I was approached by Helen and asked if I would like to take part in the Summer Healthy Weight Programme. A 12 week journey to a fitter healthier me – 12 weeks closer to perhaps completing my own mission, and so HWP has commenced.

The course officially started Thursday evening, however prior to this I had a meeting and consultation with Kim (the lovely also a little barmy Kiwi) nutritionist to discuss my goals and also my current eating habits. Part of the HWP is to work out what does and what doesn’t work for each individual. For me I know that one of my big downfalls is not having time for breakfast in the morning (make-up, hair straightening and outfit co-ordination takes up all my time) so Kim has suggested smoothies could be the answer for me (welcome Nutribullet stage right – my new best friend). We will also be working on balancing my blood sugar levels along with hormone balance.

As part of the programme we have a meeting with one of the Personal Trainers at the gym who again ask what our goals are and they devise a work out plan for us to follow with the aim of helping us achieve said goals. My session was with Steve. Now as I already have weekly PT sessions with Phil, Steve decided to put me through my paces with a cardio workout which consisted of a work out on a Wattbike and Lateral Trainer – Both pieces of equipment that I’ve used only a few times as quite frankly they look a little scary! This was ideal for me as when I visit the gym on my own I don’t tend to use the free weights or machines, I tend to stick with the exercise bikes or cross trainers. It can often be a little daunting going into the gym and using new equipment so these sessions with the PTs are really helpful and beneficial.

So Thursday evening, myself and 7 others attended the first of 12 ‘classes’. This was more of an introduction to the programme and a chance for us all to meet each other and share our goals and reasons for attending. It would seem that following on from our individual meetings with Kim that we all thought we ate relatively healthily, but according to Kim not as well as we all thought! Oops! Given that the programme is called “Healthy Weight Programme” it does somewhat go with out saying that we all want to shed a few pounds and become healthier, but like me I think many of the others are looking for a little more and they want to feel better about themselves overall, the whole package.

If you think about it food and what we eat (and drink) makes us what we are. What we put in comes out and in many different forms. We need food to fuel us, to give us both mental and physical energy. It also affects how we look, in both our cosmetic appearance and our physique. And at the end of the day its our life line. Eat well and we’ll live well, eat badly and that life line shortens.

Over the course of 12 weeks Kim will be covering topics such as portion control, emotional eating and exploring weight loss myths. Helen (she may look innocent and sweet, but don’t be fooled) will be putting us through our paces with 30 minute workout gym classes – These started Thursday evening – Ouch!

Warm-up consisted of 3 of us on the rowers and the others on the bikes for 5 minutes. This was then followed by a circuit of 7 exercises including Kettlebell Russian Twists, Medicine Ball Slams and Sit Jump Squats! First round we did 30 secs before moving onto the next exercise, this was followed by a short break (which I extended slightly as all the jumping around left me needing a wee); Second round was for 45 seconds with another minute or so break before finally round three we had to do each task for a whole minute! Now when you say a minute or even 30 seconds it seems like no time at all, but I’m telling you in the gym these short measures of time seem to last a life time. By the end of it I was very red faced and a bit of a sweaty betty, but I was feeling good (if not a little dead).

My experience so far has been great, Helen and Kim are fab, very relaxed with the aim of helping us all achieve our goals (they have 100% success rate so far – No pressure) and I’ve made a new friend who like me doesn’t really like using the weights on her own so we plan to workout together every now and then, after all Team Work = Dream Work.

Week 1 – Complete!

Please follow my progression over the next 11 weeks and if you’re interested in taking part in the next programme get in touch with the either Helen (helen.moisley@nuffieldhealth.com) or Kim (kim.chandler@nuffieldhealth.com) who will be happy to speak with you.

L x

Tea and I’m Toast

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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

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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

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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…

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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

Love is in the….correction Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon & Carbon Dioxide is in the air

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

Obviously there have been an abundance of cards, flowers and gifts sent to me…….not that I’ve actually seen them yet, perhaps the postman couldn’t carry all the cards and Interflora have left all the bouquets outside someone else’s house?!? Tomorrow sees the day that society has labelled the day of love, blah! If you’re with someone you should love them everyday of the year and declare and show this to them too, there shouldn’t be a designated day. I mean us singletons don’t have a dedicated day in the diary for National Singles Day, oh wait apparently there is, S.A.D Single Awareness Day on the 15th February; I guess they’ll be lots of reduced (overpriced just a few days before) stems of roses available in Waitrose on Monday, perhaps I’ll treat myself.

The 14th of February is just a day in between the 13th and 15th – Give me Valentino Rossi over Valentines day.

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I do actually have a date tomorrow, however not in the traditional manner. Affectionately called the ‘Petulant Little Sister’ I’m playing third wheel with my lovely friends who have invited me to join them at The Anvil to see Adam Hills. I did point out that it is Valentines day and I didn’t want to gate crash and was told that it’s no big deal, it’s only a big deal if I make it one. So I’m going and really looking forward to it having fun and a bit of a giggle.

I’ve not had a very good week gym wise. I went Monday for my PT session, and then again Tuesday for slow, painful stint on the bike. Wednesday’s are family night so didn’t go, then I’d forfeited Thursday for an meal out with a friend; but she cancelled which was really annoying as I didn’t bring my gym kit with me so instead of driving home and back into town to Nuffield my sister invited me round for dinner so I had a lovely evening with my sissy. I did go for my regular Friday date and managed to go on the treadmill, bike and rower, but felt completely pathetic at how knackered I felt as I listened to Greg James on Radio One after he’d completed his fifth and final Triathlon or #Gregathlon – Seriously he’s an amazing human being, he ran, swam and cycled 246 miles raising £816,808 for Sports Relief (check out www.sportsrelief.com or you can text GREG to 70703 to donate)

I spent some of today going through my clothes, which is like a workout if I’m honest. I currently can’t actually see my bed under the mound of dresses, skirts, jumpers and bras piled high on there. Good news is that even my pathetic efforts at the gym are paying off and new items of clothing I’ve purchased (but not cut the tags off of) are now zipping up nicely, fitting me perfectly and really flattering my ever changing curves which puts a smile on my usually mardy face. Ooh and I have a confession to make, I ordered a new pair of boots yesterday from River Island (although I’m slimming down, I’m still curvy and curvy girls buy shoes and handbags – its our thing) so I’m excited about picking them up in the week.

My sister and I still haven’t booked our holiday in Florence yet, although we did start browsing the internet on Wednesday evening. We’ve found a few hotels we like the look of, the main issue is our snobby flight requirements – We’d like to fly with BA or Alitalia, preferably from Heathrow, Gatwick if we have to, and we’d ideally like a mid-morning flight to maximise our girlie getaway (not too much to ask really?!?). I’ll continue to search, my sister is leaving it to me to organise (she’s said she’ll provide the credit card though) and hopefully we’ll have something booked in the next week or so. Eek exciting.

That’s me done for tonight; wishing all you loved up folk a fab time tomorrow and fellow singletons remember you’re loved by many people every day of the year.

L x

Smug Me

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I’m currently sat here watching (in between typing) the Ireland Vs Wales RBS 6 Nations match (as well as being into the bikes, I’m a rugby fan too!) although I must admit I’m a little less interested since Gordon D’Arcy has retired from International games.

So I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself this week as I actually managed to get my Kim K to the gym five times this week! Yep I had my PT session with Phil on Monday (I had joked that this post may be called RIP Phil – Death by Kettlebell – after he had me kettlebell swinging amongst other hideous workouts). I then had my usual Tuesday stint where I went on the bike, which I swear is getter harder and tougher the fitter I become – What’s that all about? Wednesday’s are usually saved for dinner with my sister, however I had arranged to meet with some friends, but as we weren’t meeting until 7:45pm I had time for a gym sesh; so straight from work I headed to Nuffield did 40 minutes on the bike, 5 minutes on the rower, 10 minutes on the cross trainer and then one my besties came in and she got us set up with some weights and we did a little circuit together. Its always easier and more fun to work out with someone else, to learn new things and support each other. I then did solo bike and cross trainer work Thursday and Friday. Oh and Monday through to Thursday I went on lunch time walks, clocking up around 10 to 12 miles. Smug Laura.

Following on from Wednesdays workout I met up with my girlfriends for dinner. I’ve not seen the girls since before my holiday in September, so it was really lovely seeing them and having a good old gossip. After faffing around showering, drying and straightening my hair and sorting my face out, I was a little late arriving at the restaurant. The first thing my friend said was “Undo your coat – I need to see how much weight you’ve lost” I’ve said before that I don’t really think that I’ve particularly lost weight or changed in appearance but both my gorgeous friends on Wednesday evening seem to think I have, so I’m bagging the compliments (which I don’t normally accept) and using them as my motivation to stick with the gym and progress through ‘Mission Love Me’. As a reward for my gym visit earlier in the evening I did treat myself to a cheeky G&T (slimline tonic) oh and I also had a piece of Tiramisu (I had only had a salad as my main – Hell I don’t need to justify myself!)

Yesterday evening was full of giggles as my sister and I went to Henley on Thames to see BYP’s production of Rock of Ages at the Kenton Theatre. We had been told not to expect a Tony Award winning performance, however parts of it were really well done, with great comic timing, others looked as though random people had just wandered on the stage.  Due to the atrocious weather last night we only stayed for the show and then headed home, however I must say I clocked a number of extremely good looking men in a bar we walked past, so I think perhaps Henley may be calling me for a Gin & Tonic or two.

L x

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MOT Pass – Advisories – Body work requires some work

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

So Friday evening I had another date with gym; as I said last week things are getting quite serious, and these dates are certainly helping with mission ‘Love Me’

Before my hot and sweaty session this week I had an MOT, yep like a car, I was checked and tested to see if I’m in good condition and working order. Good news is I passed, it would appear that both my PT and solo workouts are paying off – Yay! Internally I am apparently in tip top shape, fantastic, however there was an advisory, boo, which basically says my body work needs some work (tell me something I didn’t already know) So there’s obviously only one thing for it, I’m going to have to seriously up my game and as Nike preach “Just Do It”

With advisories for your car you’ve got a year to fix any issues, I’m giving myself 20 weeks to panel beat my exterior. In 20 weeks time my sister and I will been sunning ourselves, enjoying pizza, pasta, fine wine, gelato and that wonky tower in Pisa, on a girly holiday in Florence. Although no flights or hotels have been booked yet I am very excited!! Those who know me will know that for me to have to wait 5 months before jetting off somewhere will be tough – I love a holiday. I usually have at least two a year; last year me and one of my best friends had a girly weekend in Paris, then Mum and I had a 6 day break in Barcelona, primarily for the Catalunya MotoGP, but we also saw lots of the iconic sights and ate some amazing food (anyone going to Barca has to visit Uma http://www.thefork.com/restaurant/uma/48497 it’s fab) and then my final holiday of 2015 (yes sadly I only jetted out of the country 3 times, well twice actually plus 1 Eurostar journey) I went to Sharm El Sheikh in September.

On one hand September seems forever ago, on the other it seems like last week. I can honestly say that my week in Sharm was one of the best weeks I’ve had. I went on my own (the price a holiday loving singleton has to pay when all her friends are married or attached) well I say alone, I went back to a hotel my friend and I had stayed in a few years ago, a friend we met there in 2013 was working at the hotel so I knew I wouldn’t be completely on my own (although I hadn’t banked on his girlfriend, Polly Pocket, being there so that did change the dynamics somewhat)

With Polly kiboshing the holiday I thought I was going to have, I did what I love doing and I networked. I mingled and made friends and had a fantastic time. My new friends adopted me, we’d meet by the pool after breakfast, have some giggles into between swimming and sunbathing and then we’d have dinner together and drinks in the bar. They even managed to get me on the stage doing karaoke with them, taking me so far out of my comfort zone! Monday evening was Pool Party night – So much fun. We drank cocktails with every spirit known to man in, and topped it off with giant measures of Ouzo. I somehow managed to walk back to my room (after announcing to my new friends that I was going to the bar because I felt the party had finished too early, only to change my mind and zigzag my way across the complex to my room) which was freezing because I’d foolishly left the aircon on, doh! I dropped the towel that was wrapped around me and crawled into my bed, damp bikini still on, contact lenses still in and the next thing I knew the sun was shining and its Tuesday morning – Come on, that’s a good night and sums up the weeks shenanigans. Thank you The Greens & The Kenleys for my holiday memories.

I’m not sure I’ll be able to wait until June for my next holiday, and with the emails from Secret Escapes, Voyage, BA and Monarch (email subject “Fancy a little city break”) sitting in my inbox I’m certain my passport will see the light of day in the next few months! Anyone fancy a little trip with me?

L xSharmParisImage-1

Friday night, date night

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

Date night with…….

Gym! Yes yes that’s right, you have read this correctly, there is no typo. I had another hot and sweaty date with Gym, the fourth date in the space of 5 days in fact. It’s early days and pretty intense but I think this relationship is really hotting up and I can see myself in it for the long haul.
*NB I have noticed a few fit fitties in the gym over the past few evenings – This will surely only help my new love blossom 😝*

I must admit after a long week a G&T would be very much welcomed, however after my date tonight I just don’t have the energy to slice a lime to accompany the Bombay and Fever Tree. My apparent love for gym has temporarily tainted my love for gin.

So on Monday I had another PT session. I’m not going to lie it was another tough sesh but as Kelly Clarkson likes to sing “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” so although I left there feeling half dead I am still very much alive and building up my muscles nicely 💪🏻
My intention was to go to the gym every night this week but I failed early on by missing Tuesday’s visit (I somehow managed to detour into the retail park enroute and accidentally walked out of New Look with a new top, cardy and skirt 🙊 Oopsy)
I think I have redeemed myself however by going Wednesday evening, last night and again tonight (15 and a half miles in an hour on the bike, not so shabby)

I am now pretty shattered (combination of the exercise bike & old age) and my bed is calling me, so until next time I shall say good night and wish you all sweet dreams 😴

L x