HWP

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

HWP – Week 5

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

We’re five weeks into the HWP and all seems to be going well, with lbs dropping left, right and center.

Last week was a recap week, discussing the food topics covered over the previous 3 weeks. The group shared views on the course so far, how we’ve found things, what’s worked for us, what hasn’t, the changes we’ve made etc.  It’s good to get input from others, we shared information about products we’ve tried and tips on meals and meal prep.

The group catch up was then followed by the weekly exercise class – 30 minutes of Helen out us through our paces. All 7 of us started the session on the exercise bikes (good luck to anyone else who wanted a go, I think there was one or two bikes what didn’t have HWP peeps on them) Helen then set up 7 work stations for us to move around (she really knows how to have fun!?!) We each took our turn, getting hotter and more knackered after each one – What’s that saying, “No pain, no gain”

There’s no food club this week, however exercise class is still on – So I might have sore aching limbs Friday morning – Eek.

We have all now been booked in for a second nutrition talk with Kim and 1-2-1s have also been booked to go over out fitness plans – We’ll all be slim gym bunnies in no time.

L x

HWP – Week 4

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

Week 4

Last week we discussed how sleep and stress can impact weight management.

Our daily lives are so fast paced these days with numerous factors that can cause us stress be it traffic (hands down this gets me riled up, I have terrible road rage!) work, family / friends, even health and weight can stress us out. When we are under stress our bodies undergo something called the ‘fight or flight’ response, whereby stress hormones are released.  Our response to this serge of hormones can often be to overeat, which in turn leads to increased body fat (which in my case then makes me depressed, which relates back to last week and emotional eating – Everything’s linked)

Cortisol, the stress hormone which makes us alert in the morning and sleepy at night can be disrupted by poor food and drink choices which can cause a topsy-turvy affect whereby we are sleepy in the morning and wired at night. Try avoiding stimulants such as sugar, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine to get some undisturbed Zzzzz.

Food class was followed with a 30 minute workout (Helen was back from her jollies and ready to make us all sweat!) Six of us stayed for the exercises this week, so in pairs (like Noah’s Arch) we worked our way through three different exercises.  I was paired with my new partner in crime, and like naughty school girls we giggled and chatted whilst completing the tasks (you need to have a laugh when you’re in the gym, it has to be fun)

Following on from our workout with Helen, Charlotte and I continued our gossip and exercise with a stint on the treadmill, cross trainer and lateral machine – Needless to say I was blimin’ knackered and had a very good night’s sleep – Yay.

Remember if you’re interested in taking part in the next HWP course or simply want some more information you can contact the team at Nuffield Newbury on 01635 569944.

L x

HWP – Week’s 2 & 3

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Week 2

The Healthy Weight Programme kicked off properly on the 21st April, where fellow group members and I met with Kim and Helen for the first food club and second gym class. Due to other commitments only half of us made the session, but for those of us who did attend promising results are already being seen (on the scales at least) with a total weight loss of 11kg between 5 of us – Pretty impressive wouldn’t you say.

The first food class looked at portion control. We discussed our eating habits and portion sizes, looked at why we might eat more than we need to and what we can do to reduce the amount of food we consume. I guess it would be easy to think that simply eating smaller food portions will help with weight loss, however this isn’t necessarily the case as you need to be eating the right foods in the correct ratio. So we will all be trying to follow the 50/25/25 rule going forward – 50% of plate is for Vegetables (above ground) 25% is Protein and the other 25% Grains.

Following on from the food class, Helen set us a core muscle 30 minute workout. Now I’m not entirely sure I have any core muscles (my neck seemed to ache more than my tummy) but I did, along with the other ladies manage to complete the tasks set. As if this 30 minute session wasn’t enough for my poor old body to take, three of us foolishly followed Helen down stairs for a Spin class (what I thought would be my first and last)

Week 3

Last Thursday, Week 3, we discussed emotional eating, which affects all of us. I tend to think that emotional eating relates to feeling down, stressed perhaps; but it can of course be the complete opposite (who doesn’t enjoy going out for a slap up meal to celebrate a birthday, or another ‘happy’ event). There’s a biscuit lover amongst the group and she said that boredom is a trigger for her, so boredom leads to Bourbons – ‘Boredbons’.

Kim gave us all a sample weekly meal plan for us to use for guidance. I know that I’m still struggling with breakfasts as I faff around so much in the morning getting ready (hard to believe but some work does have to go into this youthful face of mine before I leave the house). I have been blitzing up smoothies and adding protein powder as recommended by Kim, it has been turning my smoothies a weird shade of green (looks like something Slimer’s left behind – hmmm appetising!)

Helen was of on her hollibobs so Emma looked after us and put us through our paces for the workout. I foolishly said that the kettlebell we were using to squat with was light so Emma kindly got me (just me – I’m Special) a heavier weight to use.

There was no change for me at weigh-in this week, but I really wasn’t expecting there to be as I’d been out the Friday before and I ate and drank lots (massive oops) so to stay the same I was actually really pleased. Lets see what Week 4 has install for us all – Eek!

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