Nuffield

Butterflies be gone!

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

Do you ever write a message in a card or send a text and mean the complete opposite of what you’ve written? When you wish someone lots of happiness but actually want to say ‘I want you to be as miserable as you’ve made me feel’. I’ve done this a few times over the past few weeks, just call me Little Miss Passive Aggressive.

What’s that saying, “Play with fire and you’ll get burnt” I certainly feel scolded right now, completely my fault, actually no, not completely my fault; I played the game, I lost and it sucks. What sucks even more are butterflies I can’t seem to kill off in my tummy that make me feel sick far more often than I’d like to even admit to. The game is over butterflies, so take your giddy stomach churning feelings and bugger off!

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So I’ve completely written off April, I don’t even think the Easter bunny delivering chocolate eggs will cheer me up or get me out off this awful mood. I have been hitting the gym lots hoping that the endorphins will work their magic although they don’t appear to have had much effect as yet but it is only the 14th of the month. I’m annoyed with myself for falling of the gym waggon last Summer and for my poor effort at the start of the year (granted I had a poxy cold) I was really hoping to ‘love me’ in 2017 but almost a third of the year down and I’m nowhere close. Hence I’m now desperately trying to get my revenge body by becoming a bit of a gym bunny again – I was waiting outside this morning for the gym to open, aiming to make Good Friday a Great Friday. I ran (I’m not runner though, think Phoebe Friends), then I went on the bike (think Bridget Jones) followed by a visit to some of the arm weight machines (back boobs & bingo wings – Done)

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Since my last post my Sister treated our Mum (and me) to the most delicious meal at John Campbell’s The Woodspeen (www.thewoodspeen.com) for Mother’s Day. I had the Scallops with pigs cheeks to start followed by Fillet of beef and then it would appear our waiter had me sussed and knew before taking our desert order that I would choose the ‘Pina Colada’ Coconut parfait, macadamia crumble and pineapple & lemongrass sorbet (just listing the food is making my mouth salivate!) We went to The Woodspeen on the Saturday evening so on the Sunday, Mother’s Day aka Betty’s Day we laid on a champagne afternoon tea (I successfully made scones for the first time) It was a weekend full of eating and drinking, which is another reason why I need to up my game at the gym (plus colleagues appear to be sabotaging my weight loss by baking flipping cakes that I can’t refuse sampling!)

Spring sprung last weekend (although it appears to have vanished for the time being) and it was lovely to wear one of my summer dresses and get my lily white legs out in the sun (honestly my legs are like Casper the Ghost – when people sunbathe next to me they get the best tan because I reflect the sun!) I spent the weekend in my sisters back garden topping up my freckles, watching the planes fly overhead wondering where they were jetting off to wishing I was on board. My holiday is about 8 weeks away, I can’t wait! I’m going back to Barcelona, so I’ll be testing my Spanish skills; Me llamo Laura, mi número es cero siete nueve cinco……..taking in the stunning sights, dipping my toes in the Balearic Sea and hitting the shops! I love shopping and shopping in Barcelona is fab, with Spanish brands like Zara and Mango on almost every street the experience seems far more stress free than here. Since losing some weight I enjoy shopping even more as I can find clothes that fit me in the majority of outlets, it also gives me the opportunity to try different styles. I’ve also been trying different make-up and changing my look a little there too. One of my besties sells Younique make-up products (www.youniqueproducts.com/mrsbeckythompson/products/landing) so my current go to eye shadows are from the Younique Addiction palette No3, I use ‘Smitten’ as my base, topped with ‘Flippant’ and ‘Cheeky’ to create a subtle yet sassy smokey look.   The 3D Fiber Lashes+ mascara is amazing too (although I do have to be a little careful if I’m wearing my contact lenses) The lip exfoliator is brilliant for a silky smooth kissable pout and my sister swears by the Behold setting powder.

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I’ve had quite a few G&Ts over the past month, my hairdresser said that perhaps that’s why I’m in such a mopey mood as it can make you depressed!?! Nope I think gin is my saviour and I’d be far more miserable without it, so thank goodness I received my second gin delivery of the year from Craft Gin Club.

So I’ve made it through half of April as a Mardy Moany Mizzog, only another 16 days to go! My aim is to have as many dates with good old gym as possible in the hope that I can improve my mood (I think the chances of that happening are slim to none, but the hope is there)

I hope you all have amazing Easter breaks.

L x

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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

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

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