Statistics Time!

Cos I know how much we all love statistics!
I weighed and measured myself this morning - expecting disappointing results, I have to admit. Here's a summary:
Weight: -0.4 kgs (since 1st Feb)
Measurements (average): +1.5 cm (since 28th December)
Blood Pressure: -8 points (measured last weekend; as compared to 7th Jan)

A bit of a mixed bag really, but overall a pleasant surprise. I had assumed that I would have put on weight - I'm feeling so fat and bloated at the moment. I'm very pleased that my blood pressure has dropped each time I've measured it. I suppose I'm less stressed, now that I think about it. I'm settling into my new job, and been doing meditation/relaxation a couple of times a week. I don't get anxious as often as I used to in recent times.

Meanwhile ...

Going to wear my new pedometer all day today and see what it says. Very determined to resist the lure of the intertubes and go for a walk this weekend. Unfortunately it's raining heavily and looks to be that way most of the day today. I got a worksheet which you can use to convert other types of exercise into steps for the programme, so at least I can do some indoors exercise and it'll still count!
Meanwhile, I'm in a de-cluttering/organising kind of mood, so I'm going to work on transferring some of my old posts over from my old blog to here today.

With My Margarita Beside Me

Yesterday was my last day at my old work. I cried, but not in front of too many people, thankfully! I was there for 4 years. I had good times and bad times (but mostly good ones) and made some wonderful friends. I'm determined to keep in touch with them; not to make the same mistakes I have before.

This weekend I'm preparing to start my new job on Monday. Things aren't going as well as I'd hoped. I injured myself this morning - by running into a wall! I know, that sounds like the typical domestic abuse excuse, but it's true! I was walking along with my (open) laptop and the corner of it banged against the wall. The laptop is fine, but the other corner of it banged into my side, and made me twist abruptly. So now my lower back/hip area is sore and stiff. And I only just saw my chiropractor a few days ago; my next appointment isn't for another 3 1/2 weeks. Murphy's Law!

So I'm just taking it easy and applying Goanna Rub at regular intervals. I've had this kind of injury before and usually it's cleared up in a few days if I do the right thing - keep moving so it doesn't lock up from sitting still for too long, and don't sit/lie in a position which is going to aggravate it. Oh, I hope it's better by Monday!

Complicating matters is that my hormones are all over the place at the moment. One minute I feel happy and optimistic. Literally 5 minutes later, I'm feeling miserable, dreading Monday, can't stop focussing on the pain and feeling like crying.
I keep getting an urge to get online and buy things, to a) congratulate myself for landing a permanent job, or b) console myself for not getting to hang out with my fun work friends anymore. So perhaps I shouldn't make this post too much longer! Boy and I have decided that we're going to save as much money as we can and buy a place of our own ASAP. Hopefully in about a year, if all goes well.

But before I go, to cheer myself up - in my last post I mentioned that I'd post some pics of what I'd wear to work if size/availability/fit/practicality/societal prejudice were not an issue. Note: I would still replace the heels with flats in any of these!



Source: polyvore.com via ApartmentCat on Pinterest.
I love polka dots!
And mixing neutrals with pops of
bright colour in the accessories.


Source: southernbelleblog2.tumblr.com via ApartmentCat on Pinterest.
Hair-wise I'd go with a low, smooth bun,
but I love the bright skirt toned down with light neutrals.
I'd probably not use the sexy/daft facial expression, either.
Just sayin'.


Source: modcloth.com via ApartmentCat on Pinterest.
This checked dress just makes my heart sing!
I'd pair it with a yellow bag in summer,
and navy blue or purple tights in winter.


Source: stylehive.com via ApartmentCat on Pinterest.
I love this sweet, feminine blouse!
The colour makes me smile. Though I might be
pushing it with the little pom poms!


Source: kendieveryday.blogspot.com via ApartmentCat on Pinterest.
Again, neutral greys with a fun splash of colour.
Neat and stylish.

Stressful

The last couple of days have been pretty stressful. Haven't felt like writing in my blog, or doing anything much at all. I guess there are a few little and not so little issues at the moment, and I'm letting them get to me. Special Lady Time is not feeling so special this month, and that doesn't help at all! So when a little thing happens - I'm walking down the street and someone looks at me the wrong way - I have to fight back tears, and I suddenly want to eat a whole packet of something, just anything!! more badly than anything in my life ... Negative Nancy kicks in and starts saying things like:

"that'll teach you to think you can just go out in public and walk down the street like anyone else! You wanna have the guts to look people in the face? You think other people won't find you disgusting and horrible? That'll teach you!"

I wasn't sure I was going to write about this, yet here we are. Cathartic. Not a cause for regret. I hope. Things have been a bit better since yesterday though, or at least I'm determined to be happier and less stressed about everything. To further this, I decided to start a new thing - I bought a little notebook, and I'm going to keep a happiness diary. It's a concept that I'd heard of ages ago. Every night before bed (well, most nights anyway), I'll jot down 3 things that made me happy that day. I'm not normally into these schmaltzy things, but sometimes they can actually work. Also been continuing to meditate for 60 seconds (approximately; whenever I remember to) in bed at night before I fall asleep. Currently I'm wondering how different this state of mind is to when I'm actually trying to go to sleep! And whether it's actually having an effect. But I feel this is a thing I have to take with baby steps, and I'll work up to longer periods over time.

In Other News ...

These are the pants I ordered; they arrived yesterday:


Source: asos.com via ApartmentCat on Pinterest.

Many, including myself, may be thinking, "what was she thinking??!" I just got them on a whim, more out of curiosity as to how Asos clothes are sized than anything else. Seeing as you can only buy them online. The fabric is a bit different to how I thought it would be - a stretchy knit instead of a silky drape. They're more like pyjama pants, really. It might be hard breaking free of that feeling in order to actually wear them in public! I'd probably wear them with a long, loose top in a bright colour - if I had one! bwahahaha! Actually, I ordered a top from another website that might be suitable, only it hasn't arrived yet. And I may well have others in the deep, dark recesses of my wardrobe, you never know.

Last Week

Another crazy weekend! I told myself I was going to pay a bit more attention to what I'm doing on the weekend, but it just passed by in a whirlwind. On Saturday I got 30%, and Sun 20%. Terrible! Every single meal was unhealthy, and a few times I only got a score at all because I didn't eat anything. Which is bad, too. Although, I think it's funny that I got a higher score on Saturday when I spent the whole day and evening out doing things, than on Sunday when I had a free day. Weird.

Anyway. Last week's focus was on combating cravings. And I think I did excellently! The only slip-up I had (if you can even call it that) was on Thursday when I had a vege-burger (home-made) instead of the roasted soybeans. But I'm calling that a win - the amount of time I spent wandering around the supermarket, agonising over every little thing, and I ended up choosing vege-burgers. I think I deserve credit for that! As for it turning into a habit, well, tonight I had some soybeans but also some chips. Was very stressed and have my Special Lady Pouty Time - what can I say?

I had a little trouble deciding on this week's Focus. Was very tired and had a busy morning, so I didn't really have the time or the energy to think about it. Then I was having lunch with a couple of friends, and one of them said that I shouldn't dwell on things. So there was my inspiration. My Focus this week is not to worry, not to dwell on things, live in the moment, be zen, however you want to put it. It's appropriate right now, I've got a few things going on that're a bit stressful, applying for jobs not the least of them. That always stresses me out, bigtime. So whenever I catch myself worrying about something, stressing about something I have/haven't done, dreading something that may/may not happen, I just bring myself back to the present. It'll be harder than last week's focus, because it's something I'll need to remember to do all day, every day. But I've been feeling less stressed already, and it's only day one. So yay!

This post was transferred from calorieking.com.au

Supermarket Dilemmas

Spent soooo long at the supermarket last night, it was pathetic. Walking up and down, reading packets, comparing them. Was starting to feel like a right wally by the time I decided on my purchases. Had strong cravings for both savoury and sweet snacks at the same time! (Normally it's one or the other - or one then the other! ) I'd been doing pretty well for the last week with my after-work cravings. Had a piece or fruit or something right before I left work if I was starting to feel a bit peckish, then nothing at home, or if anything, some lite popcorn or low-fat dip, something like that. Feeling pretty good about everything, in the main.

But yesterday! It's Special Lady Time ... and the Lady Grump has come to town! (you know that special grumpiness that only ladies get at certain times? ) And when that happens, the Cravings Monster also often rears its ugly head as well. All afternoon at work, I couldn't stop thinking about what I'd buy from the supermarket after work. I had to go anyway, to buy laundry detergent. So then I was walking up and down, trying to find some snacks that would satisfy the cravings, but also be healthy enough so that I don't have Massive Guilt Syndrome. It's a tough ask!

Eventually after looking at lots of options (did you know that Soy Crisps have more calories than potato chips??) I chose the VitaWeat Multigrain rice-cracker-thingys. Which are pretty healthy, though I did eat the whole packet. They seem to have less in them than normal rice crackers though, not sure. I like the multigrain ones; I think they're tasty enough to have without any toppings. Anyhoo. And choosing a sweet snack was just as torturous. After choosing several things and putting them back, I eventually went to the health food aisle. (Deep down inside I know that foods from that aisle can be just as bad as any others, but - you know!) I ended up choosing this dairy-free white chocolate. Now I look at it, it would have made more sense to choose a sugar-free chocolate, but I wasn't thinking straight at the time, was I? This chocolate still had both sugar and fat in it. I may as well have eaten a block of lard with some table sugar sprinkled on top, am-I-right? Not to mention the colours, preservatives and wholesome Soy Grits mixed in! (To be fair, the soy grits are actually in the nut bar that I bought to eat today. But yes - soy grits!!) Then I took my snacks home and curled up in bed with my new library book and indulged! And tried not to feel too guilty about it. It's only once a month.

This post was transferred from calorieking.com.au