Looking forward

Its been a quiet two weeks thankfully, allowing me to focus my time on the things that needed to be focused on right now and to think of tactics for the next few months.  A chance to look forward and keep to goals.

Slimming world is going just fine for me, its slow but sure progress and I think that's the best way.  I am still not well enough to hit the gym, I am still breathless and in the really cold weather my chest still feels tight.  Really annoying as I need to get to the gym, after all its an expense that needs to be dealt with.
I decided to purchase a "colour a month" daily diary from moleskine to use as my food diary.  Great little item that can be slotted into my Filofax for when at work, or on my desk at home.
Each day is split between Breakfast; lunch; dinner and snacks, at the top of the page is a A and B choice in accordance with the slimming world plan and at the bottom is the syns and the total.
Plenty of space on the page to even include a note regarding how I feel should I feel the need.

On the study front since the day school last Saturday I have got my act together, the tutorials were great and I got the gist of where I have been going wrong.  The study still isn't easy but at least I know what to focus on to get the better marks.  I have a phone tutorial today to ensure I am on the right track.  I intend to get to the Saturday tutorials in future, I have been silly enough to neglect them and I need to make the most of the remaining sessions.  I have reread some of my "how to" books such as "how to write essays & assignments" and "study skills for dummies". I thought that although I am nearing the end of this degree I needed to refresh my writing style, especially after the feedback from my last TMA.  Its a scary feeling knowing that I am nearing the end of this degree with only 4 papers left.
I have decided that once I have finished this degree I want to start another one, providing my family agrees too! Yes just for my entertainment and hair pulling ha ha.  I enjoy the focus once I am focused on study and I don't ever want to get stale, the fees have gone up and I am worried I may not be able to afford it but I am looking into it and hoping I can figure out if I can afford it somehow.


I have seen a pair of duo boots I like and I am hoping to get them for work, although they look high they are a platform sole and I need all the height I can get maybe I may get them for my birthday, if I ask nicely. 
Another birthday gift I wouldn't mind would be another customised bag from Rickshaw.  I have the skinny commuter and have recently fell back in love with the versatility of it for work and when I go to tutorials.  I would like another one in a different colour range and full size instead of skinny for the days I need to carry more.  The only downside is the shipping to the UK but maybe if I am good I may get one for my birthday.

Finally, work is going OK, its so busy right now but I am attempting to balance things better whilst there.  Each day is different and although I get down about some things I also know I cannot control certain things and I am slowly learning to let go. I have been at this place 6 months now and I feel confident every day I made the right move to join.  My old place has been in the news recently and it has left me shocked and upset, I can't and wont go into details here but I am so glad I am no longer part of that place and where I am now is different.  I really do feel that I am moving forward, steps in the right direction.

This blog should have been posted two weeks ago just found it in my drafts! D-oh

Damage limitation

So back from holiday, suffering a little with jet lag but ready to get on with life back in the middle lane until September when life moves quickly into the fast lane.

So things I need to complete or start before I start work on 3 September.

1-start new gym routine
2-finish TMA06 for E303 (current open university level 3 module)
3-start ECM for E303
4-read books for EA300 (final open university level 3 module)
5-organise work filofax
6-organise house
7-start Slimming World
8-plan a starter for new school

Doesn't seem much when I write them down but they are big goals and I don't have as much time as I would have liked.  The title says it all for me, I know that this time next year I want to fit into and feel good/look good in a Hollister bikini!!!

I haven't weighed myself yet, I plan to weigh in on Sunday and see what weight I have added whilst being on holiday, I am not strong enough to see it right now and my body is all over the place with the jet lag.  So weighing in right now would have the chance to tip me over the edge and give up before I have even started.  However, I have booked up gym classes for next week and I hope its the kick start I need to get into a routine.

On the gym front I am annoyed, I booked an aqua class for Thursday morning to start my new routine, I got into the pool with the others and waited and waited, 10 minutes later we were advised that the instructor was on holiday and cover has not been arranged therefore class was now cancelled.  So annoyed as I didn't have my swimming stuff with me goggles etc and as I was in the pool I could have gone onto the gym floor if I had my gym stuff with me.  I went off fuming and did a steam room session instead.  I hope this isn't a sign of things to come at David Lloyd, we have had issues before but recently things had been OK, I don't want to start looking around for a different gym that puts people first.
Booked for next week:
Monday RPM and PT session
Tuesday Zone Cycling
Wednesday RPM
Thursday Yoga and Zumba
Friday Spin and Zumba

I have PT session today, not looking forward to it but I have to get back on the wagon and reverse the damage.

Whilst on holiday I did plenty of reading thanks to the joys of kindle, I plan to post about good books worth reading in the future on this blog in the meantime this is what was read whilst I was away:

ASBO: A Novel of Extreme Terror by Iain Rob Wright - A fictional story that could be fact, worrying and frightening insight into what 'could' happen in the real world.

Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson - Amazing book that I could not put down, repetitive to start with for good reason with a fantastic twist to the plot.

Broadmoor Revealed: Victorian Crime and the Lunatic Asylum by Mark Stevens - A brilliant insight to why Broadmoor was built and some of the inmates from the early days, factual and interesting.

The Crew by Dougie Brimson - Started off well, all about football violence in the 1990's but thought the ending was disappointing.

Inflight Science: A Guide to the World from your Airplane Window - Read whilst on my flight to Mexico.  A great little read and almost put my fears about flying to bed.  Lots of facts about inside and outside a plane and around the airport.

Its Your Time You're Wasting by Frank Chalk - Written by a supply teacher brilliant insight in how some schools are and the children within them.  Good reasons behind behaviour by kids and staff, eye opener when you realise that some of the things described in the book happen for real.

London by Tube: A History of the Underground Station Names by David Revill - Bit of an underground geek after travelling on it for many years and wanted to understand some of the history.  Was also a cheap book for the kindle and pleased I purchased it before the Olympics so I could gain knowledge of the east end.

Shadow Of The Minotaur by Alan Gibbons - It was a 'have to read for work book' wasn't looking forward to it but once started I found it enjoyable.  Good for boys if they are reluctant readers and with more than a nod to Greek mythology anyone who has an interest in that field should enjoy it.

I know my taste is different to others but I have found some good reads by looking at what others are reading via kindle ratings and will continue to search out good and different books to read.

Wishing you all a good weekend.