GarlickyDays

I’ve injured my chest and haven’t been able to exercise for a month or so, with even walking and everyday activities being painful. Really getting to me now.

I was hoping to attempt the Race for Life 10k in June as it’s a relaxed ‘race’ for charity (with people running, jogging, or walking) so should be a good one to start with and I WAS at a point where I would be able to jog the whole thing however at the moment I would struggle even walking it without a lot of pain killers and risking re-injury.

Going to try and start slowly exercising again, just with longer walks and concentrating on stretching, however being very careful not to make things worse.

Maybe if I’m very optimistic I’ll heal quickly and be able to at least walk it without pain.

I was getting on okay with this in tiny steps until we very recently found out dad has cancer and been told that there isn’t much/any hope. So, I think this goal has become both a lot harder and more important than ever.

A positive?

The discovery of dad’s cancer has made my mum and dad decide that they do love each other and they are getting married. They broke up 8 or so years ago, over the last few years they’ve become friends again and later dad moved back in with us when he became injured as he was told he shouldn’t live on his own. Mum said he could live with us, however it took along time for them to decide to get back together. Now they’re getting married next week.

I haven’t kept track of everything along the way but have kept this goal in mind and gone out of my way to explore new things. I can’t remember what months I did what or everything that I did but that doesn’t really matter. Here are some that I can remember:

See
•Local new-talent stand up comedy shows – some good acts, some dire but always a fun evening out
•A couple of plays
•Explored Rome on holiday
•Lots of day trips to places in the UK

Taste
Tried quite a few new things, but ones that stick in my mind:
•Soya milk: Everyone always told me Soya milk was disgusting but after I tried it I actually preferred it in porridge to cow’s milk so have started using it. Very glad I tried it!
•Jelly: Had never had jelly before because I’m vegetarian but my boyfriend made some vegetarian jelly for me. I really didn’t like the texture or sweetness but was lovely that he made it for me.

Hear
•Saw my first opera in January
•Went to see The Marriage of Figaro with my boyfriend later in the year which I loved
•Went to listen to an orchestra perform
•Been listening to different radio which has meant I have heard more music I might not have experienced otherwise.

Do
•Belly Dancing: Did a beginner’s course which was fun but something I wouldn’t continue doing
•Jewellery workshop: never did any metal-work before so this was nice to try
•Pole dancing: Had a go and was very fun, looking to save up for some more lessons in 2011
•Squash: Learnt to play squash which is something I definitely want to keep up
•Breast stroke: Learnt to do the breast stroke in swimming which I’m very proud of myself for doing
•Zumba: tried a few zumba classes. Was okay but not up to the hype.
•Boxing: Very good workout and very fun, something I never would have started otherwise and something I want to get into
•Running: Joined a running club and ran properly for one of the first times
•Gym: Learnt how to use the resistance machines at the gym, which I have always avoided before
•Outdoor assault course: very fun day out with my boyfriend
•Printing workshop: learnt some basic printing techniques which I had never previously experimented with, lovely day spent with my mum.
•Also tried out new various exercise classes at the gym

Smell
•Being more adventurous in the perfume I wear has been fun, and been given a lovely bath set with gorgeous smells which is very nice.

Learn
•Have learnt a lot about the new activities I’ve tried
•Learnt, in basics, how the stock market works. Pointless knowledge probably but interesting none-the-less
•Have a good grasp of American history and politics
•Have a better understanding of current British politics than I did before. Been making an effort to keep up to date with current events which is very worth-it.
•Leant a lot more about my diet and developed a better understanding of what nutrients and levels of protein, etc I need every-day. Had a good knowledge of nutrition before but learning more is very worthwhile even if I sometimes eat unhealthily.
•Learnt a lot in direct regard to my degree subjects, although how much I have learnt will be tested in the coming exams!
•Sounds cheesy but I have learnt a lot about myself and what I am capable of being able to do.

Possibly one of the best resolutions I have ever made because it helped to get me out of my comfort zone to meet new people, see and try new things and get a little fitter. Definitely a goal I want to carry into 2011.