We are booked for the Matinee performance of Cats at the Derngate theatre (Northampton) on 22nd July – we are about 4 rows from the front so I am looking forward to some close interaction with the felines.
DH had done some work on my bike to make it easier and better to rid e- so I had to take it for a spin! First time post opp – and to be honest first time in about 3 years. DH followed on behind in case I had trouble – but we managed 5 mins into the forest over the motorway bridge – and 5 mins back! I was quite happy for a first attempt.
It is a bit smaller than the one I use at the gym – but what do you expect for something like £2.50 from Tesco – it is a Tesco Value fitball – so when I pop it as I no doubt will I will get a more robust one!! I just wanted to see if I would actually use it at home.
I did do my gym trip today – 12 mins Level 3 doing hills on the bike (3 mins cooldown) then 10 mins x train aerobics on the cross trainer – then all the fitball hip strengthening bits – although I did have to go to bed for a rest after the exercise!! Oops.
WI tonight – a talk from Nene Valley Organic Vegetable people about their fruit/veg boxes – I don’t think I can quite bring myself to get vege boxes – I think that might be a step too far fo rme!
WeeblyGirl and I just tried our own recipe out and it was lovely!
This is called Banana & Raspberry surprise (as Weebly Girl doesn’t like these 2 fruits and was amazed they were in there and she STILL liked it)
1 cup Exotic Juice
1 cup Apple Juice
4 Large Strawberries
1 Small Banana
8 Raspberries
Ice Cubes
It was really yummy and WeeblyGirl is now starting up a recipe book.
And from now on I will be having smoothies for breakfast until the novelty wears off!
...today I ordered a smoothie maker – as about the healthiest thing I eat is wizzed up strawberries, raspberries and bananas, and the liquidiser broke last month.
Also I bought a fit ball today so I can do the gym exercises at home between visits. Just need to get it pumped up.
I am going to the gym 3 times a week and either swimming and doing the strengthening exercises – or swapping the swimming for 10 mins on the bike and 10 mins doing aerobics on the cross trainer. This is making no impact so far on my size and waistline – but my hip is stronger so hopefully time will bring the results I want.
I did my Monday Gym and Swim session today – cycling, cross trainer (although it kept turning off as I was moving too slowly!) and swimming.
Physio appointment is tomorrow – with someone who has a great repuation. Roll on nomral walking and full fitness.
I had managed to lose just over half a stone before my operation – not of course I have been comfort eating and not moving around much over the last couple of months. Now however I am backat the gym and went 3 times this week – 3 times swimming and twice in the gym. Following on from my 10 minute on the bikes on Wednesday I managed a repeat performance yesterday PLUS 5 minutes on the cross trainer.
My choice of machines is governed by wanting no impact so no walking and running – but a smooth strength building exercise which I think the bike and the cross trainer give me. I then do my usual swim routine followed by a couple of lemgths walking up and down the pool.
I am back to my 3 times a week – 20 lengths a time swimming routine. I added to that a few stretches like wot the physio showed me all those weeks ago – I am still waiting for a physio appointment now to show me how to walk properly!
Today though I am dead pleased as I added an 11 minute static bike ride in the gym before the swimming. I found a nice upright bike where my hip would not go less than 90% to my body as instructewd – but managed to keep riding and put quite some pressure through. I think maybe I should see a fitness instructor at the gym to get advice but I was just waiting ot see the physio first.
I now have 23 days to get into tip top condition before my hip opp. I started today by going to the gym for the first time since before christmas – the only bummer being the indoor pool was closed – and won’t re-open until Thursday – and I was sooo tempted to turn around and go out again – but I took the kids to the outdoor pool and swam my 20 lengths.
I also took the kids to the shops in central mk for WeeblyGirl to spend her £10 voucher – WeeblyBoy only went and lost £20 out of his pocker on the shop – I was so cross with him – I thought at 11 I would let him take responsibility for his own money – and I was pleased he had decided that there was nothing he wanted in the toyshop. Makes up for the £20 he found in the cinema with his Dad on Sunday – you win some you lose some – grrrr.
So – my hip is aching tonight after the exercise today – which I don’t mind at all as the opp seems less scary if my hip hurts now!
It is maroon with a kind of black W on it – and I really enjoyed doing it a ocuple of weeks ago – but I haven’t picked the needles up again since!
I am a bit upset about my challenge to keep in better touch with friends. It doesn’t matter how much effort you put in – if it is not reciprocated what can you do?
I got terribly upset today just because I had a christmas card from a school friend who I had tried to stay in touch with to say she had a son in September – I feel so cut out of the loop. It is mainly as when I had my kids I could not keep meeting socially with the friends who all live around Manchester and the North West – so I made huge efforts but with the best will in the world could not keep it up. Now everyone else has kids I seem to have dropped off their radar.
Since I now know I am having my hip replaced in January – it is even more important that I lose weight.
We stopped buying chocolate and crisps into the house – we are trying to eat more veg and be healthier all around. I was swimming 3 times a week until I broke my toe but I got back there this week – and the scales at the gym say I have lost 7lb’s so far – hurrah!!
I really thought sitting on my backside even though we are still trying to be healthier would mean I would at least put the few lb’s back on that I have lost- but maybe not.
So the effort redoubles as I am sure my opp in in January – and I will have to be careful over christmas – but once I have had the opp I might let myself eat some choclate!!!!
1) Whistling for the Elephants – I loved the descriptions of Artemesia and Betty, they are such lovely animals. This is a good first book and was funny as poignant. It reminded me a little of Myra Syal’s book about growing up in England although that was semi-autobriographical which this book is not. http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1361282
2) The Memory Prisoner – What a strange book – I read it in a day, is is only 150 pages and large print – aimed at older children. I guessed a few plot lines before they happened, but it kept me amused for a couple of hours and the main characters were quite likeable. This is a very strange town – I wouldn’t want to live there. http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2906388
3) Going Postal – It kind of reminded me a little of The Truth following Moist rescuing the Post Office rather than William de Worde messing about with Newspapers, but I thought it was a better book! There were lots of familiar characters who you think of as old friends – but no DEATH! I do like the Golums Though Always Talking With Capital First Letters! http://bookcrossing.com/journal/3322502
4) Full Bloom – I enjoyed this book much more than the first Evanovich/Highes collaboration that I read. I liked the characters and the story – with a bit of romance too – the first was just a little bit too Mills and Boony but this is a lot more Stephanie Plum like – which I love! http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3472998
I just have Going Postal and Thud! to read to catch up. I have quite a few TP books which I have borrowed over time and I want to get copies for my PC – they are all on my BC wish list! One day I will re-read them all too.
If you are a bookcrosserin the uk – you should go too! I went in 2004 and 2005 – and I am booked to go in 2006.
It is so nice having friends in my village – with children my kids like too. You have someone to call on in an emergency – a person to have a cuppa tea and a natter with – someone to have fun with and someone to do things with.
We had our first New Years Party ever with friends and the children this year – and I really enjoyed it despite the mess – and then one of my friends came and helped me tidy up.
Do it – it is very very worth it.
83) The Secret Life of Bees
84) The Starter Marriage (Ring/Ray)
85) Darkest Fear
Review of the Year:
Total Books Read – 85
Ring/Rays Read – 17
E-books read – 0
None BC Books – 7
incl Library Books – 1
Unfinished – 2
