12 Things for 2012

12 Things for 2012

Last year I set out in January with a list of things to do/achieve, the majority of which I achieved.  Unlike resolutions I haven’t set these in stone, they are just a list of things I want to get done at some point.

1.    To Finish 2012 at a lighter weight than I did 2011.  I have always been rather wary of setting myself unrealistic expectations in relation to my weight loss.  However after the spur my ‘Birthday Weight Loss Challenge’ gave me, I think that setting specific targets with dates attached will be motivating rather than disheartening.  I have set specific goals related to my weight loss over the year, but my main ambition is just to end he year lighter than I entered it.

2.    Wear a size 14 Bridesmaids dress.  I haven’t just said this for the hell of it.  I have been asked to be a bridesmaid for my lovely friend Sarah (who I met through Weight Watchers).  The wedding is planned for December, and having hovered around a 16 (sometimes bigger sometimes smaller) I would love to get in to a 14 in time for the nuptials.

3.    Run (not walk) a 10K.  To run a 5K was something I achieved last year.  This year I want a bit more of a challenge, so I think a 10K will offer me that.  Wish me luck, I think that this going to be hard!

4.    Go on a Date.  Last year I set a task of ‘developing a love life’.  This was a little ambitious, as I had no Idea of how to start.  This year I still want it on my list.  I have been single for such a long time it is quite frankly unhealthy (and a little bit sad).  So I have set my target low… 1 date, in the whole 12 months… I can do that… Can’t I?

5.    Drink More.  I feel that I am perpetually dehydrated; I do not drink enough, of anything, in the day.  I am not going to state the stupid figure of 8 glasses of water per day, totally unappetizing, but I want to make sure I have at least 3 drinks whilst at work.  I have previously got home to realize that I have not had a drink all day.  If I’m not careful my kidneys are going to start to protest.

6.    Get more involved online.  This one is borrowed from it sux to be fat.  I have been really lax in getting involved in the blogging community, commenting on blogs, discovering new blogs, posting in my facebook group and tweeting.  OK it’s not like I have a massive following, but what is the point in writing a blog if I don’t get involved.

7.    Drink less coffee.  Anyone who has seen my daily food posts may notice that I have a BIG love for Costa Skinny Cappuccinos.  The benefit of having a point’s card is that occasionally you get a free coffee.  I have been getting a lot of free coffees.  Instead of having my ‘once a week’ post weigh in coffee, I had been visiting 2/3 times a week.  This can’t go on! Drinking a double shot at 6pm generally means I am not getting to sleep until late.  I’m past 30 now; I need all of the beauty sleep I can get!  So bye bye mid week coffee.

8.    Write on my Blog.  This one is related to number 6.  I started this blog and then had a big gap when I failed to post anything.  I hate that when I am following a blog, so why on earth should I do that myself.? It may be a bit ambitious to say I will post every day (although if I am feeling super motivated I may well do) so I am going to aim to post at least once a week…Hopefully

9.    See my friends more.  Last year with family illnesses, I spent most of my time off at home with the parents looking after them.  Quite frankly I neglected my friends, both at home and far and wide.  I stopped texting, Facebooking, calling and I didn’t go visiting.  So I am determined to make more of an effort with texts, phone calls, letters and visits this year…weather they want to see me or not!

10.          Read more books.  I love books and reading, but I am so sporadic in doing so.  I’ll go through a phase when I will read a book a week for 2 months and then not pick one up for another 3.  I also tend to go for the familiar tomes I have on the shelf, even though I have a little stock of books I have not read.  So I will aim for a book a month, and make reading part of my routine.

11.          Carry on with all of the things I achieved in 2011:  Well why bother doing them if I’m not going to keep it up!

12.          Be happier at the end of 2012 than I was at the end of 2011.  2012 is looking bright, granted it is only the 5^th, but what the hell, start as you mean to go on!

 Happy New Year everyone!

Wednesday 4th January 2012 - The one where I look forward to the new year.

Breakfast:X 2 Sainsbury's Breakfast Biscuits: 6PP

Lunch:
X1 Wholemeal Bagel: 6PP
X1 Portion Chicken & Bacon Sandwich Filler: 3PP
X1 Apple: 0PP

Dinner:
Rocket Salad & Sesame Oil Dressing: 1PP
Pizza Express Gustosa Pizza: 11PP
Pepsi Max: 0PP

Snacks:
X 1 Portions of Cherries: 0 PP
X 1 Curlywurly: 3PP

Points Used: 33 PP
Points Earned: 5 PP - Pedometer strapped on!

Challenges: Forgot to pick up my lunch and forgot to take my purse to work. So by the time I had the opportunity to get my lunch from home I was starving and could of made some bad choices.  However I stuck to my guns, hence bang on points.  Yay for me.

Achievements: 
Today is the first time in ages that I have actually hit my points bang on. I wasn't hungry at all either, I guess it is a sign I am getting back in to the swing of things.

Tomorrow: 
Should be OK,  lunch sorted, dinner kind of sorted and feeling in control!

Verdict: Good day, best day of 2012 food wise so far!

First blog post of 2012!

I can't believe it has been so long since I have posted a 'proper' blog.

Gone went my resolution to post every day, and in came depression and illness. Thinking about it now I think my depression was related to my illness, my doctor had previously told me that viruses can cause it. Since I have been feeling better, I am feeling far more positive and I am no longer worried I might be heading for a prolonged period of depression.

I'm feeling great about 2012, loads of things to look forward to. I am feeling so positive about this year I have even fond the effort to calculate how far I need to go until I get to goal and calculated how much I would need to lose each week to get there!

Christmas Day:  My Little Bro and I

I am already back on track and didn't need the shock of my post Christmas weigh in to get me back there. I even weighed between Christmas and New Year (something I have never done before) and I lost half a pound! If must be a sign that I am ready for 'proper' weight less this year not just treading water.

The one where I reflect on 2011

11 Things for 2011?

I set out in 2011 with a to-do list for 2011 so before heading in 2012 I thought I would see how well or not I did.  2011 has been a rollercoaster year, especially with the illnesses of both my Mum and Dad.  However I am looking forward

1.    Take a photo of myself at every weigh in.  I have not really tracked my progress and this should be an easy way to do it. – This one I failed miserably at, I’ll probably give it another go, but I am not making any promises!

2.    Cook at least 3 meals during the working week.  I have a terrible tendency to use ready meals or rely on cereal when I get home from work; I am determined to cook more. – This I have managed to do, up until I became ill in September

3.    Run (not walk) a 5K.  This was one of the things on my list for last year and for various reasons (mainly laziness) I didn’t achieve it.  I am determined to do it this year. – Yay I did this.  OK I did it slowly but I did it.  This was one of my major achievements this year, I remember when I started I could barely run 50 yards

4.    Develop a Love Life.  Last year I wanted to find some friends in Colchester, and I think I have done that (hopefully).  Next stop love life, I have no idea how to start with this point but it’s on the list so I will at least try.  Possibly sorting out numbers 5 and 7 may help! – Another epic fail.  Possibly a little bit ambitious, because I have no idea where to start!  Another

5.    Wear more make up.  It may seem stupid but I think for my self esteem and confidence I need to spend a bit more time making myself look good (better) even if I don’t necessarily feel it inside. – This has happened!  Saturdays and Sundays I prettify even if I am just popping to Tesco.  Also unusually I have been putting on make up to go to work… just a little bit.

6.    Buy less packaged fruit.  I spend a fortune on it, it is quite obscene really, obviously a better choice than a chocolate bar but I buy it too often.  More whole fruits for me. – Although still a part of my diet, I have eaten loads of whole fruits.  Figs, persimmons, grapes and Satsuma’s have been the go-to fruits this year.

7.    Go to bed earlier.  I am quite naughty and often stay up late (Ssshhh even on a school night) but not enough sleep is prematurely aging and I don’t want to hit 30 looking like I am 45. – Actually much to my surprise I have been setting my alarm to make sure I am in bed for 10.30.

8.    Spend some time on me.  With work and life it sometimes does not give me enough time to live, I am going to try and set aside 30 mins a day to spend on me not distracted by anything/anyone else. – I have kind of done this; I have been spending at least 30 mins reading (also improving my brain).  I had also aimed to try to blog every day (for a bit).  So this is a tick!

9.    Aim to eat Vegetarian for at least one day a week.  Not only do I want to lose weight I want to be healthier and I don’t think eating huge amounts of meat is all that healthy – I’ve done well with this, veggie stir-fry’s, goats cheese pies, roasted vegetable quiches, all great meal alternatives.

10.          (Purposely) Exercise at least once a week.  OK I walk all of the time, and the bonus points do rack up, yes they help but I want to do more.  I don’t think I will ever be one of those people who are addicted to the gym, but I would like to be one of those people who enjoy exercise when they do it (I think this one might be a bit of a stretch) – Thank god for Zumba! I have been pretty active over the last year.  I have jogged more and I have developed a love for Zumba.  Such a pity my class isn’t running in 2012, going to have to find a new one because I certainly don’t want to give it up.

11.          Be happier at the end of 2011 than I was at the end of 2010. Nuff Said really – Was feeling rather depressed this time last year.  OK I have had a few low points in 2011, and quite frankly I can’t wait to see the back of this year and start 2012.  But I am feeling so positive about the coming year and this is a definite tick.

So bring on 2012!  And my 12 things to do in 2012…

Happy New Year everyone!