Standing still

Weigh day today, and I maintained for the first time since starting. I'm pleased actually. In all honesty, I weighed myself sneakily after the heavy weekend, and I had put on 3.5lbs, so to have got back to the weight I was pre-weekend of excess is quite an achievement.

The antibiotics seem to be kicking in today, three days in! My "face ache" isn't as bad as it was, and I'm feeling less blocked up. I plan to start back at the gym or swimming on Saturday morning, if the medication for my sinus infection is still making my symptoms improve. I am hoping to be back onto a losing streak next week. I want to lose 6lbs (taking me to a two stone loss) between now me the start of the Easter holidays on April 9th. I think that this is reasonable and achievable. I don't feel so good after almost two weeks of not being in an exercise regime. I feel a bit sluggish.

Work has been atrociously busy this week, and tomorrow doesn't look like it will be any different. I get all my PPA on a Friday but I'm tied up in GCSE Drama moderation stuff, which I always get anxious about (you'd think it was me performing). Needless to say I will be enjoying a glass of Grey Goose after work tomorrow (with slimline tonic, to stick to the diet!)...



Ok, onto the other part of my recovery, the Hopi Ear Candling. I went to Solo, in Workington, for this done. My therapist was Amanda, and she was fantastic.



I was naturally a bit apprehensive, but I was calmed and put at ease as soon as I went in. She talked me through every step and did a great job. It was oddly relaxing, and I did enjoy the experience. The process, which is typical of most therapists was simple. I was shown into a darkened room, which was relaxing with an appealing atmosphere. I lay down on my side, and was made more comfortable with blankets and pillows.





The lit candle was inserted into my outer ear (note in the photo I am holding the candle, but this was so Amanda could take a photo for my blog). The flame burnt for about 5 minutes. The sensation was odd, but not unpleasant. My hearing came and went during the time, but I could almost instantly tell the difference. When the candle was removed and extinguished, my ear was massaged and draining movements were used down my neck. Remember that the goal here was to sort my sinus problems. This process was repeated in both ears, then the sinus pressure points on my face was manipulated to help with recovery, as part of a drainage massage. Amanda let me see what had came out of my ear, and it was intriguingly disgusting! I stopped at posting a photo of the results on here! I'm going back for it done in three weeks as I am prone to colds and feeling blocked up, although the sinus infection has been a new experience!

I'm off to bed now, trying to rest as much as possible to fight this infection, as time off work as not an option.

Ali xxx

Location:Workington,United Kingdom

Taking it easy...

It's only Tuesday and work has pretty much wiped me out! I gave in yesterday and went to the doctors for my sinus infection and I've been given antibiotics. I just feel really run down, so I'm going to really take it easy for this week. I'm eating well- where I want to eat at all- but doing nothing more strenuous than gentle walks. I have limited energy, so I need to keep whatever I do have for getting better. This is a little frustrating as I am desperate to get to the gym and to go swimming, but I also need to be sensible and rest up as much as I can.

I made myself a vegetable tartlet using filo pastry for tea tonight. It was nice, but I couldn't eat it all. For the first time in history, I seem to lack an appetite with this infection. I always want to eat so this must be serious!

With any luck, the tablets will kick in soon. I'm trying the Hopi Ear Candling tomorrow too so I'll let you know how I get on. The sooner I'm well again, the better! My blogs will be more exciting when I'm back to full health!

Ali xxx

Off the wagon

Well, what a wonderful week with Andy and Noah! I love being off work with them, and we've had a wonderful time. I wish that the holidays could last longer!




If there's one thing that I need from work, it's the routine and the stability of the working day. I knew half term would be hard for me diet wise, but I have totally slid off the Weight Watchers' way of life, and only have myself to blame! I started so well at the beginning of the week, going to the gym and trying to make healthy choices. I even managed when the Weight Watchers' app wasn't working. I lost 1lb on Weigh Day, then it went downhill!

I had pizza on Thursday, a burger on Friday, and Nando's yesterday! Oh the shame! I really enjoyed being away with the lads, seeing family and having fun, but I'm left today feeling bloated, unhealthy and a bit unhappy really. Other than walking and running around after Noah, my exercise has been virtually non-existent, and that doesn't feel too good either! Ordinarily I wouldn't care, but this time I do and I just want to get back on track. I need a bit of motivation too! Can you guys help?

I quite like this picture that I found on Pinterest:





I need to set myself some little
goals this week to get back on track. I'm thinking that I should aim to go to the gym/class/swimming four times this week, and do something at home on the other days. I'm also going to make sure that I record everything on my Weight Watchers' app to keep things clear. I need to be fairly strict with myself this week after my week off!

I'm going to try Hopi Ear Candling on Wednesday to help me to shift my sinus infection. I really don't want antibiotics so will try anything before I resort to going to the doctors. The pain isn't quite as bad as it was on Friday, but still causing me aggravation all the same. Has anyone tried the candling treatment, and did it work?

Have a good week, tomorrow's another day!



Ali xxx

Location:Edinburgh Avenue,Workington,United Kingdom

Third time lucky

This is the third attempt at this blog, and rest assured I'm getting annoyed with my iPad crashing now.

The Weight Watchers' app has crashed this week, and I have lost the plot a bit without it. Still lost 1lb, so onto a 22lb loss now. That's more than Noah weighs, scarily! I've also been ill so I've done ok really!

Off to Thomas Land with Noah and Andy this week. I'll be back to blogging properly on Sunday. Have a great weekend everyone!

Ali xxx

Half term

I know people often make fun of teachers, and the holidays we get, but never have I been in such need of a break from work! I'm shattered, well and truly.


The Big Sleep on Saturday was such hard work, much harder than I had aniticipated if I'm honest. The cold was almost unbearable, and I didn't get an awful lot of sleep. It's heartbreaking to think that elderly people in Cumbria (and around the UK for that matter) have to put up with such harsh conditions because of the cost of energy. If the government were to do anything, it should be to make sure that every OAP in the country can afford heating AND food. I don't think I would go as far as to say I enjoyed the experience, but I am pleased that I did it and I thank everyone for sponsoring Andy and I. As a side note, it's not too late to donate... Click here to do so! . We can carry on raising money until 5th May, so go for it!


Today I took Noah to Planet Play to meet with his friends, while I got to see mine. The food looked amazing, and it took a lot to just stick to a cuppa, but I did it. I also went to the gym this afternoon, but I don't feel that great. I'm having an early night in the hope that it will pass. For tea I had a zero ProPoints salad with a Weight Watchers' Beef Lasagne. This was 7 points. I have a lot planned this week, a lot of which includes food, so I will have to workout as much as possible in order to try and maintain! I'm finding it hard as my Weight Watchers' app isn't working and the website is down. I'm very vigilant when it comes to counting my points, and I am finding it really tricky not having the help of the app. How sad am I?


Have a lovely week guys.


Ali xxx

The Big Sleep!

Today's the day. It's The Big Sleep for the Cumbria Foundation. Myself and Andy are currently sitting in a field overlooking Lake Windermere, getting colder by the minute. But that's what it's about isn't it? There are elderly people who have to put up with it almost being as cold inside their own homes as it is out here.


It's not too late to donate either... www.justgiving.com/Alison-Williamson2

There is hot water available so I've brought some pasta pots to make for tea. Basic, but we're not here for a gourmet meal. I think I'll be getting by with a lot of coffee! I'll keep tweeting tonight, but blogging means my hands get too cold- my iPhone gloves just aren't cutting it!

Enjoy your Saturday night, lovely an warm. Don't think of Andy and me, think of the people that we're doing this for.







Ali xxx

Location:Holbeck Lane,Windermere,United Kingdom

It's a miracle...

 

 

This plan really work... click here to find out more!

Ok, I was genuinely convinced I would have put weight on after my weekend of excess, but I stepped onto the scales today and low and behold, I have lost 2lbs again, taking me to a 21 lbs loss. Excellent!

I think I'll start to take measurements as well as weight

What I hope will happen to me!

Back to work now, but wanted to update you!

Ali xxx

 

Stay safe...

Just a brief blog today, but I wanted to write to tell you all to stay safe in this weather! In the space of the hour that I've just spent at the gym, the wind seems to have picked up even more. I know that nobody needs a lecture, so just stay safe, and be sensible.

I went to the gym intending on doing loads, but I took my book and just read for 45 minutes whilst on the bike. I did over 9.5km though, and I was sweating way too much for a girl, so at least I've done some exercise! I'm reading "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry; it's a powerful book, to say the least, and I cannot put it down.

I'm not too confident about Weigh Day tomorrow. After my very heavy weekend, I don't feel like I've pushed myself the extra mile in terms of my exercise regime. If I maintain this week, I will be happy, but I am guessing my first gain, probably a pound or so! I'll just have to work twice as hard next week, although it's half term and I usually slip into bad habits when we're off work. I'm sure that you guys will motivate me enough to stick with it while I'm not distracted by work.

I tried a Low Low ready meal this evening for my tea. It was the Chicken and Chorizo Paella. My first mistake was buying a ready meal that's microwave only, when I don't own a microwave! It said it was to be steamed, so I put it into my steamer for 30 minutes, like I did with the Weight Watchers steam and serve meals. This didn't work, so I ended up putting it in the oven for a while. After all the hassle I didn't even enjoy it. It wasn't as tasty as the Weight Watchers' meals I've had, and the chorizo content was almost non-existent. The only thing that I liked about it was the £1 price tag. I'm clearly a Weight Watchers girl at heart.

Off to bed now to scare myself silly as I catch up on The Following. I've a long day of moderating, followed by Parents' Evening, ahead of me tomorrow, but I will try to update you all on my weight at some point.

Remember, take care in this awful weather.

Ali xxx

Piloxing...

What's it all about?

Not so long ago I wrote a piece about new exercise crazes, so I thought that it was about time that I tried another for myself. I tend to give these phases a tiny go, but usually get bored and give up. I'm not the most consistent of people, as I'm sure you'll have guessed by now. I did really like Zumba when I used to do that, but then got pregnant and it went by the wayside. Let's not forget my recent dabble in a running club! I would like to try running again, but definitely not in a big group situation!

Piloxing then. It's billed as being a class which combines Pilates with boxing, two things which have opposing characteristics to begin with. The official description of Piloxing, as taken from www.piloxing.com is "A NON-STOP, CARDIO FUSION OF STANDING PILATES, BOXING AND DANCE THAT WILL PUSH YOU PAST YOUR LIMITS FOR A SLEEK, SEXY, POWERFUL™ YOU! " I almost gave up at "cardio fusion", but interest got the better of me.

In layman's terms, piloxing is a mixture of Pilates' strengthening and toning moves, with some boxercise (remember when that was THE class to go to?) to boost cardio. It's done in intervals, starting with a stretch and warm up, then a set of Pilates moves, followed by a set of boxercise, with these two styles being repeated. For the "cool down" we took to the floor to do some mat works, mainly crunches. It was enjoyable, a lot more so than expected, and I will go back next week. I need to work on my balance, and on my coordination to a certain extent, but other than that I did quite well for a beginner.

How will you benefit from Piloxing?

Ultimately, my number one goal is to lose weight, but I have been thinking more and more about toning my arms and legs. Piloxing will certainly help with this, as the Pilates side of the class very much focuses on body sculpting and toning. The beauty of Piloxing is that there is plenty of scope for a cardio workout too, which will improve my fitness levels and burn that dreaded fat.

You could also use Piloxing as a social activity- especially if you're a bit sad like me and find that exercising is the only "hobby" you seem to do. The class tonight wasn't overly busy; there were about 10 other women there of different ages, shapes, sizes and abilities. I went on my own, which was liberating actually (more on this in a second), but I felt welcomed by the other women and by the instructor.

If you're into classes, but want something that will give you a feminine figure rather than anything too bulky, then I would imagine that this is perfect for you. I'm going to continue to do this just once a week as I'd rather use something like Piloxing for toning, rather than doing weights or circuits (personal preference, that's all). I'll combine it with what I already to, which is the gym, swimming and the odd powerwalk.

Other news

I was congratulating myself on going to Piloxing on my own, as at one point in life I wouldn't even have considered this, and I started thinking about my attitude to exercise. The odd walk being exempt, I do seem to enjoy exercising on my own more than with other people. I think it's because I am losing weight for me, and nobody else, so why do I need the comfort of other people to go to the gym, or go swimming with? It keeps the focus on myself and how I am doing, rather than how I'm doing compared to other people. The only pressure I feel going on my own is from myself, and I can take things at my pace, and do things in my own way. It's also the only hour or so of my day that I get to myself, so it's quite good for my mental health as it gives me time to think everything through and reflect on things. I know I mentioned this earlier in my blogging life, but six weeks on and I haven't taken an anti-depressant since starting my new regime. I feel much happier and healthier and I think that it's a good thing that I've done this on my own. Please don't get me wrong, I love the support that I have from all of you, but there's a difference between supporting me, and holding my hand while I actually do the exercise. I need to be able to go out an do things for myself, without relying too heavily on others. I am talking about the literal, physical act of doing the exercise and doing the diet here. The moral support is something I know that I couldn't do without.

Ok, so I am feeling the ache from Piloxing already. I probably won't be able to move in the morning!

Ali xxx

 

Walk off the weight...

Sorry I've been a bit silent this weekend. Unfortunately, I have only one excuse: a hangover! I think I died a million times over. I've never been so ill. It's not big, or clever, but I had a lot of fun in the build up! I think I deserved to let my hair down and go a bit wild. And I was so impressed that I had fit into a pre-Christmas dress, that I just went wild! I'd bought myself this in November in a size 16, but it was a million miles away from fitting. Not only did it fit me, but it was loose in places and really comfortable. I also felt nice in it too, which helps. I'm given myself kudos, because I've worked hard to get into this dress. I have three others that I'm hoping to fit in as the weight comes off, so watch this space.

 
I went to Rojo with some work ladies. It was really nice. The food was good, but the atmosphere and service was excellent! Relaxed and comfortable, just what I think us Southfield ladies needed! We shared some Nachos to start (between three of us, so it wasn't bad at all). For my main I got chicken skewers with vegetables in a mango sauce. This came with rice and a couple of wedges. It was really tasty. We were good and didn't have a pudding! We did, however, sample some cocktails. I can highly recommend the strawberry mojito! The trouble came when leaving Rojo, when I thought it was a good idea to drink double vodka and tonics. The rest is history. I worked it out that it had been five months since I last went out, and even then I wasn't drunk, so this was certainly justified. Am I convincing you, or just trying to convince myself? My husband is too lovely, and he let me stay in bed until dinner time. The 6 hours awake with Noah was hard. An eager toddler and a killer hangover are two things that should not ever go together!
 
Can I confess to my sins now please? Let's just say the food from my lovely meal didn't stay down long enough to be properly digested, so I was starving come 6pm on Saturday. Still hung over, and suffering the dreaded munchies, I went to Asda. Big mistake! For my tea I had an entire pizza to myself, some crisps and some chocolate. It was my entire daily allowance of Weight Watchers ProPoints in one meal. It was a good job that it was my only meal of the day then. Oh, the shame! I'm telling you this to highlight what my drinking session caused me to do. I fell completely off the food wagon. I was firmly back on it by yesterday, and I even walked 2 miles. Today I have been even more vigilant, and walked 3.8 miles, so I think I've made up for the error in food judgement! I'm not so pious as to pretend I am an angel when it comes to this weight loss malarkey; I am, however, dedicated enough to think of two days out of fifty as simple respite, rather than failure. I'm going to do what I can to still lose 2lbs this week, as this will put me at my lightest since I was four months pregnant with Noah (yes, I regularly weighed myself when I was expecting).

My exercise plan for this week is as follows: tomorrow I am trying Piloxing for the first time (oh hell). Wednesday I am going to go for a walk again with my mam. Thursday I will go for a swim or to the gym after work, and I will do the same on Friday. I will go swimming or running on Saturday morning, and then on Sunday I will be sleeping all day, because...

It's this weekend that Andy and I are sleeping under the stars in the freezing cold to raise money for charity! It's for the Cumbria Foundation and is called The Big Sleep. For more information- and for details on how to donate- visit our fundraising page here. It's for an amazing cause. Go on, you know you want to donate!

Well, I am off to chill and then sleep. I'm a bit obsessed with Ryan Gosling so I think it's the turn of Gangster Squad tonight.

Take care, and have a great week.

Ali xxx

Quick update

Happy Thursday people. This will be quick as my bed is calling me! I got on the scales today to find that I am 2lbs lighter than last week! That's 19lb in total. I'm very pleased, especially with my being ill at the beginning of the week and not having exercised much. Going to push for another 2lb loss next week as it'll mean that I've got 1.5 stone off. Wish me luck!

Ali xxx

Wonderfully weird!

Having decided to knock running classes on the head, I though that I'd see what other classes are out there to try. This got me looking into some really odd, but fun sounding, classes. During the past decade, exercise classes for women have really changed. It's no longer just step aerobics, or legs, bums and tums. My local gym alone offers 47 classes per week, not to mention badminton, squash, swimming, and weights and cardio at the gym. Surely then, there's bound to be something else out there that's for me!

Some of the more unusual classes that I've seen are:

1. willPower and Grace... Shoeless conditioning classes for your feet! Apparently this will improve circulation to yours toes and mobility in your feet and ankles. Find out more at www.virginactive.co.uk




2. Get fit with Mel B... This isn't a celebrity fitness DVD, it's an actual class running at Fitness First gyms.. This is interval training with fat-burning, toning and weight loss in mind. It's a 45 minute class.




3. TRX Fitness... You're strapped up in a harness, suspended from various bars, and from various body parts. It's designed to improve your tone, control and core. This is another Virgin Active class.


4. Water Crew... This is spinning, but on a rowing machine! This is quite hardcore but you get amazing results; toned arms, a stronger back, and less of a muffin top. See the Water Crew site for more information.



5. Kranking... This is spinning for your arms. It is done on an "upturned bike", professionally know as a Krankcycle. You vary pedalling with one arm or both, and which direction, and this targets the arms, shoulders, back and chest. It also improves your core muscles. I must admit, I do enjoy using this piece of equipment at the gym to target my bingo wings, but I'm not sure how much I'd like to try a full class!




I'm going to try as much as possible, starting with Piloxing on Tuesday! I shall let you know how this endeavour goes!




Ali xxx

Location:Workington,United Kingdom

Absence makes the heart grow fonder!

Can I apologise for my lack of communication over the past few days?

The Williamson household has been struck down by one of those pesky sickness bugs. I wasn't too bad on Saturday so I was on Noah duty as Andy was really ill. It hit me on Sunday and we both had to have a day off yesterday. It was by no means a romantic pulling of a "sticky". I slept until gone 3pm, only waking for the odd bit of career news that the local press have so dutifully reported!

I missed my running homework and wasn't fit to go tonight so I have decided to do my running in a less formal environment from now on. Being tied to a set time really causes me stress, and why am I feeling uneasy three times a week about something that I don't enjoy? I have agreed to start going out with some work colleagues, which I think will be more fun!

We all had a pretty awful day at work today (and yesterday for my lovely friends who were in), and I was caught between wanting to binge- my natural reaction in times such as these- and having no appetite thanks to this bug that I'm still recovering from. I decided to ride it out, have a little snack and go to the gym to help me to chill out. This seems to have done the trick and I've not got the guilt I would have had if I had went on an emotional binge.

I'm not going to stick around too long. I just wanted to check in with you all. Off to start a new book, "A fine balance" by Rohinton Mistry. It will apparently put my life into perspective, possibly just what I need right now!

Ali xxx

Location:Workington,United Kingdom