September Monthly Round Up

Wow! I can't believe how long it is since I did a monthly round up (July was my last) and how lazy I've been since I got back from holiday with no weekly weigh in posts. I'm rubbish. I apologise.

Goal Number 1 - Complete Managerial Level of my CIMA Qualification

Since I completed the operational level in July, this is a new updated goal. Managerial level is level 2 of the qualification and today I've just finished the tuition courses for the two modules I'm sitting in November. I think I've pushed myself a bit far, opting to do two at once but I think it's going well. I have two mock exams to do this week which should give me an indication of how I'm getting on, and then it's just revision revision revision until exam day. Fingers crossed!

Goal Number 2 - Move into my Own Home

I can't wait for this goal to be gone, and hopefully by the end of October it will be. I got a phone call on Thursday to say it was 98% complete and should be 100% complete by the end of next week, so there's no reason I won't be in by the end of October....I'll believe it when I get there though. I have been inside and seen it so I know progress is being made but it's taking far too long for my liking.

Goal Number 3 - Loose a Stone in Weight

I don't even know where I currently stand on this. I haven't been on the scales in a good few weeks. I won't be surprised to see a gain, I've been lazy and I know I have. I can't remember the last time I was at the gym, and my diet has been all over the place. But from this week I'm going back to the gym, I'm going to be good and I'm going to get my dancers body back. I've joined the professional dance class permanently now so if I want the chance of performing in public from it I need to get my fitness up, so no more excuses.

Goal Number 4 - Get my Splits on Both Legs

I'm getting there. Slowly and surely. I've been doing lots of stretching at dance to help, my leg hold is getting better and I'm managing to lift my leg into the hip flexor stretch (picture before for reference), something that I've always struggled with. I can definitely feel the stretch getting deeper and hopefully I will get this by the end of the year. It's on my bucket list so I better.

Goal Number 5 - Learn to Cook

Although my cooking hasn't been tested out much recently, my mind is spinning with food ideas I can't wait to try. I have a long list of recipes ready for when I get into the flat, and I'm getting more adventurous with my food choices so hopefully my food vocabulary will expand. I'm also getting bored of eating the same things all the time, which is very unusual for me so hopefully I'll be motivated to start experimenting as soon as I get my keys.

Plan for October

For many people October is stoptober, a chance to either give up smoking or drinking for an month to improve your health. I don't smoke, and I very rarely drink, so my stoptober is to stop making excuses. I'm notorious for making them. Whether it by why I didn't go to the gym, why I ate that piece of chocolate cake, why I haven't done any revision, I make them a lot. But I'm going to stop. No more excuses. That's the plan.

Sarah x

July Monthly Round Up

I can't believe it's already August! July seems to have passed by in seconds. I doesn't seem five minutes since I finished June with my dance show. This year is flying past so quickly, Christmas will soon be sneaking up on us. But before I even consider beginning to think about Christmas it's time to recap on July and plan for August (probably the best month of the year).

Goal Number 1 - Complete the Operational Level of my CIMA Qualification - Achieved 11/7/14

I passed! I'm so pleased this level is over with and I can move onto the next one. I've set myself a high standard now though, having achieved a 74% mark, but I'm determined to do just as well in my next two.

Goal Number 2 - Move into my own Home

I'm starting to hate this goal now as it's taking forever. I'm still waiting for my flat to be ready. I've been told there'll be "no more delays" but I've been told a lot of things that have not been true. So we shall see if this happens anytime soon.

Goal Number 3 - Loose a stone in weight

I continued with my idea of just maintaining until I got into my flat, and apart from a few bad weeks, this worked well. But going forward I'm back to pushing to loose. I've re-actived my calorie counting app, changed gyms, and will be going back to doing my daily ab and stretching exercises. My food may not be wonderful whilst I'm at home, but if I cut out all the rubbish then I should be ok.

Goal Number 4 - Get my Splits on Both Legs

My leg hold is getting better, a lot better, and my splits are progressing. I'm getting closer, but my legs just don't want to go straight which is why I don't seem to be getting much further forward. I need to find a way to work on that and hopefully I should be there soon.

Goal Number 5 - Learn to Cook

At work we have a scheme to promote healthy living, as part of this our resident chef gave us a cooking demonstration and made a delicious butterfly chicken dish with tomato sauce and roasted vegetables. It was absolutely gorgeous! Sauce is something I would never really think of making myself from scratch but after seeing how easily he did it, I will definitely be trying it out when I get a copy of the recipe. The chicken was very yummy too and I tried butternut squash for the first time, which I now love! I'm getting adventurous with my food and can't wait to get into my own kitchen to try it out. I've also thought up some good meal ideas to try and cook, and a new post series for my blog to do with food. If only my flat would hurry up and I could put these plans into action.

Plan for August

Now that I've changed gyms I'm a lot more motivated to go to the gym, and with my professional dance class pushing me I know I need to do more. So August's plan is to be very very good. At least 3 exercise sessions a week, and good food. Cut back on the fizzy drinks, get back on the water, and look better for my birthday on the 30th. I'm back at college too this month so I'm timing my healthy kick to start with college and hopefully I'll keep motivated on both at the same time.