April Monthly Round-Up

So it's a few days late, but here's my April monthly round-up.

Goal Number 1 - Complete the operational level of my CIMA qualification

I'm now only 18 days away from my next exam (wow, is that all?!), meaning that for the next 18 days my life is largely going to resolve around revising. I have a practice exam day on the 12th May which I'm hoping will be a major help in my revision steps. I'm feeling relatively alright about the prospect of sitting my exam but we'll see how it goes on the day.

Goal Number 2 - Move into my own home

So my flat is now the next in line to get the roof put on, and the aim is still for a move in date at the end of June. My focus is now on buying bedroom curtains ready for move in day, and then just big stuff like Fridge/Freezer and washing machine. I'm so excited.

Goal Number 3 - Loose a stone in weight

April wasn't a great month what with Easter giving me chocolate and me not being very well, so I didn't get any closer to my target. I managed an 8 minute run, the longest I've done all year, non-stop in my cardio routine, so I just need to keep going on that and soon I'll be seeing more progress.

I started the 30 day abs, squat and plank challenge at the beginning of the month, but as I seemed to loose my ability to properly do a plan I only ended up completing the abs and squat one. The progress across the 30 days was amazing, my tummy is a lot flatter than it used to be and my core strength so much better than it was. Now the challenge is over, I don't want to loose all my progress so I'm going to try a few different abs exercises each night. Taking some of the ideas from these two Youtube videos I've found to give me some variety.

 

Goal Number 4 - Get my splits on both legs

I'm still so close and keep trying to push myself that extra step. I'm going to try a few more exercises on my theraband to help my get that little bit further in time for my dance show.

Goal Number 5 - Learn to cook

I managed to make some chocolate coconut cupcakes (which weren't very healthy) and then a chicken and chorizo bake, and a beef casserole all from my new cook book. The results were rather good and I'll definitely be trying them again.

Plan for May

May's goal is to focus on passing my exam, and not put weight on in the mean time. I'm going to watch what I eat, and still aim to do at least one workout a week so I don't loose the progress I've made. I'm going to keep up with some ab exercises and stretch as much as I can so I'm in a good position for the dance show at the end of June.

Weigh in - 28th April

I am very pleased to announce, another 1.2 lbs loss this week. I'm now pretty much back where I started at the beginning of the month, but I'm not going to complain because that extra weight I ate from feeling sorry for myself is now gone and I'm looking to the future and not backwards.

I was back at dancing last week, training hard for our performance. It's amazing how much progress the ab challenge has helped me make at class. Our core ab exercises are a lot easier now than they were in January and it's definitely helping with my technique. I've still got a long way to go though, but thankfully I'm feeling quite motivated.

After coming up with 101 reasons why not to go to the gym on Thursday, I talked myself into going and managed a 20 min cardio workout and some leg presses. My head wasn't in it so I didn't fully achieve what I should have done but an 8 min run non-stop was good. I'm getting closer to that 10 min run, it's just taking longer than I'd hoped for. (I'm still not falling in love with running).

I'm now in the 4 week lead up to my exam which means there's going to be less working out for the next few weeks and more studying. I'm still going to aim to dance once a week, and one gym session but work has to take priority for a while. My weakness is going to be snacking. I like to eat whilst I study and I normally just grab chocolate/biscuits/cakes etc, but I'm going to keep my goal in my mind throughout and opt for the fruit option as best I can. I'm determined this study session wont put weight on my, if I have to I'll maintain but I'm still going for a loss.

I now have only 2 more days to go on my 30 day challenges. I'll take the last progress pictures on Thursday morning and when I do my monthly round up we'll all be able to judge if there's a difference in the photographs.

Happy Monday everyone!

100 Happy Days...Day 63

Having a lightbulb moment. In preparation for my exam I've been studying today and finally had that 'ding' moment when calculating NPVs on projects, including tax & interest rates. The concept behind it is all finally making sense, and I'm actually kind of excited to do some more. Yes I know it's not the most exciting topic but as an accountant, I'm allowed to get excited over such things.

Weight in - 31st March

Another 0.8lbs down! Last week wasn't a good week for exercise, work took over my life too much meaning I didn't have time to gym. I did well though, kept under my calorie limit everyday except Friday when he boyfriend treated me to some Jaffa cakes, and stretched a few times. Every little helps!

So as it's the end of March it's time to reflect on my goal progress for the year and plan for April.

Goal Number 1 - Complete the operational level of my CIMA qualification

So March saw me complete my college course and begin to plan my revision. I have 7 weeks to revise and make sure I pass so my challenge for April is to do at least 5 hours revision a week. I've printed past papers off to get me started and I'll be updating my formula sheet tomorrow. It may be not be exciting, but I'm looking forward to it all

Goal Number 2 - Move into my own home

Unfortunately this is completely out of my control, but the aim is still June and I keep buying little things to keep me excited. My next purchase is curtains. Exciting times.

Goal Number 3 - Loose a stone in weight

I'm nearly half way there! 6lbs in 3 months isn't bad. I just need to continue as I have been and I'll get there. I'm going to continue with my little cardio routine, working on increasing my running length each time (today I reached 7:39 mins, a huge achievement). I'm also going to get back on the weights and start the 30 day abs, squat and plank challenge from tomorrow. My friend has been doing them and saw amazing progress from it so I can only try!

Goal Number 4 - Get my splits on both legs

I'm so close on my right leg. I hoped I'd have it by now but looks like I'm gonna need that little bit more of a push. Fingers crossed if I keep stretching with my theraband I'll get there in April.

Goal Number 5 - Learn to cook

I've come up with a few ideas I'd like to try, bought a recipe book to put them in, and even bought myself a cook book I can get some tips from. I can't wait to get my own kitchen to start experimenting more, but I'm hoping over Easter weekend I'll get the chance to try some recipes out in my parent's kitchen.

Plan for April

My plan for April is to continue with my cardio routine. Increasing the length of time I run non-stop for and then working to increase my speed/distance. I rowed 2000M today in 13mins, hopefully I'll be able to work at improving that time.....but for now I'm not going to focus too much on that.

My main aim for April is going to be to complete all 3 of the 30 day challenges below. Like I said before, my friend saw really good progress from these challenges and as I'm now starting to loose weight I feel I should begin to tone up. To anyone else, feel free to accept the challenges too!

100 Happy Days...Day 35 - The gym being quiet

I love the gym when it's quiet. Makes it so much easier to get on and do what you want without any distractions. It also makes the gym a lot cooler. A new gym has just opened nearby so I think a lot of people have switched, which will hopefully make mine quieter from now on.