My First Kettlebells Experience

I've been a member of my current gym for almost a year now. Part of the reason I chose this gym over some of the others was because it offered a range of classes in with the monthly membership cost. Up until last week, guess how many I'd attended? Yep, none.

I don't know what it is but the thought of turning up and being the new girl in a class terrified me. I was worried I was going to turn up and not know what I was doing, make a massive mistake or look ridiculous. So I continued with my little cardio routine with the occasional weights thrown in, not really making any progress.

After a fairly unhealthy March, I decided that in April I would give myself 30 days to turn my fitness regime back around. I've been going for a run before work, signed up to a new dance class, bought myself some ankle weights and a foam roller, and I finally took the plunge and signed up to a Kettlebells class.

Credit to: Lucy Fry

A kettlebell is a cast iron/steel weight, shaped a bit like a cannon ball, that comes in a range of weights depending on how strong you are (I'm a weakling so could only manage a 4kg one), and can be used to perform a range of cardio, strength and flexibility exercises.

The class I signed up to was only 30 mins long, which I couldn't understand. All the other classes on the timetable are an hour long, why would this one only be 30 mins? Well, as I learnt on Friday, Kettlebells are an insane workout! There's no way I could have done more than 30 minutes. I'm actually surprised I managed that long.

Our instructor is ex-army and he pushed us through a range of different exercises. Some focused on legs, some backs, some arms and some abs. We did swing movements, push ups, squats, sit ups. 30 second reps of each, with a ten second break in between each rep. Then after 4 reps, we'd change to a different exercise.

I was really skeptical up until I got there. Having never used a kettlebell before, and not being a fan of weight lifting, I thought it was going to be a nightmare 30 minutes for me. But it wasn't I loved it.

I came out extremely sweaty (sorry, tmi!), tired, feeling like I wanted to throw up and aching all over. It was amazing! And even after rolling out my body, and stretching, I'm still feeling good aches two days later.

I think I may have found my new favourite form of exercise.

Sarah x

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

Weigh in - 22nd July

It's safe to say, I'm really struggling to move today. I went to visit my new job last week and was rather impressed so I joined. It's not very big but every time I've been since it's been very quiet, which is definitely a selling point for me. I haven't signed up for any classes yet, but I do plan to. For now I'm just working on getting back into a gym routine. In less than a week I've managed 3 gym sessions and a dance class. So I think I'm doing rather well.

I went to my first professional dance class last night and it was so much fun but I really am suffering today. I don't know how I've managed it but I seem to have pulled something in my back. Not ideal but it does seem to be easing. It was remarkably good after my gym session tonight which I was very surprised at, I'll probably regret the decision to go and workout though if I'm struggling even more in the morning. But overall it was a good session and has given me a lot to of areas improve on.

I don't think the gym is the reason behind this but, the extra weight I gained last week I've lost. To loose it so easily I'm pretty sure it was just water weight, but I'm not going to complain if it means I've got back to my maintain level. I've just got to keep going and hopefully my routine will fall back into place soon.

All in all a relatively good week.

Weigh In - 15th July

The last week has been pretty rubbish if I'm honest. Getting my exam results was definitely a highlight, and going out celebrating on Friday night was fun, but Saturday and Sunday were just days I'd quite like to forget very quickly.

Despite my rubbish few days, I'm proud of myself for not cheering myself up with food. If anything, I went the opposite way and just didn't eat enough. But anyway, today was weigh in day (because I forgot yesterday again...I'll get better at remembering I promise), and it wasn't good. For the first time in a while the range I'd set myself as being an acceptable maintaining limit was exceeded.

I'm really annoyed that I've gone over, but the only thing I can blame is my laziness by not going to the gym. So it's time to snap out of that mentality and get myself back there.

If only my possible new gym would answer their emails about membership and that would be sorted.

If they don't respond tomorrow I'll just have to continue at my current gym until I get sorted. But I really do need to get back to do something.

Last night was supposed to be my last night at dancing until September, but a great opportunity came up and I was invited to join the professional group for a conditioning/strengthening/flexibility class during the holidays. I'm so excited. My teacher said we'd go over some of the professional routines they've done for their exhibitions/conferences/parties etc so hopefully I might be able to prove I can keep up and be asked to join permanently.

But to do that, I really do need to make the effort to get back in shape, so it's definitely gym time.

No more excuses.

Weigh in - 8th July

I haven't got much to say in these weigh in weeks at the moment. I'm still on track to keep maintaining for the next few weeks until I get into my flat. So I'm rather pleased, especially since I've been slacking on the gym. A combination of long work hours and a bad back has made it pretty hard to get to the gym.

I've made the decision to switch gyms, my current one is very basic, not very welcoming and doesn't feel motivating at all, and have spent time researching different ones in my new area. I've made the decision to join one that's a short drive away, but has a wide range of classes on offer, more variety of machines and equipment to use, and is still reasonably priced. I'm going to try and book an induction this week if I can, if not I might wait until I move and get settled to make the switch.

I'm so achy off dancing yesterday. My lovely teacher decided we needed to do a lot of stretching so had us doing all sorts, and now I'm very stiff and achy. Only downside to the whole day was my knee beginning to pull and hurt again because I'd forgotten my knee pads. Note to self: be better organised.

I'm hoping the combination of my back hurting and my knee pulling isn't a sign of what my old age is going to be like.

Weigh in - 1st July & June Monthly Round Up

Happy 1st July everyone!

I seem to have gotten into the habit of being so unmotivated by Monday mornings that I forget to get on the scales, and it's normally when I get to work that I realise I've missed my weigh in. So here's to another weigh in Tuesday, and another maintaining week.

I'm actually really surprised I didn't put on this week. My diet hasn't been very good over the last week and with quarter end close at work meaning I had to work till 7pm every night, I didn't manage to get to the gym. The only saviour I had was my dance class and then dance show on Sunday.

My show went really well. We were second on stage so there wasn't much time for nerves, and I didn't mess anything up. It was such a great feeling to be back on stage, I didn't realise how much I'd missed performing until I did it again. I want to try and get back into performing more regularly again, maybe join a dance group for parties/conferences etc? Need to completely sort myself out though to be able to do that so once I get into the flat I need to have a big reorganisation of everything and sort myself out so I could maybe try and do more.

Goal Number 1 - Complete the Operational Level of my CIMA Qualification

Only 9 more days and I will finally know the answer to whether I have achieved this or not. I'll be over the moon if I have, and absolutely devastated if I hadn't. Fingers crossed!

Goal Number 2 - Move into my own Home

After the momentary excitement of a possible June move in date, I'm now back to waiting and waiting and waiting. The plan is July to move in but I'm yet to get that in writing. The novelty of buying a flat sure runs out after 7 months of waiting.

Goal Number 3 - Loose a stone in weight

Still ongoing, but as I'm not putting weight on I'll say we're making good progress. As I've said before, as soon as I get into the flat and I can control all my food, do more outdoor running and get to the gym more.

Goal Number 4 - Get my Splits on Both Legs

So I haven't got my splits, but I have managed to get my leg hold! I'm really proud that I've managed this, and I'm getting closer and closer to my splits. I just need to work on getting my legs straighter and hopefully both my splits and leg hold will be so much better.

Goal Number 5 - Learn to Cook

I've made my own tea a few times this month as my parents have been out with other people. My most exciting dinner was piri piri chicken kebabs with potato salad which was lovely, although the potatoes were slightly under cooked. I made enough to get me through lunch at work the next day too.

Plan for July

Plan for July is to get into my house, pass my exam, and sort myself out. Look into changing gyms, plan my meals and exercise routine, and get back to a normal sleeping pattern. I miss setting my alarm for 7am. 5:50am is farr too early to be getting up for work.

Weigh In - 24th June & 100 Happy Days...Day 100

I managed this week to remember to weigh myself on Monday morning, intense last minute dance rehearsals after a busy day of work ruined my blog posting however. I may have to re-think my schedule when I move.

Anyway, sticking with my maintaining regime for now I had another on track week. I was really good with my diet until the weekend came and I was treated to amazing home made brownies from Omar's mum and then a few glasses of wine on Saturday night for my friend's birthday.

With no real rush to get home last week I extended my interval training a bit longer and managed a good 45min workout overall. It was nice not feeling like I had to get home at a reasonable time for everyone else to have food, so I'm looking forward to being in my own place and back in control of everything.

100 Happy Days - Day 100

Reaching day 100. I was hoping something completely out of the ordinary would happen in time for my final happy day. Unfortunately it hasn't. So my 100 happy day is happy because I completed my challenge.

I thought I'd have got bored of this a long time ago, and yes I did take some breaks where I didn't have much to say, but I've completed it! Thinking about what makes you happy does make you take a different view on your life and what thinks actually do matter to you.

I tend to be the type of person who sees the bad in things more than the good, and if I had a 100 day complaint challenge I'm sure I'd have no trouble completing it, but this has definitely made me more positive towards things.

I'm proud of myself for finally completing this challenge, and look forward to the next challenge I do.

Weigh In - 17th June

In my sleepy state, I managed to forget yesterday to weigh myself. So, here I am a day late, with news of a little loss. I think I definitely need to reassess everything again over the next few weeks, diet, gym routine etc. But maybe I'm best off doing that when I'm in my house and have more control over everything. So for now, I'm sticking with maintaining (loosing where I can) and increasing my water intake.

It's so hard drinking the 2litres a day I'm recommended to do. I'm not a big fan of just plain water so once I've drank about half a litre I loose interest. I've been cutting back on the fizzy drinks though and opting for dilute juice instead where I can, which is helping me get closer to my limit.

I had another attempt at interval training last week and still felt as motivated as I had the previous week. Definitely going to keep up with this routine for a while and see how much progress I make.

My stretching has seen me make some progress too. I managed to do a heel stretch, something I've never even been close to doing before. It wasn't perfectly straight and I'd definitely like it higher but definite progress. Unfortunately I'm too wobbly to hold it long enough to take a picture but I'll work on that.

All in all, a relatively ok week.

Weigh In - 26th May and my Moment of Realisation

Another 1 lb gone this week! No idea how or what I did differently this week to the last few but I'm very very pleased.

This week is a new week, I'm done studying for a while now so it's back to focusing on the gym and stretching. I have two new stretching programs to follow for helping me get my splits, and improving my back flexibility, but I'm going to blog about them another day.

Today is more about a change in attitude and my moment of realisation.

Last week I faced the dilemma of having to decide what to wear to dance class. Normally I opt for just my leotard, leggings and a baggy-ish T-shirt as a cover up. It's a contemporary class so we don't have a strict uniform which suits me fine as I can wear what I'm comfortable to wear. The problem last week was the really high temperatures which would have meant I'd have been melting in my usual attire. So what to wear?

I'd spent the day revising in just a pair of shorts and a t-shirt cause it was so warm. Despite feeling comfortable to do that I didn't have the confidence to go to dancing in my shorts. So I changed into a pair of leggings and a top that I normally run in, made from a material designed to keep you cool. It was a sensible option, I did feel cool but a comment at dancing made me realise how stupid I was.

One of the younger girls (she's 14) turned up to class in a pair of shorts but with ballet tights on underneath because she didn't feel comfortable wearing shorts without them. To which one of the older girls (aged 18) replied "you're just coming to dance, you shouldn't care about what you look like, you're going to be a mess by the end anyway"...and I thought to myself, you know what, she's right.

Who'd have cared if I'd turned up at class in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt? Yes I wouldn't have been the slimmest there or the girl with the best pair of legs. But, I'd have been cool and I'd have been able to dance, and that was all that mattered. And that was why we were all there at the end of the day, to dance.

So that was my moment of realisation that my self-confidence had reached such a level that I would rather change into something I was likely to be less-cooler in out of fear of what other people would think of me in something that showed off a bit more flesh. How stupid is that?

Very, is the answer.

Now I'm not saying that since this point my self-confidence is at a level where I'd happily walk out of the house in a bikini and not care what anyone else thought, because I know that's just not going to happen. But I'm definitely not going to let fear of what other people think hold me back from getting to where I want to be in life.

So this week, when I go to the gym I'm not going to think about how I look or what other people think when they see me. I'm going to go and push myself to the absolute limits because otherwise, what's the point in going?

I am going get the body I want, it may take time and I may look amazing while I do it, but I'm doing it and that's what matters.



100 Happy Days...Day 85

Thoughtful presents from family - My Auntie was very kind to give me a huge box cleaning products she'd been buying and saving for me ready for my move in date. It was just little things like sponges, bathroom cleaner, kitchen cleaner etc but it was such a thoughtful gift for her to give. Thank you very much, and Happy Birthday Uncle Ted!

Weigh In - 20th May

I was a bit useless yesterday and got distracted by revision and rice krispies, and forgot to weigh myself. So I'm a day later than normal but I come with good news, another good maintenance week with a little 0.4lb loss.

I'm right where I hoped to be with my exam being over tomorrow and my plan of getting back to the gym next week. I did an hour and a half (ish) dance session and was relatively good with my food until the weekend, so I'm very pleased with the little loss.

Sorry, that these posts haven't been very insightful these last few weeks, I promise from next week they'll get more helpful and exercise/fitness related.

100 Happy Days...Day 81

Day 81 - Jaffa Cakes

I know they're naughty but they're one of my favourite ever snacks (I got a giant one for my 21st birthday cake and it was one of the best cakes I've ever had). I love them so much my flat mate commented, not long after I started seeing my boyfriend, that I must really like Omar because I was willing to share my jaffa cakes with him. My flat mate and my friends weren't every allowed them.

I've motivated myself through my revision by saying I can have a mini jaffa every time I'd done a section of questions...I quickly got through those questions so I could have the cakes. I was good and stopped after only one mini-pod (eating that is).

Weigh in - 12th May

So my plan of maintaining is going well, the little gain I made last week is gone this week so there's progress.

I'm going to be honest and say I haven't done any exercise at all last week, and my diet wasn't wonderful. I didn't eat a lot over the weekend with everything that's been going on, but whatever I did eat wasn't good for me. So I'm definitely not being a great fitness role model right now.

My focus is on passing my exam and nothing else. Having that to distract myself with is useful, no idea what I'll do when it's over.

So for now it's back to revising and maintaining. Let's just take it a day at a time for now and see where we end up next weekend.

Weigh In - 5th May

My goal for the next few weeks at least (until after the 21st May) is to just maintain. My focus is on studying so my gym sessions will be cut down and I'll just have to be very careful with what I eat. This morning there was a 0.4lb increase on the scales, I'm not too bothered about that for now, just have to work on making sure there isn't another one next week.

I only managed dancing last week as I was either studying or out with work the other nights, this week I have no dancing so going to attempt at least one good session at the gym to make up for it.

I'm going to review my ab videos tomorrow and do some sort of routine a few nights a week just so I don't loose this strength I've managed to build through April.

100 Happy Days...Day 70

Day 70 - Shopping for house stuffs

As today is a non-work day, I took that to mean it was also a non-study day. Instead I dragged my parents round the industrial estates looking at curtains and cushions. Unfortunately I didn't quite find what I wanted, but I have a good idea. So excited, this house can't come soon enough.

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.

Weigh In - 21st April

I'm always very surprised to see the scales drop, especially after a few very bad days. I dropped another 0.5lb which I'm really chuffed with after my bottle of wine, cakes and chocolate I've enjoyed these last few days.

My plan to cut back on the amount of diet coke I was drinking didn't go too good. I managed until Wednesday as work didn't have any diet coke for me to buy, and then I gave in when it came back in stock and started drinking again....I blame this new system testing, it's pushing me over the edge. Tomorrow is a new work week though so I shall give it a go and see how I get on.

I missed dancing a lot last week, I only managed 2 workouts and the second wasn't as good as it should have been. I really do think dancing is what keeps me going, I might look into options for taking a second class...force me to do that extra hour. Maybe after my exam.

Being off work today has meant that my Monday night gym session hasn't happened, the major downside to where I live, it's so far away from everything I do. Not long now until I'll be able to go whenever I want. I'm actually quite excited at the thought of being able to go on weekends, late at night, or before work on a morning. I just hope this enthusiasm carries on and I'll actually put a bit more effort in over the summer.

Today is day 21 of my 30 day challenges. I'm loving the abs one, it's such hard work but I can definitely see it paying off. I'm struggling a lot with the Plank challenge though, for some reason my ability to hold a plank for more than 90 seconds has gone and I cannot keep up with the timings I'm supposed to do now. I'm going to keep trying but I may restart the plank one properly next month and concentrate on getting my form right in the mean time. I'm not enjoying the squat challenge as much as the abs, largely because I really don't like squats. I'm persevering though.

I've taken some photos to show my progress through the challenge, once it's completed I'll post them all and we can see if there's a difference. I do think there is but maybe I'm just being optimistic.

Happy Easter Monday everyone! Hope you've all enjoyed your chocolate.

Weigh in - 14th April

Unsurprisingly, the scales went up 1.4lbs this morning. To be honest, I'm surprised it wasn't more after my lack of cardio and over eating for the past two weeks. Anyway, today is the start of a new week, and back to being good.

I'm making the effort to cut back on the amount of diet coke I'm drinking, trying to stick to water instead to get my 8 glasses a day and if I feel the need to drink diet coke then it'll be only 1 can a day maximum. So far so good, I've managed 6 glasses today and no diet coke. My weakness will be when the weekend, but I'll worry about that when I get there.

Back to the gym tonight and I was pleased to see it was relatively quiet again. I got back into my little routine and did 10 mins on the bike, not as high resistance as I had been doing previously but a good steady pace, followed by 12 mins on the bike (8 of which I ran), and 10 minutes rowing. My pace was much quicker on the rowing today, I averaged 36 strokes per minute rather than 33.

I'm quite impressed I've managed to improve on my routine from the last time I was there. The week or so off has obviously done me good, and I'm assuming the 30 day challenges have helped me a bit.

Day 14 of the challenge got completed today. Cannot believe at the start of it I could barely manage 10 proper situps and I've just done 65. The challenge is proving to be difficult, I really do push myself through it all, but I just keep thinking it's going to be worth it at the end of day 30. Only 16 more days to go.

100 Happy Days - Day 49

Blue skies. Getting up to blue skies, going to work in blue skies, leaving work in blue skies and arriving home in blue skies definitely makes the day feel better. I'm a tad jealous that one of my friends is enjoying the blue skies of Marbella right now whilst I'm stuck in the UK working, but at least I have my own skies to cheer me up. Fingers crossed we keep this weather for the weekend.

Weight In - 7th April

Unfortunately today was another maintain week. But I can't say I'm surprised. I've been ill since the middle of last week so I've not been very motivated to push myself. I've been completing my 30 day challenges and do think they are making a difference, my stomach seems to be getting a bit flatter but I'm not sure if that's genuine or my imagination. Other than that though my working out hasn't been very strenuous.

Thankfully I've managed to keep eating throughout this illness and all I've been craving has been healthy. I've eaten lots of fruit and good meals. I suppose this has definitely helped me with my maintaining this week.

I was hoping to be back at the gym tomorrow but that doesn't look like it's gonna happen now. I woke feeling good this morning but by the time I got to work I was in serious pain and ended up ringing for a doctors appointment. Off there tomorrow for a checkup. It's nothing serious, just an infection but hopefully the doctor will give me something to stop the pain.

Hopefully to make up for my lack of exercising, I'll be doing 2 hours of dance rehearsal on Wednesday night.

100 Happy Days - Day 42

Getting house decoration inspiration. My mum's House Beautiful magazine came and having a quick flick has given me a few more ideas to work with. June can't come quick enough.