Created by the incredible Laura TTT is one of my favourite blogging adventures. It has been a long time since I have done one of these because I have been slacking but I have stuff saved so here goes.
1) Today was History Focus day and my class were Tudor explorers. We were all in costume and have had all sorts of explorer related fun, including swabbing the decks (yes my class were excited about mopping a floor!) eating biscuits with weevils, drinking stagnant green water, attempting to use a compass to walk in a straight line, making quadrants for measuring how far North we are, making old paper (using tea bags) and then writing letters on it when it dried. We've had an amazing day.
2) I am jubilee mad at the moment. I am and have always been very proud to be British and to support our monarchy. They may not be democratically elected but they have international respect and national values at their very heart. Being a-political, they just get on with it rather than pfaffing about over who said what and who should have done what and when. I like that what they do is put the country first rather than the politics. We will not live to see another diamond jubilee. Prince Charles is 63 so ... and William (who will be King after Charles) is 30 in June, even if he ascends the thrown quickly and average life expectancies increase dramatically, it is still a very slim chance.
3) Tomorrow we are having a jubilee street party at school. It's not a real street party because it's in the playground but the idea is the same. All the tables go outside to make a couple of very long tables and we eat lunch together. (I may have ryevita and cream cheese or pitta and hummus) then we have and afternoon of fun and games on the field. At my station, the children will be making jubilee crowns. At others there will be; face paints, a bouncy slide, a penalty shoot out, lego, collaging, decorating cupcakes and lots of other fun things.
4) Then it is a 4 day weekend. Saturday, Sunday, the end of May bank holiday (moved back a week) and the jubilee bank holiday.
5) Then it's half term!!!!! :oD Wednesday to Friday off just because there are only a few weeks left to go until the summer. (Shhh all you US teachers with your excessively long holidays!)
6) The scale has moved a little. I am down another 2 lbs. I am being very good to make sure it sticks. :o)
7) I have resigned. I haven't got a new job to go to yet but we can only leave at set points in the year and if I don't quit now (well, by tomorrow) I have to stay until Christmas. I am making appointments to visit 3 more schools with vacancies closing after half term. They are all looking for experienced teachers so fingers crossed. If not, I can get supply work but there is still time to find something. Lots of jobs come up after the last resignation date from others who have resigned and they can normally only be filled by new teachers. I am hoping this gives me the added edge.
8) I bought a strimmer last weekend and cut my grass with it. It was nearly 2 foot tall so it was about time. I also planted my window boxes and did something pretty with my borders.
9) Now Ali's wedding is over, I need to set myself a new short term goal. I am thinking for Disney in August, but I am not sure what. Any suggestions?
10) For those of you that remember, I have a little crush on a guy who works in my local aquatics shop. We messaged, we exchanged numbers and texted, things went cold and now ... he is coming over on Saturday :oD I may be a little bit excited.
Ticker to Goal
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Sunday, 27 May 2012
A few photos
Sorry I have been absent this week. My lack of scale movement last week and the sun being out meant I lost my way a little.
My new workout shirts arrived.
I shall do a proper blog soon when the rest of my order arrives. Stuff takes ages to ship from the US but judging from the first parcel, it's going to be worth the wait.
In other news, my friend got married yesterday. For those that remember her reception venue was where the ex and I met so it was a little emotional but she looked beautiful and it was an incredible day.
The were married in the lady chapel of the St Alban's Abbey, here in Hertfordshire.
I left some of my starter and some of my main and since the desert was alcoholic, I managed to exchange it for 2 scoops of ice cream. For the buffet in the evening, I had 2 smoked salmon finger sandwiches, 2 mini tarts and 1 bite of wedding carrot cake. I have never eaten so little at a wedding. Thank you band.
My new workout shirts arrived.
I shall do a proper blog soon when the rest of my order arrives. Stuff takes ages to ship from the US but judging from the first parcel, it's going to be worth the wait.
In other news, my friend got married yesterday. For those that remember her reception venue was where the ex and I met so it was a little emotional but she looked beautiful and it was an incredible day.
The were married in the lady chapel of the St Alban's Abbey, here in Hertfordshire.
I left some of my starter and some of my main and since the desert was alcoholic, I managed to exchange it for 2 scoops of ice cream. For the buffet in the evening, I had 2 smoked salmon finger sandwiches, 2 mini tarts and 1 bite of wedding carrot cake. I have never eaten so little at a wedding. Thank you band.
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Poetic inspiration
I found this really inspiring poem from a link posted by Holly at 300 lbs down.
Make sure you keep watching for the second verse.
Make sure you keep watching for the second verse.
Saturday, 19 May 2012
And the result are ...
After kicking arse in the gym this week and tracking all my calories
I had a calorie deficit of over 7000, with 3500 calories in a pound, should mean a loss of 2 lbs.
Today, my weigh in day, I lost ...
Nothing :o(
Oh well back to the gym.
I had a calorie deficit of over 7000, with 3500 calories in a pound, should mean a loss of 2 lbs.
Today, my weigh in day, I lost ...
Nothing :o(
Oh well back to the gym.
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Interesting article
So I got to the gym 40 minutes before my class started today so I decided to have a coffee and read the gym newspaper. I came across a very interesting article at the bottom of page 2 about BMI's and a new way of recording whether someone needs to loose weight. Here's what you do:
Forget the scales, all you need is a tape measure to get a true test of your weight.
Measuring:
1. Chest – Measure the full circumference of your upper torso passing over your nipples.
2. Waist – Measure the distance around your middle in line with your navel
3. Hips – Measure your hips – the distance around your jeans line, passing over your hip bones
Calculating:
1. Divide the waist reading by the hip reading
2. Divide the waist reading by chest reading
Scoring:
Both numbers will fall in one of the ranges below:
Underweight – 0.8 – 0.9
Good weight – 0.9 – 1.0
Overweight 1+
I myself am underweight according to my hips and a good weight according to my chest. I may have the best part of 60 lbs to get to goal but hey ... my waist is smaller than my hips, I must be skinny!
Forget the scales, all you need is a tape measure to get a true test of your weight.
Measuring:
1. Chest – Measure the full circumference of your upper torso passing over your nipples.
2. Waist – Measure the distance around your middle in line with your navel
3. Hips – Measure your hips – the distance around your jeans line, passing over your hip bones
Calculating:
1. Divide the waist reading by the hip reading
2. Divide the waist reading by chest reading
Scoring:
Both numbers will fall in one of the ranges below:
Underweight – 0.8 – 0.9
Good weight – 0.9 – 1.0
Overweight 1+
I myself am underweight according to my hips and a good weight according to my chest. I may have the best part of 60 lbs to get to goal but hey ... my waist is smaller than my hips, I must be skinny!
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Zumba star
Just in case you didn't know, I rock. Ronnie said so. And today, I say so too because at Zumba tonight, I burned
...
...
...
...
wait for it
...
...
...
ready
...
...
...
637 calories!!!!!!
Unfortunately, it's a good job I worked out so hard because I sort of raided the chocolate biscuits at work and have eaten 1346 calories today. Oops.
...
...
...
...
wait for it
...
...
...
ready
...
...
...
637 calories!!!!!!
Pretty impressive, even if I do say so myself. I love my heart rate monitor.
Annoyed
Well I fell out with my dietitian today.
She is not pleased with my lack of weight loss (don't get me wrong I am less than thrilled) but she has essentially said that since I am not able to eat breakfast before school and have no time for the sort of lunch she recommends, I am on my own to figure it out.
She also said I am eating far too much carbohydrate and not enough protein or veg. This is where she would me up. The only nutritional input I have had from my clinic has been
Still I shall count my calories and my protein everyday and show her my little log book with it all recorded and my exercise and if she's a pain in the bum again ... I will probably cry ... because that's what I do.
In other news, kettle bells is tough on the legs but I burned 408 calories. Not as cardio based as some workouts but definitely good for toning.
She is not pleased with my lack of weight loss (don't get me wrong I am less than thrilled) but she has essentially said that since I am not able to eat breakfast before school and have no time for the sort of lunch she recommends, I am on my own to figure it out.
She also said I am eating far too much carbohydrate and not enough protein or veg. This is where she would me up. The only nutritional input I have had from my clinic has been
- use a side plate
- 1/4 protein (I aim for 1/3)
- 1/3 veg (I aim for 1/2)
- avoid mushy food
- avoid high fat food
- don't drink calories
Still I shall count my calories and my protein everyday and show her my little log book with it all recorded and my exercise and if she's a pain in the bum again ... I will probably cry ... because that's what I do.
In other news, kettle bells is tough on the legs but I burned 408 calories. Not as cardio based as some workouts but definitely good for toning.
Sunday, 13 May 2012
I bit the bullet
I went to the gym. I worked out. Hard. I had my new heart rate monitor on ...
and I have to say it was a massive motivator.
My top heart rate was 183! Can you believe that? It's crazy. I was running intervals and my heart rate got that high but I didn't stop. I slowed my walking speed right down but I kept going. For 55 minutes, I kicked arse in that gym and the result ...
I burned ...
564 calories!!!!!
I was so proud of myself I waved the watch under the nose of the trainer on the desk and he said
"Anything over 500 is excellent!"
So that's me today ... excellent
and I have to say it was a massive motivator.
My top heart rate was 183! Can you believe that? It's crazy. I was running intervals and my heart rate got that high but I didn't stop. I slowed my walking speed right down but I kept going. For 55 minutes, I kicked arse in that gym and the result ...
I burned ...
564 calories!!!!!
I was so proud of myself I waved the watch under the nose of the trainer on the desk and he said
"Anything over 500 is excellent!"
So that's me today ... excellent
Saturday, 12 May 2012
May festivities and an interview
Sorry for the long absence. This last week has been a little crazy.
Last weekend was a bank holiday weekend here in the UK and a little village called Kimpton has a big festival every year. So every year I go with my mum and my god mother. It is always massive fun, with lots of things to do and it is usually beautiful weather. Last year Ed came too and met my family for the first time so it was a little bitter sweet this year but it was good. Despite the 'traditional' bank holiday weather. The theme was "Best of British" so
It was the coldest I remember it being and the drizzle was no fun either, so we headed off to my friend's for a bbq! Her two beautiful girls were in the parade dressed as little WW2 evacuees.
Yes those would be the totally gorgeous shoes. It went really well but I didn't get the job. I wasn't too disappointed because the school wasn't in the best of situations. In my feedback, they said that I did everything in my lesson really well, gave all the answers in the interview, responded well to the tasks but there was someone better so they got the job. Can't fault that I suppose. Onto the next one.
Last weekend was a bank holiday weekend here in the UK and a little village called Kimpton has a big festival every year. So every year I go with my mum and my god mother. It is always massive fun, with lots of things to do and it is usually beautiful weather. Last year Ed came too and met my family for the first time so it was a little bitter sweet this year but it was good. Despite the 'traditional' bank holiday weather. The theme was "Best of British" so
It was the coldest I remember it being and the drizzle was no fun either, so we headed off to my friend's for a bbq! Her two beautiful girls were in the parade dressed as little WW2 evacuees.
Aren't they gorgeous! So many people were coming up later in the afternoon to say how incredible they looked. We had a great afternoon together inside and later back at the festival. On the Monday we went on the annual trail, hunting for cryptic clues on a walk around the village. We've done it every year since I was about 6 or 7 and we haven't won yet. It is my life's mission but it's really hard and although there have been the odd repeat question, there is a different route and they find different bits in each section.
On Tuesday, I went for my interview. I thought I looked the part.
Yes those would be the totally gorgeous shoes. It went really well but I didn't get the job. I wasn't too disappointed because the school wasn't in the best of situations. In my feedback, they said that I did everything in my lesson really well, gave all the answers in the interview, responded well to the tasks but there was someone better so they got the job. Can't fault that I suppose. Onto the next one.
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Ten Things Thursday
A little touch of randomness brought to us by Laura from Beer, Dogs and Getting Healthier
1) I went shopping tonight with my friend and then she took me out for dinner. We spent 2 hours running around the local department store (well her running around the store) with me being unbelievably picky about stuff.
2) I bought this dress for the wedding and a little red cardigan shrug to match. It's pretty. The other dress didn't look so good one. Pictures to follow.
3) I have an interview on Tuesday for the school with the lovely head but lots of other issues. I have nothing suitable to wear. My Mummy said she would buy me some smart clothes from the department store but I couldn't find anything so I might buy something cheap and use the money to buy ...
4) My deformed fish passed away :o(
5) My pampered chef parcel is sitting in my neighbour's house. It's better than trying to get it redelivered to work but I do wish they could just leave parcels in a safe space.
6) I still haven't found my wooden spoon.
7) My Ruffles with Love order shipped today. Who wants to place a bet on how long it takes to get here?
8) I don't think it has stopped raining in the last week. Very rubbish.
9) It's a bank holiday weekend here, this weekend. We go to a May festival in a nearby village every year. A parade, a craft fair, an art show, a little collection of stalls, a cryptic quiz trail, bbq's and cream teas. It is one of my favourite weekends of the year.
10) I have been have a House marathon since I got home. 3 episodes in one night. I can't believe it is finishing soon.
1) I went shopping tonight with my friend and then she took me out for dinner. We spent 2 hours running around the local department store (well her running around the store) with me being unbelievably picky about stuff.
2) I bought this dress for the wedding and a little red cardigan shrug to match. It's pretty. The other dress didn't look so good one. Pictures to follow.
3) I have an interview on Tuesday for the school with the lovely head but lots of other issues. I have nothing suitable to wear. My Mummy said she would buy me some smart clothes from the department store but I couldn't find anything so I might buy something cheap and use the money to buy ...
4) My deformed fish passed away :o(
5) My pampered chef parcel is sitting in my neighbour's house. It's better than trying to get it redelivered to work but I do wish they could just leave parcels in a safe space.
6) I still haven't found my wooden spoon.
7) My Ruffles with Love order shipped today. Who wants to place a bet on how long it takes to get here?
8) I don't think it has stopped raining in the last week. Very rubbish.
9) It's a bank holiday weekend here, this weekend. We go to a May festival in a nearby village every year. A parade, a craft fair, an art show, a little collection of stalls, a cryptic quiz trail, bbq's and cream teas. It is one of my favourite weekends of the year.
10) I have been have a House marathon since I got home. 3 episodes in one night. I can't believe it is finishing soon.
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Shopoholic and the lapband
I have a shopping problem. I have heard the first step is admitting it.
My beautiful new ruffles with love workout tops have not made it over from the US yet and I have just ordered
It is beautiful (for a heart rate monitor) and I love the little flowers on the face and strap. It comes in white too but that was flower-less.
Well done, I hear you cry. A heart rate monitor is an excellent purchase and will surely make you rush off to the gym and pool now you will know precisely how many calories you are burning and how hard you are working. It doesn't matter that you haven't been to the gym in over a month because once this arrives and the tops arrive you will go everyday and you will love it more and more because you have the tops and heart rate monitor.
Funnily enough, the little voice in my head says these things too. Only that little voice thinks I need some new trainers next.
My beautiful new ruffles with love workout tops have not made it over from the US yet and I have just ordered
It is beautiful (for a heart rate monitor) and I love the little flowers on the face and strap. It comes in white too but that was flower-less.
Well done, I hear you cry. A heart rate monitor is an excellent purchase and will surely make you rush off to the gym and pool now you will know precisely how many calories you are burning and how hard you are working. It doesn't matter that you haven't been to the gym in over a month because once this arrives and the tops arrive you will go everyday and you will love it more and more because you have the tops and heart rate monitor.
Funnily enough, the little voice in my head says these things too. Only that little voice thinks I need some new trainers next.
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