Sunday, 9 May 2010
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
First fitness update
So, here it goes - the first of my fitness related blog posts.
Bank Holiday Monday
Today I went for my first ride on my new mountain bike (Specialized Hardrock Disc - lovely) with Pete. We went just over 5 miles along the canal, so nothing particularly strenuous. I hurt my knee the weekend before, it's still not quite back to normal, so it was quite a relaxed ride.
Pete's mum came over to Reading that day, so we went out for lunch with her and were treated to Sundaes at Costco. So in terms of eating healthily it was not such a good day! We did do a little bit of walking around town though, both during the day and the evening, so it was a fairly active day.
Tuesday
Went back to work today, stayed until about 6pm and so had time to go for a bike ride in the evening. I biked down to the new office and back, which was around 6 miles in total. So, again, not too strenuous, but better than nothing at all. In terms of eating healthily, it was an ok day - until I started snacking on the various cakes and biscuits that had been brought in to celebrate various people's birthdays. But never mind hey!
Wednesday
Today is rest day. Which gives me an excuse to eat whatever I like, right? So I've had pizza and garlic bread for tea followed by an ice cream...but it was totally worth it. I thought about spending some time on the WiiFit, but after working from 8.30 this morning with only 10mins or so for lunch, I really don't feel like it! So I think I might plan a bike ride for a couple of weekends time, or possibly a walk. I've raided the library for running and cycling books, so may start drawing up a fitness plan.
I feel like I need an ultimate goal to focus my "training". I may talk to Pete about entering a half marathon, or a similar event. It's been a while since I did any running, but I would really like to get started again. It seemed to help shift some weight last time I was motivated to run (but that was over a year and a half ago now - depressing to think how much money I spent on my running shoes and how little they were used once I got back to uni).
Another possibility is to enter into a RideIt! event organised by Evans Cycles. There are two - either a road event or a mountain biking event. I definitely don't feel fit enough/confident enough to enter into it now, but maybe soon.
Hopefully I will be able to decide on something soon, and this well help me to work towards some actual goals.
Bank Holiday Monday
Today I went for my first ride on my new mountain bike (Specialized Hardrock Disc - lovely) with Pete. We went just over 5 miles along the canal, so nothing particularly strenuous. I hurt my knee the weekend before, it's still not quite back to normal, so it was quite a relaxed ride.
Pete's mum came over to Reading that day, so we went out for lunch with her and were treated to Sundaes at Costco. So in terms of eating healthily it was not such a good day! We did do a little bit of walking around town though, both during the day and the evening, so it was a fairly active day.
Tuesday
Went back to work today, stayed until about 6pm and so had time to go for a bike ride in the evening. I biked down to the new office and back, which was around 6 miles in total. So, again, not too strenuous, but better than nothing at all. In terms of eating healthily, it was an ok day - until I started snacking on the various cakes and biscuits that had been brought in to celebrate various people's birthdays. But never mind hey!
Wednesday
Today is rest day. Which gives me an excuse to eat whatever I like, right? So I've had pizza and garlic bread for tea followed by an ice cream...but it was totally worth it. I thought about spending some time on the WiiFit, but after working from 8.30 this morning with only 10mins or so for lunch, I really don't feel like it! So I think I might plan a bike ride for a couple of weekends time, or possibly a walk. I've raided the library for running and cycling books, so may start drawing up a fitness plan.
I feel like I need an ultimate goal to focus my "training". I may talk to Pete about entering a half marathon, or a similar event. It's been a while since I did any running, but I would really like to get started again. It seemed to help shift some weight last time I was motivated to run (but that was over a year and a half ago now - depressing to think how much money I spent on my running shoes and how little they were used once I got back to uni).
Another possibility is to enter into a RideIt! event organised by Evans Cycles. There are two - either a road event or a mountain biking event. I definitely don't feel fit enough/confident enough to enter into it now, but maybe soon.
Hopefully I will be able to decide on something soon, and this well help me to work towards some actual goals.
Fitness bug!
So it's been a while. Last time I blogged I was moving down to Reading, and now somehow it's 7 months later.
Life in Reading has been different, and I finally feel as though I have settled in at work. I found it quite nerve-wracking to begin with, and my distinct lack of confidence really didn't help! Now, a few exams in and a couple of months back in the office I'm starting to feel like I know what I'm doing. (For the most part at least...)
Pete will be moving in towards the end of June (in 53 days to be precise) which I am very much looking forward to. It'll be a bit rubbish having exams and college whilst he is staying, but at least I will be home on time each day!
Over the last couple of weeks I have decided that I need to start being a little bit more active - the sedentary office lifestyle has very much taken its toll! Pete and I bought walking boots last month and have been doing a little bit of walking in the local area around both Reading and Loughborough. Combined with picnics it really is a nice way to spend some quality time together and do a little bit of gentle exercise.
Last weekend, though, I bought a new mountain bike. We are having an office move within the next few months and so am planning to cycle in to the (certainly less convenient) new location. Additionally Pete would like to do some proper mountain biking, so we shall be starting to go on trails etc in the future. I am both nervous and excited about this, but am looking forward to pursuing a new hobby together.
And so, in the interest of getting a little more fit and active (and potentially a bit slimmer in time for the summer ball!), I've decided that keeping a bit of a 'fitness' blog will help in keeping me motivated. So you shall be seeing a lot of updates on my progress (or lack thereof), and hopefully it'll convince me to keep going!
Life in Reading has been different, and I finally feel as though I have settled in at work. I found it quite nerve-wracking to begin with, and my distinct lack of confidence really didn't help! Now, a few exams in and a couple of months back in the office I'm starting to feel like I know what I'm doing. (For the most part at least...)
Pete will be moving in towards the end of June (in 53 days to be precise) which I am very much looking forward to. It'll be a bit rubbish having exams and college whilst he is staying, but at least I will be home on time each day!
Over the last couple of weeks I have decided that I need to start being a little bit more active - the sedentary office lifestyle has very much taken its toll! Pete and I bought walking boots last month and have been doing a little bit of walking in the local area around both Reading and Loughborough. Combined with picnics it really is a nice way to spend some quality time together and do a little bit of gentle exercise.
Last weekend, though, I bought a new mountain bike. We are having an office move within the next few months and so am planning to cycle in to the (certainly less convenient) new location. Additionally Pete would like to do some proper mountain biking, so we shall be starting to go on trails etc in the future. I am both nervous and excited about this, but am looking forward to pursuing a new hobby together.
And so, in the interest of getting a little more fit and active (and potentially a bit slimmer in time for the summer ball!), I've decided that keeping a bit of a 'fitness' blog will help in keeping me motivated. So you shall be seeing a lot of updates on my progress (or lack thereof), and hopefully it'll convince me to keep going!
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
ARG!
I'm moving back down to Reading tonight, start work on Friday and I'm SCARED!
I have nothing to wear, at all. And so tomorrow/Thursday are going to be mad shopping trips. And I'll hopefully have time to get my hair cut too - EEEEEEK!
And breathe.
I have nothing to wear, at all. And so tomorrow/Thursday are going to be mad shopping trips. And I'll hopefully have time to get my hair cut too - EEEEEEK!
And breathe.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
You are your own worst enemy.
My last post was rather positive and optimistic. Just two days later, and I couldn't be feeling any more different!
I remember a few times at school when teachers told me I was my own worst enemy. I was a bit of a geek; I enjoyed school and (even worse) took pride in having neat handwriting and nice stationery. If I'm honest, I still like to write neatly on pretty matching stationery. Shopping for stationery is definitely a guilty pleasure since it is oddly satisfying - but few people seem to share this with me. Apart from seven year old girls who are buying their first flowery pencil cases with matching rubbers (that don't rub out), rulers and pencil sharpeners. In fact, each year for Christmas I begged my parents to get me one of those pencil cases which folded out and were full of a million coloured pencils and felt tip pens; I didn't care that these things were superfluous to my needs - I just wanted to pore over the matching pens and pencils, it didn't matter whether I needed them or not.
As I got older, though, it was more a case of making sure that essay was tweaked to perfection or that the solutions to my maths homework were well-presented and in the most efficient manner. I would work for hours and hours, which in hindsight was not exactly necessary. I was a perfectionist, and I would worry myself stupid about (again, in hindsight) unnecessary things.
Going to uni though, I calmed down. My tutor in sixth form was amazing in making me realise that there was no need to get stressed out about work. Even struggling through my first year, doing a subject that seemed to not be quite the best choice for me, I remembered that it didn't really matter. I was happy, meeting new people and doing new things. But old habits have a habit of resurfacing. I worried endlessly about exams, the dangerous "what if...?" situation. Unfortunately, I did have reason to worry that time but somehow I managed to get through.
Now, I find that my mind just wants to ruin me. Well, maybe not ruin me - that seems to be a little strong. If I considered times when I have been sad or feeling a bit low, I'd wager that a large proportion of those instances are due to me! Why do we seek to put ourselves down? Are we taught as children that we have so many weaknesses that must be improved? Why are we not encouraged to revel in our strengths? It seems that education is less about learning, but more about ticking the right boxes and being of a satisfactory standard across the board. Should we apply this to real life? Should we seek out what we are weak at and work at those to make ourselves "better"? Or should we focus on what we are naturally talented at, and work at those to make them incredible?
"I need to be more confident."...."Oh, my presentation skills need work."...."I need...."... There are so many things that people say regarding their weaknesses, and I think we should really take time to appreciate our strengths. Of course, it is noble to evaluate oneself fairly and consider what one's weaknesses are. But I think that it is all too easy to let these weaknesses take over.
I have a terrible habit of doubting myself, or thinking too deeply into a situation. I let my mind get carried away until I find myself sobbing myself stupid over something that, at the end of the day, is not so bad. I like to consider the consequences or various things, until it leads me to a conclusion that scares me, or upsets me. Sometimes it can even be a good ending. Is this a weakness? Perhaps, for my sanity yes. Or for my poor boyfriend who is left wondering what on earth has happened to turn me into the puffy eyed quivering wreck infront of him. Maybe, just maybe, this could be a strength. I can look forward and consider the consequences of my actions, or the actions of others. I hypothecate and debate in my mind the likelihood of various situations. I, if considering rational ideas and those not so close to me emotionally, can come to a balanced and justified conclusion.
So, all in all. Weaknesses aren't that bad. You just have to find the right situation for them to be a strength.
I remember a few times at school when teachers told me I was my own worst enemy. I was a bit of a geek; I enjoyed school and (even worse) took pride in having neat handwriting and nice stationery. If I'm honest, I still like to write neatly on pretty matching stationery. Shopping for stationery is definitely a guilty pleasure since it is oddly satisfying - but few people seem to share this with me. Apart from seven year old girls who are buying their first flowery pencil cases with matching rubbers (that don't rub out), rulers and pencil sharpeners. In fact, each year for Christmas I begged my parents to get me one of those pencil cases which folded out and were full of a million coloured pencils and felt tip pens; I didn't care that these things were superfluous to my needs - I just wanted to pore over the matching pens and pencils, it didn't matter whether I needed them or not.
As I got older, though, it was more a case of making sure that essay was tweaked to perfection or that the solutions to my maths homework were well-presented and in the most efficient manner. I would work for hours and hours, which in hindsight was not exactly necessary. I was a perfectionist, and I would worry myself stupid about (again, in hindsight) unnecessary things.
Going to uni though, I calmed down. My tutor in sixth form was amazing in making me realise that there was no need to get stressed out about work. Even struggling through my first year, doing a subject that seemed to not be quite the best choice for me, I remembered that it didn't really matter. I was happy, meeting new people and doing new things. But old habits have a habit of resurfacing. I worried endlessly about exams, the dangerous "what if...?" situation. Unfortunately, I did have reason to worry that time but somehow I managed to get through.
Now, I find that my mind just wants to ruin me. Well, maybe not ruin me - that seems to be a little strong. If I considered times when I have been sad or feeling a bit low, I'd wager that a large proportion of those instances are due to me! Why do we seek to put ourselves down? Are we taught as children that we have so many weaknesses that must be improved? Why are we not encouraged to revel in our strengths? It seems that education is less about learning, but more about ticking the right boxes and being of a satisfactory standard across the board. Should we apply this to real life? Should we seek out what we are weak at and work at those to make ourselves "better"? Or should we focus on what we are naturally talented at, and work at those to make them incredible?
"I need to be more confident."...."Oh, my presentation skills need work."...."I need...."... There are so many things that people say regarding their weaknesses, and I think we should really take time to appreciate our strengths. Of course, it is noble to evaluate oneself fairly and consider what one's weaknesses are. But I think that it is all too easy to let these weaknesses take over.
I have a terrible habit of doubting myself, or thinking too deeply into a situation. I let my mind get carried away until I find myself sobbing myself stupid over something that, at the end of the day, is not so bad. I like to consider the consequences or various things, until it leads me to a conclusion that scares me, or upsets me. Sometimes it can even be a good ending. Is this a weakness? Perhaps, for my sanity yes. Or for my poor boyfriend who is left wondering what on earth has happened to turn me into the puffy eyed quivering wreck infront of him. Maybe, just maybe, this could be a strength. I can look forward and consider the consequences of my actions, or the actions of others. I hypothecate and debate in my mind the likelihood of various situations. I, if considering rational ideas and those not so close to me emotionally, can come to a balanced and justified conclusion.
So, all in all. Weaknesses aren't that bad. You just have to find the right situation for them to be a strength.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Hello, my old friend
That is, if you can count seven posts as really being my old friend. More an acquaintance that I haven't taken the time to develop into a true friendship. But today, something happened. Something made me feel like writing in this blog which has been abandoned for two years!
This summer has made me reminisce about the past three years or so, but mainly the past two. A lot has changed, I for one have changed incredibly, and I'd like to think that this is mainly for the better. Sure I've done things which I would dearly love to alter, or simply just forget about. But I have grown up and I am more confident whilst still remaining a little naive about the world.
In just over a week I'll be starting my career. It sounds so serious, yet I'm struggling to believe that this is really "it". This is what I have been working towards for the past however many years in education. I chose the job I wanted, I applied, I got it. None of the struggle facing so many graduates today - I am fortunate, I am grateful, I am bewildered. I'm keen to make my mark on the world, keen to move on from education and keen to earn a real wage. I have just a week left of re-living my "lazy" student days (if you can call it that), but I am itching to get started. This summer has been slow, and I have been apprehensive, but to be honest I don't think I would have wanted to spend it any other way. For the past 8 weeks or so, I have been staying with my boyfriend, Pete, who has started his year out in industry. It has been tough, staying alone in the flat all day but really, if I were at home - I'd face much of the same, at least I have had the evenings and weekends to spend with him.
And so in just over a week, we will be long distance again. We have done this on and off the past couple of years, through uni vacations and such. But now, this is it. This is the real deal. So whilst I long for this week to be over so I can start my graduate life, I secretly will this week to last forever. But one can't live their life tugging at the realms of time; time moves forward and life, inevitably, must follow.
I convince myself that it "can't be that bad", taking on the mentality of Pete who seems to always think that everything will be ok. I want it to be ok. More than ok. But I'm sure my new job will keep me busy, studying to be an accountant with a Big4 firm. My evenings will be filled with study, and I'm keen to join a choir or even start dance classes. I'm going to make the most of what this new city has got to offer me, what my new job has got to offer me, and what life as a graduate has to offer me.
I am fortunate, I know that. But that doesn't make me any less nervous or apprehensive. This is the real world now. No more student loans, or student discounts. This is the start of council tax, income tax, national insurance! But most importantly, it's the start of real life. This is where things get serious, where I start to think about new curtain patterns or when I'm going to work on the garden. Or perhaps paying off debts and being a cog in the corporate machine. But it is more than that, I think this is the start of a new me. This is a new opportunity to discover myself and realise who I truly am. And I think I'm ready to find me now.
This summer has made me reminisce about the past three years or so, but mainly the past two. A lot has changed, I for one have changed incredibly, and I'd like to think that this is mainly for the better. Sure I've done things which I would dearly love to alter, or simply just forget about. But I have grown up and I am more confident whilst still remaining a little naive about the world.
In just over a week I'll be starting my career. It sounds so serious, yet I'm struggling to believe that this is really "it". This is what I have been working towards for the past however many years in education. I chose the job I wanted, I applied, I got it. None of the struggle facing so many graduates today - I am fortunate, I am grateful, I am bewildered. I'm keen to make my mark on the world, keen to move on from education and keen to earn a real wage. I have just a week left of re-living my "lazy" student days (if you can call it that), but I am itching to get started. This summer has been slow, and I have been apprehensive, but to be honest I don't think I would have wanted to spend it any other way. For the past 8 weeks or so, I have been staying with my boyfriend, Pete, who has started his year out in industry. It has been tough, staying alone in the flat all day but really, if I were at home - I'd face much of the same, at least I have had the evenings and weekends to spend with him.
And so in just over a week, we will be long distance again. We have done this on and off the past couple of years, through uni vacations and such. But now, this is it. This is the real deal. So whilst I long for this week to be over so I can start my graduate life, I secretly will this week to last forever. But one can't live their life tugging at the realms of time; time moves forward and life, inevitably, must follow.
I convince myself that it "can't be that bad", taking on the mentality of Pete who seems to always think that everything will be ok. I want it to be ok. More than ok. But I'm sure my new job will keep me busy, studying to be an accountant with a Big4 firm. My evenings will be filled with study, and I'm keen to join a choir or even start dance classes. I'm going to make the most of what this new city has got to offer me, what my new job has got to offer me, and what life as a graduate has to offer me.
I am fortunate, I know that. But that doesn't make me any less nervous or apprehensive. This is the real world now. No more student loans, or student discounts. This is the start of council tax, income tax, national insurance! But most importantly, it's the start of real life. This is where things get serious, where I start to think about new curtain patterns or when I'm going to work on the garden. Or perhaps paying off debts and being a cog in the corporate machine. But it is more than that, I think this is the start of a new me. This is a new opportunity to discover myself and realise who I truly am. And I think I'm ready to find me now.
Monday, 20 August 2007
Landslide
I've just re-discovered this beautiful song from Fleetwood Mac, it's called Landslide and written by the lovely Stevie Nicks. See a youtube performance here.
I took my love and I took it downA little bit of research told me that the song has also been covered by the Dixie Chicks, Pearl Jam & The Smashing Pumpkins!
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills
And the landslide brought me down
Oh, mirror in the sky--what is love?
Can the child in my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changin'...ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
I don't know.....I don't know...
Well I've been afraid of changin'
Because I've built my life around you
But time makes is bolder; children get older
I'm getting older too....
So, take this love...take it down.
Oh, if you climb a mountain and you turn around
and you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills...
well, the landslide will bring you down;
The landslide will bring you down...
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