Al's off to work today, he's flown from Edinburgh to London and is waiting his next flight to Houston - not exactly a short commute but he loves his jet-setting life. He grew up on Islay (famous for it'sfabulous whiskies) as the second son of a distillery worker who went into the local co-operative shop and thought he'd be threre for years but got itchy feet and signed up for Her Majesty's Royal Navy!! Ships would have been obvious for an islander but not him, he went in for submarines and for years enjoyed himself but things change and he left after 15years and now he's all over the world - has seen more of the world than he ever did in the Navy as he was on Polaris and Trident subs which *never went anywhere* they just patrolled around under the oceans, except once he went to the US Navy base in Florida for them to pick up missiles!
I didn't put any pressureon him as he'd been in the navy when we married but I was very thankful he changed jobs as I had got tired of 40words a week from us to him and nothing back, the survey ship has e-mail and he's got skype on his laptop so communication is vastly improved, and I get texts telling me where he is in his journey - that's why I know he's made it to London!
For the next 8 weeks our eldest is on college holidays, middle one has finished her course and is looking for a job, and school ones start on Wednesday when my youngest leaves primary forever, I can't wait!!!!
Today I'm going to be spending some time sorting out activities for us to punctuate the next month with, when we're getting friends over and activities at the gym for titch and me to enjoy, but I'm off to the gym now for my aquarobics session!
Monday 28 June 2010
Sunday 20 June 2010
And a great father's day,,,,
was had by all! It's not often that Al's here for special days, he'll be missing his birthday in July so it was great to have him here for some
We've had a lovely day here fussing over him, feeding him favourite meals and baking him a request cake - chocolate marble, yum!
The weather's been great and we even managed to keep him away from his precious DIY, he was allowed to hang 2 doors that have dried properly after being painted but other than that, zip work!
Now enjoying the very first episode of Black Adder, set in Richard the 3rd's time, Rowan Atkinson at his best as the snivelling second son, brill!!
We've had a lovely day here fussing over him, feeding him favourite meals and baking him a request cake - chocolate marble, yum!
The weather's been great and we even managed to keep him away from his precious DIY, he was allowed to hang 2 doors that have dried properly after being painted but other than that, zip work!
Now enjoying the very first episode of Black Adder, set in Richard the 3rd's time, Rowan Atkinson at his best as the snivelling second son, brill!!
Wednesday 16 June 2010
Surveys
Over at the Motivation Station I found this from Kris the other day,,,,,,,
I recently came up with the idea of an article about how American women feel about their bodies and their health compared to women of other parts of the world. However, in order to really write a proper article, I need to do a lot of research on both subjects. I know you all recall, and may have even read, French Women Don't Get Fat, and every other varietal of the theory that "I am not American therefore I have a weight-loss secret that you need to buy." I intend to either prove that we are all the same and these books are just marketing ploys (ok, technically half true without needing the research), or that perhaps American Women Want To Be Fat! Say what? I know none of us want to be unhealthy, but if we have the tools, and have the reasons, why does the scale not budge, why do we have pig-out/freak-outs, and constantly buy new books and exercise equipment? Is it the media, a gene, chemicals in our food, or fear of the unknown and/or change? I would love my friends and readers here at The Motivation Station work with me on this concept by answering some (I mean a lot of) questions. Please answer all questions that you feel comfortable with, and email them to krisleighsen@gmail.com if you want to stay anonymous from the site, or post your answers and what you think about this article that I would like to write in the comments section. I will definitely share my findings from this survey and the article with you all once complete. I hope that you all find this concept as interesting as I do.
I don't usually answer surveys but felt like having a go this time,
1) Age:
46
2) Ethnicity:
White Scottish
3) Current Location:
Bathgate, Scotland
4) Are you currently dieting?
Yes
If yes, what diet are you on?
Calorie counting
5) Are you over weight based on health charts?
Yes
6) Do you feel guilty when you indulge in something fattening and/or sugary or are you satisfied with the treat?
Usually earn treats, occasionally work them off if I've miscalculated!
7) How often do you exercise?
6 days a week
8) What do you do for exercise and how many days and hours per day do you do it?
Classes and cardio/weights equipment at the gym, swimming too
Mon 2hrs, tues - rest, wed - 1hr 45min, Thurs - 2hrs, fri - 3 hrs, Sat 1hrs, Sun 1.30mins.
9) If you miss your exercise one day because you went out with friends to enjoy yourself do you feel guilty? Or were you happy that you took a day off?
Happy because I will have earned it.
10) How often do you think about food?
Quite a lot, I'm working out a lot so need to eat too!
11) How often do you think about your weight?
Frustrated just now, so a lot!
12) How often do you weigh yourself?
Almost everyday but understand fluctuations so don't let them bother me.
13) If you gain one ounce do you freak out? Or does it not even phase you?
Small changes are to be expected.
14) What would you change about your body?
Want a tummy tuck when finished, if I ever get there!
15) Are you happy in your own skin?
Is anybody?? No not just now.
16) Did anyone ever say anything to you when you were young that triggered an insecurity about your size? Yes
17) Why do you think that incident had such an effect?
My father died when I was 16 and my 3 elder sisters decided to comment everytime i put a couple of lbs on, I look at photos now and see a slim, fit teenager but that's not what they saw, so neither did I at the time.
18) If someone orders just a salad at dinner would you as well? Or would you just get what you want?
I get what I've scheduled myself, salad doesn't hack it for me.
19) Why do you think American women are obsessed with weight?
Personally, I think all women are obsessed with weight, that's why I've filled in your survey!
20) What culture do you feel has the best outlook on positive self-image, and why?
Italians, they like curves AND are allowed to eat, but still have a healthy life expectancy!!
Here's the questions for you to copy, send your answers to kris at the e-mail below;
THE QUESTIONS
(open to ALL WOMEN: Any age, body type, race, ethnicity, profession, vegetarians, etc!)
1) Age:
2) Ethnicity:
3) Current Location:
4) Are you currently dieting? Y/N
If yes, what diet are you on?
If no, describe a typical day’s menu.
5) Are you over weight based on health charts?
6) Do you feel guilty when you indulge in something fattening and/or sugary or are you satisfied with the treat?
7) How often do you exercise?
8) What do you do for exercise and how many days and hours per day do you do it?
9) If you miss your exercise one day because you went out with friends to enjoy yourself do you feel guilty? Or were you happy that you took a day off?
10) How often do you think about food?
11) How often do you think about your weight?
12) How often do you weigh yourself?
13) If you gain one ounce do you freak out? Or does it not even phase you?
14) What would you change about your body?
15) Are you happy in your own skin?
16) Did anyone ever say anything to you when you were young that triggered an insecurity about your size? Y/N
17) Why do you think that incident had such an effect?
18) If someone orders just a salad at dinner would you as well? Or would you just get what you want?
19) Why do you think American women are obsessed with weight?
20) What culture do you feel has the best outlook on positive self-image, and why?
21) Do you have anything to add regarding this concept?
Thank you so much to all who participate. I may quote you, so please let me know if you want to stay anonymous. I will let this survey sit for a few weeks, so I will remind you in the near future in case you are very busy these days. The email is krisleighsen@gmail.com.
What do you think? If you have any friends or family that would enjoy this survey/article please pass along, or post on your blogs. Thank you!
Anybody else want to share????
Send your answers to themotivationstation or kris at the above e-mail and see how everybody else feels!
I recently came up with the idea of an article about how American women feel about their bodies and their health compared to women of other parts of the world. However, in order to really write a proper article, I need to do a lot of research on both subjects. I know you all recall, and may have even read, French Women Don't Get Fat, and every other varietal of the theory that "I am not American therefore I have a weight-loss secret that you need to buy." I intend to either prove that we are all the same and these books are just marketing ploys (ok, technically half true without needing the research), or that perhaps American Women Want To Be Fat! Say what? I know none of us want to be unhealthy, but if we have the tools, and have the reasons, why does the scale not budge, why do we have pig-out/freak-outs, and constantly buy new books and exercise equipment? Is it the media, a gene, chemicals in our food, or fear of the unknown and/or change? I would love my friends and readers here at The Motivation Station work with me on this concept by answering some (I mean a lot of) questions. Please answer all questions that you feel comfortable with, and email them to krisleighsen@gmail.com if you want to stay anonymous from the site, or post your answers and what you think about this article that I would like to write in the comments section. I will definitely share my findings from this survey and the article with you all once complete. I hope that you all find this concept as interesting as I do.
I don't usually answer surveys but felt like having a go this time,
1) Age:
46
2) Ethnicity:
White Scottish
3) Current Location:
Bathgate, Scotland
4) Are you currently dieting?
Yes
If yes, what diet are you on?
Calorie counting
5) Are you over weight based on health charts?
Yes
6) Do you feel guilty when you indulge in something fattening and/or sugary or are you satisfied with the treat?
Usually earn treats, occasionally work them off if I've miscalculated!
7) How often do you exercise?
6 days a week
8) What do you do for exercise and how many days and hours per day do you do it?
Classes and cardio/weights equipment at the gym, swimming too
Mon 2hrs, tues - rest, wed - 1hr 45min, Thurs - 2hrs, fri - 3 hrs, Sat 1hrs, Sun 1.30mins.
9) If you miss your exercise one day because you went out with friends to enjoy yourself do you feel guilty? Or were you happy that you took a day off?
Happy because I will have earned it.
10) How often do you think about food?
Quite a lot, I'm working out a lot so need to eat too!
11) How often do you think about your weight?
Frustrated just now, so a lot!
12) How often do you weigh yourself?
Almost everyday but understand fluctuations so don't let them bother me.
13) If you gain one ounce do you freak out? Or does it not even phase you?
Small changes are to be expected.
14) What would you change about your body?
Want a tummy tuck when finished, if I ever get there!
15) Are you happy in your own skin?
Is anybody?? No not just now.
16) Did anyone ever say anything to you when you were young that triggered an insecurity about your size? Yes
17) Why do you think that incident had such an effect?
My father died when I was 16 and my 3 elder sisters decided to comment everytime i put a couple of lbs on, I look at photos now and see a slim, fit teenager but that's not what they saw, so neither did I at the time.
18) If someone orders just a salad at dinner would you as well? Or would you just get what you want?
I get what I've scheduled myself, salad doesn't hack it for me.
19) Why do you think American women are obsessed with weight?
Personally, I think all women are obsessed with weight, that's why I've filled in your survey!
20) What culture do you feel has the best outlook on positive self-image, and why?
Italians, they like curves AND are allowed to eat, but still have a healthy life expectancy!!
Here's the questions for you to copy, send your answers to kris at the e-mail below;
THE QUESTIONS
(open to ALL WOMEN: Any age, body type, race, ethnicity, profession, vegetarians, etc!)
1) Age:
2) Ethnicity:
3) Current Location:
4) Are you currently dieting? Y/N
If yes, what diet are you on?
If no, describe a typical day’s menu.
5) Are you over weight based on health charts?
6) Do you feel guilty when you indulge in something fattening and/or sugary or are you satisfied with the treat?
7) How often do you exercise?
8) What do you do for exercise and how many days and hours per day do you do it?
9) If you miss your exercise one day because you went out with friends to enjoy yourself do you feel guilty? Or were you happy that you took a day off?
10) How often do you think about food?
11) How often do you think about your weight?
12) How often do you weigh yourself?
13) If you gain one ounce do you freak out? Or does it not even phase you?
14) What would you change about your body?
15) Are you happy in your own skin?
16) Did anyone ever say anything to you when you were young that triggered an insecurity about your size? Y/N
17) Why do you think that incident had such an effect?
18) If someone orders just a salad at dinner would you as well? Or would you just get what you want?
19) Why do you think American women are obsessed with weight?
20) What culture do you feel has the best outlook on positive self-image, and why?
21) Do you have anything to add regarding this concept?
Thank you so much to all who participate. I may quote you, so please let me know if you want to stay anonymous. I will let this survey sit for a few weeks, so I will remind you in the near future in case you are very busy these days. The email is krisleighsen@gmail.com.
What do you think? If you have any friends or family that would enjoy this survey/article please pass along, or post on your blogs. Thank you!
Anybody else want to share????
Send your answers to themotivationstation or kris at the above e-mail and see how everybody else feels!
Tuesday 15 June 2010
Grrrrrr,,,,,,
Weigh-in this morning and I'm up 900g, can't believe after such a good week that it's gone up so looking at everything to get the numbers going down. I've been at this for 17months so I know what I'm doing but sometimes things can slip, maybe more water needed with the level of exercise I'm currently doing, or maybe more food as I'm inclined to err on the side of *less is more* and that's not what I should do but not very often, only on rest days which would make sense.
I haven't even lost inches/cms so that's what's really annoyed me as I can usually cheer myself up with that. Going off to the hairdressers this morning and should be feeling good about that but now feel guilty as it's supposed to be a treat but I can't cancel getting my roots done, so maybe I can convince myself it's essential maintenance, lol!!
Strange thing is I'm wearing clothes that are smaller than anything I've worn for 15 years but I don't know what I weighed then so can't compare and I shouldn't let the scales dictate but I need to see them going down because that's how I've always measured my success. I should just chuck them out and only use scales at the gym on Wednesday mornings, might find the strength to do that!!
On a happier note, OH's nose didn't get any sorer, the bruising predicted was only at the corners of his eyes and hasn't been too sore - police phoned but they havn't got anything so don't rely on CCTV to help - improve your powers of observation each time your out so if you ever need to, you could give a decent description if something happens to someone else, when it's happening to ourselves it's very difficcult - this guy pointed a pencil or pen at my OH's side and he just kept looking at that to make sure the guy didn't stab him with it but apparently this is a common trip to distract victims from looking at their faces.
We now play spot the discription, and the wee one's supposed to find them in a crowd - building up skills but it's giving us a laugh too:)
(Changed the design colours so hopefully the problems have been fixed!)
I haven't even lost inches/cms so that's what's really annoyed me as I can usually cheer myself up with that. Going off to the hairdressers this morning and should be feeling good about that but now feel guilty as it's supposed to be a treat but I can't cancel getting my roots done, so maybe I can convince myself it's essential maintenance, lol!!
Strange thing is I'm wearing clothes that are smaller than anything I've worn for 15 years but I don't know what I weighed then so can't compare and I shouldn't let the scales dictate but I need to see them going down because that's how I've always measured my success. I should just chuck them out and only use scales at the gym on Wednesday mornings, might find the strength to do that!!
On a happier note, OH's nose didn't get any sorer, the bruising predicted was only at the corners of his eyes and hasn't been too sore - police phoned but they havn't got anything so don't rely on CCTV to help - improve your powers of observation each time your out so if you ever need to, you could give a decent description if something happens to someone else, when it's happening to ourselves it's very difficcult - this guy pointed a pencil or pen at my OH's side and he just kept looking at that to make sure the guy didn't stab him with it but apparently this is a common trip to distract victims from looking at their faces.
We now play spot the discription, and the wee one's supposed to find them in a crowd - building up skills but it's giving us a laugh too:)
(Changed the design colours so hopefully the problems have been fixed!)
Saturday 12 June 2010
Good week until,,,,,,
We've had a really good week getting doors changed in the house, after 4 yrs of messing around with hollow, bashed ones we've now got ones like these,,,,,,
(http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9274014&fh_view_size=10&fh_eds=%3f&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB%2fcategories%3c%7b9372016%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b9372049%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b9372274%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b9392104%7d%2fspecificationsProductType%3dtimber_doors%2fspecificationsSpecificProductType%3dknotty_pine__glazed&fh_refview=lister&ts=1276377769383&isSearch=false )
with two long frosted glass panels to the handle thenwooden panels in the bottom with silver handles and now we need to take them all off again to paint, phew they will smell a bit but the low-odour paints we've used previously just don't hack the daily treatment of kids crashing about. We're going to paint them in the garage and bring them in when they're all dry. The skirting will be a bit stinky for a while but it'll all look lovely in the end! We had to get more wall paint because the fancy light-reflecting paint we bought last year may look good for a while but looks seriously dirty now and i've tried everything but the paint actually rubs off if you get it too wet so we bought *normal* silk emulsion that's *washable and scrubbable*, so here's hoping it does what it *does what it says on the tin*!!
Today we went over to the gym for youngest's session of karate, OH did some weights then went for a swim, I was treadmilling at different inclines and speeds then I went onto the wave machine and sweated some more and we all got together for lunch. Trip up to collect middle from the plant nursery she volunteers at, then quick change for her, some hand-washing for me as the washing machine's broken, and then we dropped her off at a pals for a bbq. We decided to go shopping at Asda in Livingston and I spent 2 hours wishing we hadn't, OH went to the loo and got accosted just outside them by some drunken b*****d that wanted his car keys/money/phone/anything of value! Thankfully he kept walking towards the front doors of Asda and got in there just after the pig decided to head-butt him which someone witnessed thankfully, as the cctv wasn't pointing OH's way, but it took 2 hours of careful questioning before the police were finished getting a statement, then we went to macdonalds, the shopping never got done and i'll have to drink hot juice again as I've no decaf but apart from a sore nose, OH's fine so nothing else matters!
(http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9274014&fh_view_size=10&fh_eds=%3f&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB%2fcategories%3c%7b9372016%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b9372049%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b9372274%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b9392104%7d%2fspecificationsProductType%3dtimber_doors%2fspecificationsSpecificProductType%3dknotty_pine__glazed&fh_refview=lister&ts=1276377769383&isSearch=false )
with two long frosted glass panels to the handle thenwooden panels in the bottom with silver handles and now we need to take them all off again to paint, phew they will smell a bit but the low-odour paints we've used previously just don't hack the daily treatment of kids crashing about. We're going to paint them in the garage and bring them in when they're all dry. The skirting will be a bit stinky for a while but it'll all look lovely in the end! We had to get more wall paint because the fancy light-reflecting paint we bought last year may look good for a while but looks seriously dirty now and i've tried everything but the paint actually rubs off if you get it too wet so we bought *normal* silk emulsion that's *washable and scrubbable*, so here's hoping it does what it *does what it says on the tin*!!
Today we went over to the gym for youngest's session of karate, OH did some weights then went for a swim, I was treadmilling at different inclines and speeds then I went onto the wave machine and sweated some more and we all got together for lunch. Trip up to collect middle from the plant nursery she volunteers at, then quick change for her, some hand-washing for me as the washing machine's broken, and then we dropped her off at a pals for a bbq. We decided to go shopping at Asda in Livingston and I spent 2 hours wishing we hadn't, OH went to the loo and got accosted just outside them by some drunken b*****d that wanted his car keys/money/phone/anything of value! Thankfully he kept walking towards the front doors of Asda and got in there just after the pig decided to head-butt him which someone witnessed thankfully, as the cctv wasn't pointing OH's way, but it took 2 hours of careful questioning before the police were finished getting a statement, then we went to macdonalds, the shopping never got done and i'll have to drink hot juice again as I've no decaf but apart from a sore nose, OH's fine so nothing else matters!
Tuesday 8 June 2010
Now I understand,,,,,,,,
Now I understand the surge in interest about this type of class, the lady doing our class was Julie, mentioned in the website and it was fabulous fun - did the whole class which I didn't expect and enjoyed every minute of it :) We were all starting from the *beginning*, so nobody was playing catch-up or should I say I wasn't playing catch-up which gives one much more confidence when trying new stuff!
The weekend went well exercise-wise as well as family-wise, daughter did college garden at gardening Scotland ( http://www.gardeningscotland.com/information.php ) and they got a silver gilt I think but also she came 11/36 in Britain in a Landscape construction competition - she was the TOP female competitor for Britain for 2010 and we're pleased as punch for her, she's bouncing around feeling seriously chuffed with herself, and of course can put it in her CV for getting a job now she's finished college! The gardener she voluteers with had a show garden in memory of his patrner and won a gold so she was pleased for him too!
We managed to pack in a proper visit to gardening scotland (to admire daughter's work properly!), pizza hut and a decent swim all on sunday, and I used my new waterproof mp3 player, kept me going through 50mins of swimming - fab!!
Only lost 300g on Sat weighin but it's started going down the way so that gave me the extra push to do more, on track with thepeteplan ( http://thepeteplan.wordpress.com/the-pete-plan/ ) week 1 and working through that will keep me focussed, with the swimming going up a level in effort and time, then zumba and well as next kg up in my weights workouts I feel I'm finally getting on a track I can stick to for the next 6 weeks I'll be following a schedule which always helps keep the motivation going!
Working towards our next holiday on Islay - happens to be *show week* when the big agricultural show is on when we'll be seeing loads of folk we haven't seen for years and they'll be very surprised to see what good shape I'm in, very satisfying frame of mind compared to times I've gone before and wanted to hide up behind the horses so folk wouldn't see how much I'd put on - not that they'd be nasty, I was just self-concious but I'll be slaving away to make sure the changes are continued, some people would be surprised to see me now never mind in 6 weeks time!!
The weekend went well exercise-wise as well as family-wise, daughter did college garden at gardening Scotland ( http://www.gardeningscotland.com/information.php ) and they got a silver gilt I think but also she came 11/36 in Britain in a Landscape construction competition - she was the TOP female competitor for Britain for 2010 and we're pleased as punch for her, she's bouncing around feeling seriously chuffed with herself, and of course can put it in her CV for getting a job now she's finished college! The gardener she voluteers with had a show garden in memory of his patrner and won a gold so she was pleased for him too!
We managed to pack in a proper visit to gardening scotland (to admire daughter's work properly!), pizza hut and a decent swim all on sunday, and I used my new waterproof mp3 player, kept me going through 50mins of swimming - fab!!
Only lost 300g on Sat weighin but it's started going down the way so that gave me the extra push to do more, on track with thepeteplan ( http://thepeteplan.wordpress.com/the-pete-plan/ ) week 1 and working through that will keep me focussed, with the swimming going up a level in effort and time, then zumba and well as next kg up in my weights workouts I feel I'm finally getting on a track I can stick to for the next 6 weeks I'll be following a schedule which always helps keep the motivation going!
Working towards our next holiday on Islay - happens to be *show week* when the big agricultural show is on when we'll be seeing loads of folk we haven't seen for years and they'll be very surprised to see what good shape I'm in, very satisfying frame of mind compared to times I've gone before and wanted to hide up behind the horses so folk wouldn't see how much I'd put on - not that they'd be nasty, I was just self-concious but I'll be slaving away to make sure the changes are continued, some people would be surprised to see me now never mind in 6 weeks time!!
Thursday 3 June 2010
Week so far,,,,,
Back at aquarobics y'day felt really good, and had lunch with a pal there - ordered a baked potato with chicken and bacon, came mixed with mayonaise so it had to go back and another one came shortly after that my allergy would let me eat and really enjoyed it. Later it was down to the high school to find out what life will be like for youngest when he starts ther in August - what a thought!!
Today was a *normal* day, dropped middle at college, visdited mum and then shopping tesco for me and B&Q(diy store) for hubby, then home with a thumping headache, owwwch! Recovered a little of go to the gym with my new waterproof mp3 player and get on an exercise bike, felt much better atferwards, with baked salmon for tea with loads of veg, I'm finishing the day much better than it started:)
Tomorrow I'm going to my first zumba class, somebody somewhere said we should do something that scares us evey day, well that will be my scare for the week!!
Today was a *normal* day, dropped middle at college, visdited mum and then shopping tesco for me and B&Q(diy store) for hubby, then home with a thumping headache, owwwch! Recovered a little of go to the gym with my new waterproof mp3 player and get on an exercise bike, felt much better atferwards, with baked salmon for tea with loads of veg, I'm finishing the day much better than it started:)
Tomorrow I'm going to my first zumba class, somebody somewhere said we should do something that scares us evey day, well that will be my scare for the week!!
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