Christmas is over

Christmas is over - I am about 12 stone heavier than I was prior to Christmas. That means my work of over eating is done and time to start the New Year!! :D

Some highlights of Christmas - got some awesome gifts (a years couples membership to the National Trust, a new Regatta coat, some good walking shoes, welly boot socks, a smart coat for going out, two hampers, some books about wildlife and knitting, a DVD, a "Make your own owl doorstop kit", wine, a reminder list, sweets and chocolates, a board game called Settlers of Catan, a lovely big cardigan, bottle of baileys, some cookie cutters, a head massager, a Dove set, some piano music, an Amazon Kindle voucher... it goes on!)

As you can tell, despite the fact that there was only the three of us (humans, that is, not to exclude the two dogs, and the cat who also got presents) the tree was positively heaving underneath with the weight of presents!

Matt enjoyed opening his presents, as did I!!! :)

This week, then, we hope to go for a country walk (thanks to the National Trust App) which is already mapped out etc to start to use our membership. Once we've tested out how it all works, we'll be off! (hopefully) I am pretty excited as it's what we've been talking about doing for a while, and is certainly right up my street in terms of things I like to do. It'll be nice to do something that doesnt revolve around food, booze or gyms.

When I'm feeling braver and there's a little more light, I will be sorting out the horse riding too!

What else to tell you? I've been playing Syberia (point and click game) today - it is SO frustrating when you have no patience whatsoever. I will have to learn a bit!!

Matt has been playing Far Cry 3 continuously for some time, and finally finished it today. Unfortunately, he is now on to something with Zombies. I will be having nightmares again no doubt!

I've also started the post Christmas chores - lots of cleaning to be done. I used the turkey to make a nice stock and a turkey soup which we had for dinner earlier. Yum!! All gone now though :(

Might be time to try fodmap diet again - my IBS is back with avengence, as is usual whenever I eat things I shouldnt. Sigh.

Anyway, it is late and Matt has work tomorrow (tee hee, I dont!!) so I shall be disappearing shortly.

G out xxx

It's been a while....

It's Christmas eve today, so I thought I'd take the time to reflect on the year very briefly and talk a little about next year's mission.

2012... This time last year I was facing up to the fact that I really needed to do something about my weight. I did that but have recently slipped back due to an amazing holiday in Mexico. I wouldn't change this year, with the exception of one very sad event, so I have decided to be pleased with the overall weight loss and the fun times I had, and aim to do the same next year!!

The sad news was the passing of my Grandma. We all miss her terribly, and I am sure more so now it is Christmas. I miss her particularly for all the little things - not having our whittering chats every week, her sage advice, her boundless enthusiasm and support in everything I did. I still find myself wanting to tell her things (am often to found chattering to thin air in the vain hope she will hear) I think losing her and seeing what a good, kind, determined and yet humble and selfless lady she was to everyone, has had a profound impact on my thinking. I am determined that my own self doubt and fear will no longer have the upper hand in my decision making process. I wish I could thank her for everything she was to me.

So next year then. I will be putting health (back and body) first, and will be losing 20kg. (Don't panic, I will still be in healthy weight range) I have given up the gym, to be replaced with daily dog walks, cycling, and horse riding on a more regular basis. I want to do some jumping lessons after normal lessons. I will be going Euro camping, to several exciting weddings and Matt will be 30!!

So thank you for reading this year - more updates to follow, but in the meantime I wish everyone a happy Christmas and a joyous new year.

G out xxx