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#Juneathon day 19- health check

Posted on 06/19/2013 by Cindy

So . . . I mentioned the other day that we joined a new gym. With this change, we were provided with a basic health check that included height and weight (I grew a centimeter!), fasting blood sugar, and cholesterol, (I’m not sure I have a lot of faith in a test that can measure my cholesterol in 175 seconds; that or I am out of touch in regards to medical technology.) blood pressure and resting heart rate.

My test was this morning at 10. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it, but I am really not a morning person. I am even LESS of a morning person when you expect me to be somewhere and I can’t have any coffee beforehand or during.

I’m not sure if this is the reason why this seemed to be kind of a shit show or if I just haven’t learned yet how to play well with others. The tests themselves went fine, that’s not the issue. It just seemed that the person giving the tests seemed surprised when (other than my weight) they were normal or close to normal. (You eat bacon *every* day?) The person in question also didn’t seem to know what Paleo/Primal were. Perhaps he was just suspicious of me as I’m the only person in Scotland who doesn’t drink.

The last part of it was to be instruction on how to use the cardio equipment. Ummm no, just no. I think I have that down. (Not that some people may not know how, I just didn’t need that particular lesson.) What I would rather have (and hope to have) would be a form check on squats and deadlifts.

And then I went and had a latte the size of my head.

I waited for Steph and we went and soaked in the jacuzzi for a bit. I wasn’t planning on a workout without having eaten in 14 hours.

So today I walked to and from the gym. I also walked to pick up my prescriptions and run some errands (not pictured).

Tomorrow, I have a lot of work to do and I will be starting to train for a 10K! Busy days ahead!

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#Juneathon day 18- so much to say, so little time

Posted on 06/18/2013 by Cindy

I’ve been pretty busy today. Well, I was pretty busy after 3pm. (We were waiting for a package to be delivered.) My Hugh Laurie tickets arrived this morning, after a bit of confusion last week as to where they actually were.

Anyways, after that we headed to city centre for some errands and then to the gym.

Starting from scratch after a tiny bit of time off.

And a lovely walk (from city centre to the gym and then from the gym to home).

I’m very tired (and sore) tonight, or I would write so much more. I have an early appointment at the gym for a health assessment (eek!) so I should get to bed at a reasonable hour.

I am sure I will have something more to say on the topic tomorrow. :)

Posted in Juneathon, walk, weight lifting | Tagged Juneathon, walk, weight lifting | Leave a comment

#Juneathon day 17- meh

Posted on 06/17/2013 by Cindy

I’m not feeling 100% today, so I will keep this short. I was meant to go for a run today. Not so much. Managed to walk to the office and back.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

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A “playful tiff?” Not too bloody likely.

Posted on 06/17/2013 by Cindy

The other night when I read about what had happened to Nigella Lawson, I was sickened. I’m even more sickened today as I read the headlines where Charles Saatchi said it was a “playful tiff.”

No, putting your hands around your wife’s throat IN PUBLIC more than once is not a bloody playful tiff. It’s physical abuse, plain and simple. It’s bullying, and Nigella shouldn’t have to stand for it. No one should have to stand for it.

Now we may never possibly know what was the precursor to the incident, or why it happened at all, what we need to keep in mind is that if this happened in public, who knows what could be happening behind closed doors. Or even more likely, what was being said.

I can say that with pretty good odds. I know. I’ve been in Nigella’s place. And it is a scary one. It’s scary to be tormented. It’s scary to be touched in a way that isn’t right. It’s scary to hear things that you intellectually know are false. It’s scary to be told you’re a waste of space and that you will never find anyone else who will put up with you. (Now be a dear and go and colour your hair brown and don’t forget that you were going to stop being friends with x.) (but well maybe he’s right . . .)

It’s hard to be in such a place, especially when you may still honestly love the person who has hurt you. However, there comes a point when love cannot overcome the physical and emotional scars that have been left.

It took me far too long to take that step. I endured three years of emotional and (very nearly -physical) abuse before I finally, finally got a clue. My reasons for staying were so ridiculous, that when I say them out loud to myself, I sound like a lunatic. I will spare you from them.

I hope that Nigella is safe and that she knows that she does not have to stand for this, nor does anyone else who is in an abusive relationship. You can get out and you can get help.

National domestic abuse hotline UK

Women’s Aid UK

National domestic abuse hotline US

Posted in bullying, deep thoughts | Tagged bullying, domestic abuse, Nigella Lawson, women | Leave a comment

#Juneathon day 16

Posted on 06/16/2013 by Cindy

I am tired. I might have slept 10 hours last night, but I feel like I could go to bed right now. And it isn’t even half eight.

Today I went swimming at the gym. And by swimming I mean swimming 3 half-assed laps which wore me out and required jacuzzi time AND orange juice. (I have no idea why but since forever I’ve always been wicked light headed after swimming unless I’m in the ocean.)

After we walked home, I was so tired I had to lay down. And while I was trying to sleep all I could think of was how much of a failure I was about my diet because I drank said orange juice. I even debated going for a run b/c I was so upset with myself.

I didn’t go for a run because I was too hungry and tired and I knew I was being irrational.

I was going to get some work done tonight but I can’t focus on anything (not even this post) so I think I may call it a night.

Posted in gym, Juneathon, swimming, walk | Tagged gym, Juneathon, swimming, walk | 2 Comments

#Juneathon day 15- first day at the new gym

Posted on 06/15/2013 by Cindy

I’ve mentioned before how Steph and I were fed up with our current gym. No matter when we went it always seemed impossible to get access to a rack so that we could lift. The past few times we’d end up having to use machines. It was annoying. Not to mention the fact that it was 80-90 minutes to walk round trip. It was also in city centre which inevitably meant errands would have to be run, meaning more time. So a trip to the gym would end up being an all day event.

I wanted a gym with spin classes, the ability to lift without waiting 5 hours, and if possible- a jacuzzi. (I was so so spoiled by the one at Healthworks in Boston!) Friday we toured 2 gyms that were a 20 minute walk from our flat. They were a bit more in cost, but we knew that would happen; not all gyms were as cheap as the bargain gym we were going to.

I liked the first one we toured and I knew the only way anything would ever beat it would be if the second gym had a jacuzzi. Well, our new gym? It has THREE. (No, that wasn’t a typo.)

And it was worth every pence.

Today we walked there (could have done without the rain). We went into the weight room and we didn’t have to wait for a bar. By the time we were done with overhead presses and deadlifts, the squat rack was available. It was bliss and that was before I even sat in the jacuzzi. :)

It also has a pool, hot yoga, and Pilates classes, along with the “normal” classes.

I anticipate that I will be sore tomorrow, given this is the first time I’ve been able to lift in about a month, and the first time back to squatting without pain since last August! The tentative plan is Pilates or maybe a run. It all depends on how I am feeling. But right now I am feeling very pleased about our choice, and I am sure I will have more to say on the subject soon.

Posted in exercise, fitness, Glasgow, gym, health, Juneathon, walk, weight lifting | Tagged Glasgow, gym, health, Juneathon, walk, weight lifting | 2 Comments

#Juneathon day 14

Posted on 06/14/2013 by Cindy

This is going to be very short because I am. HA! No, really because I am very tired as my Fitbit told me I only slept 3 hours last night.

You can see the squiggly red line-that was where we got a bit lost- not lost really, but couldn’t find the building we wanted.

There will be more tomorrow about the new gym and the how and the why there is a new gym.

Good night.

*I also just only realized I could put # in my title for Juneathon. It’s only half way through. I’m nothing but unobservant lately. Sherlock I am not.

Posted in Juneathon, walk | Tagged Juneathon, walking | Leave a comment

Weekly workout wrapup

Posted on 06/14/2013 by Cindy

I am so tired. I apparently didn’t sleep well according to my Fitbit.

I’m not sure I was that restless. Perhaps the sensitive setting is way too sensitive.

So this week:

Saturday	50 minute 4k walk back from city centre
Sunday	30 minute walk to the grocery store and back (so lame I know)
Monday	60 minute walk 4.6k to and from the office
Tuesday	41 minute run 4k in the humidity
Wednesday	90 minute walk 5.8k to and from dinner
Thursday	47 minute 5k run- longest RUN to date
Friday	Planned walk to check out new gyms; maybe a workout at one of them?

This was a good week. I was active every day AND I finally finished entering all my questionnaires so I can FINALLY get started on analysis! Horray!

Today I’d like to find a new gym that we can get to easily (not more than a 30 minute walk) that has spinning for me, weights for Steph and I, and possibly a jacuzzi for a reasonable price. I’m barking mad aren’t I?

I also want to start some writing and put my gym clothes away.

I know you all envy my crazy lifestyle. ;)

What are your plans for the weekend?

Posted in exercise, exercise weekly wrap up, fitness, life, running, walk, workout | Tagged exercise, fitness, life, running, walk, weekly workout wrapup | Leave a comment

Juneathon day 13

Posted on 06/13/2013 by Cindy

My day started off like this.

Breakfast tea at Cup and a latte before the office.

And ended like this.

An unintentional 5 kilometers

When I headed out to run, I only planned on running for a half hour. I just wanted to get out there and run. (Well, since I am being honest today, I really didn’t. But I felt a bit guilty after this morning’s indulgence and I didn’t even eat all of my half of the tea for two.)

So I ran. And I kept running. Because once I hit 4k, I didn’t see any reason why I couldn’t make it 5k. Especially with views like this to pass.

And might I say, I felt I had to deal with a wind chill when I started out- it is so chilly and windy out. Clearly by the end I had warmed up, but the first 10 minutes were chilly. And the next time I head out and think or say I don’t need water, I must be reminded that I DO need water. (And to remember the heart rate band as well.)

Posted in Glasgow, Juneathon, running | Tagged Glasgow, Juneathon, running | 2 Comments

Being honest- on expectations not met

Posted on 06/13/2013 by Cindy

There is one thing about my blog that you should know dear reader (Have I gotten a bit pretentious lately? Sorry about that.). I am brutally honest. I say what I feel and what I think. That can be good and it can be bad, but I never claimed to be anything but.

After attending Write this Run, I expected my blogging experience to be completely different. I expected tons of new readers and comments galore, not to mention perhaps the hope of some products to review and give away (We can all dream, can’t we?).

That, my friend, my dear, dear reader, didn’t happen. Not even remotely. I mean, I had a self hosted giveaway and only 5 people left comments! Five! And it wasn’t for lack of promotion in the slightest! I’ve had even fewer page views than before (I had a post that was partially entitled good news, and got 4 hits, and I know one of them was me testing it on my iPhone!) and looking at my Google Analytics brings me to tears. I don’t think I have ever come so close to deleting the entire thing and walking away as I did after the giveaway experience. (I said I was honest.)

How demoralising was that experience to me? Very. It hit me like a ton of bricks, that I spent a good chunk of change and a lot of time and effort getting this blog up and running the way I wanted it to, but only a very smal handful of people saw that change. It reflected the change in me, and away from my old persona, away from the person I was and toward the person I want to be. And I want more of you along for the ride, to be very brutally honest.

I want to share my trials and tribulations. I want to encourage those of you out there who might be considering a program like Optifast NOT TO DO IT. If you are thinking about it, please don’t. Talk to me and I will tell you why. I want to be a struggling runner, out there trying to get to a 5k without stopping. I want to debate the merits of thinking about longer distances while also doing a PhD. I want to come home bedraggled and sweaty from a spin class and share how great it was. I want to be up all night pouring over my data for my PhD dissertation and share how hard it is to do it all, yet show that it can be done.

One of the things that was asked at Write this Run, was who we were writing for. Now, while I primarily write for myself, I also want to have a dialogue with people who are following and sharing this journey and who are likeminded individuals. If I wanted to write for myself, and only myself, I could have saved myself some money and bought a pretty journal in Waterstones.

I know there are a billion blogs out there, and I know that not everyone gets their time in the sun. I’ve been blogging for a long time under various names, and I know I’ve said this before, but I just want a chance to shine a bit. So, if you are out there dear reader, please give me a chance. You might be surprised.

Posted in blogging, life, running, Scotland, spinning, writing | Tagged blogging, grad school, life, running, spinning, Write This Run, writing | 5 Comments