Weigh in Wednesday - Slow going

Another pound lost this week but its slow going so far in this weight loss campaign and really need to have a better week. Still I reckon I'm lucky to show a loss at all, it was a hectic weekend and was out Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday so should be happy i got away with it. Also I have exercised a bit but the gout attack as limited me a bit so I know things have improved.

So results of week two
Start Weight - 224lb
Weight last week - 223lb
Weight this week - 222lb
Target weight - 203lb
loss/gain in week - 1lb
loss %  against target - 9.5%

Weekend from now on are spent with Paula but we are gonna have a quiet night in this friday probably crled up with a DVD although we do have a do to go to saturday night.

Synchronised Limping

This weekend as been a case of synchronised limping with Paula and myself, I've had a touch of gout in my foot while Paula as pulled her hamstring, anyone seeing us must have had a good laugh at our expense.

I've actually spent the weekend in York, Friday night went to watch Paula play dates it was a rearranged match and her team won 6-3, she played really well especially in her singles (think I'll withdraw my challenge, lol).

Saturday morning Paula had a hair appointment so I'd a couple of hours to kill so had some breakfast at the local cafe and went to the shopping centre, never bought anything though. She let me take her car as she as put me on the insurance, its her pride and joy so I'd to be extra careful (never knew they could get to that speed, lol).

We spent most of the afternoon online looking at a few things including holidays and I suppose the big news is we've gone and booked one, we are having a week in Cyprus at the end of september.

Last night we went for a meal, Mike who was on holiday with us at easter and works with Paula came along it was good to see him again. After the meal went to a local pub to watch a live band, they were a mix match of local musicians as the origional act that should have been performing had split up. Despite none of the musicians playing together previously they proved really good, had a great time. The Bass guitarist ws Paula's nephew thats how we found out about the gig, he is a quiet lad but really into his music and has a good voice.

Anyway I'm home now and have to go out again as I've a couple of Pool matches in the Pub knockouts but don't intend staying long cos a bit tired. Got a team match in th league tomorrow.

Weigh in Wednesday - pounds and pounds

I'll start with the lbs and the start of my first weight loss campaign, yes I can report a loss in my first week but its on one solitary pound. A bit dissapointing but I ain't really got the exercise going and I'm trying to balance weight loss with dating which don't always go well together.
Did get to TT training monday morning and I'll be uping my efforts (ot to get sharp as have a tournament in 4 weeks) also gonna try get the golf going mid-week and have a lot of jobs in the garden which I've started this morning. Of corse weekends are put to one side for Paula, that is important

So results of week one
Weight last week - 224lb
Weight this week - 223lb
Target weight - 203lb
loss/gain in week - 1lb
loss %  against target - 4.8%

So its on to the other pounds the monetary ones, had a bit of expense lately, so a bit skint, a few bills have been paid in fact paid my council tax up for the year which knocked a hole in my budget. Just had to get my car tax this week and my car goes for its MOT next week so keeping my fingers crossed they don't find too much that needs doing.
Not too worried though because get next week behind me and I'll only have a few monthly direct debits to worry about for the rest of the year and they are budgeted for.

Parks & Canyons some highlights

My holiday was a fantastic trip and here are a few highlights.

We started out in Phoenix with a city tour but the highlight for me was stopping off in Scottsdale Old town with its "western" influence. Actually grabbed lunch at the Rusty Spur Saloon pictured below.
Evening meal we went to a place called Rustlers Roost where we had a fun evening in traditional western style listening to a group. check it here - http://www.rustlersrooste.com/

Another fun event was the jeep ride high into the Sedona mountains, great fun with amazing views.

Forgot to mention all my hotel rooms were good here is a example.

After Phoenix it was onto Flagstaff on the historic route 66, our hotel was right on main street usa. First night here we ate at a traditional R66 diner called Rubys while 2nd night went to a nice restaurant in central Flagstaff and luckily they had live music in the bar afterwards.

Of course on of the site seeing highlights is always going to be the Grand Canyon, walked so far down the mule trail and it was a bit tough coming back up due to the altitude.

Another equally amazing site was Bryce Canyon where we walked along the rim footpath.

We had a nice relaxing afternoon cruising on Lake Powell.

My love of westerns made a vsit to Kanab (little hollywood) where we got chance to play in a mock movie called "how the west was lost", as you see below I got the part of the Playboy (but wanted to be the gunfighter) lol.

Back to the fantastic sights and we walked along the Virgin river inside Zion National Park, saw plenty of wildlife but sadly no Brown Bears or Mountin Lions.

Finally it was onto party town Las Vegas for a couple of nights to relax and spend our remaining dollars before the long journey home.

Don't think the photos can ever do justice to some of the sights but if you would like to check out the rest of them you can access them here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/8308363@N02/sets/72157626851675161/detail/

Really enjoyed the trip made some good friends, saw some great sights, did a lot of laughing but at the same time was lonely cos one certain person wasn't with me. Yeh I'm talking about Paula but managed to spend the weekend with her, had a good time Friday night watching her nephew play in her band. Saturday went shopping then spent the night cuddled up watching DVD's.

Weigh in Wednesday - The Scales don't lie so here we go again

I got back from holiday last night and decided to jump on the scales (ok its thursday not wednesday) to see what damage as been done over the last 2 months.

I expected a increase with whats gone on recently (two holidays, Mum passing away plus starting a new relationship with a lot of eating out) and discovered I'm up by 11lb from April. Back then I weighed in at 213lb and today its 224lb (still a bit in front of the peak back last november when I was 238lb).

So from today its back on the wagon and the lbs are goingto cme off, gonna give myself a target of losing 21lb before my next holiday on September 24th when Paula and myself are planning to go away, not sure where yet.

I make that about 14 weeks so its 1.5lb per week from today that I'll be trying to achieve.

So anyone else up for a challenge over the same period then we can compare how we are doing against each other and our targets. Just set your own target (doesn't have to be 21lb an be more or less) what you want to lose (and think can achieve) in that time period, then weigh each wednesday and let me know and I'll do comparrison percentage and post, so no hiding place.

Start :-
Mick - 224lb (target 203lb)

On another note I really enjoyed my holiday and will post more later plus some photos. Saw some amazig places and had a lot of fun with some very nice people. Seven of us stuck together mainly on a evening because we got on really well, certainly did a lot of laughing between us. Strangely we all came from different parts of the country but maybe some of our paths will cross again, who knows we've swapped contact details.

round table - Rachael, Me, Liz, Mick, Eirian, Paul & Trevor.

Hello from Utah

Actually just getting ready to leave Utah and on to Vegas for the final blast of what as been a fantastic trip. Seen some amazing sites wth the canyons and national parks but you'll see that whe I post the photos.

Did have a encounter with a rattlesnake in the desert, sort of warned me off when I climbed a rock for a photo, (should keep to the paths), lol

Met some great people and made some new friends, 7 of us have stuck together and socialised on a evening for meals and drinks.

Its been strange on a singles holiday not been single but funnily one of the ladies in our gang is same as me she booked when single but as since started dating.

However good the hol as been I'm so looking forward to getting home and been with Paula again, think been apart will actually strengthen our relationship (not that its needed).

Anyway must go, will post on my return as i don't think i'll get chance in Vegas.

Its bloody hot

Well arrived in Phoenix late last night which was better than one poor lady who fell getting off her bus at heathrow injured her ankle and cou;dn't get on the plane.

The hotel is really nice I'm quite impressed superb rooms, nice bed, living area with chair and settee plus a kitchen not that I'll be using it.

This morning we had a guided bus tour of the city which was ok but I decided to get dropped off at the old town which is a full of cowboy sort of shops and things. had a light lunch at a saloon down there and they even had a singer on who was quite good. Then tried to get public transport back to the hotel but got off at the wrong spot and ended up having to walk a couple of miles plus in almost 100% tempretures (should help the weight loss, lol).

Tonight we have free coctails then off to a "western cookout" (big steak i think) where there is some sort of live entertainment. should be good fun i reckon.

Tommorrow we move on to Flagstaff for a couple of nights but are stopping off onroute for a jeep ride through the Sedona desert which I'm looking forward to.

Of course I've been in touch with Paula wish she could be here with me.
take care everyone.

Time is moving fast

So much going on in my life I'm struggling to get ready for my holiday, just finished my gardening, lawn, hedges, etc all cut and tidy. Still gotta pack and sort out a few things for my Dad.

I'm leaving after Lunch on Sunday which will soon be here, I'm off to York tonight to hook up with Paula, gonna go for a meal then stay over. Saturday we are both coming back to Selby and will stay here overnight so Paula can see me off Sunday (and of course saviour the delights of Selby, lol).

Thats all for now gotta get my jobs done so if I don't get to post again before my trip you all take care.
Mx

Weigh in Wednesday - My motivation

Weight loss as been difficult recently with the things that have happend in my life and with a holiday starting next week seems pointless so I wont be starting my next campaign until my return (16th June). Rcckon by then I'll be a bit up from my last weigh in (maybe 7 or 8 lb) but I'll soon be back on track, I'm confident.

My motivation is the new love of my life Paula reckon I should make a effort to look better and be fitter. And yes she as given me permission to post a photo (she checks my blog, lol) so here it is :-

We went to a Darts charity event last night and had a great time, won some chocolates in the raffle but I let Paula take them (not that I had a say, lol). There was a singer on and he was good did a wide range of stuff.