Thursday 22 September 2011

Worried

Over the past couple of weeks I've noiced my Dad struggling a bit, he's not the most mobile since having a new hip and knee but he's been worse than normal. Since Mum passed away he's been a bit lazy so I've been pushing him to do things, he needs that.

Anyway it came to a head today and it appears I've been missreading the situation, he couldn't get out of bed this morning I had to lift him although once up got him moving. By Lunch time he'd got worse and couldn't get out of his chair, could hardly stand up so I got the Doc out to analysize him.

She arranged for him to go into hospital straight away and suspects its something called Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) which effects the muscles. They know he has this and he's been on steriods for it for a couple of years however I didn't know they had reduced his dosage so hopfully this is the cause and can easily remidied. Wish I knew they had done this as I'd maybe spotted the symptoms earlier.

Past history proves that he should recover quite quick once the give him a steroid boost, hopfully he'll be fit enough to come home tomorrow, we'll see. One complication though is that he seems very confused he said a few strange things and seemed not able to understand what people were telling him, the docs didn't seem concerned with this somaybe its a side effect.

I'm due to go on holiday to Cyprus on Sunday, I usually make sure he as everthing he needs and some of my cousins and good neighbours call and keep an eye on him. But to be honest if he isn't much improved he'll need 24 hour assistance so that will be me and I just hope its covered in my holiday insurance. Sayng that the holiday is not important in these circumstances.

While talking about parents its strange but I've found myself thinking about Mum a lot lately, really missing her despite it been over 4 months since she passed away. It feels like delayed mourning, can't explain it.

Tuesday 20 September 2011

War of the Roses


Tonight its Footballs most insigificant competition the League Cup but one match is important because the draw as seen the Mighty Whites drawn against them from over the hills.
Yes its Leeds versus Manchester, Yorkshire versus Lancashire,White Rose versus Red Rose, is battle against the Scum means so much, we definately don't like each other.


Not going to be easy them lot are top of the Premier after a impressive start while we are only mid-table in the Championship (29 places lower), they are clear favorites but we all know what happend last time.

Ok away from the footie and things are much the same on the weight loss front (I think). planning on a weigh in Saturday before I go to Cyprus (Sunday), will post results. Really looking forward to the holiday.

Played Pool last night, we were away and was cheesed off the Pub didn't have the beer I like, had run out apparently and only had a couple of lagers on tap. Reckon its gonna shut, maybe wrong but the signs were all there.

Played TT in British League at weekend, team did well with 2 wins, 1 draw and a defeat. Some tough matches both days so good exercise and I topped it off by going training Monday morning despite been tired with a few aching muscles.

Looking in the news I see a bloke got arrested for stabbing to death a burglar with his own knife, hope he gets off its about time people were allowed to protect themselves and their property. Apparently there was two burglars that forced there way in with knifes but he unarmed one and stabbed him in the scuffle while his mate did a runner, if thats not self defence what is.


Sunday 11 September 2011

One chance at life

Today as we all know is the sad 10th anniversary of the attack on the twin towers and although I didn't know anyone killed it still made me think about life, in particular my life.

The bottom line is you only get one chance at life and its down to yourself to make the most of it because none of us know what the future will throw at us. Remember those poor people in the twin towers or on the airplanes in the prime of their lives and some sad bastards decide to take it away.

Of course for many money is always a restricting factor but on the other hand I think we all know people with lots of money who saved for a rainy day, put life on hold and now reside in the graveyard.

So for me the attitude "live for today" is a good one, its so easy to allow life to become one big routine and put off the things we want to do.
For me I believe that attack ten years ago made me realise I wanted to travel and see parts of the world (among other things), always wanted to do it but always made oher commitments an excuse.

I'm certain my life as changed a lot since that day, some things for the better and obviously some for worse, but I aim to keep looking forward and trying to make the most of life because its the only way.

Friday 9 September 2011

Gooseberries

One of my favorite fruits is the Gooseberry (especially in a Pie or Crumble with custard) but don't know about people elsewhere but they seem to have dissapeared, not seen in the shops or among the puddings for what seems like years.
Don't know why this is, I can't remember the last time I ate or even saw a gooseberry.

So imagine my delight this morning when I saw a poster in Morrisons supermarket advertising gooseberry pies, gonna treat myself I thought, but you guessed it "BLOODY SOLD OUT".

Thursday 8 September 2011

Just did it

As I said last week my first target was to hit the 15stone (210lb) this week and am happy to reprt I've made it. Yes only a one pound loss but that doesn't tell the full story.

Ok last thursday I was 211lb but that didn't take into account my weekend away which I over indulged in food and I did take a peep at the scales Monday and it didn't look promising I have to admit, was a few pounds higher.

Still I've cut back on food, done a lot of TT training and also spent a lot of time gardening and I got there so thats another step in the right direction.

Must admit I've felt quite hungry at times and physically am really tired, legs are aching in the hamstrings and calfs, still its well worth a bit of discomfort to achieve a goal. Makes you wonder where I'd be without the weekend.

Well my next target I've set is 203lb (14.5stone) by end of October which is obviously at a rate of around one pound per week and considering it includes a holiday in that period it may not be that easy, reckon I need to get in front in the next couple of weeks.

Next question which do you recon is best at breakfast Weetabix or Porridge ?

I used to have Weetabix (3) but switched to a bowl of Porridge about a year ago, I'm planning to change back to Weetabix when my Porridge runs out, not for any diet reasons just for a change.
For the record I make them both with water (not milk) and have some fruit on them.

Suppose another option would be to alternate days.

Monday 5 September 2011

Hard work this morning

Was a bit stiff after the weekends tournament but still went to TT practice this morning and it was hard work. Practiced with Filip a Polish lad I sometimes train with, he's good to play because is very athletic and retrieves a lot so always some big rallies.
I usually beat him reasonably comfy but he was right up for it this morning, had five matches over 5 sets each, I managed to win three of them and was shattered by the end. Don't normally train day after tournaments but glad I did it was a good work out, got a real sweat on.

Just had a bowl of soup at lunch and coudn't have any bread with it which was strange as those who have read my previous posts will realise its something I'm leaving out this week.  My main meal this evening will also be strange without potatos which are my other banned food stuff.

Will be having a beer tonight though because I'm out, w've got a Pool match tonight its quite a big one which wont be easy but I reckon victory will really put us with a chance of winning the league.

Sunday 4 September 2011

Food and exercise

Was up in Sunderland playing Table Tennis in the Veterans Northern Masters and enjoyed the weekend away although my results weren't great. Had some good games (and wins) and to be fair didn't get the best of draws but did come away a litle dissapointed.
Some of my matches were quite physical and very good exercise but probably cancelled the benefit out with a couple of excellent meals at the Pub attached to the hotel.
It was a Old Orleans Pub and they specialised on Cajun type meals, the food was suerband they didn't skimp on quantity either.
http://www.oldorleans.com/home

Paula came with me so it was nice although she is still suffering with sciatica, wish I could do more to make her feel better.

A for the table tennis must mention one of my training partners Jane did great winning the Ladies event including a win over the England number one in the last 8.
Talking abut training off in the morning and also tuesday night so the exercise level will be good.

So its now back on the wagon and concentrating on weight loss (no bread or potato this week)

Thursday 1 September 2011

Challenge over, now for the next one

So thats the end of my August weight loss challenge and its now time to set new goals but before I do the facts are :-
Weight 1st August - 220lb
Weight 1st September - 211lb

So its 9lbs lighter not the 14lb I hoped for but a worthwhile exercise I think now the question is how do I kick on from here.

Well the real challenge as we all know is keeping the weight off but I want to be more positive than that and lose some more. If we look at milestones I reckon I'm close to a few key ones firstly only one agonising pound away from hitting the 15stone (210lb) barrier so my short term goal is to achieve that within the next week.
My 2nd target is then 14.5stone (203lb) which I'm aiming to hit by end of October, thats approx one pound per week but not that straight forward as I've a holiday in this period at end of september.
If I achieve that target I'll be certainly in shooting distance of the magic 200lbs and aim to break that barrier by end of November, that would be great.
Then of course its the 14stone 196lb) mark by the year end, so hear we go.

Weight loss targets :-
Actual weight 1st August - 211lb
Target weight 8th August - 210lb
Target weight 31 October - 203lb
Target weight 30th Novmber - 199lb
Target weight 1st January - 196lb

I'm taking on board recent comments and the aim is to do some form of physical activity each day aswell as controlling the diet.
I'll be varying what I do with food each week just to keep the diet interesting and I'll allow myself rewards only when inside my targets. Next week (starting Monday) for one week I'll eat normal except for no bread or potatoes with meals, could be interesting. I'm also sticking with the no food late at night rule, that one makes sense.
As for exercise I went TT training yesterday, actually did more than a normal session, usually play around 20 sets but did around 30 and worked hard. Ache a bit but going for another session tonight need to sharpen up as I'm in a big tournament over the weekend.

Wish me luck