Thats Life

At the weekend Mandy and myself split up, not really sure of the full reason think its becase our lives and what we want is so different, still its been a good 3 months and I've some nice memories, just wasn't to be.

Although I'm a touch dissapointed it hadn't worked out better as I like her I'm quite happy to move on, maybe biggest mistake would have been if we tried to make something work that wasn't right.

So not looking over my shoulder, just a case of moving forward.

Blood

Just had call from the docs they have recieved the results of my blood test so I'm going to see them next wednesday to find out what they reveal.
To be honest it'll be good to see what i need to do but at same time slightly nervous to what they may find.

Don't want to tempt fate but feel my more healthy eating is starting to show benefits and my painful joints are on the mend. Worst as been my right knee which seems better, couldn't bend it before and have much more movement now.
Strangely my left knee is very sore but think thats something i aggravated by over compensating whe gardening, way I'm feeling am optimistic everything will clear up by the end of the weekend.

Am entered in a table tennis competition in a couple of weeks, its a tough one and could do to be fit enough to practice next week, we'll see.

Garden

Just a few photos I took in my garden today, thought I'd share with you.

Weght Loss Challenge - Week 5

Only lost 1lb this week but at least I'm still moving in the right direction but hope to do a little better next week, lets see.
I'm sort of experimenting with what I eat and did give myself a couple of treats last week because I'm well on target.
5 weeks of my challenge done with 6 to go and I'm past the half way stage so reckon right where I should be which is pleasng with not been able to exercise properly, feel my determination isn't wavering at all which we all know can happen, in fact its getting stronger.
Last night a friend I haven't seen for 3 or 4 weeks commented "have you lost some weight" think it always gives you a boost when people start to notice.

Reg records same weight as last week which isn't surprising after her good show last wednesday, still on target to reach her goal weight.

Mick - start weight 222lb - todays weight - 210lb - target loss 22lb - loss this week 1lb (5%) - total loss 12lb ( 55%).

Reg - start weight 131lb - todays weight - 128lb - target loss 6lb - loss this week 0lb (+0%) -
total loss so far - 3lb (50%)

Did have some bad news yesterday one of my cousins wife passed away, wasn't unexpected she had been battling cancer awhile now,still sad news. It didn' stop there another cousin as had a stroke, dont know any details how bad need to find out more.
They say things happen in threes and another cousin as broken his hip, he actually lives abroad so rarely see him nowadays but will try find out more.

Leeds United takeover seems to happening as the club announced "due dillegence" checks are been carried out, still no clues to who the new owners are.

Frustration

Must admit I'm now getting really frustrated with the pain in my joints, there are some signs of improvement but its still making it difficult to do things i want.

Did get out and cut the lawn yesterday, wasn't great fun and took twice as long as normal but it needed doing. Got a bit of weeding to do but my knees are swollen so its difficult to bend down prob give it a go tomoz.
I'm certainly losing a lot of sleep just can't get comfy in bed most nights. In fact at times its been a effort just to move or walk about.

I'm eating the right stuff and think its starting to work some signs of improvement are there, so maybe got to stay positive but its very depressing at time, had about as much as i can take now.

Yesterday went for a blood test, will get results in a couple of days so maybe it will tell us something, bit nervous never know what they'll find.

I'm still determined to lose weight and so far so good but its not easy when you can't exercise, still lets hope tomorrows weigh in shows another positive result.

Did have a lovely sunday lunch this week, Mandy cooked for me for the first time, she made a real effort to provide everthing i liked and it was cooked to perfection. We then had a nice afternoon just cuddled up on her sofa watching tv, enjoyed it so much.

Well England went out in Euros actually drew with Italy but lost the penalty shoot out, to be fair they deserved it was the better team.

Talking sport Wimbledon as started and I'm a bit worried about the rain forecast in case Cliff gives us a song or two, lol.

Bring it back home to England

Tonight its the last of the quarter finals of the Euros so can England do it and join Spain, Portugal and Germany in the semi finals, course they can its only Italy standing in our way.



But first I'mreally looking forward to Sunday Lunch today, off to Mandys and she is cooking for me for the first time, feel its gonna be a very special day.

Pain hurts

As regular readers of my blog will know I occasionally suffer from gout, many things can trigger an attack and i try to watch my food intake only eating foods with high purine content in moderation.

Well last weekend I had a bad attack, and am having problems with both knees, right foot/ankle and elbows, believe me its painful, finding it hard to sleep so quite grumby.

I've had it in various joints in the past but not all at same time, daily tasks are almst impossible, I've been in a mess, believe me. Think worst attack I've had, certainly for a long time since i started watching what i eat.

So whats caused it, well I believe its my weight loss combined to some foods/drink I eat. Before anyone says been a better weight should be beneficial, I know that is true but losing weight initially can effect your blood initially so is a very likely cause.

I've been to the Docs and am been sent for a blood test to see my Uric acid levels have worsened over the years (since last time they tested), will also tell me if I have other underlying problems (kidney function, heart, diabetic, etc).

I've been having a good read up and have made the decision that I've got to help myself, currently when i have a attack i have anti-inflammetery pills but depending on the test results the doc says i may be prescribed a daily pill to help keep my uric acid levels down. There is a real danger of it causing many health issues.

This doesn't come without side effects so i will avoid if possible, so for me its a lot of big lifestyle changes. Certain food will be cut from my diet, others will allow in moderation but not during any attack however mild. Of course there are some foods that are good and i'm moving to them.
Going to cut back alcohol intake and nne at all during an attack.
I'll continue to lose weight with a new enthusiasm think the long term benefit as got to be better health where my main reason in the past is to look better.

I'll add on  positive note things are improving today, think my eating the right stuff is starting to come into play. I know it'll take time to find the right balane for me but i just have to get there, can't go on like this.

Weight Loss Challenge -

Happy with my result this week as I've lost 4lb which takes me to 11lb lost in 4 weeks, thats half what I'm aiming for. I knew it would be a good week, haven't touched a drop of beer and been eating well (lots of salads). Although I'm happy with the weight loss its a double wammy because I got a bad gout attack, getting down to a reasonable weight will eventually help limit attacks but it appears as I drop it can bring on a attack.
On the other hand I know what I eat can help long term so it keeps myenthusiasm to keep going. Actually been to the Docs this morning and I've to go to the hospital for a blood test then we'll discuss where we go from here.

Reg reports a good weigh in losin 2.5lb taking her to 3lb total loss which is 50% of her target, well done.

Mick - start weight 222lb - todays weight - 211lb - target loss 22lb - loss this week 4lb (18%) - total loss 11lb ( 50%).

M - start weight 163lb - todays weight -?lb - target loss 9lb - loss this week -?lb (?%) - total loss so far ?lb (?%)

Reg - start weight 131lb - todays weight - 128lb - target loss 6lb - loss this week 2.5lb (+42%) - total loss so far - 3lb (50%)

Got to mention well done England in reaching the last 8 of the Euros bring on Italy on Sunday. While on the subject of Football its looking like the investment rumours in Leeds United are correct, all of a sudden we have started buying players, decent ones at that.

Olympic Fever

The Olympic Torch came through my home town this morning and the locals came out in their thousands to show their support.



Weight Loss Challenge - Week Three

Thats three weeks of this 11 week challenge gone and I'm still on target, so far I've lost 7lb so thats 2lb this week. Sort of happy but was hoping for maybe another pound but lets just say so far so good.

M beat me on weekly figure losin 1lb off her target (11%) although over the 3 weeks I'm slightly ahead with 32% against 22% of target lost.

Bad week for Reg she gained half a pound, happens to us all sometimes and reckon ith her determination she'll bounce straight back next week.

Mick - start weight 222lb - todays weight - 215lb - target loss 22lb - loss this week 2lb (9%) - total loss 7lb ( 32%).

M - start weight 163lb - todays weight -161lb - target loss 9lb - loss this week -1lb (11%) - total loss so far 2lb (22%)

Reg - start weight 131lb - todays weight - 130.5lb - target loss 6lb - loss this week +0.5lb (+8%) - total loss so far - 0.5lb (8%)

Other things happening well its all to do with sport, played my table tennis tournament at the weekend, found it physically tough some very hard matches. As I suspected I lacked sharpness through lack of serious practicectice, my footwork wasn't good enough especially against the strong attackers.
Did have one really good game against the top player in my section, he was unbeaten but I took him to deuce in the 5th and deciding set. He's a defender but very fast around the court gave it everything to match him and nearly pulled it off actually had a match point at 10-9 in the decider, had come back from 2 sets down aswell.
My next competition is in 4 weeks time in Leicestershire, hopfully get some good practice by then and be a bit sharper.

Still strong rumours on Leeds United takeover, expecting something to happen this week but will believe it when I see it. Need some money in soon because we wont have enough players to start the season otherwise.

At least got the Euros to keep me happy, good first performance by England getting a draw with France, now for victories against Ukraine and Sweden.