I Absolutely Must Try To Loose Some Weight

   It’s a bit of a kick in the teeth when you get ready to go out (first time leaving the house after 6pm in about 3 months) and none of your clothes actually fit.  I knew my weight was creeping up again, and I knew (or at least hoped) that if I kicked my butt and did some regular structured exercise I could do something about it, however it turns out I am not very good at kicking one’s own butt (don’t get me started on lack of flexibility).  Lack of motivation has always been a bit of a barrier for me in terms of exercise, and so it’s taken getting to this size/weight to know I need to do something about it was NOW!

   Bit of background - I’m a tall girl, and never really had to worry about what I ate.  I’ve always been fairly active and enjoy cooking and eating well.  My ideal weight was about 9.5st, it dropped a little when I was doing more, and towards my latter 20’s crept up closer to 10st, however I was happy in a bikini and chose lazy evenings in with the hubster rather than racing back out to the gym/exercise class.  (Living on the moors we are about a 20 minute drive to anywhere, so after driving home from work the last thing I want to do is go for another drive for a gym class...)

   After having Ethan my extra baby weight stuck about, I felt like a cow but didn’t really care- I had just grown a baby and was putting every minute of the day into him.  Clothes were an issue as I had a fairly sparse maternity wardrobe mostly living in Dean’s joggers and hoodys, I hadn’t really considered post birth!  My fitted ‘bump’ jerseys were tricky to breast feed in, however Fat Face saved the day (I couldn’t actually do up a NEXT size 16 shirt at the time) and is still my first go to shop when I want to treat myself now.   Anyway, the weight didn’t drop until I stopped bf at 8 months, then it really dropped.  2 months on I was back in my skinny jeans and relieved I had got there.  Around this time My anxiety demons had caught up with me and I had about 3 months of feeling pretty poorly and not eating my usual lot, so that also contributed but it wasn’t long until I was back on track and feeling good.

   Now - I absolutely must do something about this.  Don’t get me wrong, size is just a number and really doesn’t matter, unless your number is bothering you, and I am bothered.  My clothes don’t fit (oh just to be able to wear a fitted tee over my jeans and not be hanging out) and more importantly I’m unfit.  I don’t want to buy a new wardrobe, and most importantly want a bit of the zing back that I know comes with being a bit fitter and healthier.  Another incentive is my poor pony- I am beginning to get out more regularly with him, and it’s only a matter of time until I am back in the dressage ring.  I want to be fitter and more flexible so that I can ride my horse better (and fit into my beautiful Ariat competition boots!) Simples!

   So - my plan:  A 7 days blitz to get me going, using my modified version of a juice detox.  Now if I followed the boom to a tee, this would mean 7 days of consuming only vegetable and fruit juice (extracted juice rather than bullet smoothies) bah not going to happen!  There’s no way I can watch my boys eating the yummy food I have prepared and not join in!!  I have however done a strict 3 day juice plan in the past and had ridiculously good results, as well as just fitting a juice into my regular daily routine I really did feel better for it.  It’s a habit I want to pick back up and stick to.

   My rules: 7 days of no caffeine, no alcohol and no gluten (this last one is a bit of an experiment as I have noticed feeling super big and bloaty after certain meals so want to cut this out so that I can slowly re-introduce and see whether it does have much effect on me).  I will use juice recipes from Jason Vale Juice Master and incorporate 2x 10 mins (at least) exercise routines into my day using some old DVDs, and going old school with a Zumba class on the Wii and using my old Wii fit board to monitor my weight (had to dust that one off!!!) Juice for breakfast, healthy salad-y lunch, mid afternoon juice and my regular dinner, just going a little easier on the portion size. I will post each day’s plan, and how well I have kept to it.... wish me luck!

Toddler Vs Horse

 

   My beloved Carat has had the best part of two years off now.  Since the beginning of this year I have been so desperate to ‘get going’ again... yet, another summer has passed and I have lost the early mornings and light evenings which really were my only hope!!  Things are looking up though - our average once monthly hack has progressed to once a week (ish!) and I have submitted my application to take my towing test (thanks to the Exmoor Hill Farming Network) so if I get brave enough can take myself out and about, especially to the indoor school less than 10 minutes up the road!

   I’m not really sure why I have struggled so much to get back on it since having Ethan.  My first ride was about 8 weeks post birth, allowing generous mending time for my stitches and getting a busy lambing season over with.  Carat is such a good, kind horse so I am lucky that I never have to fear ‘what he might do’ - don’t get me wrong he has his odd moment, but never leaves me with a sense of insecurity for which I am grateful for.  I know so many riding mums that have been back competing a matter of weeks post baby let alone getting on with all of the fittening and training work, and while I’m sad we haven’t done more, I think that I am accepting of the fact, if not secretly in awe of those that have done better than me.

   Before falling pregnant I completed my first one day event (2nd place!) and while the thought of completing another isn’t even on the horizon I am desperate to get back in to the dressage arena.  I have always loved my flat work and love the feedback that dressage gives you, with simple goals to progress and improve.  

   Ethan is now at an age where I can take him outside with me and shut the yard gate so he is free to wander and play with his tractor whilst I can muck out (keeping half an eye on him) and attempt to sort through rugs and kit that has all been a bit neglected over the last couple of years!  While that doesn’t really help with the riding part at least my tack will (should...) be clean and I can get better at planning ahead with child help and see where we can get to by the Spring.  Wish me luck!

Sunday Funday

   We try to make an effort to get out at least once a week as a family - as well as memory making and spending quality time together i feel it is so important to just 'get out' and prevent cabin fever setting in.  Farming is a 24/7 life style and it is easy to get carried away with the never ending 'to do' list as well as keeping on top of the livestock's daily needs.  It is not uncommon for a couple of weeks to pass with the other half not having any away time, and this can get mentally exhausting.

   Today we took a trip 10 minutes down the road for a stomp around the woods at Arlington Court (stopping on the way to feed the cows at some away ground)!  We got there to discover a major parenting fail - to not have brought any shoes or boots for Ethan!!!  Seriously of all the things to forget..... fortunately we had packed the Ergobaby, so I carried the lump on my back whilst Dean took charge of the dogs.  A lovely walk though (if not rather sweaty) and will be back before the leaves have completely turned with wellies in tow.