I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It hasn’t been a good year for so many people and if you have lost someone this year my heart goes out to you.
I am also looking forward to a healthy and happy 2022 and to writing some interesting and funny blog posts. I can’t promise they will be as often as I like, but I will be writing and hoping to bring some good news on the weight loss front.
This long awaited and totally fabulous must have, book about Filofaxes is being released on the 3rd of January 2022.
For a long time myself and many of the Filofax community have wanted a comprehensive guide to the Filofax in book form. There was a book out many years ago but it is as rare as a hen’s teeth and now partially out of date. Of course the perfect person to write this book is Steve Morton who runs the Philofaxy blog, the Filofax for Philofaxy Facebook group, the Instagram page, and many more interesting things. He is the husband of the brilliant author Alison Morton who has been instrumental in getting this book published.
Steve is releasing the book on the 3rd of January 2022 and it will be available in electronic and hard copy. I was very lucky to be sent an electronic copy in advance to review but I will also be buying the hard copy on the 3rd January because I do prefer hard copy books. This is a book you will go back to time and time again.
This book is perfect for anyone who uses a Filofax or other ring bound planner but would be equally interesting to any organised person. It has a fabulous A-Z section full of fascinating facts and useful information. Planner sizes, what inserts you can buy, ring spacing, key words, the mechanics of the ring mechanism, leather types and so many more things you may not even realise you need to know, are contained in this handy section.
The Chronology of the Filofax explains the key points in the history of the Filofax and also mentions the date the original Philofaxy blog was started. You can see the historical journey that the Filofax has taken with the company changing hands on several occasions.
An invaluable list of all the Filofaxes made, also listed in chronological order, is perfect for anyone who finds that obscure old planner secondhand or even just wants to find out more about their favourite models.
The book closes with the acknowledgments, a few words from key people in the Filofax/ planner world and a little bit about the esteemed author himself.
As I mentioned, I will be buying the hard copy, but what I do hope is possible further down the line, is a copy punched to fit in a personal sized Filofax. This would be the perfect book for a Filofax/ ring bound planner enthusiast. The cover could be the dashboard and it would work beautifully. We can all keep our fingers crossed that this will happen.
If you are part of the worldwide Filofax and planner community you will love this wonderful book which I totally recommend.
A few details you may need to buy this book are:
“ISBN 9791097310332 (ebook)
ISBN 9791097310325 (paperback
Release date, as mentioned, 3rd January 2022.
This picture is borrowed from the author, Mr Steve Morton, with thanks.
The weight loss journey I hoped for is rather off track. I have now put on another 3 pounds making me the heaviest I have ever been. This is not good at all, in fact it is a disaster. I feel physically and mentally uncomfortable. Yesterday I realised that I don’t even like most of my clothes and that is something I haven’t felt for years. It’s a sad fact that I only like 3 dresses that I can actually wear, and that does not make me feel good at all.
However, As I have said many times before, I am the only person who can actually get myself out of this funk, no one else can do it for me. Admittedly having a personal trainer to shout at me might help, but that is not something I can afford so I need to get a grip. I have had a flash of motivation today so shall see where it leads me.
As it is now only a few weeks until Christmas I can either give myself a goal of losing a few pounds before Christmas Eve or hire myself out as a human replica of a Christmas pudding. Now I am sure there are some work opportunities out there for the human pudding, but I already have a full time job so I suppose I should try the weight goal instead. 🤷🏼♀️
So how am I going to do this? How am I going to turn this around? Many would say that I should wait until the New Year, but I am not the type to start a diet in January, that is far too normal and conformist. Also how much weight could I put on between now and January the first, rather a lot I think as giving myself permission to stuff my face is the last thing I need.
Now I do know that with my abilities in the world of accidental slapstick comedy, I would probably make a hilarious Christmas pudding. Me in a costume that inhibits my natural spacial awareness could only lead to comedy gold and a level of hilarity not seen since The Chuckle Brothers tried to move a piano.
I think, given the fact that my weight gain is making me physically and mentally uncomfortable and I am worried about my health, I need to make a huge effort to be sensible between now and Christmas. Playing Russian roulette with your health is a really stupid thing to do so I am rather angry with myself. I have had a spark of motivation tonight so am putting that to good use.
I shall do a Christmas Eve update and see how much weight I have lost. 🙈
Lately I have noticed that in among the people being kind and thoughtful, the helpful people and the ones who care, there are some incredibly selfish and thoughtless individuals. This seems to manifest itself in several ways and these are just some of the misdemeanours I have noticed.
“ I want to park my car, I don’t want to pay, I don’t want to follow the rules, I shall park where I like.”
“ I want to go shopping, I don’t want to wait, I am more important than everyone else therefore I shall push to the front of the queue.”
“ I haven’t got much work to do so I will make myself look busy doing tasks that don’t need doing. Why would I help the rest of the team; I’m alright Jack!”
“I have a right to get to the shelves before you even though you were already there; I shall push past you and get what I want. My time is far more valuable than yours.”
Unbelievably I have seen all of these things happen in the last couple of months. A sense of entitlement and an incredible delusion that they are the important people, make for some nasty characters.
I know it is not that common to be so self centred that you truly believe the world revolves around you, but it is definitely on the increase. I think too much reality TV is making people think that they do not have to work for a living and that they can just sail through life on minimum effort and maximum return. I am sure that is not what the programmes intend people to think but there are certain individuals who do.
Instagram is a fabulous platform but so many people want to be influencers or social media stars and that is not sustainable for most people. If we have too many influencers who will they be influencing? They can hardly spend all day trying to out influence the next person.
The “be kind” campaign clearly worked for some people and, luckily they are a lot of lovely people around but I think there are a lot of people who need to start thinking about the people around them and how a lifetime of being selfish and arrogant will impact them. You cannot sustain a lifetime of being miserable, mean and moody; so smile and laugh and be nice to other people. Life is short and should be as nice as you can make it.
Before anyone tells me that there are maybe reasons why the grumpy brigade are as they are, I do understand that. But you have to remember that ruining someone else’s day does not improve your own and you may find you get a lot more out of being kind and thoughtful.
What can I say....all you can eat breakfasts are not good for me; they are tasty but not healthy. I went away with family for 4 days and hotel living was rather nice; not having to cook, wash up, clean etc for a few days was lovely. Sadly eating out has taken it's toll on my weight loss. It is no longer weight loss but weight gain. It was unfortunate timing that I came back a day before weigh day but it just reinforced that I need to eat less.
I may have gone to the Cadbury outlet shop while I was away but we shall never speak of this again. 🙊
|
Date |
Weight |
Notes |
Total
loss so far |
|
10th July 2021 |
176 pounds (79.832 kg) |
|
|
|
17th July 2021 |
174 pounds (78.925 Kg) |
2 pounds lost |
|
|
24th July 2021 |
174 pounds (78.925 kg) |
No change |
|
|
1st August 2021 |
173 pounds (78.471kg) |
1 pound lost |
3 pounds (1.36kg) |
|
1st September 2021 |
173 pounds (78.471kg |
No change |
|
|
1st October 2021 |
178 pounds (80.7394) |
Gained 5 pounds |
OOPS |
I have decided that instead of sitting here being miserable and negative about the weight gain, I shall chalk it up to a good holiday and move on. I need to be proactive and I need to consider how I can boost the weight loss.
The first thing is clearly to eat less and stick to the healthy foods. I know exactly what to eat and what not to eat but I am not always as sensible as I should be. It is hard to say no to cake and biscuits and things that taste delicious.
Knowing that I shouldn't be eating things doesn't make it any easier. I end up with a weird obsession that I am being deprived and think about what will I do if it's 11pm and I don't have that thing I am craving. To be brutally honest I can damn well go without; I won't die without a Kit Kat or a muffin or whatever else I feel like at the time. Chances are that whatever I buy will be gone way before I would be likely to have an actual craving.
I also get very good at sneaking around buying and eating things secretly. This is psychologically so bad for me or anyone, to be honest. I have decided that if I want something I will eat it. As an adult I am old enough and ugly enough to make choices.
As well as going back to the healthy foods I will be getting an exercise bike that is suitable to use at home. I was worried about making too much noise with exercise equipment as I live in a flat, but this one is almost silent. It is very generously being given to me so I will need to make the most of having it.
My worst fault with overeating is telling myself I will have a treat before giving up sugar, I can do this multiple days in a row. The day I give up sugar again has become as mythical as a sparkly, talking unicorn. I do lurch between the idea that giving up sugar totally is the way to go and the other option is to have occasional treats. I think a brain transplant would help.
So I clearly know what to do but seem to be incapable of doing it. Now is the time to be tough on myself. I don't want to be the fat one wherever I go; I want to be the size 12 with fabulous clothes that I was in 2018.
I apologise for sounding like a stuck record. When I weigh myself on the 1st November I will have positive news to report.
So where do I go from here? Last week I didn't have a therapy session booked, I didn't get round to listening to my Paul McKenna CD and I let the lethargy take over. Admittedly I was very busy at work but I cannot let that be a reason to give up.
Ironically my step count has not been bad. Some days I have done less than 7,000 steps but other days I have done 13,000 and even 16,076 on one day. This does even out to just over 10,000 steps a day over a 2-week period. I do think I need to up the exercise and take better control over the eating…. But easier said than done.
Here are a few diary entries since my last post on 8.07.2021
(Nothing Samuel Pepys would be proud of but maybe worth a read.)
22nd July 2021
I am still off the sugar but very confused as a dress I got into a few weeks ago is a little tight. Yes, I have only lost two pounds so far but how could I be bigger ? 🤷♀️ .
23rd July 2021
Well it is hotter than the centre of a volcano so I am not moving much. I walk to work, to anywhere essential and then home. This is not good for weight loss but essential for my sanity. Normal movement will resume when the heat dissipates.
24th July 2021
Ok, it’s official, no weight loss this week and I am fed up. It seems a shame to miss out on cake, chocolate etc and stay the same weight. Whatever happens and however disillusioned I feel, I must not let this put me off though; I am determined to succeed as I did in 2017/2018.
25th July 2021
I walked a fair few steps today so I am hoping that will help with the weight loss. I have been looking at what I ate this week and I can see areas where I have probably eaten a little too much. I find it easiest to be brutally honest with myself so I will never be that person who cannot see how much they are eating or won't admit it. If you are the kind of person who eats a takeaway, chocolate and crisps while trying to lose weight... just admit it. Personally I have had too many packs of hummus crisps, my meals have been too big and I haven't eaten enough protein.
26th July 2021
I had a holiday day from work and have walked over 12,000 steps. I have to say that this makes me feel physically and mentally better. Exercising really does boost you in so many ways and I do feel that I need to do other things apart from just walking. I am not ready to join a gym yet and I don't feel it is fair to jump up and down to an exercise video because I live in a flat. Of course I will find a solution as problems are there to be solved.
2nd August 2021
I have lost another pound! Yes, that is not a lot but it is better than staying the same or gaining weight. I can only be hopeful that I carry on losing weight steadily in the coming weeks.
Still off the sugar but bad cravings the last couple of days. I think this is definitely hormonal so I am ignoring the cravings. I have to remember to eat less and move more.... it's the only way.
|
Date |
Stats |
Notes |
Total
loss so far |
|
|
10th July 2021 |
Weight |
176 pounds (79.832 kg) |
|
|
|
|
Dress size |
UK 18 |
|
|
|
17th July 2021 |
Weight |
174 pounds (78.925 Kg) |
2 pounds lost |
|
|
|
Dress size |
UK 18 |
|
|
|
24th July 2021 |
Weight |
174 pounds (78.925 kg) |
No change |
|
|
|
Dress size |
UK 18 |
|
|
|
1st August 2021 |
Weight |
173 pounds (78.471kg) |
1 pound lost |
3 pounds (1.36kg) |
|
|
Dress size |
UK 18 |
|
|
|
Steps walked in the last 15 days |
151,909 |
|
Average steps per day |
10,127 |
I have decide that these weight loss posts will not be weekly but just when I feel it is a good time to update them. I don't want to put unnecessary pressure on myself as we all need to be less stressed in life.
Good evening lovely readers.
I have been informed that the email subscription on Blogger is being discontinued and I am unable to access the list of people who have subscribed via email.
The best way to check when I have published a post is to look on my Instagram page:
Orangecoffee1969
or my Twitter account:
@pinkfluffydwarf
Thanks for reading.
saraorange69@gmail.com
17th July 2021
Well I have to say that the first week of my weight loss journey has been really positive and successful. I am very grateful to all the fabulous and encouraging comments I have received.
If you wish to comment I am on Instagram Orangecoffee1969 If you already follow me on any social media platform please comment or share my posts if you think they will help anyone with eating issues.
If you read my first post you will know that sugar is my Achilles heel. Today is day 12 with no sugary food and I am actually feeling good.
The first few days were very hard because my body wanted the sugar, it craved the sweet taste, the sugar rush and the emotional hit. After a few days I realised that I wasn’t having cravings anymore.
I genuinely feel lighter, less bloated and less lethargic. My goal is to be healthier again so I feel this is a good start. I am waiting for the results of a blood test to see if I am pre-diabetic, and that is a very good incentive to be sensible.
I also want to wear fabulous clothes again and look good. I am lucky to have got some lovely dresses in a size 18, but when you are 5 foot tall being smaller makes the clothes look better. I want to feel like the confident person I used to be rather than walking around with a confident façade like I have been doing since re-gaining the weight.
It is so easy to walk around pretending I am not as big as I am until that moment I see a photograph or my reflection and realise I don’t look as good as I thought. This would previously have plunged me into a sugar binge because one look in the mirror could cause me to lose hope in ever getting my figure back.
Right now I am trying to use positivity to help keep me on track and losing weight this week has been a really good boost. This week I have lost two pounds, I am more than happy with that because slow weight loss tends to stay off.
To achieve weight loss every week I will need to keep an eye on what else I am eating and also move more. I have decided that for my first month I will be happy to aim for more than 10,000 steps 4 times a week and 20 minutes of Pilates and floor exercises 4 times a week. This may seem low effort but I would like to get my body used to moving more again as I have been quite lethargic this last year. I put that down to over consumption of sugar, the menopause and the general situation we have all been in. My Pilates and floor exercises are not listed with my steps this time because I have only done a few 5 minute sessions to alleviate back pain.
My aim is to increase my exercise levels as I go along and join a gym when I am feeling a little fitter. Living in a flat does mean that I cannot use gym equipment and do exercise videos at home as it would be really unfair on the lady who lives below me. This is not an excuse, it is common courtesy to a neighbour.
My step count below, taken from my Apple watch, is a good start. My average had gone down to around 6,700 steps a day up until recently and so this, in my book, is progress.
|
Date |
Steps
walked |
|
10th July 2021 |
10,012 |
|
11th July 2021 |
11,164 |
|
12th July 2021 |
10,881 |
|
13th July 2021 |
10,400 |
|
14th July 2021 |
10,079 |
|
15th July 2021 |
9,378 |
|
16th July 2021 |
10,243 |
|
Total |
72,157 |
Losing the weight is a fabulous feeling even when it is just a small amount. I know that it can grow gradually to a big loss and I know how good that feels. I will add my stats to each weight loss blog post as I feel it is encouraging to myself and to anyone else who is losing weight.
Date | Stats | Notes | |
10th July 2021 | Weight | 176 pounds (79.832 Kg) |
|
| Dress size | UK 18 |
|
17th July 2021 | Weight | 174 pounds (78.925 Kg) | 2 pounds lost |
| Dress size | UK 18 |
|
|
|
|
|
My eating issues are all psychological and I am never afraid to admit that. There is a huge stigma around mental health issues and there shouldn't be. I am currently paying for sessions with a brilliant psychotherapist who specialises in eating issues among other things. The sessions are held via Zoom and you can book as many as you need. I am aware that there will be a lot of people who cannot afford to pay for this service, but if you can, then go to:
www.goodmentalhealth.co.uk
A 25 minutes session costs £20 and a 50 minute session costs £35 so for me the cost is partially offset by the fact that I am not buying mountains of sugary food to binge on. It is a shame that there is not more help available on the NHS but the resources just aren't there.
I will continue writing these posts and hope that each time there is a weight loss to report, however small. A positive mindset is imperative right now so I shall keep smiling.
