HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY
Hope you all have a lovely New Year's Break and a happy and exciting 2007. See you next year

Thank you for all your imput and encouragement .
Lots of love
Daisy

New Years Resolutions on the Way

It's very exciting to think that in the coming year 2007 I should be able to reach a healthy weight. Never ever been there before except in my first years.

After Christmas I used to get really down thinking about New Years Resolutions and they were always weight related. I used to think. .. this year would be the year I would exercise, swim diet etc..... but there would be the big barrier of a huge weight loss before I could make any progress.....well in the way I wanted it...couch to Marathon in a week. Now with that barrier greatly depleted anything is possible!!

We are back in the gym next week to begin the next stage. Have lots to work on.
Tomorrow is early morning swim time. I thought about going to the swimming pool tonight and sleeping on the side and a nice Life Guard could come and just kick me so I roll into the pool.

STAND WELL BACK

Had a lovely Christmas with the family, great fun. Loads of presents.

Got a new sports bag, Cds, Clothes, Loads of smellies, A Radio that floats in water, new headphones, books, art stuff and a very interesting Calendar!!

I love our Christmases when the family join up it's always organised chaos. Nigel, my brother in law is at mission control in the kitchen. Jenny was there getting bigger by the day Gerald, the baby was moving around a bit, responding to being poked and prodded!!

Eating was fairly under control but had a big Christmas Dinner. Something Claire and I have in common is that we don't like Christmas pudding, mince pies or Christmas cake much so it's not too much of a strain to miss out on those but there many other lovely foods around. I didn't go mad but I wasn't too fanatical about it!!!

Boxing Day the family descended on Southsea and between us we walked the majority of the Portsmouth penisular. I walked 7k in 85 mins.

Today I went for a long walk 11k to Shawford a village near Winchester. Lots of people out working off Christmas. I had my headphones on and my head down and walked right into a jogger who was doing the same thing, quite good looking man in Lycra, was very funny

On the way back I walked to Sainsburys and had a real craving for pickled onions. I ate nearly all of them when I got home followed by a number of Brussel Sprouts for dinner. I now, don't feel too good... I think it's a dangerous combination.

The break from the tensions at work has been so good. Got to start thinking about next year and what I'm going to do. It's challenging, exciting and a little scarey

Radio Solent Christmas Party

Here are some pictures from the Radio Solent Party

This is Wil, Claire and Little Joe. I love the look on Joe's face!!!

A Pair of Trainers!!! Wil and Andre

A studio full of excited chatter, people getting to know each other.




She may look wide awake but she's actually sleep-walking




Wil hasn't quite got the hang of broadcasting

A CHINESE TAKE-AWAY (in)- A MANGER (french bit)

Managed to get the majority of Christmas shopping on Thursday when I did a marathon shop of walking around Basingstoke for 4 1/2 hours. I had already done an early swim and been into town in Winchester. After Basingstoke I went into town again and for a walk in the evening.
I should learn really, to pace myself. It's been manic at work, well I do work in a shop and it's Christmas.
Yesterday was the Radio Solent Christmas party so another early start. By then, not having much sleep it was all a bit hazy. A studio full of people who had done amazing things, climbed mountains, sailed round the world backwards, won music competitions....

oh and Team Wil was there. Claire brought little Joe who is absolutely gorgeous and Claire looked really good I had a look at our original photo in June and she looks really healthy and has changed shape. Well done Claire you'll be in my Daisy New Years Honours List. Hope to prise some photos off Andre for next year.

The interview was short and sweet with Julian as he had to get round to everyone. I'm not really sure what I said. And then it was on to the Gym

Wil gave me a lift which was really kind as I looked a bit like Santa carrying a number of presents for people I was going on to during the day.

Gym was good had a few false starts as tiredness set in and Wil almost had to use the Broom Handle and go into hard core P.T!!! I have a new challenge.. to get a gym ball in the air between my feet at the end of legs at 90 degrees and slowly down again. Could be my party piece after Christmas Dinner!!! Charades is so yesterday!!!

I won the challenge on the rowing machine and jogged 3 x 1 min sections. Wil has discovered a dark deep secret that underneath all this lack of self confidence I have a thriving 'competitive spirit'. Never really known what to do with it but 2007 may be the outing of it. in a nice way of course!!

Wil is on my list for New Years Honours too. Persistance, Bravery!!, Encouragement and just being a cool dude.

Then we had Aquarobics which was fun cos we had some of other ladies that I've met through the year there too. A lot of laughing and a good work out.

Then it was on to Bournemouth despite waiting on the wrong platform, automatically going on to the going home platform, I managed to race a cross the bridge, presents in tow and catch the right train. Wouldn't have been able to do that a year ago

Met Stu,Brad annd Osca, who are also on my New Years Honours list for being best friends ever!!) in Stu's Christmas Tree wonderland house. I think he has 7 at the last count. We had a walk around Bournemouth doing a bit more Christmas shopping and then attempted to go toTescos. It was complete chaos in the carpark and we in the end parked somewhere near the Littledown Gym and power walked to Tescos, (is it bad that evertime I'm on my feet I think of it as exercise!!)

Then back for a lovely warming Mushroom Soup and a lesson on how to make low fat Chilli.

On the way home not surprisingly I fell asleep on the train only to be woken up by the conductor asking for my ticket. I then managed to falloff the train as I missed the narrow step, but no damage done, I seem to bounce better these days.

Confession time I wrote this originally on the Blog and then took it off in guilt but I think it's better to tell all and be honest. There are 6 Take Away shops opposite where I live and today a huge magnet drew me into one of them, kicking and screaming they made me buy food on threat of violence if I didn't eat it. Or.........was really tired, couldn't face the kitchen and had a weak moment. It wasn't particularly nice and I felt horrible afterwards with the friedness of it, not used to that kind of food any more. Still it's out of my system in more ways than one. Now where did I put that Quinoa

Going to take a break from Work and Gym over Christmas period. Now is the time..(remember that phrase Stu) to put in action the things I've learnt .

It's time to reflect, now what it's all about

Hope you all have a lovely Christmas

P

It's getting closer better start my Christmas shopping. Have tomorrow and Friday off. Friday it's The Radio Solent's Breakfast show Christmas Programme, Team Wil will be there watching over the mince pies and then it's on to the Gym to work them all off!!! Then to see Stu who is cultivating a Christmas Tree Forest in his house.

Wanted a good session at the gym tonight and boy did I get it. I managed to get there early so I could spend some time in the pool. Wil came and gave me some much needed coaching. I swam the channel and back in various ways of doing front crawl. As usual with most of the exercise I do I forget to breath, which is a bit more important when you've got your head under water. By the end of that session I was moving through the water looking less like I was being chased by a school of Pirahnas but feeling more relaxed, swimming about the same speed but using less energy and breathing!!

Then it was into the gym for a load of Cardio Vascular exercises. Did some hard work on the Cross Trainer and the Treadmill. Never thought I'd say this but I really love it. I love the challenges of getting beyond what you think you can do and raising the level. Did some sit ups on the gym ball. Under threat of the broom handle to get it right!!! The better I do it the harder it is, really felt those core muscles working. I think it's adrenalin rushing around, but I so needed that tonight, or 'A kick up the backside'. I feel so good it's better than any drug.

Got Gym tonight.. need to work hard so I can hit Christmas running. Determined not to go the way of other Christmases, have 2 parties this week!!!

Thanks for all your herbal remedies, think I might have to find a field with primoses in and sit in it in the evening a drift into a world of loveliness!!

If you want to play a funny game about sprouts try this

www.eyegas.com/xmas05/

Had a good active day today. I really meant to go swimming again today but I woke up at 8am and the lanes are only from 7-8am on Sundays Going to try swimming before work and see how that effects the day. I got a phone call from Stu and all I can say is that I haven't laughed like that for a very long time. The kind of laugh where you are in danger and have to make yourself draw breath. What was it about??? Christmas Puddings running up the High St. I know, it never sounds funny when you try and explain. Laughter is truly a good medicine.

Went for a 5 mile walk around the outskirts of Winchester and then into town and probably another few walking around the shops looking for Christmas Presents.

This evening we went to a Carol Service down the road. The Church was decorated in thousands of tiny white fairy lights. It looked magical. We sang our hearts out to the traditional Carols and the story of Christmas was told by fairy light...... great way to start the week before Christmas

Part of Advent, for me is the celebration of Hanukkah. Jewish festival of lights. But must try and keep off the doughnuts you can read the story of Hanukkah on www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah#The_story. It's a good ol' yarn

Had a lovely second part of the day yesterday. 2 friends Reg and Maureen came in to see me at work and they were so encouraging and gave me loads of hugs. Then I had a brilliant chat with big sister Liz and Mum and they gave me bucket loads of encouragement and lovliness and really spurred me onwards .

So I wrote a plan of action in my journal, (my book of stats and data of how things are going. I think the Russians are very interested in getting hold of this book, only certain comrads have looked upon the pages and lived!!), and now it's just getting on with things. Sometimes it's good to write down what you feel is going adrift and then study it a bit then write another list of what you're going to do about it. Please lie upon my couch!!!!

I found a good way of swimming. When you wake up early in the morning you are already in the lanes for the early swimming. That's what happened today!!!

Leg is a lot better today feeling all round happier that I can get on the road again with walking, jogging.

We had a our works Christmas Dinner last night, was a lot better than I thought it would be. Imanaged to control myself fairly well having 'Home Made Bread with Olives and Tomatoes, Vegetarian Shepherds Pie (although I not sure what vegetarian shepherds look after!!! ) and RHUBARB CRUMBLE WITH ICE CREAM and It was lovely !!!!

Today I was in the Gym with Wil. Feeling a great need to focus back into getting fitter and lighter. Christmas has always been a time when I break diets and go completely mad with food and then spending the weeks after Christmas being depressed. This is not going to happen this time because I'm not doing dieting. So no starving myself before and after foolishly thinking that's going to work. All that happened there was I got hungrier and ate even more!!

That 'Time of the Month' always knocks me off balance a bit and I felt sorry for myself today. I wasn't as good as I should have been in the Gym. My motivation line on the chart has been all over the place, need to become more consistant.It's all part of the natural rhythm of life but might look at some herbal remedies to see how to beat the low times during PMT . If anyone has any idea let me know on the above e-mail Thank you

Wil was patient and always explains why we do certain exercises and what the muscles are all doing which is excellent. We did some new exercises today and refined some I've done before.

I seem to have got away from the Spa today without any dramas. No pigs, no getting lost in the forest, no losing swimming costumes etc.

I have a new Gym ball. It is slightly smaller than the other one and the same size as I use in the Gym so all I need now is to blow it up and get those sit-ups going. Not sure where it's going to go and how the other ball will feel ,maybe jelous and sulk in the corner!!!

What Do You Call A group of Personal Trainers

Had a fun time at Radio Solent today. I got the 6 am train to Southampton and when I woke up I was in studio been given hot water by the lovely 'Interactive Matt'
Vicky said something through the intercom and I nearly shot out of my chair. Gradually came to terms with the morning and watched Julian Clegg presenting the Breakfast show with such patience and calmness, I think I'd have the screaming Ad Dabs if all that information was being sent my way.
Later in came 3 Personal Trainers!! I thought I must really be in trouble andWil had called for back up. But they were other people's!! Other Daisy Dieters came in too Jenny and Babs, she is starting.

Not being bias and the other guys are lovely and fun... We have got the best Personal Trainer in Wil

The catch up with Julian and the Team was lively and we did a public weigh in. Some wanted to keep their results quiet and others were doing well. Claire of Team Wil couldn't make as little Lauren is poorely. Claire has had a rough time but she's still sticking to it. I managed to lose another 1/4 lb after last Thursday and I am now in the 15 stones, just, I haven't been there since teenage years.

Wil, one of the other personal trainers, Andre and I stayed on to chat about Christmas Presents on air with Julian and Vicky. Sometimes you forget you're on radio cos it's so relaxed and it was just nice to spend time there. Although it does look a bit like Santas Grotto in the studio!!

My challenge from Wil this week was to go swimming at least once a week in my local public swimming pool

I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!
I went swimming in a public pool. Not only that I did it at 7 o'clock in the morning when they had lanes. I've been avoiding this for ages as I am quite spoilt at New Park Manor having a private pool, steam room and a spa.

I didn't sleep very well as I was determined to get up in time to go to the early swim session. The pool is very close to where I live so I kind of walked/jogged there as it was very cold.

There were only 5 other brave souls there which is perfect for me. At one time there were moreLife Savers than me. It's a no messing about swim session. You go in get in your lane and do your thing and then get out. I did 20 lengths for my public debut 500m. It was good just to do a minimal change and trot back home to a nice warm bath and breakfast.

At dinnertime I went for the 'long walk ' about 10k. Up the Romsey Road and to the big out of town Sainsburys and then up and around Olivers Battery and then down to White Chute Ridge and back through town. Nice walk a few hills.

People have asked me what happened with the pigs. Sorry I was a bit vague but I just needed to get it off my chest without going into detail. Iwas walking to the bus stop after a fab session with Wil and there some of the big adult pigs in the road. I though they were quite sweet and sideled past them. They spotted that I had, what to them was a bag filled with their favourite food and went about trying to get it off me. They shoved me trying to knock me over to get the bag but I had my New Speedo Costume in it and they weren't having that. The more I tried to escape the more they buffetted me. In the end I don't know who was squealing the loudest me or them.

I called the Spa for help but it must have sounded like I was being murdered with all the noise ,I was quite shaken up. I don't know anything about pigs and what they are capable of. Do they bite? How fast can they run? Anyway, a passing Taxi Driver Dave scooped me up and took me to the Spa. Meanwhile Wil was speeding to the rescue as well (again!!!!!). I can look back now and see actually how clever and coordinated those pigs were, but they should've known I am a vegetarian and was on their side...where's that bacon sandwich!!!!

Another early start for the BBC tomorrow, they have called us in an hour earlier so I may have to hire someone to prise may eyes open. Vicky Bartlett, producer of the Breakfast Show gets to work at 5 in the morning, to me that is late night!!!! But she is lovely and looks after all of us Daisy Dieters, trying to juggle who can be where and when.

Had a belter of a day at the spa did a bit of swimming, a bit of steam and a bit of bubbles and then a whole load of Gym.
Today was weigh in and measuring day so here are the Stats in blue are the orginal figures from June and Red are todays

Weight 21 st 5 16.00 st
Chest 121 cm 104 cm
Waist 137cm 97cm
Hips 155 cm 129 cm
Fat % 55.8 46.9

The official Radio Solent weigh-in is on Monday so need to keep working on it.

My session with Wil was exciting. He is working me hard pushing a little further each time . I come out of the sessions feeling really glowy and with a sense of achievement.
I jogged for a whole minute today.. it's only a little to some but, to me WOW...FANTASTIC!!!

An incident on the way home all I'm going to say
I HATE PIGS
I FEEL EMBARASSED FOR CRYING LIKE A GIRL
AND I'M NOT SURE PEOPLE BELIEVE ME HOW SCARY IT WAS

Today is the 100th post on this blog

Coo what a day. Had a really active day at work. Shop was very busy and I managed to run up and down the stairs a few times. One of the customers, (at least we have nice customers) brought in a huge gift basket from Thorntons. Box of fudge, bars of chocolates,cakes, biscuits the lot, a real test of where I've got to. I would normally have rugby tackled anyone who had come with in an inch of that lot and steadily worked my way through it. Now, don't really crave for any of it.

Gorgeous Stu came in to see me at work. Looking good Gym and healthy eating is making him glow!!

After work it is the dash for the train to Brockenhurst. I made it in record time today. And then to the pool at New Park. I did 18 lengths and then Aquarobics which is good but hard work if you put the effort in. Then on to the Gym . Surely I should look like Wonder Woman by now

Gym with Wil was fab. By the way Congratulation to Wil for amongst those professional Triathletes he has won the titles of
BEST NEW COMER, MOST IMPROVED & BEST RACE REPORT. Well done Wil!!

I started off on the Treadmill and then the Cross trainer. Then I had a go at a kind of press up, it was going quite well, my head and feet were willing it was just something going on in the middle which produced a lot of very strange sounding groans. Going to have to work at that a lot more .

Sometimes I get worried when I can't do exercises up to standard I think I need to work on my confidence a bit and get out of the rut of everything being a 'Pass' or a 'Failure' and make everything 'work in progress'. At school I was rubbish at sports because I couldn't do it straight away, I rapidly lost confidence and the teachers gave up with me. I really am only scratching the surface of the beginnings of exercise, just need to stop apologising and keep learning. and trying things.

Getting into details, because I am quite flexible I tend to bend from the waist to pick things up, I need to try using my knees a bit more .

Another thing I have to get the hang of is to get up from sitting down added by PT with weights without letting go and catapulting Wil across the gym. Was quite funny though!!!

Tomorrow is St Nicholas Day!! In most European Countries they give each other presents if they have been good or they coal if they have not!!

www.stnicholascentre.org

find out more

Sunday 3rd Dec

It blew a gale last night. Where I live the wind really hits the windows so I didn't get too much sleep. Although I was quite tempted to get up and go for a walk in it as I love storms. I managed to wait a few hours and set off my, now traditional, Sunday long walk.
I'm trying to make them a little longer each time but it depends where I go. Today I went out on the Andover Road for 2 1/2 miles, and then the path ran out.... tried to walk on the grass verge but it was too muddy. I decided to go across the top of the outskirts of Winchester for 1 1/2 miles and then back into Winchester another 2 miles to meet my mum to go for a further 1 1/2 miles. 7 1/2 miles about 11k.
It was a lovely walk in the country up and down minor hills, only got soaked once!!

On the walk with my mum we visited the Christmas Market and Ice Rink in the Close behind Winchester Cathedral. It is so Christmassy it's fab. There was no one ice skating when we were there but apparantly Robin Cousins was there yesterday. In fact all of Winchester is looking like a mid european town in the Alps I was half expecting Heidi to come down the High St with the goats.

This week is weighing and measuring week to see where I have got to. The public weigh in is on Radio Solent next Monday. The last measuring was at the end of September so I hope there willbe more signs of shrinking. And I apologise for this in advance .

WHERE THERE IS A WIL THERE IS A WEIGH

Today starts my most fav part of the year Advent.

Have a look at this Advent Calendar from Woodlands Junior School. It's fun and you learn something about Christmas customs each day

www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/calendar/