WEEK THIRTY 23/07 -- 29/07

Geoffrey John Tyler

07/02/1934 -- 23/07/2012

RIP DAD.






This week started off a lot different to last weekends trip to Great Yarmouth, instead we start by remembering my late father who passed away four years ago. 


Of course I remember him every day, but made a special trip down to the Gardens of Remembrance and had a nice chat with him in the sunshine during lunchtime. Would have liked to have stayed longer but it's too hot out there for the likes of me and I needed to get back. I have no doubt that I will be back there again soon though as it's a peaceful place to have an hour or so and rest, the Rose Garden is in full bloom now and looks amazing. 

The rest of the weekend was fairly quiet, we were getting a few things cleared out and did plenty of washing and ironing fairly routine stuff until the iron gave out I was lucky not to scold myself, still that's in the bin and a new one on the way. 

During the week plenty of work to do and the heat is still an issue, but we muddle through and look ahead to the next round of days off in the coming months. Right now with the kids off school the morning commute is so much easier already and I can't think of good reason to have time off now and spoil that!! 

Enjoyed a lot of racing this week too with meetings on all week at Galway and Goodwood. I should try and get myself over to Ireland next year all things being well and enjoy the Galway festival even if only for a few days. And that leads me nicely into this weeks recommendation on ways to improve your well-being, certainly true for me over recent weeks. 


Spend more time outdoors. 

We spend most of our lives indoors. But being
outdoors has many health benefits, from breathing
fresh air to taking in the sun. A little sunshine feels
great, can help lift feelings of depression and is a great
source of Vitamin D, as long as you protect yourself
with sunscreen. Being outdoors in good weather also
encourages physical activity. 

Try to spend time a bit more time outdoors as often as you can.

  • Read a book or newspaper outdoors during your
lunch break or go for a walk.
  • Do gardening. It’s rewarding, good therapy and a
great workout.
  • Go camping, hiking or take nature walks with friends
and family.
  • Research some local events and go support local groups with their activities, many fete's and similar events take place on the weekend.
  • Get down by the river too, not just a great place to relax but look at possible trips on the river and perhaps turn it into a lunch / picnic opportunity.

WEEK TWENTY NINE 16/07 -- 22/07

 

As mentioned last time we were off to Great Yarmouth for a weekend of fun, games and drinking. (hic). 

Was nice to get away for the few days and although the journey up and back was eventful to say the least we did however get there ok and have the best of the weather to enjoy the beach and all that Yarmouth has to offer. 



Hasn't seemed to change much in the 30 years since I last visited on a family holiday (that was a lot of fun but another story for another time). 

They now have a huge wind farm stretching out into the sea, and although the two piers are both open there isn't an awful lot going on even though it's the height of summer. 




Reason for going apart from the need for a short break and rest was to meet up with a few people from a group known as the Rik Mayall Rejects !! As the name suggests they are all fans of the late Dr Rik Mayall and there have been a number of gatherings and fund raisers in his memory. 

Met with Penny Monsen, who is the leader of this motley crew, and also delighted to meet Noelle, Lorcan, Holly, Claudia as well as Duane and Bex. Thought there might have been a few more than this out for the occasion, it was still plenty and generally a good time had by all. 

All the details and pics are on Facebook and in my private directories, so will only share a few good ones here and there. 



It is a shame to be back home so soon and back to work, as it begins to heat up (I do so detest the heat), just a bit of time for some Cow Spotting on the way home though. MOOO!! 



As the weekend ends and Monday comes around I do at least for now feel good ... cue James Brown !! 


Make someone else feel good.

Performing good deeds no matter how small you may think they are should make you feel better and become more positive, also been known as random acts of kindness, karma can be good. 

Doing things for others makes you feel good. It may also be
good for your physical health.

• Help a friend, relative or neighbour with errands,
transportation, shopping, babysitting or other tasks.

• At the very least, get to know who your neighbour is, you never know they might need you and you might need them one day. 

• Get involved in a voluntary group.

• Teach your child how good it feels to give to others
by volunteering together at a local charity or helping
out an elderly neighbour.

• Pick up litter when you see it in a park or on
the beach.

• Let someone else take the good parking space or go
ahead of you in line at the shopping queue (especially if you have loads of stuff and they got couple of items, it won't hold you up much trust me).

Above all else by nice, be polite, manners cost nothing and even if the person you hold the door for doesn't say thanks or acknowledge you ... we'll that's their issue, not yours.  

WEEK TWENTY EIGHT 09/07 -- 15/07

By the time this entry is published I will be on my way to Norfolk for a few days of fun and mayhem with fellow "rejects" all celebrating the life of Dr Rik Mayall. 


Great Yarmouth is the venue for this weekend of frivolity so lock up your daughters cos the 'Hammersmith Hard Men' are coming to town !! We will do our best to get some decent pictures and report on the shenanigans in my next update, and that's hangover permitting. 

:0)


At least the week should end on a high point for me, cos so far it's been fairly rubbish. More self inflicted hurt both physically and emotionally and I just don't understand why I cannot get control on myself. Gambling issues, wasting money and even when I do well it's all undone in double quick time. 

Really wanted this to be a positive sounding blog, just sometimes I have to be honest about things. I am doing better, I am losing weight and that's great, just can't get my head sorted and do something better with my life. Fingers crossed this weekend away will be a blessing in disguise and then we need to book the next mini break away. 

This group regularly fund raise for a charity called HEADWAY who are a brain injury specialist and of course the link with Rik himself is strong.

So with that in mind we continue the theme with out next set of "help yourself" topics;

Accept responsibility for your health.

If you take responsibility for your health and choose
to live a healthy lifestyle, you increase your chances of
living to a ripe old age.

• Have regular medical checkups. Have an annual flu
jab if you are over 65, and any other vaccinations
recommended by your doctor.

• Participate in workplace blood pressure and
cholesterol screenings, and get the routine preventive
care tests recommended by your doctor, including a
mammogram, prostate cancer screening test, smear
test, colonoscopy and other important exams.

• Stop smoking and limit how much alcohol you drink.

• Stay active physically and mentally.


Work out at work.

These simple exercises from the book Office Yoga
will help you feel better no matter what kind of work
you do:

• Arm stretch. Hold your arms out to the side. Stretch
with your fingertips to the opposite walls. Breathe
and relax.

• Phone stretch. While you talk on the phone, stretch
your legs out and rotate your ankles and feet. Notice
your attention increase as you stretch.

• Stop what you’re doing once an hour and stretch for a
few moments.

• Exercise during your lunch break. Take walks or join a
nearby gym or fitness centre

WEEK TWENTY SEVEN 02/07 -- 08/07 [Second half of the year begins]

HALF WAY. 

Started the week off with a weigh in at our office, we're all involved in losing a little here and there and I have to say that it is helpful to have some competition and encouragement too. It was also really pleasing to see that I am again down another 4lb on those scales so happy days and rewarded with a bacon sandwich for breakfast (which was well earned and delicious too). 

Had a nice surprise during the end of the last week with a cheque from HMRC as a tax refund, nicely timed as I am away in couple of weeks for a trip to beach in Great Yarmouth for a bit of fun so that will help with the pocket money for that outing. 

Caroline Aherne RIP

Very pleased for my Welsh friends that they won their Euro2016 match on Friday night too, an excellent 3-1 win over the fancied Belgium team. 

Then we receive the sad news that we lost another great talent in Caroline Aherne to cancer over the weekend. 

A very funny woman, great writer and will always remember her for The Royle Family as well as the creation of Mrs Merton. Having lost Victoria Wood not so long ago it's tragic how many stars we are losing this year already. 

Plans for July are quite good, we have our trip to the seaside booked for couple of weeks time and should be a lot of fun, also looking at taking a friend out who might be flying in from Germany for a few drinks in London which would be amazing if it happens. Then making revised plans for trip away to York and the railway museum there plus all the old Roman History that the city has to offer. 



Rid yourself of one bad habit. 

We all have a bad habit or two, whether it’s smoking, gambling, overeating, overspending, being a couch potato or not being supportive enough to a partner, spouse, colleague or friend.

Choose one bad habit and work on changing it this year. Remember this advice :

• To talk yourself out of a bad habit, you have to think about now and later. “If I eat these chips now, I’ll feel good. But I won’t feel good later. If I don’t eat them, I’ll see the payoff later.”

• Take it one day at a time. You may slip up, and that’s OK. Learning new habits takes time. Unlearning bad habits takes time as well.

Recover from failure. Inevitably most people will have setbacks. The key is to have them be setbacks and not turn backs. Pick yourself up and get going again.

Some people may want to lose 30 pounds and after losing 15, they eat a gallon of ice cream. Then they feel bad and give up. Don’t! Reset your goal for another two weeks and get going again. Chalk it up to experience! Say to yourself, Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn

Reward yourself. You should regularly congratulate yourself by rewarding yourself with some gift. Start small with small victories and plan a big one when you are finally and for sure over the habit. 

Is it that simple? Most of the time, no. Habits are hard to break. There are so many intangibles that it would be hard to cover them all.

WEEK TWENTY SIX 25/06 -- 01/07

AND WE ARE OUT !!!

What a shock, not only leaving the EU with a 52% / 48% in favour of leaving but also ... Cameron resigns, Boris might become Prime Minister and England lost to Iceland 1-2 on Monday night.

The most useless, over-rated, bunch of over paid crap I've ever had the misfortune to witness, couldn't even put two passes together unless they were sideways and backwards, a Goalkeeper who cannot use his hands, the defence can't defend, it's just so sterile, no movement, no ideas, no passion.

Oh for a Stuart Pearce, Tony Adams, a John Terry figure or a Terry Butcher, someone with leadership and a bit of passion.

As for the rest, no creativity, no one can beat a player they all stop and look and do some stupid step-over thing Sterling, Ali, Kane, you should be ashamed to take your wages you are piss poor, and don't get me started on Joe Hart.

Oh for a Beardsley, a Waddle or a Gascoigne anyone with a bit of ability and not spending all their time on their hair.

Obviously Hodgson will be sacked by the morning but who is there to take over? No one. Where are the outstanding players? There are none. I'm just pleased I only have to watch less over paid players in Division Three down at Kingsmeadow with AFC Wimbledon.

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And we're at the half way point of the year, it's not so bad I guess, and I'm still in a job at least.

Having a few days off this week, was originally going to York for a bit of a break but that's been put off till later in the year and instead just looking to chill out locally each day. Certainly aiming to have a clear out and shred a load of old docs, plus throw away some old clothes too.

Although the weather could have been better picked the best of the few days and went on a trip up into London, had been meaning to have a ride on the Emirates Airline (it's a cable car across the Thames with a fancy name).

 http://www.emiratesairline.co.uk/

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And now as it's month end lets have a look at the statistics, half way through the year and things continue to look good;

Opening Weight at 1st Jan -- 23st 6lb

Measurements (inches)
Neck -- 22
Chest -- 54
Stomach -- 57
Waist -- 48
Thighs -- 27
Biceps -- 14

Revised Weight now as at 25th June -- 21st 7lb

Measurements (inches)
Neck -- 20
Chest -- 52
Stomach -- 54
Waist -- 46
Thighs -- 26
Biceps -- 15.5

So that's another 8lb lost in the last month, which is a big lift in what has been another difficult week. Am also pleased that my blood pressure is much lower too so we are making gains as planned. Really have to recommend getting a blood pressure monitor to keep track of things at home, I picked up one from an online retailer and it's giving me a good guide close to what I was being recorded when I visited my Doctors, so as long as I stay on the right side of the current figures I can feel better and on the correct path.

Still a small amount of change elsewhere but the waistline is going down as my clothes are much looser especially in the trousers, still working to get down to another trouser size, though have had to get new belts and drill a few extra holes in a couple so that's good too, going away in a short while so although my bikini body is long way off will feel ok in on the beach and not covered up in a towel all day.

Nice to end with some very good news and happy to see progression continuing, what started off as a low and negative period has actually turned around into a positive situation.

Have a good week.