WEEK THIRTY FOUR 20/08 -- 26/08

Another week begins and although paid we are immediately skint again, this has to be the next big thing I change now, time to put some money aside if only so that I can survive the month easier. 

Getting very upset and angry with myself and I must find a way to deal with this, at the moment even though I know it's a big problem there is no solution that is easy, it will take a lot of time and effort on my part and the truth is ... I really don't believe I have it in me to get better. 

Depression sucks, having a weak and destructive personality isn't helping either and I sort of understand why so many people take the only way out they can see. Don't want to end my life this way but it is hanging on by a thread at times and there is no one in my life now that will be able to help nor give me the support / reason to live that I need. Not that I want to take anyone down with me and that was the reason I had to end things with Kate as she was deserving of so much more. I pray that you do find the health and happiness my dear, and looks like things are better with your family, and the new puppy will be amazing and lots of love. 

All things this week lead up to the August Bank Holiday weekend and at least then I have a few things to do that will get me out of the house, hopefully have a bit of fun and try to break free of the problems that I inflict on myself. 

• Open Day at Hillingdon Railway Modellers
• Day out to Windsor, lunch by river
• Day out on Mid Hants Railway, Alton

Now if I can't enjoy those three events then I really have no hope at all. Shame I do all this alone but that's my own fault and not going to change now. 

Try and enjoy what's left of your life

Will aim to have a better week and report more positively next time, we all allowed to have a bad day or two now and then. 

WEEK THIRTY THREE 13/08 -- 19/08

Fairly quiet week, still enjoying the Olympic Games in Rio especially now the athletics have got underway, the late nights are no problem since I don't sleep either. 

Caught the home game for AFC Wimbledon vs Bolton last Saturday which was another defeat in League One going down 2-1. At least the games come thick and fast at this stage and we'll have another midweek game on Tuesday against Scunthorpe in our quest to start getting some points on the board...but alas that was also a 2-1 defeat, we keep falling behind and next up is Northampton, and they ran away with League Two last season so will be another test. 

Looking forward to next week, for no other reason than I have the place to myself for once and will take that opportunity to relax, watch what I like and cook up something different without worrying about others for a change. Planning on taking the Wednesday off work to get a few things done for myself too, this is important for my own well-being and happiness.

There's a Bank Holiday weekend looming too and I plan to be out for most of the weekend also taking the Tuesday off as well. Many things on which is good, starting with a railway club open day on Saturday so nice opportunity to run a few of days trains and take loads of photo's. 

Then Monday will nip off to Windsor and spend the afternoon down by the river, and the Tuesday will be having a day on the Mid Hants Railway in Alton. More on that in a future update. 

Laugh.

We’re all drawn to people with a sense of humour.
Humour is a great way to release tension and shake a
bad mood. It can also make the workday more fun—
as long as the humour is appropriate, not offensive to
others and doesn’t interfere with work.

• Use humour to lighten up a difficult situation.
• Look for opportunities to laugh with colleagues. Start
a joke-of-the-month contest. Place cartoons that make
you laugh on the notice board.
• Buy a funny card for a colleague.
• Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself.

WEEK THIRTY TWO 06/08 -- 12/08

Another week and the sun is out shining brightly. Too warm for me but did get out to the river for a while and relaxed before picking up some shopping and back home. 

Few big events starting this week, most notably the Olympics have begun and I do enjoy seeing some of the smaller sports like hockey, water pole, and of course the boxing where we have a good team with plenty of medal chance. 

Also starting today (Saturday) is the League One football season and my side AFC Wimbledon are away to Walsall. Will be a tricky game as they were a top side in this division last season but failed in the playoffs. Of course the Dons WON their play off so a new season in a new division awaits. Indeed a tricky game and always behind to some sloppy defending we lost 3-1 to Walsall. 

Far too warm for me so plenty of shade and enjoying the sport this weekend. The rest of the week ahead is just more work and making plans for later in the year. I don't have a full on summer holiday but will be away for a few more long weekends before long. Shame that there is a rail strike on Southern railways as a trip down to Brighton is something I do quite regularly but as we all know the service on that route is terrible and is best avoided. So busy looking for somewhere else to go that gets me down by the river or the coast. A trip to Windsor and maybe Oxford is on the cards for end of August, and then trying to get away to Bournemouth for September. 


Might also be a good time to pay a visit to the Mid Hants Railway in Alton for a day out while they are still running their summer service. 




Spend time with your pet.

Owning a pet is good for your physical and mental
health. Many studies have shown that spending time
with your pet eases feelings of stress, loneliness and
depression. It may even lower blood pressure. 

Try to spend some time with your pet every day. After a long
day at work, playing with your pet is a great way to
unwind and reduce stress.

If your circumstances don’t allow you to own a pet,
perhaps offer to walk a friend’s pet.

WEEK THIRTY ONE 30/07 -- 05/08

As we wave goodbye to July 2016 I begin to wonder where the year has gone already and how many weekends there are left till Christmas. Noticed how we are into the second half of the year once I started booking holidays at work for September and October!!

All being well there are trips to York and North Wales in the pipeline, would love a trip out to the Isle of Man too as I love the place and the people it's so peaceful over there and a chance to unwind and chill out.


Had a weigh in at work and more on that a bit later, aiming to crack on with that effort for the second half of the year, the good work from the start of the year has slowed a little of late but we are at least keeping it off and there are small improvements which is nice. 


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 5th August -- 21st 3lb
Measurements (inches)
Neck -- 20
Chest -- 52
Stomach -- 54
Waist -- 45
Thighs -- 25
Biceps -- 16

Small progress, can still do so much better between now and the end of the year, but what I have lost is staying off and that's a plus.
Summer Workouts

A growing body of research shows that you can get big health benefits from several workouts of 10 minutes or less spaced throughout the day. A recent study found, for example, that people who got 150 minutes a week of moderate-to-vigorous exercise had lower cholesterol counts and smaller waistlines than those who didn't, whether they worked out in 30-minute segments or bursts of 10 minutes or less. Try these little workouts for starters.

Stretch breaks. Take quick breaks to stretch your muscles, whether you're at home, at work, or on holiday. Flex your ankles, do a few shoulder rolls, or stretch your arms and legs. When you're taking a comfort break on a car trip, walk around for a few minutes before hitting the road again.

Dancing. Dance to your favourite upbeat music in your kitchen or garden, or at the cottage or caravan when you're on holiday. If you have children, do the "Locomotion" or "Hokey Cokey" together to get them moving, too. [Or do it in the privacy of your own home and just close the curtains to avoid embarrassment]

Walk and talk. Move around when you're on the phone. Even if you're stuck on your phone for work calls you don't have to be stuck to your seat. Or, if you need to meet with a colleague, why not go outside and have your discussion while walking. Wherever possible try to walk and talk.