August 24, 2006

Vocabulary

• bored
• fed up
• lathargic
• miserable
• snotty
• partially deaf
• phlegm
• aching
• weak
• coughing
• wheezing
• sneezing
• tired

All of the above pretty much decribe how I feel today. Nuff said.

Posted by Abi at 9:27 PM

May 30, 2006

Back On The Treadmill

On my own today after the bank holiday where I had Phil to keep me company for 3 rather than the usual 2 days at the weekend.

I don't get up to much really... I go the gym and feel horribly ashamed about how my fitness levels have plummeted due to my absence, but happier in the fact that I've actually got off my arse and gone. It was a bit like visiting a nursing home however since the place was inundated with OAPs, who were using most of the equipment and also walking very slowly between everything.

I also get around to ringing the double glazing people and arranging a date for them to come out and check our letter box as it appears to have sprung a leak somewhere around the edge which is letting water in, which while isn't a major pain it still would be much better if there wasn't a leak at all. The chap was very helpful and said he'd be out Thursday to fix it (from what he says it probably just needs some sealant around the edge, which should have been done at the factory but was probably missed).

The rest of the day is just miserable.

Posted by Abi at 9:30 PM

January 20, 2006

Introductions

At work today and again I'm busy for all of it whilst trying to get my inbox down to a reasonable size. But work isn't important today, I've got much more exciting things to look forward to.

You see this evening after work I have my first face to face meeting with my newly instated personal trainer which whilst for the first few moments was a little terrifying, I think we'll get on just fine. :)

To cut a long story short, the meeting went a little along these lines...

I was early so was minding my own business sat in the reception of the gym reading a magazine and chatting to the bloke on the desk, who was very personable, when all of sudden this shadow is cast over me which even by it's mere existence was somewhat intimidating. As I look up I am confronted by a chap who is about 5 foot 10 and built like a greyhound, not a scrap of fat on him and more muscle than a genetically modified beef cow. With his shaved head I could only liken his appearance to an army corporal or sergeant, but such illusion was only temporary when I notice he is clad in very little other than some tiny shorts and a tight sports vest.

But despite my initial shock and horror of thinking I'd signed up with a drill master, he was in fact a lovely fella. He showed me around the gym, told me what he'd expect we'd be doing and what to prepare for and even took the time to have a look into my eating habits and the like to get an idea of my intake and where it could be improved.

So I've now got my first session, which includes my fitness assessment booked in for Monday, I have a feeling I'm gonna be knackered at the end of it!

Posted by Abi at 9:27 PM

January 17, 2006

A Shock

Buggering blast - I gave myself a bit of a shock today and dusted off one of my keep fit videos and decided to give it a go. I almost wish I hadn't because the depressing fact of the matter is that after being on the lazy wagon for the best part of 9 months I've sadly lost the meager fitness level I achieved the last time I was making a regular habit of exercise.

Half way through the tape and I feel like I'm dying - I can hardly imagine that some months ago I was screeching at the TV to tell the bint to get on with it, stop talking and put a bit more effort in. It seems therefore that the last laugh is now on her as she knowingly stared at me through the plasma with that look of "Who's the fit one now bitch?"

Oh well I made it through in the end, but I have to say it was the longest 50 minutes of activity ever in the history of the longest minutes of the universe - I'd even go so far as to say time was going backwards!

Not much went on today really, though I did manage to make a list of everything I need to do before I go away. I like lists, they keep me on track and I get a sadly satisfying gratification from ticking things off the list when I've completed them.

Posted by Abi at 9:50 PM

September 30, 2005

Quit Smoking - 1 Week!

So I've made it, I week gone without a cigarette passing my lips, and I have to say that I feel quite proud of myself and astonished that I've devoted enough will power to get me through the cravings and the like. I honestly didn't think I'd do it, and half expected me to cave in at any point, but I struggled through - even if it was to the detriment of turning down an offer for a night out in london knowing that I'd be surrounded by smokers, a situation where the most strongest of will powers probabably wouldn't have prevailed.

I guess to keep the momentum I should make a list of pros and cons so far of not smoking (for me anyway):-

Pros	Cons
Saved £17.50	Sleepless nights
Don't smell of smoke	Cold sweats (day 3 & 4)
Got blood pressure down to normal	Being an angry and frustrated bitch
No more nicotine dependancy	I've eaten a lot
Have gained about 1 hour in every day through not smoking
Reduced my risk of getting lung cancer
Dont feel like a social reject when smoking in a public place
Sense of smell and taste much improved
Dont plan my day around cigarettes

I'm sure that there are plenty more, but you get the general gist of things, pros outnumber the cons.

Posted by Abi at 10:09 PM

September 29, 2005

Quit Smoking Day 7 - Occupied

With the success of diminished cravings yesterday due to being kept busy at work, I attempt to simulate the events to and keep myself out of the "devil makes work for idle hands" category.

So in the morning I do various bits and pieces, like tidy up a bit and do the dishes, and stick some washing on. I also pour over a job application that I'd asked for to get a feel for what it is they are looking for, and if therefore I should bother applying in the first place. As it goes, I think I may have a slim chance so I may well apply.

Then in the afternoon I'm kept out of mischief by settling down and doing some work that I've been meaning to do for quite a while. I've been avoiding it insofar as that I'd started and not finished it some time ago, and since then couldn't quite face up to picking it up from where I'd left off.

But the idea that I might crack under boredom pressures and slip in a sly ciggy was enough incentive to relight the torch and get on with it. And that's what I do, but I start from scratch rather than spend hours trying to figure out wtf I'd done which I've no doubt saved me an hour of pondering why I'd done what and cussing myself for doing it shabbily.

By the time Phil comes home I'm in full swing of things and as usual, compulsively completing work like there is no tomorrow. But despite my fervent work ethic I seem to have forgotten that we need to eat tonight. That can only mean that we need to get take out, and fish and chips wins the vote.

We have a relatively early night, but not before I fix a bug in my code that had been narking me for most of the day - well, I probably wouldn't have slept too well knowing it was lurking.

Posted by Abi at 9:38 PM

September 28, 2005

Quit Smoking Day 6 - Busy

Today hasn't been too bad on the old quitting front. I thought that going to work could have 1 of 2 results. 1) It would be worse because I was in a familiar routine of having a smoke at certain times of the day at work, and I may not have any work to do which means I'd get bored which means I'd think about cigarettes even more. OR 2) It would be better because I'd have so much stuff to do I wouldn't even have time to think about smoking.

As it happens lady luck was shining on me because in fact I did have a lot of work to do today which kept me more than busy, and I think the only time I thought about smoking was when I was in reception telling a former smoking buddy that I'd given up and gone cold turkey, not seeing the point in using quit smoking aids since they prolong the nicotine withdrawal.

So for once I was grateful to be in work, and managed to get through quite a lot of my inbox to-do's, as well as finishing off some work that I'd been trying to complete for a couple of days.

When I get home I take a look at the triops to see how they are doing. Out of the 7 or so babies that we had, 3 have survived and 2 of those are now about 2 cm long - I've now got to start feeding them carrot and fish as special treats, which will probably mean I'll have to make their water changes a bit more frequent too.

After tea I watch Vanity Fair whilst Phil does some work and then reads his book. The film is ok, but I've a feeling its another of those whereby it does not justice to the book - I guess the only way I'll find that out is by reading it.

Posted by Abi at 10:06 PM

September 27, 2005

Quit Smoking Day 5 - Narky

Day 5 it is then, and the cracks are starting to show. I'm in a pissy mood with everyone and everything I come across including myself. Having nothing to do for a modicum of seconds is enough to send my brain into a nicotine deprived hissy fit whereby all I can think about is having a smoke. I'm going insane.

So it appears that the only way I can muffle the screams of nicotine currently deafening me by my inner voice is to try and avoid it. Play music loud, eat stuff, keep my hands busy or try to get compulsively involved into something other than getting wrapped up in the vicious typhoon of cravings and will power.

Some shopping eases the problem for an hour or 2, and I pick up Rick Steins Fruits of The Sea. I'm not a fish lover, but tonight we've got 2 tuna steaks to eat and not knowing the first bit about how to cook fresh tuna I decide the book might give a fairly good indication. I also pick up some bits and pieces that I need to do the tuna, including a griddle pan and a salad dressing shaker (that didn't have anything to do with the tuna but I thought it would be a cool idea). On another unrelated note I also buy Burnout Revenge for PS2, the adverts look appealing enough so I figure it would be worth giving it a go (besides, I liked the last one!).

By the time I get home its not long until I have to start preparing tea, which was a Grillade of Tuna with Olive Oil Mash, and very nice too - the homemade tomato sauce that went with it was delish! Phil has a go on Burnout Revenge whilst I'm faffing around with the last bits of tea, and then we eat. And, for a new and untried recipe I have to say it was very nice, I even managed to cook the tuna right (not dry and not raw either).

The rest of the evening is spent watching some TV and bidding on a few more things from ebay - this time mineral rocks. We didn't get the one we really wanted, but nonetheless, have some fab curio items on their way.

I really should think about getting a display cabinet for all our funky rock things.

Posted by Abi at 9:42 PM

September 26, 2005

Quit Smoking Day 4 - Eating

Hmmm, another day at home today and so the added disadvantage of easily becoming bored, a factor I have already identified as a trigger for me smoking. So to try and circumvent it, I've tried to keep myself busy doing things.

Unfortunately those things seem to be revolved around food. I went to the super market and did the shopping (and managed to buy about 20 quids worth of stuff more than we'd usually get) so that wasted an hour or two. I then did very little indeed apart from eat. I guess I can live with the weight gain for the time being (in particular the first couple of weeks where by I'm replacing cigarettes with food) but I plan to put a stop to the binges as soon as the cravings subside. And to be honest, today they've been pretty harsh, and I think that's probably to do with the fact that I've got no nicotine left in me. I certainly felt it this morning when I woke up with the shakes.

I'm not happy with the fact I'm eating enough to sustain an elephant at the moment, but if it stops me from smoking then what the hell. I can lose the flab again once I've won this particular battle - fat busting is for another time and place at the moment. In terms of priority I think quitting smoking must come before losing weight.

Anyway, what the hell I shouldn't be making excuses, I'm proud that I've got this far and managed to do something beneficial towards my health, even if it is to the detriment of my waist line. Smoking aids are crap IMHO, the fake inhalers make you barf they taste so foul, and as for the patches, well even at the lowest level they made my heart rate jump sky high and brought me out in a rash. And the gum? Well that's just plain disgusting. So I'll stick to my remedy for the time being, and save a very substantial small fortune on not forking out on nicotine replacement hoaxes, or cigarettes for that matter.

I figure I've saved £10 on cigs so far this week - that's 10 quid towards a new camera lens.

Its now been 72 hours+ since I stopped smoking:
Breathing becomes easier.

What this means
Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.

Posted by Abi at 9:14 PM

September 25, 2005

Quit Smoking Day 3 - Shopping

We're up relatively early today (well Phil more so than me), and after a little breakfast we head out to Telford to do some shopping.

We have a good look around, and pick up the Da Vinci code for Phil's Mum and also a new vase to put our bamboo in since it's outgrown its current receptacle. So even though we didn't come back with mounds of merchandise it was sufficient to keep me busy and not think too much about ciggies, which is good.

Phil's dad then cooks a lovely Sunday dinner and we're just about to leave when Phil gets struck down with a terrible bout of indigestion and doesn't particularly want to sit in a car for a couple of hours just yet. So we go for a brief walk to see if that helps (which it doesn't) and finally resort to filling him up with fizzy pop, making him jump up and down several times, and then seeing if he can burp to try and relieve some of the excess gas which is making him feel so ill.

It sort of works, and despite not being 100% himself we head off back home, making a quick stop at Ikea in Birmingham to check out their lounge and dining room furniture and to get some catalogues as well.

I guess we get home at around 5.30 and Phil goes to bed and watches the Grand Prix in the comfort of a king size duvet, whilst I do very little indeed apart from watch TV and try to ignore the fact that I really really want a cigarette. I'm brave though, the raisins kick in and I'm good.... I'm guessing the domino's helped on that front as well however. It is however becoming increasingly hard to ignore the urge to stuff a stick in my gob. I hope I've got enough will power to ignore the cravings.

Its now been 48 hours+ since I stopped smoking:
Nicotine is eliminated from my body.

What this means
As well as being highly addictive, nicotine has a number of unpleasant side-effects on the body. It can act as an emetic (cause vomiting) and it can produce stomach upsets. It raises blood pressure, and increases the likelihood of hypothermia and seizures. Get rid of the nicotine and you will get rid of these symptoms. Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved.

Posted by Abi at 9:47 PM

September 24, 2005

Quit Smoking Day 2 - Raisins

We are going to Phils parents this weekend, which as it happens is dead handy on my "I've quit" campaign because not being in familiar surrounds will make me less susceptible to nipping out for a ciggy as and when I feel like one.

So after we've packed the bag we head of to Shropshire and arrive just in time for lunch. For the trip I'd packed some small boxes of Raisins, which I ate every time I had a craving for a ciggy, or was just plain bored. And I have to say they worked! Yes, not only did it give my hands something to do (the raisins are dead fiddly to get out of the boxes) they also gave me a satisfying sugary warm feeling too, and a sustained one at that, all of which helped me overcome the 5 minutes or so where you'd be pretty much willing to chop off your own hand in exchange for a ciggy. So I'm sticking with the raisins, not only are they better for you than chocolate (or cigarettes for that matter), they taste ok too!

We then give Phil's parents their presents that we bought back from Greece for them, including some olives, a bit of local art and a lump of petrified wood, all of which I think were appreciated. We then head out and take a look at Ironbridge Gorge, the site of the very first bridge made completely of iron, and now a world heritage site.

In the evening and I'm still cigarette free! Yup I'm feeling pretty chuffed with myself. We go out for a very nice meal near Phil's parents and I have some very nice calf's liver served with bubble and squeak (mashed up vegetables) and a super ice cream filled brandy snap basket for pudding. All very nice indeed.

But it's not long after we get home that I'm ready for bed (feeling tired) and that's what we do, head to bed and hopefully add another 8 hours to my no smoking marathon.

Its now been 24 hours+ since I stopped smoking:
Carbon Monoxide is eliminated from my body

What this means
Carbon monoxide from smoking can also produce distortions of time perception, psychomotor and visual impairment and negative effects on cognitive skill. Reducing the level of carbon monoxide in your blood will reduce these problems. Carbon monoxide reduces the uptake of oxygen from the lungs - the higher the levels of carbon monoxide, the lower the levels of oxygen. Oxygen is vital for the functioning of all energy systems in the body; so as soon as you cut carbon monoxide levels, you will experience enhanced energy levels. Look forward to better sports performance, with stronger endurance, lower levels of fatigue, improved recovery after exercise and a lower heart rate for each level of exercise.

Posted by Abi at 10:25 PM

September 23, 2005

Quit Smoking Day 1 - Sleep

So, I'm biting the bullet and finally giving up the cigs today. And it wasn't even a premediated though either, it was just a decision I finally came to whilst have a cigarette just before I left work at 5.

I don't know why either, but everytime I've tried to quit and have put some thought into it, it's always ended in failure, so maybe the brute force tactic might work, who knows.

So before I made that life altering decision I had to do work from 9 - 5 which was awful. I had to do a new site, and had built the template from the design's I'd be given, only to realise that the content didn't match the design at all and I had to rip my work apart and start again in order to get some kind of perceptable navigation running across the site. The joys or not getting a spec, or a badly written one. Sometimes the latter is worse than the former.

Anyway I get through work, then decide to give up the fags on the spot and ultimately end up home, where I while away the non-smoking hours watching tv and eating fish and chips. But the time I get to go to bed it's been 5 hours since my last cig, long enough to have a craving, but not long enough to do anything about it. So I figure that if I now go to sleep for 8 hours or so I'll have gotten over some of the habit cravings you initially have to deal with - so thats what I do.

Its now been 20 minutes + since I stopped smoking:
My blood pressure and my pulse rate has returned to normal

What this means
Raised blood pressure and high pulse rate both put strain on your heart, increasing your risk of a heart attack. The minute you stop your risk is reduced.

Posted by Abi at 10:06 PM

February 27, 2005

Gimme 5!

I woke up this morning with only 2 goals for the day:-

1. Do some exercise
2. Wash the car

Seemingly though I've only managed to complete one of them and that was to get some exercise. Having done Leslie Sansone's Walkaerobics programme for about a week now, I've found that walking really is quite a good option for me to get some exercise (bad back, dodgy knee etc) - and it is much more low impact than perhaps bounding up and down on a step or rampaging along a treadmill for what appears to be infinity and without a change of scenery.

So with that in mind, and the fact that I need a ladle, I plan a walking trip to Homebase and then back home again. Phil kindly offers to keep me company and so we head out at about 11.15 am. 2 hours later and 5 miles of treading tarmac we finally get home!

Blisters allowing we both then hop into a steamy hot bath (with muscle soak) and try to revive what remains of the muscles in our legs. A brief nap later and I get on with Sunday dinner (the second I've ever cooked). Not bad either - but I'm pretty sure after 24, we'll both be ready for bed again.

Posted by Abi at 9:12 PM