Too Busy & Too Tired to be healthy!

OK - so it's been quite some time since I wrote in this blog (I certainly write that line a little too often)

So why is this time any different?  Because things have to change - I want to go back to the Nat that was running half marathons 5 & 6 years ago.  Yep, that's right, Facebook has thrown it in my face this week, that around 6 years ago I was about 3 dress sizes smaller and a hell of a lot fitter!

Cardiff Half 2011

Cardiff Half 2010

Now, I must not moan too much as I'm now a full time step mother to a 10yr old, mother to a 2 year old, employing 1 member of staff (so business is doing better that it has before and I've got a swanky new home office) and engaged to be married in 2018.  Great, yes?  I'm more happy than I've ever been and this to me is success but today the reality has hit home that I desperately need to address my heath!

What brought this on? A simple trip to Matalan to buy a simple pair of black trousers and possibly treat myself to a nice new autumn cosy outfit.  Oh boy, did I get a shock!  I will spare the details in this blog but let's put it like this - I was close to tears coming out of the changing rooms - not good!

Maybe you're all wondering how I've put on the weight?  Maybe some of you are thinking that it's baby weight?   Nope, it's not, I lost that last year... but yet, a good guess (without getting on the scales) is that I've piled all of that back on (and maybe a little more).  So let's get a list started (what I mean by list, is a whole load of excuses):

• I'm too busy - busy working (putting that first) and busy chilling out (because I feel that's my reward for being so busy)
• So busy that I now don't do well thought out shopping - I probably spend quite a bit of time in the shops buying quick fix foods 
• So busy that I leave cooking till late - this simply means takeout - the number of takeaways we have is probably quite embarrassing!
• Too tired - to get up early on a Saturday morning like I used to to go to slimming world as I'm so busy I feel I deserve a little lie in 
• Too tired after a busy day in work that I haven't got that energy to go to the gym, or I convince myself that because I've not drank enough water or eaten the right food that I'm not going to have a good work out!

In summary, I'm busy, tired and getting fatter and unhealthier by the day! 

It was just the other day that I realised that I didn't spend enough quality time with my son and now as a result I've decided to take Tuesdays off each week.  In less than a year he will start going to school... something had to be done about it.   (If you're curious about what I now get up to on a Tuesday, just visit Instagram and search #52TuesdaysWithZac)

OK - so here is what is going to happen!  I'm going to post this blog in the public domain (not quite sure if I will publish it to my social networks just yet!)

Below is how I'm going to do this - starting with a mind set change of why I am doing this:

• Eating better (not the D word)- slimming world will help me eat better - with better tasting food than some of this bland stuff I've been putting on my plate.  I always used to comment that even just a week back on plan made me feel better.  I will also have to drink more fluids too as I know too well those times when I'm grabbing snacks are just when I'm thirsty
• Food planning - I will plan what I'm going to be eating, based on what I am doing and I will do a shop every Tuesday and Friday (and therefore planning my menu every Monday and Thursday evening)
• Count up - I will not be counting down to any special event, even though I am bridesmaid next year, summer holidays, half marathons or even my own wedding.  I will count up.  Count the days that I have actively moved in the right direction.  Countdowns terrify me into thinking that I'm not going to do 'it' in time which leaves me thinking 'why should I bother'
• Social Planning - I will not deprive myself.  I will still plan days/nights out but I will ensure that the days leading up to it and after it are planned and thought out.  
• Record - I will document everything on here so that I know where I am and I can reflect how far I've come.    That will hopefully include any exercise that I do too.   I found recording my progress with the running spurred me on to realising how far I'd come! I think recording how I'm feeling will be a great help too!
• Stick to the plan - Too many times I've sat there planning in when I'm going to go to the gym and then a busy day leaves me ploughing through my never ending to-do list. 

So there it is. My public declaration that I am going to change for the better!  Follow #TooBusyTooTiredToBeHealthy  on Instagram and Twitter

Yes, it's a long one but I like it!