Day !5 & 16 of a 90 Day Fitness Challenge. Cupcakes, Veg, Candles, Bubbles & no overweight curates in this church please!!!

Day 15 & 16

I can't believe how many tempting treats I have been offered since I started this challenge.  It's quite amazing.

When my hubby was a trainee curate (that is a trainee minister/pastor) the first fund raising event in the church he was training at was a coffee morning run by Joan & Olive in Olive's beautiful home.  Joan & Olive were renound for their many successful  fund raising events.  These women did amazing work for so many worthy charities and they had the charisma to fill these events with many people willing to give, buy and support their fund raising endeavours.

So getting back to the coffee morning, we went along and there was so many beautiful things for sale and also a cake stall and free cakes with your tea/coffee,  these women could bake.  However, just before my hubby was about to delve in and choose one of these cakes, Olive said to him "Don't be thinking about eating too many of those cakes, because everywhere you go and visit,  people will put lovely cakes in front of you & tea/coffee in their best china cups" she was so right, she then went on to say "so watch yourself because we don't want a fat curate" LOL.  I'll never forget Olive and all her funny little ways and remarks, she was a pure diamond.

Do you know what these are called?

Say this slowing..."Red velvet cupcakes with roses".... ohhh, they look very nice :) LOL

So the tempting cake saga continues for this thankfully focussed dieter.  One of my appointments yesterday was playing the song/hymns at an old folks home, after the first hymn which was "Be Still"  (For The Presence Of The Lord The Holy One Is Here)  one of the elderly residents clapped and clapped with such joy on her face, it was so lovely to see her so happy. As part of the service Ruth lit candles on a cake and asked the residents to blow the candles out, but they wouldn't be blown out because they were special candles,  this constant flame represented the Holy Spirit whose light and power we can't blow out.  The residents were then given those little tubes with soapy water in and and were encouraged to blow bubbles.

They got so much enjoyment out of doing this simple act.  One elderly man Neil,  sitting in his chair was kicking the bubbles as well and was thoroughly enjoying himself.  I had a go at blowing bubbles,  it was nice. After the candles, bubbles & hymns what came out on the trolley?  Lovely mugs of tea and very nice biscuits.  I didn't have one boo hoo :) Can you sense the deprivation ha ha

During the afternoon I was at a monthly networking event in Teesside, it's a really encouraging event with great speakers.  One of the speakers yesterday was John Kirby the founder of the organisation "Christians Against Poverty" After he had spoken he told us if we wanted a copy of his book "Nevertheless" it would be free of charge, I'm sure this book will be a very inspiring read. It's pretty much written in diary form so you can see clearly how his journey progressed day by day.  "The incredible story of one man's mission to change thousands of people's lives"

After these insprational sessions there is always an early evening buffet,  with stacks of yummy cupcakes!!!!   I had a tuna bun & cucumber, carrot and red pepper crudites without any dressing or sauces :)  I'm laughing as I am writing this because I just can't believe the amount of food choices we encounter on a daily basis.  Cupcake or Veg? Cupcake or Veg?  Give me the Veg I WANT THE  VEG...NOT!!!

A friend got in touch with me today and he has lost 12lb in 3 weeks how good is that?  He is definitely on target to lose 1 stone in 4 weeks.  Great news, keep at it & everyone who is reading this and trying to do the same, keep at it, one day at a time.

Bye for now.

Time for tea (I'm from the north we say tea which also means dinner, but dinner to us up north is the souths lunch, does this make sense?  yes perfect sense :) )

Whatever you are having today enjoy it and don't eat the cupcakes OK :)

Day 14 of a 90 day challenge. Weigh In Day - 6 lb last week & this week?

Day 14

Weigh in day today.  I lost 6lb last week which was a great start regardless of the circumstances that brought about that result.  This week I was expecting a couple of lbs loss.  So this morning I stood on the scales very gently because that makes you weigh less :)  Have you ever done that?  You get onto the scales and just walk onto them in a normal fashion, then you look down and read your weight.  Then you get off the scales and decide to go back on just to make sure it is the same displayed weight, but you gingerly tip toe onto the scales this time hoping for a few lbs less reading.  But that never works does it?  It always reads the same as the first time.  So my first and second reading today were exactly the same.  This week I lost the grand total of 1lb Oh my goodness I did expect 2lb but never mind.  In 2 weeks I've lost 1/2 a stone I think that is an excellent result, I'm happy with the way this challenge is progressing.  I'm going to try harder this week and hopefully lose 2lb.

More exercise is needed this week.  I thought this quote was funny.

In the middle of my day a friend & I had arranged to meet up for lunch, we decided to meet up at the local church Stockton Parish Church on the High Street and then go on from there.

The church is open every lunch time for anyone to go in and sit in the peaceful atmosphere and pray or just sit and enjoy the stillness while listening to beautiful gentle music. Sometimes there is live worship music sometimes not.  Today it was a CD.  So great that this church is open it is being such an important resource to the local community,  especially the working community in the area as folks on their lunch hour can just pop in for 10mins total stillness.

Here are a couple of the songs I heard while I was in there today.

To Be In Your Presence.

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

Be Blessed
Viv

Day 13 of a 90 day get fit lose weight challenge. Building in a fitness/exercise routine...Tagline "Just Do It"

Day 12 & 13

12 Week Beginners Walking Schedule

Here is an easy to follow beginners walking schedule.  Your warm up and cool down times are included in the scheduled minutes.  Be sure to stretch after your walks.  You know your own capabilities, listen to your body and go with what you're happy with.  If you are just starting out on this you may not be able to push yourself very hard during the middle part of your routine but in time you will be able to, you will be amazed at how quickly your strength, ability & stamina increases once exercise becomes a normal part of your day.  The experts say to exercise 5 times a week so as my niece said "Just Do It"

If you're not very fit at the moment you may want to follow this plan.  My exercise routine goes like this...I start it, I'm doing really well then I stop???   Then I start again for a while then I stop??? When I get back into a routine I always start this schedule at week 6 and often do 2 sessions of 30 mins a day once I get in the swing of it. Walking or tredmill is a great way to start if you haven't exercised for a while,  once your fitness levels are up add other keep fit options.  Swimming is also a great beginners exercise option.  Whatever you enjoy "Just Do It" 

Week	Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
1	15mins	15	20	15	20	15	20
2	15	20	20	15	20	15	25
3	15	25	20	15	25	20	25
4	20	30	20	20	25	20	30
5	20	30	30	20	30	20	35
6	25	30	30	25	30	25	40
7	25	30	40	30	30	30	40
8	25	30	40	30	40	30	50
9	30	40	40	30	40	40	50
10	30	40	50	30	50	40	50
11	40	40	50	40	50	40	50
12	40	40	60	40	60	40	60

Chatting to a friend today about music and where the best place is to listen to it, we reckon in the car when you're on your own because you get surround sound with no interruptions.  I have a fav place I like to drive to sometimes and just watch the sea and listen to the music, for me that is a little part of heaven.  To my amazement she said she loves to just sit in the car occasionally listening to the music.  I thought I was the only one who did that :) maybe we all do?  It's good isn't it?

Here is a nice one to leave you with today.  Ernie Hasse & Signature Sound.  I have met & heard Doug Anderson before and really enjoy his work,   but I haven't listened to Signature Sound until today.  I like it, hope you do to.


Bye For Now
Viv :)

Day 11 of a 90 day get fit challenge. Do you remember that TV advert when the little girl was saying "Daddy or chips, daddy or chips?" My version today was "Milky Way or an apple, Milky way or an apple?"

Day 11

Out and about at work today.  Took a packed lunch, making sensible choices.  It takes a little bit more thought and time but it will be worth it in the long run.  I'm in this for the long haul, no easy quick path, it is going to be a long path over many months.  So one day at a time I will make the correct choices to get me to my goal.  I know what my goal is and I am on my way there.

Went into a shop today with my friend, he chose a little choc bar which was a good choice for him.  I looked at the chocolate bars very briefly and came out of the shop after purchasing apples and bananas :)  One day at a time, I know I'm going to do it this time.

Day 11 my face is clearer my skin looks much more healthy, I can see definite positive changes already.  When you are only eating good wholesome food all the time the benefits are visable.  I am living on veg, fruit, fish, chicken, red meat but not alot, eggs, no more than 2 slices of wholemeal bread per day, a little cheese that is my great food love in life but I am being very careful and having very small amounts. So it's going well.  To you guys who are also doing this, keep it up, make good choices.  Small steps will achieve great results in time.

"Persevere to win the prize"

Last night I downloaded and read some of "The Same Love" enhanced ebook by Paul Baloche.  As a christian singer songwriter for me it is important to listen to what our most inspirational songwriters are saying and how God is leading their songwriting.  Whatever field of work we are in,  there is always further scope to learn from others.  We are never too old or too experienced to learn from others. My mam was always expanding her knowledge and learning new things.  She learned how to master using a computer before any of her children did.  Inspirational.

God's love is the same yesterday, today & forever.

The same love...Is calling us all be name
You are calling us all by name

The Same Love: Paul Baloche

Middlesbrough Guy and friend Gram Seed, have you heard his story? If not read on...Inspirational.

A FORMER criminal, alcoholic and self-proclaimed tramp has won a literary award for a book detailing his life story.

Gram Seed,  decided to write his life story, "One Step Beyond"  after a near-death experience led him to set up a Christian charity and to turn his back on a life of crime and drink.

Gram became a Christian on 9th November 1996 at 2.45pm and since then he has been ministering to people who are without love and hope.  He has also been searching for a base for the last 9 years, which he has now found. Gram & the team are preparing for their open day later this month.  It is so amazing what Jesus is doing for and through Sowing Seeds ministry.

Their open day is on 25th May from 10.00am-3.00pm at their new premises on Bishopton Lane Stockton. 

As already noted, Gram & the team's ministry premises is now in the centre of Stockton, I love visiting there for a few hours on a Friday.  Today a group of us were learning new worship songs and praising the Lord, superb time.

Gram's book is definitely worth reading, it's quite gritty, I found myself so wanting to get to the part of his story where his life became better,  and when it did, it was an utterly powerful turn of events in his life.  This gentle giant & his team are now a forceful presence of love at the heart of Stockton On Tees.

I will leave you with this wonderful song "Hosanna" sung so beautifully by Selah

God Bless

Viv :)

Day 10 of a 90 Day Fitness Challenge: "The Milky Bars Are On Me" Or Something Like That :)

Day 10

Thank you Richard,  Emma & Keith, your Beetroot comments on Facebook were highly amusing :) I couldn't believe there was a song about Beetroot.  Here it is, this is Lance Percival 1963 "The Beetroot Song"

While I was making lunch today I was thinking about the Juice drinks I had read about yesterday and then these words came floating into my brain :)  To the tune of "Old MacDonald Had A Farm"  It's not my fault silly melodies float around my brain, I'm working with little people (children) alot of the time :)

Now don't just read it, you've got to sing it

I went to the shops today
What was beckoning me
Apples Carrots & Beetroot
I'll juice them for my tea

With a juice juice here
And a blitz blitz there
Here a juice there a blitz
Everywhere a juiceblitz
Dieters you must try this
I need Plain Bounty

Oh, man, I needed just a little bit of chockie today... just a little biscuit...  I haven't had anything like that for 10 days... so I had one of the following:

I ate it slowly and savoured the moment, it passed quickly but it did the trick.

It's been a lovely sunny day today, I love this time of year especially seeing the pink blossom trees.  I wish the blossom lasted longer.  I took a picture of my pink blossom tree today, I've been meaning to do that for years.

Well this has been about food today, fitness chat to come soon, I've got 80 days left, I'll blog about fitness  on day 70 :)

Music in Viv's world today is "In Christ Alone" by Phillips Craig & Dean, they have added an extra section to this song, lovely arrangement.

So until tomorrow folks...Beetroot :)

Oh no that was yesterday.  Let me try that again.

Bye for now, until tomorrow folks...Bounty Bar :)