Resolutiony Goal Things for 2017

Alright?

Seeing as actually doing this last year turned out pretty well, I'm doing it again!

Take a Driving Test

I haven't put "pass" because that's pressure, and I have put "my" driving test because that implies it'll be the only one. I'm not arrogant enough to have no doubt I will pass first time, but I am pretty sure that I will be ready to take a driving test this year. I'm hardly learning to drive swiftly, but I'm doing well at my own speed, and once I'm not paying for lessons I might be able to afford some cleanser and shampoo. Obviously once I can drive I will have more freedom and can make progress on the path on who Lisa should be - but I am fucking poor right now and need that £50 a week!

Be More Grateful

I love the power of simply being grateful for what I have, but have increasingly found myself being jealous and bitter about what I don't. Facebook provides me with so much evidence of people I thought were my friends constantly having fun without me which leaves me angry and hurt. I feel so left out, but this is has been happening for at least a decade now, and to be honest, I've never really been a solid part of a friendship group. I thought I was a school, and why the fuck am I not over that already? They don't need me, whatever. Stop wanting to be included, Lisa, gawwwd!

I have friends who want to see me, friends who actually make an effort to see me, who are there for me, and who actually care about me. I want to think of these people each time I feel left out by others. I love them. I need to appreciate them more and stop placing my self worth on the actions of people I was close to 10 years ago.

This is not reserved for the people in my life. There are so many things - stuff type things, that I want. I really want. I'll get in a huff about not having them. But why? I don't need them to survive. I can't afford them, I'm not entitled to them... just what? Is this consumerism doing it's thing or me looking for happiness in bath bombs? Either way I'm pissing myself off.

I want to practice gratitude more in 2017, because I am an ungrateful bitch.

Floss My Damn Teeth

No one ever actually told me about flossing. Adverts on the telly, trying to get me to buy things have told me to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash. Dentists? Brush. Just brush twice a day. So I did (some people don't even do that?! Out of choice! Ew!). Then I saw a new dentist who was "full of bants" and told me I only need to floss around the teeth I want to keep. Okay. The times I'd tried to floss in the past involved shredding the damn stuff trying to get it in-between my teeth so I was like... "How, yo?". They booked me in to see a hygienist who taught me things and gave me interdental brushes of various sizes and those floss things (in the picture, how do you even describe what that is) for the 3 gaps I can get them in, and sent me on my path to gums that don't bleed.

Literally like 2-3 weeks later, after using them every day, my gums stopped bleeding when I brushed my teeth. At first, there was lots of blood and icky stuff from in-between my wisdom teeth which required using mouthwash, so I was making the adverts proud. However, this didn't last long and mouthwash was no longer needed to wash away the taste of yuck. So, my gums are happier - I just need to remember to keep it up, or they'll get angry again. Mission on!

Continue Making an Effort to Lose Weight

Turns out I'm currently 15st 5lbs - almost the weight I was when I began this mission in 2015 - before I started blogging about it! It's no fucking wonder, really - drawing isn't as active as pub work and Christmas happened, followed by my birthday. Lots of overeating, high-calorie food and not moving. I aim to lose 2lbs a week by lowering my calorie intake and hopefully move a bit more once I've recovered from Christmas. I need to rest right now - not move.

Spend More Time with Family and Friends

I love my family, and having my whole life be sucked up by work for the last few years means I haven't had much time to spend with them. I'm fucking terrified of regretting not spending time with people once they've gone. If I can make self-employment work, I can see my family more - in theory. The few friends that want to bother with me still also deserve my time, and while they require much more energy than socialising with family, I want to find a way to see them more, too. Or, y'know - see them full stop.

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How I've Done With New Years Resolutions

Hello!

I'm back from an accidental hiatus due to LIFE THINGS SORRY (y) Thought this was a good place to start! I've had zero time for blogging so I'm rehashing illustrations. Whatevs :P

I've really enjoyed having these goals to keep me set on improving myself over the year and will be making resolutions for 2017 soon! Who am I?! Anyway - here's how I did with my resolutions:

Spend Less Money

Well. I have spent every penny I've earned - but I've done it far more sensibly. Driving lessons, car insurance, tax, petrol, phone bill, I've barely had a spare penny to waste! I did buy a dress or two but I haven't bought anywhere near as many unneeded clothing items or cosmetics, or general crap. In fact I'm now trying to set up a business, slowly, on benefits. I can't really afford essentials so spending stuff on crap for the time-being will be difficult!

But yes - I've done well on this, mostly.

Use Things Up

Yesssss. Getting through stuff and not buying cosmetics I don't need! Wooo! I hope this continues.

Lose Weight

Urgh. What a mess. Turns out having a shitty thyroid makes losing weight even harder than it already was. I'd spend a few weeks doing really well and eating enough calories to lose weight, then get ill and pile it all back on again. Repeat. I've been getting on top of IBS this year too so am having to adjust my diet and blah de blah blah. Now I'm attempting self-employment I'll have more control so might get a bit slimmer :)

Bring the Joy

I've been trying to be a more positive person on the old social media - I think I've done okay. This is a work in progress as I still get tired and miserable and want attention and validation, but I'm working on it!!

Waste less time

Yes! I still crash and procrastinate from time to time if I overdo it but it's getting less often and I'm pretty sure I'm using my time better. Again - self-employment helps here. Stop making us spoonies work normal jobs, Tories!

Start a Journal

I got through one and started another! I've worked through so many issues that were building up inside and it's like the biggest weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I don't feel so much need to write everything down that's getting to me either after doing it so much - I'm far better at dealing with emotions again. I think I'll move on to increasing how often I colour in to de-stress in 2017. Huzzah!

Did you make good progress on your 2016 resolutions or did you give them the finger?

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Lisa Gets Leaner | Weekly Weigh-In | 13.11.16

Hello!

Sorry, I've been busy. Job hunting has taken over my life and it's shiiiiiiiit. Since the last weigh-in I posted I've lost 1lb.

Have an irrelevent photo because it's more visually pleasing. Life has been hard. Dieting has been hard. I lost 7 lbs one week then gained 6 of them back the next. I have no idea what's happening. I've had no energy for MyFitnessPal. I've been stressed. My sleep has been terrible. I've been binging. It's been a mess.

I got really determined and decided to reach my goal of 14st by Christmas.... then realised I'd gone up to 15st and was like.... UGGGH WHYYYY. MyFitnessPal says I need eat 1,200 calories a day to achieve this now, so, um. I highly doubt that's happening. I wish I could exercise!!

This is basically what's been happening since that initial bout of sucessful weight loss last year. I start off well for 2-3 weeks then get to ill to bother.

I will try, but I'm scared. My life is a mess and so is my diet.

So! My current weight is: 15st

My goal is: 14st

By Christmas?!

Let's see...

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Lisa Gets Leaner | Weekly Weigh-In | 23.10.16

I've gained 5 lbs! In a week. Ahahaha!

This is really going to plan! "Oh I'll really make an effort to lose weight and use rewards, that'll work" ... *goes over 15 st for the first time this year*. CLEVER ME. I even had a poo before weighing myself this week!

I have, in all honesty, eaten my weight in crap every day this week. I woke up on Monday with really bad payback from a day on my course and a bloody cold! Colds aren't supposed to be an issue but Jesus Christ, it's ruined me! Having no energy and trying to beat up cold germs has caused some ridiculous overeating.  My stomach wanted all the food, my emotions wanted all the food, actual binging was occurring, it was not my week.

I've also been quite stressed due to having my hours cut at work. Emotionally this has stressed me out and played with my mental health a little, and I've been physically stressed due to pushing myself more, looking for work, sorting out illustration commissions and dogs to walk and signing on to Job Seeker's Allowance while missing out on sleep all week..... wow. Nope. We all know how much cortisol loves to help us pile on the pounds! Happy bloody days!

I even made a cake this week! I baked it for my friend as I've owed her a birthday cake for a few months. In my head this was harmless - I'd eat some cake mix and a slice or two the next day. Nope. I ate so much of the cake at work. So, more stupid decisions of what I put in my mouth! It really helped me get through work without passing out, though. (y)

So, after eating loads all week, my boyfriend bought 10 doughnuts. Jam doughnuts. He doesn't like jam doughnuts, so he ate one. I fucking love doughnuts. I have very little self control when doughnuts are just hanging out, going stale. So I ate 9 doughnuts in one day. Yay for binge eating.

So basically - it's been a shit week. But whatever. I've been on the Ryvita today :P Here's to a week of more control, eh? Hope you have a good one.

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Serious Planner Stamps

Yes - I do planners, too.

Inspired by bullet journals all over the blogosphere, I took to my own journal and started to organise it more. For a while I have been using some stamps that came free with the kid's Doctor Who magazine to mark goals achieved... but I ran out. Well, they dried out. Well, some dried out and I trod on the rest. 

Naturally I took to Etsy to find more stamps, and came across The Serious Stamp Company. It is a UK shop selling a wide range of handmade stamps. As usual with Etsy, it's all done by one person (a super rad lady)! Alllll about supporting small businesses :) 

I went for the 6 for £5.50 option and chose from a long list of available designs. I also purchased some bright green ink (because green is the best) from the same shop. All this arrived in no time and in both practical and pretty packaging ^-^

I am impressed with the quality of the stamps and they come with care instructions which is great! I would probably have not thought to wash them often enough to ensure longevity. I love how when you buy like this, the maker has such pride in their work that you appreciate it even more.

As for stamping - the stamps stamp. The stamps stamp well. They're really bloody cute and perfect for my little journal!

I like to think stamps are more eco-friendly then stickers, so I may well be buying many more! I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking for stamps for the planner or diary. Or anything, really. There's some awesome Christmas ones that I have my eye on - STAMP ALL THE THINGS!

Do you have a super sexy planner or bullet journal I can learn from? Know anyone that makes stamps?! Ooooooh isn't organisation awesome?!

*stamp*

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Lisa Gets Leaner | Weekly Weigh-In | 16.10.16

I gained 3lbs! Oops!

In one week I have attended a gig and got drunk, had to compensate the next day with food, went back to work and spent too many spoons, then spent a whole day learning and using my brain to the max. Lots of energy drinks, lots of needing to shove an Oreo down my gullet to get up the stairs, lots of eating chocolate to feel human, and ignoring calories completely. Sleep is still a bit messed up from last week's insomnia too so, yeah... I also hadn't pooed in quite a while before weighing myself so that probably contributed too, ha.


Hope this week I get more control over pacing and food. I weigh more than when I started! Hahaha

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Vegan Toby Carvery Adventure

Living in little old Swanage, Toby Carvery has always been somewhat of a mythical place to me. It's been celebrated for having vegan dishes available for a long time, but I never managed to set foot in one.... 'til now.

Upon arrival, I found a Christmas table set up and a grabber machine so I was super excited. I failed to win a plush Darth Vader, but did find an Eevee in the toilet, so that was cool. Our 20 minute was only about 10 which is always good. Once we sat down I located the dishes that frequent UK vegan Facebook groups on the menu and.... could not decide between the Carrot and Chickpea Wellington and Butternut Squash Crumble. Luckily, they were out of the latter so I went with the wellington, grateful that pastry was soon to grace my mouth. Vegan dishes are clearly marked on the Toby Carvery menu so there is no awkwardness with asking about ingredients or anything.

The most fabulous thing about this place is how much steamed veg, stuffing and (good) roast potatoes you can pile up on your plate. There's even vegan gravy (labelled vegetarian gravy)! I fucking love roasts. I love stuffing. Who doesn't love roast potatoes? *Drool*.

Yay Christmas!

The wellington is super tiny but tasty, and filling. Plus, y'know. Pastry. It's really good and seeing as you can have as much as you want from the carvery deck, it's pretty good value for money! They always have vouchers available by the looks of it, too. I think my meal was around £6? I'll go again, and again, and again.... it's affordable and yummy!

After successfully stuffing myself with all of the food pictured above, it was time for dessert. There is one vegan dessert available - The Chocolate & Cherry Torte. I was having it regardless of what it was because ... vegan dessert available! Yay! Chocolate, cherry and apple are my favourite sweet flavours, so that was a bonus!

 Now, I have to say... the torte isn't great. To me, it doesn't have a rich or strong enough taste and even the sauce isn't too nice. Like, I wouldn't get it again unless everyone else was having dessert or I was there for a full 3 course meal or something. Apple and chocolate is a weird mix, but the cherry pops out nicely at least!

All in all - again please. Toby Carvery, for restaurant all about meat, does bangin' vegan food for an affordable price. I look forward trying the other vegan dishes. For more information on what is vegan there, Veganuary has you covered :) It's so nice to be in a pub-like environment and not be offered falafel or three bean chili!

I hadn't seen one of these since middle school!!

Have you been to Toby? How did you find it? Anything you'd recommend?

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