Preparing for the revolution in me.

I love New Year, I love the idea of a clean slate, a chance to start again with your goals. I have no stamina or commitment so knowing I can try again is a wonderful feeling.

I am determined to change that - for my lack of stamina to be my first new years resolution! That no matter what I will keep trying until the end of the year - if I don't achieve what I want, if I slip along the road, that doesn't matter, its not a broken promise - my first resolution is to make sure I keep plugging away, keep trying.

According to the statistical website thinkmoney.co.uk 34% of women who make resolutions will make them about losing weight, making it the most popular resolution for women. Of the total people surveyed 19% said their goal was to get fitter and complete more exercise. Which nonetheless leads to some weight loss as well. I couldn't get figures for numbers of people who commit to stopping smoking at the New Year, but its amongst the top 5 resolutions according to the NHS (bias source - I know).

So I, along with a good 50% of the resoluting population I will be aiming for the usual weight loss/healthier lifestyle. Here are my commitments for 2013:

1. To buy (and wear) a size 12 dress.
2. To complete a sprint triathlon.

I figures these would be better goals than go to the gym 4 times a week or lose X amount of weight because it puts pressure on me - less pressure the better. These two goals are obviously linked - as I train for the triathlon it will impact on my weight loss and toning.

I know stop smoking is not listed as a resolution - again the pressure of that is quite intense. But lets face it there is no way I can complete a triathlon whilst puffing on a fag.

So as I scoff the chocolate Christmas presents and look forward to New Year I know there will be changes in my life, whether I see Christmas 2013 in a size 12 dress or have a triathlon medal on my wall isn't important, as long as at Christmas 2013 I am happier and healthier than I was this year.

This will be a busy blog next year :))

Merry Christmas Everyone!

The last few weeks have been the toughest of my life, why exactly I can't put my finger on.

I love Christmas, it actually is my favorite time of the year. I love seeing my family, my friends, the nights out and the food!

But the last few weeks I have been far from jolly, maybe its work, maybe its my thyroid, maybe its the lack of vitamin D seen as my little corner of Scotland now only gets about 3 hours daylight. Maybe its a combination of all of the above, feeling lonely holed up in my little flat all alone for the first Christmas I've lived myself. I don't know what it is, but its like I've been spread thin, my motivation levels have been low, my energy next to nothing.

What ever the reason I am determined to make positive changes in my life, to readdress the balance of my mood. Tonight is the best I have felt in weeks, tonight I laughed with genuine happiness on the phone, tonight I am looking forward to tomorrow.

Christmas is an emotional time of year for many people. I have managed to escape the Christmas cover this year but I know that social workers are busy. It can be a very sad time for people, one of the saddest, and once again I realise what an important job I do, my profession does, alongside health and the voluntary sector in making sure the vulnerable are safe at this time of year.

Working with people makes you really appreciate the people you have in your life. I realised this week once again that I am truly blessed with the people around me. I have an amazing manfriend who I really don't know what I would have done without these last few weeks, my friends literally rock my world and I cannot wait to see them on Saturday (see picture for small indication of just how crazy we are!).

I am also blessed to have two healthy amazing parents. Last week my aunt passed away, she lived in Australia and I didn't really have a relationship with her but my heart broke for my cousins, who also lost their father this time last year. My parents are my world, alongside my brother, and my extended family.

They say that good people draw good people to them - sometimes I question my role in the world, my goodness. However I look at the people around me and I know that either they are completely nuts or I am the luckiest person in the entire world.

So on that note I wish everyone of you the happiest and best Christmas in 2012 and a wonderful New Year.. Stay safe and most importantly enjoy the people around you.