The Comeback

So where the hell have I been? Yep, that’s right, I’ve been hiding. I could say I’ve been really busy, which I have, and that I haven’t had time, which I haven’t, but I wouldn’t be telling the whole truth. My weight-loss has been non-existent over the past few weeks and I was, once again, too ashamed to say it. Of course it hasn’t helped that I’ve had incredibly painful eczema all over the palms of my hands which has rendered me not only unable to swim, but has necessitated my wearing white cotton gloves everywhere I go. Like a mime. However, swimming is not, as they say, the only fruit and I could have done many other things. I think I’ve finally learned that this is going to be a series of trials, errors and fresh starts, and that even when it’s not going well I have to keep blogging in order to maintain momentum.

So, times have changed since I spoke to you last. Tony, Philip and I are newly ensconced in a lovely, cosy flat of our own in Leytonstone. Of course, when I say ‘flat of our own’, I meant that we’re renting, but not having to share with Scario anymore. Also, when I say ‘lovely’ I mean damp, old and mouldy, and when I say ‘cosy’ I mean frickin’ freezing. However, did I mention the lack of Scario? The flat’s not really that bad, it has lovely big rooms and a good-sized garden, plus we’re only in there until the end of May and hopefully the heating bills won’t have wiped us out by then.

Other new developments include my positively leaping on the band wagon that is Zumba. Yes, yes, everyone’s doing it, but there’s a reason for that: it’s awesome. Of course it helps considerably that the venue I’ve chosen is a bar, with NO mirrors on the walls such as you would find in a studio. This enables me to maintain the belief that I am not only cool, but graceful and awesome as well. A belief shattered by the sight of my incredibly red face following the class. Perhaps the best part of Zumba though, is that I have people to go with, which makes all the difference. Also, Tony’s rhythmical prowess is not to be underestimated on the dance floor – a fact which many Zumba-goers quickly learned after standing too close him. He’s in his element though: surrounded by women and able to dance around like a mad man. Philip doesn’t do Zumba. Philiip throws up on the bed and leaves live frogs in our shoes. So he’s happy.

I’d like to share a couple of things with you, things that I’ve found during my travels around the internet. The first of these is “The Egg and Wine Diet” http://eggwinediet.com/?page_id=127 which is endearingly dangerous and bizarre. The cholesterol alone would probably finish you off within a week, but imagine your breath! This, however, is nothing compared to the original ‘Egg and Wine Diet’ as detailed here: http://peculiarbeautyblog.blogspot.co.uk/2009/02/secret-crash-diets-by-special-request.html which advocates drinking at breakfast!! The small part of me that is still a student at heart cries “Yes!” at the thought of a liquid breakfast, and the rest of me simply cries. I also think any dieter would be fired, very quickly....

The second thing I’ve found is this: http://www.weightwins.com/ which I think requires further investigation. In theory it’s a brilliant idea, but for someone like me who keeps wimping out and falling off the wagon and into a large vat of wine, it may not be.

Anyway, my plans for this week... Tonight I shall be visiting the walk-in centre to have a burn on my foot assessed. Said burn was caused by a hot water bottle, furthering the legend that I could manage to hurt myself in a padded room whilst wrapped in cotton wool and wearing a helmet made of marshmallows. After this appointment though I intend to get out my “Dance Yourself Slim” 50 minute workout DVD and make an idiot of myself in front of the neighbours who can see in through our curtain-less windows. Tomorrow night is date night and will consist of two Orange Wednesday tickets to Skyfall (no expense spared here), Thursday we take our Cantonese class, Friday is Zumba, and on Saturday I will make my triumphant return to the pool. Keep watching this very slow-moving and accident-prone space, progress will be made – especially as I now not only have one wedding in July to go to, but also Tony’s uncle’s wedding in Hong Kong in January!

Oh yeah, we've started learning Cantonese. Which is cool.