Glaswood

Like my spin on Hollywood? No? It was a pretty crap attempt really eh? My reason for the film reference is because the center of our home City has turned into a whopping great film set! Oh yes Mr Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are staying here this next week or so for his new movie Z something or another. Thats not the actual name it does have the letter Z though...

Our streets turned into Philadelphia 

Taxi!

Stop

Carnage

So I have yet to see Mr Pitt yet but tbh I am more of a Jolie fan... 

In other star spotting news I attended my mums gym and Billy Boyd was in our power yoga class. The class at my mums gym was okay but the aircon was left on and it was bloody freezing. My usual Sunday class was great as the teacher got out this big bag and emptied it on the floor it was all these pretty shells for us to meditate on. The child in me was like 'coooool' and after meditation I felt really good and had yet another great sleep. Cheers yoga!

Another magic muffin from Sarah :)

In other news this moving malarky is stressful and I have my first ever half marathon in 10 days. I have covered 15 miles before so I am not concerned about the actual distance but due to my good 10k time I am putting a lot of pressure on myself to get another good time. If I ran my 10k pace for the half then I'm pretty sure I'd fall down mid way through. It doesn't help that I feel a lot of pressure from fellow gym people not just with running but in general. People constantly congratulate me on my over exercising I feel encouraged all the time and like I am actually good at something. Its like a sense of achievement, a purpose and makes me feel like I'm not a waste of space. On the other hand though I am at risk of running myself literally into the ground. If I take a day off people get all 'Where have you been? Slacking off?' which ignites any guilt I already carried or the kinder ones say 'WELL DONE' like taking one day off makes everything okay again when really I feel continually trapped. Sometimes I despise exercise because I'm so exhausted but I do love it at the same time. Its such a twisted web and I'm in this cycle that has become increasingly worse this past month or two. I feel like whatever I do is never enough but understand its also too much. Others never say the right thing and I have no control over that and I have no idea what would make me feel good. Mm! I can feel myself going off on a tangent so I'll stop rambling for now because it doesn't make sense in my own head never mind trying to make anyone else understand...

There is 5 more days of filming in Glasgow so there is a possibility I'll run into a Hollywood star over the weekend. The remainder of the weekend will involve packing, tidying and feeling pretty displaced in among removal boxes. Argh!

Love

Royal Weekend

I wasn't all that fussed for the Royal Wedding but I have to say Kate looked absolutely beautiful in her wedding dress. I'm not one for weddings, marriage, love, la de da but her day made me a little sappy and was genuinely blown away with how amazing she looked in that dress. Its just a shame her husband is going baldy... when I was young I had a massive crush on Prince William but he outgrew himself or something and is looking more like his father D:

Anyway its been a while since my last ramble! So heres a few photos to bring us up to date...

Easter goodies

Arrival of Summer

Pretty in Pink

With a splash of Kidston

It was great seeing my Dad as I only see him a couple of times a year but we chat on the phone daily. He decorated my bedroom which is almost complete I just need to get new curtains. Ikea sold out the ones I was planning to buy so a trip to the big blue & yellow building resulted in one purchase... cutlery. Calm yourself and don't get too excited now ;) I also seen my mother and sister over the Easter weekend which was nice and was very much a family filled event.

This week we have had a glorious week of weather again which has brightened my mood a lot. My freckles have even popped out to say hello! perhaps I can catch some rays (safely) to perk up my washed out vampire look.

Yesterday my super triathlete friend and lovely gym instructor headed South side to explore the 10K route in prep for the woman's event next week. I had not idea how close it actually was! I am insanely worried as my legs have felt like lead lately and I've pushed too much mileage out of them. All of us were injured (is injury in the air?!) so we were like 3 oldies plodding along. Physio is on holiday to the end of the week so I looking forward to going on Friday for massage.  The tendonitis hasn't been too bad but I've been over compensating on my left so I kinda ache all over. Ouchie boo! Anyway I'm convinced my time isn't going to be super good because if I push too hard even in swimming I get horrible twinges that just do not feel right. I would tell anyone else to ease up and rest but with me its a different ball game and I'm scared to rest. I have eliminated sprint sessions and still no body attack which is gutting because there is a new release. My physio doesn't think I should do attack again which makes it even more desirable but the thought of a plyometric lunge makes my knee hurt.

In other news I have enjoyed some lovely bicycle rides and took a 10 mile trip to a shopping center on the outskirts of the City. Even though I was just outside Glasgow it made a difference to get away from the hub of it all for a day.

My mac is going slowly because I am in the process of downloading gossip girl, desperate housewives and ANTM for my iPoodle so I'll wrap up just now.

Hope all of you had a great weekend

Love Love 

Ps. I have applied for the London Marathon 2012 ballot its unlikely I'll land a place but hopefully I do get a in... eaks!

New Gadget

iPhone 4 baby!

My 3G went on the blink after 2 years of good use and it was time for a new contract so I went with my honey apple and got an iPhone 4. Its pretty super but thats to be expected. I am really pleased with the camera as I usually lug my Canon round which is purrty darn heavy so it tends to stay in the house (tsk naughty blogger). So expect more pictureful updates and apologies in advance as you will probs get kitty overload as Darcy loves to pose for photos.

In other news I've had two weeks of physio and got a roll of kenesio tape (pink obviously) which has helped a LOT. I don't want to become too dependent on the tape though and the joke floating round my gym is that I'll turn up like a mummy wrapped up in the stuff. I managed a good 10 miler this week and in my sweaty mess realised I had my running leggings on BACK TO FRONT... total fail! I expect nothing more from me though as I can be quite the dizzy head.

I've had numerous other appointments and got the dreaded blood test results which confirmed I'm anemic again. I'll need to get my Popeye on and down some spinach asap! I had an incline that I was lacking in iron as I was feeling really exhausted and had the whole paler than usual look. It probably contributed to my complete break down last week too so again I probably have to look at my nutrition and make some big improvements. It probably goes without saying that this is going to be a struggle as I feel like I eat too much and don't need any more. However its blatant that this is a typical ED thought and I need to try and get the negativity under control.

A mention to the wonderful Laura for some of the great inspirational posts of late :) you have brightened my blogroll many a times this week!

NEDA

National Eating Disorder Awareness Week

This is something I am very passionate about and if you want to help and support the cause please visit beats webpage to donate or if you are struggling with any eating disorder or know of someone with an ED the page has a lot of support and advice to offer. 

This week I want to try to raise awareness and for people to speak up about Eating Disorder and the effects of living with one. If you want to share you story please email me as I have a few posts relating to this matter all week and need your help to dispel the eating disorder myths and reveal the truth about ED's. 

butterflyshapes@gmail.com

Wagamamamama

So I finally sampled the tastes of wagamama with mother dearest :) This is one of the first times I've ever really dined out in Glasgow since moving here (5 years ago). I never go to restaurants because of the anxiety and fear but I conquered it and mother and I managed to bag a quiet table in the corner which made me feel a lot better. The menu has lots of different styles of dishes ranging from noodles to soup. Obviously I ordered a raw salad because I love me some lettuce leafs. I also challeneged myself and ordered a rice dish with tofu which is something I would never ussually give a whirl. I'm glad I did because the tofu was dreamy but I can't say I liked the rest of the dish because I'm not a huge fan of rice. I probably subconsciously ordered something I wasn't hugely keen on because my ED did get the better when it came to ordering. However going out in itself was a big step so hopefully next time I can be a bit braver.

Mother

Mums side dish 

My raw salad

Miso Soup

Tofu dish

Mums Meal

Spending time with mum was just what we both needed and it was a lovely eve. We chatted about future plans and decided we need to spend more time together as its something that has come somewhat neglected these past few months. After our meal we headed to the Princess square for coffee and photo taking.

While we were chatting the exercise situation came up and the fact I'm doing too much. To be honest I knew this but have been wearing the blinkers for a while just thinking that its 'not that bad'. It is though and my new years resolution about spending less gym time has fallen by the wayside. I don't like to discuss it too much here because a) I don't want to trigger others and b) I thought if I ignore it then perhaps its not a problem at all. The latter is a total fool proof way of becoming an idiot though because I am suffering the consquences of the amount of physical activity I've been doing. Exhaustion being the main one and the fact I came very close to burn out today. I was welling up at the thought of running and thats so unlike me! I wanted to run but didn't if that makes sense? I'm also very sore, achey, cold and pretty run down. Like right now I could do with sleeping for a week or two but y'know thats not an option. However I would like to go to sleep a little earlier than I have been of late but when I go to bed I instantly waken up. So frustrating! Luckily I'm heading off to London with my sister next week which will be great as I get to see the whole family and usually when I go to my Dads I tend to relax rather than chase.

This weeks plan


Ease up on myself a little so I'm brighter for going away
Study
Pop to the library
Meet friends for coffee
Yoga
Azure ray on Friday

Blender fun

Yesterday I got a new toy for the kitchen! I have traded my old hand blender for a proper real type blender which cost less than £10 ;) I love a bargain I do! I am very much looking forward to making strawberry and nana smoothies this weekend.  Mmm!

Oh yeah early happy valentines! clinton card cash in

Neigh! I don't have a secret lover... the card is from my little sister :)

Forget Valentines I have a whole host of other things to keep me occupied! Namely the swimming pool followed closely by the stationary bike which has had to replace the number one in my life... the treadmill. Sad times! I have messed up my ankle from over training and using that damned machine. I am looking to get back outside running next week and will stick to softer grounds so I do not aggravate the injury that has thankfully almost fully recovered. Its been a tough time sticking to low impact exercise and I have complete runners envy. Any runner I see while out & about I feel so annoyed and disheartened that I am not able. Running really helps clear my head and make me feel like I've had a proper workout. Such is life as they say!

Exercise aside I am also set to see my little sister Chloe for cinema times and a night out of dancing which I am thoroughly looking forward to. I hope you all have a lovely weekend and have some Valentines love from me ♥

B

Busy Bumble Bee

I have been on the go constantly and I am actually pretty tired however I can't seem to sit still and my mind never seems to rest.

Exercise is meant to be a good thing right? It can improve your health, fitness and make you feel really good. However exercising too much?! What? There is no such thing!  Some would have you believe this but the fact is some people (myself included) suffer from over exercising.  A lot of people I've encountered seem to have a hard time forcing themself to go to the gym but for me I am the polar opposite. I struggle to leave the place and as daft as it sounds I feel exceptionally guilty and upset if I don't finish what I set out to do.

I have tried to distract myself and make other plans but I end up ditching them in favour or the gym/ classes or swimming. Its pretty ridiculous really but nothing seems to pick me up as much as exercise and the thought of sitting down for a long period of time equals low mood and feeling like a complete failure.

The good news is I am trying to get help but right now I am finding cutting back on exercise to be a huge struggle. So I am trying to make sure I fuel myself as I am doing more than ever and it would be a school girl error to not keep the engine running in order to sustain! I do enjoy cooking but my recipe head seems to lack a great deal so if anyone has any good suggestions especially in the shape of smooth nutritious soups and tasty sauces that go well with veggies and chicken?!  I would really appreciate your input!

I tried the above snack this week! Marks & Spencer Giant Couscous & Wheatberries With Roasted Butternut Squash Salad...yum right? Afraid not people!! It sounds delish but it was actually pretty poor so yeah its not just M&S food it's total misleading sad let down food.

I have opted to have a lazy Sunday (for me anyway) and slept in until half 9 so I feel more rested and ready for a new week!

Love

B