Ooh, this is what happens when all 3 things fall into place..

Wow, it’s amazing what a slight mindset shift can do to your day and ability to plan.  This last week I’ve completed all my bookkeeping work; found time to fit in 3 swims, a walk, and some resistance training.  How have I managed to do all that when in previous weeks I’ve barely been able to complete the work without doing long hours?  As I said it’s down to a slight mindset shift and some amazing organisational tools.  On Sunday, I planned out my week including all the work that needed to get done and fitting in time for exercising.  Then each night, I would plan out the next day by time-blocking each task I needed

to do.  I was realistic about my time and how long each task would take so I managed to complete each task in the designated time, so I had time to fit in a walk or swim.  As I mentioned in my last blog, I have a circular mindset, if one goes, they all go.  However, it also works in the other way.  I have had that small mindset shift, which has meant my exercise and food has improved.  I’ve managed to stick to an 80/20 diet for the last 3 days which in turn has made me feel slightly better (well if you take out the effects of sugar detox), which in turn has helped me get excited about exercising again.  I’ve loved swimming this week and have managed to increase my distance each time.  Sunday, I swam 1.25k and could have kept going.  I’ve learned to not worry about my swimming speed and others and just overtake in a non-hostile way if I was going slightly faster which has meant I’ve been less frustrated when I’ve finished (see my posts this last week to learn more about the pool etiquette).  If you are like me, you love a routine and know what you are

doing each day.  This is slightly difficult when you’ve got time off so I’m just going to have to have another slight mindset shift this week to feel in control of these next 2 weeks (not working).  I’ve pre-booked 2 swims and I know which days I want to walk and do resistance training, so then I can just enjoy spending time with the kids and not worry that I haven’t completed everything.  How do you handle the non-routine in the 6 weeks holiday?  Or are you one of those lucky people that can just go with the flow?

Now, although I’ve managed to get on top of the exercise and work routine, I have been suffering some symptoms this past week, mainly hot flushes, exhaustion, and brain fog.  I’ve been waking up between 3-4 each morning with consecutive horrendous hot flushes, which in turn has made me feel exhausted during the day.  And the brain fog, if I haven’t written it down then there is no chance, I would remember.  It is my brother’s birthday today and my sister-in-law's yesterday and I still managed to forget to post the

cards.  I had managed to buy the cards in time (a miracle, and only because I was out shopping with my mum a couple of weeks ago and she reminded me), I had got the kids to write their cards and had stamped and addressed them.  I even put them under my purse, keys, and sunglasses so I would see them when I went out.  Did I post them – no.  I picked up my purse, keys, and sunglasses and left the cards behind – I managed to do this 3 times 😊.  How I do not know.  I finally managed to post them yesterday when there is no post. 

I’ve been working on some new planners to help with my menopause symptoms and am hoping to show you examples this week.  I’ve been logging my food intake and exercise in relation to my symptoms for a few months now, but it has been all over the place and I’ve not really been able to see any correlation between the food I’ve eaten and the symptoms I’ve been suffering.  I’ve designed something that has been helping me so I’m hoping it will help you too.  It enables me to see when my symptoms are at their worse and what exercise I’ve done and what food I’ve eaten that day so I can work out what works for me best. I’m also using an ‘oops I’ve forgotten again list’ which has helped with that brain fog and day planning.  I’ve now added a birthday reminder on this after the birthday card debacle😊.  I’d love your honest opinion on both and would also love to know what you do to help with your symptoms.

Here's to a fantastic week with some structure but a lot of flexibility to play with the kids, get the remaining school uniform, and just have fun.