Well Being.......by Heather

Last week I listened to Liz Gilbert's 'Eat Pray Love' on my iphone. This would be the second time I've 'read' the book. I like it. Much better than the film, which I didn't much care for.

Liz Gilbert is either just incredibly lucky in life or you really should take 'Eat Pray Love' with an enormous pinch of salt!

However, if you take the vox pop spiritualism out of it and just enjoy the escapism - its a lovely book. It also has moments and homilies that are worth listening to or just taking a little time to think over.

I am always awed by the bit early in the book, when snivelling and moany - she talks to God as she is slumped on the bathroom floor; and asks for help. And from somewhere - she is told to go back to bed. Which she promptly does and her world unfurls for her in perfect synchronicity there after. Nice.

One of the things I have had difficulty with of late has been my personal relationship with 'God'. With my spiritual sensibility. It doesn't matter what my particular religious persuasion is - I won't fetter you, the reader with what I believe - suffice to say I just feel disconnected and bereft. God isn't with me.

Yesterday evening, I took myself off to my local church. It is a beautiful old Victorian type Anglican church tucked away in a hidden corner of the village - the gravestones sit moss covered and scattered around the church yard amongst trees and tussocks of grass. In the western side of the church yard is the ubiquitous church yard Yew tree - twisted and gnarled - whose bough's splay helpfully into a low lying 'seat'
 I sat down, cradled in the tree's bough - and listened to the silence. Not quite perfect silence, wood pigeons cooed deeply and a warm and gentle wind whistled through the leaves of neighbouring trees, but it was silent enough  - and as I sat there, out loud I asked God to find me.

In a moment sublime - worthy of anything written by Liz Gilbert - the sun suddenly burst through the gathering clouds across the Yew tree and straight over where I sat - and I was at once bathed in a marvellous warm glow and I felt suddenly and completely at peace - there was absolutely no doubting, at that very moment God surely found me - and I happily accept the grace.

Exercise regime ..........by Heather

You could be forgiven for thinking that I am all about diet and weight loss - certainly since Christmas that has been my sincerest wish - lose some weight, it's now almost a mantra with me. And in honesty I have had sporadic successes.

I recently went for a hospital medical check up - I have to have them at least quarterly to monitor my dodgy thyroid - and they weigh me every time. The nurse this time commented that I had lost weight - yes I agreed but secretly I was still unsatisfied - I wanted more.

However it has occurred to me of late, that I have been too focused on the weight loss - some of it has been deliberate. I haven't really felt very ready for exercise. But as of now, this feels somewhat changed.

Katy and I have long been keen to address the other issues - exercise being one keystone and overall mental well being a very close second.

I know that I have neglected both of these facets and the change in thinking is way overdue.

I mentioned my thyroid - and the effect of having a massive problem with hyperthyroidism has been the complete loss of muscle strength the disease wreaks on a body; especially eroding the thigh and upper arm muscles. The road to recovery has taken a long 18months of medication - and only now am I feeling ready to start exercising again. I tinkered with it more than 10 months ago - but it was too soon I realised. But I genuinely feel much stronger now - and ready to move the booty.

But what to do? It's not like I can just take up from where I left off 2 years ago - I have been severely punished by this disease and it isn't a simple case of strapping on the trainers and off I go!

So I have spent some time thinking about what I could do.

It's so easy to be carried away by the summer weather and light nights - something that won't last here in the UK for very much longer.

I decided not to worry too much about the weather or the light. Just enjoy the fact we have both right now - and try my hand at something, anything. But......

I don't like going to a gym

I'm not keen on swimming

I can't run.
I don't fancy any team sports
and nor do I want to join in a group of any sort - I meet enough people at work - I want my own space

I decided I wanted to do something I liked, enjoyed - rather than choosing an activity because that is what I'm supposed to do.

So I have chosen to a) cycle. I have a bicycle and I like gentle cycling - and I live in rural Leicestershire - its almost a crime not to be out and about to be honest!

b) Walking. That's gentle rambles rather than hiking or hill walking at this stage.

c) My old fave - Yoga. I bought in to the online course Yogaglo not so long ago. I have been very hit and miss with it- but this week, that is to be remedied.

This weekend I accomplished an 8mile cycle and a 3 mile ramble. I realise that's not breaking any records, but as starts go - its been lovely.