January's Changes

Work Changes

I am fully aware that this is a long overdue post. So much has happened in the two months since I last posted anything on here. Its been a hectic few months, if I'm fair, with a lot of big changes. So the reason behind the long wait has been my desire to write a post about all the changes that have happened. At the beginning of December, I was still working at MacDonald's in Crawley town centre and had no plans to change jobs or even transfer to another branch (which I could have done if I'd wanted to). Then, I was thrown a curve-ball and had my hours cut, which was weird for December, as December is often a very busy month. Andy and I couldn't afford this and from what I had heard from my colleagues, it was normal and would continue for the rest of January, at least. After much prayer, Andy talked to one of the management team at Travelodge, Gatwick Central, where he works, and managed to arrange an interview for me with the manager who runs the bar and cafe. This, in turn, led to me being offered the job there, which I accepted. So I handed in my letter of resignation at MacDonald's, and finished my last shift there at the beginning of January. It was difficult because I hadn't planned on changing jobs so soon after finding my job at MacDonald's but for various reasons I'm glad I left. I discovered today that there have been at least six other members of the MacDonald's team who have also left this month alone.

So now, I'm working in the bar and cafe at Travelodge Gatwick Central. I've had the experience of working in a bar setting before (when I worked at The Coaching Halt Pub in Maidenbbower). I didn't realize how much I missed working in a bar setting until I started working at Travelodge. There are challenges, which come with any job, but I'm very happy with where I am at the moment and I'm planning to stay at Travelodge for a while; to get the experience up and wait until I've been in the UK for three years before making a decision in regards to work. I do really enjoy what I'm doing, even though the hours are late. I'm often working 3 pm until 11 pm and aren't home until after midnight because I travel by public transport (the photo on the left is of my travel pass). A highlight for me is the conversations I can have with the hotel guests who come into the cafe and bar for a drink or a meal. Many of whom are staying at the hotel before traveling off on holiday to some hot country so I'll chat with them about where they're going. We also have bus drivers, airport constructors and cabin crew staying and I enjoy chatting with them about their work. Its interesting to meet people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

Weight Changes (Or The Lack There Of)

So, Slimming World. I'm still going every Saturday morning to group, even though I've changed from the one I was going to in Maidenbower, to one in Horley. This is partly because I needed the change and because I've been paying for transport anyway. It also makes it a lot easier getting to work, from group, on the Saturdays I'm working. There's have been some big changes to how the eating plan works. Most of the free and speed foods are still the same, but we can have an extra Healthy Extra A choice (that's the milk). The Healthy Extra B choice has stayed the same. One of my favorites is 40g of the Alpen Muesli, with No Added Sugar (pictured here). I'm not going to bore you with endless lists of what I can and can't eat, but I've still been struggling with my weight. I'm still quite a way off target and have decided to see if I can get down to the lightest I've been since I joined Slimming World before deciding if I should call target when I get there. I've maintained the same weight, roughly, for the last few months and am really wanting to actually get off this plateau that I'm on.

In the year since I joined Slimming World I've realized that my body doesn't do gluten or lactose very well. In the months before I joined, I used to bloat so badly and I didn't know why. I also didn't really care, because I could eat whatever I wanted. Over the months that followed my starting Slimming Wold I began to realize that my body was feeling a million times better. I no longer ate large quantities of high lactose and high gluten based foods (like bread and cheese). The times I have ended up eating these foods, there would be a lot of pain and a lot of bloating (to the point when I'd look pregnant, which I'm not). So I know what to stay clear of now and am more comfortable with asking for the gluten free menu when eating out.

I've been attempting to write down what I'm eating in order to help me stay aware of what works for me and what doesn't. Its hard sometimes because it appears that a lot of my colleagues can eat whatever they want and not have it effect them. Food is a great love of mine and its a great love of my family (my beautiful sister even made it her profession).

Keep an eye out for more posts as I want to keep you posted with my journey, both with my work and my weight loss. I do want to ask if you'll find me on Instagram and Twitter, as I'm more likely to post regularly on there. My Instagram handle is @ink_stained_thumb and my Twitter handle is very similar to that, its @inkstainedthumb.

Until next time, stay safe!