New semester angst and Lifesprints

Sky over Goodwill Bridge

Time is slipping through my fingers...actually I am noticing that the beginning of each semester is a very anxiety-provoking and stressful time for me, which is sort of the reason (or excuse) for not posting anything here for two weeks. I have now officially started my social work placement, and also had all last week in social work lectures and workshops, so I'm relieved that some of that is now out of the way, although the sw assignments for this semester look fairly demanding. This week is the return week with my research project students, so its yet another new beginning (although not so new as last time). Not sure if that makes much sense at all to anyone, but anyway... And I have an art therapy workshop all day Thursday to facilitate, for 35 students... 

Mermaid in the Giant's House, Akaroa.

One other new thing I have been trying, is Lifesprints, which I heard about on Radio National's Health Report. This involves interval cycling on a fixed wheel bike, really fast and then slow, for 8 and 12 second intervals, for 20 minutes, three times a week. This has been demonstrated in a university study to be the most efficient way to lose weight in the shortest amount of exercise time. Anyway I'm giving it a try, and its been fine so far, but I will have to give it some time to see how well it works.  I have the CD on my I-pod, which tells me when to speed up and slow down, but you could figure this out for yourself too. 

Still doing combat and some yoga and pump, and PT (session with personal trainer), but this is an addition. Trying really hard to re-establish some good routines, to keep me on track. I realised I would need about 2-3 hours each morning to do everything that helps my day go well, which is basically as follows:

• meditation
• gym
• shower
• get dressed
• walk the dog 
• breakfast (must include either muesli or porridge, soy milk, fruit and/or yoghurt, coffee)
• pack lunch

Now J is cycling to the station, which helps a bit, as I was sometimes rushing back from the gym to give him a lift. Now if only the gym was nearer the house...obviously, some compromise is required here. I have to also be realistic.

I also experimented with listening to Jon Kabat Zinn's meditation track on the train, which worked.  I can zone out of the constant announcements quite well...

I am missing creative work at the moment, as its just been to busy. So the photos are recycled from previous blogs. Two of my favourites. 

The next few months are likely to be similar. 

more later.