Niegs wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 12:41 amYeah, you're right! Scratch that.
... I've actually given myself one more month. Applied for about 8 local jobs, another 12 elsewhere. If I get none, I'm going walkabout Europe (I think).
Careful, I'd take you up on that ... but I fear being arrested as I owe the gov't a couple hundred in unpaid tax!mat the expat wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 5:40 amNiegs wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 12:41 amYeah, you're right! Scratch that.
... I've actually given myself one more month. Applied for about 8 local jobs, another 12 elsewhere. If I get none, I'm going walkabout Europe (I think).
When I move to Newy, we'll have spare rooms aplenty - get a job at the Uni there!
mat the expat wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 9:02 am Lol, they won't chase you for that amount.
Anyhoo - always welcome
Good luck matedpedin wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 5:23 pm Day 4 of Dry January and doing ok. Actually glad to have stopped what was becoming a dangerous drinking habit with 9pm becoming 'Gin time' every night! Aim is to either play golf or go to gym for 6 days per week and stop eating bread, rice, pasta and potatoes. Luckily I love vegetables and can happily stuff my face with brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, broccoli, kale, sweet potato, sweetcorn or peas alongside some lean protein like chicken or steak. Also instead of having toast with butter etc for breakfast I am having porridge every day made with water and salt with a small dod of jam or some sultanas mixed in. Would hope to lose about a stone over course of January? So far so good .... ask me again in 27 days time!
Niegs wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 3:06 pmmat the expat wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 9:02 am Lol, they won't chase you for that amount.
Anyhoo - always welcome
Best of luckdpedin wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 5:23 pm Day 4 of Dry January and doing ok. Actually glad to have stopped what was becoming a dangerous drinking habit with 9pm becoming 'Gin time' every night! Aim is to either play golf or go to gym for 6 days per week and stop eating bread, rice, pasta and potatoes. Luckily I love vegetables and can happily stuff my face with brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, broccoli, kale, sweet potato, sweetcorn or peas alongside some lean protein like chicken or steak. Also instead of having toast with butter etc for breakfast I am having porridge every day made with water and salt with a small dod of jam or some sultanas mixed in. Would hope to lose about a stone over course of January? So far so good .... ask me again in 27 days time!
Do it. I have surgery on mine 5 years ago and it’s changed my life. I can pour a glass of wine without pain.
Damn, best of luck to you sir. I became a father a week ago to a little baby girl (my first child), so this really fuckin gets me now. I’ve actually been frantically trying to plot out how I’m gonna bond with her as it occurred to me when I got the news a little lady was coming that I, as someone who only ever had a brother and male friends in childhood, know square root of fuck all about girls from birth up until about the age of 14.Hugo wrote: Sat Dec 31, 2022 4:21 pmYeah, treasure those years. My daughter & I were very, very close when she was younger (Daddy's girl) but now shes2a teen and the relationship is just not the same. It's heartbreaking tbh.Ymx wrote: Sat Dec 31, 2022 11:30 am What are your personal goals?
Mine are
- make the most of the time with my daughter while she still likes me. She’s 9, and still likes a cuddle with her Daddy.
For my personal goals, one thing I am in the process of doing is getting into counselling to deal with some of the issues that I have that have been plaguing me for some time. I really want to get on top of my mental health once & for all and be truly happy.
Congrats!Fonz wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 1:34 am I became a father a week ago to a little baby girl (my first child), so this really fuckin gets me now. I’ve actually been frantically trying to plot out how I’m gonna bond with her as it occurred to me when I got the news a little lady was coming that I, as someone who only ever had a brother and male friends in childhood, know square root of fuck all about girls from birth up until about the age of 14.
Congratulations, Fonz!mat the expat wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 5:42 amCongrats!Fonz wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 1:34 am I became a father a week ago to a little baby girl (my first child), so this really fuckin gets me now. I’ve actually been frantically trying to plot out how I’m gonna bond with her as it occurred to me when I got the news a little lady was coming that I, as someone who only ever had a brother and male friends in childhood, know square root of fuck all about girls from birth up until about the age of 14.
You'll ace it I'm sure
Congratulations mate, great news! And don't worry, girls rock and I find my young one much easier than her brother, you will be fine.Fonz wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 1:34 amDamn, best of luck to you sir. I became a father a week ago to a little baby girl (my first child), so this really fuckin gets me now. I’ve actually been frantically trying to plot out how I’m gonna bond with her as it occurred to me when I got the news a little lady was coming that I, as someone who only ever had a brother and male friends in childhood, know square root of fuck all about girls from birth up until about the age of 14.Hugo wrote: Sat Dec 31, 2022 4:21 pmYeah, treasure those years. My daughter & I were very, very close when she was younger (Daddy's girl) but now shes2a teen and the relationship is just not the same. It's heartbreaking tbh.Ymx wrote: Sat Dec 31, 2022 11:30 am What are your personal goals?
Mine are
- make the most of the time with my daughter while she still likes me. She’s 9, and still likes a cuddle with her Daddy.
For my personal goals, one thing I am in the process of doing is getting into counselling to deal with some of the issues that I have that have been plaguing me for some time. I really want to get on top of my mental health once & for all and be truly happy.
I will say — despite, spoiler alert, being a guy — I was an utter, utter cunt to my father as a teenager, and we’re just fine now, better than ever really. Just gotta weather the storm man. Easier said than done, I know, but still.
Congratulations Fonz. You will have immediately fallen in love with your daughter and everything you do will in her eyes be just perfect. She will love you unconditionally and you will have a bond with her that you would never have thought possible. She will have you under her thumb almost immediately. All this will last until her teenage years during which time she will treat you as uncool, a pain and an embarrassment in front of her friends ... but away from them you will be the first she will look to for help when she has a problem. By her late teens onwards things will improve and you will both laugh about the 'difficult years'. You will love, and worry about her, every minute of the journey. Enjoy!Gumboot wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 6:01 amCongratulations, Fonz!mat the expat wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 5:42 amCongrats!Fonz wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 1:34 am I became a father a week ago to a little baby girl (my first child), so this really fuckin gets me now. I’ve actually been frantically trying to plot out how I’m gonna bond with her as it occurred to me when I got the news a little lady was coming that I, as someone who only ever had a brother and male friends in childhood, know square root of fuck all about girls from birth up until about the age of 14.
You'll ace it I'm sure
That's the thing about babies - they don't come with instruction manuals. You'll be fine.
Absolutely wonderful dpedin, thank you so much for thisdpedin wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 5:30 pmCongratulations Fonz. You will have immediately fallen in love with your daughter and everything you do will in her eyes be just perfect. She will love you unconditionally and you will have a bond with her that you would never have thought possible. She will have you under her thumb almost immediately. All this will last until her teenage years during which time she will treat you as uncool, a pain and an embarrassment in front of her friends ... but away from them you will be the first she will look to for help when she has a problem. By her late teens onwards things will improve and you will both laugh about the 'difficult years'. You will love, and worry about her, every minute of the journey. Enjoy!
Cheers buddy, much appreciated! I actually always did want both boys and girls, but I guess things going from the theoretical to the actual puts things in a much different light! Unlike most things in life, I don't feel bad being a bit anxious about thisSlick wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 10:25 amCongratulations mate, great news! And don't worry, girls rock and I find my young one much easier than her brother, you will be fine.
Thanks my friend, I appreciate it
Cheers Gumboot!Gumboot wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 6:01 am
Congratulations, Fonz!
That's the thing about babies - they don't come with instruction manuals. You'll be fine.
My first beer was at a mate's house - she was one of 4 sisters and their mum.Jim Lahey wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 10:17 am
The whole world tells me that I'm in the shit in 10 years time with 3x moody teenage girls in the house. I welcome the challenge with open arms
Are your boys as keen on the blades and triggers as you, Sards?Sards wrote: Fri Jan 13, 2023 6:02 am Congrats boet...
2 boys , 14 and 9
9 year old is feisty and likes to prod the bear, so it always gets to the point in the evening where I have to say...." give me a f@#$#n break"
They have a collection of their own. I keep it locked in the safe. Also love airsoft. Have a few guns and a submachine gunGumboot wrote: Fri Jan 13, 2023 11:20 amAre your boys as keen on the blades and triggers as you, Sards?Sards wrote: Fri Jan 13, 2023 6:02 am Congrats boet...
2 boys , 14 and 9
9 year old is feisty and likes to prod the bear, so it always gets to the point in the evening where I have to say...." give me a f@#$#n break"
So far nicu team doing most of the heavy lifting on goal 1Monkey Magic wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 6:49 am Keep soon to be new born alive
Keep current kid alive
Keep wife from killing me
Keep sane dealing with the above
Get to at least one live pro game of rugby at Eden Park
Get myself into an exercise schedule by March once we adjust a little to the newborn
You don't trust them with deadly weapons?Sards wrote: Sat Jan 14, 2023 3:13 pmThey have a collection of their own. I keep it locked in the safe.Gumboot wrote: Fri Jan 13, 2023 11:20 amAre your boys as keen on the blades and triggers as you, Sards?Sards wrote: Fri Jan 13, 2023 6:02 am Congrats boet...
2 boys , 14 and 9
9 year old is feisty and likes to prod the bear, so it always gets to the point in the evening where I have to say...." give me a f@#$#n break"
Day 26 and still going strong! However my plan for Dry January have been ruined by an invite to celebrate my mates retiral on 28th preceded by free tickets for the Man City v Arsenal Cup game at the Etihad the night before! Having not had a drop I will fall over after 2 drinks.Guy Smiley wrote: Thu Jan 05, 2023 6:37 amBest of luckdpedin wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 5:23 pm Day 4 of Dry January and doing ok. Actually glad to have stopped what was becoming a dangerous drinking habit with 9pm becoming 'Gin time' every night! Aim is to either play golf or go to gym for 6 days per week and stop eating bread, rice, pasta and potatoes. Luckily I love vegetables and can happily stuff my face with brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, broccoli, kale, sweet potato, sweetcorn or peas alongside some lean protein like chicken or steak. Also instead of having toast with butter etc for breakfast I am having porridge every day made with water and salt with a small dod of jam or some sultanas mixed in. Would hope to lose about a stone over course of January? So far so good .... ask me again in 27 days time!
I throw some sultanas and cinnamon into my porridge mix, adds a bit of decent flavour.
dpedin wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 2:21 pmDay 26 and still going strong! However my plan for Dry January have been ruined by an invite to celebrate my mates retiral on 28th preceded by free tickets for the Man City v Arsenal Cup game at the Etihad the night before! Having not had a drop I will fall over after 2 drinks.Guy Smiley wrote: Thu Jan 05, 2023 6:37 amBest of luckdpedin wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 5:23 pm Day 4 of Dry January and doing ok. Actually glad to have stopped what was becoming a dangerous drinking habit with 9pm becoming 'Gin time' every night! Aim is to either play golf or go to gym for 6 days per week and stop eating bread, rice, pasta and potatoes. Luckily I love vegetables and can happily stuff my face with brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, broccoli, kale, sweet potato, sweetcorn or peas alongside some lean protein like chicken or steak. Also instead of having toast with butter etc for breakfast I am having porridge every day made with water and salt with a small dod of jam or some sultanas mixed in. Would hope to lose about a stone over course of January? So far so good .... ask me again in 27 days time!
I throw some sultanas and cinnamon into my porridge mix, adds a bit of decent flavour.
Actually enjoying the no alcohol, diet and exercise plan. Diet is pretty simple - porridge with raisins/jam for breakfast, home made vegetable soup for lunch and loads of chicken/steak for tea with as much veg as I can eat. I occasionally stick in a chick pea and spinach curry or spicy stir fry instead. No potatoes, bread, pasta or rice. As long as I have volume then I'm happy. Ticking along about 1500-1600 calories a day - I am using MyfitnessPal to keep track of consumption,
Been golfing (carrying a half set) or gym circuit 6 days out of 7, depending on the weather, and I am knackered by the time I get to rest day. However getting used to it.
I've not weighed myself but feel like I have lost a few lbs around the waist, couple of mates have asked if I have lost weight. More interestingly my resting heart rate, according to my Apple Watch, is now 10-15% lower than before and sitting around 50'ish. Gut health is much better too. Also been playing best golf of my life recently with scores below 80 every day. Weights are also easier in the gym. However one days golf I ran out of energy about 4 holes from home and now make sure I have enough calories before I play!
Apart from this Friday/Saturday I have decided to stick with the no alcohol, diet and exercise plan until the end of March and see where I get to.
Fonz wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 1:34 amDamn, best of luck to you sir. I became a father a week ago to a little baby girl (my first child), so this really fuckin gets me now. I’ve actually been frantically trying to plot out how I’m gonna bond with her as it occurred to me when I got the news a little lady was coming that I, as someone who only ever had a brother and male friends in childhood, know square root of fuck all about girls from birth up until about the age of 14.Hugo wrote: Sat Dec 31, 2022 4:21 pmYeah, treasure those years. My daughter & I were very, very close when she was younger (Daddy's girl) but now shes2a teen and the relationship is just not the same. It's heartbreaking tbh.Ymx wrote: Sat Dec 31, 2022 11:30 am What are your personal goals?
Mine are
- make the most of the time with my daughter while she still likes me. She’s 9, and still likes a cuddle with her Daddy.
For my personal goals, one thing I am in the process of doing is getting into counselling to deal with some of the issues that I have that have been plaguing me for some time. I really want to get on top of my mental health once & for all and be truly happy.
I will say — despite, spoiler alert, being a guy — I was an utter, utter cunt to my father as a teenager, and we’re just fine now, better than ever really. Just gotta weather the storm man. Easier said than done, I know, but still.
Still going strong with plan. Apart from my 24 hours pass for boozing and taking in the Man City v Arsenal FA cup game, I am still off the booze and not had a drop. Still playing golf/going to the gym 6 days out of 7 and dieting. Daily diet has settled down to what I described earlier - porridge with a few raisins/dollop of jam for breakfast, vegetable soup with extra veg for lunch and lots of protein and veg for tea. I have supply of rice cakes for odd nibble. I have one small treat a day ie biscuit, macaron, etc.inactionman wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 3:06 pmdpedin wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 2:21 pmDay 26 and still going strong! However my plan for Dry January have been ruined by an invite to celebrate my mates retiral on 28th preceded by free tickets for the Man City v Arsenal Cup game at the Etihad the night before! Having not had a drop I will fall over after 2 drinks.Guy Smiley wrote: Thu Jan 05, 2023 6:37 am
Best of luck
I throw some sultanas and cinnamon into my porridge mix, adds a bit of decent flavour.
Actually enjoying the no alcohol, diet and exercise plan. Diet is pretty simple - porridge with raisins/jam for breakfast, home made vegetable soup for lunch and loads of chicken/steak for tea with as much veg as I can eat. I occasionally stick in a chick pea and spinach curry or spicy stir fry instead. No potatoes, bread, pasta or rice. As long as I have volume then I'm happy. Ticking along about 1500-1600 calories a day - I am using MyfitnessPal to keep track of consumption,
Been golfing (carrying a half set) or gym circuit 6 days out of 7, depending on the weather, and I am knackered by the time I get to rest day. However getting used to it.
I've not weighed myself but feel like I have lost a few lbs around the waist, couple of mates have asked if I have lost weight. More interestingly my resting heart rate, according to my Apple Watch, is now 10-15% lower than before and sitting around 50'ish. Gut health is much better too. Also been playing best golf of my life recently with scores below 80 every day. Weights are also easier in the gym. However one days golf I ran out of energy about 4 holes from home and now make sure I have enough calories before I play!
Apart from this Friday/Saturday I have decided to stick with the no alcohol, diet and exercise plan until the end of March and see where I get to.
Great work mate - and fantastic you're really feeling the difference.
I've totally let myself go, far too many easy excuses with kiddie care, work stresses, beer tasting good - need to set targets and stick to them.
Almost got to the end of March as planned but had a bit of a blip when three mates stayed for a week to play golf etc - diet and no alcohol went south! However after the week of debauchery I'm back on the wagon and sticking to diet. So far Ive lost any weight gain and in total lost nearly 2st - about 12-13kgs - since 1st January and feeling so much better for it! Most weight loss is around my stomach and makes gym so much easier, also golf swing and rotation is so much better! I'm also feeling benefits of gym work more now and muscle definition without the thick layer of flab is much better. Any lingering pangs for sugar or alcohol went in the first few weeks of the diet and it is easier now to stick to the diet. I still need and want to lose the remaining 8kg of my original target.dpedin wrote: Fri Feb 17, 2023 10:06 amStill going strong with plan. Apart from my 24 hours pass for boozing and taking in the Man City v Arsenal FA cup game, I am still off the booze and not had a drop. Still playing golf/going to the gym 6 days out of 7 and dieting. Daily diet has settled down to what I described earlier - porridge with a few raisins/dollop of jam for breakfast, vegetable soup with extra veg for lunch and lots of protein and veg for tea. I have supply of rice cakes for odd nibble. I have one small treat a day ie biscuit, macaron, etc.inactionman wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 3:06 pmdpedin wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 2:21 pm
Day 26 and still going strong! However my plan for Dry January have been ruined by an invite to celebrate my mates retiral on 28th preceded by free tickets for the Man City v Arsenal Cup game at the Etihad the night before! Having not had a drop I will fall over after 2 drinks.
Actually enjoying the no alcohol, diet and exercise plan. Diet is pretty simple - porridge with raisins/jam for breakfast, home made vegetable soup for lunch and loads of chicken/steak for tea with as much veg as I can eat. I occasionally stick in a chick pea and spinach curry or spicy stir fry instead. No potatoes, bread, pasta or rice. As long as I have volume then I'm happy. Ticking along about 1500-1600 calories a day - I am using MyfitnessPal to keep track of consumption,
Been golfing (carrying a half set) or gym circuit 6 days out of 7, depending on the weather, and I am knackered by the time I get to rest day. However getting used to it.
I've not weighed myself but feel like I have lost a few lbs around the waist, couple of mates have asked if I have lost weight. More interestingly my resting heart rate, according to my Apple Watch, is now 10-15% lower than before and sitting around 50'ish. Gut health is much better too. Also been playing best golf of my life recently with scores below 80 every day. Weights are also easier in the gym. However one days golf I ran out of energy about 4 holes from home and now make sure I have enough calories before I play!
Apart from this Friday/Saturday I have decided to stick with the no alcohol, diet and exercise plan until the end of March and see where I get to.
Great work mate - and fantastic you're really feeling the difference.
I've totally let myself go, far too many easy excuses with kiddie care, work stresses, beer tasting good - need to set targets and stick to them.
I have lost 9kg since 1st Jan. More importantly resting heart rate has dropped by 10-15%, it is now low at just below 50, and my blood pressure is now normal at 120/80 or slightly just below that. Circuit at the gym - especially my core exercises ie crunches, planks etc - is so much easier. Delighted with weight loss, health and exercise improvements. I also notice that my golf is improving and my dodgy knees are giving me less pain as I exercise more and lose weight.
Plan is to continue to end of March and see where I have got to. I've told everyone I know that I am following the plan so the embarrassment of stopping it now is greater than the effort of sticking to the plan! I started at 106kg and am a 63 old 5'10" geezer so well over weight to begin with. If I continue as I am then I reckon, with a big push, I can get to 85kg. I am pretty muscular build given the weights I lift so I would be delighted with getting to 85Kg. Maybe I should go for 80kg .....
Well done.dpedin wrote: Fri Apr 07, 2023 9:27 amAlmost got to the end of March as planned but had a bit of a blip when three mates stayed for a week to play golf etc - diet and no alcohol went south! However after the week of debauchery I'm back on the wagon and sticking to diet. So far Ive lost any weight gain and in total lost nearly 2st - about 12-13kgs - since 1st January and feeling so much better for it! Most weight loss is around my stomach and makes gym so much easier, also golf swing and rotation is so much better! I'm also feeling benefits of gym work more now and muscle definition without the thick layer of flab is much better. Any lingering pangs for sugar or alcohol went in the first few weeks of the diet and it is easier now to stick to the diet. I still need and want to lose the remaining 8kg of my original target.dpedin wrote: Fri Feb 17, 2023 10:06 amStill going strong with plan. Apart from my 24 hours pass for boozing and taking in the Man City v Arsenal FA cup game, I am still off the booze and not had a drop. Still playing golf/going to the gym 6 days out of 7 and dieting. Daily diet has settled down to what I described earlier - porridge with a few raisins/dollop of jam for breakfast, vegetable soup with extra veg for lunch and lots of protein and veg for tea. I have supply of rice cakes for odd nibble. I have one small treat a day ie biscuit, macaron, etc.inactionman wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 3:06 pm
Great work mate - and fantastic you're really feeling the difference.
I've totally let myself go, far too many easy excuses with kiddie care, work stresses, beer tasting good - need to set targets and stick to them.
I have lost 9kg since 1st Jan. More importantly resting heart rate has dropped by 10-15%, it is now low at just below 50, and my blood pressure is now normal at 120/80 or slightly just below that. Circuit at the gym - especially my core exercises ie crunches, planks etc - is so much easier. Delighted with weight loss, health and exercise improvements. I also notice that my golf is improving and my dodgy knees are giving me less pain as I exercise more and lose weight.
Plan is to continue to end of March and see where I have got to. I've told everyone I know that I am following the plan so the embarrassment of stopping it now is greater than the effort of sticking to the plan! I started at 106kg and am a 63 old 5'10" geezer so well over weight to begin with. If I continue as I am then I reckon, with a big push, I can get to 85kg. I am pretty muscular build given the weights I lift so I would be delighted with getting to 85Kg. Maybe I should go for 80kg .....
Plan is now to continue to end of April now using same plan. Diet - porridge + jam/raisins for breakfast, veg soup or chicken for lunch, veg and protein, usually chicken/steak for tea. No alcohol. Golf or gym 6 days out of 7 each week. With spring here now I am also thinking of getting the bike out for some short daily morning runs just to get the metabolism up and running before golf or gym sessions later.
