How's Life?

[Disturbedguy]

7 stone! Matey, well done. Even if you stop there, you're doing pretty damn well. Current weight & height? What changes have you made to your diet and routine?

Thanks

13stone, 5lbs as of this morning. Height, around 6ft (I'm not 100% sure)

As for changes, I completely changed my diet -

Cut out pretty much all processed sugars. Sounds boring but pretty much all my meals consist of chicken / rice / whole grain pasta / mince with some veggies.
Stopped drinking fizzy drinks / drinks full of sugar
Stopped eating chocolate / crisps
No longer eat bread (used to eat loads every day)
Everything is macro'd too which is a bit of pain, but you get used to it.

When it comes to actually eating, I eat almost like clockwork, get up, eat, shower, 2.5 hours later, eat again. Small meals but regular.

However I do allow myself a cheat meal once a month, but even then I'm conscious not to go over the top. Over the last year I've gotten a pretty good handle on what I can eat and what effect it will have on my weight.

I gym twice a week with a PT and then twice on my own. Gym sessions with PT are split between lower body and upper body.
I'm lifting a little less then my max, but all exercises are 3 sets of 15 reps, super sets, then some Thai boxing at the end for cardio.

When in on my own, it's a bit more relaxed as I don't superset and do more cardio.

When I'm down to what I feel is right, I'll start the process of toning and building a little bit of muscle.

So, essentially, changed everything

[Disturbedguy]

So, recently had an update from work. They will be paying for any training courses I want to do MCSA / MCSE / CCNA / CCNP... the lot...I guess I need to get back to my studying ways...help!

[TeePee]

So, recently had an update from work. They will be paying for any training courses I want to do MCSA / MCSE / CCNA / CCNP... the lot...I guess I need to get back to my studying ways...help!

Nicely done! The studying thing can be rough. I'm just finishing the fourth of six weeks of training myself, and passed the knowledge test today. Now I have two weeks of computer games, and I'll be certified to go fly the real thing.

There's no excuse for procrastination. Hit the books, put the effort in to learn, but also to understand the material, and you'll sail through! It seems like there are a lot of opportunities for people with a few good qualifications these days.

[Disturbedguy]

Nicely done! The studying thing can be rough. I'm just finishing the fourth of six weeks of training myself, and passed the knowledge test today. Now I have two weeks of computer games, and I'll be certified to go fly the real thing.

There's no excuse for procrastination. Hit the books, put the effort in to learn, but also to understand the material, and you'll sail through! It seems like there are a lot of opportunities for people with a few good qualifications these days.

Yup, they will be sending me on the intense week long courses so I plan to do some reading before the courses.

First up is MCSA Windows Server 2016 (3 modules / exams)
Then I need to pass one elective exam (Not sure what yet- Possibly, "Securing Windows Server 2016") which will get me my MCSE

There's lot of choice out there

Edit - So I've been doing some further reading and I think I've decided on what I'm going to do.

First step is get my MCSA in Server 2016, then pass one of the Azure exams to get me an MCSE, then, if I'm understanding the Microsoft Cert stuff correctly, I could do a second Azure exam and have an MCSA for Cloud, therefore giving me - MCSA for Cloud and Server 2016 then whichever MCSE I go for.... 5 exams, 3 qualifications...

[g8ina]

It's a tad complicated here right now. Sally's (my wife) daughter Isobel died last October and we have only now got a date for the inquest, Mid September. SUD - sudden unexplained death while living in "supported accommodation.

Sally has been signed off work for 4 weeks as she is stressed to the hilt, and even I am suffering with no sleep and other medically related problems

But hey ho, other life arrives and flourishes We now have 15 grandkids between us

Update - inquest yesterday, asked more questions than answered :

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/n...ears-1-8634790

[peterb]

Update - inquest yesterday, asked more questions than answered :

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/n...ears-1-8634790

Is it ongoing or has a verdict been delivered?

[peterb]

To answer the original question - life is good. I had a great weekend (apart from the end) last weekend - Some camping down in Cornwall, some diving (scuba) few the drone and a bit of photography and caught up with some other friends.

Only downside was getting a puncture on the way back home - and while I was changing the wheel, the car partially slipped off the jack and trapped my hand and wrist between the wheel and the wheel arch. Fortunately a complete stranger had stopped to help (at 11:30 at night) and was able to lower the jack and reposition it, and get me free. No serious injury to me as my watch had slipped down and took the brunt of the force and spread the load across my wrist.

Smashed the glass, and stopped the watch, but it is covered bu my house contents insurance, so that went off yesterday for assessment and repair.

But apart from that - a great weekend!

[g8ina]

Is it ongoing or has a verdict been delivered?

" a narrative verdict" death caused by a cocktail of drugs and alcohol but not proven to be self inflicted, so, a bit like an open verdict.

She NEVER drank, so where did it come from ?

[ik9000]

Just reflecting a little on life, and wondering how my fellow Hexites are doing this fine evening?

I've been in training for a new job, reaping the benefits of being in an in-demand industry, combined with the lowest unemployment rates in almost two decades in the US. I'm looking forward to a better schedule, with a lot more time at home, and the relationship benefits that brings. The recent economic boom has been good to me, with a little money in the market showing some good returns. In all, feeling pretty optimistic for the future.

Obviously, a lot of people are upset or concerned about Brexit, and there's another good thread going to debate the pros and cons of that, but how are you all doing? I see the UK has the lowest unemployment since the early 1970's. How has it affected your industry? Has anyone noticed positive or negative effects? Anyone planning some major life decisions?

Well, pfffff, in some ways things are ok, and in other ways they aren't, and that's life. On the whole, I am fortunate, and as anyone living in the west more than I realise. However sucky some of things in life, it is nothing compared to what some other poor folk are going through, home or abroad.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-45522174

I post that not to mock or poke fun at the poor chap - but as a reminder that sometimes perspective is needed to remember that (quite often) it could be much much worse. Huge huge sympathy to that guy.

Then there's this https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45517260

And this https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-45412833

Suddenly my problems seem, well, lesser.

[TeePee]

Well I finished my training, and now on a layover for the company in Costa Rica. It's an adventure, thats for sure!