Nearly the Weekend

So far I've read chapters 6 & 7 for HR and have watched micro lecture 3. I'm also planning to read HR chapter 9 this evening. So psyched that I don't have to work this weekend! My man should be coming round as well so it's going to be great.

So Anyhow...

I've finished the first 5 topics of HR & topics 1 & 2 of micro so far (I read 2 chapters today & watched 1 lecture). This morning I went to the gym at 7.30am for my appraisal & completed my new workout for the first time. I felt great afterwards & I intend to complete the workout at least twice a week during exams & three times a week after. I'd like to be able to do the 3 minute running intervals by the end of the month.

What I've Done So Far

So anyway.... So far I have gone through all my finance & marketing topics. I have also gone through micro topic 1 & HR topics 1 & 2 so I'm over half way! Today I read 4 chapters & watched a two hour lecture.

Some Interesting Points

In the past week I've learnt some very interesting things through reading my textbooks. Today I came across a section in my finance textbook talking about Japanese companies; I was surprised to find that they don't operate in a market-based system as our companies do but rather a bank-based system. Companies tend to be  organised in 'keiretsu' networks around a bank & financial institutions. The companies collaborate & their CEOs meet regularly. They also have an internal funds market, own each others shares & work to bail each other out during crises. I actually didn't realise this was how some markets operated---- I think it's quite a good system to follow though it means that shareholders enjoy less rights & that companies may be propping up their insolvent business partners.

A couple of days ago I also found a personality model used by marketers called the VALS consumer segments model. This model is used to help marketers define market segments according to the psychological traits of certain groups. Naturally I was curious so I went online to complete a VALS test. I'm pleased to report that my primary VALS type is achiever & my secondary VALS type is innovator.

Weighing up

My work for today was reading chapters 9, 10, 11 & 12 for marketing & finishing off finance topic 10. Typing this now I've completed all the marketing reading & I have about 10 pages to go for finance chapter 32. In terms of my study plan I'm on-track & should have everything done by exam time. However I can see that my study at this point is quite superficial & might not be adequate for a high mark---- I need to review the main topics extensively before the exams.

I finally worked up the courage to weigh myself today & found that I'm 70.1kg--- a BMI of 22.6. I'm absolutely disgusted with myself as only a month ago I weighed less than 68kg & found myself at a BMI of 21.95. I haven't weighed in at over 70kg since the start of last year so I obviously have to make some serious changes. I think I've gotten slack because my weight didn't seem to be changing, despite doing less exercise during the semester. I also let my guard down while I was sick & ate an entire tub of ice cream. To get back on track I have to get my mind back on track---- start counting calories as I usually do & not let myself be tempted by other people eating the wrong things. I was making excuses for myself by thinking that it's a bad idea to diet during the exam period but it's clearly necessary if I'm putting on weight at this rate. I've also been using bad foods to try & cope with the stress of working during the university semester---- this is also the reason I haven't had much time to exercise. Truth be told though if given a choice between my job & my fitness I would choose my fitness; Perhaps I should be reconsidering my decision to try & maintain a job during the semester.

My main weakness is that I've been drinking sweet drinks in between meals such as mocha chill, ice coffees & frappes. My need for caffeine is at a point where I get withdrawal headaches if I don't have a coffee once or twice a day. However I have to cut down severely on these drinks as I believe they are responsible for my excess calorie intake. I'm going to try & replace them with water & diet coke/coke zero then eventually wean myself off the diet coke/coke zero. I've done this before so there's no reason why I can't do it again.

I'm still committed to toning my body & I intend to continue my gym work--- yesterday I did 35min of treadmill, 12min cross-training & 23min weights. Hopefully my instructor on Thursday will be able to give me a routine suited to my needs. I have a good idea of how to tone my thighs & butt, but I'm not entirely sure what to do for my abs/stomach other than sit-ups.

Daily Update

So I woke up at about 10am today & I just spent 3.5 hours reading through Marketing chapters 6, 7 & 8. I was hoping to finish 9 as well but I've given myself a migraine so I think I'll head to the gym now instead. When I get back I should get at least one more chapter done.

My Sunday

Today I finished reading marketing chapters 3, 4 & 5. I have time off work till after exams so I hope to get a lot of study done this week.