Friday 31 August 2012

Weigh in

Half a pound off.

Pretty happy with that. At first I was a bit miffed but then I soon realised I was seeing was a loss after six days, three of which were spent eating and drinking good style at a wedding. So just you catch yourself on, love.

I've decided to weigh in on Thursday of next week, giving me six days to crack on with losing the remainder of my target - 4.25lbs. Ha! Sure - that's gonna happen. Oh my, I do love a jape. I'm certainly gonna get the head down though and see what in-roads I can make.

A quick glance at the stats below reveals I have only lost 5.5lbs this year. Oops! Well, actually not oops. Not oops at all! I am still losing. I'm still in a good place. I've kept off almost everything I've ever lost. Bloody well done to me. And... and I'm planning on scooting into the 11s this year.

BOOOOOOM! Oh yeah - there it is... my plan. My Goal. 11's baby - here we come. I'm 12 pounds away from the 11's. Those 11lbs could make a HUGE difference to how I look and more importantly, how I feel.  I owe it to myself to get there. To be in the 11's.

At the moment I keep forgetting that I need to actually think about losing weight. It takes planning and it takes dedication. If I want to get into the 11's I need to start planning exercise and sticking to it. I need to say no thank you to the sneaky things such as the bacon roll I will be offered on Sunday morning at TB's house.  I need to remind myself that it doesn't just happen. To lose 12lbs takes dedication. You can't just muddle along.

Have a sparkling weekend my darlings.  x


Starting Weight: 185 pounds
Current Weight: 179.5 pounds
Weight Loss This Week: 0.5 pounds
Total 2012 Weight Loss: 5.5 pounds

Thursday 30 August 2012

What I ate

I often read other people’s What I Ate posts but it’s been a very looooong time since I busted one out myself.

Now that I’m back working in an office 5 days a week I find that what I eat day to day doesn’t really change that much. Now that might a horrendous thought for some but as a creature of habit, I love it. Not only do I know the amounts and volumes that will satisfy me but it’s also easy for my little brain to keep up. I can buy the same foods without really thinking about it and having to come up with other diet friendly options.

 
So…. Here we go.

8.30am. Breakfast I have breakfast just before leaving the flat and just about every morning I have porridge made with half semi skimmed milk and half skimmed milk. Today I added some honey and some desiccated coconut. Normally I prefer coconut oil instead. In fact, that reminds me I must try and buy some today on the way to the gym. Yeah, you read that right, the gym. I’m getting myself back down there tonight. I also have a small glass of water.

9.00am. Hydration Stations. I am a thirsty bunny and between 9 and 11 I’ll drink a litre of juice (Robinson’s peach and barley juice is a favourite) and a milky coffee too (followed up by some Extra chewing gum).

11.30am: Nectarine. I LOVE nectarines. I am already depressed about the fact they are going out of season soon.
1.00pm: Lunch. I try and split this into two parts… first up, it’s the meat course. Some cold meat with a few spoonfuls of low fat crème fraiche. Recently I’ve been having this whole packet but today I just had half. I then had another coffee and a butterscotch sweet.

1-3pm: More juice. Another 1 litre.



3.00pm: Lunch no 2. Fruit course. Lots of lovely fruit topped with a Muller Light Greek Style Morello Cherry Yogurt. This SHOULD have been a coconut one but the stupid shop didn’t have any! What the chuff is that all about? Coconut for the win. I had tucked in before I remembered to take a snap.

4.00pm: Half a litre of juice.

The rest of this is a prediction as it is in the future…

7.00pm: A late tea tonight as I went to the gym. Prawn stir fry with one of those stir in sachet sauces and a packet of stir fry pre prepped veg. Nothing very exciting but it’s quick and healthy. We threw in some extra veg and had it with some noodles.

8.00pm:  Cup of tea and an ice lolly. I do love a wee ice lolly of an evening. Sometimes it’s a choc ice, just one of the really cheap ones but I know an ice lolly really is a better dieting shout.

8.30pm: A couple of boiled sweets.

So there you have it. I’m weighing in the morning and I really need to see a dip from 12stone 12. Hopefully this lot will help me on my way.

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Reality bites

I’ve been having a wee think about yesterday’s bold statement. You know, the one where I claimed I was going to lose 4.75lbs in two weigh in’s time. Yeah, that one. Quite the claim.

I mean, IT IS possible. But so is walking on the moon. It doesn’t mean I’m going to make it a reality by a week today.

My hip is still being a total git and although I am seeing a physio running is off the cards for now. So I’m still quite restricted when it comes to exercise. I’m going to the gym (ugh) tomorrow or Friday after work to do hit up the cross trainer and so some balancing/strengthening exercises prescribed to me and hopefully I’ll get out on the bike before the weekend too.

The only other real hurdle is that TB and I are going out with his parents for dinner on Saturday night – queue lots of wine as his dad continually tops up my glass. I’ll just have to be strong and limit myself.

I’ll strive to hit my goal. I really am going to do my damndest to get there and if I get within a pound I’d be over the moon. First of all though, I need to get to Friday’s weigh. It’s been a boozy weekend with lots of food and I’ve given myself 3 clear days to try and see a loss. Oh my.

Yesterday was a very good day and today has been more of the same. Even better, in fact. Tea tonight is chorizo, chickpea and lentil soup which I cannot wait shovel down.

Tuesday 28 August 2012

Gauntlet - thrown down

I weighed in on Saturday morning at 6.15am. Yes, in the morning! We had to get up at the crack of dawn to catch a flight to take us to a weekend of wedding festivities and so bleary eyed I hopped on the scales. 12 stone 12lbs - dead on.

Oh my. Now normally I get on and off around 10 times as my scales can vary by quite a few pounds from reading to reading so I like to make sure I get the same reading time and time again. This didn't happen on Saturday. I didn't have time and so I've just had to go with that reading. And the reality is that its's probably quite accurate. I'm not going to stress about it though. So I'm 4.75lbs heavier than my lightest? I could lose that by a week on Wednesday (my next weigh in) if I got my finger out. In fact... that's exactly what I'm going to.

The weekend was incredible. So much fun. Filled with love and celebration - and not to mention a power of booze and food.  I didn't go completely nuts with the food but I definitely enjoyed myself.

So what's the plan? Well today is Tuesday - I'm right back on it today. And on it is where I shall stay until Friday morning when I weigh in again.  I had a [physio appointment today for my hip and she's given me some exercises to do at the gym and so I'm gonna a couple of times before my appointment next week. I'm also going to get out on the bike as well.

However, what I really want to do is gut the flat. The place is a mess. We have far far too much stuff and it is everywhere. Cupboards and groaning, the bed needs changed, clothes need washed and the place needs a really good clean. Tonight I'm going for a quick food shop and then it's home to make the place look less like a hovel and more like a home.




Thursday 23 August 2012

I get a good feeling

It's all been a bit text heavy of late and so I was planning to bombard you with a power of pics today. Blogger has decided that's not to be and so here are a just a few, mostly taken during a hen weekend in Glasgow. I love the picture peeking out a Glasgow Cab. Brings back a lot of memories. And all of the other pics - are food! Natch.


 

So - let me bring you up to speed with how life is going. And when I say life, I mean dieting - which kinda is my life.
 
After my post the other day I carried on with being really good during the day but by night... I was opening cupboards and looking for food like a woman possessed. You know that way where you keep going into the kitchen cupboards to see what you can eat. There is nothing and so you go away again - only to come back but 10 minutes later to do the same thing? Yeah - that. Except I did it enough times that eventually I did find something to eat.
 
On the plus side, I went out on Tuesday night and did 10 miles on the bike. Boom. Very pleased. I did eat too many boiled sweets afterwards and also half a slice of toasted cheese... but at least I got out there and moved my backside.
 
I didn't go to bootcamp last night. I ended up getting stuck into some more tidying in the flat, which actually has made me feel better mentally. As for what I ate, could have been worse. 2 bags of crisps, 5 boiled sweets and a handful of cheese should not have featured.
 
I woke up this morning and something has happened. I don't know what but I just feel like something has clicked. I'm having issues exercising at the moment but when I lost over 4lbs in 10 days recently, I had only been out for 3 runs in that time. It's what's going in my face that matters. I can do this. The only person stopping me is me. When I'm in control I feel SO much better. I might not look at all better but I FEEL it. Only I can bring that feeling back - and I could get it in a matter of days. I've eaten the same thing today as I have the past few days yet somehow... I dunno, I realise that I am eating the right things. I just need to aknowlege the positive choices and keep them going.
 
While writing this something else has dawned on me... I think my period is coming early. My boobs have been really sore for 2 days now and I just felt a twinge. That would explain a LOT.
 
I'm dashing about after work today (a few miles of power walking) to get fancy dress costumes organised but TB is going out at 9pm. What's to stop me cracking out a few lunges and squats. It's not exactly a full on sweat fest - but it's something. Right? Then I'm gonna have a bath. That's right. A mother fucking bath. Just some time to make myself feel good   - and away from any food.
 

Tuesday 21 August 2012

Get a grip, woman

Where was I… Oh yes, my hip was hurting and I was about to weigh in.

So weigh in was bit of a non starter as I had a small gain of ¼ of a pound. Determined to get it off I headed into the weekend – and didn’t really do so well. I was at a barbeque and ate much more than I should have. I weighed in the following week after a not so great week overall and there before my very eyes was the news that I had gained 3lbs.

Yes, THREE sodding pounds. Now, don’t get me wrong I had not had a good weekend but to gain three pounds? Well, I just don’t see how it was possible. Annoyed. Very annoyed. And since then, it’s just kinda gone downhill.

I’m fine during the day. Excellent, in fact and then it comes to the evening and I’ve been eating crisps, large portions, digestives and butter. Well, anything really that I can pick at. I’ve also done absolutely ZERO exercise. My hip is still hurting and in fact it’s worse as before it used to ease off after a few days. Now, there is a constant twinge when I walk or get up from sitting.

So my mental clarity has been lacking. That gain on the scale has knocked me - and I’m finding it very difficult to right myself. And on top of all that – life is very busy just now and I need more hours in the day! I’ve run out of healthy stock piled meals in the freezer and last week when TB suggested crepes for tea, instead of thinking of a healthier solution I was right there shouting “yes please!”. Of course – following up the savory ones I drowned the remainder in syrup and shoved them right down my face.

I was away at a hen weekend just there (which involved lots of boozing and eating out) and I’ve just not had a chance to plan meals and go to the shops.

The flat is so untidy, the washing is piling up and everything needs a good clean, the cat has been unwell and there is hair everywhere…. I just feel like I need a weekend of being at home to plan, organise and tidy. Ha! No chance. We’re away at a wedding this weekend (for which we need a fancy dress outfit – don’t ask) and so I need to sort that out, and then the next weekend we’re away sorting out my flat that I rent out. No time for anything!

So here is the plan. Yes, there is always a plan. TB is out till late tonight. I’m gonna go home from work and got out for a cycle for a good 40 mins. I’ll come home and eat the fish pie which I found a portion of in the freezer. I’m going to spend the rest of the night tidying and cleaning as much as I can. I will, of course be sitting on my backside to watch the Great British Bakeoff. During that time I will meal plan and get my shopping list together.

Wednesday I’m going to go to bootcamp (which was horrific last time - but needs must).

Thursday is late night shopping and Friday I might attempt a small run.

Saturday I shall weigh in before flying off to watch yet another friend tie the knot- and I'm hoping the damage isn't too bad.

Tuesday 7 August 2012

Hip Gyp

Yesterday I tweeted myself into a corner… I WILL go out for a run tonight, was the promise I made to myself and a whole loada spam bots. I knew if I didn’t keep my promise they’d be following me with their tiny bikinis and massive jugs.

I got home after work (I must update you an all things office related at some point soon) and the sun was shining. Perfect. I dug out my running kit and off I trotted. Straight away my feet were sore. You know, those we muscles on the soles of your feet that help you balance. My legs felt pretty wobbly and my head was all fuggy (yes, that’s a word!) from this arsing cold that is still lingering.

However, on I pushed and before long, I had some rhythm. My feet were somehow finding themselves and I was making great progress. I sped up a bit. I slowed down a bit. I did the fandango. Okay- maybe I didn’t do the fandango but I did feel like I was in control. My breathing felt okay and I was actually enjoying myself. Whoo hoo. I am a runner, I thought.

I began to visualise myself crossing the 10k line at my race in September. I am so gonna do this, I thought to myself. 3 weeks off, a stinking cold but I’m back! Boo YA. I looped back towards my starting point and just as I passed the 3km mark – my bloody hip started hurting again. And it was really sore. ARSE. Not what I wanted. I kept on going and vowed to run all the way home. I did it, I ran all the way home (4.88km in 32 mins ah thank you very much) but my hip was killing. I stretched it off last night and I’ve taken some ibuprofen but it’s still sore. I am raging.

I feel like I’ve just started to get good at running but I can’t risk long term problems for it. I really REALLY want to do the 10k though. I’m seriously watching the pennies right now and so I can’t afford a physio. And now that I’ve been solely exercising outside and I’m working full time – the gym is the last place I want to be.

I think I’m going to try and get out on my bike at least one night a week and intersperse that with running. I do need to get my hip looked at though because hurting after 3 weeks of rest after just 20 minutes of running is not a good thing.

And then of course, tomorrow is weigh in! I know it’s only been six days since the last one but it honestly feels like it was just yesterday. Because I’ve only had one 5k run and the 6 days I’m not confident for a loss. I’m currently 12stone 7.25lbs. If I could see 12stone 6.75lbs I would be over the flippin moon. Mon the sixes!

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Monday 6 August 2012

Weekend Chat

How was your weekend my lovelies? Mine was rather good.

I’ve been feeling pretty crappy for about a week now thanks to a horrible cold and so TB and I decided to stay in on Friday night. We started off with a barbecue in the front garden – which featured mostly very healthy food. Whenever he’s cooking I always mention that healthyness is the watchword (that boy bloody loves oil, butter and cheese)– and he delivered! Superbean salad, other big salads, turkey steak for me and lots of veggie kebabs. What a boy. Once the food was done we moved swiftly onto the gin and slim. And did not stop. We ended up getting totally shitfaced!

Somehow, the next thing I knew it was the wee hours of the morning and we were falling into bed – and didn’t get up until 3pm on Saturday! Oops! It’s been a long time since I’ve caned it that much but I have to admit it was really good fun. Saturday afternoon, not so much. We dragged our sorry selves to a food market for an hour and then it was time to go home and lie on the couch. I’m pleased to say that although some of my food choices were’re that healthy, I didn’t (couldn’t) eat that much. Win!

Sunday was a MUCH more productive day. Two loads of washing hung out on the line in the morning, out for lunch (tuna salad), picked strawberries (jam making this week), put away tents that were drying from our camp, visited a friend, supermarket shopped, dinner (chicken and chorizo jambalaya), washing put away, shirt ironed (a special treat for TB!), hen weekend organising for a friend. I may also have eaten a Solero, a tiny wee fun size crunchie and an ice cream wafer thing. On the whole, not too bad but I need to watch out that these wee treats don’t become regulars. Especially because I still have done EFF ALL exercise and I am beginning to get a bit antsy about it.

The 10k race I have signed up for is only FOUR weeks away. Three weeks ago the furthest I had run was around 8km. I’ll be lucky if I can crack out more than 5 now. I want to be out there running. I was getting good at it! I really want to enjoy the actual race. And of course, it will help me lose some more weight. I was determined to head out after work today but my head is banging. Not the plan I had in mind.

Okay – here’s the deal. I WILL go out for a run tonight. I’m not putting any times or distances on it. I just need to get out there and do something. Anything!

Thursday 2 August 2012

Weigh in

I have an announcement to make.

Whatever your expectation levels are, raise them. Get them right up there. If they are suitably sky high, then read on.

Here we go.... I AM IN FRESH FAT! BOOOOOOOM!

Finally! After MONTHS of up a pound, down a pound and whole lotta faffing around I have finally broken through! It's been 19 days since my last weigh in and when I got on those wonderful scales this morning a loss of 1.75 flashed up. Hello 12 stone 7.25!  HI!

Last year, the day before I went on holiday to Croatia I weighed myself on someone else's scales and based on my rough calculations and the different calibrations I worked out that I was 12stone 7.5lbs. Today I am a quarter of a pound less than that! GET IN!

A loss of 1.75 over 19 days is not a lot to shout about but the 14 days spent at camp were a real mixed bag. It's totally catered for and if you wanted you could have chips with just about every meal. There is plenty of fruit to eat but in general it's a total change of diet for me. A lotta carbs and not nearly enough veg. I've realised I eat a power of veg. I got through the mealtimes by setting myself a few guidelines. No cooked breakfasts - I had poached eggs (if I got up early enough for breakfast). The No Chip Challenge. Okay, one night I may have shared a portion of chips and cheese from the chippy when we had been at the pub but other than that I always declined. No pudding unless it was really worth it. I had pudding twice. One was rhubarb crumble and custard - the crumble was insane, the other was bread and butter pudding. Cannot say no to that.

In addition to that I drank heavily. Every night. Not good all round but it's two weeks and now I'm back to normality. And when I did drink I stuck to spirits and diet mixers 95% of the time.

I was also on the go the whole time. The most I must have walked on one day was 7 or 8 miles. The least, 2.

And then I came home... and got right back on with it. The eating healthily that is. The exercise, not so much. I've been struck down with the lurgie and am feeling like utter poop. If I can get out for a run this weekend I will be delighted but I'll just have to wait and see how I feel.

In the meantime I am just going to bask in the glow of being the thinnest I have been since I was 17. BASK!

Starting Weight: 185 pounds
Current Weight: 175.25 pounds
Weight Loss This Week: 1.75
Total 2012 Weight Loss: 9.75 pounds

Wednesday 1 August 2012

Weigh in false start

Bloody scales. Well, bloody battery more like.

They turn on but there's not enough juice to get a reading. So weigh in is postponed until tomorrow.

It's possibly just as well since I had a hulking great sweet potato and chilli for tea last night.

In other weight loss news, TB's breeks are hanging off him! The wee blighter has lost weight thanks to all the physical activity he's done over the past few weeks.

Jealous.


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