I think the poor professionals who tried to encourage me to 'write' at school would be amazed to know I've been writing my blog for ten weeks.
Once again - thank you for following this very ordinary tale of a very ordinary 50 year old trying to shed her excess weight.
I've had a very 'extended' family orientated day today.
Started the day with the gym (where I was weighed & measured - will post tomorrow as can't be bothered to go out to car to get piece of paper!!) lots of water & a banana, satsuma & peach.
Saw my parents after going to the gym - they must love me lots as I went straight from the gym!! Sorted out my dad's computer - not before spilling a full mug of coffee over the new mouse I was installing!! Had a natter with them which was nice as they are off cruising the fiords on Wednesday.
Next stop the butcher - bought some hot salt beef to nosh on the way home - tempted by the mini latkes but did resist!!
Popped in to my cousins Karen & Howard to give Ollie his present from mum & dad. My aunt and uncle were there too for a while. It was great to see them all and we had a good catch up :-)
Discovered that they are reading this (I never stop being surprised) & Howard offered me a photo shoot when I reach my goal!! How exciting - and extra incentive to keep going.
I'm very lucky to have such fabulous family (on both sides) - we all get on really well but aren't afraid to let each other know if we are being 'painful'.
Eventually home & I've just had some more to drink and a big bowl of blackberries & pomegranate seeds with FF fromage frais (Toby has gone out with his friend's parents & Andrew is playing tennis) in the garden.
Thought I'd finish with petrol stations....
Since I started being in control of my food intake I've been using those where you can pay at the pump but today I needed an urgent fill up & had to use one where I paid in the kiosk.
In I went only to be assaulted by banks of chocolate saying 'eat me quickly, eat lots of me!!'
There were also bags of doughnuts by the till 'you know you want to' they said!! And I really did - however I did resist but it was so hard. Why do they need to have all that stuff by the tills????
So I feel quite virtuous this evening and really hope that it pays off on the scales tomorrow.
It's tasting day at SW - I've made some smoked salmon dip and couscous salad to take in.
Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Lxx
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Sunday, 31 July 2011
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Day 69 - BBQ for 40!!
What a fabulous day it's been today - sunny & warm from start to finish - which is great because today was the day we hosted the 9th annual IBB property department barbecue.
40 people (including about 12 children) were descending on us for lunch at 1pm. So I got up at around 8 o'clock and straight into the kitchen!!
Had a large glass of squash & decided to get going on the mass catering & have breakfast later.
Made potato salad, couscous & pepper salad (from recipe in SW magazine), green salad (posh leaves and sliced cucumber!), coleslaw, and tomato & onion salad.
Marinaded the chicken wings - one lot in teriyaki sauce & the other sweet & sour - unpacked the burgers & sausages, and pre- boiled the corn cob pieces (a Waitrose special!)
Then got out the bread, sauces, pickles etc ready for plating up and sorted out napkins, plates, glasses & cutlery (all plastic if course - must minimise the washing up!!). Chopped 6 punnets of strawberries, put cherries in a bowl and got out bowls for chocs & marshmallows.
By the time I'd done all that it was 12ish - breakfast missed but I'd been drinking a lot all morning.
Rushed upstairs to wash my hair & change.
You might be interested to know that whilst I was doing all this Andrew & Tobz were cleaning garden furniture and shopping for beer (too much as usual) !!
At 1ish I made a big jug of Pimms & one of Sangria and Andrew started the barbecue - real coal for us (none of that gas cooker masquerading as a BBQ nonsense!!).
First guests arrived around 1:30 - was beginning to wonder if anyone was coming - and from then on it was all go & lovely.
Babies, young kids, teenagers and adults all mixed in and munching away.
Lots of water & nudity for the very young - and cold drinks and chat for the rest.
Tobz (& Adi) were great with the young kids - it makes me very proud that they can be so considerate.
Last guests left around 7 and we finished clearing up around 8 - not much food left which is great as no-one wants to eat left over salads for the next few weeks!
There's always more washing up than I expect but that's all done too.
I ate well at the BBQ - one chicken wing, sausage & burger with some some of each salad and a glass of Sangria. Also had lots of cherries & strawberries as well as diet lemonade. Interestingly I'm not hungry now even though that's all I've eaten today - I would have eaten lots more on previous occasions and would have noshed up the cold leftover sausages rather than wrapping them in foil like I did this evening.
All in all a good day :-)
Hope your Saturday has been fun.
Lxx
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
40 people (including about 12 children) were descending on us for lunch at 1pm. So I got up at around 8 o'clock and straight into the kitchen!!
Had a large glass of squash & decided to get going on the mass catering & have breakfast later.
Made potato salad, couscous & pepper salad (from recipe in SW magazine), green salad (posh leaves and sliced cucumber!), coleslaw, and tomato & onion salad.
Marinaded the chicken wings - one lot in teriyaki sauce & the other sweet & sour - unpacked the burgers & sausages, and pre- boiled the corn cob pieces (a Waitrose special!)
Then got out the bread, sauces, pickles etc ready for plating up and sorted out napkins, plates, glasses & cutlery (all plastic if course - must minimise the washing up!!). Chopped 6 punnets of strawberries, put cherries in a bowl and got out bowls for chocs & marshmallows.
By the time I'd done all that it was 12ish - breakfast missed but I'd been drinking a lot all morning.
Rushed upstairs to wash my hair & change.
You might be interested to know that whilst I was doing all this Andrew & Tobz were cleaning garden furniture and shopping for beer (too much as usual) !!
At 1ish I made a big jug of Pimms & one of Sangria and Andrew started the barbecue - real coal for us (none of that gas cooker masquerading as a BBQ nonsense!!).
First guests arrived around 1:30 - was beginning to wonder if anyone was coming - and from then on it was all go & lovely.
Babies, young kids, teenagers and adults all mixed in and munching away.
Lots of water & nudity for the very young - and cold drinks and chat for the rest.
Tobz (& Adi) were great with the young kids - it makes me very proud that they can be so considerate.
Last guests left around 7 and we finished clearing up around 8 - not much food left which is great as no-one wants to eat left over salads for the next few weeks!
There's always more washing up than I expect but that's all done too.
I ate well at the BBQ - one chicken wing, sausage & burger with some some of each salad and a glass of Sangria. Also had lots of cherries & strawberries as well as diet lemonade. Interestingly I'm not hungry now even though that's all I've eaten today - I would have eaten lots more on previous occasions and would have noshed up the cold leftover sausages rather than wrapping them in foil like I did this evening.
All in all a good day :-)
Hope your Saturday has been fun.
Lxx
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Friday, 29 July 2011
Day 68 - busy days off :-)
Sometimes I wonder where the time goes on my days off - it's now 7:15pm and I'm sitting down for the first time today.
Got up around 7, stripped my bed, put on some washing and had breakfast. Today I had Weetabix Crunchy Bran and a banana with semi-skimmed milk and a black coffee.
Left Toby and his two friends fast asleep and went out to the deli to pick up my usual order as well as some bits for tomorrow's BBQ. Then off to Curves for my Friday session.
I burned lots of calories and got sweaty but felt really good today. On Sunday they'll do my measurements - quite looking forward to it as I'm sure they'll be good changes.
Then back home to collect the boys - dropped two home & then Toby and I went to the dentist. He had a small filling & then we both had appointments with the hygienists. Mine really noticed I'd lost weight and how much better I looked - last time I went was Feb so there have been changes but it is such a lovely feeling when people notice especially as I was still in my gym clothes - not my most glamorous look!
Have to pop off now for dinner...
Back now :-)
Where was I? Oh yes so after that we went home - I paid the cleaner (not as good as Agnes who'll be back next week but still better than me!!)
Then took the cardboard & plastic from the boys' beds to the tip & then off to Waitrose to shop for us and for tomorrow's BBQ (40 of Andrew's team).
Put shopping away & took Tobz to Ben's (having bribed him to help me with the shopping with a lift).
Then back home.
Made my bed (love getting in to bed when the linen is fresh - definitely a guilty pleasure), brought in the washing from the garden ready for collection by the ironing service (gp 2), sorted out Dom's bedroom and then sat down - phew!!
Oops - forgot to say I laid the table for dinner and got it all ready too.
Interestingly, I'm certain that I'm more active at the moment as a result of the improved eating and moderate exercise. Hadn't really thought about it but now I am it seems so :-)
Dinner was roast chicken, sugar snaps & broccoli followed by fruit salad.
So that's it for me - just the dishwasher to load & kitchen to tidy and then I'm going to have an early night as I'm up early to get the BBQ ready.
Lx
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Got up around 7, stripped my bed, put on some washing and had breakfast. Today I had Weetabix Crunchy Bran and a banana with semi-skimmed milk and a black coffee.
Left Toby and his two friends fast asleep and went out to the deli to pick up my usual order as well as some bits for tomorrow's BBQ. Then off to Curves for my Friday session.
I burned lots of calories and got sweaty but felt really good today. On Sunday they'll do my measurements - quite looking forward to it as I'm sure they'll be good changes.
Then back home to collect the boys - dropped two home & then Toby and I went to the dentist. He had a small filling & then we both had appointments with the hygienists. Mine really noticed I'd lost weight and how much better I looked - last time I went was Feb so there have been changes but it is such a lovely feeling when people notice especially as I was still in my gym clothes - not my most glamorous look!
Have to pop off now for dinner...
Back now :-)
Where was I? Oh yes so after that we went home - I paid the cleaner (not as good as Agnes who'll be back next week but still better than me!!)
Then took the cardboard & plastic from the boys' beds to the tip & then off to Waitrose to shop for us and for tomorrow's BBQ (40 of Andrew's team).
Put shopping away & took Tobz to Ben's (having bribed him to help me with the shopping with a lift).
Then back home.
Made my bed (love getting in to bed when the linen is fresh - definitely a guilty pleasure), brought in the washing from the garden ready for collection by the ironing service (gp 2), sorted out Dom's bedroom and then sat down - phew!!
Oops - forgot to say I laid the table for dinner and got it all ready too.
Interestingly, I'm certain that I'm more active at the moment as a result of the improved eating and moderate exercise. Hadn't really thought about it but now I am it seems so :-)
Dinner was roast chicken, sugar snaps & broccoli followed by fruit salad.
So that's it for me - just the dishwasher to load & kitchen to tidy and then I'm going to have an early night as I'm up early to get the BBQ ready.
Lx
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Location:At home
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Day 67 - never assume they'll be food!!
So had a busy work day today & so was up early.
Breakfast was 2 choc Weetabix with milk and a chopped up peach plus a large glass of water.
Then off to Tesco express for petrol (well I wasn't going to push the car) and some bits of fruit and - of course - a couple of bottles of water. Won't be caught out like that again.
I didn't take lunch today as I had a meeting in Stansted & was sure there would be lunch.
Went to my first meeting in Mill Hill and then in to the office. I drank a black coffee during the meeting and a litre of water on my way to WGC.
Had an Activia Mango FF yoghurt in the office & then it was time to drive to Stansted - it took about 50 mins but it has been such a nice day and the drive across country through the Herts & Essex countryside was lovely.
Meeting was in a posh hotel by the airport - arrived into room fairly ravenous to find...............................tea, coffee & cake :-(
NO LUNCH - so annoying.
There was an apple per delegate on the table so I ate mine & someone else's, drank loads of water & was up & down to the loo several times. Honestly some people had driven from Norfolk & Suffolk - I thought it was just plain rude!!
Meeting finished at 4.30pm and I was starving by then so drove straight home.
Stopped off in Hatch End to buy a chicken for tomorrow night, some cold meat for stock (!) and a peppered steak for me.
I cooked this immediately I got in and had it with the veggies left from last night & some salad leaves ..........feel better now :)
Also had a bowl of fruit salad & some squash - now off to Book Club so posting early.
Hope everyone is enjoying the lovely evening sunshine xx
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Day 66 - Good food day but not enough water!!
Boring though it is I'm going to talk about planning again so brace yourselves!!
Got up this morning and got loads of things done before breakfast - put out washing on line, put on more washing (it is never ending), cleared Dom's room in preparation for his new bed - and then had breakfast.
2 choc weetabix with raspberries and semi-skimmed milk - delicious and got just enough chocolate taste to cover the early morning craving.
Then got lunch ready - easy today as had rest of last night's dinner (chicken & chili rice) with some broccoli & runner beans left over from the previous night (so economical). Took a pack of blackberries and gooseberries and ....................OMG discovered I'd run out of flavoured water.
By this time I'd also run out of time so had to get ready for work. Got to work and was really busy - so drank far too much coffee and not enough water - boom headache!!
Headache was not helped by my GP surgery who having lost my request for HRT pills suddenly announced I'd have to see a doctor - GRRRR! As I took my last one this morning then had to go straight to surgery and wait 45 mins for my 'urgent' appointment that wasn't urgent at all.
Net result was that he gave me the prescription - by then it was nearly seven, the lovely pharmacy in the doctor didn't have the tablets I needed so then I had to go to Tesco BUT..............they did have them & the painkillers I bought & took immediately for my headache.
Back home - all is well. The new beds have arrived - very impressed with the service from Dreams & the 'bed-assemblers' - so made those up. Both boys will need new bedroom furniture but it can wait for now at least they have decent beds - I'm so jealous but determined not to buy ours until we've had our house decorated/extended.
Then put more washing on line, brought in washing put out this morning & put on another wash!!
Made dinner - grilled salmon, spring greens and sugar-snaps followed by fruit salad and FF fromage frais & drinking lots of water.
(Dom just rang - had 45 secs of conversation then cut off. Even so he sounds so happy & had a chance to say he's having a fantastic time)
So I still don't have any big bottles of flavoured water but will pop in to Tesco Express on my way to work to get some. Also can't believe that we've run out of fruit again - still if we weren't eating that it would be choc biscuits etc so I'll just have to keep shopping.
Hope all is well with you.
Love Lxx
Got up this morning and got loads of things done before breakfast - put out washing on line, put on more washing (it is never ending), cleared Dom's room in preparation for his new bed - and then had breakfast.
2 choc weetabix with raspberries and semi-skimmed milk - delicious and got just enough chocolate taste to cover the early morning craving.
Then got lunch ready - easy today as had rest of last night's dinner (chicken & chili rice) with some broccoli & runner beans left over from the previous night (so economical). Took a pack of blackberries and gooseberries and ....................OMG discovered I'd run out of flavoured water.
By this time I'd also run out of time so had to get ready for work. Got to work and was really busy - so drank far too much coffee and not enough water - boom headache!!
Headache was not helped by my GP surgery who having lost my request for HRT pills suddenly announced I'd have to see a doctor - GRRRR! As I took my last one this morning then had to go straight to surgery and wait 45 mins for my 'urgent' appointment that wasn't urgent at all.
Net result was that he gave me the prescription - by then it was nearly seven, the lovely pharmacy in the doctor didn't have the tablets I needed so then I had to go to Tesco BUT..............they did have them & the painkillers I bought & took immediately for my headache.
Back home - all is well. The new beds have arrived - very impressed with the service from Dreams & the 'bed-assemblers' - so made those up. Both boys will need new bedroom furniture but it can wait for now at least they have decent beds - I'm so jealous but determined not to buy ours until we've had our house decorated/extended.
Then put more washing on line, brought in washing put out this morning & put on another wash!!
Made dinner - grilled salmon, spring greens and sugar-snaps followed by fruit salad and FF fromage frais & drinking lots of water.
(Dom just rang - had 45 secs of conversation then cut off. Even so he sounds so happy & had a chance to say he's having a fantastic time)
So I still don't have any big bottles of flavoured water but will pop in to Tesco Express on my way to work to get some. Also can't believe that we've run out of fruit again - still if we weren't eating that it would be choc biscuits etc so I'll just have to keep shopping.
Hope all is well with you.
Love Lxx
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Day 64 plus a bit of day 65
So its lunchtime on day 65 & I'm at work so this will be a quick post.
I had no computer last night as Andrew & Toby were using it (don't ask) so no blog!!
Anyway I lost another 1.5lbs so I now weigh 18st 8.5lbs and my BMI is 34.5 - all in all everything is going gently downwards :0)
I weighed 19st 6.5lbs when I started the blog so I've lost 12lbs in 9 weeks.
I managed not to have a binge yesterday as I was busy & Toby was around - I never binge in company!!
The thing I wanted to share is that I really feel the combination of exercise, careful eating and this blog is doing the trick. I have taken two photos today (in the mirror of the loos at work so they aren't the greatest!!) because even I can see the difference - hope you can too.
I did this because on Saturday I wore a size 18 skirt with a fixed waist (no elastic in sight!!) which I bought a while ago and kept because I was determined to lose weight and today I've worn my size 18 jeggings (bought at the same time and didn't fit) to work and my 'muffin top' is less than it was. It gives me hope so I hope it does the same for you.
I'm on target to get into my size 18 jeans but need a couple more pounds yet - well Rome wasn't demolished in a day!
Hope your day is going well.
Back to work now
Lx
I had no computer last night as Andrew & Toby were using it (don't ask) so no blog!!
Anyway I lost another 1.5lbs so I now weigh 18st 8.5lbs and my BMI is 34.5 - all in all everything is going gently downwards :0)
I weighed 19st 6.5lbs when I started the blog so I've lost 12lbs in 9 weeks.
I managed not to have a binge yesterday as I was busy & Toby was around - I never binge in company!!
The thing I wanted to share is that I really feel the combination of exercise, careful eating and this blog is doing the trick. I have taken two photos today (in the mirror of the loos at work so they aren't the greatest!!) because even I can see the difference - hope you can too.
I'm on target to get into my size 18 jeans but need a couple more pounds yet - well Rome wasn't demolished in a day!
Hope your day is going well.
Back to work now
Lx
Sunday, 24 July 2011
End of day 63
Really enjoyed the rest of my Sunday - there is nothing like a sunny Sunday at home to energize you for the week ahead.
After lunch I started to put together our hammock frame - we ordered it as an anniversary present to ourselves about 3 weeks ago but this is the first rain free day to put it together!
I couldn't do it alone so Tobz & and his friend Ben helped with Andrew doing the 'tightening up' at the end.
(Pictures posted earlier today on FB if you are interested!!)
We had a barbecue this evening - lamb chops & sausages (only one small one for me - not making that mistake again & I took the non-fatty chops) with olives, pickled cues, tomatoes, beetroot (of course) and a salad of mixed leaves, red pepper, celery and cucumber. Diet coke for me to drink and some cherries to follow.
After Ben went home, Toby & I brought down the rest of his bed frame as well as two redundant (& very old) mattresses - it's all stacked up outside the house & looks a bit like an advert for 'Steptoe & Son' :)
I moved the spare bed out of Dom's room back to the spare room so his new one can go straight in on Wednesday - tomorrow I've got to buy quilts & bed linen for both of them and then we'll be ready. Toby still hasn't sorted out the c**p from his room so it's sitting in the hall - he's been very good so I'm hoping he'll do it tomorrow as promised without too much nagging.
Anyway - that's it from me today. Hoping for a happy post tomorrow.
Lxx
After lunch I started to put together our hammock frame - we ordered it as an anniversary present to ourselves about 3 weeks ago but this is the first rain free day to put it together!
I couldn't do it alone so Tobz & and his friend Ben helped with Andrew doing the 'tightening up' at the end.
(Pictures posted earlier today on FB if you are interested!!)
We had a barbecue this evening - lamb chops & sausages (only one small one for me - not making that mistake again & I took the non-fatty chops) with olives, pickled cues, tomatoes, beetroot (of course) and a salad of mixed leaves, red pepper, celery and cucumber. Diet coke for me to drink and some cherries to follow.
After Ben went home, Toby & I brought down the rest of his bed frame as well as two redundant (& very old) mattresses - it's all stacked up outside the house & looks a bit like an advert for 'Steptoe & Son' :)
I moved the spare bed out of Dom's room back to the spare room so his new one can go straight in on Wednesday - tomorrow I've got to buy quilts & bed linen for both of them and then we'll be ready. Toby still hasn't sorted out the c**p from his room so it's sitting in the hall - he's been very good so I'm hoping he'll do it tomorrow as promised without too much nagging.
Anyway - that's it from me today. Hoping for a happy post tomorrow.
Lxx
Day 62 (& part of 63) - the sun is shining on Pinner :0)
Hi all
It is actually now 12:30 on Sunday (day 63 of my blog) and the sun is shining
This is my lunch & my sunny garden :)
I've been very busy & still have lots to do but as I have an empty house and a sunny garden I decided to reward myself with a sit down, blog-time, lunch & the Sunday Telegraph.
Yesterday was a really lovely day - for those of you who don't follow my every move on FB (these I call normal people!) - yesterday the youth of Pinner took over the service in our synagogue and Tobz took part in that. My mum and dad (& Andrew - it was a special day) came too and it was fabulous. All of them did a fantastic job and I was so proud and emotional (not too surprising!)
I'm not sure who was more nervous beforehand Toby or me so neither of us gad breakfast but I did gave a cup of black coffee to steady my nerves!!
Afterwards mum & dad came back to us for lunch - deli style. Mum is doing SW too (she's lost nearly two stone and it is starting to show now - very proud if her) so made sure there was plenty for us to eat. I had HB eggs, smoked salmon, smoked baked salmon, two types of herring, quark, tomatoes, beetroot and a green salad. Mum and I had Finn Crispbread (my current fave) whilst the boys had challah & beigels.
I put fennel in the salad - it was delicious - never bought it before but I will again. I tried chicory last week - definitely makes eating healthily more interesting.
We had plenty of cold drinks and fruit salad, which I had with FF fromage frais, for dessert.
Dad wanted cake/biscuits & I had nothing to give him (not really a bad thing as they are both diabetic) so I rummaged around and found some chocolate mints. Interestingly I wasn't even tempted - proud of me too!!
After lunch 'the boys' watched the cricket and mum and I had a good catch up - I love living here but sometimes I wish I was nearer to them so I could pop-in more often.
After they'd gone Toby & I set about sorting his bedroom and dismantling his bed in preparation for the new one - who needs the gym!!
Afterwards he went out and I had a sort through his clothes. Decided that he can do his own sorting of books, PS/XBox games etc. His room was filthy but at least the cleaner will be able to get in there on Tuesday.
Next it's Dom's but first we have to get the bits of bed-frame & old mattresses downstairs - that's for later!!
Had a small bowl of fruit salad with a mandarin yoghurt in the evening with a couple of glasses of squash but that was all as lunch was filling!!
Today I was up quite early so did some washing - now on line :)
Had some raspberries and FFFF then off to gym.
Burned off some more calories - very hard today but it was the first time I'd been twice in three days for ages so not surprising.
Went to butcher on the way home to buy meat for next weekend's IBB barbecue (40 people!!) as well as some bits for us.
Dropped Toby to his friend (they're off swimming) and here I am.
Will try to blog again later but if not - enjoy the lovely weather.
Lxx
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It is actually now 12:30 on Sunday (day 63 of my blog) and the sun is shining
This is my lunch & my sunny garden :)
I've been very busy & still have lots to do but as I have an empty house and a sunny garden I decided to reward myself with a sit down, blog-time, lunch & the Sunday Telegraph.
Yesterday was a really lovely day - for those of you who don't follow my every move on FB (these I call normal people!) - yesterday the youth of Pinner took over the service in our synagogue and Tobz took part in that. My mum and dad (& Andrew - it was a special day) came too and it was fabulous. All of them did a fantastic job and I was so proud and emotional (not too surprising!)
I'm not sure who was more nervous beforehand Toby or me so neither of us gad breakfast but I did gave a cup of black coffee to steady my nerves!!
Afterwards mum & dad came back to us for lunch - deli style. Mum is doing SW too (she's lost nearly two stone and it is starting to show now - very proud if her) so made sure there was plenty for us to eat. I had HB eggs, smoked salmon, smoked baked salmon, two types of herring, quark, tomatoes, beetroot and a green salad. Mum and I had Finn Crispbread (my current fave) whilst the boys had challah & beigels.
I put fennel in the salad - it was delicious - never bought it before but I will again. I tried chicory last week - definitely makes eating healthily more interesting.
We had plenty of cold drinks and fruit salad, which I had with FF fromage frais, for dessert.
Dad wanted cake/biscuits & I had nothing to give him (not really a bad thing as they are both diabetic) so I rummaged around and found some chocolate mints. Interestingly I wasn't even tempted - proud of me too!!
After lunch 'the boys' watched the cricket and mum and I had a good catch up - I love living here but sometimes I wish I was nearer to them so I could pop-in more often.
After they'd gone Toby & I set about sorting his bedroom and dismantling his bed in preparation for the new one - who needs the gym!!
Afterwards he went out and I had a sort through his clothes. Decided that he can do his own sorting of books, PS/XBox games etc. His room was filthy but at least the cleaner will be able to get in there on Tuesday.
Next it's Dom's but first we have to get the bits of bed-frame & old mattresses downstairs - that's for later!!
Had a small bowl of fruit salad with a mandarin yoghurt in the evening with a couple of glasses of squash but that was all as lunch was filling!!
Today I was up quite early so did some washing - now on line :)
Had some raspberries and FFFF then off to gym.
Burned off some more calories - very hard today but it was the first time I'd been twice in three days for ages so not surprising.
Went to butcher on the way home to buy meat for next weekend's IBB barbecue (40 people!!) as well as some bits for us.
Dropped Toby to his friend (they're off swimming) and here I am.
Will try to blog again later but if not - enjoy the lovely weather.
Lxx
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Friday, 22 July 2011
Day 61 - too busy to eat carbs!!
I have had an excellent day today :0)
Got up early to tidy for cleaner (I know - daft!!) and had a bowl of blueberries and FF natural yoghurt with a glass of water.
Then went to deli to get challah and nice things for lunch tomorrow when mum & dad come after shul. Then to buy Toby a padlock for his locker at the gym and to Santander to pay in a cheque and draw some cash (for cleaner and Natasha). Then off to drop Toby at David Lloyd (he's frighteningly keen!) and finally drove to Curves for my workout.
I felt much better today & definitely had the right sort of breakfast - lots of energy and burned off 465 cals. Thought my period had finally started - the joys of menopause (not!) - but seems like false alarm although back is aching and hands swollen so you never know.
After gym did fruit, veg & salad shop in M&S (can't resist), quick stop to buy new mop (old one very stinky!) and then back to DL to collect Toby. On way ate some chicken that I'd bought in the deli & drank nearly a litre of water.
Then off we went to South Harrow to buy new beds for the boys - we need one to but I'm waiting to see if we get planning permission first.
Vast sums of money later - two beds & two mattresses (more expensive than the beds!!) purchased and will be delivered (& assembled) on Wednesday - which means that before then I've got to put Dom's bed back in the spare room and dismantle Toby's and take it to the tip (too mean to pay for it to be taken away especially as they don't do the dismantling!). I expect that will be good calorie burning exercise so will try to do it before Monday :0)
Once home I made Toby some lunch ('pizza' cheese on toast - smelled divine!) & I had some more water as well as a couple of hard-boiled eggs with the beetroot & artichokes left over from my supper last night. It filled a very small plate but was enough.
At three - cleaner left and Toby went swimming (I don't know where he finds the energy).
Just after he'd gone Dom phoned - he sounded so happy. He's clearly having a great time & has settled in with his group really well. I've been keeping up on the BBYO website and looking at the photos on-line but there's nothing like talking to him :0)
Just as I hung up Natasha came. I had my nails done (soak off week so they are French this time) & my legs (& other hairy bits) waxed.
Then just time to make my bed (love getting into bed with just clean sheets) & get dinner ready so I could have a break.
At this point I realised that we'd had no rain today & the sun was out so I decided to put the washing outside..........(it's now 9:30pm - forgot to bring it in and we've just had a shower :( - it can stay out now!)
Made shabbat (still thinking of Dom - he had Friday night with a Charedi family - it will have been an experience!) and then had dinner of Roast Chicken, broccoli and runner beans; Sprite Free to drink and fabulous honeydew melon for dessert.
I've eaten much less today and had no carbs or dairy (Healthy Extras on SW) which is unusual but I haven't needed them. Just been so busy I haven't really thought about it.
Decided to end with a thought for today (borrowed from Adelaide Dench who I follow on Twitter)
Night all xxx
Got up early to tidy for cleaner (I know - daft!!) and had a bowl of blueberries and FF natural yoghurt with a glass of water.
Then went to deli to get challah and nice things for lunch tomorrow when mum & dad come after shul. Then to buy Toby a padlock for his locker at the gym and to Santander to pay in a cheque and draw some cash (for cleaner and Natasha). Then off to drop Toby at David Lloyd (he's frighteningly keen!) and finally drove to Curves for my workout.
I felt much better today & definitely had the right sort of breakfast - lots of energy and burned off 465 cals. Thought my period had finally started - the joys of menopause (not!) - but seems like false alarm although back is aching and hands swollen so you never know.
After gym did fruit, veg & salad shop in M&S (can't resist), quick stop to buy new mop (old one very stinky!) and then back to DL to collect Toby. On way ate some chicken that I'd bought in the deli & drank nearly a litre of water.
Then off we went to South Harrow to buy new beds for the boys - we need one to but I'm waiting to see if we get planning permission first.
Vast sums of money later - two beds & two mattresses (more expensive than the beds!!) purchased and will be delivered (& assembled) on Wednesday - which means that before then I've got to put Dom's bed back in the spare room and dismantle Toby's and take it to the tip (too mean to pay for it to be taken away especially as they don't do the dismantling!). I expect that will be good calorie burning exercise so will try to do it before Monday :0)
Once home I made Toby some lunch ('pizza' cheese on toast - smelled divine!) & I had some more water as well as a couple of hard-boiled eggs with the beetroot & artichokes left over from my supper last night. It filled a very small plate but was enough.
At three - cleaner left and Toby went swimming (I don't know where he finds the energy).
Just after he'd gone Dom phoned - he sounded so happy. He's clearly having a great time & has settled in with his group really well. I've been keeping up on the BBYO website and looking at the photos on-line but there's nothing like talking to him :0)
Just as I hung up Natasha came. I had my nails done (soak off week so they are French this time) & my legs (& other hairy bits) waxed.
Then just time to make my bed (love getting into bed with just clean sheets) & get dinner ready so I could have a break.
At this point I realised that we'd had no rain today & the sun was out so I decided to put the washing outside..........(it's now 9:30pm - forgot to bring it in and we've just had a shower :( - it can stay out now!)
Made shabbat (still thinking of Dom - he had Friday night with a Charedi family - it will have been an experience!) and then had dinner of Roast Chicken, broccoli and runner beans; Sprite Free to drink and fabulous honeydew melon for dessert.
I've eaten much less today and had no carbs or dairy (Healthy Extras on SW) which is unusual but I haven't needed them. Just been so busy I haven't really thought about it.
Decided to end with a thought for today (borrowed from Adelaide Dench who I follow on Twitter)
When you’ve finished eating, you should feel better, not stuffed, bloated or tiredThis is so true (don't you think?) and definitely how I've felt on more days recently. Don't get me wrong - some days I need to feel stuffed, some days however much I eat NOTHING seems to fill me up. But on a good day I eat enough to feel better :0)
Night all xxx
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Day 60 - another rainy day
Had a better day today and chocolate craving is less persuasive than yesterday - thankfully.
Started off with two Weetabix, a banana and semi-skimmed milk together with a glass of water.
Made a big salad (mixed with smoked salmon & pickled herring) to take to work, sorted the washing, tidied up, showered and got ready for work.
I had an early morning meeting so had two cups of coffee but nothing else to eat until 1:30pm - too long really but I was well prepared. Had my salad then a big pile of strawberries and blackberries with a vanilla FF yoghurt.
Later I had a peach & a nectarine together with at least a litre of water - and therefore lots of exercise running backwards and forwards to the loo!!
When I came home from work I made dinner for Toby & took him and a friend to the gym - if only I had their stamina and enthusiasm!!
Back home for my dinner - grilled smoked beef with artichokes, cauliflower and broccoli.
Had a quick bag of caramel snack-a-jacks on my way to collect the boys - should cover the craving and now off to bed.
Hope you are all doing ok.
Lx
PS: First photos of Dom in Israel on UJIA site tonight - one day he'll smile for a photo!! Looks fabulous in Jerusalem & the sun was shining - I wonder when it will shine here again??????
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Started off with two Weetabix, a banana and semi-skimmed milk together with a glass of water.
Made a big salad (mixed with smoked salmon & pickled herring) to take to work, sorted the washing, tidied up, showered and got ready for work.
I had an early morning meeting so had two cups of coffee but nothing else to eat until 1:30pm - too long really but I was well prepared. Had my salad then a big pile of strawberries and blackberries with a vanilla FF yoghurt.
Later I had a peach & a nectarine together with at least a litre of water - and therefore lots of exercise running backwards and forwards to the loo!!
When I came home from work I made dinner for Toby & took him and a friend to the gym - if only I had their stamina and enthusiasm!!
Back home for my dinner - grilled smoked beef with artichokes, cauliflower and broccoli.
Had a quick bag of caramel snack-a-jacks on my way to collect the boys - should cover the craving and now off to bed.
Hope you are all doing ok.
Lx
PS: First photos of Dom in Israel on UJIA site tonight - one day he'll smile for a photo!! Looks fabulous in Jerusalem & the sun was shining - I wonder when it will shine here again??????
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Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Day 59 - my big boy has gone to Israel & I'm craving chocolate :(
Dom went to Israel this morning - he'll have a great time & I'm really glad he's gone but that won't stop me missing him!!
He'll be surprised & relieved to know that I didn't cry when I left him at the airport but I did walk around the M&S store in departures at Luton looking for something to eat. I did also leave without anything but I'm desperate for chocolate - I've tried fruit, squash, meat (not sure why but it does the trick sometimes!!) and fruit yoghurt so now I'm blogging because in the kitchen are two cookies with my name on..............
Andrew's just gone to bed & Toby's out so there's also no-one here to know if I've eaten them but I'll know & so will you.
Maybe cottage cheese will do it - who am I kidding???????????????
I'm determined to resist but I'm tired and it's so hard not to give in especially as I have to wait up for Toby to come home from the gym.
I'm going to put some washing on now - wish me luck!
Lxx
He'll be surprised & relieved to know that I didn't cry when I left him at the airport but I did walk around the M&S store in departures at Luton looking for something to eat. I did also leave without anything but I'm desperate for chocolate - I've tried fruit, squash, meat (not sure why but it does the trick sometimes!!) and fruit yoghurt so now I'm blogging because in the kitchen are two cookies with my name on..............
Andrew's just gone to bed & Toby's out so there's also no-one here to know if I've eaten them but I'll know & so will you.
Maybe cottage cheese will do it - who am I kidding???????????????
I'm determined to resist but I'm tired and it's so hard not to give in especially as I have to wait up for Toby to come home from the gym.
I'm going to put some washing on now - wish me luck!
Lxx
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Day 58
Hi all
A real quickie today.
Really struggling to keep off the sugary stuff - think it's part hormonal & part pre-departure of son to Israel (sad but true - I'll miss him).
Had good start - Weetabix, milk & raspberries.
Lunch was leftovers from last night heated up at work & during the day I munched through a peach, nectarine, cherries, blackberries and an Irish FF fruit yoghurt.
Tonight we had roast duck (Dom's favourite) with jacket potato, broccoli & cauliflower followed by sone lychees.
And now I'm off to bed before I eat something I'll regret!!
Lxx
PS: new cleaner started today. It took her 4.5 hours just to do downstairs. It all looks much better & she's coming again Friday. I guess you really do get what you pay for!!
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A real quickie today.
Really struggling to keep off the sugary stuff - think it's part hormonal & part pre-departure of son to Israel (sad but true - I'll miss him).
Had good start - Weetabix, milk & raspberries.
Lunch was leftovers from last night heated up at work & during the day I munched through a peach, nectarine, cherries, blackberries and an Irish FF fruit yoghurt.
Tonight we had roast duck (Dom's favourite) with jacket potato, broccoli & cauliflower followed by sone lychees.
And now I'm off to bed before I eat something I'll regret!!
Lxx
PS: new cleaner started today. It took her 4.5 hours just to do downstairs. It all looks much better & she's coming again Friday. I guess you really do get what you pay for!!
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Day 57 - Where do the pounds go?
I realise this is a bit late but I had a meeting last night & frankly wasn't awake enough to blog when I came home so you may just get two doses from me today!!
So yesterday was SW day & I weighed 18st 10lbs so that's another 1.5lbs removed from my body & my BMI is now 34.7 (goes down slowly doesn't it!!). I also got my half stone award - childish? yes (as Dom put it - how old are you??) - valuable to me? yes, yes, yes :)
I'm so pleased that the blog, my head and the fab Karen (SW consultant) are currently all orbiting the same universe because it's definitely working well just now.
Particularly pleased this week because from the swelling of my fingers, my craving for sweet things and my rather 'stressy' mood I'm pretty certain my period is due to start (apologies if that is too much info) - usually a time for weight gain not loss.
Anyway after class went to deli & butcher in Borehamwood - deli had milk-free version of Hellmans light (as well as Skippy crunchy peanut butter which is what I went for - no not for me!). It makes a change from balsamic vinegar on salads - if I mix it with some white wine vinegar or rice vinegar it makes a creamy dressing that's low in sins but I can't use the ordinary version with meat so was very excited!! Little things please little minds :0)
Then on to M&S where I treated myself to a bunch of flowers & some
new knickers (another addiction of mine!) and bought the boys some cookies & doughnuts as well as some green beans and fruit.
Then I had to go and pick Dom up from golf & mysteriously two doughnuts disappeared from the bag - not a great mystery really as I was covered in sugar!! I ate them (all 24 sins worth!!) so quickly I felt sick & then had to stop to find a bin to put the other two in as I couldnt trust myself. I was so cross with myself & then (to add insult to injury) a really close friend rang to ask if what I was mucnching was on my diet!! He'd passed me in the car & had no idea what I was eating & was joking with me but of course I lied about what I was eating too - my nose should be about 6 foot long by now!!
Really disappointed with myself but in reality I doubt it's a habit I'm going to break easily as I've had it so long - but I'm more aware so I guess that's an improvement.
When we got home Dom had his massage (pre-Israel treat) as well as Hopi candle treatment for his sinuses & I took Toby & his friend to the station - off to see Harry Potter.
Then more washing (where does it all come from?) and made lunch for Dom - nothing for me as still felt sick.
Took Dom to GP mid afternoon to have chest checked as he's still coughing like a 40-a-day-man. Thankfully its viral so antibiotics but just wanted to have it checked as he's flying tomorrow.
For dinner we had roast turkey legs with mushrooms, green beans and rice followed by fruit and then I went to my meeting.
So now I'm off to get my breakfast and go to work - house is still lovely & quiet - and sort out things for the cleaner who's coming later (such a relief - house is filthy & I'm very lazy).
Also have to mentally prepare for Dom being away for two weeks as he's off to Israel tomorrow. He's really looking forward to it (that won't stop me missing him) but I do enjoy the 'bicker-free' status that exists when only one child is at home - that pre-supposes Andrew & I won't bicker but it's different listening to it.....................
Have a good day xx
PS: Happy birthday Mads :0)
So yesterday was SW day & I weighed 18st 10lbs so that's another 1.5lbs removed from my body & my BMI is now 34.7 (goes down slowly doesn't it!!). I also got my half stone award - childish? yes (as Dom put it - how old are you??) - valuable to me? yes, yes, yes :)
I'm so pleased that the blog, my head and the fab Karen (SW consultant) are currently all orbiting the same universe because it's definitely working well just now.
Particularly pleased this week because from the swelling of my fingers, my craving for sweet things and my rather 'stressy' mood I'm pretty certain my period is due to start (apologies if that is too much info) - usually a time for weight gain not loss.
Anyway after class went to deli & butcher in Borehamwood - deli had milk-free version of Hellmans light (as well as Skippy crunchy peanut butter which is what I went for - no not for me!). It makes a change from balsamic vinegar on salads - if I mix it with some white wine vinegar or rice vinegar it makes a creamy dressing that's low in sins but I can't use the ordinary version with meat so was very excited!! Little things please little minds :0)
Then on to M&S where I treated myself to a bunch of flowers & some
new knickers (another addiction of mine!) and bought the boys some cookies & doughnuts as well as some green beans and fruit.
Then I had to go and pick Dom up from golf & mysteriously two doughnuts disappeared from the bag - not a great mystery really as I was covered in sugar!! I ate them (all 24 sins worth!!) so quickly I felt sick & then had to stop to find a bin to put the other two in as I couldnt trust myself. I was so cross with myself & then (to add insult to injury) a really close friend rang to ask if what I was mucnching was on my diet!! He'd passed me in the car & had no idea what I was eating & was joking with me but of course I lied about what I was eating too - my nose should be about 6 foot long by now!!
Really disappointed with myself but in reality I doubt it's a habit I'm going to break easily as I've had it so long - but I'm more aware so I guess that's an improvement.
When we got home Dom had his massage (pre-Israel treat) as well as Hopi candle treatment for his sinuses & I took Toby & his friend to the station - off to see Harry Potter.
Then more washing (where does it all come from?) and made lunch for Dom - nothing for me as still felt sick.
Took Dom to GP mid afternoon to have chest checked as he's still coughing like a 40-a-day-man. Thankfully its viral so antibiotics but just wanted to have it checked as he's flying tomorrow.
For dinner we had roast turkey legs with mushrooms, green beans and rice followed by fruit and then I went to my meeting.
So now I'm off to get my breakfast and go to work - house is still lovely & quiet - and sort out things for the cleaner who's coming later (such a relief - house is filthy & I'm very lazy).
Also have to mentally prepare for Dom being away for two weeks as he's off to Israel tomorrow. He's really looking forward to it (that won't stop me missing him) but I do enjoy the 'bicker-free' status that exists when only one child is at home - that pre-supposes Andrew & I won't bicker but it's different listening to it.....................
Have a good day xx
PS: Happy birthday Mads :0)
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Day 56 - eight weeks of blogging :0)
Hi there dear reader
Firstly thank you so much for reading my blog for the last 56 days - I can't believe I've managed to keep writing or entice people to read. It is incredible that you are interested in the ramblings of this slightly mad woman but I'm very grateful as otherwise I'd be very mad!!
I decided to have breakfast before I went to the gym today as the last couple of times I haven't and have been headachy on my way home.
So I had 6 Finn Crisps with Quark & smoked salmon followed by blueberries and FF natural yoghurt and a glass of water.
Then after dropping Toby to Pinner Station and popping in to the synagogue office to pay for next week's kiddush, I was off to Curves.
Felt quite sluggish through my workout & although I burned 426 calories and sweated lots (so attractive) I think I overdid the breakfast so back to the drawing board on that one! Although afterwards I drank a litre of water & ate the two clementines I'd left in the car and I wasn't at all headachy. I guess I need to eat but just not so much - ain't that the story of my life!!
Anyway came home and helped Dom pack his suitcase for Israel - within weight at first attempt and no arguments!
Afterwards I did my household filing - such a relief as been meaning to do it for months!
Then had late lunch of tongue with celery, beetroot & tomatoes dressed with balsamic vinegar. Have been drinking (& weeing) constantly today as feeling a bit bloated (period probably due shortly but who knows!).
Anyway tonight Andrew has invited his parents to go out for dinner in Pinner. Wish he hadn't but they are his parents :(
I have that 'gnawing feeling' in the pit of my stomach but hopefully as we are eating out I won't be tempted to feed it with 'naughtiness'. I'm going to try really hard tonight not to let them (or her) get to me as it spoils Toby's evening and I don't want to do that.
Wish me luck - I'll let you know how it goes...
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Firstly thank you so much for reading my blog for the last 56 days - I can't believe I've managed to keep writing or entice people to read. It is incredible that you are interested in the ramblings of this slightly mad woman but I'm very grateful as otherwise I'd be very mad!!
I decided to have breakfast before I went to the gym today as the last couple of times I haven't and have been headachy on my way home.
So I had 6 Finn Crisps with Quark & smoked salmon followed by blueberries and FF natural yoghurt and a glass of water.
Then after dropping Toby to Pinner Station and popping in to the synagogue office to pay for next week's kiddush, I was off to Curves.
Felt quite sluggish through my workout & although I burned 426 calories and sweated lots (so attractive) I think I overdid the breakfast so back to the drawing board on that one! Although afterwards I drank a litre of water & ate the two clementines I'd left in the car and I wasn't at all headachy. I guess I need to eat but just not so much - ain't that the story of my life!!
Anyway came home and helped Dom pack his suitcase for Israel - within weight at first attempt and no arguments!
Afterwards I did my household filing - such a relief as been meaning to do it for months!
Then had late lunch of tongue with celery, beetroot & tomatoes dressed with balsamic vinegar. Have been drinking (& weeing) constantly today as feeling a bit bloated (period probably due shortly but who knows!).
Anyway tonight Andrew has invited his parents to go out for dinner in Pinner. Wish he hadn't but they are his parents :(
I have that 'gnawing feeling' in the pit of my stomach but hopefully as we are eating out I won't be tempted to feed it with 'naughtiness'. I'm going to try really hard tonight not to let them (or her) get to me as it spoils Toby's evening and I don't want to do that.
Wish me luck - I'll let you know how it goes...
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Location:Lounge
Saturday, 16 July 2011
Day 55 - just a quickie
Hi all
Just a quickie tonight while I'm sitting waiting for the boys to come out of shul as I'm tired & in truth today has been an uneventful day.
Food has been good & I've drunk a lot of water.
Booked all our holiday flights today & should be looking forward to it but in truth a little bit of me is dreading spending more time with my in-laws. I think the internalized stress has given me tummy ache - ridiculous really but there you are.
Tomorrow morning I'm going to the gym and I'm looking actually looking forward to it - wonders will never cease :0)
Hope your weekend is going well.
Lxx
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Just a quickie tonight while I'm sitting waiting for the boys to come out of shul as I'm tired & in truth today has been an uneventful day.
Food has been good & I've drunk a lot of water.
Booked all our holiday flights today & should be looking forward to it but in truth a little bit of me is dreading spending more time with my in-laws. I think the internalized stress has given me tummy ache - ridiculous really but there you are.
Tomorrow morning I'm going to the gym and I'm looking actually looking forward to it - wonders will never cease :0)
Hope your weekend is going well.
Lxx
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Friday, 15 July 2011
Day 54 - Discovered Westfield :)
Hi All
Had a really enjoyable day today - absolutely unexpectedly.
Started off with a weeny lie-in as not working & no kids to drop at bus-stop :)
Had breakfast around 8:30 - banana, clementine with Crunchy Bran and semi-skimmed milk (it was a great recommendation as 42g of cereal is a good amount & it has a good effect on 'number 2s'!!). Also had a large glass of squash before going upstairs to strip beds & change towels - I miss Betty :0(
Noticed how disgustingly filthy carpet is in our bedroom and brought up Dyson but no time to do it so left until this evening.
Quick run out to deli to pick up order & some other bits (including Israeli salad - love it just can't be bothered to make it - & beetroot salad) then came home to pick up boys for dental check-up.
Since the family split (a very long story that I'm not going in to now but if you don't know you are probably best not knowing!!) resulting in our loss of dentist (Andrew's brother-in-law) we've been going to Radlett. Lovely dentist - ghastly parking - anyway this morning I got parked easily & escaped without any fillings, as did Dom but not Toby, who also got a lecture about not cleaning his teeth properly. As he now has a brace (& his already weak enamel) he has to go to the hygienist - that'll teach him!! So we are going together in 2 weeks - hate the hygienist (not personally you understand just what she does!) even more than the dentist.
Then dropped Toby home, filled up car with petrol & blackberries (oh how times change - it would have been chocolate!) and off we went to Westfield.
What a revelation - if you haven't been you should go!! Such a lovely way to shop - only real disadvantage is the costly parking (£7.50 for three hours). Even so we got everything Dom needed and had a lovely lunch - pannini for him & a fabulous mixed salad from a veggie Italian - without a cross word from me or a strop from him & usually he's a very stroppy shopper!!
Afterwards we went to Hampstead to get him some sandals - poor child has size 12/13 feet (takes after his mother) and there's a specialist shop I use there (Magnus shoes). He got the sandals & I got two pairs of shoes (well I only bought a couple of bits of Clinique and a necklace/earrings set in Boots for myself at Westfield). We also decided that men's sandals are very ugly - whatever the brand/style!
As I got parked there too (relatively even more expensive than Westfield) I decided to walk down to the M&S food store to top up on fruit and salad. Now normally I do this with the car parked in M&S's car park so I forgot how heavy all that fruit & salad is to schlep back to the car!! Note to self - take son with next time instead of leaving him in car listening to the golf. Mind you the exercise was good & I didn't get to the gym today.
After that we came home, I made the beds and hoovered my bedroom - nothing lovelier than getting into a freshly made bed with clean sheets - I know, I'm easily pleased :)
Then had a coffee and read my magazine in the garden before getting dinner ready.
Tonight we had roast chicken, broccoli, sugar snap peas & boiled new potatoes, followed by cherries and grapes (freshly schlepped from M&S).
And now................I'm finishing my blog and playing FB Scrabble with Andrew.
All is peaceful here & I hope it is with you.
Love
Lx
Had a really enjoyable day today - absolutely unexpectedly.
Started off with a weeny lie-in as not working & no kids to drop at bus-stop :)
Had breakfast around 8:30 - banana, clementine with Crunchy Bran and semi-skimmed milk (it was a great recommendation as 42g of cereal is a good amount & it has a good effect on 'number 2s'!!). Also had a large glass of squash before going upstairs to strip beds & change towels - I miss Betty :0(
Noticed how disgustingly filthy carpet is in our bedroom and brought up Dyson but no time to do it so left until this evening.
Quick run out to deli to pick up order & some other bits (including Israeli salad - love it just can't be bothered to make it - & beetroot salad) then came home to pick up boys for dental check-up.
Since the family split (a very long story that I'm not going in to now but if you don't know you are probably best not knowing!!) resulting in our loss of dentist (Andrew's brother-in-law) we've been going to Radlett. Lovely dentist - ghastly parking - anyway this morning I got parked easily & escaped without any fillings, as did Dom but not Toby, who also got a lecture about not cleaning his teeth properly. As he now has a brace (& his already weak enamel) he has to go to the hygienist - that'll teach him!! So we are going together in 2 weeks - hate the hygienist (not personally you understand just what she does!) even more than the dentist.
Then dropped Toby home, filled up car with petrol & blackberries (oh how times change - it would have been chocolate!) and off we went to Westfield.
What a revelation - if you haven't been you should go!! Such a lovely way to shop - only real disadvantage is the costly parking (£7.50 for three hours). Even so we got everything Dom needed and had a lovely lunch - pannini for him & a fabulous mixed salad from a veggie Italian - without a cross word from me or a strop from him & usually he's a very stroppy shopper!!
Afterwards we went to Hampstead to get him some sandals - poor child has size 12/13 feet (takes after his mother) and there's a specialist shop I use there (Magnus shoes). He got the sandals & I got two pairs of shoes (well I only bought a couple of bits of Clinique and a necklace/earrings set in Boots for myself at Westfield). We also decided that men's sandals are very ugly - whatever the brand/style!
As I got parked there too (relatively even more expensive than Westfield) I decided to walk down to the M&S food store to top up on fruit and salad. Now normally I do this with the car parked in M&S's car park so I forgot how heavy all that fruit & salad is to schlep back to the car!! Note to self - take son with next time instead of leaving him in car listening to the golf. Mind you the exercise was good & I didn't get to the gym today.
After that we came home, I made the beds and hoovered my bedroom - nothing lovelier than getting into a freshly made bed with clean sheets - I know, I'm easily pleased :)
Then had a coffee and read my magazine in the garden before getting dinner ready.
Tonight we had roast chicken, broccoli, sugar snap peas & boiled new potatoes, followed by cherries and grapes (freshly schlepped from M&S).
And now................I'm finishing my blog and playing FB Scrabble with Andrew.
All is peaceful here & I hope it is with you.
Love
Lx
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Day 53
Today started quietly - I got up and everyone else was still in bed!!!
It was nice to make my lunch, then eat breakfast (2 Weetabix with banana & semi-skimmed milk) and read the paper without answering any questions! There are always so many questions early in the morning :0)
The only downside was that I had time to look round the house - I really need a cleaner. I realise the exercise I'll get over the weekend will be good for me but life is too short!! So I must sort that out tomorrow.
Then on to work - so much to do and a meeting in the middle of the day so needed lots of munchies during the day.
I had lots of water & black coffee as well as a smoked salmon salad which included chicory - never used it at home before - quite bitter on its own but adds great texture and blended in well with the other ingredients.
I also had some strawberries, cherries and an orange plus an Irish FF yoghurt.
Didn't get home until 7:30 - the boys and Andrew had fish and chips which thankfully they'd finished before I got home. I had some grilled haddock and vegetables followed by a chopped up peach, blueberries and 0% Greek yoghurt.
And now I'm relaxing in the garden (well we all are - see above) because I need to prepare myself mentally for tomorrow....................
A double whammy of dentist for the three of us plus shopping with Dom - always stressful and often unpleasant. On the plus side we are going to Westfield - haven't been before so looking forward to that part!!
Wish me luck xx
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It was nice to make my lunch, then eat breakfast (2 Weetabix with banana & semi-skimmed milk) and read the paper without answering any questions! There are always so many questions early in the morning :0)
The only downside was that I had time to look round the house - I really need a cleaner. I realise the exercise I'll get over the weekend will be good for me but life is too short!! So I must sort that out tomorrow.
Then on to work - so much to do and a meeting in the middle of the day so needed lots of munchies during the day.
I had lots of water & black coffee as well as a smoked salmon salad which included chicory - never used it at home before - quite bitter on its own but adds great texture and blended in well with the other ingredients.
I also had some strawberries, cherries and an orange plus an Irish FF yoghurt.
Didn't get home until 7:30 - the boys and Andrew had fish and chips which thankfully they'd finished before I got home. I had some grilled haddock and vegetables followed by a chopped up peach, blueberries and 0% Greek yoghurt.
And now I'm relaxing in the garden (well we all are - see above) because I need to prepare myself mentally for tomorrow....................
A double whammy of dentist for the three of us plus shopping with Dom - always stressful and often unpleasant. On the plus side we are going to Westfield - haven't been before so looking forward to that part!!
Wish me luck xx
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Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Day 52 - why is conference food so challenging??
So today I was in London at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society for what turned out to be a really interesting day but I knew in advance it would be a food challenge so I ate a good breakfast
2 Weetabix with blueberries & semi-skimmed milk followed by at orange and a full glass of pink grapefruit squash (delicious but just a bit too pink!).
I also planned lamb chops with sugar snap peas and cauliflower for dinner (which I've eaten) so I was prepared for lunchtime.
The morning session started with coffee & when I sat down I realised there was no water on the tables (ridiculous!!) so drank loads at coffee break & had to go out mid-session for a wee - well they should have provided water in my view.
Lunch looked delicious
What happened to salad I asked myself?? Sharon (on my table) was similarly vexed by the food choices - I discovered that she had lost 6 stone on WW and had been stable for the last six months but like me finds conferences a challenge. After talking to her I feel energised again as I could see that the 'long-game' is worth the effort - she looked good and feels well (apparently she hadn't before).
Just pre-blog I ate another orange & I'll have an Activia FF mandarin yoghurt (my favourite flavour) before bed.
I've not eaten very much by my standards today and I'm feeling a bit 'heady' again tonight - need to try and get a better balance. Although a bit of Toby induced stress probably didn't help - his school report came (not exactly a pleasant read) and Andrew had said if he didn't work harder we'd move him to a different (less expensive) school. Andrew felt some improvement had been achieved so he's staying for now but I'm starting to worry now about what's going to happen to Toby in the next couple of years if he doesn't 'buck his ideas up'!! Still no point in worrying now - he doesn't go back to school until early September - I need to give myself a break :0)
Tomorrow I'm in the office - kids have both broken up so I'll probably go in earlier. Loads to do and as usual I've left writing the agenda for Wednesday's meeting until the last minute - but I should have the office to myself tomorrow & will concentrate hard on my 'to do' list.
Also might try to sort and file the 'leaning tower of paperwork' currently blocking my printer.
Hope all is going well with you dear reader - once again it's great to know you're reading so please comment every now and then xxx
2 Weetabix with blueberries & semi-skimmed milk followed by at orange and a full glass of pink grapefruit squash (delicious but just a bit too pink!).
I also planned lamb chops with sugar snap peas and cauliflower for dinner (which I've eaten) so I was prepared for lunchtime.
The morning session started with coffee & when I sat down I realised there was no water on the tables (ridiculous!!) so drank loads at coffee break & had to go out mid-session for a wee - well they should have provided water in my view.
Lunch looked delicious
- Fresh tomato soup with french bread
- mini quiches (no-no)
- chicken pasta salad (would have been great if I ate non-kosher chicken!)
- meat, fish & veggie sandwiches & rolls (no good for me but looked tasty)
- lovely cheese platter with grapes, strawberries & celery
- fresh fruit salad with full fat nat yoghurt
What happened to salad I asked myself?? Sharon (on my table) was similarly vexed by the food choices - I discovered that she had lost 6 stone on WW and had been stable for the last six months but like me finds conferences a challenge. After talking to her I feel energised again as I could see that the 'long-game' is worth the effort - she looked good and feels well (apparently she hadn't before).
Just pre-blog I ate another orange & I'll have an Activia FF mandarin yoghurt (my favourite flavour) before bed.
I've not eaten very much by my standards today and I'm feeling a bit 'heady' again tonight - need to try and get a better balance. Although a bit of Toby induced stress probably didn't help - his school report came (not exactly a pleasant read) and Andrew had said if he didn't work harder we'd move him to a different (less expensive) school. Andrew felt some improvement had been achieved so he's staying for now but I'm starting to worry now about what's going to happen to Toby in the next couple of years if he doesn't 'buck his ideas up'!! Still no point in worrying now - he doesn't go back to school until early September - I need to give myself a break :0)
Tomorrow I'm in the office - kids have both broken up so I'll probably go in earlier. Loads to do and as usual I've left writing the agenda for Wednesday's meeting until the last minute - but I should have the office to myself tomorrow & will concentrate hard on my 'to do' list.
Also might try to sort and file the 'leaning tower of paperwork' currently blocking my printer.
Hope all is going well with you dear reader - once again it's great to know you're reading so please comment every now and then xxx
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Day 51 - just another day
So today was a really ordinary day & I say that because more of our days are ordinary than notable. However every day is special because despite being ordinary they are all different.
The thing that bonds them together is probably the fact that whether the day is ordinary or extraordinary we still have to eat!!
So on this ordinary day I've eaten
A bowl of Crunchy Bran with fruit salad and semi-skimmed milk with a glass of water.
Then I took Dom to school and popped into M&S to buy lunch (arbroath peppered salmon, mixed salad, cherries, raspberries and blueberries) and then on to work.
When I got to work I made a coffee & ate the raspberries.
Then my new colleague Karen arrived (we have two Karens now so be prepared for confusion although they are both very different - lovely, but different). I spent most of the morning helping her to settle in, sorting her e-mail (partially sorted really!) etc. Get ready for my meeting ate lunch and then off to a meeting.
I drank a lot of water & coffee today so have been 'weeing' a lot too - had to nip out of my meeting midway but it was three hours long :0(
Then back to the office to lock up and bid farewell to Karen until next week. She's been so productive - makes me feel quite inadequate really.
Then I came home - lots of parcels outside which was surprising as both the boys were inside!! Toby came home mid-afternoon from Brighton. Amazingly they both walked straight passed the parcels on their way into the house!!
Anyway the biggest parcel was our anniversary present to ourselves - a hammock which I'll put together sometime this week - let's hope the weather will be nice enough for us to use it at the weekend.
I really wasn't in cooking mood tonight so made a big salad with cottage cheese (pepper pesto flavour) and hard boiled eggs dressed with balsamic vinegar.
So you can see this was an ordinary day - I think these days are the ones that are the most risky when you are trying to shed the unwanted pounds. When I go out I'm very focussed on making good choices and avoiding things that are too fatty or sugary but when I'm just doing the normal things it's easy to lose focus in the middle of day to day family life - a lesson to us all :0)
Tomorrow I'm at a conference in town - not an ordinary day so must remember to drink enough & make good choices - just hope lunch is more than sandwiches!!
Night all xx
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The thing that bonds them together is probably the fact that whether the day is ordinary or extraordinary we still have to eat!!
So on this ordinary day I've eaten
A bowl of Crunchy Bran with fruit salad and semi-skimmed milk with a glass of water.
Then I took Dom to school and popped into M&S to buy lunch (arbroath peppered salmon, mixed salad, cherries, raspberries and blueberries) and then on to work.
When I got to work I made a coffee & ate the raspberries.
Then my new colleague Karen arrived (we have two Karens now so be prepared for confusion although they are both very different - lovely, but different). I spent most of the morning helping her to settle in, sorting her e-mail (partially sorted really!) etc. Get ready for my meeting ate lunch and then off to a meeting.
I drank a lot of water & coffee today so have been 'weeing' a lot too - had to nip out of my meeting midway but it was three hours long :0(
Then back to the office to lock up and bid farewell to Karen until next week. She's been so productive - makes me feel quite inadequate really.
Then I came home - lots of parcels outside which was surprising as both the boys were inside!! Toby came home mid-afternoon from Brighton. Amazingly they both walked straight passed the parcels on their way into the house!!
Anyway the biggest parcel was our anniversary present to ourselves - a hammock which I'll put together sometime this week - let's hope the weather will be nice enough for us to use it at the weekend.
I really wasn't in cooking mood tonight so made a big salad with cottage cheese (pepper pesto flavour) and hard boiled eggs dressed with balsamic vinegar.
So you can see this was an ordinary day - I think these days are the ones that are the most risky when you are trying to shed the unwanted pounds. When I go out I'm very focussed on making good choices and avoiding things that are too fatty or sugary but when I'm just doing the normal things it's easy to lose focus in the middle of day to day family life - a lesson to us all :0)
Tomorrow I'm at a conference in town - not an ordinary day so must remember to drink enough & make good choices - just hope lunch is more than sandwiches!!
Night all xx
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Monday, 11 July 2011
Day 50 - a milestone reached
So for those who don't follow my every post on Facebook (ie those who have lives!!) today I lost 2.5lbs - very very smiley face!!
It means that I am at my lowest for the year so far - I do realise that 18st 11.5lbs isn't all that low but I feel I've reached a milestone today on my quest for the slimmer me. Also my BMI has dropped to 34.9 so I'm no longer morbidly obese just obese - still not great but another small step for Lisa O and a reduction in my 'Weighty Problem' :)
I also realised today that I really need to concentrate on how I eat rather than what as I'm really not eating anything classically diet-unfriendly - choc, biscuits, cake, cheese etc have all been banished for now but I do like red meat so must remember to cut off the fat and also not to eat too much in one week by balancing it with fish and chicken. I need to eat equal quantities of fruit and salad and add carbs to fill me up but in small quantities.
Anyway my prize for doing so well is barbecued veal cutlets with stir-fry and noodles followed by fruit salad.
Enjoy your evening
Lxx
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It means that I am at my lowest for the year so far - I do realise that 18st 11.5lbs isn't all that low but I feel I've reached a milestone today on my quest for the slimmer me. Also my BMI has dropped to 34.9 so I'm no longer morbidly obese just obese - still not great but another small step for Lisa O and a reduction in my 'Weighty Problem' :)
I also realised today that I really need to concentrate on how I eat rather than what as I'm really not eating anything classically diet-unfriendly - choc, biscuits, cake, cheese etc have all been banished for now but I do like red meat so must remember to cut off the fat and also not to eat too much in one week by balancing it with fish and chicken. I need to eat equal quantities of fruit and salad and add carbs to fill me up but in small quantities.
Anyway my prize for doing so well is barbecued veal cutlets with stir-fry and noodles followed by fruit salad.
Enjoy your evening
Lxx
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Location:In my garden just before dinner
Sunday, 10 July 2011
Day 49 - end of a busy day!
So it's been a busy day today.
Eaten really well - cold meat and salad for dinner, snacked on fruit during the day. Lots of water and squash to drink but still have had headache all day so off to bed with painkillers in a minute.
I took Toby to Victoria tonight so he could get the train to see his friend Toby in Brighton. I had one of those proud mummy moments when he took the tickets from me, gave me a kiss (after some gentle persuasion) and then went off to get his train. He is so confident - I'd never have done that at his age :0)
I'm really hoping to be successful tomorrow - keep your fingers crossed.........
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Eaten really well - cold meat and salad for dinner, snacked on fruit during the day. Lots of water and squash to drink but still have had headache all day so off to bed with painkillers in a minute.
I took Toby to Victoria tonight so he could get the train to see his friend Toby in Brighton. I had one of those proud mummy moments when he took the tickets from me, gave me a kiss (after some gentle persuasion) and then went off to get his train. He is so confident - I'd never have done that at his age :0)
I'm really hoping to be successful tomorrow - keep your fingers crossed.........
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Location:Home in front of the TV
Day 48 & 49 - I can't believe it :)
Oops - completely forgot to share my wise words with you yesterday so thought I'd do two days in one!
Can't quite believe that today marks the end of my 7th week of blogging especially as prior to this I haven't written anything that didn't involve drugs or numbers - well I am a pharmacist after all :0)
So yesterday I had to be careful about what I ate because I knew I was going out for dinner. So after a very pleasant lie in I got up at 9:30 (late for me but had to get up then as Tesco delivery was due between 9 & 11) and made my breakfast - wholemeal Crackerbread (love them because you can have six!) with Quark & smoked salmon with two sticks of celery and a black coffee. At this point the sun was shining so I took it all outside with the JC & settled down until I was pestered by a couple of very enthusiastic wasps (probably Jewish ones as they seemed very keen on my smoked salmon!!) - failing miserably to ignore them I came inside - it was also raining by then too.
Tesco delivery arrived just then - well after I had to direct the well-meaning but ever-so-slightly dim driver up our driveway (I'm not joking).
Expected a huge order - loads of drinks, fruit, salad & washing powder - but NO WASHING POWDER (I'm writing in capitals because I was cross & shouting by now!) Now I have a theory about my absent washing powder - I tick the box for substitutions and got a couple but not the washing powder because 'there was no suitable substitution'. Now I use Persil Non-Bio powder, not some obscure organic washing powder, & I don't believe that there was no suitable exchange. I believe that they didn't want to bear the cost of the substitution agreement - anyway time will tell because I have complained and I'm waiting for an answer.
After putting the shopping away (actually Dom helped - aah!) & doing a bit of child chauffeuring (there had to be a reason) I came home and made myself a chicken salad with black olives, roasted tomatoes and artichokes followed by berries and Greek yoghurt (fat free of course). I ate that in the garden (wasps still about but less attentive thankfully) and proof read a document (for which I'm being paid!!), read the paper and generally relaxed.
More chauffeuring & then time to get ready to go out (make up & purple fitted tunic over navy leggings with gladiator sandals - much better look). Met our friends Margaret & Callum in Shepperton for a meal out.
I had asparagus with poached egg (no beurre blanc - shame!) followed by roast cod with a red pepper crust with broccoli and crushed potatoes. No dessert just a mint tea and a glass of white wine (small - I was driving). It was all delicious - I have no idea what was in the pepper crust - although it did just taste of red peppers! & the crushed potatoes had spring onions in and I'm pretty certain some butter but I didn't go berserk and didn't feel deprived.
We had a lovely evening - and they treated us which was lovely.
So, on to today.
Caught up on Eastenders from Thursday (multi-tissue job!) & Friday and then went to the gym (as you can see below) - hard work today but 476 calories were burned so that has to be a good thing :)
After the gym, a quick stop at the butcher and then home.
Other than some water I didn't have anything before the gym - so was hungry when I came out. Ate the banana & apple I'd taken in the car as well as drinking a bottle of water, two glasses of squash at home & some cold meat but now have a banging headache!
Note to self - must eat/drink before going to gym.
So that's it for now - may check in later but if not enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
Lx
Can't quite believe that today marks the end of my 7th week of blogging especially as prior to this I haven't written anything that didn't involve drugs or numbers - well I am a pharmacist after all :0)
So yesterday I had to be careful about what I ate because I knew I was going out for dinner. So after a very pleasant lie in I got up at 9:30 (late for me but had to get up then as Tesco delivery was due between 9 & 11) and made my breakfast - wholemeal Crackerbread (love them because you can have six!) with Quark & smoked salmon with two sticks of celery and a black coffee. At this point the sun was shining so I took it all outside with the JC & settled down until I was pestered by a couple of very enthusiastic wasps (probably Jewish ones as they seemed very keen on my smoked salmon!!) - failing miserably to ignore them I came inside - it was also raining by then too.
Tesco delivery arrived just then - well after I had to direct the well-meaning but ever-so-slightly dim driver up our driveway (I'm not joking).
Expected a huge order - loads of drinks, fruit, salad & washing powder - but NO WASHING POWDER (I'm writing in capitals because I was cross & shouting by now!) Now I have a theory about my absent washing powder - I tick the box for substitutions and got a couple but not the washing powder because 'there was no suitable substitution'. Now I use Persil Non-Bio powder, not some obscure organic washing powder, & I don't believe that there was no suitable exchange. I believe that they didn't want to bear the cost of the substitution agreement - anyway time will tell because I have complained and I'm waiting for an answer.
After putting the shopping away (actually Dom helped - aah!) & doing a bit of child chauffeuring (there had to be a reason) I came home and made myself a chicken salad with black olives, roasted tomatoes and artichokes followed by berries and Greek yoghurt (fat free of course). I ate that in the garden (wasps still about but less attentive thankfully) and proof read a document (for which I'm being paid!!), read the paper and generally relaxed.
More chauffeuring & then time to get ready to go out (make up & purple fitted tunic over navy leggings with gladiator sandals - much better look). Met our friends Margaret & Callum in Shepperton for a meal out.
I had asparagus with poached egg (no beurre blanc - shame!) followed by roast cod with a red pepper crust with broccoli and crushed potatoes. No dessert just a mint tea and a glass of white wine (small - I was driving). It was all delicious - I have no idea what was in the pepper crust - although it did just taste of red peppers! & the crushed potatoes had spring onions in and I'm pretty certain some butter but I didn't go berserk and didn't feel deprived.
We had a lovely evening - and they treated us which was lovely.
So, on to today.
Caught up on Eastenders from Thursday (multi-tissue job!) & Friday and then went to the gym (as you can see below) - hard work today but 476 calories were burned so that has to be a good thing :)
 | |||
| Sweaty red face = hard work :) |
Other than some water I didn't have anything before the gym - so was hungry when I came out. Ate the banana & apple I'd taken in the car as well as drinking a bottle of water, two glasses of squash at home & some cold meat but now have a banging headache!
Note to self - must eat/drink before going to gym.
So that's it for now - may check in later but if not enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
Lx
Friday, 8 July 2011
Day 47 - What are you wearing????
Today is normally my day off but I had to host an MP's visit in Stevenage today. So as well as missing the gym I had to get dressed 'properly' this morning.
I had breakfast first (2 Weetabix with SS milk and strawberries) then upstairs to get dressed at which point I had a bit of a light bulb moment........
I looked at my clothes & realised I'd become 'stretchy woman' - leggings, stretchy skirts, t-shirts etc are predominating on my clothes rail (still no wardrobes - 5 years on!). Although I have some tailored things (generally a better look for me (slim or overweight) I'm not wearing them - they are either too small or too uncomfortable because I've got used to walking around in stretchy materials, baggy tops etc. Colours are still good but style has vanished - over the weekend I'm going to have a sort out & as I drop weight I'm going to rid myself of the stretchy things. I've even stopped wearing jeans because I can't breath in them and I love my jeans - my size 18 skinny jeans are still waiting for me and they are my target by end of August.
Why didn't someone say something I ask myself? And the answer is - they did I just wasn't listening properly!! No compliments have been coming my way & the other day someone asked me if I'd been to the gym - but I hadn't :0)
I've also stopped routinely wearing make-up & I look pale and uninteresting without it so it's 'make more of an effort time' for me from tomorrow - even if it still has to be 'stretchy me' for a while.
After my MP visit (which went very well by the way - I do enjoy promoting pharmacy) I had a coffee (Americano black of course) with some colleagues and then came home to meet Natasha and have my nails done & a pedicure - lovely treat for me!
We've just had dinner - roast chicken with the skin (can't resist it & a very good use of sins in my opinion!), jacket potato, runner beans (my favourite) and a portobello mushroom. This was followed by fruit salad (honeydew melon, strawberries, grapes & orange - actually all I had left in the fridge before my Tesco order comes tomorrow!) and washed down with some orange squash & water.
Now my family have spread around the house & I'm going to catch up on some TV. I'm also going to think about how I can improve my look without spending any money.
Tesco order is coming between 9am & 11am tomorrow so I'm hoping for a lie in - enjoy your evening xx
I had breakfast first (2 Weetabix with SS milk and strawberries) then upstairs to get dressed at which point I had a bit of a light bulb moment........
I looked at my clothes & realised I'd become 'stretchy woman' - leggings, stretchy skirts, t-shirts etc are predominating on my clothes rail (still no wardrobes - 5 years on!). Although I have some tailored things (generally a better look for me (slim or overweight) I'm not wearing them - they are either too small or too uncomfortable because I've got used to walking around in stretchy materials, baggy tops etc. Colours are still good but style has vanished - over the weekend I'm going to have a sort out & as I drop weight I'm going to rid myself of the stretchy things. I've even stopped wearing jeans because I can't breath in them and I love my jeans - my size 18 skinny jeans are still waiting for me and they are my target by end of August.
Why didn't someone say something I ask myself? And the answer is - they did I just wasn't listening properly!! No compliments have been coming my way & the other day someone asked me if I'd been to the gym - but I hadn't :0)
I've also stopped routinely wearing make-up & I look pale and uninteresting without it so it's 'make more of an effort time' for me from tomorrow - even if it still has to be 'stretchy me' for a while.
After my MP visit (which went very well by the way - I do enjoy promoting pharmacy) I had a coffee (Americano black of course) with some colleagues and then came home to meet Natasha and have my nails done & a pedicure - lovely treat for me!
 |
| Not sure why my toes look hairy but they aren't - promise!! Just love the glittery polish - now all I need is for the sun to shine :) |
 |
| Hands look a bit baggy - Maybe the photo wasn't such a great idea! |
Now my family have spread around the house & I'm going to catch up on some TV. I'm also going to think about how I can improve my look without spending any money.
Tesco order is coming between 9am & 11am tomorrow so I'm hoping for a lie in - enjoy your evening xx
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Days 45 & 46
Hi all
Very sorry not to post yesterday but very busy & work as well as child chauffeuring duties - you know how it is!!
Also in truth not a great deal to say & didn't want to bore you to death :)
Food going well & I'm being very careful about measuring milk, cutting fat off meat (including the steak I'm just about to eat) and eating lots of 'speed foods' ie those that help lose weight quickly like salads, berries, melon, citrus fruit, green leafy veg etc. Also trying to up my fluids although I do have to be a bit careful as, for instance, today I got lost on my way to do a pharmacy visit and by the time I got there I was busting!! Luckily it was in Tesco & the customer loos were by the entrance :)
Hope all is well
Will write again tomorrow
Lxx
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Very sorry not to post yesterday but very busy & work as well as child chauffeuring duties - you know how it is!!
Also in truth not a great deal to say & didn't want to bore you to death :)
Food going well & I'm being very careful about measuring milk, cutting fat off meat (including the steak I'm just about to eat) and eating lots of 'speed foods' ie those that help lose weight quickly like salads, berries, melon, citrus fruit, green leafy veg etc. Also trying to up my fluids although I do have to be a bit careful as, for instance, today I got lost on my way to do a pharmacy visit and by the time I got there I was busting!! Luckily it was in Tesco & the customer loos were by the entrance :)
Hope all is well
Will write again tomorrow
Lxx
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Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Day 44 - a little late!! - and the start of Day 45
So yesterday I saw Take That!!! and it was too late to post when I got home.
They were fabulous - seats were quite high up but under cover so absolutely fine - I'm definitely too old to stand for five hours in the rain!!
Gary still just has a fantastic voice & Robbie has great stage presence - but my fave remains Mark (sad but true!!)
Anyway - back to the matter in hand I was fully back on track yesterday.
Started with Weetabix, milk & raspberries.
Made lunch before I went to work & off I went.
Had a black coffee when I got there & another an hour later during a meeting - forgot to take in any water so drank a lot of coffee yesterday.
Caught up on an episode of Eastenders (still in love with David Essex - he retains those twinkly eyes!!) & ate my mixed salad (gem lettuce, beetroot, celery, cucumber & baby toms with pickled herring) followed by fruit salad (melon, orange, strawberries, raspberries) and yoghurt.
Back to work then and had another coffee with some cherries whilst working.
Left early to get changed and noshed a couple of slices of smoked turkey to keep going & then off to pick up Andrea for our short hop to Wembley.
She had bought us some salads from M&S (she's very good to me!) - salmon & mixed salad delicious even without the dressing washed down with a diet coke - I'm such 'hard-core'.....not :0)
This morning I had crunchy bran & raspberries with milk & a glass of water and now we wait for the RAC.
Will report back later
Lxx
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They were fabulous - seats were quite high up but under cover so absolutely fine - I'm definitely too old to stand for five hours in the rain!!
Gary still just has a fantastic voice & Robbie has great stage presence - but my fave remains Mark (sad but true!!)
Anyway - back to the matter in hand I was fully back on track yesterday.
Started with Weetabix, milk & raspberries.
Made lunch before I went to work & off I went.
Had a black coffee when I got there & another an hour later during a meeting - forgot to take in any water so drank a lot of coffee yesterday.
Caught up on an episode of Eastenders (still in love with David Essex - he retains those twinkly eyes!!) & ate my mixed salad (gem lettuce, beetroot, celery, cucumber & baby toms with pickled herring) followed by fruit salad (melon, orange, strawberries, raspberries) and yoghurt.
Back to work then and had another coffee with some cherries whilst working.
Left early to get changed and noshed a couple of slices of smoked turkey to keep going & then off to pick up Andrea for our short hop to Wembley.
She had bought us some salads from M&S (she's very good to me!) - salmon & mixed salad delicious even without the dressing washed down with a diet coke - I'm such 'hard-core'.....not :0)
This morning I had crunchy bran & raspberries with milk & a glass of water and now we wait for the RAC.
Will report back later
Lxx
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Location:Home - waiting for RAC
Monday, 4 July 2011
Day 43 - a little extra
Just wanted to thank everyone that responded to my lunchtime post - you are very supportive and for that I thank you.
I had some houmous (it was going to be the aubergine pate I made yesterday but it was gross!!) & crispbread late afternoon with some fruit salad and natural yoghurt - delicious and decidedly better for me.
I had to go out early evening so have just had dinner - lamb cutlets (lean) with celery and a spoonful of potato salad I made on Saturday.
Feeling more on track now & less depressed!! which is good because tomorrow is Take That day!!!!
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I had some houmous (it was going to be the aubergine pate I made yesterday but it was gross!!) & crispbread late afternoon with some fruit salad and natural yoghurt - delicious and decidedly better for me.
I had to go out early evening so have just had dinner - lamb cutlets (lean) with celery and a spoonful of potato salad I made on Saturday.
Feeling more on track now & less depressed!! which is good because tomorrow is Take That day!!!!
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Location:Home @ 21:45
Day 43 - bugger I put on 1lb :0(
So this week I put on a pound & I'm pissed, really pissed and what do I do when I'm pissed at myself (cos believe me dear reader it's no-one else's fault) I eat.
What did I eat?
A fried egg sandwich - chollah (4 slices), butter & two eggs fried in butter - with a large glass of SF squash!!
Did I enjoy it? Yes for about 30 seconds.
How do I feel now? Crappier than before.
Why am I writing this now - instead of tonight? So I don't forget how stupid & irrational this behaviour is and also because if I'm using one finger to type I can't use the rest of my hand to grab food!
I know it happens to us all - it's happened to me often enough - but it doesn't make me feel any better to go on an eating rampage and I have to learn otherwise I won't succeed and I'm determined to succeed. But..................
I am disappointed with myself and I have to recognise that, allow myself a wallow & move on without going on a binge fest. In fact I've just eaten two satsumas in an effort to cut back the greasy feeling I now have in my mouth.
Looking back on my posts from last week & talking in class this morning I realise that although I didn't appreciate it at the time I've had a week of 'guessing & hoping' under the guise of making sensible choices.
Last Tuesday at the fundraiser all the food I ate was 'the most sensible choice I could make' but I have no idea what the salads were dressed with, no idea what the salmon in the roulade was bound with & no idea what the green layer around the outside (which I assumed was spinach) was made from. I didn't eat the chocolates, beigels etc but I had no idea how many sins I'd consumed either.
Also we barbecued several times - sausages are 6 sins each, burgers 6 (raw mince is very fatty & I've never seen lean kosher mince but I'm going to check it out with my butcher), lamb etc - probably don't cut off all the fat & chicken - probably ate the skin. At least I know the salads were ok :0(
The fact is that this is life and probably because I'm monitoring my intake I've minimised the damage - am I irritated that other people's bodies allow them to get away with this? You bet.
Am I going to blow everything I've achieved over the last six weeks?
NO NO NO
Because overall I feel better, I'm exercising more and I can't take the shame of 'you' knowing I've fallen over at the first hurdle!
I'm now going to have some fruit salad & yoghurt and catch up on a bit of TV.
Lxx
What did I eat?
A fried egg sandwich - chollah (4 slices), butter & two eggs fried in butter - with a large glass of SF squash!!
Did I enjoy it? Yes for about 30 seconds.
How do I feel now? Crappier than before.
Why am I writing this now - instead of tonight? So I don't forget how stupid & irrational this behaviour is and also because if I'm using one finger to type I can't use the rest of my hand to grab food!
I know it happens to us all - it's happened to me often enough - but it doesn't make me feel any better to go on an eating rampage and I have to learn otherwise I won't succeed and I'm determined to succeed. But..................
I am disappointed with myself and I have to recognise that, allow myself a wallow & move on without going on a binge fest. In fact I've just eaten two satsumas in an effort to cut back the greasy feeling I now have in my mouth.
Looking back on my posts from last week & talking in class this morning I realise that although I didn't appreciate it at the time I've had a week of 'guessing & hoping' under the guise of making sensible choices.
Last Tuesday at the fundraiser all the food I ate was 'the most sensible choice I could make' but I have no idea what the salads were dressed with, no idea what the salmon in the roulade was bound with & no idea what the green layer around the outside (which I assumed was spinach) was made from. I didn't eat the chocolates, beigels etc but I had no idea how many sins I'd consumed either.
Also we barbecued several times - sausages are 6 sins each, burgers 6 (raw mince is very fatty & I've never seen lean kosher mince but I'm going to check it out with my butcher), lamb etc - probably don't cut off all the fat & chicken - probably ate the skin. At least I know the salads were ok :0(
The fact is that this is life and probably because I'm monitoring my intake I've minimised the damage - am I irritated that other people's bodies allow them to get away with this? You bet.
Am I going to blow everything I've achieved over the last six weeks?
NO NO NO
Because overall I feel better, I'm exercising more and I can't take the shame of 'you' knowing I've fallen over at the first hurdle!
I'm now going to have some fruit salad & yoghurt and catch up on a bit of TV.
Lxx
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Day 41 & 42 - over-thinking and preparation
So yesterday was really busy & so no time for blogging - sorry all but I'm sure you survived.
Decided that I needed a strategy to ensure I didn't blow it at the party last night.
Started off early as had to drop Tobz to school then home to a large bowl of mixed berries, banana & nat yoghurt (fat free of course). Then off to shul with Dom - Alex Hyer's barmitzvah. Always nice to be in shul on happy occasions :0)
Afterwards we came home & I had lots of water - very thirsty not sure why - put several loads of washing on (where does it all come from) & then out in the garden to dry.
Finally settled down to Ladies Final & a mixed salad - slightly strange combination of bits left in fridge but still very tasty. Used rice vinegar to flavour instead of balsamic as recommended by someone at SW & very nice it was too :0)
Finished off with a fruit yoghurt & sugar free jelly (needed a sweet fix and it did the trick).
Then off to Aldenham for last hour of Visitation Day. Got there just in time to see tug-of-war and have a good catch up with the lovely Madeline - without whom this blog would probably never have been started. She's a week ahead of me and truly inspirational. She also has had a rough couple of weeks and hasn't let it interfere with her long term goals - we've bonded over this process and I'm so glad of it. I am a woman who loves her husband but needs her girl friends too!!
So after bringing Tobz and his cricket bag home it was time to get ready for the party (pics below)
Great hair, new dress & lovely jewellery (the necklace is from Tiffany's - lucky girl that I am it has a bangle & earrings to match).
I have to say I felt really good - because usually I don't and I really should & despite arms that resemble Klitchko's in size (not muscle power) - not bad for a 50 year old!!
And I didn't have to worry about blowing my diet at the party because there was no food (should have known really) & I just had one glass of champagne followed by diet Coke & water.
It was at the Century Club in Shaftesbury Avenue & was really fun. Russell acted in Andrew's play last year, so there were lots of actors (including Les Dennis who was in the play we saw at the Jermyn Street theatre) & swimmers (that's what he does when not acting), family & others (think that's probably us!!) but everyone was very friendly.
We caught up with Daniel (also in the play), met his friend & also a really lovely actress called Laurel but eventually hunger (& the need to sit down - old age again) got the better of us.
We stopped at the Artesian Bar at The Langham for a bite to eat - tomato soup (beautifully served - wanted to take a picture but Andrew wouldn't let me!) and Nicoise salad for Andrew & truly delicious teriyaki salmon with veg for me.
Today I've been to the gym - good workout this morning. Then food shopping & a quick pop in to see Polly for coffee and a catch up.
Finally home for lunch & Wimbledon men's final, which has just finished - a win for Djokovic (not my fave but he played magnificent tennis).
Before I sat down to watch I chopped some fruit for a salad (preparation again) & made an aubergine pate (SW recipe) which I hope will be yummy!!
Now I have to go & sort some more washing before the mixed doubles starts.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
Lxx
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Decided that I needed a strategy to ensure I didn't blow it at the party last night.
Started off early as had to drop Tobz to school then home to a large bowl of mixed berries, banana & nat yoghurt (fat free of course). Then off to shul with Dom - Alex Hyer's barmitzvah. Always nice to be in shul on happy occasions :0)
Afterwards we came home & I had lots of water - very thirsty not sure why - put several loads of washing on (where does it all come from) & then out in the garden to dry.
Finally settled down to Ladies Final & a mixed salad - slightly strange combination of bits left in fridge but still very tasty. Used rice vinegar to flavour instead of balsamic as recommended by someone at SW & very nice it was too :0)
Finished off with a fruit yoghurt & sugar free jelly (needed a sweet fix and it did the trick).
Then off to Aldenham for last hour of Visitation Day. Got there just in time to see tug-of-war and have a good catch up with the lovely Madeline - without whom this blog would probably never have been started. She's a week ahead of me and truly inspirational. She also has had a rough couple of weeks and hasn't let it interfere with her long term goals - we've bonded over this process and I'm so glad of it. I am a woman who loves her husband but needs her girl friends too!!
So after bringing Tobz and his cricket bag home it was time to get ready for the party (pics below)
Great hair, new dress & lovely jewellery (the necklace is from Tiffany's - lucky girl that I am it has a bangle & earrings to match).
I have to say I felt really good - because usually I don't and I really should & despite arms that resemble Klitchko's in size (not muscle power) - not bad for a 50 year old!!
And I didn't have to worry about blowing my diet at the party because there was no food (should have known really) & I just had one glass of champagne followed by diet Coke & water.
It was at the Century Club in Shaftesbury Avenue & was really fun. Russell acted in Andrew's play last year, so there were lots of actors (including Les Dennis who was in the play we saw at the Jermyn Street theatre) & swimmers (that's what he does when not acting), family & others (think that's probably us!!) but everyone was very friendly.
We caught up with Daniel (also in the play), met his friend & also a really lovely actress called Laurel but eventually hunger (& the need to sit down - old age again) got the better of us.
We stopped at the Artesian Bar at The Langham for a bite to eat - tomato soup (beautifully served - wanted to take a picture but Andrew wouldn't let me!) and Nicoise salad for Andrew & truly delicious teriyaki salmon with veg for me.
Today I've been to the gym - good workout this morning. Then food shopping & a quick pop in to see Polly for coffee and a catch up.
Finally home for lunch & Wimbledon men's final, which has just finished - a win for Djokovic (not my fave but he played magnificent tennis).
Before I sat down to watch I chopped some fruit for a salad (preparation again) & made an aubergine pate (SW recipe) which I hope will be yummy!!
Now I have to go & sort some more washing before the mixed doubles starts.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
Lxx
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:At home - watching the tennis
Friday, 1 July 2011
Day 40 - new hair, new photo & Take That!
It started off with breakfast which included the new cereal I bought yesterday which I had with blackberries & semi-skimmed milk and a large glass of Pink Grapefruit squash (my current favourite sugar-free drink). Then I made a discovery that as well as being a cereal that you can eat slightly more of (42g instead of 28g) so that it seems like a proper bowl of cereal it also had a fairly dramatic effect on by toilet habits - this is probably a good thing and an unexpected bonus - time will tell if that's every time or just the first time!
Then took boys to bus stop & then went straight to the gym - no faffing about just straight there (a good thing because of above!!). Had my measurements taken & targets set and did my workout. 499 cals burned today & boy did it feel like it.........
At Curves as well as the measurements I've done already (which were as already posted this week) they also measure your body fat - mine is 41.8% - not good :( but it will improve :0)
So targets I set were by 1/8/11
- to lose 3inches
- to lose 2% body fat
- to get into my size 18 jeans (actually that's a pre-holiday target)
- It's good for me
- I enjoy it when I do it (just not when I think about it)
- More calories burned means more weight lost.
Then off to the hairdresser - fancied a colour change as it's been quite subtle for a while & also something ego boosting before the 40th birthday party tomorrow. I have a new colourist & hadn't been happy but I think he's done a great job. The cut's great as always and after a couple of attempts at taking my own photo (uncharacteristically narcissistic for me) the result is above (thanks for my new look Darren & Stuart).
Then home for an afternoon & early evening of superb tennis.
I had a mixed salad for lunch eggs, smoked salmon, celery, tomatoes & radishes with plenty of water/squash and a pear.
For dinner we had roast chicken (sprinkled with chicken seasoning - yummy & crisps the skin beautifully) with green beans (my favourite) and boiled new potatoes & I feel much fuller with the added carbs. I had some raspberries for dessert & that's be done for tonight.
Tomorrow I'm at shul, Visitation Day at Aldenham & then Russell's 40th birthday party in Shaftesbury Avenue so probably not posting until Sunday.
Also will need to think really carefully about what I eat & drink Saturday night - first party since the new, more attuned me.
But I have a new dress & hopefully they'll be more photos.
Have a good weekend all & thanks again for all the feedback.
Lxx
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