Days 98 to 101 - omg I've done 100 days

Hi there from sunny and very beautiful Villa Mauresque in St Raphael.



I believe this is one of the most beautiful places I've stayed in.

I've just had a bath (thought you'd like to know I'm keeping clean!!) and we'll be going out for dinner soon.

I'm being pretty sensible food wise, surprisingly so in fact, trying to avoid bread & ice cream but enjoying the wine.
Have been walking & swimming and today, out on a beautiful yacht all day - not my favourite thing - but the relaxing effect is great.

Have seen a fair amount of Andrew's parents - more than I'd expected really - but it hasn't been too bad & I promised Toby I'd be nice, so I am :0)

Food here is fabulous - breakfast is fresh fruit, yoghurt (semi-FF whatever that is), eggs and coffee for me.

Lunches have been various things - salads, risotto, smoked salmon & fruit. Today on the yacht there was gazpacho accompanied with a tomato & onion salad, followed by grilled cod (I think) with veg and egg noodles. Dessert was a fabulous choc parfait with fresh fruit & a chocolate macaroon. I had the fruit, the macaroon & a couple of spoonfuls of the parfait. I could have eaten it all cos it was delicious but my seasickness started to kick in and so I didn't eat all of any course - maybe I should just have myself hypnotised into a permanent state of seasickness to resolve my appetite issues!!!

I've had loads of water every day because it's so hot.

So whilst not being obsessive I feel in control (so far!!) & am enjoying the holiday all the more for it.

Also I'm enjoying not being huge in my swimsuits and not feeling as self-conscious as previously but I'm also not having my photo taken!!!
Maybe tomorrow :)

Thought I'd finish with a shot of my very brown son!!

Love to all
Lxx



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Day 97 - Bye Bye for a week :)

Very quick blog tonight as we are packing etc. and although Dom and I are done, Andrew isn't. So I predict that any second now he'll be yelling for help - shall I take this, that (or perish the thought!) the other.

Despite having to finish up things I've had a very good - if protein intensive day food wise.

I'm going to do my best on holiday and may blog as I am taking my iPhone with me but if not.................

Have a lovely week & don't miss me too much.

Lisa xxx

Day 96 end of the day - waxed & varnished and ready to go :-)

Since I last blogged I've had my nails varnished, and my feet pedicured (see below). I've also been waxed (painfully - it doesn't hurt less in my experience!!) thoroughly but decided you could live without those photos!!!

I think my feet look skinnier - maybe I've lost  8lbs off each foot :0)

Funny dinner tonight as there was just me & him but very nice. Have had text messages from Toby today telling me how hot it is in St Raphael - can't wait to see him.
Not heard from Dom directly but apparently they completed their trek successfully and passed the expedition section of their Gold DofE - quite an achievement :) So tonight they are in a pub - as I said, strange Friday night :)

I am so looking forward to having Dominic home and us all being together on Sunday - I suspect these feelings may not last long but I'm enjoying them anyway :)

I'm thinking a lot about eating on holiday and enjoying the experience without blowing the hard work. I think my best plan is to be careful at breakfast & lunch, drink plenty of (non-alcoholic) drinks in the day time and have what I want (within reason) in the evening - well its a plan at least!!

Have a good evening
Lxx

Day 95 & two thirds of 96!!

Hi All
Last day at work yesterday and went to theatre last night so no time to blog - very, very sorry if you were waiting for me but I really hope your life is fuller than that!!

Good food day yesterday, in fact since the fried egg sandwich incident on Monday it's been all good - that was until last night!
We went to see our friend Luke in 'The Importance of being Ernest' at the Barons Court Theatre & on recommendation we ate in the pub upstairs called The Curtains Up - very apt :0)
It was lovely and an excellent menu but for the first time since I started dieting properly there was NOTHING on the menu that was SW friendly - well that's not entirely true as there was some shellfish and lots of steaks but as I eat neither they don't count. So I found myself 'doing my best' and had whitebait (fabulous dry batter!) followed by a salad with fried goats cheese and pumpkin, a diet coke and a black coffee.
It was delicious but more sins than I would have had by choice - according to the website 100g is 15 sins and I have no idea the weight of the portion!!

Still we had a lovely meal, the play was great and it was lovely to see Luke again.

Because I was worried I weighed myself this morning and, on my scales at least, I've lost two pounds. I hope it's accurate because I'm sure I'll need the head start for my holiday - can't wait to get out of this country and see some sunshine (& Toby of course!!)

Went to the gym this morning - burned off 413 cals & it was my 30th visit; truly a milestone for me and proves I can do it if I want.

Had weetabix, blueberries and milk for breakfast & Smoked salmon salad for lunch so going well so far.

Any minute Natasha will arrive to do my nails, pedicure & waxing - the holiday is really beginning.
Lx

Day 94 - Shopping for two!!

Just a quickie tonight as I've been jammed to my computer screen all day so my eyes are sore and my head is banging :-(

That being said I've had a good day food-wise but realised when I was making my lunch this morning that I had cut back on food too quickly & that if I didn't buy some fruit & veg today I'd end up eating the spare pack of five Mars bars that Dom didn't take on his DofE trip!!!

So off I went to M&S before work & filled the trolley with what I needed only, thankfully, I stopped before getting to the till when I realised that I'd bought far too much for two of us!!!! Clearly the shape of things to come - but it just shows how we do these things so automatically. I used to laugh at my mum when Jo & I had left home and she was still cooking for 4 but I now see how easily it could be done!!

Spent a lot of time on the phone today as Dad's party invitations have been hitting peoples doormats - calls so far have been from 'aunties' & friends of mum and dad who have known me most of my life. It's been good to catch up and made me remember again that however 'difficult' dad is post-stroke we are very lucky to be celebrating his 80th birthday in October when we consider all he's been through - and I'm so lucky to still have my dad when so many haven't :)

So for those who don't know him - here's a picture of my lovely dad.

He's in the stripy shirt singing at my 50th (& his 79th) last year.

Have a good evening all
Lisa xx

Day 93 - Back in control today :)

Hi All
Much better day today & very much in control of my food.
But........... I know it's going to get harder as the week progresses as I 'clear' the food I have (pre-hols) rather than stock up - nevertheless I will have to buy some fruit & salad tomorrow.

Had 2 chocolate Weetabix with blueberries and a black coffee for breakfast (also half a glass of squash).

Then off to work with my 'packed lunch' as usual :)

During the morning I ate a pear & had a black coffee and lemon water (lots of it) - felt quite dehydrated after yesterdays problems!

For lunch I had a mixed salad dressed with balsamic vinegar and topped with smoked salmon. Followed by stewed plums, blueberries and a Diet Irish peach yoghurt. The plums are from our garden and are delicious :-)

During the afternoon I had more coffee and water as well as a peach and on my way home I munched a bag of salt & vinegar Snack-a-jacks.

Got home by 5 - miss the boys as I had to take the bins down the drive myself ready for collection - still the exercise is good for me.
A builder was supposed to come to fix Dom's bathroom door - it's stuck closed - but he forgot to come & is now due at 7:30am tomorrow (will have to get up earlier!!).

For dinner I had roasted lamb spare ribs with half a sweet potato (dry roasted) and some asparagus with two glasses of squash & that's that for tonight.

Two more days at work but tomorrow is the 'biggy' as must be focussed and do all the outstanding paperwork so that Thursday is left for outlining a presentation I have to do when I get back from my holiday & tidying up!!

Have a good evening all.
Lisa xx

Day 92 - success & the benefits of being childless (temporarily of course!)

This is yesterday's blog as I can't write coherently after 11pm - some might say I can't do it before but I don't really do it for them!!

Yesterday was my last weigh day before our holiday & I lost 1lb (actually the pound I put on last week) so my total pre-holiday loss is 1st 1lb in 13 weeks. I'm very pleased about this as the way I was going I would have been a lot heavier and almost certainly miserable at the thought of it!!

Don't get me wrong I'm fully aware I have a long way to go but I'm entitled (I think) to be pleased with myself so far!!

So now for the tricky bit because in my head I'm on holiday already - a bit like the kids being on holiday from school BUT I have a week to go before we fly so need to be very careful this week.

That's of course the theory & if I followed that I probably wouldn't need to blog!!! So yesterday I left class positive and determined not to blow it :-)

I didn't do too badly but I did learn something - my body can't tolerate the fat anymore!!!

I had a fried egg sandwich for lunch - three eggs fried in butter on chollah (no butter) plus a black coffee. Bearing in mind I'd been up since 6 as I took Dom & Dan to Luton airport & then straight to SW so no breakfast this wasn't bad but note the high fat content!!

During the afternoon I had a large bowl of berries with FF nat yoghurt and lots of squash.
I also printed & posted the invitations for dad's 80th - my niece did a great job designing them!

Andrew came home early from work so we decided to go out to eat before the theatre. We went to the cafe in Regents Park - very nice if you haven't been there.
I had smoked salmon served with pickled cucumber salad & sour cream sauce, followed by grilled mackerel, sorrel & new potatoes with a side portion of broccoli
It was all delicious but in my head I was on hols so had all the sour cream sauce & suspect the veggies were all cooked in butter.

The show we saw 'Crazy for You' was great but sadly the focus of my evening was slightly switched as the effect of all that fat was 'dramatic' :-(

Suffice to say - I've learned my lesson.

Have a good day xx


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Day 90 & some of day 91

Hi all

Was too tired last night to blog & had a busy morning so thought I'd update you all in one go :0)

Yesterday woke up quite early (not sure why??) put on some washing and made breakfast. I had wholewheat crackerbread with Quark & smoked salmon with a glass of water and a black coffee.
Then Dom & I went to shul - and (as it turned out) a catch up with Michelle & Emma.

Came home and made lunch. Had a mixed salad topped with fried smoked beef. I fried it to a very crunch texture and blotted it on kitchen paper. I used a new ranch salad dressing that I bought from the kosher deli. In fact I bought three different types as they are all 0 cal/fat. Tasted ok but different - have to say I'm a bit suspicious but I suppose 0 is 0!!!

Shared a bowl of cherries while watching football Sat afternoon.

After a speedy & unscheduled visit to Watford yesterday afternoon (Dom forgot he didn't have a fleece & he's off to Fort William to do his gold DofE expedition tomorrow - kids!!) I got ready for the theatre.

Was lovely to put on my dress knowing it would fit just that bit better that last time I wore it and it did :-) Andrew even said he could see I had lost wait - wow!!

Top Hat was fabulous - and in a surreal moment I met David Soul (Hutch - for those of you old enough to remember). He is married to the marketing manager for the show that is produced by Andrew's friend Kenny. Despite his reputation we thought he was charming. We also met cast members of Top Hat - Tom Chambers was absolutely wonderful and very thin!!!

The only 'but' in our lovely evening was that there was only champagne (1 glass of pink for me - mmmm!) and crisps, nuts etc so we were starving!! It was too late to get anything to eat afterwards (we were in Milton Keynes not the west end!) so we were starving - but I did not succumb and was very pleased with myself.

So now on to today............
Slept in a bit - I'm fact Dom woke me at 9:30.
Had to get up straight away as was supposed to be at my mum & dad's to write envelopes with my sister by 10:30.
Just a bit late & had a black coffee there - caught up on the news and sorted some details for dad's party.

Popped in to Tesco on the way home to buy the last of his expedition food - including two packs of 5 full size Mars bars (have to make certain he doesn't leave them at home!).

Shared a punnet of strawberries with Dom on the way home.

Now I'm sitting in the garden having polished off a couple of HB eggs, smoked salmon & quark on crispbread and dome celery with more squash.

It's lovely this afternoon & I'm enjoying the peace & quiet!!

Will try & blog again later but if not will do tomorrow.

Bye xx





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Day 89 - The sun shone & productivity improved!!

Hi All

Hope you all enjoyed the sunshine today.
I've had a lovely & very busy day off - depression seems to have lifted from Dom and slightly more perspective has set in which is a relief.

Started this morning with a banana & an apricot together with some water and was in the gym by 9:30 (so keen today!)
Afterwards popped in to M&S for some, fruit, milk, juice etc. - remembering that after Sunday it'll just be Andrew & me at home. It's always a strange feeling having no kids at home but like having an extra bit of holiday too :)
Munched some grapes and the other apricot on the way to the deli where I picked up my order & restocked my smoked salmon supply - LOL!

Got home & had a much needed post-gym shower - very sweaty today - did my hair and hung out the washing I'd just done as well as the washing from yesterday that was spread out over the house (it's all dry now!)

Then of I went again (said it was busy) took Dom with me this time. He took my glasses in & picked up the ones that were ready so I can see properly again now :) & then I took him to Ruislip for a hair cut.

Finally I drove to Daisy's in the Park (in Pinner park) to meet my friend, Karen, who I hadn't actually seen since my birthday party last October!! Where does the time go??
We had lunch there sitting outside - I had a mackerel, beetroot and new potato salad. It was delicious but probably quite a few sins because it was (unexpectedly as it didn't say on the menu) smoked mackerel & I forgot to ask for dressing on the side, but other than olives with dinner that's all my sins for today. I had a black coffee (actually 2!) while we chatted. It was great to catch up & the cafe in the park is lovely BUT..........if I were running it I'd find a different way of taking orders as it slows up the service incredibly - we weren't in a harry but if we were it would have been hopeless!

Anyway, went home afterwards & did my chores - hung out more washing, made beds, changed towels etc., and watched the tennis. And Murray won again but can't say it was a fabulous match - still a win is a win :)
And Dom & Andrew had gone to 'hit golf balls' so I got to watch without interference or additional commentary - always a bonus although the commentary on Sky is truly appalling :-(

Dinner tonight was roast duck (Dom's favourite) with runner beans and broccoli with a few olives and some pickled cucumber - sparkling spring water (berry flavour) to drink and strawberries for dessert.
It was delicious if I say so myself & now I'm going have a short chill in front of the TV.

Cannot believe that tomorrow I'll have been blogging for 90 days - truly miraculous!!
Thanks again for your support.
Lisa xx

PS: Tomorrow we are going to see 'Top Hat' in Milton Keynes - weird you might say but it's a touring production and we know the producer (he plays golf with Andrew). It's a black tie performance and afterwards there's a cast party. The cast includes Tom Chambers (ex-Holby City, Strictly Come Dancing champion etc.) & Summer Strallen (was in Love Never Dies) - I'm a bit excited!! Also for the first time in ages I have two dresses that will fit me & I'm not stressing about what to wear - nice feeling :-)
It's touring all over the country so in case you are interested http://www.tophatonstage.com/about/

Day 88 - Congratulations & Expectations

Hi All

For those not following my every FB post - in my opinion (sadly not his) Dom did really well today.
He got  2 As & 2 Cs. The As were in Drama & RSP, the Cs in English Lit & History.
I am so proud of him & he is miserable :(
It is such a shame that our children live in an era when so much pressure is put on them so that the 2Cs are prioritised over the 2As. Don't get me wrong - I'm pleased that he's ambitious for himself and that he won't settle for second best but why should that prevent him from celebrating his achievements.
We are having both Cs re-marked and he can re-sit modules in January if he wants but it does take the shine off.

Hopefully he'll feel better tomorrow - the constant rain doesn't help either :(

I've been eating well today although the temptation to dive headlong into some chocolate this morning was almost irresistible - although resist I did!!

I had porridge and blueberries for breakfast,
HB eggs and salad for lunch followed by Onken Mango & Apple FF yoghurt.
Some cherries mid-afternoon.
Steak and spring greens tonight.
Plus coffee & lots of squash during the day.

Bought a duck to roast for dinner tomorrow - Dom's favourite so that will cheer him up :-)

Must say congrats to my gorgeous & intelligent niece on her results today as well as to the children of my friends and friends of my children who have all achieved so much today.

Night, night xx

Day 87 - stress!!!!!

Hi all

Woke up this morning determined to be better prepared and pick up on my routine and it has definitely helped today.

Had a sliced banana, Weetabix Crunchy Bran and semi-skimmed milk with large glass of squash for breakfast then got dressed.

Had appointment with gynaecologist today - all is well & I got a gold star for losing weight (last time I got a lecture about not losing!!) and increasing my exercise but my BP was a bit high :-( But she did use the small cuff to check and not the bigger one more suitable for giant size arms!!!

Anyway after my appointment I was off to work.
Popped in to Morrisons on my way in and bought some bits including some fresh fish for dinner.

Once in the office I had lots to do but if I'm honest my mind wasn't on it so it wasn't my most productive day. Couldn't stop thinking about Dom & results day tomorrow. I wasn't at all worried about his results but between Andrew saying 'everyone gets As' and Dom thinking he's going to get Cs, my stress levels are quite high.
It was a good job I bought lots of fruit on Morrisons because I ate most of it during the day, as well as the smoked salmon salad I brought from home, several black coffees and about a litre of water.
Around 4:30pm I called it a day & realised that my productivity was at an all time low - not working tomorrow so will have to be very focussed next week.

Came home and did some chores, including stewing some of the hundreds of plums the boys picked at the weekend.

For dinner we had grilled fish (I had mackerel, Dom had salmon & Andrew had both!!) with broccoli and mashed potato (sweet & white). The mash was yummy - used 10g of butter (3.5 sins) to finish it off together with lots of seasoning.
In a while I'm going to have some stewed plums and yoghurt - will have to measure them (113g is 1 sin) but good use of sins I think.

So now Dom is watching the football (his team is winning TG) & I'm finishing this.

To all reading this and waiting for results tomorrow I wish your child lots of luck - if you have to wait another week you have my sympathy :)

Love to all
Lxx





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Location:London,United Kingdom

Day 86 - Toby's gone again :-(

Very early start this morning as Toby left for Florence today.

Left home for City Airport at about 6:45 so no time to eat breakfast or make lunch.

Arrived at airport after lovely early morning drive through central London (no sarcasm intended - it was sunny and quiet) and got Toby checked in. He's travelled as an unaccompanied minor so we then had 30 mins to kill before he was collected. Toby had fruit & a drink and then it was time to go. Had a big hug and off he went.
I then had to wait until his flight left - really wanted a luxury hot choc (with cream, marshmallows & a flake!!) but had a black coffee and some berries instead.

Eventually left airport for the office. Stopped on way at Morrisons and bought some berries and a salad for lunch.
During afternoon I also had an Irish yoghurt & lots of coffee - definitely not enough water today.

Left work around 5 - came home and stopped for petrol. Have to say tank was only half full and I only stopped because I was going to buy chocolate (had terrible craving!!) but decided not to (suddenly I'm a grown up) and just paid for petrol. I must have looked like a loony as I did two cycles of the shop before deciding not to buy anything :-)

Tobz phoned this evening - apparently its 37c so he's been swimming and already having a good time :-)

For supper Dom had chicken wings and AH Szechuan rice - I had two tiny wings & some rice followed by a large bowl of cherries and large glass of squash.

So that's about it for tonight. I'm definitely struggling this week as it's all a bit stressful what with Tobz going away and Dom's results on Thursday but I need to keep control of what goes in my mouth.

Hope all is going well for you.
Lxx


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Day 85 - very disappointed :-)

I put on a 1lb this week - not a crisis but very disappointing not least because leaving aside the box of HiFi bars I ate last Monday after class my infringements have been minor.
I suppose that's just the way it goes but it doesn't make it any less frustrating & it does make me wish I'd had a piece of Ruth's delicious roulade on Saturday night!!!

I did come out of class in 'sod it' mode however filled up my car with petrol and ate a bag of jam donuts (3 - very sickly donuts) which was stupid - but I never said I wasn't stupid :-(

Then went off to work for a meeting and to meet with Karen who I haven't seen for ages as she often works at home. I was feeling generally fed up and I always feel better after I've talked things through with her.

After the meeting I decided to come straight home (will have to put in long days on Tues & Wed - not working Thursday as it's results day!!).

Picked up Tobz from his friend and brought him home to pack - blissfully painless and got it all into his school sports bag which was great. He's off to Florence tomorrow to stay with Andrew's parents for 12 days. Which means ......
It's only 12 days until we go away :-)

Had lovely dinner tonight - roast chicken in BBQ sauce (new make very low sins!!) with cauliflower, asparagus & half a jacket potato.
Had a couple of plums from our garden and lots of squash.

Not had enough to drink today and there was the donut-binge but I do seem to have learned to limit the damage - sadly I'd have gone on sabotaging myself all day only a short time ago.

Tomorrow will be better.
Love to all xxx


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Day 84 - Toby's home (only until Tuesday morning!!)

Dom stayed at a friend's house last night & Andrew left early to play golf so I had a lovely sleep in this morning & got up around 9:30am.


Got dressed & left for the gym (ate a banana in the car on the way) promptly as had to collect Dom around 11 & get home promptly.
Good workout this morning - funny thing happened at the gym :) I recognised a girl there & realised she was Toby's teacher at cheder. I couldn't remember her name but luckily she recognised me too and asked me if I was 'Toby's mum'? We had a quick chat, mostly because I can't exercise, sweat, breathe & talk all at the same time, which was really nice but I realised that I've become my dad (strange but true!!). I remember him saying that 'once he was Philip Vandermolen' but suddenly he'd changed into Lisa's dad!!' - I suppose it had to happen but that's just how I felt this morning :-)


After the gym I picked up Dom (ate a nectarine in the car), went home, took some meat out of my little freezer (will have to stock it up this week) for a BBQ tonight, finished off the chicken from Friday night, and then left to collect Toby from Borehamwood.


Before I left Betty (my cleaner) phoned to tell me she was retiring - very said but inevitable as she is 79 in October!! She's been my cleaner since before Dom was born but this house has been too much for her really & I've known that for ages but wasn't prepared to do anything about it. As she broke her collar bone after slipping on my stairs about a month ago I've been using an agency so I've had my house cleaned and in reality it's much better than Betty did it but I will miss her.


Anyway, I digress, arrived at The Venue, Borehamwood at 1:30 but sadly the coach didn't :( 
Anyway there were lots of people to talk to & they were only about 45 mins late!!
Toby emerged from the coach with his face covered in green marker pen - oh the joys of a dare :)
So lovely to see him though - clearly he's had a great time and made loads of new friends from all over the UK & the large group of Israelis. That is what makes JLGB so great (in my humble opinion!)


He's away again on Tuesday so have done loads of washing (TG the sun was shining) and got ready for the BBQ. While Dom watched the football, Andrew mowed the lawn & picked fruit from the garden, and Toby, who wasn't tired, went to sleep!!, I had a coffee and some cherries and read the paper.


BBQ was lovely - burgers, lamb sausages (only 1 for me), beef shishlik, green salad, beetroot & potato salad. Fruit salad (melon, blueberries, strawberries & an orange) followed and lots to drink.


And that's about it for me now - weigh day tomorrow & not feeling especially confident (not sure why) but whatever will be will be !!


Lx

Day 83 (sorry it's a bit late)

Hi all
Hope you are having a lovely weekend.
This is day 83's blog (yesterday in other words) as I got in too late last night to write anything coherent (that is, of course, assuming anything I write is coherent!!)

After day 82's fat experiences I woke up much more positive yesterday morning.
Fancied something 'different' for breakfast so had porridge with semi-skimmed milk and blueberries with a black coffee & a large glass of sf squash.

Then Dom & I went to shul - interestingly saw several people I haven't seen for a while who seemed to be able to see a difference in me which is really reassuring as I suspect I look at myself much more critically than other people do - don't we all??
Also several people who are reading my blog - thank you so much for your kind words :-)

After shul came home and made lunch for Dom & Andrew - beigels for both. Sooo tempted to have one too - nothing like a smoked salmon & cream cheese beigel in my opinion. I did resist because
1. We were going out to dinner, and
2. I don't feel like I'm having a 'great' week and blowing it with all those sins didn't seem worthwhile somehow - does this mean I'm beginning to exhibit common sense??

So instead I made a salad which looked so pretty I took a picture of it!!



It tasted good too - however o must remember to drizzle the balsamic vinegar before putting on the HB eggs :-)

Usual stuff Saturday afternoon, Waitrose, washing, listened to football & caught up on Eastenders - mourned the second defeat of the season. Being a Leeds United supporter isn't easy but someone has to do it!!

In the evening we went to friends for dinner. Had such a lovely evening with people we don't often see socially - lovely food and great company (Ruth & Graham, Yvonne & Trevor - thanks for a great time).
Anyway we had a lovely meal

Caesar salad with homemade Caesar dressing (light and delicious)
Salmon baked in honey dressed with fruit & a honey dressing with tabouleh, a mixed salad with raspberry & pomegranate dressing and a very small spoonful of potato salad.
Dessert was fresh fruit - strawberries, water melon, blueberries and cherries

Also had half a glass of Rose & lots of diet Coke too.

Did pass on the beautiful looking fruit filled roulade, the homemade cherry tomato quiche and the croutons on the Caesar salad (so virtuous!!) - but was absolutely stuffed :-)

So that was my Saturday.
Xx









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Day 82 - feeling fat today :-(

Hi all

I've had a very nice day today and an excellent food & drink day but nevertheless I'm feeling very bloated & frankly FAT!! Not a great word as (like Ms) it's not a word you can say without 'spitting it out' and sounding miserable too.

Over the last few days I've been feeling 'slimmer', felt I've looked better & generally been quite pleased with myself but today I've spent a great deal of time in front of mirrors :-( and they weren't flattering.

Firstly I had my roots done this morning - this (as those of you who have grey hair & cover it!! will know) involves having your grey bits covered and then sitting in front of the mirror reading a magazine while it soaks in! I love this bit if for no other reason I get to read gossip mags that I haven't paid for & drink coffee that someone else has made :) But every now and then you catch yourself in the mirror and the double chin I'd convinced myself had gone still seemed to be there - now I admit that this process isn't designed to have you looking at your best but it is an absolutely honest assessment of your features!!
Then when I move on to the fabulous Darren to have my haircut I have to take my glasses off - this is the good bit as I can see nothing whatsoever but when he's finished & I look fab (see below)

Sorry about the light beaming down but you can still see the lovely cut & colour.
However to know it looks fab I put my glasses back on & caught sight of my knees in the full length mirror - certainly haven't lost any weight there!!

After this I went home - to collect Dom for our shopping trip.
I had a quick shower & changed.
Oh & had to empty out my garage freezer which has died after 21 years - unfortunately it had been fairly full of meat, fish, & other frozen stuff which I had to chuck out  It was dying anyway but it appears that 'someone' left it open after taking an ice-cream out - GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!! - & now it's just gone phut after freezing itself to death!

Next off to Watford to buy the (unexpectedly expensive) things Dom needed for his DofE Gold expedition - who knew a properly waterproofed & weatherproofed jacket and the correct size rucksack would cost so
much?
Then to M&S for suits - but didn't get that far as we looked into BaronJon - if your son needs suits for shul/school I'd highly recommend it. Excellent service and good choice - bought two suits, three shirts and two ties for under £350 - not cheap but they had long line jackets & trousers that fitted.
However whilst waiting I accidently took this photo

OMG - when standing up I look quite good (or so I thought) but sitting down my fat bum & thighs are hanging over the side of the chair - reality check has hit home really hard today BUT..............
I didn't succumb in the way I usually do & have a big fat binge - I remembered that I'm working hard, I'm going for the 'long game' and also Dom was with me so there was no way I could get away with it!!
He even made me walk up to the second floor of the car park instead of getting the lift  (it's eight flights!!!).

Anyway these are my thoughts for today.
Hope your day has been good - have a great weekend.

Lisa xx

Day 80 & 81 - busy, busy!!

Apologies for the gap in blogs but I've been very busy over the last couple of days.

Good food & drink day yesterday although probably ate too much meat as was very hungry and that was all that seemed to fill me up.
Was very busy at work but managed to complete all the paperwork for our AGM in September which was a big job to get out of the way. I always find that I eat more when I'm sat in front of my computer all day.

Last night I had to take Dom to Radlett so popped in on some very good friends that I hadn't seen for ages. Had a diet coke, a lemon tea and a really good catch up before collecting Dom from his friend.

Today I didn't work so went to the gym this morning - unusual for a Thursday - had a good session.
Then in to M&S to buy some fruit - such a lot of money but really the world's best fruit and it feels like my only food treat just now.

Then home, shower & off to see Tobz and my niece at camp Open Day.
Before I went I had to make smoked salmon sandwiches for them both. So hard today (not sure why) not to munch the sandwiches myself - but I did resist!!!

Then off to camp!!
It is like going back in time - lovely to see Tobz although not sure he was as pleased to see me!!! Deanna was though - had a lovely hug.
Saw loads of people I used to know when I was Toby's age made me remember how much I used to enjoy it too.

When I got home I had some smoked beef, Ainsleys Indian rice and tomatoes with a large glass of squash followed by some cherries.

Toby was a bit grumpy with me earlier but has just texted to say sorry - you've got to love them!!

Hope you've had a good couple of days xx

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Day 79 - keeping track

Today I've decided that I'll record what I eat as I go to check I'm not slipping as it's only two and a bit weeks before we go on holiday & a week in the south of France plus a week at home is unlikely to yield a mega weight loss :-)

So here goes:

Breakfast (7:30) - 2 choc Weetabix (2 sins) with blueberries & raspberries and semi-skimmed milk. Plus a glass of sf grapefruit squash.

Arrived at work (9:00) - Black coffee, L&L Water (SF)
11:30 - 2 satsumas

Lunch (Phew - annual report written - I deserve a break!!) 12:54 - very hungry, must be all that writing :-)
Large salad (toms, beetroot, lettuce, red chicory, celery, cucumer & smoked salmon with balsamic vinegar), a Chinese flavour Mug Shot. Followed by blackberries with an Activia FF Snackpot Peach (0.5 sins). Black coffee & L&L water.

15:30 - cherries & more water.

17:30 - home & had a coffee while tidying up, hanging out washing, ironing tea clothes & watering garden!!

20:10 - dinner is cold roast lamb, tongue (just cooked - yummy!!) with stir fry veg (using Fry Light & dark soy sauce) & cauliflower left from last night.
Also had glass of squash.

Feel very full now :)

Nothing of note really to comment on today except looking back I do eat alot!! Further down the line I may have to look at that but let's just concentrate on get rid of some more lbs first!!

Night all xxx


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Day 78 - Another pound lost :-))) & a lesson learned!

Just a quick post tonight as you are probably still exhausted from last night's epic post!!

I lost another 1lb today - making 1st 1lb in 11 weeks & my BMI is down to 34.1
I'm so pleased it's all still working :)

So at class I bought a packet of  Chocolate HiFi bars (one is a B box or 6 sins) - ate one with a black coffee and  a couple of satsumas while the class was going on (in lieu of the breakfast I don't have before being weighed - I'm not daft!)
Anyway class is over & I had to go to collect Dom and then go to have my eyes tested and collect his glasses.
By the time I'd reached home the other three bars had 'vanished' - OMG have I been suffering since :-( Not sure what else is in them but I've been in the loo on and off for the rest of the afternoon. Serves me right and I won't do that again!

Have a good evening all
Lx

Day 77 - 11 weeks on and what have I learned??

Well incredibly I've been writing for 11 weeks and thought today would be a good day to review what I've learned about myself & what I haven't!!

1. Planning is essential whether it's making lunch when I'm at work or taking something to eat when I go to the theatre or concerts.

2. I need to drink lots - at least 2L of water/squash/black coffee/mint tea etc. If I don't I'm hungrier and I get headachy (probably also due to menopause - so no escape!!)

3. I need to do more exercise - I've started but it is true that the more you do the better the results. It also makes me very thirsty so helps with 2 :-)

4. An unbelievable number of people are reading this blog so I need to maintain the honesty & consistency. Writing the blog is making me think about what I put in my mouth and 'unconscious eating' has been a major problem for me that this blog has been a major contributor in kicking!

5. Honesty is the best policy - I've always known this but being honest with myself is the hardest thing. Not the same as being hard on myself - still am but trying hard not to beat myself up as this is without doubt counter-productive.

So it's a very good start but not the finished article and I still have a long way to go because

A. I need to find time to go to the gym more often - this means I have to STOP making excuses & START putting my needs higher up my 'to do list'!

B. I need to stop craving chocolate :-( At least once a day I have a major craving - I can't pinpoint when but it always comes. I don't have the willpower to have just one piece or a tiny piece - or the hips - to allow myself some now and then. For instance we went for a snack last night before the theatre and we sat next to a fridge full of the most gorgeous looking cakes - mostly chocolatey. It took all my strength not to smash the glass & dive straight in to one - quite a funny image but a fairly disturbing feeling.

C. I haven't beaten the post weigh-in binge. I plan it, I do it, my 'honesty' doesn't always extend to the full extent of it because I'm ashamed. It is much better than it was and only ever happens on Mondays but you would be amazed at the lengths this fairly uncreative pharmacist will go to find space in my day to binge especially during the school holidays.

So that's it for now - it does feel very good to be influencing my own life and making changes that might just last. I hope that you are making steps too.

Lxx

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Day 76 - PS

Just wanted to say that Journey's End was excellent. Fabulous acting from some very inexperienced actors - worth seeing :-)

We went for a quick bite to eat beforehand and I had a goats cheese salad. Had to leave one of the pieces of cheese
(a) because they were too big, but more importantly
(b) because I couldn't eat so much cheese :)
I did really enjoy the small amount I had so probably a lesson for me in there somewhere.

When 'the boys' had ice-creams in the interval, I had water and my HiFi bar and it just filled the spot.

All in all a successful evening.

I'm up early today - too early!
Toby's off to camp today & neither of us could sleep.

Busy day today - after dropping him off I'm going to the gym and then out to Sally & Andrew for tea. Haven't seen them for ages so really looking forward to it.

Laters x


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Day 76 - much calmer today :)

Hi all
Just having a quick sit down I'm the garden before we go to the theatre with the boys - we are seeing Journeys End at the Duke of Yorks (St Martins Lane).

All is calm today - my tantrum last night left me feeling shitty but I do think the message got through when I declined to make breakfast for them this morning!!

I had a bowl of melon & red currants with a Waitrose vanilla probiotic FF yoghurt - very nice it was too :-) with a black coffee.

Then the boys & I went to shul (early as I was on kiddush rota!!). Disappointingly our lovely youth directors have decided to leave us so I am a bit concerned about short term activities and what will happen over New Year but thankfully only as a parent & not as a board member (don't think I could have handled that just now).

Came home and told boys they could get their own lunch too but in the end I grilled veal chops that were in the fridge (because I forgot to put them in the freezer!) and we had them with a big green salad and some beetroot.

This afternoon was taken up with labelling Toby's stuff for camp (worst job in the world!) but he did get everything out first - small but significant steps!
It's all done now and packed.

I've just had some raspberries and a peach with my coffee - now for some make up & off we'll go!!

Ps: taking an apple and HiFi bar for the interval (planning is everything!)






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Days 74 & 75 all in one go (mostly because I forgot to do it yesterday!!)

Hi all
Today I'm posting for two days because for the first time since I started I completely forgot yesterday (hope that's not a bad omen) & now I have to make my aged brain work to remember if anything significant happened yesterday.........................& I don't believe it did.

I remember breakfast yesterday as I woke up fancying something cheesy & (as it was too early to have it then) I had Crunchy Bran & leftover fruit salad topped off with 0% Greek yoghurt. It was ok for a change but the yoghurt is too stiff to have with cereal so it was all a bit dry. Next time I'll do it with runny yoghurt - I will do it again as it made a good change & fruit on its own isn't enough for me.

In any event when I went to make my lunch I realised there was no cheese - one of life's great conundrums (in my own universe) is why do my family finish things and not put them on the list???????????
Quite disappointing but not earth-shatteringly desperate I suppose :)
Instead I made a salad with some cold chicken & took some berries, a nectarine & a banana to have during the day (I drank loads because it was still very warm yesterday despite the excessive rainfall).

After work I went to the butcher & bought some mince - Dom, Toby & his friend were at home and I knew they'd enjoy some spaghetti bolognese. It's so easy but I don't make it that often (It's also Sin Free which makes it extra delicious) - I made loads thinking there would be some left over but it went down too well & all that was left were pans to wash.
I never did have any cheese :-(

[Sorry I have to go now & sort dinner - will be back later......................]

So I'm back now having had dinner & lost my temper ;( I knew it was too good to last.
I seem to have bred particularly lazy &, this evening, rude children who seem to think it's OK to take me for granted - I FEEL TAKEN FOR GRANTED BY THE MEN IN MY HOUSE (Andrew is just as bad).
Surely it isn't too much to ask them to clear off the table once in a while, wash up may be & even clear up after themselves. Could they load the dishwasher rather than leave things on top? Could they wash up where necessary rather than leave things 'to soak' - Andrew's favourite trick so that when I come down in the morning the sink is full of dirty (& now greasy plates) that still need washing up. What's excuse for not helping? He's been working all day - well whoopee do I've clearly been sitting in front of Jeremy Kyle, eating chocolate & doing nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ooh it makes me so mad.
I know that they think I'm just having a rant & I'll get over it - the truth is I will but it doesn't mean it doesn't hurt like hell just now.
I also realise that I've only got myself to blame because it's my job to look after them all - I enjoy looking after them all, I'd just like to feel looked after sometimes......

It's really taken the shine off my lovely day.
I had my nails done this morning - lovely pale pink to make my hands look tanned (it's worked a bit!).
Then to the deli & off to Westfield with Tobz to do holiday shopping for him.
We had a lovely day (after a grumpy start) and we got everything he wanted. Stopped for lunch at the salad bar (well I did - Toby had fried fish in yummy looking batter) and home by 4pm.
Then I went out to get Dom some school/shul shoes - had to spend a lot of money because he's got such big feet but I'm hoping they'll last (they'd better!).

OH - well tomorrow's another day.
Lx

Day 73 - Dominic came home & the sun is shining :-)

The time is 7:30pm in Pinner.
The sun is shining, there's a slight breeze, the barbecue is heating up & the boys are playing football - what more could I want??

Dinner would be nice!!

We are waiting for Andrew to get home so we can all eat together.

Today has been lovely.
Started with 2 choc weetBix with raspberries and semi-skimmed milk plus a black coffee and large glass of water.

Then dropped Tobz to his friend and off I went to Luton to collect Dom - so excited to see him!! Plane landed 20mins early but it took an hour for them all to get through customs etc. Here he is








Brought him home - loved his new bed (phew!!) but may need to do some rearranging of the room. Then made lunch for us - I had a mixed salad with sardines & hard boiled eggs. Followed by a nectarine & some blackberries then he had a snooze & I went shopping - can't believe I was back in Waitrose again :)

At home I put shopping away, made salad & fruit salad & now Andrew is home.

All is well in my world today - hope it is in yours xxx





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Day 72 - why did I order that???

So yesterday went swimmingly until my meeting :-(

I had a good breakfast (Weetabix crunchy bran with a banana & semi-skimmed milk), plenty of water & coffee during the day, lunch was smoked salmon with the last of the couscous salad from Saturday and lovely green salad (with a sprinkling of balsamic vinegar). Came home a bit early - had some berries & yoghurt before leaving the office - to see Tobz, pay the cleaner (still fab), and chill!!

At 7ish left for meeting and took some cooked meat to eat in the car so I wouldn't be hungry. Got to the hotel and everyone else had ordered wraps, sandwiches etc so I ordered salad - so far so good you might think buy no........
Salad was Greek salad with tzatsiki & hummus and pitta - in my head I'm saying I won't eat those or the cheese - who was I kidding??????
Stupid choice - haven't worked out the sins but must have been at least 25 with the feta, dressing etc and I didn't really need it.

The moral of this story is when you go to meetings you don't want to be at don't order food :-(

Anyway - today is 'a very happy face day' - in just under 3 hours Dom will be landing at Luton. Can't wait to see him :-))


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Day 71 - a milestone & measurements.

Hi all
Just a quickie tonight because for some inexplicable reason I have a tummy ache & it's not comfortable sitting by the computer!!

Great day today as I lost another 2lbs to make 1 stone in 10 weeks.
So I now weigh 18st 6.5lbs and my BMI 34.3 (I've noticed it drops very slowly but at least it's dropping!!)

I did my measurements (I've put them in a table now) I'm so technical but sadly the table won't copy onto the blog so it's come out as below but the nett result is that I've lost 3.5" since I last measured and 5.5" in all!!

 Fullest part of bust 46" 47" 45.5"
 Under bust 41" 41" 41"
 Waist 45" 44" 42.5"
 Hips 53" 52" 51.5"
 Thigh 26" 25.5" 25.5"
 Arm 16" 15.5" 15.5"

I'm really pleased with all this as it shows that between SW (& especially the ever fab Karen), this blog, my head getting straight & the wonderful support from my friends (& family) its working 'just fine'!!

Thank-you for being my support network - it really is appreciated.

xxx

It's likely that there will be a few quick posts this week as tomorrow I'm working in the evening and on Wednesday my big boy is coming home!! Then its time to get Toby ready to go to camp :)