Message from Venice :-)

Hi all

Having spent all day at the pool I thought I'd do a quick blog from my lovely hotel in Venice. Not willing to send full photo of me by pool but you'll recognise my toenails in the photo!!

The weather is very very lovely - clear blue skies and lots of sunshine. In truth it's not really sight-seeing weather but we've done quite a lot visiting St Marks square, the Jewish qtr, Murano & Burano (Venetian islands renowned for glass & lace respectively - you can imagine what a fabulous time the boys had there!!). Last night we did a trip to here The Barber of Seville performed in a beautiful Venetian house overlooking the canal - opera isn't really my thing but it was a lovely evening & the complimentary Prosecco was lovely too :-)

And then there's the food.........
Hotel breakfast is a lovely buffet with lots of fresh fruit (watermelon, ogen melon, plums, peaches etc), scrambled eggs, grilled toms, ff yoghurt &, before you think this blog is being written by a hacker!, fabulous croissants, cheeses & cakes. Have to say that cake (yes cake - jam tart, donuts, sable biscuits, almond cake etc) is an acquired taste & not one I'm indulging but it does all look very inviting :-)

Lunches have been various salads - our lunches have been small because of the heat & the big breakfast.

Dinners have varied but have been lovely with lots of fresh fish, veggies, pasta etc - and actually I had dessert only once a fabulous tiramisu (when in Venice....)

I'm not a huge ice cream eater so haven't had even one yet although the boys have and I have been tempted but actually not enough to have one :-)

Tomorrow is our last full day in Venice & then we join the cruise on Saturday - will let you know how I get on.

Love to all
Lxx

Absent without leave & we all know what that means :-)

So after a blogging gap of just about two weeks thought I'd give you the benefit of my musings on this very pleasant Friday evening.
On Monday we are off on our holidays so today was an opportunity to do some last minute shopping & to have my beautifications attended to - manicure, pedicure & waxing in other words (see results below).
Rather delightfully my toenails match my sun dress however I'm not certain that they'll match my other clothes but who cares I'll be so chilled out it just won't matter - and I like the colour!!

Last time I blogged we were mid-Olympics and now it's all over but we had such a great time and the events we saw will be adventures we will treasure forever especially as I can say 'I was there when Mo Farrah won the 5000m' - absolutely astonishing :-)

Suppose I should update you on the debacle that is my weight loss - suffice to say that I had lost 5lbs in four weeks & now I haven't :(
The week before last was truly a disaster & I weighed in feeling very bloated but didn't imagine such a huge gain. However a lot was fluid because by Tuesday I'd lost 2lbs. This week hasn't been bad because in the wait for Dom's A level results my appetite deserted me and despite a fear that I might ingest my body weight in chocolate (& that's quite a lot of chocolate) as you don't need an appetite to do that - I haven't.

Proud mummy moment coming.......
Dom passed his exams & is going to Nottingham uni in September.

So now I'm on the pre holiday cycle and really looking forward to it.
We are off to Venice for five days & then on a cruise for a week.
I need the break and am looking forward to escaping to somewhere warm and sunny.
I am still a bit concerned about being sea sick but like the good pharmacist I am I have plentiful supplies of travel sickness pills so should be fine!!

As I said earlier I did a bit of shopping this morning as I looked at my stretchy selection and decided that done of it might be a bit warm as average temp will be 32c. I went to a shop called Trendy Togs in Queensbury - not my usual haunt but I'd been recommended - & what a good recommendation it was :-)
They had a really good selection of colourful tops and I even bought a couple of cotton (or linen I'm not certain) sleeveless tunics. Definitely a good find and for those of us with tree-trunk arms and big bums there is choice - always a bonus in my book :-)

So I think that's all for now - I might try to blog a bit while I'm on holiday to keep you in touch with my attempts to eat sensibly in Venice and on the cruise.

Will be in touch.
Lxx

Lots of Olympics - not enough dieting (or blogging!)

Hi all

Very sorry not to post this week but (to be honest) I've become an Olympics junkie & all my spare time (& some of the time i should be doing other things!) has been taken up watching the tv, listening on the radio or viewing on the Internet!!!!

It is highly addictive and very distracting - but aren't we doing well :-)

Anyway - I lost 2lbs last week and was very pleased with myself if a bit surprised as I rarely lose more than a pound a week these days.

This week in all honesty I have been quite naughty and if things turn out as I expect the results may not be good.
It got cooler so my 'chocolate fancying gene' was out in force.
I've also been nibbling odd crisps, bits of bread etc etc - not counting my syns properly and generally not putting in enough effort or concentrating on the task in hand.

I have been better over the weekend and I had my hair cut on Friday (has to be good for a couple of ounces!!) but if I'm punished by a gain I only have myself to blame

We had a BBQ yesterday and I had a glass of Pymms - I do make it with diet lemonade but as the host it is beholden on me to eat the leftover (& thoroughly 'alcoholic') fruit in the bottom of the jug!
However the rest of the food was very SW friendly with lots of yummy salads and fresh fruit for dessert.

Today Tobz came home from camp - so nice to have him home & he obviously had a good time - wonder how long it will take him to mess up his beautifully tidy bedroom!!!!

Next week will be quite busy, I'm out all day tomorrow, working Tuesday - Thursday, Olympic hockey on Tuesday, Olympic athletics on Saturday (soo excited) and friends for a BBQ on Sunday - phew!!!
Must try harder this week as the following week is my last before holiday AND A level results week - all sorts of terrible excuses for not following the plan!!

Hopefully you'll be hearing more from me this week as I'll need to be much more focussed.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend
Lx

Olympic Opening ceremony - well what else should I talk about!!!!!!!!!

If you are already bored with the Olympics or so cynical that you won't let yourself enjoy it - this post will drive you insane!!!!!!!!!
If you didn't know already on Friday we went to the Opening Ceremony & it was truly a once in a lifetime experience - amazing entertainment, fabulous architecture, fabulous volunteers, wonderful organisation & then there was the actual show - yes I know Paul McCartney probably should stop singing but that finish with the whole arena singing Hey Jude was a fitting end.

Ok I'm back now - yes I realise you didn't know I'd gone but internet went down and then I watched the Women's Road Race & Andy Murray play tennis, a bit of weightlifting and some table tennis. Yes I am a junkie - shame there are no calories expended watcghing other people sweat!!!

On the diet front, suppose I'd better get back to the point!, it's not been too bad this week although a bit erratic so I really have no idea what will happen tomorrow. For example on Friday it was pretty warm still & I was rushing about as I had an insurance medical at 9am, then went to the deli, pop into a friend for coffee, Dom & I went for a dental check up & then back home again to have my nails done - phew! No time to eat properly so grabbed some cold meat & fruit from fridge but at the Opening Ceremony we all had fish & chips (very yummy!!). Had loads of water to drink during the day and nothing else at all to eat.
I've been very good yesterday & today so far and at Curves this morning burned off 523 cals - that's over 500cals for two Sunday's on the trot - so really hope that helps as will be disappointed if I don't lose my 1lb tomorrow after staying the same last week.

Tobz went to camp this morning & I'm sure by now he'll be having a fab time and I need to get on with tidying his room (now that's a mega calorie burner!!) I do miss him while he's away - sad mummy that I am 0)

Anyway I think that's all for now - was hoping for some time in the sun today but it wasn't to be  Maybe tomorrow....................

Bye all
Lxx

Sunshine, BBQs & lots to drink :0)

Hi all

Hope you've all been enjoying the sunshine this week as much as I have.

A few things have occurred to me that make the sunshine good for me (as well as the potential for a suntan!)

1: I don't eat chocolate in this weather because I like my chocolate 'hard' at room temperature - probably why I'm not that keen on chocolate spread. I suppose I could put it in the fridge but as I eat most of my chocolate in the car & at speed it doesn't tempt me.

2: BBQing is one of my favourite things - it does mean I'm eating much more meat than usual per meal but I'm having lots of salad with it and only fruit afterwards.

3: I'm not as hungry in the heat and when I am I tend to eat less (this is during the day only as by dinner time the temperature is cooler!). For instance today I had a Mug Shot followed by a yogurt and some raspberries - minuscule by my standards :)

4: I must have drank about 3l of water/squash/coffee today which is really good for me as like many of us menopausal over-weight women I tend to suffer whole body swelling in this heat & drinking lots really helps.

Tomorrow is a very busy day. Starts off with an insurance medical when I'm sure I'll be weighed and told how overweight I am :-(
Then to the dentist with Dom and back home to have my nails done and then...........

Off to Stratford for the Olympic Opening Ceremony - soooo excited just seen a little snippet of the rehearsal on the news and I can't quite believe that this time tomorrow we'll be there :-)))
Before that we've to collect our tickets which is likely to mean we'll have to wait in a very long queue but who cares - we'll be queuing for a lifetime's experience
Will let you know how we get on

Look for me in the crowd - lol!!!

Weigh in & sunshine

Hi all

This will be a quick one because
A) I haven't got a lot to say
And
B) my parents & in-laws are coming for a BBQ tonight so haven't got much time!

I'm really enjoying the sunshine - it makes everyone smile & actually makes me less hungry and more thirsty. So I'm banking that for now!

Went out to eat last night to a Greek restaurant in Camden - lovely meal but we ate quite late and although I was careful it had an impact on my weigh in this morning and I stayed the same. Bit disappointed but with the ups & downs of the week not devastating either!!!

So on to this week and keeping up my determination.
BBQ tonight is chicken wings, lamb spare ribs & sausages. I have to say up front that the meat came marinaded so between that & the sausage that I'll have because I love sausages, I expect to use the full 15 syns today. This is not a problem & certainly better than some weeks in the past when the post-class syn count was off the scale!!!
I've also made cucumber salad, potato salad (3 syns for the whole thing), green salad & lots of salad bits in bowls.
Have chopped up watermelon & a bowl of berries for dessert - there is ice-cream too but not for me :-)

So that's me for today.
Hope you are all enjoying the good weather - don't forget to drink lots

Love
Lxx

The ups & downs of dieting - no suprises today :)

Hi All
Hope you've had a good week.
I've been really busy - even had to work on Friday - and so my dieting journey has had it's fair share of ups & downs this week.

In fact more ups that downs but the downs were unavoidable as they all involved food provided for me.
Three times this week I've been at work 'things' lunch was provided and the veggie option was either sandwiches or fried. I have really controlled what I eat - so no more that 4 triangles, no crisps, plenty of water/coffee and fruit if it was there. It does go to show I can do it but with the fore-knowledge of my fat holding menopausal body I may be heading for a 'stay the same' week.
Although this will be disappointing - on the other hand I've been pleased to note that my personal control levels are improving and this is a big relief.

Also when I've been in control I've eaten lots of fruit - lovely at the moment - & salads (also lovely and loads of variety). I've ensured that I measured everything that needed to be and, most importantly tried really hard to make everything on my plate look lovely (see below)

And what's more today - I've eaten them in my garden!!! Could it be that summer has arrived? I've no idea but I've hung washing outside and sat outside today & it's lovely :)

I've come to the conclusion that taking more time over what's on the plate & how it looks - or even just taking the time to put it on a plate!! - makes a huge difference to how I eat it and taste it.
In truth if I grab something from the fridge it's 'down the hatch' and forgotten in milliseconds, doesn't fill me up &I'm soon enough on to the next thing. Whereas if I arrange it on a plate, think about what I WANT to eat rather than shoving something in as quickly as possible I feel fuller longer.

Wouldn't it be lovely if I remembered these nuggets of info all the time???????

Anyway, I've bought some new clothes this week in sales because I can't wait until my holiday. In truth most of what's come so far is a bit on the tight side but it will loosen - it'll have too.

So now for some clearing up and a bit of telly!!

Love to all
Lisa xx

Success & stumbling blocks :-))

Hi all

Firstly (drum roll required!) I lost 1.5lbs this week. I'm so pleased with myself as I worked hard at it last week so it's always nice to get the reward.

I couldn't stay to group this week as I had to take Toby to the orthodontist & then collect my friend from her hospital appointment. So I came straight home (not via anywhere to buy 'naughties') and had breakfast (fruit & yogurt).
Thus my feeling of smugness continued.

Unexpectedly I went out for lunch to Daisy's in Pinner Park - had smoked salmon & poached egg on brown toast (no butter) & hollandaise sauce - oops forgot to ask for sauce on the side (stumbling block 1). I didn't eat it all but still probably had 3 syns-worth.

Stumbling block two came with the Chinese takeaway we had for dinner !! It was a treat for the boys & tried very hard not to over do it but I guess it must have contained around 20syns (probably a conservative estimate£.

Still today is another day & I have had a much more controlled day.
Breakfast was choc Weetabix with blackberries and milk. Lunch was a mixed salad with cous-cous with strawberries, grapes & an apple. For dinner tonight I've had cold beef with brussels & stir fried noodles with mushrooms followed by an orange. I've had loads to drink but absolutely no stumbling blocks today - phew!!

I realised after yesterday, which wasn't awful but not a 'strict diet day', that if I persist with the one day at a time principal, one bad day does not have to mean a second bad day or third & so on - lesson learned I hope.

I have a very old friend (male) who started on SW last September and has so far lost over 7.5 stone - I'm so proud of him - and I so wish I could lose at the same rate as him but I realise that my hormone-filled menopausal body just isn't willing to give up the fat cells that quickly.
However, they will be given up because I really don't want them anymore, but it will take time, effort, patience and not too many stumbling blocks!!!

That's it from me tonight - it's time for Superstar (Nathan for Jesus!!)

Love
Lxx

Why are Sunday's so tricky?

Tonight I'm posting whilst watching 'Superstar' & 'Titanic' in the ad breaks!!

It's obvious from our SW group's Facebook page that people are struggling over the weekend & contemplating not weighing in tomorrow. Whilst I understand fully the 'I've had a c**p week and so I want to hide under a rock and pretend it didn't happen' syndrome, it just doesn't help.

Personally, and after all this is my blog, I prefer to face the music and get it over with so I can move on to the next week. Also I find that going to group is so supportive and really helps me develop a positive attitude moving forward - it's what happens when I'm left to my own devices that is problematic for me. But not this week....

In truth it's been a good one all around for me - achieved lots at work this week, (finally) booked our holiday & was a well controlled dieter!!
Not perfect but feeling optimistic that I will lose something this week.

My Sunday has been tricky though as between the gym, taking Tobz to table tennis & both boys to tennis - I have been roaring hungry!!! I've eaten loads of fruit, made a huge frittata from some leftover veggies (& eaten half!), drank loads of squash (thank goodness for SF squash) but I'm still peckish.
In truth I know I know I'm not hungry for any of that - what I really want is a big bar of chocolate :-(
I really, really wish that I could go to bed tonight & wake up tomorrow without the chocolate addiction that I so obviously have. However, that being unlikely I will struggle on (& it is a struggle) until I get to grips with it once and for all.

Please keep your fingers crossed for a weight loss tomorrow.

Love to all
Lisa xx

Contemplation & consistency

Hi All
Just time for a quick catch up - hope everyone's weight loss ambitions are going as well as possible - I think mine are but I am just incredibly hungry all the time & it is hard to THINK each time you put something in your mouth rather than just do it!

Last couple of days have been very busy - hence no blog & for the sceptics among you I haven't been hiding away from you I really have been very busy. In fact on Thursday, I had a small re-breakthrough moment. I call it a re-breakthrough because of course it isn't the first time Ive had it but I recognised it as one :)
Anyway back to my moment...........
I got up in enough time to have breakfast AND make my lunch to eat at work. It really doesn't take long to do and it means I can forestall the temptation to pop in somewhere on the way to work, buy lunch and, of course, some little (very fattening) extras!
I also took loads of fruit because I had an evening meeting on Thursday and wasn't sure what the food was.
This was a good move because by the time I arrived the vegetarian option was gone and all that was left was cous-cous with some decidedly uninteresting salads and, of course, the pudding (chocolate cake or cheesecake). You'll be impressed (& surprised) to know that I stuck with the uninteresting salad a cup of coffee & found someone to chat to - distracting tactics are the successful dieters secret weapon :-))

Yesterday, I went to Curves, M&S Food, the deli & back home all by 11am, as I had to get home to get dinner ready - we had visitors. Menu was designed to be SW friendly so I could eat everything so had Chicken Soup (made on Wednesday), chopped liver (fried with Fry-Light not fat), Egg & Onion (made with LF mayo), roast chicken, dry roast potatoes, cabbage, asparagus & mushrooms. All followed by fruit platter (see below) & home made ice-cream (I didn't eat that!)

Having got all that together Toby's new tutor arrived - excellent recommendation from a friend - so that took up an hour, then dropped Toby off to Rayners Lane and back home to have nails done (see below - excuse weird grey mark its a reflection of my iPhone!!)

Then out to collect Toby from gym & Dom from tennis (so wish he hurries up and passes his driving test!) and finally back home to lay table etc & 'breathe'

Had lovely evening with our friends - food all eaten and appreciated which is always a good sign :)

Today I've been to shul with Dom, tidied up from last night - which funnily enough Tobz & Andrew didn't find time to do do while we were out :-(

And now I'm writing to you dear friends.

I hope you are all having a good weekend - the forecast is for better weather tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath. BUT if it is nice I think we might have a BBQ or at least sit in the garden.

Bye for now

Lxx

Fruit & veg vs Sweets & chocs - decisions, decisions

Well how is everyone doing?
I can't remember the last time I blogged three days in a row but it certainly gives me something to do with my hands other than pick at food.

Except for the bag of Twirl Bites I ate this afternoon, I've had an excellent day diet wise - the Twirl Bites I estimate are around 40 syns (OMG that's three days worth!!!!!!!!!) - the actual value of a bag isn't on the website because they obviously don't expect anyone to eat a whole bag. On the website it says 2 bites are 1.5 syns - not sure which paragon of virtue is able to eat just two but it ain't me.
They are truly the devil's food & I felt quite sick after I'd eaten them - but that was the first chocolate I'd eaten since last Friday which is probably some kind of record for me :-)

It was really silly to eat that chocolate as I'd planned well today - taken loads of fruit to work, had salad for lunch & only ate fruit at the meeting today (swerving the nuts, crisps, sandwiches & biscuits in the process) & I wasn't even hungry. I'll learn one day!

After the meeting I finally got to do my food shop - Tesco will declare a premium tomorrow I expect :-)
My trolley was truly virtuous - loads of different fruit, veg & salad, fat free yogurts, crispbreads & water (fizzy, still & flavoured) and some Iced Gems & Mikado Sticks for a treat - not today (obviously) but thought having these nice things might prevent me going berserk again!
BUT...........................why oh why is it all so expensive & why can you buy 4 large Mars Bars for the same price as two mangoes - no wonder half the world is obese - much as I like mangoes if I'm honest I'd rather have a Mars bar.
I am, I realise, very fortunate that I can afford to buy as much fresh fruit as I want for myself and my family and do so on multiple occasions each week but I am beginning to notice how expensive it all is. On the other hand - Tesco is amazing for special offers (I realise there are other supermarkets & they do great offers too but today I was in Tesco) & I had lots of vouchers - I do love a voucher - so it did bring the cost down a bit, but if you are on a more limited budget than I am it must be so hard to make sensible choices.

Anyway, at least now my kitchen is full of all the right things now & I shouldn't have any excuse not to make good choices in my own kitchen!

We have friends coming for dinner on Friday so I've just made a big pot of chicken soup (it always tastes better if you make it in advance & I'm out tomorrow night at a seminar) - can't believe I'm still making soup in July but it truly is the perfect SW soup (veggies, chicken & water all boiling away & making the house smell lovely).

I don't think I've anything else to share tonight so I'll bid you farewell for now.
Lx

PS: Over 40 hits for yesterday's blog - thank you again xx

65 readers can't be wrong - or can they???????

Evening All (As Dixon of Dock Green used to say - ooh I am very old!)

Well I bit the bullet and went to class tonight and I'd put on a pound. No surprise there but goodness knows what it would have been if I hadn't pulled myself together over the weekend. I haven't been to the Tuesday night class before & everyone was really lovely but I really don't like weighing at night.I don't like the pressure on myself to be almost 'nil by mouth' ALL day.

Anyway that was last week & I'm looking forward not back.
Have to say I've been a model Slimming Worlder for the last three days which just shows I can do it when I try - can't we all??

Planning is definitely the key and tomorrow I plan to shop! I was so busy at weekend, and what with working yesterday and the boys both being at home now, my fridges & cupboards are bare :(
Tomorrow after work it's big shop time - just need everything fruit, salad, veg, cereal, crispbreads, yogurts..................yes we really are out of almost everything.


Yesterday on my home from Cambridge (yes my presentation went well thanks!), I came over feeling a bit peculiar on the M11. I know that I am a bit peculiar at best of times but this was different - felt a bit like cramp in my chest & before anyone starts to nag there were no pains in my arms and although it was unpleasant enough that I stopped the car it wore off quite quickly. However I did feel a bit 'odd' and I drove home much more slowly than I might normally have done.
When I got home I had a large glass of water & decided to change into my dressing gown. When I got undressed & took off my bra my whole body seemed to 'realign' itself & I realised that the pain & discomfort had been from a bra that was too tight.
The morals of this story are

1. Make sure you don't wear underwear that is too small - nothing is worse or more uncomfortable.
2. Have your weight loss epiphany before you worry yourself stupid!!!

On that note I'm signing off, except to say that as you know yesterday was the first blog I'd written for ages and when I logged on tonight lo & behold I've had 65 hits since then - I'm so surprised (& pleased) but it is an amazing feeling to know people are interested in my very ordinary ramblings. I suppose it also makes me feel less alone in my struggle to lose weight, knowing that people are reading & supporting me - well I assume you are :-)
Any whatever reason you have for reading thank you so much - it means a great deal to me.

Have a good evening

Lisa xx

Back to square one.............again!

Hi All

It's been about two months since I blogged and even then it's been extremely spasmodic this year - so if you've missed me I'm sorry :)
In truth my dieting has been very spasmodic too (if not to say non-existent) and consequently instead of losing weight I seem to have steadily put on about 10lbs since Christmas & I'm heading back up to the weight I was when I started in November 2010 - I suppose the only reason I'm not over that is because I've been paying SW £4.95 a week to weigh and guide me.
But...........despite the fact I have a straight talking but supportive counsellor & a view in the mirror that I'm not especially keen on (to put it mildly) my self motivation powers seem to have deserted me.

I should be going to weigh in this morning but Dom is coming home from 'a week with the boys in Zante (OMG!!!) &, more importantly I'm giving a presentation in Cambridge at 2pm today and haven't written it yet!!
So instead of doing either of those two things (for now), I've decided to give my blog another go as my motivational tool. On 20th August(ish) we are going on holiday - 5 days in Venice & then a 7 day cruise around Greece & Croatia - so I've six weeks to reduce the amount of excess baggage I take with me and I'm going to give it a crack.
If my meanderings over the last year or so have bored you I suggest you switch off now cos it's going to get a whole lot worse for a while!!!!

I've started well this morning (I know it's only 07:34) with 2 Weetabix & milk plus a glass of water and a black coffee. Between the blog, my presentation, and the conference this afternoon my fingers should be kept busy, and in any case, I've not been able to shop over the weekend and my cupboards & fridges are definitely looking bare so it's Tesco for me later too.

In the interests of honesty my weight has gone up to 18-11 (as of last Monday) and my BMI 34.2 - yuck :(
I had my weight & measure done at Curves last week and my waist & hip measurements had gone down but my hips, thighs, bust and upper arms had gone up - double yuk :(( - so I've lots of incentive to pull it together.
Still now I'm back boring you to death with the minutiae of my dieting life, I'm feeling more optimistic than I was.

But now, I have to stop prevaricating and write my presentation for this afternoon, practise it, and ready myself for the return of my gorgeous son and his not so gorgeous suitcase.

This feels nice.......................

Love to all
Lxx

PS: Hope you like new profile picture - went to lovely 50th birthday party on Saturday & felt good in my new dress :)

Days 127 - 135 (2012) - ups & downs

Hi all

It's been 9 days since my last confession.......
Well that's how it feels anyway :0)

In the last 9 days I've been a SW model member and absolutely appalling - thankfully I've been both in roughly equal number so the nett result over two weeks is a 1lb gain but oh dear me I am frustrated with myself.

I read back this morning over some entries where I've had good consistent periods of weight loss & I know it's because I've planned what I'm eating, shopped accordingly and stuck to my plans.
In fact some of my best weeks have been my busiest so I can't even blame my social life!!!

I am really struggling mid-week Tues-Thurs particularly. These are my working days and I really need to get back to a slightly earlier getting up time, making my lunch in advance and having a good breakfast.
Also I must by petrol from stations with the 'Pay At the Pump' facility to avoid the talking chocolate bars!!!

On Sunday I'm doing my charity walk with Toby and will be walking more this week in preparation so I'm hopeful that the weather will stabilise and I'll get more exercise.

Hope you are all well
Love & best wishes

Lisa xxx



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Days 122 - 126 (2012) - disaster strikes

I think that says it all!!!
Thankfully no-one died, the kids & Andrew are fine & the house is all in one piece but the demon in my head that fills any upset took hold on Wednesday & in truth is still lurking about :0(
I had a good start to the week plenty of exercise & following the plan but after a very stressful meeting on Wednesday afternoon it has all gone to pot.

For two days I ate whatever came to hand & lurched from salad to chocolate, crisp-bread to cake etc. Truly ridiculous but I just couldn't stop - just felt continuously hungry and fed that hunger with all the wrong things.

I know that this is why I'm overweight - because I use food to fill the holes I feel when I'm upset/angry/frustrated - but that doesn't stop me being upset with myself when it happens.

Yesterday & today I've been better but absolutely starving all the time - I've eaten the right things but it always happens after a 'blow out'.
Luckily I have plenty of 'right food' in the house and tonight we are going to the theatre so the opportunity to give in to the cravings is reduced.

I realise this is a gloomy post & I know that I'll come out of it eventually but I am in a cycle of a few good days & a few bad days just now which is resulting in losing, gaining & losing again the same few pounds which is fairly demotivating :(

If you read my blog to help your own battle with your weight in my head I'm trying to do better and hopefully you can learn by my mistakes as I'm trying to :0)
But I really hope that you are doing better than me so far!!?

Love to all
Lisa xx


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Day 121 (2012) - half a pound off :)

Hi there

Hope I haven't startled you too much by appearing again but I did say I was going to blog daily when I could so here I am!!

Last night's meal was ok - there was a bit of a moment when the waitress threw an entire glass of coke over my father-in-law!!! He was soaked & she was so busy apologising that she forgot to get him something to dry himself :) Luckily he was wearing trackies and dried off quite quickly & the entertainment provided to the boys was immense!! He also got a free meal - so win, win really :)

Anyway, back to the matter in hand, I weighed in this morning & lost half a pound. After writing my blog yesterday I thought I might have put on so was very pleased. This means I now weigh 18-2 - it's a big number & I've set myself the goal of losing a pound this week but I'm really aiming to get into the 17s in the next couple of weeks.

I decided to do my Tesco shop and buy petrol before the SW class to prevent the post-class nibbles. It did work and straight from group (sustained by a black coffee & pack of mango pieces) I went 'kitchen shopping' in Belsize Park. A friend recommended me (always the best place to start) and it is amazing how much things have changed since I last fitted a kitchen in 1990!!
Then on to do the same in Pinner, with a quick stop at Magnet in Finchley, and the butcher in Finchley (veal chops, lamb ribs & chicken thighs as well as smoked beef which is great fried with eggs!).

I got home around 4:30pm and was starving - had a coffee and large portion of the Bannoffee cheesecake I made yesterday whilst doing my chores & then off to collect the boys (Dom from the library & Tobz from the coach stop).

Dinner was lamb ribs with runner beans and jacket potato - I've drank loads today & although not formally 'walked' I parked fairly far away from each kitchen shop so I could walk a bit & it was a lovely day today.

And now, as well as typing to you, I'm watching the snooker & a cookery programme (clearly in the break of the snooker!) and keeping an eye on the football - still 0-0 if you are interested!!

Hope you've had a good day too.
Lisa xx

Days 113 -120 (2012) - still struggling

Hi All

Well I don't know if it's the constant rain, the fat gene, the trials of being a Leeds United fan or my general lack of willpower but another week has gone by and I'm pretty certain that the result will be the same - lack of progress & definitely 'could do better' if not 'MUST do better'.

I started off really well.
Went to weigh on Monday & put on half - was about right - I did the weighing at class which I really enjoyed, even though I got told off for talking too much (surprised???) and actually left feeling really motivated. Got through the day without my 'post weigh in splurge' and restricted myself to 15 syns.

Tuesday, had lots of meetings & was in and out of the office.....

Have to say just been out for a walk with Andrew - avoided the rain & walked 2.5k in 33 mins (good for me) in prep for my sponsored 5k on 20th May. Really pleased as don't feel too puffed out & I went to Curves this morning too :0)

So back to Tuesday - I had a quick Mug Shot for lunch but I also had several very small (but very calorific) Millionaire Shortbreads that my work colleague brought in cos it was her birthday. This demonstrates my extreme lack of self control - I'm not even sure I like them that much.
In the evening I went to see mum & dad and to see a friend who's dad died. Mum made me dinner - roast beef, roast onions, new pots and broccoli - dessert was defrosted frozen cherries. Completely tasteless so wouldn't recommend them!!

Wednesday I had a conference - was as good as possible. Avoided pastries, cakes, creamy desserts etc all day drank lots of water & black coffee. Went out in evening but grilled lamb chops with crushed new potatoes and green beans for dinner first.

Thursday I was in the office no day - no meetings - so I took leftovers from dinner to reheat as well as plenty of fruit & water and.........the remaining millionaires shortbread (at least they'll be none left on Tuesday!). And it went downhill from there - filled up car with petrol & me with chocolate. To be honest I ate so much so fast I cant remember what I had but I felt really sick afterwards - STUPID GIRL
Thursday night I didn't eat dinner (felt sick) so drank lots of water - also did lots of cooking for visitors on Friday.

Friday I went to Curves & worked very hard as I did my advantage workout - just means someone counted & recorded my reps. So good as I worked really hard & I now have a little card which tells me how many I need to do.
Had coffee & a pear at a friend, did some paperwork at home & generally got ready for evening meal.
We had chopped liver (all frying done with fry light so syn free) and egg & onion (light mayo so about 1.5syn per portion), followed by chicken soup with lots of veg and lokshen, kneidel and kreplach (pasta with mince), then roast chicken, dry roast potatoes, ratatouille and broccoli. Huge fruit platter for dessert (homemade choc mousse and/or honey & banana ice cream for guests)
I didn't do too badly but I did lick the chocolate mousse serving spoon while I was clearing up - dread to think how many syns were on it!!!

Yesterday, I was very good all day - no slip ups & in the evening went to 'Salmon Fishing in the Yemen' - lovely film, highly recommend it :)

Today I've been to Curves and burned 483 cals (most ever!) as well as my walk (see above) and have been good but tonight we are going to Cafe Rouge to eat with A's parents (just back from their holiday) - hate going out to eat on Sunday night but I'll have to do my best.

I'm sure I've put on again this week & I deserve to.

I must re-start blogging more often because I used to be more conscious about what I was eating as I'd have to blog it and you'd know so that will be this week's target - 3 or more blogs - hope you wont get bored although please don't feel obliged to read as my lack of progress must be very frustrating - it certainly frustrates me :)

Hope you've had a good weekend.

Love to all
Lisa xxx

Day 108-112 (2012) - oh dear :(

I'm not having a good week in terms of weight loss - rest of my life seems ok tho in case you were interested!!

I intended to do better, but between hoovering up leftover Pesach 'stuff' and trying to restock my cupboards with the 'right' foods, as well as knowing that I can now eat bread & indulging that knowledge when normally I don't eat any bread - its all gone a bit awry :(

I gave myself a talking to yesterday morning & worked very hard at the gym - ate properly yesterday & today so I'm hoping to minimise the damage & move forward - the Pesach food is gone or binned and I'm bringing myself under control.

To be honest I'm fed up with myself & I know I have to put more effort into it otherwise I just wont see the results - more determination and less whinging is what's required.

Time to pull myself together, concentrate & get RESULTS!!!

I think this will be my mantra DETERMINATION, CONCENTRATION & RESULTS - I'm going to repeat it to myself every time I walk passed something reflective (I avoid mirrors where I can!!)

Anyway, that's it for now - child chauffeuring duties are about to start.

Have a good weekend

Lxx

Days 92 - 107 (2012) - Everyone needs a break sometimes :0)

Hi all

I realise I have been very remiss not blogging for such a long time but it has been so hectic in my world that I've just not made time - please forgive me but everyone needs a break sometimes!
I've been busy with pre-Pesach preparation, pre-holiday-from-work work (!), Pesach itself and this weekend a really (unexpectedly) lovely family party - not for the first time I find myself truly grateful for the fact I have really lovely close family as well as extended family so that, as happened yesterday, when we get together to celebrate a Golden Wedding of my mum's first cousins, I find myself sitting on a table with third cousins I almost never see and we all get on, chat for England and really enjoy ourselves - very lucky :)

So back to the matter in hand - my ever-so-slowly moving weight loss project - and boy is it going slowly - 3lbs since Jan 3rd - very slowly :( but at least its going down :)

I've had enough stability and now I want to descend more rapidly - it's all in your hands Lisa (I hear you saying) and you are correct so today I have been to Waitrose & purchased all the things I'll need - as well as cereal, bread, fruit loaf & buns as requested by my family to satisfy the bread withdrawal suffered over Pesach and tomorrow (when I also go back to work) I will be back on the case.

The truth is I've not been concentrating on losing weight just not gaining and the two require different mentalities and my little brain cant cope with more than one mentality at a time!!

Also, Toby and I have decided to 'do' the Community Fun Run (he's running 10k & I'm walking/crawling 5k) so the more I lose in the next 34 days (eek!!) the less I'll have to haul around - we are grateful for all sponsorship and if you click this link all the info is there http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=Olins
Please don't feel obliged to sponsor us - I realise everyone has there own charities to support and limited funds :0)

So, tomorrow I start again in earnest so will keep you updated as I go.

Wish me luck
Lx

Days 84-91 (2012) - its Saturday night :)

Hi all

So sorry I haven't blogged thus week but I'm certain you all have lives & haven't missed me too much :0)

I've been really busy socially & work, and starting the prep for Pesach - for those of you who have no idea what this means I will explain as we go but for now it means depending a lot of money on food for nine days starting on Good Friday, and lots of planning as I'm entertaining four times starting with the main ceremonial part which includes dinner for 26!!

I lost a pound last week & was very pleased especially as we'd been out for Chinese and had Lauraine & Simon's wedding on Sunday (truly fab especially as it was a lovely day - so lovely that they got married outside)

The week has been up and down - I haven't been as focussed as the last two weeks ('Pesach brain' to blame!) - and as I'm running food down I seem to be left with odd combinations of things.

Also, I can't weigh Monday morning as I'm working and for a few days I'd decided not to get weighed at all but I've changed my mind and will go one evening but I realised that I'd got distracted so we'll see...,

Anyway now I'm on my way to friends for dinner - strangely on my own as Andrew has hurt his leg and wanted to rest it. Actually I'm quite looking forward to it - makes a change, they are good friends and I know everyone there :0)

Better go now as don't want to be late.

Lxx


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Days 79 - 83 (2012) - have you missed me?

Hi all

Hope you haven't missed me too much.
I've had a really busy week so no time to blog - but this is not an indication of bad behaviour (well not too bad) just insufficient time to think of something interesting too write!!

Anyway.....I stayed the same this week which was quite disappointing as I'd been diligently following the plan and counting my syns but move on I must :) I knew this would be a difficult week as it was Toby's birthday on Wednesday, all day meeting on Tuesday & on Sunday we have a wedding.

I planned on Monday to go with Jacqui to walk her dog but due to a bout of brain death (or putting an arrangement on the wrong day!!) I couldn't do that as I had a meeting - but I will another time.
Anyway, Monday passed without a binge and I was in control :)

Tuesday - I woke up determined not to go 'bonkers' at the buffet and I didn't!! Had a big bowl of Weetabix, milk & fruit salad for breakfast which kept me going and gave me the willpower to avoid the very chocolaty M&S biscuits on the conference table!!
Lunch was sandwiches, crisps, spring rolls, cake & fresh fruit. I was hungry by then so had three sandwiches (triangles - so only one and a half slices of bread) and plenty of fruit.
Can't remember what I had for dinner but had lots of it!!!

Wednesday was Toby's birthday - my baby is now 15. Where has the time gone???
Was very good during the day - had cereal for breakfast and a big smoked salmon salad at lunchtime (no sins) because the traditional (well it's our tradition) Chinese meal awaited in the evening. It was delicious and although it was about 40 syns (probably a conservative estimate) - I enjoyed every one & your son is only 15 once :0))

Yesterday I was straight back on the waggon - lots of protein, fruit and salad - no syns and only carbs were my porridge for breakfast.

And so to today which so far has gone very well.
I had Weetabix, milk and a banana & pomegranate seeds for breakfast then had to do some shopping, came home to put it away and put some washing on the line - very springlike :)
Then out again to take my friend for a hospital appointment, then to the cafe in Pinner Park for a coffee - well she had a coffee I had a Tea Pig tea (Roobios & creme caramel to be precise - very nice but still think all fruit teas taste the same!) - and a natter.
Then took her home and went back home for a quick bite - cold meat, tomatoes and a nectarine - then off to have my hair done (& write most of this blog). I love having my hair done - which is good because it costs a fortune!! It's quite a bit shorter and much pinker & I love it :)

Photo on FB if you are interested!

Tonight we've got roast chicken, broccoli, sugar snaps and sweet potato & cauliflower mash followed by fruit salad (melon, strawberries, blueberries, orange & nectarine).

Tomorrow is busy & starts early - Tobz is playing hockey & has to be at school by 8.30am :( I'm having my nails done at 9 and then off to shul as I'm on kiddush rota!! Not sure what else but I'm certain to find something!

Sunday is the wedding - promise to post a picture of A & I 'done up' - shame I didn't succeed in losing the stone I wanted by Lauraine's wedding but really looking forward to wearing my 'barmitzvah dress' again and to see our babysitter getting married :)

Will try and blog over the weekend but if not have a good one xxx


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Location:In the hairdressers!!

Days 76-78 (2012) - the rest of a pretty good week

Hi all

It's Sunday evening & in truth I'm knackered but thought if share the rest of my week with you.

And it's been a pretty good week on all sides but I do feel I've had a pretty good 'diet' week this week and hope (really) hope I lose weight tomorrow :0)

Friday, I went to the gym and had a good workout. Then spent a mortgage on fruit in M&S and popped in for coffee with a friend.
Friday evening we were at home for dinner so I made chicken soup with lokshen, roast chicken with jacket potato, green beans & courgette & tomato compote (see below)


Followed by berries. It was all lovely and it was nice to be at home especially as my friend phoned from NY to finish off my evening really well.

Saturday, had a yummy breakfast of crispbread with quark & smoked salmon with chopped celery and hard-boiled egg. Then off to synagogue with Dom for a bit of prayer - well it all helps and it is two hours of 'food-free' time!!!!
In the afternoon I took Tobz to his physio appt and then home. I'd had some soup for lunch but by about 5pm I was really hungry and fruit wasn't touching the sides so I reheated some leftover steak and greens from Thursday and sat down to watch the Spurs match with Tobz!! As it turns out only half a match :(
Then got ready to go out to eat with Andrew's parents which turned out to be a bit more of a disaster than usual because
a) there was hardly anything on the menu that we could eat!!
b) the sea bass I chose smelled so peculiar I has to send it back!!! I'd had a smoked salmon hors d'oeuvre which was ok but couldn't face anything else :-(
Good for my diet but as I'd had a snackette earlier I was ok!!!
Let's just say we won't be going back there again!!

Today I've been really busy. Gym & Tesco this morning followed by an event at our synagogue and two journey's to Borehamwood and one to Edgware!!! Tonight I decided that I wasn't making dinner as its mothers day so just had an omelette and a salad.

I've really upped my fluids this week and tried really hard to keep to my SW plan.

However the best thing about this weekend were the lovely flowers my boys sent me - being a mum is really the best thing........,

Love to all xxx


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Day 75 (2012) - good behaviour

This is a quick note to let you know that I was a really good girl today - well where food is concerned.

Drank loads of water and drank lots of coffee at the conference and avoided the lovely looking cookies - with great difficulty, I was the girl prowling around the coffee area resisting the call of the cookie!!!!

Lunch was mushroom stroganoff and pasta shells with a salad of lettuce, capers and onions with cheese sprinkled over (I shook off as much as possible). Then there was dessert - OMG you'd have been so proud of me - I had an orange, a banana & some grapes whilst avoiding the fabulous cheese board, tiramisu & creamy sponge thing!!!

Tonight I had steak, rice & greens for dinner - I took a photo cos it looked so lovely



And now I'm lying on the couch watching University Challenge with Dom :)

Will probably have some fruit later but actually quite full so may resist as my willpower seems be be on full power today :0)

Hope you are having a nice evening.
Lisa x


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Day 74 & early 75 (2012) - so far so good

Morning all

I'm going in to Lambeth today for a meeting so thought I'd use the time on the train to give you a progress report.

I'm pleased to say that things are still going well.

Breakfast was more rice with a sliced banana & a blueberry yoghurt - very tasty & filling but could have done with some more Slenda!!!

Went straight to work - no sneaking off to the petrol station for some chocolate :) - remembering to take my lunch and some extra fruit.
Very busy at the moment and knew my day would be disrupted by a two hour meeting (11-1!)
Also I was going out in the evening so would probably not get a proper meal.

Back from my meeting and was ravenous!! Lunch was a large smoked salmon salad, tomato & pasta Mug Shot, and a portion of SW cheesecake with berries.
During the day I ate an orange and a plum too so was very full - and much more productive at work :0)

Last night I went to see the Osmonds - turned out to be just three (Jimmy, Jay & Merrill) - it was such fun. Average age of audience was about 55 so I was on the young side!!! Went equipped with a peanut HiFi bar and a bottle of water so successfully avoided all temptation.

Today will be harder - conference lunches are always tricky! - but I've started with a good breakfast (rice, nat yog - made it more like rice pudding - and blackberries) so I'm in a good frame of mind.
Did bring a HiFi bar out but just realised I've left my document bag in the car, in the car park - oops!!

I've also managed to stay away from the scales this week - fairly miraculous for me :)
I'm feeling more alert and definitely more motivated so all is good - really hope it shows on Monday on the scales.

Have a good day.
Lxx




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Location:Pinner Station

Days 70 - 73 (2012) - Time to get your act together Mrs O!!

Hi All

Having put on half a pound this week I've made a pledge with myself that this week will be different - and so far it is :)

Yesterday after class I had loads to do - IT problem to sort for Dom (oldest son who rarely gets a mention because he's less problematic on the whole!!), present buying for my dad to give my mum on her birthday, present buying for Jo & I to give my mum on her birthday (next week), and present for Toby (birthday next week) - phew!! After that lot no money for chocolate!!
I also had a mooch around Lakeland (one of my favourite shops) but didn't buy anything although, as usual, built up a major wish list in my head.

Then off home and out again to collect Tobz and take him to band practise in Barkingside :0)
I did pause at home for about 30mins and grabbed a smoked salmon and Quark parcel with a couple of tomatoes and some grapes - black grapes (the best in my view!!)

On the way to band we picked up some takeaway for Tobz (schwarma, chips and salad) - I had one chip and a couple of pieces of schwarma (yummy!!).
Once I'd dropped Tobz and his friend I went to see my mum and dad - a mid-week treat for them and me - my mummy cooked me dinner :))))
We had roast lamb with boiled potatoes, cabbage and a courgette & tomato 'thing', followed buy some mixed berries. Such a treat not to have to make a meal on a week night - also no clearing away as I had to leave as soon as we'd eaten!!! And of course I did enjoy the opportunity to spend some time with my mum & dad.

When I got home I had a drink and went to bed feeling full but not bloated and it's a long time since I've been able to say that on a Monday for a while!

And today is Tuesday.........................
In my new 'determined not to cock up' mood I got up a bit earlier to make sure I had breakfast and to get my lunch ready to take to work (such a good girl!)
I also thought it might be a good idea to try something different this week and have my 'Healthy Extras' at a different time of day - this of course does require thought at 6:30am - not necessarily easy - so I reheated a portion of SW rice pudding and mixed in a banana and a strawberry yogurt. It was delicious and very filling.
I took a bottle of flavoured fizzy water to work as well as my 'food parcel' consisting of leftovers from Sunday's dinner (turkey roll with mushroom rice, broccoli and roasted veg), an orange, pack of pomegranate seeds and a box of blackberries.

I was really busy at work and had to go out to a meeting in the middle of the day, so the pom seeds & orange stayed in the fridge for tomorrow but I ate everything else and together with the water (about half the bottle) and plenty of black coffee I was stuffed (to be honest).

Tonight for dinner we had beef ribs (roasted on a grid so all fat drained off - told you I was being good) with runner beans and broccoli with vegetable rice.

Interestingly (well to me at least!!), I've had about 3 sins so far today and no HEs and I'm actually full now and other than more to drink I'm not going to have anything else to eat today.

For the last few weeks I've spent Mon/.Tues/Wed & often Thurs pseudo-dieting then being ultra good for the rest of the week which certainly accounts for my lack of progress. Today I know I've been in control of myself for two days and it feels good.

Tomorrow I'm working which will be fine and tomorrow night I'm going to see the Osmonds to relive a bit of my youth so I'll need to make sure I have something to eat before I go out - I can do this it's all in the planning :)

Will let you know how I get on - and, as always thanks for your support, comments and stamina involved in keeping on reading my meanderings - it helps more than you'll ever know :)

Love
Lxx

Days 64 - 69 (2012) - 'mind the gap' means not such steady progress :(

Hi All

I know, that you know (if you get my drift) that long periods of silence from me usually means that things aren't going well, I can't honestly say that they are going brilliantly but on the other hand I usually report major disasters too and thankfully (so far) their haven't been many of those either :)

I had a lucky break on Monday as I stayed the same (lucky after my uncontrolled binge on Wednesday & less than perfect week afterwards!!) - but in truth I'm really fed up as in 11 weeks since 9th Jan I've lost the grand total of 2lbs, which when you're me and want to lose about 5 stone is pretty pathetic.

I'm not the only person struggling, but, as I pointed out to my son this week when he told me he wasn't the only one to get into trouble at school for talking, I'm the only one who can do something about it (me and my weight - rather than him & his talking!!)

I have often considered jaw-wiring (but not sure how you talk!!), bariatric surgery (too scared), going back to Cambridge Diet (not a good idea health-wise for me now) etc but I know that getting to grips with SW is the best route forward and I need to persevere.
I also know that the more I lose the more motivated I am, I even think I'm starting to get to grips with why I over eat, but when push comes to shove(l) all that is meaningless if I don't control what goes into the space between my nose & my chin!!!

Rant over..........................

This is a short blog as the lovely Natasha is about to come and do my nails, waxing & pedicure (I know decadent in the middle of Friday afternoon!) and tonight we are going to my sister to celebrate my gorgeous nieces 18th birthday. Food will be lovely and there will be too many observers to do any damage!!!

Have a nice day all.
Lisa xx

Day 62 & some of 63 (2012) - improving but too many 'banana skins'!!

Hi all

Yesterday was my day off & unexpectedly was taken out for lunch by Andrew & our FA to discuss - you guessed it - our finances!!

Day started well with Weetabix, chopped apple & milk. Then off to the gym, a session in the launderette, a session in the fruit dept of M&S and back home to change.
Got to the restaurant, studied the menu & to be honest it was a struggle to find anything I could eat - great selection but either not SW friendly or had meat, shellfish etc that I don't eat. In the end I settled on a haddock fishcake that came with spinach and a butter sauce with a green salad (no dressing). It was delicious but not ideal!!
However we had a lovely lunch, and it made a change - btw we went to The Swan Inn in Denham Village (highly recommended).

Last night the boys & I went to an event at the synagogue run by the youth organisation that Dom is a leader for. We had a lovely evening but it was very noisy & the food was truly terrible so I suspect that should minimise the damage caused by lunch!!!!

Today I've eaten lots of fruit, salad & protein with lots to drink as we are going out to dinner.
Really looking forward to it as going to 'new friends' so should be fun.

Have cooked a SW cherry cheesecake & SW salmon, mushroom and tomato quiche this afternoon - whilst watching the tennis - so kitchen smells lovely - both are completely free of sins and so I can use to help me through the 'munchies'.

Although I seem to be back on track, now my attack of extreme stupidity earlier in the week plus the three meals out, have, I fear, damaged my chances of weight loss this week but I do feel in control of myself again and that has to be good :0)

Hope you are having a good weekend.
Love
Lxxx


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Days 60 & 61 (2012) - Last day of Feb (bad), First day of March (exemplary!)

Hi All

So after all my good work it all fell apart yesterday in spectacular fashion - I can only say that whilst I spent Monday contemplating and Tuesday following up the good work on Wednesday I did not stop eating from the moment I filled my car with petrol on the way to work until just before I collected Toby from band practise at 9pm, I shoved (a good description!) chocolate, cake and other unnecessary crap down my throat with such speed that it didn't hit the sides - I really think I ate it all (& there was lots of it) so fast I didn't even taste it :((

The overwhelming result was that I felt disgusted with myself last night, spent more time in the loo than usual, and was unbelievably bloated this morning - STUPID, STUPID GIRL

Today, however & thankfully, is a new day and I have been outstanding - well I'll need to be if I don't want to put on weight again this week.
I started off with mixed fruit and natural yoghurt for breakfast with two big glasses of water. Then off I went into town for a Networking Seminar - I took a bottle of water with me to drink on the tube but otherwise knew I'd have to be really careful and I was!!

I successfully swerved the pastries and giant cookies served with coffee - and there were lots of breaks - but in truth it wasn't difficult because I focused my memory on how disgusted I'd felt yesterday and hey presto they just didn't seem that appealing. Interestingly I was very hungry all day which always seems to happen after I've given myself a massive sugar rush.

Lunch was a sit down affair but was able to make good choices as the started was fruit, main was fish or pasta. I had fish which was steamed with a very thin buttery sauce so I just had the fish and it was served with new potatoes, beans and roasted tomatoes. I'm sure there was butter on the veg but not much. I didn't have dessert although the choice was lovely (choc mousse/choc cheesecake/passion fruit tart) - I hadn't earned it!!!

Had coffee during the afternoon and probably drank a litre of water during the day.

Walked from the hotel back to the tube (it really was a lovely sunny day) & then back to Dom's school to watch his A level drama performance - he did really well but it is incredibly nerve-wracking to watch him and his friends when you know how important it is. However, it left me with that 'very proud mummy' feeling that makes all the aggro worthwhile :0))

Dinner tonight was steak with brussels and broccoli and more drink - I'm also very thirsty after a full on binge - so overall its been a much better 'diet' day.

I was feeling very 'down' about it but made a decision not to go into 'sod' it mode - it is after all only one day. I also think that knowing I may not get to my morning group next week as my washing machine is broken and the engineer is coming 'sometime on monday' (grrrrrrrrr!) contributed to my mental meltdown - bit like when someone tells Toby he's missing lessons & that means he doesn't have to do his homework!!

So that's it for today.

Tomorrow will be gym, deli, fruit shopping and then a long session in the Pinner launderette (ugh).
Think of me doing all that washing :)
Lxx

Days 58 & 59 (2012) - a change has come (well so far.........)

Evening All :)

Thought you'd be interested in my progress this week as I seem to be on a much better track & I like to share my positivity with you - especially as you are compelled to share my stupidity too!!

I went to weigh on Monday morning & I'd put on 1.5lbs :(

Although I knew I'd faltered (to put it mildly) last week, I had hoped that my control at other times would compensate - but it wasn't to be. As they say 'if you can't do the time you shouldn't do the crime'!! - I realise it's not usually applied to dieting but you know what I mean.
Anyway, my class was really motivating and I got some good recipe ideas - including a SW friendly rice pudding which I'm going to try this week as I won the pudding rice in the raffle :)

Whilst in class I got a text from a friend who I hadn't seen for ages - I had suggested we met for coffee but she suggested I came over and went with her to walk her dog. You wouldn't believe the excuses I was inventing, because my lazy gene was working very hard to thwart this despite the fact that (for various reasons) I really wanted to see her.

Anyway, despite all this, I quickly popped in to M&S to top up my cherry and blackberry supply (essentials!), changed Toby's school trousers for a bigger size and bought him some school shirts (how exciting my day's off are!), and then went home to collect my coat.

So, off I went for our walk - we were out for about 90 mins & she's a very quick walker!! but I really enjoyed it - so much better for me than my usual post-diet class binge.
Also, we had a chat about why we over-eat. She's done a course on hypnotherapy to aide dieting recently so it was really interesting.
To sum up, when we overeat we are 'filling a hole' - usually an emotional one - resulting from something that's happened somewhere in our lives. It doesn't have to be anything specific but it is something that, if you are really honest with yourself, still troubles you. In my case, I know what my 'hole' is and it has troubled me all my life and, in truth, probably always will. In most cases (and certainly in mine) it is coupled with low self esteem. Interestingly, I have no idea where that comes from!! but I can tell you that throughout my teenage years I always thought I was, too tall, too fat, too flat chested & too unattractive to be appealing to boys :( I'm sure this was purely perception because although I wasn't about to rival Cindy Crawford, I also wasn't 'paper bag' material!!

When I look back at photos, I'm sure that this was mostly to do with my height - for any readers that don't know me in real life, I'm over 6ft tall and have been since I was 12. In my world, not only is that tall for a girl but I towered over most of the boys I knew too & most of the tall ones went out with really short girls!! Also I wore glasses through my early teenage years & in those days the NHS had particularly grim frames to offer & it didn't help with my confidence issues.

In a nutshell, all this goes back a long way & mostly I shunt it to the back of my mind (don't we all). My friend (oh wise woman) has made me think - and that's what friends are for. She also said some lovely things about me, which I also appreciated - but why do we always find compliments to hard to accept???

Anyway, back to Monday afternoon, after the walk we went back to hers for a cup of tea (I had a pear, she had a grapefruit - so proud) and a breather (I needed it after such a long walk & all that deep conversation!), we went to Watford for a quick shop.

Afterwards, I went home, via the butcher, with a lot to think about but a real sense of achievement.
I had roast breast of lamb for dinner with asparagus broccoli & rice (cooked in chicken stock).
Later, I had a coffee and fancied a treat so I had two 'jammy dodgers' - yummy and I enjoyed them as I'd not had anything else sugary all day - quite a triumph for Monday.

Today, I started my day still full of enthusiasm (really hope it lasts all week), and had 2 Weetabix, ss milk and a some blackberries plus a couple of glasses of squash - I was really thirsty.
I was at a full day meeting today & lunch was provided but I just knew it would be ok - and it was :)

I treated myself to a Costa Americano at the council chamber (highly subsidised - a Medio was £1.20!!) and drank water during the morning session.
We had lunch in the councillors dining room and although there were lots of 'naughty' possibilities I had tuna salad from the salad bar followed by an orange - needed a lot of self discipline here as everyone else had bread & butter pudding with custard (and why wouldn't you?).

I drove home after the meeting and had a cup of coffee and some fruit - did some work, had a very long call with a colleague (so lucky I work with such nice people) & then went to collect Dom from school & Tobz from bus-stop. Such a wonderful mother!!

Dinner was leftover lamb, meatballs in tomato sauce, rice, broccoli & brussels followed by some cherries, all washed down with Tesco Sparkling water grapefruit flavour (delish!!).

I think that's all I have to tell you this evening - probably more than enough for now :)

Hope you are having a good evening.

Love
Lxx

Day 55, 56 & 57 - Friday lunch, Saturday party & lovely Sunday

Hi all

Just a quick catch up because I'm too lazy to get off the settee and turn on my laptop, so I'm blogging from my phone tonight.

Has a fabulous lunch at Fortnums with my friend on Friday - smoked salmon with a creme fraiche dressing & pea shoots, followed by butternut squash with a Parmesan crisp, accompanied by a diet coke & followed by a fresh mint tea. It was all absolutely delicious & a real treat. I resisted the fabulous looking desserts because
A) I'm supposed to be on a diet
&
B) I was truly stuffed :-)

Before lunch I'd had a stroll down Old Bond Street and a mooch around Fortnums - so I did get a bit of exercise too!

Yesterday I had lots of free foods and fluids because we had a birthday party in the evening and I had no idea what the food would be or whether I'd want to have a drink. Although I had a bit of an 'age crisis' before the party - it was a 40th & I started to feel a bit ancient!! - I did scrub up well (sorry no photo so you'll have to take my word for it!) even wearing a short tunic and exposing my legs to the world!!
The food was salads with fried fish - very nice, but not very SW friendly so I tried to stick to the salads with the non-creamy dressings and had small portions. The desserts were chocolatey, creamy, yummy & forbidden :-(
There was some very nice fruit which I had too - have to admit feeling a bit hard done by but I got over it fairly quickly!!
I had one glass of red wine but wasn't really in a drinking mood so topped up with water & diet coke.
We left quite early cos Andrew hurt his neck but we had a really good time & I love a chance to dress up.

Today was a fairly relaxed one - had to take Tobz out to a JLGB competition quite early today & then went straight out to the gym. I had a great workout this morning - burned off another 300+ cals today. It is very strange that this is my consistent level but each circuit feels different - today I was really hot & sweaty but on other days I feel much less 'worked out' if you know what I mean!!

I popped in to see a friend on my way home & I had coffee sitting in her garden - so lovely to do that for the first time this year :-)

Then home for a much needed shower (after all that sweating!!) - I do like you to know I'm clean too!

The rest of the day seems to have slipped by - where does the time go? - in a haze of tidying, washing, 'computering' & cooking (celeriac & leek soup).

I've had a lovely day, quite relaxing. I hope to stay the same at tomorrow's weigh in as I've had a few difficult (impossible some might say!) meals this week. Then next week I'm going to hit the plan with a renewed enthusiasm - really need to get moving now & stop faffing about!!

Love to you all
Lxxx



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Potter Street Hill,,United Kingdom

Days 53 & 54 (2012) - struggles and achievements :-)

Hi All

Its been a funny old couple of days.

Yesterday, as I said I had a meeting in Newmarket - four hour round trip for a 3 hour meeting - has to be done but I do wonder when video conferencing will become the norm? Don't get me wrong I'd always rather meet face to face - it's the only way you really know what people are thinking (especially if they aren't talking!!) - but it was rainy & miserable yesterday.

Anyway I had a good breakfast before I left - porridge, a banana & ss milk with a coffee and glass of squash - which was good because the coffee at the meeting was served with 'mega-cookies' but I wasn't tempted because I was full from breakfast. However, then it was lunch & although I intended to do the best I could it wasn't good and in truth I was hungry by then so although I only had one small filled roll (cheese & onion), 1 mini tart (onion & goats cheese), lots of crudites (no dressing) and two fruit skewers............I didn't resist the shot glass filled with chocolate & vanilla custard - oops!!
Despite that I was starving when I left and drove straight home without stopping even though I needed petrol because I knew that was asking for disaster to strike. So I did limit the damage, but like us all, I wish I could understand why I am incapable of resisting temptation when it's chocolaty???
In truth, it was very sickly and I didn't enjoy it much - daft really.

When I got home I helped myself to some cold meat & cherry tomatoes as a snack as well as catching up on my water - too long a journey to drink much en route as my bladder isn't as strong as it used to be (lol!)

Last night I went out with Tobz & he had takeaway but I didn't as wasn't really hungry - strange day really............

Today I woke up with renewed enthusiasm for the task in hand - breakfast was two weetabix, ss milk & a pack of pomegranate seeds sprinkled over the top. I was running late but Tobz had leaped out of bed with unusual speed so didn't have (or make) time to prepare lunch. I got him to the bus stop & on my way to Stevenage (I know I get to some exotic towns!), I stopped at Morrisons and bought some Smoked Salmon, an extra large salad from the salad bar, and a large fruit selection from the fruit bar (what a great idea!) plus two boxes of cherries.

I munched the cherries in the car, and had the salads & salmon for lunch together with lots of water. During the afternoon I had a yogurt (one of the Irish berry ones - really yummy) and did lots of work!!

To be honest having eaten that lot I wasn't that hungry this evening so cooked myself an omelette with some tomatoes and beetroot on the side, and finished off the raspberry cheesecake.

I feel so much better for having followed the plan today & only had a few syns from the salad bar - one of the salads was pasta with a tomato sauce, and the couscous had a couple of cheesy bits in (literally). I've 'been' several times (possibly too much detail for some!) and that's definitely good for my weight loss and I don't feel so sluggish - although I am knackered!!

My mum & sis had a bad day on the diet front, both put on weight, so actually I did best this week !!
I felt really sorry for my sister - she lost loads last week but had been very poorly and I suspect eating normally this week had that 'rebound effect' which is very frustrating but can sometimes just be unavoidable. I'm sure they'll both do better next week.
I did, however, have a really interesting chat with my mum who knew she'd put on weight because she'd been nibbling naughty things BUT even though she hadn't enjoyed them she finished them up :(

I'm certain this is to do with our upbringing - she was a child in the war & so food wasn't plentiful like it is now so she always had to 'finishe everything on her plate'. When I was a child/teenager my parents were very hard up & it was out of the question to waste anything or not finish your meal. I'm sure that although, luckily, we can now afford to throw away food we don't like our ingrained instinct is not to & this has an impact on how we behave. I suspect that recognising this and ALLOWING MYSELF to override the instinct to 'finish up' everything on my plate may well go a long way to defeat my constant battle with food.

And, on that serious note I'm off to bed now.

Love to all
Lxx

PS: Tomorrow I'm meeting a friend in town and we are going to Fortnum & Mason for lunch. I'm really looking forward to it as I've never been there :) Will let you know how I get on x

Days 51 & 52 (2012) - a good start

Evening All

Thought I'd try blogging some extra snapshots this week as I'm struggling to stay on the straight & narrow!!

And the good news is although not perfect I've been lots better yesterday & today that in the last few weeks.
I weighed in at the same as the previous week so although a bit disappointed I didn't cause any damage but did take a lecture from my sis along the lines of 'pull your finger out & get on with it!!' so I'm giving it a better shot!

Popped into friends after class yesterday as they were at home & had a black coffee and a natter - also a few almonds & raisins. Really had to stop myself from polishing off a large quantity but still far less sins than a pack of M&S chocrolls (I reckon 10 instead of 50!!)

Lunch was smoked salmon, quark & Finn Crisps - dinner was lamb chops with broccoli and rice. During the evening I had some cherries and some of my cheesecake so all in all a good day.

Today has been fine - very busy at work as loads of catching up to do after my days off last week. Had plenty of water, less coffee and nibbled on fruit. Lunch was some of the cannelloni I made at the weekend (it reheats well - 5 mins in the microwave) with some salad dressed with balsamic vinegar. Tonight I'm not really hungry and I'm going out so I've not had anything but I must be careful not to nosh anything on the table at my meeting!!!

Tomorrow is a tricky day as I'm off to an all day meeting in Newmarket and lunch is included - it's always very nice but no choice so I'll have to do my best - and swerve the desserts :-)

Hope your week is going well.
Lxx

Days 46 - 50 (2012) - and my less-than-straight-forward-journey continues :-)

Hi All

As instructed by my-oh-so-bossy-but-much-loved-sister, here is the latest update on my circuitous weight loss journey.
Particularly difficult over the last few days, too much nibbling and not enough focus will probably sum up my week but, following on from my pep talk last week I'm not beating myself up but just doing the best I can. And as always since Friday I've been very well controlled.

I do have some mitigating circumstances this week and I like to share so...........

• Tuesday was a manic day as it suddenly became my only work day. I didn't take lunch so that became a sandwich (very tasty but I'd had cereal for breakfast so not good on the diet front), Mug Shot & an orange. Lots of coffee & not enough water - I'm sure when I get that mix wrong it affects my ability to weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
• Wednesday I took Dom to Nottingham for a Uni visit - new it would be difficult food-wise but did find a salad but tuna & sweetcorn mayo I had with it wasn't great. Because I drove there & back I drank much less than usual and that together with the impending stress of Thursday gave me a tension headache so I was nibbling all evening - and not all good things!!
• Thursday I took my dad into hospital as he had to have some tests (I'm not going into the details but lets just say they weren't on the top half of his body!!) Anyway it was a long day, but it seems he's OK which his great but I had the munchies & was unable to avoid the BP/M&S garage on the way home :-( If I were Prime-Minister I think I would make all petrol stations 'Pay at Pump' & ban the selling of chocolate to overweight women who clearly have eaten too many chocolate bars already!!

On Friday, after a much needed lie-in, I did my usual deli, gym, delivery & coffee at a friend cycle and then came home and cooked dinner - chicken soup, roast chicken, roast potatoes & butternut squash and asparagus, followed by a huge fruit salad (hate making it but love eating it!!)

Saturday, went to synagogue (needed divine intervention!), then home, collect Toby and his friends from the station then to Tesco. A & I decided not to go out (such a relief !) so I did some cooking (results below)
Both are delicious - the cannelloni could have done with more cheese but then it wouldn't have been a SW recipe!! and I've often made SW cheesecakes but this time I took it out of the oven still wobbly!! & it is much nicer, Normally I leave it in until it feels 'solid' and although nice it is much heavier & thinner!

Today I've been to the gym & had my measurements done which was quite interesting as I got a comparison of my 'vitals' from last March when I joined Curves.
The nett result was a loss of 8 inches over my ample body - I'm really pleased!
Weirdly my bust seems to have grown 3 inches which seems unlikely but everywhere else I've lost inches, including 1 inch off the top of my arm - HATE my arms but it is reassuring that something's coming off and makes the hard work worthwhile.
They also weighed me - and it looks like I've gained 1lb this week (hence the pessimism) but if I have I know why and I'll plough on regardless - you never know I might lose another inch off my arms by next February!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Lxx




Mushroom & Spinach cannelloni (SW)





Raspberry Cheesecake (SW)





Days 43, 44 & 45 (2012) - seems I'm doing better!

Hi All

So after my fairly 'wrist-slashing' blog on Saturday afternoon - I've just re-read it and realised how low I sounded and felt - I had a really nice FB chat with an old friend (well my sister's friend but I'm borrowing her for the moment) who is also a SW trainer and was my very first SW consultant - in the days when a satsuma was 2 sins!!!!
She guided me to the support section of the SW website which I can highly recommend if you are struggling - I can't honestly say I used any of the tools there but reading through some information really helped me regain a bit of perspective and I'm feeling much more motivated now :)

Saturday evening we went to see Star Wars episode 1 in 3D - my first (& probably last) 3D experience. It was great to see the movie again on a big screen - Andrew is the Star Wars geek in our house but I too love the film - but wearing the special glasses over my glasses was very uncomfortable & gave me a whacking headache :(
We decided not to go out to eat (probably a good move because I'd not have been in the mood to be sensible) so I just had a black coffee and a banana whilst watching the movie.

Sunday, I went to the gym & amazingly I was looking forward to going - I'd missed it!!
Came home & then went for coffee with A's parents. We went to the really nice cafe in Pinner Park - more black coffee for me while they all had panninis, scones etc. In truth I didn't want anything as I'd eaten some chicken and fruit on the way home from Curves - I'm always ravenous after my circuit.
The rest of the day was pretty quiet and as Dom went out for dinner with friends I didn't cook a meal. Just nibbled throughout the day to be honest which was fine because............

I lost 2lbs on Monday - HOORAY :0)

Can't tell you what a relief it was to finally shift a couple of pounds after virtually a month of nothing. I know it's been down to my lack of effort but that doesn't take away the bad feeling - in fact it makes it worse.

I'm sure it was in big part to the major increase in water/squash etc this week and the focus on berries & green veg. Also I felt that I was probably eating too much so started to put some fruit in a bowl (no not a bucket!!) to nosh through rather than just grabbing a bag of cherries or box of strawberries and chomping my way through.

Yesterday & today I've been pretty good but tomorrow will be tricky as I'm taking Dom on his Uni visit to Nottingham - past experience says that the chips look better than the salads!! - but I'll do my best.

Got to go now as dinner (breast of lamb -stuffed with rice & mushrooms with sugar snaps & broccoli) needs finishing.

Happy Valentines Day to all.

Love
Lxx

Days 38 - 42 Who's got my willpower??

Hi All

Very busy week this week - work, courses from work, another bout of parental illness, and a day off spent (for various) reasons going backwards and forwards either to Aldenham and Watford.

And 'backwards & forwards' could be best used to describe my current dieting status - appalling could be another description, if not entirely pathetic.

My only really difficult meal was Thursday lunch at the course as it was a buffet & the veggie food was either sandwiches, fried stuff (onion bhajiis, spring rolls, sweetcorn patties), very mayonnaisey coleslaw, a very nice cheese board with biscuits & a salad of lettuce & sliced onions. The coffee was good tho as was the facilitation skills training & the only saving grace was that after lunch it got taken away very quickly so no opportunity for grazing................except on mini-muffins which they did leave.

A few months ago I'd have had two sandwich triangles and the lettuce with lots of water/coffee and on my way home stopped to buy some fruit/smoked salmon etc to munch in the car - as I'm sure you can tell that's not what happened on Thursday. Before then I hadn't been great either - after my better start on Monday, I had chocolate bars on Tuesday & Wednesday.

I'm so irritated with myself and feel like surrendering - don't worry I'm not going to.............well not yet anyway. But I do wish I knew which rogue brain cells I need to zap to get my 'I'm following the SW way of eating' brain cells to take control.

I was very good yesterday & today - only sins yesterday was the skin on my roast chicken last night. Today I've had no sins, drank loads, had plenty of fresh fruit and veg and minimised the protein.
I'm treating Andrew to Star Wars Episode 1 in 3D tonight at Westfield - so we will go out to eat first & I'll be very careful what I choose.

Tomorrow I'm definitely going to the gym (couldn't go Friday as I took a friend for a hospital appointment) and then we are meeting Andrew's parents for lunch at the cafe in Pinner Park - oh joy!!!!!!!!!!!

My real frustration (don't worry it's not that kind of blog!) is that I'm really in control Friday to Monday & really pathetically out of control Tuesday - Thursday & that means I'm stabilising at best, gradually going up at worst. I know I wanted to be slimmer and I'm realistic about the time it might take but why oh why do I self-sabotage??????

Answers on a postcard...........

Lxx

Days 36 & 37 - snow, cooking & another 'stay the same'

Hi All

So yesterday morning this was the view from my front door..........

and my back door - pretty but not going out in my car weather which meant no gym for me!! I don't drive in the snow if I can at all avoid it (I also don't walk in it, ski in it or anything else for that matter) because it terrifies me and I end up driving like a moron - particularly dangerous for other drivers too.

So what to do? Cook of course..........so I made a mixed chicken and roasted veg soup from Friday's leftovers, Cauliflower Cheese Soup (from the SW Little Soup Book), a huge oxtail & meatball casserole (from my head), and two sweet things for the Monday morning SW Great Comic Relief Bake Off - Apple Betty and Blackberry & Chocolate Muffins (more photos coming up!)

I also made pancakes for Toby & his friend which they had with bananas & Nutella - clearly neither of them need to be on diet :)

Andrew & all the boys went to see a film last night - he isn't bothered by the snow - so I had a lovely quiet evening with full control of the remote which was such a luxury :) I watched 'Got to Dance' - wish I could dance like that - and caught up on 'The Good Wife'. They all came home around 9:30 & I left them to it and had an early night.

This morning the weather was warmer and the snow was starting to melt so as both boys had to go to school (much to their disappointment!) I decided to brave the drive (partially cleared by Dom & Andrew yesterday) which was OK & once I got onto the main roads it was fine.

Sadly & extremely disappointingly, I stayed the same again this week, which means that in 7 weeks (since 26/12) I've lost 1.5lbs - absolutely pathetic!!

I have decided not to beat myself up about this but I do need to get on with it now. I really thought I'd had a good week and expected to lose at least 1lb if not more.

However, that was last week and I'm going to give it more focus this week and started today (rather than tomorrow!!) by only buying the fruit, veg and salad I needed from M&S after class and did not stray into the cake/biscuit/chocolate area.

Had a big bowl of the chicken & veg soup with two slices of wholemeal toast for my lunch followed by two clementines.

I've had lots of water as well today because I've definitely not been drinking as much after Christmas as I was before - I've been drinking a lot of black coffee and not enough water/squash etc.

Tonight for dinner, we had grilled salmon pieces with broccoli, UB Mushroom rice (2.5 sins for whole bag and I had 1/4) and spinach with a Butter Buds sachet added (1/2 sin of buttery taste that makes a big difference) and I've had three glasses of water - very thirsty tonight (not sure why but going with it anyway!).

The other thing that was missing this week was my visits to Curves - missed Friday because I went out for breakfast & yesterday because of the snow - although I had a go on the bike on Saturday as I didn't have it set properly I don't think I actually did much good. This week I'm going to ensure I go to Curves twice and use the bile twice - remind me if I seem to be slacking!!

I think that's it for me today.

Hope all is well with you

Lisa xx