We either make ourselves happy or miserable. The amount of work is the same. Carlos Castaneda
Well I didn’t stop yesterday, I had about an hour in the house from 7.30am-8pm, and I somehow managed to use it wisely and make myself an omelette for lunch, how I managed to stop myself overindulging yesterday is beyond me, but I did and I’m very pleased with myself. Let’s hope I’m rewarded on the scales on Monday. I’ve got a busy weekend planned work though not play and I’m hoping this will help me stay on track, setting up a computer doesn’t thrill me I have to say but it’s got to be done! Then I have a mammoth work task to do, hey ho, I’m also getting to have lunch with the ladies and I’m out Sunday for lunch too so there’s some rest in the too.
Finally worked out the ProPoints in a Donor Kebab yesterday and the ones from the chippy on Stubby Lane work out to approximately 30pp including pitta but not including sauces, a chicken meat kebab is approximately 16pp and their chips for a regular portion was 38pp. Mmm not sure if I’d eat those anymore, I think I’d personally rather have a Big Mac for 13pp and a large portion of French fries for 13pp, 26pp total is a better option for me than a Donor Kebab and chips for 68pp!
If you would like to receive motivational texts from me make sure that your mobile number is on your membership card in the meeting next week.
I’ve received my copy of the new Weight Watchers cookbook “Oriental Express” which is due in meetings soon, as you can imagine there’s some fabulous alternatives to your Weigh Day Take Away in there, such as plum & sweet chilli beef kebabs, chicken and vegetable samosas, Thai burgers, spicy beef and lots more, so to get you in the mood here’s a chow mein recipe to save you pounds from your purse and pounds on the scales!
Simplified Chicken Chow Mein – serves 4
(35 total) 9pp per serving
150g (5oz) cooked chicken (cut into thin strips) (5pp)
1 tbsp oil (4pp)
¼ tsp white pepper
¼ tsp chopped garlic
½ lb dried egg noodles (25pp)
Bean sprouts (1 handful)
½ small onion (sliced)
½ tsp salt
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tsp light soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil (1pp)
Cook noodles by soaking in boiling water for 5-10 minutes or until soft to touch. Clean wok, heat wok until hot and slightly smoky. Add 2 tablespoons oil. Add the chicken and onions and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Turn to low heat and add the garlic and stir-fry for another 15 seconds.
Now add the bean sprouts and noodles. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes or until the noodles are soft.
Add the salt, dark soy sauce and light soy sauce.
Stir-fry for another minute. Finally add the pepper and sesame oil and stir in.
So I’ve got to get on, lots to do before lunch with the ladies xx
Friday, 11 February 2011
Thursday, 10 February 2011
My Tracker - Wednesday, February 09, 2011
used 6 of my weekly ProPoints today, first time this week though, I got a little stressed over my computer problems slowing me down! Really enjoyed my super quick dinner though even if it didn't look good on the plate, hence no photo ;)
Breakfast
1 medium Banana 0
few strawberries - Quick-added food 0
Lunch
creamy mustard pot pie - 10
roasted veg - 0
Dinner 1 1/2 serving(s) Smash Original 4
35g Cheese, Cheddar 4
chorizo - 3
Subtotal 11
Any Time
WW Strawberry Tart Yogurt - 1
milk in tea - 3
1 serving(s) Pineapple cottage cheese 2
3 small crackers - 2
red wine - 6
Subtotal 14
Food ProPoints values total used 35
Activity pedometer ProPoints values earned 10
(2 really good walks with Alfie, hour on morning, 45 minutes on afternoon)
Breakfast
1 medium Banana 0
few strawberries - Quick-added food 0
creamy mustard pot pie - 10
roasted veg - 0
Dinner 1 1/2 serving(s) Smash Original 4
35g Cheese, Cheddar 4
chorizo - 3
Subtotal 11
Any Time
WW Strawberry Tart Yogurt - 1
milk in tea - 3
1 serving(s) Pineapple cottage cheese 2
3 small crackers - 2
red wine - 6
Subtotal 14
Food ProPoints values total used 35
Activity pedometer ProPoints values earned 10
(2 really good walks with Alfie, hour on morning, 45 minutes on afternoon)
10th February 2011
Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so Love the people who treat you right. Pray for those who don't.
How I managed to stay on track yesterday I will never know as the day wasn’t easy with my pc playing up, I ended up writing everything by hand and shouting a lot, and my back and knee were absolutely killing me. But instead of raiding the new cookie bites that had been delivered I had a couple of crackers, some pineapple cottage cheese and a Weight Watcher Strawberry tart yogurt for a total of 5pp, so I managed to hold it together – just! The yogurt was lush too!
To try and get me back on a calm balance, I took Alfie for a good long walk to try and take my mind of it all, my thought pattern was it’s going to take me forever to get everything done so why not take an hour out first, and it helped. If you’ve read your copy of YOUR WEEK you will see that in the 3 things to try this week, it suggests planning a walk with your loved ones to earn activity ProPoints while you catch up on their news. Go on try it, or if like me you needed to get away from it all, go alone and enjoy the calm and quiet.
I had comfort food for my tea, I made up some smash and mixed it with a bit of cheese and chorizo and it was scrumptious even Alfie enjoyed it, 11pp well spent, sometimes creating tasty food can take minutes, it didn’t look fab on the plate but it tasted divine.
I’ve noticed a few of you have signed up for the race for life, have you considered running instead of walking, last weeks YOUR WEEK gives you a run plan on page 8 to ensure you do it safely and take you from walking to running in five weeks – worth a try maybe. If you’re already making excuses not to, then you need to read the week before copy which covers, “What’s your excuse?” when it comes to being active. Remember as we discussed in the meetings, even as little as ten minutes here and there can make all the difference, it doesn’t have to be no pain no gain!
So one more day to get through on this failing fast machine and then I’ll probably spend the entire weekend trying to work out what wire goes where ;-) but hopefully will get there in time for next week.
Finding it hard to believe it’s Thursday already, this weeks gone so quickly, I’m on day 11 of my totally tracking run and I can definitely feel the difference – I even left food on my plate yesterday because I was full, that doesn’t happen often ;)
Remember whether you had a good day yesterday or a bad day, whether you got a loss this week or not, what you’re trying to achieve following the ProPoints Plan is a positive thing with long term positive results, it may not happen overnight but it will be worth it. Be 100% honest with yourself, track and ProPoint everything, if you don’t know how many PP in something because you don’t have the nutritional information guestimate it, that’s better than writing nothing, if you want to be over accurate guess how much you think it would weigh and ProPoint it as sugar or butter, you don’t get higher in value that those really!
Tremendous Tracking Thursday all round everyone xx
How I managed to stay on track yesterday I will never know as the day wasn’t easy with my pc playing up, I ended up writing everything by hand and shouting a lot, and my back and knee were absolutely killing me. But instead of raiding the new cookie bites that had been delivered I had a couple of crackers, some pineapple cottage cheese and a Weight Watcher Strawberry tart yogurt for a total of 5pp, so I managed to hold it together – just! The yogurt was lush too!
To try and get me back on a calm balance, I took Alfie for a good long walk to try and take my mind of it all, my thought pattern was it’s going to take me forever to get everything done so why not take an hour out first, and it helped. If you’ve read your copy of YOUR WEEK you will see that in the 3 things to try this week, it suggests planning a walk with your loved ones to earn activity ProPoints while you catch up on their news. Go on try it, or if like me you needed to get away from it all, go alone and enjoy the calm and quiet.
I had comfort food for my tea, I made up some smash and mixed it with a bit of cheese and chorizo and it was scrumptious even Alfie enjoyed it, 11pp well spent, sometimes creating tasty food can take minutes, it didn’t look fab on the plate but it tasted divine.
I’ve noticed a few of you have signed up for the race for life, have you considered running instead of walking, last weeks YOUR WEEK gives you a run plan on page 8 to ensure you do it safely and take you from walking to running in five weeks – worth a try maybe. If you’re already making excuses not to, then you need to read the week before copy which covers, “What’s your excuse?” when it comes to being active. Remember as we discussed in the meetings, even as little as ten minutes here and there can make all the difference, it doesn’t have to be no pain no gain!
So one more day to get through on this failing fast machine and then I’ll probably spend the entire weekend trying to work out what wire goes where ;-) but hopefully will get there in time for next week.
Finding it hard to believe it’s Thursday already, this weeks gone so quickly, I’m on day 11 of my totally tracking run and I can definitely feel the difference – I even left food on my plate yesterday because I was full, that doesn’t happen often ;)
Remember whether you had a good day yesterday or a bad day, whether you got a loss this week or not, what you’re trying to achieve following the ProPoints Plan is a positive thing with long term positive results, it may not happen overnight but it will be worth it. Be 100% honest with yourself, track and ProPoint everything, if you don’t know how many PP in something because you don’t have the nutritional information guestimate it, that’s better than writing nothing, if you want to be over accurate guess how much you think it would weigh and ProPoint it as sugar or butter, you don’t get higher in value that those really!
Tremendous Tracking Thursday all round everyone xx
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
My ProPoints Tracker 8th February 2011
Breakfast
1 medium Banana 0
4 small Plums 0
1/4 pint(s) Milk, Skimmed for drinks 1
Subtotal 1
Lunch
Creamy mustard chicken, spicy rice and carrots - 13
Dinner
savoury cheesecake, olives, cottage cheese and salad - 9
white wine - 6
Food ProPoints values total used 29
Food ProPoints values remaining 0
Activity ProPoints pedometer - 6
Trying to save weeklies and acitivites as I'm off out for lunch Friday and off to Frankie and Benny's sunday!
1 medium Banana 0
4 small Plums 0
1/4 pint(s) Milk, Skimmed for drinks 1
Subtotal 1
Creamy mustard chicken, spicy rice and carrots - 13
Dinner
savoury cheesecake, olives, cottage cheese and salad - 9
white wine - 6
Food ProPoints values total used 29
Food ProPoints values remaining 0
Activity ProPoints pedometer - 6
Trying to save weeklies and acitivites as I'm off out for lunch Friday and off to Frankie and Benny's sunday!
9th February 2011
In the pursuit of happiness, the difficulty lies in knowing when you have caught up. R.H. Grenville
Damn PC, its taking so long just to log on and do anything but I’m now smiling and cringing at the same time because in the last 45 minutes I’ve spent £460 on a new one which will be with me by the weekend ;) I can’t believe I was just getting control over my credit card after Christmas and I’ve had to add that – hence the cringing. I can’t handle my system being so slow though, I use it everyday for my job so needs must.
So I had another good day yesterday as did lots of my members, the weight losses are still fabulous 339.5lb yesterday – WOW how great are we ;)
I make shortcrust pastry for the first time since I left school I think, I’ve never seen so much flour go in so many directions, a very funny experience for me, and I really must learn to read the instructions properly, it said to use parchment and “baking beans” to cook the pastry blind for ten minutes, I hadn’t got any ‘baking beans’ so used a bag of grey peas I had, didn’t read correctly and put the parchment between the tin and the pastry instead of the pastry and the peas and after ten minutes it took me another ten minutes to pick the peas out of the pastry case ;0) it ended up edible at the end so it wasn’t a problem and it go me away from the pc for a while!
I did make a fabulous mustard chicken dish from Jamie 30 minute cook book and I just have to share that recipe with you as its scrumptious;
Mustard Chicken with leeks = total 28pp, 8pp each
a few sprigs of fresh rosemary
4 x180g chicken breasts, skin off (18pp)
4 teaspoons Colman’s mustard powder
3 baby leeks or 1 large leek (trimmed, halved lengthways & finely sliced)
4 cloves of garlic (crushed)
100ml White Wine (2pp)
75ml single cream (4pp)
1 heaped teaspoon wholegrain mustard
Tbsp olive oil = (4pp) (best to use the Weight Watcher oil spray for maximum coverage & you’ll save PP)
Turn the heat under the trying pan up to medium. Pick and finely chop the leaves from the rosemary sprigs and sprinkle them into the pack of chicken. Sprinkle l teaspoon of mustard powder over each breast, then season and drizzle some olive oil over the chicken and into the frying pan. Massage and rub these flavours all over the meat. Put the chicken breasts in the pan, skin side down. Wash your hands well. Use a fish slice to press down on the chicken to help it cook. lt should take around 18 minutes in total – mine took longer as they were big breasts!.
Add leeks to one side of pan. Add garlic to pan of chicken, flip the chicken breasts, then press down again. Stir in the leeks and the white wine.
Check the chicken is cooked through, and then pour 75ml of cream into the frying pan. Transfer the chicken breasts to a board and slice into uneven pieces. Stir 1-heaped teaspoon of wholegrain mustard into the sauce, then taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Spoon the sauce onto the plates and put the sliced chicken on top. Serve.
I had mine with some rice and julienne carrots and it was very filling.
Well I’ve got to get on as this has took 30 minutes longer than it usually does because of the pc, have a fabulous ‘on track’ day. xx
Damn PC, its taking so long just to log on and do anything but I’m now smiling and cringing at the same time because in the last 45 minutes I’ve spent £460 on a new one which will be with me by the weekend ;) I can’t believe I was just getting control over my credit card after Christmas and I’ve had to add that – hence the cringing. I can’t handle my system being so slow though, I use it everyday for my job so needs must.
So I had another good day yesterday as did lots of my members, the weight losses are still fabulous 339.5lb yesterday – WOW how great are we ;)
I make shortcrust pastry for the first time since I left school I think, I’ve never seen so much flour go in so many directions, a very funny experience for me, and I really must learn to read the instructions properly, it said to use parchment and “baking beans” to cook the pastry blind for ten minutes, I hadn’t got any ‘baking beans’ so used a bag of grey peas I had, didn’t read correctly and put the parchment between the tin and the pastry instead of the pastry and the peas and after ten minutes it took me another ten minutes to pick the peas out of the pastry case ;0) it ended up edible at the end so it wasn’t a problem and it go me away from the pc for a while!
I did make a fabulous mustard chicken dish from Jamie 30 minute cook book and I just have to share that recipe with you as its scrumptious;
a few sprigs of fresh rosemary
4 x180g chicken breasts, skin off (18pp)
4 teaspoons Colman’s mustard powder
3 baby leeks or 1 large leek (trimmed, halved lengthways & finely sliced)
4 cloves of garlic (crushed)
100ml White Wine (2pp)
75ml single cream (4pp)
1 heaped teaspoon wholegrain mustard
Tbsp olive oil = (4pp) (best to use the Weight Watcher oil spray for maximum coverage & you’ll save PP)
Turn the heat under the trying pan up to medium. Pick and finely chop the leaves from the rosemary sprigs and sprinkle them into the pack of chicken. Sprinkle l teaspoon of mustard powder over each breast, then season and drizzle some olive oil over the chicken and into the frying pan. Massage and rub these flavours all over the meat. Put the chicken breasts in the pan, skin side down. Wash your hands well. Use a fish slice to press down on the chicken to help it cook. lt should take around 18 minutes in total – mine took longer as they were big breasts!.
Add leeks to one side of pan. Add garlic to pan of chicken, flip the chicken breasts, then press down again. Stir in the leeks and the white wine.
Check the chicken is cooked through, and then pour 75ml of cream into the frying pan. Transfer the chicken breasts to a board and slice into uneven pieces. Stir 1-heaped teaspoon of wholegrain mustard into the sauce, then taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Spoon the sauce onto the plates and put the sliced chicken on top. Serve.
I had mine with some rice and julienne carrots and it was very filling.
Well I’ve got to get on as this has took 30 minutes longer than it usually does because of the pc, have a fabulous ‘on track’ day. xx
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Tracker 7th February 2011
Breakfast = 0pp
Banana
Apple
3 plums
grapes
and a glass of zero pointed smoothie made with sugar free squash and mixed berries
Lunch = 15pp
Because I'm not a big snacker, sometimes I have my fruit for breakfast which means I can have a larger lunch.
Dinner
served with a glass of white wine = 7pp
Total ProPoints used today = 29
Activity ProPoints earned on Pedometer = 7pp
I drank boiled water all day rather than tea or coffee, I do actually enjoy it!
Banana
Apple
3 plums
grapes
and a glass of zero pointed smoothie made with sugar free squash and mixed berries
Lunch = 15pp2 buttermilk chicken drumsticks
vegetable tart made with puff pastry
sundried tomato giant couscousBecause I'm not a big snacker, sometimes I have my fruit for breakfast which means I can have a larger lunch.
Dinner
Speedy spicy rice 8pp = tea in ten minutes
I didn't measure veggies used chopped onions, 1 sliced orange pepper, sliced mushrooms. 5pp worth of chorizo (weighed on WW scales), 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, clove of garlic crushed, splash of sherry then added 2 minutemicrowave rice (Thai chilli flavour I think). It has a real kick and was v v filling. That was half the pan.served with a glass of white wine = 7pp
Total ProPoints used today = 29
Activity ProPoints earned on Pedometer = 7pp
I drank boiled water all day rather than tea or coffee, I do actually enjoy it!
8th February 2011 facebook email
When you're happy you look nice, when you're sad you don’t!
I’m having computer problems, word keeps freezing and it’s taking twice as long to do anything so I think I’m going to have to replace mine, can’t complain I suppose I’ve had it almost 6 years, it’s just the nightmare of choosing the right one, hey ho such is life.
Well the good news is I lost 3lb yesterday when I got weighed, I was thrilled, first week back on track this year, especially as I haven’t felt like I was on a diet as such, I’ve cooked some delicious food, and still managed to drink my wine by doing plenty of walking using my pedometer. If you’re interested to see what I spent all my ProPoints on last week, here’s a link to my tracker;
http://wwbevsworld.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-tracker-january-31st-february-6th.html
Today I’m hoping to cook Jamie Olivers Mustard Chicken which will use those leeks I mentioned yesterday and also I going to have a bash at a savoury cheesecake! It caught my eye as I was going through some old Weight Watcher cookbooks, sounds different and will be the first time I’ve made pastry since I was at school probably! Here’s the recipe if you fancy having a go yourself.
Red pepper and basil cheesecake
27 Pro Points per recipe
Takes 35 minutes to prepare, 20 minutes to cook + 10 minutes cooling.
Serves 6 - 5pp each, or serves 4 – 7pp each
Freezeable
Not all Cheesecakes have to be sweet, try this savoury version and you’ll be hooked!
For the pastry:
100 g (31/2 oz) plain white flour plus 2 3 teaspoons for rolling
1 tablespoon cornflour
50 g (13/4 oz) polyunsaturated margarine
a pinch of salt
For the filling:
3 red peppers, de-seeded and halved
350g (12oz) low fat plain cottage cheese
2 eggs
2 tablespoons torn fresh basil
salt and freshly ground black pepper
l. To make the pastry, mix the flour and cornflour together in a bowl. Rub in the margarine with your fingertips, under the mixture resembles line breadcrumbs. Add the salt and then stir in enough cold water to make a soft dough.
2. Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 5/ l 90°C/fan oven l70°C. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry so it is big enough to line the base and sides of a 20 cm (8 inch) fluted loose-bottomed flan tin.
3. Lift the pastry into the tin and prick the base with a fork Line with non-stick baking parchment and baking beans. Bake blind for 10 minutes. Remove the paper and the beans and return the pastry to the oven for 10 minutes.
4.Meanwhile, grill the peppers under a high heat, skin side up until the skins blacken and blister. Transfer the peppers to polythene bag and seal. When they are cool enough to handle, peel off the skins and roughly chop the flesh.
5. Place the peppers, cottage cheese, eggs, basil and seasoning in a food processor and blend until smooth. Remove the pastry flan case from the oven and spoon in the pepper filling.
6. Return the flan to the oven for 20 minutes, until the filling has set and is firm to the touch. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing into wedges to serve.
Tip: if you don’t have a food processor, chop the red pepper very finely and push the cottage cheese through a sieve. Mix them together with the eggs, seasoning and basil as in step 5 before spooning into the flan case.
Have a fabulous day xx
I’m having computer problems, word keeps freezing and it’s taking twice as long to do anything so I think I’m going to have to replace mine, can’t complain I suppose I’ve had it almost 6 years, it’s just the nightmare of choosing the right one, hey ho such is life.
Well the good news is I lost 3lb yesterday when I got weighed, I was thrilled, first week back on track this year, especially as I haven’t felt like I was on a diet as such, I’ve cooked some delicious food, and still managed to drink my wine by doing plenty of walking using my pedometer. If you’re interested to see what I spent all my ProPoints on last week, here’s a link to my tracker;
http://wwbevsworld.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-tracker-january-31st-february-6th.html
Today I’m hoping to cook Jamie Olivers Mustard Chicken which will use those leeks I mentioned yesterday and also I going to have a bash at a savoury cheesecake! It caught my eye as I was going through some old Weight Watcher cookbooks, sounds different and will be the first time I’ve made pastry since I was at school probably! Here’s the recipe if you fancy having a go yourself.
Red pepper and basil cheesecake
27 Pro Points per recipe
Takes 35 minutes to prepare, 20 minutes to cook + 10 minutes cooling.
Serves 6 - 5pp each, or serves 4 – 7pp each
Freezeable
Not all Cheesecakes have to be sweet, try this savoury version and you’ll be hooked!
For the pastry:
100 g (31/2 oz) plain white flour plus 2 3 teaspoons for rolling
1 tablespoon cornflour
50 g (13/4 oz) polyunsaturated margarine
a pinch of salt
For the filling:
3 red peppers, de-seeded and halved
350g (12oz) low fat plain cottage cheese
2 eggs
2 tablespoons torn fresh basil
salt and freshly ground black pepper
l. To make the pastry, mix the flour and cornflour together in a bowl. Rub in the margarine with your fingertips, under the mixture resembles line breadcrumbs. Add the salt and then stir in enough cold water to make a soft dough.
2. Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 5/ l 90°C/fan oven l70°C. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry so it is big enough to line the base and sides of a 20 cm (8 inch) fluted loose-bottomed flan tin.
3. Lift the pastry into the tin and prick the base with a fork Line with non-stick baking parchment and baking beans. Bake blind for 10 minutes. Remove the paper and the beans and return the pastry to the oven for 10 minutes.
4.Meanwhile, grill the peppers under a high heat, skin side up until the skins blacken and blister. Transfer the peppers to polythene bag and seal. When they are cool enough to handle, peel off the skins and roughly chop the flesh.
5. Place the peppers, cottage cheese, eggs, basil and seasoning in a food processor and blend until smooth. Remove the pastry flan case from the oven and spoon in the pepper filling.
6. Return the flan to the oven for 20 minutes, until the filling has set and is firm to the touch. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing into wedges to serve.
Tip: if you don’t have a food processor, chop the red pepper very finely and push the cottage cheese through a sieve. Mix them together with the eggs, seasoning and basil as in step 5 before spooning into the flan case.
Have a fabulous day xx
Monday, 7 February 2011
My Tracker January 31st - February 6th
Monday, January 31, 2011
1 serving(s) Milk, Skimmed 3
Subtotal 3
Lunch
Ginger beer pork and pineapple - 8
Subtotal 8
Dinner
lasagne and salad - 12
Subtotal 12
Any Time
red wine - 6
2 biscuit(s) Ritz Original Cracker 1
smoothie - 7
Subtotal 14
Food ProPoints values total used 37
Food ProPoints values remaining 0
Activity pedometer ProPoints values earned 8
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Breakfast
innocent smoothie - 7
Subtotal 7
Lunch
Weight Watchers tomato pizza, - 12
added pineapple and spring onion to pizza - 0
Subtotal 12
Dinner
Ww quiche - 7
10 g Danish Blue 1
Subtotal 8
Any Time
2 serving(s) Milk, Skimmed 5
1 medium Pear 0
2 medium Apple 0
2 medium Banana 0
1 bag(s) Twiglets, original 3
2 portion(s) Laughing Cow Light Cheese Spread Triangles 1
wine - 12
Subtotal 21
Food ProPoints values total used 48
Food ProPoints values remaining 0
Activity pedometer ProPoints values earned 5
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Breakfast
SMOOTHIE - 3
Subtotal 3
Lunch
FISHCAKE - 4
2 Stuffed mushroom pies 8
Subtotal 12
Dinner
Ww pizza pimped with extra veggies - 12
Subtotal 12
Any Time
MILK IN TEA - 2
wine - 9
Subtotal 11
Food ProPoints values total used 38
Food ProPoints values remaining 0
Activity pedometer ProPoints values earned 9
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Breakfast
bacon sandwich 1 slice bread - 5
1 medium Banana 0
Subtotal 5
Lunch
1 serving(s) sweet chilli and garic stir fry 3
stuffed mushroom with pastry - 5
Subtotal 8
Dinner
Fritata made with
4 large Egg, Whole 10
blue cheese - 2
diced, courgette, carrot, onion, pepper, tomato - 0
Subtotal 12
Any Time
570 ml Wine, Red 14
1 medium Banana 0
2 pack(s) Flying Saucers 5
Subtotal 19
Food ProPoints values total used 44
Food ProPoints values remaining 0
Activity pedometer ProPoints values earned 8
Friday, February 04, 2011
Breakfast
2 medium Banana 0
Subtotal 0
Lunch
Pub Meal - grilled sea bass, herb crushed potatoes and veg - 16
Subtotal 16
Dinner
boiled rice - 6
chicken curry - 6
Subtotal 12
Any Time
wine - 15
Subtotal 15
Food ProPoints values total used 43
Food ProPoints values remaining 0
Activity pedometer ProPoints values earned 2
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Breakfast
Lunch
braised cabbage, bacon and apple in balsamic - 3
Subtotal 12
Dinner
Chinese style kale - 0
Subtotal 0
Any Time
wine - 18
Subtotal 18
Food ProPoints values total used 30
Food ProPoints values remaining 0
Activity pedometer ProPoints values earned 5
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Breakfast
leftover garlic chicken, kale and mushrooms - 13
Subtotal 13
Lunch
1 medium Pear 0
1 medium Banana 0
2 large Plums 0
Subtotal 0
Dinner
squash leftovers - 3
buttermilk chicken - 11
Subtotal 14
Any Time
1 bag(s) Wotsits Really Cheesy 3
wine - 18
savoury cheese veg tart - q7
Subtotal 28
Food ProPoints values total used 55
Food ProPoints values remaining 0
Activity pedometer ProPoints values earned 2
Notes -Drank lots of water today, filled a jug with lemon pieces and kept refilling.
Breakfast
1 medium Banana 0 1 serving(s) Milk, Skimmed 3
Subtotal 3
Lunch
Ginger beer pork and pineapple - 8
Subtotal 8
Dinner
lasagne and salad - 12
Subtotal 12
Any Time
red wine - 6
2 biscuit(s) Ritz Original Cracker 1
smoothie - 7
Subtotal 14
Food ProPoints values total used 37
Food ProPoints values remaining 0
Activity pedometer ProPoints values earned 8
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Breakfast
innocent smoothie - 7
Subtotal 7
Lunch
added pineapple and spring onion to pizza - 0
Subtotal 12
Dinner
Ww quiche - 7
10 g Danish Blue 1
Subtotal 8
Any Time
2 serving(s) Milk, Skimmed 5
1 medium Pear 0
2 medium Apple 0
2 medium Banana 0
1 bag(s) Twiglets, original 3
2 portion(s) Laughing Cow Light Cheese Spread Triangles 1
wine - 12
Subtotal 21
Food ProPoints values total used 48
Food ProPoints values remaining 0
Activity pedometer ProPoints values earned 5
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Breakfast
SMOOTHIE - 3
Subtotal 3
Lunch
2 Stuffed mushroom pies 8
Subtotal 12
Dinner
Ww pizza pimped with extra veggies - 12
Subtotal 12
Any Time
MILK IN TEA - 2
wine - 9
Subtotal 11
Food ProPoints values total used 38
Food ProPoints values remaining 0
Activity pedometer ProPoints values earned 9
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Breakfast
bacon sandwich 1 slice bread - 5
1 medium Banana 0
Subtotal 5
Lunch
1 serving(s) sweet chilli and garic stir fry 3
stuffed mushroom with pastry - 5
Subtotal 8
Dinner
4 large Egg, Whole 10
blue cheese - 2
diced, courgette, carrot, onion, pepper, tomato - 0
Subtotal 12
Any Time
570 ml Wine, Red 14
1 medium Banana 0
2 pack(s) Flying Saucers 5
Subtotal 19
Food ProPoints values total used 44
Food ProPoints values remaining 0
Activity pedometer ProPoints values earned 8
Friday, February 04, 2011
Breakfast
2 medium Banana 0
Subtotal 0
Lunch
Pub Meal - grilled sea bass, herb crushed potatoes and veg - 16
Subtotal 16
Dinner
chicken curry - 6
Subtotal 12
Any Time
wine - 15
Subtotal 15
Food ProPoints values total used 43
Food ProPoints values remaining 0
Activity pedometer ProPoints values earned 2
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Breakfast
banana and pear - 0
Subtotal 0 Lunch
butternut squash, blue cheese & pine nuts - 9
Subtotal 12
Dinner
Chinese style kale - 0
Subtotal 0
Any Time
wine - 18
Subtotal 18
Food ProPoints values total used 30
Food ProPoints values remaining 0
Activity pedometer ProPoints values earned 5
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Breakfast
Subtotal 13
Lunch
1 medium Pear 0
1 medium Banana 0
2 large Plums 0
Subtotal 0
Dinner
squash leftovers - 3
buttermilk chicken - 11
Subtotal 14
Any Time
1 bag(s) Wotsits Really Cheesy 3
wine - 18
Subtotal 28
Food ProPoints values total used 55
Food ProPoints values remaining 0
Activity pedometer ProPoints values earned 2
Notes -Drank lots of water today, filled a jug with lemon pieces and kept refilling.
7th February 2011 facebook email
Every man dies but not every man lives William Wallace
Today’s the day, I get weighed after completing a week of religiously tracking and planning my meals, cooking recipes, walking the dog everyday and generally trying to make my life fit around the plan and enjoying it. Which I feel I’ve done so even if I don’t lose weight, I do feel great.
One thing I did notice when looking back over my tracker was that I’ve upped my intake of fruit and vegetables this week, do you struggle to reach your 5 a day? Now it’s 8… Yep just as we have got used to our ‘five a day’ portions of fruit and veg, we are told eight a day is the minimum to protect against heart disease. Following this advice from researchers at Oxford University may seem daunting but hitting 8 is a lot easier than you think, especially as you’re already thinking about your diet and fruit is now zero pro points. Just think about where there are opportunities to add a portion of fruit or veg, a banana with your breakfast maybe, or a few handfuls of frozen berries added to your porridge. A smoothie could make a great mid morning snack, or a yogurt with some fruit. Why not slice a tomato, cucumber or add salad leaves to your lunchtime sandwich. You could have a piece of fruit or two for your afternoon snack instead of that Kit Kat. And finally veggies with your evening meal, occasionally why not have a vegetarian main meal, I plan to do that with leeks this week, the humble leek bring a touch of silky elegance to all sorts of roasts, stews and soups according to Waitrose free paper! The suggest you try it with cheese, chicken, potato, beacon or use it as the main act with chick peas and stock in a warming broth.
I’m going to make the following with mine!
Leek and mustard bake Serves 4 total 25pp – 6pp each
700g baby leeks (wash & cut in half lengthways)
50g low fat margarine (5pp)
50g plain flour (5pp)
600ml skimmed milk (6pp)
100g low fat soft cheese with garlic & herbs (4pp)
1 tbsp wholegrain Dijon mustard (1pp)
50g low fat cheddar cheese (4pp)
salt & pepper
· Preheat oven to Gas Mark 5 / 190oC. Steam leeks for 5-10 minutes or until softened.
· Meanwhile, melt margarine in a non-stick saucepan and stir in the flour to make a ball. Remove the pan from the heat, add the milk and whisk until the roux ball is completely broken up into the milk.
· Return to a low heat and whisk until the sauce thickens. Add soft cheese and mustard, season to taste.
· Place the steamed leeks in the base of an ovenproof dish. Pour over the sauce and sprinkle with the cheese, then bake for 15 minutes until bubbling and golden.
Whatever you’re eating today – make sure you enjoy it xx
Today’s the day, I get weighed after completing a week of religiously tracking and planning my meals, cooking recipes, walking the dog everyday and generally trying to make my life fit around the plan and enjoying it. Which I feel I’ve done so even if I don’t lose weight, I do feel great.
One thing I did notice when looking back over my tracker was that I’ve upped my intake of fruit and vegetables this week, do you struggle to reach your 5 a day? Now it’s 8… Yep just as we have got used to our ‘five a day’ portions of fruit and veg, we are told eight a day is the minimum to protect against heart disease. Following this advice from researchers at Oxford University may seem daunting but hitting 8 is a lot easier than you think, especially as you’re already thinking about your diet and fruit is now zero pro points. Just think about where there are opportunities to add a portion of fruit or veg, a banana with your breakfast maybe, or a few handfuls of frozen berries added to your porridge. A smoothie could make a great mid morning snack, or a yogurt with some fruit. Why not slice a tomato, cucumber or add salad leaves to your lunchtime sandwich. You could have a piece of fruit or two for your afternoon snack instead of that Kit Kat. And finally veggies with your evening meal, occasionally why not have a vegetarian main meal, I plan to do that with leeks this week, the humble leek bring a touch of silky elegance to all sorts of roasts, stews and soups according to Waitrose free paper! The suggest you try it with cheese, chicken, potato, beacon or use it as the main act with chick peas and stock in a warming broth.
I’m going to make the following with mine!
Leek and mustard bake Serves 4 total 25pp – 6pp each
700g baby leeks (wash & cut in half lengthways)
50g low fat margarine (5pp)
50g plain flour (5pp)
600ml skimmed milk (6pp)
100g low fat soft cheese with garlic & herbs (4pp)
1 tbsp wholegrain Dijon mustard (1pp)
50g low fat cheddar cheese (4pp)
salt & pepper
· Preheat oven to Gas Mark 5 / 190oC. Steam leeks for 5-10 minutes or until softened.
· Meanwhile, melt margarine in a non-stick saucepan and stir in the flour to make a ball. Remove the pan from the heat, add the milk and whisk until the roux ball is completely broken up into the milk.
· Return to a low heat and whisk until the sauce thickens. Add soft cheese and mustard, season to taste.
· Place the steamed leeks in the base of an ovenproof dish. Pour over the sauce and sprinkle with the cheese, then bake for 15 minutes until bubbling and golden.
Whatever you’re eating today – make sure you enjoy it xx
Sunday, 6 February 2011
6th February 2011 facebook email
There are two choices for meals in my house take it or leave it!
Have you all taken your ‘Daily Praise Pill’ this morning, if not stop and take it now, go tell yourself how amazing brilliant and beautiful you are and come back to the email in a minute.
Butternut squash, blue cheese & pine nuts (9pp)
So yesterday we covered the Daily Praise Pill and wouldn’t it be great to keep that feeling of really loving yourself and who you are going all day long, everyday. One way to start making the permanent switchover is to evict the Diet Dragon! You know the nasty one who says means things to you if you’re having a bad day. They reckon we have over 10,000 thoughts a day, and the ones that come from that dragon who’s residing in your subconscious are more likely than not going to be negative ones. So today tune into those thoughts when you’re having them and acknowledge whether they’re coming from the diet dragon or your food fairy, you’ll easily recognise the difference, the thoughts you have that criticise your behaviour, put you down and generally mock your efforts are coming from that dragon, so instead get your food fairy to tell you how fabulous you are and sprinkle you with fairy good feelings dust! How the hell are you going to do that you ask, easy peasy, the next time you hear yourself start to say something that’s not going to make you feel fabulous nor help your weigh loss, imagine your food fairy smashing your dragon over the head with her wand (it’s a really heavy rod made of all the pounds of fat we’ve lost last month ;-) so it would definitely hurt!) Then turn that negative thought into a positive, maybe have an affirmation at the ready, such as, “I’m becoming the me I want to be” or “everyday in everyway, I’m becoming healthier and happier”. Make one up. Ok so there isn’t a REAL dragon nor FAIRY inside your head, but you know what I’m talking about and isn’t it a great image you have in your head of this big food fairy bashing your diet dragon over the head with a wand made of lard ;-) Visuals help especially as the subconscious mind is so powerful and it is so easy for it to give you the negative and you have to make the effort if you want to start being positive. Try it, what harm can it do – it’s worked for me, I love me and my body now, lumps, cellulite and all ;-)
Well it’s late for me, so I’d better get ready to walk Alfie, Sunday mornings is a mammoth walk! I’m thinking of the activity points, today completes my perfect week of tracking, and I can’t wait to start the next week, I know I’ll have a weight loss tomorrow, hope you all feel the same xx
Have you all taken your ‘Daily Praise Pill’ this morning, if not stop and take it now, go tell yourself how amazing brilliant and beautiful you are and come back to the email in a minute.
Butternut squash, blue cheese & pine nuts (9pp)
Cabbage with bacon, apple in balsamic vinegar (serves 4, 5pp each)
I had yet another great day yesterday, 2 hour walk with Alfie, quick trip to Sainsbury’s for a few bits I’d forgotten and some research on pizzas, then I danced and sang round the kitchen whilst cooking up something delicious, I have to say the butternut squash dish for 9pp was devine and filling and without realising yesterday ended up being a vegetarian day, I didn’t eat any meat at all all day, which really spread my ProPoints allowance I have to say and meant I could use plenty of blue cheese in the butternut squash dish. Today we’re having buttermilk chicken, which has been marinating in the fridge overnight, mmm can’t wait but 7am is a little early for it I suppose.
So yesterday we covered the Daily Praise Pill and wouldn’t it be great to keep that feeling of really loving yourself and who you are going all day long, everyday. One way to start making the permanent switchover is to evict the Diet Dragon! You know the nasty one who says means things to you if you’re having a bad day. They reckon we have over 10,000 thoughts a day, and the ones that come from that dragon who’s residing in your subconscious are more likely than not going to be negative ones. So today tune into those thoughts when you’re having them and acknowledge whether they’re coming from the diet dragon or your food fairy, you’ll easily recognise the difference, the thoughts you have that criticise your behaviour, put you down and generally mock your efforts are coming from that dragon, so instead get your food fairy to tell you how fabulous you are and sprinkle you with fairy good feelings dust! How the hell are you going to do that you ask, easy peasy, the next time you hear yourself start to say something that’s not going to make you feel fabulous nor help your weigh loss, imagine your food fairy smashing your dragon over the head with her wand (it’s a really heavy rod made of all the pounds of fat we’ve lost last month ;-) so it would definitely hurt!) Then turn that negative thought into a positive, maybe have an affirmation at the ready, such as, “I’m becoming the me I want to be” or “everyday in everyway, I’m becoming healthier and happier”. Make one up. Ok so there isn’t a REAL dragon nor FAIRY inside your head, but you know what I’m talking about and isn’t it a great image you have in your head of this big food fairy bashing your diet dragon over the head with a wand made of lard ;-) Visuals help especially as the subconscious mind is so powerful and it is so easy for it to give you the negative and you have to make the effort if you want to start being positive. Try it, what harm can it do – it’s worked for me, I love me and my body now, lumps, cellulite and all ;-)
Well it’s late for me, so I’d better get ready to walk Alfie, Sunday mornings is a mammoth walk! I’m thinking of the activity points, today completes my perfect week of tracking, and I can’t wait to start the next week, I know I’ll have a weight loss tomorrow, hope you all feel the same xx
Saturday, 5 February 2011
5 February 2011 facebook email
Nobody get to live life backward. Look ahead, that is where your future lies. 'Ann Landers'
I had the best day yesterday, good walk with Alfie, shopping in Waitrose where I got lots of ideas for meals I can cook and bought a few special ingredients, followed by lunch with the ladies – all propointed of course, then a massage followed by a chill out in front of the tv. I had grilled sea bass with crushed herb potatoes and veggies (16pp) for lunch and then on the night I had homemade chicken curry and rice for 12pp.
I’ve woken up this morning raring to go, I think I might even do the ironing, it has to be a month since I thought about that!
Day 6 of total tracking and holding it together, feeling better for it and still managing my vino which is always a bonus.
I just loved this comment on yesterdays wall Lindsay put “I weighed a cone of chips today an it worked out at 36pp so I put them in the bin and had a Weight Watcher chicken casserole, I thought I would rather throw a £ away that put a few on! How true is that, so next time you’re in a similar situation think about which of the pounds you’d prefer to waste.
Little tweaks and changes to your eating and thinking will make it so much easier to lose weight. Lindsay’s managed to change her thinking from how much money she’ll waste, i.e. the “I’ve paid for it” mentality to how much she’d rather lose it off her WAIST! Brilliant.
Another way to change your thinking is to start thinking good about yourself, therefore from this day forward I want you to start taking a ‘Daily Praise Pill’ Janet Street Porter wrote in her book ‘life’s too f***ing short”, “spend the first minute of every day telling yourself “I am bloody brilliant” – no one else is going to!” And I think that’s a fantastic idea, although I do think other people will tell you how brilliant and wonderful you are once you start believing it yourself and listening, I hear members in meetings giving each other compliments and encouragement all the time, it’s what makes Weight Watcher meetings work so well. So go on right now, tell yourself how absolutely, fantastic, amazing and gorgeous you are, that way even if no one else does, it doesn’t matter, you’ve taken your Praise Pill for the day. Xx
If you’re sat there thinking, yeah whatever, I’m not brilliant at all! STOP rewind and stop striving to be perfect, time to realise that no one is the idea of ‘perfect’ people have in their minds. I’m perfect to be me, but I’d be awful at being you probably, I wouldn’t be able to cope with kids or a spouse, hell I can’t even stay awake on a night out with the girls, but I can cope with hundreds of members and their problems! We’re all so very, very different and you’re perfect as you are. Don’t beat yourself up over mistakes, the workout you didn’t do because you couldn’t be bothered – everyone does it, the half a dozen six twix bars that were meant for the kids lunchboxes but ended up in your stomach, we’ve all done similar at some time and it’s usually when we’re trying desperately to lose weight and stay on track! I put that down to the little rebel or spoilt child we all have deep inside, and they don’t wanna not have the chocolate, the don’t care what they look like, can you imaging that side of your personality lying face down on the floor screaming, “but I want chocolate”, if you can, imagine the side of you that wants to be slimmer and healthier getting down and lying by the side of her and screaming back “TOUGH, I wanna lose weight, live with it bitch!” and get up and walk away ;-)
Why don’t you if you have time this weekend show your body just how much you love it, how much you appreciate that it works everyday for you and keeps you alive. Lavish it with care and attention, maybe have a long soak in the bath, smoother it with a fabulously smelly body lotion, put expensive perfume on it. Send it the message that you adore it for what it can do, i.e. carry you around, just think about it your tastebuds are part of your body and without them, oh my, well life just would be pointless wouldn’t it!
So take care of you today and have a self-indulgent Saturday. xx
I had the best day yesterday, good walk with Alfie, shopping in Waitrose where I got lots of ideas for meals I can cook and bought a few special ingredients, followed by lunch with the ladies – all propointed of course, then a massage followed by a chill out in front of the tv. I had grilled sea bass with crushed herb potatoes and veggies (16pp) for lunch and then on the night I had homemade chicken curry and rice for 12pp.
I’ve woken up this morning raring to go, I think I might even do the ironing, it has to be a month since I thought about that!
Day 6 of total tracking and holding it together, feeling better for it and still managing my vino which is always a bonus.
I just loved this comment on yesterdays wall Lindsay put “I weighed a cone of chips today an it worked out at 36pp so I put them in the bin and had a Weight Watcher chicken casserole, I thought I would rather throw a £ away that put a few on! How true is that, so next time you’re in a similar situation think about which of the pounds you’d prefer to waste.
Little tweaks and changes to your eating and thinking will make it so much easier to lose weight. Lindsay’s managed to change her thinking from how much money she’ll waste, i.e. the “I’ve paid for it” mentality to how much she’d rather lose it off her WAIST! Brilliant.
Another way to change your thinking is to start thinking good about yourself, therefore from this day forward I want you to start taking a ‘Daily Praise Pill’ Janet Street Porter wrote in her book ‘life’s too f***ing short”, “spend the first minute of every day telling yourself “I am bloody brilliant” – no one else is going to!” And I think that’s a fantastic idea, although I do think other people will tell you how brilliant and wonderful you are once you start believing it yourself and listening, I hear members in meetings giving each other compliments and encouragement all the time, it’s what makes Weight Watcher meetings work so well. So go on right now, tell yourself how absolutely, fantastic, amazing and gorgeous you are, that way even if no one else does, it doesn’t matter, you’ve taken your Praise Pill for the day. Xx
If you’re sat there thinking, yeah whatever, I’m not brilliant at all! STOP rewind and stop striving to be perfect, time to realise that no one is the idea of ‘perfect’ people have in their minds. I’m perfect to be me, but I’d be awful at being you probably, I wouldn’t be able to cope with kids or a spouse, hell I can’t even stay awake on a night out with the girls, but I can cope with hundreds of members and their problems! We’re all so very, very different and you’re perfect as you are. Don’t beat yourself up over mistakes, the workout you didn’t do because you couldn’t be bothered – everyone does it, the half a dozen six twix bars that were meant for the kids lunchboxes but ended up in your stomach, we’ve all done similar at some time and it’s usually when we’re trying desperately to lose weight and stay on track! I put that down to the little rebel or spoilt child we all have deep inside, and they don’t wanna not have the chocolate, the don’t care what they look like, can you imaging that side of your personality lying face down on the floor screaming, “but I want chocolate”, if you can, imagine the side of you that wants to be slimmer and healthier getting down and lying by the side of her and screaming back “TOUGH, I wanna lose weight, live with it bitch!” and get up and walk away ;-)
Why don’t you if you have time this weekend show your body just how much you love it, how much you appreciate that it works everyday for you and keeps you alive. Lavish it with care and attention, maybe have a long soak in the bath, smoother it with a fabulously smelly body lotion, put expensive perfume on it. Send it the message that you adore it for what it can do, i.e. carry you around, just think about it your tastebuds are part of your body and without them, oh my, well life just would be pointless wouldn’t it!
So take care of you today and have a self-indulgent Saturday. xx
Friday, 4 February 2011
4th February 2011 facebook email
When it is dark enough, you can see the stars. Charles A. Beard
It was Chinese New Year yesterday, I resisted celebrating with a chow mein from the takeaway, but I did raise a glass of red for them ;) Apparently I was born in the year of the Rooster and both mom and Alfie are Tigers, why am I not surprised!
Last night struggled not to blow the Pro Points bank but just about held it together, Jill had given me a bag of flying saucers, I can resist most sweets but I love them so I ate them and they were 4pp, plus I had more wine than was planned! But I didn’t finish the bottle, so progress for a Thursday night. It’s now Friday and I’ve already used all my weekly allowance and 2 of my activity, which leaves me 28 activity ProPoints and anymore I can earn over the next three days. I get weighed on Monday and really want to see a weight loss, a pound or even half pound will do. I’ve been so honest on my tracker so hopefully it will pay off, although it already has paid off because I feel so much better in myself, even my mate commented I sounded better in my texts!
I made a delicious frittata last night, fried diced courgette, carrot, onion, pepper and tomato using my WW oil spray then when they were cooked poured 4 beaten large eggs and 20g blue cheese over them and cooked through, browning under the grill, it was delicious and filled the plate for 12pp. Absolutely scrumptious and used up the eggs, which were about to go out of date.
Today I’m off out for lunch and trying to decide what to have, after this weeks meeting we know what a minefield it can be and unfortunately the place isn’t in the eating out guide. So do I go for Grilled sea bass fillets with vine tomato & lemon dressing, crushed herb potatoes, asparagus & green beans or Chicken, stilton & apple & walnut salad with honey & Tewkesbury mustard dressing – decisions, decisions! It may be the fish as I’m not brilliant at cooking fish myself.
I was going to have Roasted butternut squash stuffed with a feta risotto & topped with a pumpkin crumble but decided I’m going to have a go at cooking that myself.
So are you eating out this week, have you thought about how you’re going to handle it, whether you’re using your weekly allowance or not? Have you worked out how you’re going to survive the weekend at all, I realised yesterday that I’ve consumed an average of 38 ProPoints a day this week so if I can still to that average my activity ProPoints should see me to Sunday night as long as I don’t go crazy on anything! If I make something like the squash dish it’ll be less than 10pp and I’m going to treat myself to some lovely fruit whilst I’m out this morning. Yes I’m focused at last, it took me the whole of January to get there, but there I am and there I’m planning to stay, 12lb I want off by summer would be nice, but I’ll be happy with by November for New York. Again it’s all about long term, realistic, achievable and maintainable goals.
In next weeks meeting we’re gonna be looking at habits, so start thinking about what good habits you’ve got into since starting Weight Watchers, what bad habits you’ve got rid of and which bad habits you just can’t shake!
I’m loving my meetings since the ProPoints has been launched, we’ve lost 54 stone this week, a few of my members didn’t lose this week, maybe its because they’ve been golden for the first four weeks of the year and had a bit of a wobble, struggled with temptation, or just one of those weeks where the weight loss doesn’t show. We’ve just got to remember we’re in it for the long haul, and we’re doing it for the last time.
Have a fabulous Friday xx
It was Chinese New Year yesterday, I resisted celebrating with a chow mein from the takeaway, but I did raise a glass of red for them ;) Apparently I was born in the year of the Rooster and both mom and Alfie are Tigers, why am I not surprised!
Last night struggled not to blow the Pro Points bank but just about held it together, Jill had given me a bag of flying saucers, I can resist most sweets but I love them so I ate them and they were 4pp, plus I had more wine than was planned! But I didn’t finish the bottle, so progress for a Thursday night. It’s now Friday and I’ve already used all my weekly allowance and 2 of my activity, which leaves me 28 activity ProPoints and anymore I can earn over the next three days. I get weighed on Monday and really want to see a weight loss, a pound or even half pound will do. I’ve been so honest on my tracker so hopefully it will pay off, although it already has paid off because I feel so much better in myself, even my mate commented I sounded better in my texts!
I made a delicious frittata last night, fried diced courgette, carrot, onion, pepper and tomato using my WW oil spray then when they were cooked poured 4 beaten large eggs and 20g blue cheese over them and cooked through, browning under the grill, it was delicious and filled the plate for 12pp. Absolutely scrumptious and used up the eggs, which were about to go out of date.
Today I’m off out for lunch and trying to decide what to have, after this weeks meeting we know what a minefield it can be and unfortunately the place isn’t in the eating out guide. So do I go for Grilled sea bass fillets with vine tomato & lemon dressing, crushed herb potatoes, asparagus & green beans or Chicken, stilton & apple & walnut salad with honey & Tewkesbury mustard dressing – decisions, decisions! It may be the fish as I’m not brilliant at cooking fish myself.
I was going to have Roasted butternut squash stuffed with a feta risotto & topped with a pumpkin crumble but decided I’m going to have a go at cooking that myself.
So are you eating out this week, have you thought about how you’re going to handle it, whether you’re using your weekly allowance or not? Have you worked out how you’re going to survive the weekend at all, I realised yesterday that I’ve consumed an average of 38 ProPoints a day this week so if I can still to that average my activity ProPoints should see me to Sunday night as long as I don’t go crazy on anything! If I make something like the squash dish it’ll be less than 10pp and I’m going to treat myself to some lovely fruit whilst I’m out this morning. Yes I’m focused at last, it took me the whole of January to get there, but there I am and there I’m planning to stay, 12lb I want off by summer would be nice, but I’ll be happy with by November for New York. Again it’s all about long term, realistic, achievable and maintainable goals.
In next weeks meeting we’re gonna be looking at habits, so start thinking about what good habits you’ve got into since starting Weight Watchers, what bad habits you’ve got rid of and which bad habits you just can’t shake!
I’m loving my meetings since the ProPoints has been launched, we’ve lost 54 stone this week, a few of my members didn’t lose this week, maybe its because they’ve been golden for the first four weeks of the year and had a bit of a wobble, struggled with temptation, or just one of those weeks where the weight loss doesn’t show. We’ve just got to remember we’re in it for the long haul, and we’re doing it for the last time.
Have a fabulous Friday xx
Thursday, 3 February 2011
3rd February 2011
No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helped you. Althea Gibson
Day 4 of total honest tracking starting this morning and I have to admit feeling quite proud of myself, what can I say I’m easily impressed! Made the effort to have a second walk with the dog yesterday because I wanted wine when I got home, remembering my new personal rule I can’t take alcohol out of my daily allowance, so I won two ways, I earned 9pp on pedometer and also it meant I had 12 of my daily allowance left for a delicious pizza. For lunch I made stuffed mushrooms and put a puff pastry lid on them, approx 30g puff pastry from a ready-rolled sheet is 3pp just enough to cover the mushroom as a lid, and the filling works out at 1pp, 4pp for a stuffed mushroom pie – bargain. Plus I’d made the biggest smoothie for breakfast, so I wasn’t hungry at all yesterday and didn’t feel the urge to snack at all throughout the day. I wasn’t going to get one the scales but I’m not different to you, so I’ve just had a sneaky peak in the bathroom and it’s all good ;) which will keep me on track today. I have lots of eggs to eat today before they go off so maybe an omelette for tea, 3 eggs of course as they’ll only be 5pp.
191.5lb lost last night at Ashmore Park, 67lb lost on the morning at Bloxwich, 347lb lost Tuesday at Willenhall, 75lb at Wednesfield on Monday night, and 35lb at Bloxwich on Monday morning, 51 stone in total this week and still a day of weigh-ins to go.
I think you’ll agree, ProPoints really is working, we’re still getting results in February, January was amazing 3,180lb or 227 stone! ProPoints works but we have to follow the rules to get the results!
So if you fancy a go at my stuffed mushroom pies, here’s what I did;
Mix together low fat soft cheese, I used 100g boursin light & 110g ricotta cheese, (but you could use Philadelphia light or similar) and diced veg of choice, I used courgette, pepper, spring onion, garlic cloves, carrot, & mushroom stalks that were removed from the large mushrooms.
Stuffed 8 large mushrooms (on offer in Sainsbury for £2) with mixture. Top with a circle of puff pastry cut from a ready rolled sheet from supermarket (on offer for £1 at the moment). Bake for about 20 minutes on gas mark 6, keep your eye on them, they’re ready when pastry looks cooked.
Total cost for entire recipe was under a fiver! Not bad at all for a tasty meal for 4 people, I served mine with salad. Pictures on FB group page wall.
Have a great day everyone, Thursday is my longest, busiest day of the week so this is the big test of whether I can keep to the plan and track completely, I know I have a bacon and mushroom sandwich coming for my breakfast, Jenny’s making it me, but before I accepted I asked how many propoints and the answer was 7pp so I can live with that, think I’m going to have a stir fry for lunch using those 50p packs from Morrisons (still Frugal February), then I need to think about tea, as it’s the end of my week, I usually get a bit lapse so I need something to look forward too. Mmm thinking cap on.
Heres to a weightloss for us all next week xx
Day 4 of total honest tracking starting this morning and I have to admit feeling quite proud of myself, what can I say I’m easily impressed! Made the effort to have a second walk with the dog yesterday because I wanted wine when I got home, remembering my new personal rule I can’t take alcohol out of my daily allowance, so I won two ways, I earned 9pp on pedometer and also it meant I had 12 of my daily allowance left for a delicious pizza. For lunch I made stuffed mushrooms and put a puff pastry lid on them, approx 30g puff pastry from a ready-rolled sheet is 3pp just enough to cover the mushroom as a lid, and the filling works out at 1pp, 4pp for a stuffed mushroom pie – bargain. Plus I’d made the biggest smoothie for breakfast, so I wasn’t hungry at all yesterday and didn’t feel the urge to snack at all throughout the day. I wasn’t going to get one the scales but I’m not different to you, so I’ve just had a sneaky peak in the bathroom and it’s all good ;) which will keep me on track today. I have lots of eggs to eat today before they go off so maybe an omelette for tea, 3 eggs of course as they’ll only be 5pp.
191.5lb lost last night at Ashmore Park, 67lb lost on the morning at Bloxwich, 347lb lost Tuesday at Willenhall, 75lb at Wednesfield on Monday night, and 35lb at Bloxwich on Monday morning, 51 stone in total this week and still a day of weigh-ins to go.
I think you’ll agree, ProPoints really is working, we’re still getting results in February, January was amazing 3,180lb or 227 stone! ProPoints works but we have to follow the rules to get the results!
So if you fancy a go at my stuffed mushroom pies, here’s what I did;
Mix together low fat soft cheese, I used 100g boursin light & 110g ricotta cheese, (but you could use Philadelphia light or similar) and diced veg of choice, I used courgette, pepper, spring onion, garlic cloves, carrot, & mushroom stalks that were removed from the large mushrooms.
Stuffed 8 large mushrooms (on offer in Sainsbury for £2) with mixture. Top with a circle of puff pastry cut from a ready rolled sheet from supermarket (on offer for £1 at the moment). Bake for about 20 minutes on gas mark 6, keep your eye on them, they’re ready when pastry looks cooked.
Total cost for entire recipe was under a fiver! Not bad at all for a tasty meal for 4 people, I served mine with salad. Pictures on FB group page wall.
Have a great day everyone, Thursday is my longest, busiest day of the week so this is the big test of whether I can keep to the plan and track completely, I know I have a bacon and mushroom sandwich coming for my breakfast, Jenny’s making it me, but before I accepted I asked how many propoints and the answer was 7pp so I can live with that, think I’m going to have a stir fry for lunch using those 50p packs from Morrisons (still Frugal February), then I need to think about tea, as it’s the end of my week, I usually get a bit lapse so I need something to look forward too. Mmm thinking cap on.
Heres to a weightloss for us all next week xx
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
February 2nd 2011 facebook email
It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into the doing that matters. Mother Teresa
Yesterday was day 2 of tracking 100% and I have to admit this morning I was already tempted to miss a couple of things off my tracker, why did I have that handful of twiglets last night, when the tub has been there since the end of December and I haven’t touched them! Why did I eat 2 cheese triangles whilst I was waiting for my tea to cook? Who knows but I did and that’s 4pp wasted – hey ho, today’s another day and I have my weekly allowance. I did have a nice Weight Watchers crustless quiche though for 7pp very nice, and a Weight Watchers pizza for my lunch which I pimped by adding my own zero toppings too - pineapple, onions and if I’d had them I would have added peppers and mushrooms too. So yesterday I easily had my 5 a day, more like 8 so that’s a bonus and earned 5pp on pedometer.
These days I don’t see myself as on a diet, I’m trying to make permanent lifestyle changes. We can all sit around bleating on about putting weight on, but the bottom line is to lose weight we need to eat less and move more – easier said than done sometimes I know!
For me, it’s about making small changes to my life over a longer period of time. Half a pound a week, or less now is what I’m happy with – When I first started dieting, I went for the jugular and targeted minimum 2lbs a week, hell I expected half a stone in my first week! With time I’ve realised I can’t cope with that scale of a reduction in my daily intake, so I’m reducing it down to half a pound a week and hope to lose whilst living!
In my experience, deprivation leads to deviation – so depriving myself of something I like just makes me crave it all the more – so now I enjoy food and drink in moderation. You will not lose weight long term if you don’t change your lifestyle.
And of course I struggle at times! Mostly every weekend, birthdays, meals out, special events and Christmas! I gained 5lb over Christmas and a couple more since! Sometimes you can’t even explain why you struggle, or why you can’t seem to stick to the plan. You’ll find yourself eating something and thinking ‘why did I just do that’, there will be a reason, but you may never know what it is, your subconscious mind is a wonderful, scary place!
I’ve reminded myself that sensible eating and exercise through the week and bingeing at the weekends will never work. We all need to make our choice. So why not join me and do it slowly – cut your intake by small amounts, enjoy your daily and weekly allowance and look to play the long game.
Losing weight isn’t just an image thing, it’s a health thing too, we need to take care of our bodies, yesterday my friends mom was rushed to hospital she’d had an heart attack and I think when something like that happens, it reminds up that life is short and we need to take care of ourselves so we can enjoy it to the full.
Don’t believe everything you read. The world and internet are full of so-called “experts”…the one expert in your body is YOU. Take control and be your own GURU! You know how you feel and when you look in the mirror you know if you’re happy with what you see, so do this for you, not no one else. xx
Yesterday was day 2 of tracking 100% and I have to admit this morning I was already tempted to miss a couple of things off my tracker, why did I have that handful of twiglets last night, when the tub has been there since the end of December and I haven’t touched them! Why did I eat 2 cheese triangles whilst I was waiting for my tea to cook? Who knows but I did and that’s 4pp wasted – hey ho, today’s another day and I have my weekly allowance. I did have a nice Weight Watchers crustless quiche though for 7pp very nice, and a Weight Watchers pizza for my lunch which I pimped by adding my own zero toppings too - pineapple, onions and if I’d had them I would have added peppers and mushrooms too. So yesterday I easily had my 5 a day, more like 8 so that’s a bonus and earned 5pp on pedometer.
These days I don’t see myself as on a diet, I’m trying to make permanent lifestyle changes. We can all sit around bleating on about putting weight on, but the bottom line is to lose weight we need to eat less and move more – easier said than done sometimes I know!
For me, it’s about making small changes to my life over a longer period of time. Half a pound a week, or less now is what I’m happy with – When I first started dieting, I went for the jugular and targeted minimum 2lbs a week, hell I expected half a stone in my first week! With time I’ve realised I can’t cope with that scale of a reduction in my daily intake, so I’m reducing it down to half a pound a week and hope to lose whilst living!
In my experience, deprivation leads to deviation – so depriving myself of something I like just makes me crave it all the more – so now I enjoy food and drink in moderation. You will not lose weight long term if you don’t change your lifestyle.
And of course I struggle at times! Mostly every weekend, birthdays, meals out, special events and Christmas! I gained 5lb over Christmas and a couple more since! Sometimes you can’t even explain why you struggle, or why you can’t seem to stick to the plan. You’ll find yourself eating something and thinking ‘why did I just do that’, there will be a reason, but you may never know what it is, your subconscious mind is a wonderful, scary place!
I’ve reminded myself that sensible eating and exercise through the week and bingeing at the weekends will never work. We all need to make our choice. So why not join me and do it slowly – cut your intake by small amounts, enjoy your daily and weekly allowance and look to play the long game.
Losing weight isn’t just an image thing, it’s a health thing too, we need to take care of our bodies, yesterday my friends mom was rushed to hospital she’d had an heart attack and I think when something like that happens, it reminds up that life is short and we need to take care of ourselves so we can enjoy it to the full.
Don’t believe everything you read. The world and internet are full of so-called “experts”…the one expert in your body is YOU. Take control and be your own GURU! You know how you feel and when you look in the mirror you know if you’re happy with what you see, so do this for you, not no one else. xx
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
1st February 2011 facebook email
Some days you're the bug and some days you're the windshield. Life happens. It doesn't mean you have to cope with it by stuffing your face!
Well I had a fabulous ProPoints day yesterday, having planned my week with meal ideas, I filled in my tracker journal, earned 8 activity ProPoints, ate one of my own pre-made frozen ready meals then cooked a lasagne to die for which was twice the size of a shop bought one, plus twice the tastiness! I’ve decided to make it Frugal February I’m hoping to save pounds whilst losing pounds, my plan is to try and work my way through the contents of the freezer and pantry whilst only buying the essentials like fresh veggies etc. I’m even planning to leave my purse at home more often, so as not to spend any money whilst out! I’m working hard at the moment so happy to stay home and chill at weekends and catch up on my rest and tv.
I talked about motivation yesterday and sometimes its not that easy to realise what yours is, there’s an article in this months Weight Watchers magazine that starts by saying, “show me a woman who’s happy with her body and I’ll show you a flock of flying pigs”, (good article) mmm I’m happy with mine, my skirt might not have been yesterday morning when I put it on and struggled with the zip, but personally I love my body whatever its size, however for my health (my back doesn’t like too much extra weight) and wallet (I won’t buy new clothes) I need to shift a few pounds. So there is my motivation, being in less pain and getting in ALL of my clothes not just the select few! It’s also brilliant to wake up feeling fresh and alert and ready to face the day, and I believe a good diet has a lot to do with that. Yesterday I included lots of fruit and veg, I had a smoothie with mango and banana and papaya in for my breakfast, a banana, with my dinner I had frozen cabbage (cheaper than fresh), mixed salad leaves (half price in morrisons) with my tea and the lasagne had carrots, celery, mushrooms and onions in, plus my lunch had pineapple in! I also had just the one glass of red wine with 6 of my 8 activity ProPoints I’d earned on my wineometer.
I bought a book the weekend called “Adore yourself slim” so I can share some of the ideas with you, so let’s start today by getting you to love yourself, we’ll start by you taking a few moments and writing a list of all the things you love about yourself, what do you like about your personality, is it the way you laugh at silly jokes, are you generous, are you polite, helpful. Because believe me, if you don’t love yourself now for the person you are, rather than the body you have, then you won’t love yourself slim either plus you’ll find it hard going getting there!
So go on, write down ten things you love about yourself, if you can’t do that or need help ask others for help and write down ten things they love about you. Then put this list somewhere safe so when you’re having a rubbish day you can use it to give you motivation and show you that you are special and you do matter xx
Pay yourself a compliment every day
Focus on a different attribute — your clear complexion, pleasant voice, good fashion sense — and say out loud: "I love my ___." It may sound forced at first, but it's a useful counter to self-doubt.
Do things you know will help you feel better about yourself
This could be anything from a new hairstyle to losing that first 10 pounds. Tackle the easiest first, to build confidence in future efforts.
Give yourself regular treats
It could be anything from flowers to outings; just as you would surprise a loved one. You do it to make them feel good; aren't you worth the same consideration?
Spend time with those who care about you
You'll soon share their good opinion of yourself! If there aren't as many supportive people in your social circle as you'd like, consider ways of expanding it to increase your chances of positive feedback. Ask yourself: "Who will help me feel good about myself?" Apart from your immediate circle, consider neutral outsiders.
Avoid situations that reinforce self-doubt
This could involve re-examining long-established relationships — perhaps with a critical relative or colleague who is continually reinforcing damaging self-perception. Are you forever seeking another's approval but never getting it? Rather than simply taking the criticism, you could:
· Retreat from the relationship a bit.
· Stop hoping for approval.
· Respond more assertively to harsh remarks (Example: "I feel bad when you call me 'stupid.' I would prefer that you addressed me with more respect.")
7. Try a little kindness
Instead of beating yourself up whenever you goof up, give yourself the benefit of the doubt, same as you would anyone else. Focus on your achievements, not faults. Chances are, once you start looking, you'll be surprised at just how many there are!
Don't you think you deserve a little of your own adoration? Use some of those ideas about to give yourself the love you deserve.
How do you learn to like yourself more? The same way you befriend anyone else: Take the time to get acquainted; be supportive and non-judgmental. Above all, look for the good.
Now give yourself a hug or ask someone else too xx
Well I had a fabulous ProPoints day yesterday, having planned my week with meal ideas, I filled in my tracker journal, earned 8 activity ProPoints, ate one of my own pre-made frozen ready meals then cooked a lasagne to die for which was twice the size of a shop bought one, plus twice the tastiness! I’ve decided to make it Frugal February I’m hoping to save pounds whilst losing pounds, my plan is to try and work my way through the contents of the freezer and pantry whilst only buying the essentials like fresh veggies etc. I’m even planning to leave my purse at home more often, so as not to spend any money whilst out! I’m working hard at the moment so happy to stay home and chill at weekends and catch up on my rest and tv.
I talked about motivation yesterday and sometimes its not that easy to realise what yours is, there’s an article in this months Weight Watchers magazine that starts by saying, “show me a woman who’s happy with her body and I’ll show you a flock of flying pigs”, (good article) mmm I’m happy with mine, my skirt might not have been yesterday morning when I put it on and struggled with the zip, but personally I love my body whatever its size, however for my health (my back doesn’t like too much extra weight) and wallet (I won’t buy new clothes) I need to shift a few pounds. So there is my motivation, being in less pain and getting in ALL of my clothes not just the select few! It’s also brilliant to wake up feeling fresh and alert and ready to face the day, and I believe a good diet has a lot to do with that. Yesterday I included lots of fruit and veg, I had a smoothie with mango and banana and papaya in for my breakfast, a banana, with my dinner I had frozen cabbage (cheaper than fresh), mixed salad leaves (half price in morrisons) with my tea and the lasagne had carrots, celery, mushrooms and onions in, plus my lunch had pineapple in! I also had just the one glass of red wine with 6 of my 8 activity ProPoints I’d earned on my wineometer.
I bought a book the weekend called “Adore yourself slim” so I can share some of the ideas with you, so let’s start today by getting you to love yourself, we’ll start by you taking a few moments and writing a list of all the things you love about yourself, what do you like about your personality, is it the way you laugh at silly jokes, are you generous, are you polite, helpful. Because believe me, if you don’t love yourself now for the person you are, rather than the body you have, then you won’t love yourself slim either plus you’ll find it hard going getting there!
So go on, write down ten things you love about yourself, if you can’t do that or need help ask others for help and write down ten things they love about you. Then put this list somewhere safe so when you’re having a rubbish day you can use it to give you motivation and show you that you are special and you do matter xx
Pay yourself a compliment every day
Focus on a different attribute — your clear complexion, pleasant voice, good fashion sense — and say out loud: "I love my ___." It may sound forced at first, but it's a useful counter to self-doubt.
Do things you know will help you feel better about yourself
This could be anything from a new hairstyle to losing that first 10 pounds. Tackle the easiest first, to build confidence in future efforts.
Give yourself regular treats
It could be anything from flowers to outings; just as you would surprise a loved one. You do it to make them feel good; aren't you worth the same consideration?
Spend time with those who care about you
You'll soon share their good opinion of yourself! If there aren't as many supportive people in your social circle as you'd like, consider ways of expanding it to increase your chances of positive feedback. Ask yourself: "Who will help me feel good about myself?" Apart from your immediate circle, consider neutral outsiders.
Avoid situations that reinforce self-doubt
This could involve re-examining long-established relationships — perhaps with a critical relative or colleague who is continually reinforcing damaging self-perception. Are you forever seeking another's approval but never getting it? Rather than simply taking the criticism, you could:
· Retreat from the relationship a bit.
· Stop hoping for approval.
· Respond more assertively to harsh remarks (Example: "I feel bad when you call me 'stupid.' I would prefer that you addressed me with more respect.")
7. Try a little kindness
Instead of beating yourself up whenever you goof up, give yourself the benefit of the doubt, same as you would anyone else. Focus on your achievements, not faults. Chances are, once you start looking, you'll be surprised at just how many there are!
Don't you think you deserve a little of your own adoration? Use some of those ideas about to give yourself the love you deserve.
How do you learn to like yourself more? The same way you befriend anyone else: Take the time to get acquainted; be supportive and non-judgmental. Above all, look for the good.
Now give yourself a hug or ask someone else too xx
Sunday, 30 January 2011
30th January 2011
Believe it is possible to solve your problem. Tremendous things happen to the believer. So believe the answer will come. It will. Norman Vincent Peale
It’s cold this morning, although I’m pleased cos I’ve managed a lie in, 6.30am! Yeah that’s a lie-in for me but even better because I took my lazy butt to bed at 8.30pm – whoop, whoop, loads of sleep, sometimes its just what you need. It’s important to give your body what it needs, even if sometimes that’s not what you’d prefer, especially when it comes to food!
Today after I’ve walked Alfie, I intend to plan my week, I want to have a super healthy week that includes lots of fruit and vegetables, so I’m going to sit down and actually plan the entire week to ensure I get those important 5 a day or more, and to make sure I’m getting my calcium and everything else my body needs. I’m going to do it by using all the food I already have in the cupboards so that I don’t need to go shopping too. That way it’ll save me a few pounds in my purse as well as on my waist hopefully!
I’ve already made a Rogan Josh (Patak’s jar) curry on Friday and frozen that, which is 7pp a portion, I added extra onion and diced carrot to that too, so that’s extra veggies that aren’t noticeable. I can serve that with rice, that’s one meal sorted. I may add spinach to the plate too to give me an extra of my 5 a day.
There’s also a leftover Nigella garlic chicken (13pp) I can have with butternut squash and carrots, so that’s two main meals sorted already. See how easy it is to plan your meals, I’ve done two meals just typing this email.
Okay so it’s Sunday and you’ve hopefully got a little time on your hands today, so why don’t you do the same and have a go at meal planning, why not share your plans on the group wall and give others ideas.
Anyway I’ve gotta cut it short today, I have very irate puppy who knows it’s time for his walk and is telling me it wasn’t him that slept in!!
It’s cold this morning, although I’m pleased cos I’ve managed a lie in, 6.30am! Yeah that’s a lie-in for me but even better because I took my lazy butt to bed at 8.30pm – whoop, whoop, loads of sleep, sometimes its just what you need. It’s important to give your body what it needs, even if sometimes that’s not what you’d prefer, especially when it comes to food!
Today after I’ve walked Alfie, I intend to plan my week, I want to have a super healthy week that includes lots of fruit and vegetables, so I’m going to sit down and actually plan the entire week to ensure I get those important 5 a day or more, and to make sure I’m getting my calcium and everything else my body needs. I’m going to do it by using all the food I already have in the cupboards so that I don’t need to go shopping too. That way it’ll save me a few pounds in my purse as well as on my waist hopefully!
I’ve already made a Rogan Josh (Patak’s jar) curry on Friday and frozen that, which is 7pp a portion, I added extra onion and diced carrot to that too, so that’s extra veggies that aren’t noticeable. I can serve that with rice, that’s one meal sorted. I may add spinach to the plate too to give me an extra of my 5 a day.
There’s also a leftover Nigella garlic chicken (13pp) I can have with butternut squash and carrots, so that’s two main meals sorted already. See how easy it is to plan your meals, I’ve done two meals just typing this email.
Okay so it’s Sunday and you’ve hopefully got a little time on your hands today, so why don’t you do the same and have a go at meal planning, why not share your plans on the group wall and give others ideas.
Anyway I’ve gotta cut it short today, I have very irate puppy who knows it’s time for his walk and is telling me it wasn’t him that slept in!!
Saturday, 29 January 2011
29th January 2011
You can only go halfway into the darkest forest, then you are coming out the other side. Chinese Proverb
After sending my daily email yesterday, I started reading through my own inbox and came across an email that suggested this website
http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/
The website challenges users to do just that. With a million things clamoring for our attention (i.e., Facebook, phone calls, IMs, text messages, etc.), this is an opportunity to pause for a hot second. And maybe even find some peace.
Says the site’s creator:
I had been thinking how we spend every waking minute of the day with access to an unlimited supply of information, to the point of information overload. I also read somewhere that there is evidence that our brains are being re-wired by the internet, because we get a little dopamine kick every time we check our e-mail or Twitter or Facebook and there’s a new update. So we’re all developing a bit of ADD – which is probably not great in terms of being productive.
Having so much to do I thought to myself, “I haven’t got time” but then realised how I’d just told everyone how I don’t have to rush on a Friday so I clicked on the link and did nothing for 2 minutes but listen to the waves on the computer.
So, give it a try. Can you do nothing for 2 minutes? It just might be the most important thing you do all day. I plan to keep it bookmarked for those days when I’m super stressed to remind me to slow down, everything can wait.
So it’s Saturday – YAY! Me and mom had a lovely short walk on Cannock Chase yesterday, you don’t have to walk miles to feel the benefit, half hour can be enough to blow away the cobwebs and by only doing half hour, mom will go again another time! Alfie on the other hand would walk for miles he’s sat by the side of me now whining and crying to go out and I’m saying, “in a minute when I’ve finished”, I’m sure he understands!
Chips from the chippy!
Now there’s a debate, after a question on my wall last night I’ve just looked it up and it all depends how big the bag is and how many you eat, in the pocket guide on page 54 it says a standard portion 210g = 14pp and a large portion 350g = 24pp, now I once weighed a standard bag of chips from over our local chippy and it weighed two and a half pound which is roughly 1,125g which is according to the above numbers a staggering 77pp! If the same bag was full of McCains oven chips they would have been 42pp. I personally only really like those orange chips and am guessing they would be even more. So I’ll stick to mashed potato I think.
The only true way you can know how much you’re eating is to weigh it. And the only 100% way to know what you’re eating is to cook it yourself from scratch. The later isn’t always what you want to do so you just have to be realistic and as accurate as possible over points.
However you’re spending your day, and whatever you decide to eat, enjoy it. I’m planning a quite one, going to walk Alfie, cook a nice meal, read my new Weight Watcher magazine and watch the TV. My idea of Heaven!
xx
After sending my daily email yesterday, I started reading through my own inbox and came across an email that suggested this website
http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/
The website challenges users to do just that. With a million things clamoring for our attention (i.e., Facebook, phone calls, IMs, text messages, etc.), this is an opportunity to pause for a hot second. And maybe even find some peace.
Says the site’s creator:
I had been thinking how we spend every waking minute of the day with access to an unlimited supply of information, to the point of information overload. I also read somewhere that there is evidence that our brains are being re-wired by the internet, because we get a little dopamine kick every time we check our e-mail or Twitter or Facebook and there’s a new update. So we’re all developing a bit of ADD – which is probably not great in terms of being productive.
Having so much to do I thought to myself, “I haven’t got time” but then realised how I’d just told everyone how I don’t have to rush on a Friday so I clicked on the link and did nothing for 2 minutes but listen to the waves on the computer.
So, give it a try. Can you do nothing for 2 minutes? It just might be the most important thing you do all day. I plan to keep it bookmarked for those days when I’m super stressed to remind me to slow down, everything can wait.
So it’s Saturday – YAY! Me and mom had a lovely short walk on Cannock Chase yesterday, you don’t have to walk miles to feel the benefit, half hour can be enough to blow away the cobwebs and by only doing half hour, mom will go again another time! Alfie on the other hand would walk for miles he’s sat by the side of me now whining and crying to go out and I’m saying, “in a minute when I’ve finished”, I’m sure he understands!
Chips from the chippy!
Now there’s a debate, after a question on my wall last night I’ve just looked it up and it all depends how big the bag is and how many you eat, in the pocket guide on page 54 it says a standard portion 210g = 14pp and a large portion 350g = 24pp, now I once weighed a standard bag of chips from over our local chippy and it weighed two and a half pound which is roughly 1,125g which is according to the above numbers a staggering 77pp! If the same bag was full of McCains oven chips they would have been 42pp. I personally only really like those orange chips and am guessing they would be even more. So I’ll stick to mashed potato I think.
The only true way you can know how much you’re eating is to weigh it. And the only 100% way to know what you’re eating is to cook it yourself from scratch. The later isn’t always what you want to do so you just have to be realistic and as accurate as possible over points.
However you’re spending your day, and whatever you decide to eat, enjoy it. I’m planning a quite one, going to walk Alfie, cook a nice meal, read my new Weight Watcher magazine and watch the TV. My idea of Heaven!
xx
Friday, 28 January 2011
28th January 2011 facebook email
Success comes in CANS not CAN'TS!
Well I’ve just watched Gino cook naked on this morning! It’s on playback on Iplayer, you don’t see anything tho, it’s all very tasteful ;-) But the dish he cooked was scrumptious even if it works out at 22pp a portion, I’m sure about 5pp could be shaved off that if I used half the amount of butter and olive oil.
A member last night had been to M&S for her lunch and picked up a can of butternut squash soup, got back to the office and after working it out, realised it had 12 ProPoints in! She didn’t eat it, especially after thinking a MacDonalds Big Mac is only 13 ProPoints, I know which I’d rather have!
Anyone who likes Pink & Whites, they’re only 59p in Home Bargains, 2 ProPoints per wafer, or indulge yourself and have 2 wafers for 3 ProPoints, one time when the rounding up/down works in your favour.
I love Fridays because I don’t have to rush to get to a meeting, I can do my paperwork at my leisure, walk the dog for as long as we both fancy and generally take my time with everything, which is lovely after the rushing round constantly all week. I fancy cooking something new today so will have a look through my books, something with chicken in though as I bought 4 of them yesterday reduced to £2.30 each in Co-op! I can feel some batch-cooking coming on! Co-op have also got the new Weight Watchers ProPoint products on half price, pizza for £1.40, yogurts 4 for 79p not bad eh.
So it’s Friday, almost the weekend and most of us get to chill out a bit, and the majority of you struggle to stay on track because you have more time on your hands, you want to have a drink, maybe a takeaway. Personally I’ve realised the takeaway thing isn’t that great, it’s something we desire because we relate it to a treat, but when I had a Chinese two weeks ago and actually sat, focused and tasted the food, it wasn’t that great. The Nigella’s 40 garlic chicken recipe I made yesterday and served with mashed butternut squash & julienne carrots was much more tastier, and it all took exactly 30 minutes to prepare then I just left it in oven for 90 minutes. My mate had a portion for her tea instead of her weekly weigh night Chinese and she agreed, her actual words on my facebook wall were;
“Ohhh marr goshhh
That chicken was superb!!!! Better than any dodgy china !!! Thankyou x
So if you’re tempted by the take away, ask yourself why, is it really the convenience of not having to prepare food (microwave ready meals can be just as quick, as tasty, cheaper and lower in ProPoints) or is it that you want a treat, again ask yourself is it really a treat wasting a tenner on something that isn’t that tasty or that good for you, could you make your own better version at home. I just shared this recipe on facebook with a member, it’s so quick (ready in 15 minutes), huge (Makes lots, plenty for 2, enough for 4!) and super tasty plus the entire dish is only ProPoints which means you have some left for something else, a drink or a bar of chocolate
Keema Concoction serves 4 at 5pp each
2 sprays of ww oil spray (2pp)
350g pack of quorn mince (9pp)
1 bunch spring onion(s), chopped
250g chopped mushrooms
1 yellow pepper, chopped
125 g cooked frozen peas (3pp)
3 cloves garlic
1 piece ginger, 2cm, fresh and grated
2 tbsp curry powder (2pp)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
300ml vegetable stock using 1 oxo cube
2 tbsp chutney, mango (4pp)
Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan and add the mince, add the garlic, ginger and onion and stir, then add mushrooms, and peas stirring well. Continue frying gently for approx 5 mins. Stir in the curry powder and cook for a further minute, then mix in the cinnamon. Add the stock or water & chutney. Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 5- 10 minutes until cooked.
Why not serve with 100g oven chips each for an additional 5pp.
So this weekend before you indulge in something whether it be a takeaway or a Greggs steak bake, or a bar of galaxy, ask yourself why you really want it, is it about the flavour or is it for another reason, such as “because its not fair that I can’t have it”, “because it’s a treat”, whatever your reason.
I know when I was at my heaviest, my favourite excuse was, “I just like food”, that wasn’t actually true, the truth was, “I just ate food often”, I didn’t really taste it, I just ate it. These days, I enjoy flavours, I focus on my food and I really, really enjoy food.
Have a Foody Friday xx
Well I’ve just watched Gino cook naked on this morning! It’s on playback on Iplayer, you don’t see anything tho, it’s all very tasteful ;-) But the dish he cooked was scrumptious even if it works out at 22pp a portion, I’m sure about 5pp could be shaved off that if I used half the amount of butter and olive oil.
A member last night had been to M&S for her lunch and picked up a can of butternut squash soup, got back to the office and after working it out, realised it had 12 ProPoints in! She didn’t eat it, especially after thinking a MacDonalds Big Mac is only 13 ProPoints, I know which I’d rather have!
Anyone who likes Pink & Whites, they’re only 59p in Home Bargains, 2 ProPoints per wafer, or indulge yourself and have 2 wafers for 3 ProPoints, one time when the rounding up/down works in your favour.
I love Fridays because I don’t have to rush to get to a meeting, I can do my paperwork at my leisure, walk the dog for as long as we both fancy and generally take my time with everything, which is lovely after the rushing round constantly all week. I fancy cooking something new today so will have a look through my books, something with chicken in though as I bought 4 of them yesterday reduced to £2.30 each in Co-op! I can feel some batch-cooking coming on! Co-op have also got the new Weight Watchers ProPoint products on half price, pizza for £1.40, yogurts 4 for 79p not bad eh.
So it’s Friday, almost the weekend and most of us get to chill out a bit, and the majority of you struggle to stay on track because you have more time on your hands, you want to have a drink, maybe a takeaway. Personally I’ve realised the takeaway thing isn’t that great, it’s something we desire because we relate it to a treat, but when I had a Chinese two weeks ago and actually sat, focused and tasted the food, it wasn’t that great. The Nigella’s 40 garlic chicken recipe I made yesterday and served with mashed butternut squash & julienne carrots was much more tastier, and it all took exactly 30 minutes to prepare then I just left it in oven for 90 minutes. My mate had a portion for her tea instead of her weekly weigh night Chinese and she agreed, her actual words on my facebook wall were;
“Ohhh marr goshhh
That chicken was superb!!!! Better than any dodgy china !!! Thankyou x
So if you’re tempted by the take away, ask yourself why, is it really the convenience of not having to prepare food (microwave ready meals can be just as quick, as tasty, cheaper and lower in ProPoints) or is it that you want a treat, again ask yourself is it really a treat wasting a tenner on something that isn’t that tasty or that good for you, could you make your own better version at home. I just shared this recipe on facebook with a member, it’s so quick (ready in 15 minutes), huge (Makes lots, plenty for 2, enough for 4!) and super tasty plus the entire dish is only ProPoints which means you have some left for something else, a drink or a bar of chocolate
Keema Concoction serves 4 at 5pp each
2 sprays of ww oil spray (2pp)
350g pack of quorn mince (9pp)
1 bunch spring onion(s), chopped
250g chopped mushrooms
1 yellow pepper, chopped
125 g cooked frozen peas (3pp)
3 cloves garlic
1 piece ginger, 2cm, fresh and grated
2 tbsp curry powder (2pp)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
300ml vegetable stock using 1 oxo cube
2 tbsp chutney, mango (4pp)
Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan and add the mince, add the garlic, ginger and onion and stir, then add mushrooms, and peas stirring well. Continue frying gently for approx 5 mins. Stir in the curry powder and cook for a further minute, then mix in the cinnamon. Add the stock or water & chutney. Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 5- 10 minutes until cooked.
Why not serve with 100g oven chips each for an additional 5pp.
So this weekend before you indulge in something whether it be a takeaway or a Greggs steak bake, or a bar of galaxy, ask yourself why you really want it, is it about the flavour or is it for another reason, such as “because its not fair that I can’t have it”, “because it’s a treat”, whatever your reason.
I know when I was at my heaviest, my favourite excuse was, “I just like food”, that wasn’t actually true, the truth was, “I just ate food often”, I didn’t really taste it, I just ate it. These days, I enjoy flavours, I focus on my food and I really, really enjoy food.
Have a Foody Friday xx
Thursday, 27 January 2011
27th January 2011 facebook email
What is Success?
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; this is to have succeeded.
I had a really good day yesterday, I had a phone conversation with a lady named Brenda who made me feel really special (thank you Brenda), so if you want to brighten someone’s day today, tell them what you think of them (obviously only if its something nice!). Also members were generous with their £1 coins and I was able to send homeless man some money to keep him fed and watered for a week or two hopefully, if I collect some more I’ll send him it next month to help him out again. He plans to write a book about his journey when he’s finished and all the money will go to homeless charities, now that’s admirable I’m sure you’ll agree.
January is a dark, cold month, which seems to be made worse because there’s been so much celebrating in December, and I think it’s probably the worse month for catching the “Curse of the Winter Hungries”
Some days I want to eat non-stop all day. One winter morning started with my
usual bowl of cereal, then onto fruit collecting from the kitchen. First a banana, a little later an apple, then a yogurt sprinkled with cereal for crunch. You'd think I'd be okay by now, but next came a pear, then a Weight Watchers toffee bar.
I thought about having some soup but I don't think I did. At that point I was pretty much over the morning hungries. For whatever reason, that morning I kept wanting, needing more.
I mentioned this to a friend and she said she'd experienced the same thing that day, so she too was trying to fill something.
Is it the cold winter air driving this urge to "stock up”? I think it's perfectly normal to experience this, so if you've been fighting the January eating frenzy, take heart. It's okay; you're not flawed. You can combat it by making healthier choices of what to eat.
Keep lots of ready-made snacks, such as cut up vegetables, but do eat them. It's not smart to buy apples and let them rot. Try a bite now and then; you may find those green peppers are actually quite tasty. A cucumber is a different kind of snack; cut them up and soak in vinegar and they're instant pickles.
Expect your appetite to change occasionally and don't let it rattle you. We don't hibernate but it doesn't stop us from wanting to eat a bit more this time of year.
Experiencing real hunger is a good thing, even a learning experience. By really getting hungry you can learn your degrees of hunger.
Degrees of Hunger:
* There's the slight idea of hunger
* The "maybe I should eat something" hunger
* The vague, not really hunger, but hey, I'll probably be hungry soon hunger
* All the way to the "I better eat something quick or there's going to be trouble" hunger.
We all have an entire range of hungers, just sit with your stomach rumbling and notice which it is this time.
Start by choosing a day, or time when you'll experiment with hunger. Weekends can be good, but if you're brave, go ahead on a workday and do a little homework on company time. The decision to do an exercise comes first, so first you plan ahead that when you notice you're getting hungry or thinking about eating, that's when you pull out your notepad and begin to take some notes.
What do you notice first about the sensation of hunger? Write it down. Is it a feeling, like a rumbling, gurgling, tingling or some other sensation in your stomach or some other part of your body? Notice where you feel it. Is it a sensation of emptiness or lightness, is it deep or shallow? Describe it in as much detail as you can.
Does the feeling cause other emotions such as fear or anxiety, danger, foreboding? What is hunger like for you, right now?
It could also be you see the clock, think it's nearly lunchtime and suddenly, yes, you're hungry. Then the "I'll never make it until noon" hunger pangs start, and the dips into the biscuit tin might begin.
Note the level of your hunger on a scale of 1 to 5, then the level of fullness from 6 to 10. Here's a scale you can use, but you can design any type you like.
Hungry Scale
1) Ravenous
2) Too hungry
3) Getting ready to eat, can wait but want to eat soon
4) Not hungry, but could eat.
5) No hunger
Overfull Scale
6) Eaten perhaps a bit more than I needed
7) Ate past full, but not uncomfortable
8) Uncomfortably too full
9) Way past too full, probably thinking about lying down
10) Holding my stomach and making sounds of a sick animal
On this scale, you want to stay around a 3 to 6, ideally, letting yourself become hungry, then stopping before you've eat past too full. It's a good training ground. There's no reason to think you won't experience hunger, since that's how you know when to eat, so playing with learning your levels of hunger helps to calm the hungries.
It's a tricky scale because you are obviously really hungry sometimes and other times you're sorta hungry, while other times you are way too hungry and should have eaten sooner. Only you know. This isn't scientific, just gauge your hunger so you know the difference between the idea of hunger and real "feed me" hunger.
Now, if you first notice your hunger and decide it's a four, you wait a bit. The idea is to learn to experience hunger, live with it for a minute; you won't expire. You're just going to wait a bit to see what the bigger hunger is like, remember?
Take this one step further if you are able, so you know you have truly reached real hunger, because anything above a 3 on the type scale I suggest above is likely a false hunger you could ride out. You don't have to rush to feed every hunger, it's not a pit you must fill. It's a normal thing, but sometimes it becomes bigger than us, or we let it seem as if it's bigger than us, and that's when hunger rules you, instead of you choosing when to eat.
Try this at least twice this week -decide in advance that you won't eat until you are hungry at least twice this week. Let me know what happens...
Have a fabulous day xx
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; this is to have succeeded.
I had a really good day yesterday, I had a phone conversation with a lady named Brenda who made me feel really special (thank you Brenda), so if you want to brighten someone’s day today, tell them what you think of them (obviously only if its something nice!). Also members were generous with their £1 coins and I was able to send homeless man some money to keep him fed and watered for a week or two hopefully, if I collect some more I’ll send him it next month to help him out again. He plans to write a book about his journey when he’s finished and all the money will go to homeless charities, now that’s admirable I’m sure you’ll agree.
January is a dark, cold month, which seems to be made worse because there’s been so much celebrating in December, and I think it’s probably the worse month for catching the “Curse of the Winter Hungries”
Some days I want to eat non-stop all day. One winter morning started with my
usual bowl of cereal, then onto fruit collecting from the kitchen. First a banana, a little later an apple, then a yogurt sprinkled with cereal for crunch. You'd think I'd be okay by now, but next came a pear, then a Weight Watchers toffee bar.
I thought about having some soup but I don't think I did. At that point I was pretty much over the morning hungries. For whatever reason, that morning I kept wanting, needing more.
I mentioned this to a friend and she said she'd experienced the same thing that day, so she too was trying to fill something.
Is it the cold winter air driving this urge to "stock up”? I think it's perfectly normal to experience this, so if you've been fighting the January eating frenzy, take heart. It's okay; you're not flawed. You can combat it by making healthier choices of what to eat.
Keep lots of ready-made snacks, such as cut up vegetables, but do eat them. It's not smart to buy apples and let them rot. Try a bite now and then; you may find those green peppers are actually quite tasty. A cucumber is a different kind of snack; cut them up and soak in vinegar and they're instant pickles.
Expect your appetite to change occasionally and don't let it rattle you. We don't hibernate but it doesn't stop us from wanting to eat a bit more this time of year.
Experiencing real hunger is a good thing, even a learning experience. By really getting hungry you can learn your degrees of hunger.
Degrees of Hunger:
* There's the slight idea of hunger
* The "maybe I should eat something" hunger
* The vague, not really hunger, but hey, I'll probably be hungry soon hunger
* All the way to the "I better eat something quick or there's going to be trouble" hunger.
We all have an entire range of hungers, just sit with your stomach rumbling and notice which it is this time.
Start by choosing a day, or time when you'll experiment with hunger. Weekends can be good, but if you're brave, go ahead on a workday and do a little homework on company time. The decision to do an exercise comes first, so first you plan ahead that when you notice you're getting hungry or thinking about eating, that's when you pull out your notepad and begin to take some notes.
What do you notice first about the sensation of hunger? Write it down. Is it a feeling, like a rumbling, gurgling, tingling or some other sensation in your stomach or some other part of your body? Notice where you feel it. Is it a sensation of emptiness or lightness, is it deep or shallow? Describe it in as much detail as you can.
Does the feeling cause other emotions such as fear or anxiety, danger, foreboding? What is hunger like for you, right now?
It could also be you see the clock, think it's nearly lunchtime and suddenly, yes, you're hungry. Then the "I'll never make it until noon" hunger pangs start, and the dips into the biscuit tin might begin.
Note the level of your hunger on a scale of 1 to 5, then the level of fullness from 6 to 10. Here's a scale you can use, but you can design any type you like.
Hungry Scale
1) Ravenous
2) Too hungry
3) Getting ready to eat, can wait but want to eat soon
4) Not hungry, but could eat.
5) No hunger
Overfull Scale
6) Eaten perhaps a bit more than I needed
7) Ate past full, but not uncomfortable
8) Uncomfortably too full
9) Way past too full, probably thinking about lying down
10) Holding my stomach and making sounds of a sick animal
On this scale, you want to stay around a 3 to 6, ideally, letting yourself become hungry, then stopping before you've eat past too full. It's a good training ground. There's no reason to think you won't experience hunger, since that's how you know when to eat, so playing with learning your levels of hunger helps to calm the hungries.
It's a tricky scale because you are obviously really hungry sometimes and other times you're sorta hungry, while other times you are way too hungry and should have eaten sooner. Only you know. This isn't scientific, just gauge your hunger so you know the difference between the idea of hunger and real "feed me" hunger.
Now, if you first notice your hunger and decide it's a four, you wait a bit. The idea is to learn to experience hunger, live with it for a minute; you won't expire. You're just going to wait a bit to see what the bigger hunger is like, remember?
Take this one step further if you are able, so you know you have truly reached real hunger, because anything above a 3 on the type scale I suggest above is likely a false hunger you could ride out. You don't have to rush to feed every hunger, it's not a pit you must fill. It's a normal thing, but sometimes it becomes bigger than us, or we let it seem as if it's bigger than us, and that's when hunger rules you, instead of you choosing when to eat.
Try this at least twice this week -decide in advance that you won't eat until you are hungry at least twice this week. Let me know what happens...
Have a fabulous day xx
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
January 26th 2011
"He who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger." Japanese Proverb
Midweek already, can’t believe how quickly this weeks going nor that it’s the last week in January already! Soon be Easter, how much would you like to have lost before the Chocolate Eggs descend on us again?
Yesterday morning whilst walking the dog I realised that some of us may miscalculate activity ProPoints earnt, as the pocket guide explains Activity ProPoints for length of time, whilst I walked Alfie for the same length of time as the day before we didn’t cover as much ground as he was mostly sniffing lampposts and walls etc, luckily I had my Weight Watchers pedometer on which was counting my steps rather than the time (although there is an active setting on it for such as an exercise class), also because I didn’t get to have the second walk with Alfie, I chose to cook a meal instead (don’t worry mom took him so he didn’t lose out), I only earnt 6pp yesterday instead of the 8pp the day before.
This week we’re asking how can you do just a little bit more than you do now, to get a bit more active? I’m well aware lots of you either dislike the idea intensely or have lots of reasons for not doing more! The thing is adding activity into your day can not only help with your weight loss goals, but it can help you to keep the weight off for good, and can make you feel great! Why do many of us find it difficult to fit in exercise? "Too busy" is often the answer. So how about some tips for breaking down activity into achievable chunks.
We are all aware that we should be moving our bodies more to stay fit and healthy. A major study shows that 90% of successful weight maintainers are active for around an hour every day. The latest recommendations from the British Heart Foundation is that for good health, we should all be getting active for at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity for 5 days or more per week. This may seem like a lot of time when you're juggling work, home and family, but the good news is that you can break this hour or 30 minutes down into smaller, more manageable chunks, and still get great results.
The cumulative effect of exercise
Performing three, ten-minute sessions of activity in a day will give similar (and significant) health benefits when compared to performing a continuous activity session of 30 minutes. The crucial factor is the total time spent being active, not whether it is continuous. The minimum time should be 10 minutes, and remember – you don’t have to sweat it out at the gym!
Here are some examples of 10 minute activities to build into your day:
· Walk a mile before breakfast
· Cycle to and from work
· Walk the kids to school
· Perform 3 different lower body exercises in the evening (if you have a monthly pass check out Weight Watchers website for exercise ideas & demos)
· Perform 10 minutes of an exercise DVD (The Y Plan DVD has 6 x 10 minute routines) also apparently Sainsbury’s sell solution dvds that have 10m sessions on them too.
· Get off the bus or train one stop early and walk the rest.
· Walk to the shops and carry shopping home.
· Try skipping – one minute on and one minute off x 5, I had a member who could only manage 1 minute when she bought a skipping rope after winning on the raffle, she eventually worked her way up to 30 minutes and lost pounds and pounds!
· Clean the car by hand, this saves money too.
· Sweep the drive or rake up leaves.
· Walk up and down stairs. Don’t leave things at the bottom of the stairs until you have a pile that need to go upstairs!
· Turn the radio up and dance around the lounge or the kitchen, I did this whilst cooking my meal yesterday, Alfie thought it was a new game.
· Take the kids over the park and actually play with them on the roundabouts and seesaws – be careful of those slides though we can get wedged at the top us ladies ;-)
Set yourself a goal to increase the activity in your life, and build up those ten minute chunks from 3 times per day to 4, 5 and eventually 6. When time allows, try to change things around, so perhaps go for 2 x 15 minutes one day, and build up to 2 x 20 minutes.
Remember that you will earn activity ProPoints values too – check out the ProPoints pocket guide to see what your activity can earn you.
Why not have a Walking Wednesday! xx
Midweek already, can’t believe how quickly this weeks going nor that it’s the last week in January already! Soon be Easter, how much would you like to have lost before the Chocolate Eggs descend on us again?
Yesterday morning whilst walking the dog I realised that some of us may miscalculate activity ProPoints earnt, as the pocket guide explains Activity ProPoints for length of time, whilst I walked Alfie for the same length of time as the day before we didn’t cover as much ground as he was mostly sniffing lampposts and walls etc, luckily I had my Weight Watchers pedometer on which was counting my steps rather than the time (although there is an active setting on it for such as an exercise class), also because I didn’t get to have the second walk with Alfie, I chose to cook a meal instead (don’t worry mom took him so he didn’t lose out), I only earnt 6pp yesterday instead of the 8pp the day before.
This week we’re asking how can you do just a little bit more than you do now, to get a bit more active? I’m well aware lots of you either dislike the idea intensely or have lots of reasons for not doing more! The thing is adding activity into your day can not only help with your weight loss goals, but it can help you to keep the weight off for good, and can make you feel great! Why do many of us find it difficult to fit in exercise? "Too busy" is often the answer. So how about some tips for breaking down activity into achievable chunks.
We are all aware that we should be moving our bodies more to stay fit and healthy. A major study shows that 90% of successful weight maintainers are active for around an hour every day. The latest recommendations from the British Heart Foundation is that for good health, we should all be getting active for at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity for 5 days or more per week. This may seem like a lot of time when you're juggling work, home and family, but the good news is that you can break this hour or 30 minutes down into smaller, more manageable chunks, and still get great results.
The cumulative effect of exercise
Performing three, ten-minute sessions of activity in a day will give similar (and significant) health benefits when compared to performing a continuous activity session of 30 minutes. The crucial factor is the total time spent being active, not whether it is continuous. The minimum time should be 10 minutes, and remember – you don’t have to sweat it out at the gym!
Here are some examples of 10 minute activities to build into your day:
· Walk a mile before breakfast
· Cycle to and from work
· Walk the kids to school
· Perform 3 different lower body exercises in the evening (if you have a monthly pass check out Weight Watchers website for exercise ideas & demos)
· Perform 10 minutes of an exercise DVD (The Y Plan DVD has 6 x 10 minute routines) also apparently Sainsbury’s sell solution dvds that have 10m sessions on them too.
· Get off the bus or train one stop early and walk the rest.
· Walk to the shops and carry shopping home.
· Try skipping – one minute on and one minute off x 5, I had a member who could only manage 1 minute when she bought a skipping rope after winning on the raffle, she eventually worked her way up to 30 minutes and lost pounds and pounds!
· Clean the car by hand, this saves money too.
· Sweep the drive or rake up leaves.
· Walk up and down stairs. Don’t leave things at the bottom of the stairs until you have a pile that need to go upstairs!
· Turn the radio up and dance around the lounge or the kitchen, I did this whilst cooking my meal yesterday, Alfie thought it was a new game.
· Take the kids over the park and actually play with them on the roundabouts and seesaws – be careful of those slides though we can get wedged at the top us ladies ;-)
Set yourself a goal to increase the activity in your life, and build up those ten minute chunks from 3 times per day to 4, 5 and eventually 6. When time allows, try to change things around, so perhaps go for 2 x 15 minutes one day, and build up to 2 x 20 minutes.
Remember that you will earn activity ProPoints values too – check out the ProPoints pocket guide to see what your activity can earn you.
Why not have a Walking Wednesday! xx
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