Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can!

17th January 2016

Have the courage to start over - if not now, when?

Really great meeting yesterday, so good we ran over as everyone had so much to say, luckily no one seemed to mind and we were still out of there in time for the Karate Kid to come do his class ;).  I went straight from there to Parkside Cafe, a relatively new cafe on Ashmore Park Estate, please go and like their page for me, https://www.facebook.com/Parkside-Cafe-1184036324945449/?fref=ts, I'm Smart Pointing his menu for him, he's going to add a "Smart Breakfast" to his menu, bacon, egg, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms &  toast (it'll be 10sp by the way or 9sp if you hold the spread on your toast) he's also going to look into doing zero Smart Point soups and other Weight Watcher friendly meals - how good is that!  And they deliver!  So if you haven't already, please go and like his Facebook page and help support local businesses (even if you're not local, you can like the page). 

So after spending some time working out his menu, it was mid afternoon and I just wanted to chill, so that's what we did for the rest of the day and had a very early night, which has resulted in me being awake since stupid o'clock and I'm hungry already!  Feeling poached eggs on toast I think, then I'm looking forward to a roast chicken dinner later nom nom nom!  Is it wrong to want that dinner NOW, it's 5am!

One of the subjects of the week has been Oprah's advert which she ends with "If not now - when?"  How true is this, and for some of you WHEN is waiting until pay day, partly because you're skint and also because you've got Christmas food still to get rid of.  If that's the case, here's my advice, start where you are, use what you have, do what you can!  Okay you're skint, so what is in your house that's healthy or what could you buy that's cheap, baked beans, potatoes, rice, eggs, frozen or tinned veggies.  Take advantage of the offers, Weight Watchers first monthly pass is £14.95 and if you join before the end of the month and lose 10lb in 8 weeks you can claim your money back!  Now that's a no brainer!  If you bring a friend with you, not only do you get that pass for £14.95 but you both get £2 each to spend on the shop. 

Do what you can - this is the hard bit isn't it, it's one thing to know you're overweight and ought to be thinking about losing weight, it's another to get the motivation to do it when it's grim outside and you just want to hibernate!  Especially now it's dropped really cold.  Well this is when I've got to remind you "If not now - when?"  We have winter every year, we have to learn to get through it, wrap up warm and get out there for a walk, make big pots of stew (ooo stew, now I want to make a stew), cottage pies (mmm gonna make that today too - back in a minute just going to take the mince out the freezer), then there's casseroles and curries, spaghetti bolognaise, so many cheap meals you can make that are healthy, even a cooked breakfast or egg and chips can be made healthy.

Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.  Where are you?  Ask yourself the question, where on your weight loss journey are you, are you at the start, are you just thinking about starting, are you having a break?  If you realise you're ready, then you can move on to use what you have!  Ask yourself what do you have or what do you need to help you succeed?  That answer is different for everyone, for me it includes having something delicious to look forward to eating, I love eating, I love good food and fine wine, I need to be able to enjoy both to successfully follow the plan and lose weight and I am doing.  Next do what you can - be realistic, ask yourself 'what can I do today"? to help me towards weight loss success, take it one day at a time, if it helps you to think further ahead, then do that, remember this is your journey.

With that in mind, I'm off to get my paperwork done so I can spend an hour later thinking about my journey and the week ahead.  I'm going to cook my chicken dinner and a cottage pie , yeah an afternoon in the kitchen sounds good, together with a walk or two with mom and Alfie.

Whatever your plans are, have a BeYOUtiful day. xx

Here's today's Smart Point recipe it uses chicken legs, they're cheaper than breasts, it's absolutely delicious and very filling.

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Serves 4, 12p each

calorie controlled cooking spray
4 medium (135g) skinless chicken legs (27sp)
1 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
250 g (9 oz) carrots, peeled and chopped
275 g (10 ½oz) parsnips, chopped (7sp)
150 g (5½ oz) dried brown rice (14sp)
500 ml (18 fl oz) chicken stock (make using 3 oxo cubes) (1sp)
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Put oven on gas mark 4ish

Spray a lidded ovenproof casserole dish with the cooking spray and place over a high heat. Season the chicken legs, add to the dish and fry for 5 minutes, turning, until browned. You may need to do this in batches. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Spray the dish again with the cooking spray, add the onion & rosemary and fry for 5 minutes until starting to soften. Return the chicken to the dish with the carrots, parsnips, rice and stock. Cover and pop in ove until the chicken is cooked through and the rice and vegetables are tender. Divide between four warmed plates, and serve. Freezes well too.