Weigh Day!

Saturday 30th April 2022

Focus on your positive actions.

Well today is weigh day and if I lose weight I've proved to myself I can eat out and enjoy myself with a few compromises, yesterday we enjoyed a few hours at Attingham Park, I watched Aryn eat cake and a cheese toastie whilst I drank a cup of coffee.  We're going to continue moms 'rate the cake' tradition at all the National Trust places we plan to visit, their chocolate cake got a 7/10, the toastie however got a 10/10. 

We got really up close to the deer which made my day, there were hundreds of them, so it was definitely worth the drive.  We stopped for food on the way back, I'd not eaten all day so was definitely ready for something, thankfully we were in time for the lunch menu, it ran till 5pm and we both opted for a hot beef brisket sandwich with beef dripping sauce and pickled pink onions on toasted sourdough, served with fries, the menu said it was 1047 calories and it was worth every one of them.  We both agreed we'd recommend the Oaken Arms, Codsall, lovely food, nice pub and excellent staff.   I have had my share of fries this week though, need something else in my life over the weekend!

A shower and a glass of wine was enjoyed when I got home, followed by a bit of tele before bed.

Here's to a busy morning and a weight loss for all including me!  I've charged my Fitbit for the first time in a very long time, mainly so I can see what the time is in the middle of the night when I'm in the motorhome, but of course it'll be interesting to see how many steps I'm taking these days.

Have a great weekend,

mwah luv ya 

Love me x

  

Here's to a Fab Friday.

Friday 29th April 2022

You gotta nourish to flourish!

3 weeks ago I didn't think I could get 'on track' and lose weight, but I got stuck in and decided it was time and I'm so glad I did, it's weigh day tomorrow and I'm hoping for another loss to add to the 3lb I lost last week.  This is my breakdown for the past week, I'm quite happy with those number, yesterday was finished on track and I'm enjoying it, I don't feel like I'm going without really.

 

My food yesterday included this concoction, I needed to use up the cauliflower that I'd bought, so I roasted it, then decided to put two packets of  fish in butter sauce (only 104 calories each) which I'd microwaved, I then sprinkled it with 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese and popped under the grill to brown - delicious! 

 

Because it took me ages to decide what to make for lunch, whilst I was waiting I enjoyed me a fibre one carrot cake bar for 90 calories, then I spotted these in the fridge which I knew he wouldn't eat now because they were two days out of date, so I tasted it to see if they were off and it was fine so I enjoyed me a pot as my pudding, really nice for 191 calories, a lovely treat, reminded me of school.

I hadn't planned my dinner either and when I got back Aryn asked if we could make the pasta salad we'd planned to make, so that's what we did, chicken, bacon and mayo pasta mmm.

 

I use this Zenb pasta because it has 11g of fibre in an 85g portion, that's amazing!  The pasta salad was delicious too if a little high in calories, but filling for 545 calories.  I managed to enjoy a couple of glasses of wine and still had a couple hundred calories unused when I went to bed. 

That was my food day, the rest of my day was work which was great, lots of happy members, new members joining to get on track and returning members to draw the line.  

We're all doing this, we will be healthier this summer!  Here's to a fab Friday.  

Mwah, luv ya

Love me xx

Oh deer! Oh dear!

Thursday 28th April 2022

Stress less, smile more 

Quick, short one this morning as I leave earlier for work.  Yesterday was a very good day even if I did end my day on 162 calories over my target!  I did however burn 779 calories walking Ercall wood, we were out walking for almost 2 hours.  It was a lovely walk, we saw an entire herd of deer at the edge of the golf course, just a wonderful sight, I get ever so excited and I'm noticing the more I do, the more he's starting to buy into my excitement rather than do the teenage thing where he takes the mickey :) 

We then decided to eat out even though we can't afford it, we went to Ego at Tumbledown farm and they do a Prix Fixe Menu, which is 2 courses for £16.95, of course we decided on steak and that has a supplement that takes the price up!  I'm loving that the calories are on things, I'm not loving how high things are in those calories though, I ordered garlic mushrooms, I hadn't really read it obviously, was just looking at the calories because I thought they'd be in breadcrumbs and fried, which I would expect to be 531 calories but when they came they were Sautéed field & wild mushrooms with garlic, lemon & parsley cream with toasted white bloomer - this info was only written on the main part of the menu and I hadn't looked.  Don't get me wrong it was tasty, but worth that many calories - nah, I could've had a Big Mac for that and when I was sitting at home later, it was a big mac I'd wished I'd had.  I'd had a pizza from M&S for lunch earlier which was 420 calories and delicious, so it really does pay to look at the calories first. 

Now the steak came with a peppercorn sauce which neither of us are keen on so we were given the option of garlic butter - Oh my days, look at that metal pot of heart attack gear lol, I didn't eat it don't worry, I did have a taste and it was just garlic in melted butter, there had to be at least 300 calories just in that dish.  The menu said 200g Sirloin Frites, Peppercorn Sauce 936 kcal but I'd say way more if swapping the sauce, these are things that we need to remember when eating out.  I had a bit of ketchup instead with it, the chips were lush, the steak okay, some of it chewy which when I order a steak rare I don't expect.  I've only ever been once to Ego before, many years ago and the menu, prices or food wouldn't make me want to rush back, the service was excellent though.

This was the pizza from M&S, I almost forgot to photograph it I was straight in there, it was delicious.  I think it said it shouldn't be frozen too, but I had and defrosted it thoroughly and it cooked absolutely okay.

Of course I had been to work yesterday morning and I'm looking forward to a busy day ahead, that'll help me stay on track because I won't have much spare time to be eating or thinking about eating.  I need to drink more water, I noticed this morning I'm a little dehydrated and I can't even blame the wine because I didn't have any yesterday.  I did go for a NHS health check, she took 3 vials of blood - ouch, I'm such a wuss when she sticks that needle in my arm but I was brave right until she took the third one out when she couldn't find her cotton wool and I'm sat there saying just pull it out lol. 

Okay, I need to go, I have verbal diarrhoea don't I, it's a good job Elle knows how to shut me up in huddles ;) 

Let's make Thursday tremendous.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me 

Food not so glorious food!

Wednesday 27th April 2022

We're all in this together. 

I got the munchies last night but thankfully kept them under control.  I'm thinking one of the reasons was the food I chose to eat was just food, I was using up what needed eating in the fridge and freezer rather than thinking 'what do I fancy' and making something scrumptious.  I finished my day on 1319 calories so one track, but I'll put way more thought into todays meals. 

This was cod in butter sauce which I like but the fish piece seems to get smaller every time I have it, I roasted the courgette and roasted potatoes that needed using.   

This lobster has been in the freezer since I stupidly put it in my online shop because it was on offer, not for me, too much like hard work and I couldn't get out of my head how they are cooked.  I used the leftover potatoes and mixed a little salad cream in them, the salad was lovely.

I then crunched on 4 crackers which I'd fancied all afternoon for some random reason, salty and crunchy loveliness they were, 34 calories each though!

I might have curry and cauliflower rice today, there's a cauliflower in the fridge needs using and with costs as they are right now and me having the 'fuel' incident, I need to use everything we have and not waste anything.  I'll go check out the kitchen situation when I've done this and decide what to make.   

I've been awake since ten past four, needed the loo, hoping that's a good sign for weight loss lol, but then I couldn't get back to sleep and lay listening to the birds, thankfully I was asleep around ten.

Hoping to go walking again later today, we went and got the lad walking boots yesterday so he's now got all the gear and no idea!  Joking aside, the footwear he had on Monday didn't have the grip needed for the steep bits we were going up and he slipped a couple of times, that's the last thing I need, him falling down a hill!

Meetings were great yesterday, lots of members joining or returning ready to make a difference before Summer, we're all ready to play out again and enjoy holidays aren't we so we want to lose a few pounds beforehand.  Plenty of success and certificates handed out too, plus if I'm on track, they're all on track :) I'm not being the only one not eating lol.

Here's to a fab day, we're already half way through the week.

Mwah, luv ya

Love me xx

A walk, a takeaway & a whole lot of fuel!

Tuesday 26th April 2022

Believe in yourself, you got this. 

If walking up a big hill makes you want one thing - it's a drink of water!  Me and the lad went for a walk again yesterday afternoon, back to the Wrekin but this time we walked further round the side before choosing a steep path I thought was bringing us up the back way but we hadn't gone that far round, we were walking up the side and came out short of the top so still had to walk a bit further.  

The bluebells in the woods below were glorious and when he spotted a deer on the way down, well that just made my day, I then spotted two more, so they were a family by the looks of it, so lovely. 

Just a glorious sight. 

Now I'd had quite the morning, done all my jobs, been back to Ikea and Dunelm for the stuff to make another headboard for the van, had a healthy brunch of scrambled eggs on toast with stir fried mushrooms, peppers, spinach, chorizo, then I threw in the last bit of salad I'd chopped in a tub and it was delicious for 387 calories. 

Then we decided to go for a walk and I went to fill up with fuel but because I was distracted, it was so busy so I parked the other side to where I usually would and was more concerned about whether the hose would stretch, next I realised it was pay at pump only which threw me again because it doesn't take my cashback card so I had to use my credit card, once I'd filled it with £80 - yep crazy prizes, we were stuck behind a car who was doing her weekly shop I think, I'd pulled forward so the chap behind me could fill his car up and we're sitting patiently when I hear a thump.  Then a few more and I say, 'is that the car making that noise', so I turn the volume down and yeah its the car and I just know immediately what I've done, I've put petrol in a diesel car!  Deep sigh!

I move the car to a space on the car park and ring himself expecting him to shout, he didn't he laughed saying 'you'll only do it once', he then correctly guessed my Greenflag wouldn't cover it so I ended up with Fuel Fixer coming out and it was a very expensive mistake, the cars driving, well it was yesterday, we got to the Wrekin and back okay, I'm just hoping it starts again this morning. 

It didn't ruin our day though, I was just pleased he wanted to go for another walk because I really want him to want to walk with his dad and myself regularly as it's what we enjoy doing. 

The conversation on the way down was what he could have for his tea, he was staving!   I agreed he could have takeaway pizza, but we ended up stopping at a garage for a meal deal as soon as we passed one because he was 'starving', seriously, I've not seen him eat that fast since he first came to stay with us lol.  

I am obviously being 'good', trying to lose some weight but because it's been recommended so often I decided to have some chicken wings (I love a wing) Manos grill & Pizza (Wolverhampton) - Pizza, Grill in Wolverhampton (manosgrillpizza.com) 

I tracked it all, weighed the fries and this plate, there's 5 wings on the plate and it worked out at  1223 calories!

 Thankfully, I only ate 3 of them, I'd asked for lemon and herb chicken which I always thought was a very mild chicken flavouring but these were stinging my lips!  Don't get me wrong I enjoy a curry as much as the next person but I didn't want stinging lips, I wanted lemon chicken. so I saved some calories, my meal cost me 963 calories because I've just remembered I had a McDonalds sweet and sour dip with the chips.  

See I did leave them lol; 

My day ended on 1739 calories, just 51 shy of my daily allowance, but walking earned me 741 calories which will hopefully help the weight loss.  I think my app is set for me to lose 1lb a week, I like my food too much to aim for 2lb a week! 

Back to work today, looking forward to seeing everyone, at least I can walk down the hill to Stubby Lane if the car won't start!  But first to dry my hair and get dressed (I have a dressing gown on, don't worry I'm not tying naked!) just finishing my coffee which is my second cuppa of the morning, breakfast has become a mug of tea followed by a mug of coffee and I'm not hungry till lunchtime.  I'm not saying that's the 'right' way to eat but as we say in our huddles YOU ARE THE EXPERT and you choose the way you lose your weight and what your version of healthy is.

Okay let's get this day started, 

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me 

A weekend on track!

Monday 25th April 2022
But first coffee...

What a difference a week makes, this time last week I knew I was getting back on track and I expected it to be really difficult because I've not found it easy for a very long time, even when I've managed to lose weight, it's been a challenge.  I finally feel like I've got it under control and I want to lose weight - for the right reasons too.

I made it through another day, ended on 1643 calories, not bad to say I ate out too, the seabass I opted for was absolutely delicious, I was really pleased there were calories on the menu, it did help me make my decision, this was 637 calories and worth every one of them!

I'd put a gammon joint in the slow cooker and so we had some for tea with the veggies I'd planned on cooking, we weren't eating out originally , this cost me 326 calories, I never put butter or milk in my mash, they were good creamy spuds anyway.

My next step on my journey is to cut down my alcohol intake, I've naturally cut it anyway because to stick to my calories, I'd have to.  It's just become a habit, don't get me wrong I love my red wine but I also love t-bone steaks and don't feel the need for it every day!  

I've not been wearing a fitbit for a while but my phone tells me I did over 13k steps yesterday which is a great improvement.  After walking up the Wrekin and having lunch out, we went to Ikea and Dunelm to get the stuff we needed to make a head and foot board for the bed in the motorhome, I have to say he did a good job of it too, looks like it was meant to be there.  He wanted it to stop him damaging the net and curtains when he's tossing and turning!  

There's already a piece down the side and I think he's matched it up really well, he can still open the windows if he needs too, clever man ay, not just a pretty face!  Now I've got to go get the stuff to make one for the front bed apparently, so much for my day off, but as he had to get up for work at 4, I can't complain.  That's me and the lad left to our own devices for the week whilst he's working away, I can stay on track easier when I'm only feeding me too.

I fancy scrambled eggs on toast today, I'll have the mushrooms in the fridge too if they're still okay, plenty of stuff in the freezer to work my way through as well, maybe go and do a little meal planning make life easier.

On that note, I'm gonna go get our meetings planned for the week ahead, I was contemplating going back to bed but I'll have an early night later instead.

Have a marvelous Monday, 

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

Check me out - on it ain't I!

Sunday 24th April 2022

Be kind to your mind. 

Well GO ME!  I weighed yesterday morning and I'd lost 3lb since Tuesday, it was just the motivation I needed to keep me on track this weekend and that's exactly what I'm doing.  

We went over the pub yesterday afternoon and I had a bottle of prosecco but when I got back my tea was a tuna salad - yeah you read that right and no more alcohol either. 

This morning we've got up and gone and walked up the Wrekin (5.5km because we had to park a bit away from the start), it didn't kill me as much as I thought it would thankfully because I know I'm unfit and overweight so expected to be dying.  My face was proper red when we got to the top though ;) 

Driving back we made a last minute decision to go for lunch at The Crown on the Wergs road.  They had a trio of roasts which was 2,136 calories, I opted for and truly enjoyed PAN-FRIED SEABASS FILLETS & CHORIZO, roasted red pepper & onion confit, lentils & grains, baby potatoes, pea purée 637kcal. 

 

I won't lie I was tempted with the roast but having seen the calories and I had a roast dinner last weekend, plus I cook a damn good one myself so I'd rather pick something I'm unlikely to cook at home.  The lad couldn't eat all his so I ate the skin off his chicken and his carrots and yes I've tracked that too - I'm really in the zone but finally I've stopped finding it difficult, I'm enjoying good, healthy food again.  

Now to make it through the rest of the day, I had put a gammon joint in the slow cooker this morning so if they get hungry later they could have cobs or sandwiches maybe, we shall see.  The suns shining and I'd like to spend the afternoon in the garden but I think we have to go to the shops first - boo.

Here's to a great rest of the day.  We got this xx

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx
 

Survived eating out!

Saturday 23rd April 2022

Do it for you!

Yeah I am, I'm doing this for me.  Don't get me wrong there are lots of other reasons I could do it for, so my members see me practising what I preach, so my other half gets to see a smaller body (he doesn't and hasn't ever passed comment about my weight and we've had the 'I love you for you' conversation, so that's not my reason).  What triggered me to sort my act out was my health and the fact whilst we were away over Easter I kept pulling my tshirt away from my belly because it was snuggling round it and making me self conscious, not something that usually happens because I don't wear 'tight' clothes.  As regards my health, I've been going 'giddy' for a couple of weeks and I was chatting to Elle and she suggested I might have low blood pressure so I went and used my sisters to test it and it was sky high according the the NHS website I needed to see a gp within the next few days, so I went over my docs and they booked me into see the nurse that afternoon.  Well I came home whilst waiting thinking, 'no wonder your blood pressures high, you're overweight, you drink too much, you're not walking anymore, basically you're living the high life and not thinking about the effects it's having on your body.  Turned out my blood pressure was okay, a little high but since it's tested fine, I'm due to go back next Friday for another check and also an overdue NHS health check, I've also got a mammogram booked up too, so I'll get a good all over health check but I know I can help myself by losing some weight.

Yesterday I finished on 1344 calories and that was with eating out last night!  We went to the New Pheasant Pub for tea, I drove so diet coke there, I ordered Himali lamb with pilau rice, 2 poppadoms and I pinched a chicken wing of his mixed meat platter which looked epic.  We had 3 meals for under £45, the meat platter was £17 but it was huge, there was enough food on there for 2 people easily! 

When it came out I thought it didn't look that big in those pretty bowls.

but then I started to put it on the plate and realised it was quite large, so I ended up leaving this...

which filled a small takeaway plastic tub to come home with us, 

he can eat it for his lunch - I'm on a diet!

I'm being weighed today, changing my weigh day as I mentioned in yesterdays blog, I'm hoping I've lost a little since Tuesday but whatever it shows, I'm gonna continue getting my healthy back because I want to lose some more weight, at least 21lb more, it goes on easier than it comes off doesn't it.  

Oh and now hearing him say 'I'm losing weight' and showing me his belt holes is motivation too, I'm not having him doing better than me, he was even offering to come and do a talk last night cos he's losing weight and I've been gaining it - proper wind up merchant he was being!

I'm looking forward to the meeting this morning because we've been talking about takeaways /  fakeaways and I proved last night you can do it, the pub does deliver through Ubereats and Just Eat, I'm never going to be the person who stops living to lose weight, I've spent too many years putting my life on hold looking after mom, it's not happening now I have my new life.

Right let's get ready for work, I'm weighing him today, I wanna see if he's really lost weight, he even said this morning he'd eaten and drunk loads last night so he has a good starting weight and he'll lose well next week - erm he's a pro at this weight loss business obviously!  

Have a superb Saturday, 

mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

Day 3 started to feel like day 33!

Friday 22nd April 2022
Invest in yourself, it pays the best interest.

Having chatted with Elle yesterday, we agreed that I should change my weigh day to Saturday, that way, it might stop me starting my 'weekend' Thursday night once the meetings are done, keep me a little more on track Friday and make me mindful over the weekend, so that's what I'm going to do, I shall weigh tomorrow and hope I've lost a little since I jumped on and weighed Tuesday morning. 

Day 1 back on track all I thought about was carbs, day 2 I indulged in the unplanned packet of crisp, day 3 I didn't even think about food or eat until I got back from the huddles at 1ish, I was beginning to think it felt more like I was starting day 33 when I got out of bed on the morning but thankfully day 3 was much easier than day 1 or 2 and I know as soon as I see a few pounds lost, it'll motivate me to carry on tracking.

I ended my day on 1304 calories which was a huge improvement on the day before and I wasn't at all hungry all day, I skipped breakfast because I wasn't hungry and didn't even think about eating on the day I leave the house the earliest.  Got back at one and wanted salad, so decided to have half the packet of ribs that I'd defrosted for the man child to put in his noodles, they cost me 253 calories, I had the smaller half. 

Then for tea I had honey and mustard chicken (cooked in slow cooker) with potatoes (microwaved) and broccoli, this was delicious and only took 10 minutes to get on the plate when I got back at 7ish. 

I enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine and I went to bed at 10 after being on the phone for 1 hour and 22 mins, it's the only communication we get in the week because he works away.  What can I say we both have s a lot to talk about!

Got a busy day ahead of me, eye test this morning, lots of housework, need to change the bedding (boringhell) then me and man child are having a cooking session, he wants to make his own pasta salad and Yorkshire puddings, so I thought we'd do that and make a toad in the hole for tea maybe.

Right I'm off for a cuppa coffee cos my tea didn't taste good, have a brilliant day.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

That lovely dress will fit me!

Thursday 21st April 2022

The struggle is part of the journey

Day 2 tracked, I had an unplanned packet of crisps and an extra glass of wine, but hey I was sitting in the garden enjoying the sunshine, these were the meals I opted for yesterday; 

 

proving I'm not an ark, everything doesn't have to go in 2 by 2!

 
I added pineapple to the Sainsbury's pizza so it was 500 calories total

The man child cooked my tea, it was off the scale delicious, noodles, steak strips, asparagus, cavola nero, spinach and a delicious broth  

I've found my motivation, I bought a dress last October time which I needed to lose a few more pounds to get in, I fell in love with it when it arrived in the post, red with pretty flowers, now I've got to lose those few pounds plus the pounds I've gained since - doh!  I'm going to though because I want to be in that dress, I also want to be able to walk up a hill without dying. 

Our members give me inspiration too, yesterday Julie received her 3 stone having started in January and Amy received her 2 stone, we can all do it if we put our mind to it.

Anyways, I need to get a wriggle on, I have members to weigh this morning at Bloxwich Mem, hope you have a wonderful day xx

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

Slim down for Summer!

Tuesday 20th April 2022
Self care is the best care.

Well I've just had the best Easter break in our motorhome by the seaside with my my ready made family, the only down side to it is the weight I've started regaining!  1.5lb went on yesterday which took me back up over the stone and I won't lie I was gutted, I'd been doing so well losing a little here and there, then Alfie passed away in November and I've steadily gained a little here and there since.  I'm still almost a stone lighter than I was but it was 22lb but it's okay, I've had a great time and I'm ready to sort it out.  

Elle and I had already had a chat last Tuesday and I'd said after Easter I was ready to do something about it and yesterday I started.  Day one in the bag but oh my, it isn't easy when you've got into bad habits again is it - I craved carbs all afternoon, plus I've got that used to eating this way, that I've forgotten what I used to eat when I was being healthier.  I'm looking forward to remembering though because I don't want to have to spend my next weekend away pulling my tshirt away from my belly to try and hide my spare type! 

I have been having some fun though, enjoying life and indulging but the thing is I know I can still do these things and not gain weight just by tweaking some of the meals we eat.  I cooked all weekend so I was in control of the menu, I have the power to make something delicious and healthy and lower in calories.  

I'm planning on emptying the freezer so yesterday I spent a tenner in Tesco on salad, eggs, milk and veggies to add to what I have already.  Yesterday, I ended my day on 1337 calories which I was pleased with as I hadn't really planned at all, I will be doing going forward.  My meals were beans on toast, no spread for breakfast, lunch was trout, roast pepper, tomato, courgette with a little lettuce, grated carrot and cucumber.  Then for tea, the lovely Sam had bought me some asparagus because it was reduced and she knows I like it, I had it with egg and chips and it was delicious. 

 

 

I even cleaned out the fridge in anticipation of it being filled with food that's going to help me lose those pounds. 

I did partake in my red wine, getting a call from himself telling me the skylight above the front bed of the motorhome had blown out wasn't the best but as I said to him, it can be replaced and you can't expect teenage boys to think for themselves, he didn't leave it open on purpose, it was an accident. Having spoken to him, he remembers closing it Sunday night so maybe it didn't fasten properly or it was broken, who knows!  Hopefully I can get a second hand replacement and if not we'll have to search out and buy a new one, the joys of owning a motorhome I guess. 

Mmm, so what am I going to eat today, I've defrosted the Sainsburys pizza that was in the freezer, it's 439 calories so I'll have that with some salad later.  I've got another bunch of asparagus to have, I might sprinkle some parmesan on it and roast, parmesan is only 21 calories for a tablespoon.  

Right now though, I need a cuppa, ah I just realised I didn't track my milk in my cuppas yesterday, so that's took my total up to 1385 calories, I have skimmed milk and had 3 mugs. 

Yeah I'm ready to slim down for Summer and Elle is ready to continue her slim down (she's been doing well), of course we're both here to help all our members on their journey, we've even put in place an offer to encourage them to embrace the challenge. 

Here's to a great day for all of us xx

Mwah, luv ya

Love me xx