What a great life I'm now living!

Tuesday 30th July 2024

Not wrote for a week, mostly because I don't have time first thing but also I've not had much to share, work and housework, crazy cats and a teenager (say no more there), it's all a little repetitive but I like it.

We've just had a lovely weekend away, went straight after work Saturday, it was a nice easy drive down, Aryn and I did some air rifle shooting when we got there to pass the time but he ended up working later than hoped, so we went and got a takeaway ready for when he got back, I didn't go crazy with my portions so not too bad Saturday, oh I stayed the same on the scales on Thursday.  

Sunday we went Quad Biking, I'd only agreed to do it because Aryn wanted us all to do it, I did it in my 20s and went over the handle bars when I hit a tree stump!  Knowing how bloody accident prone I am, I wasn't sure if I should, plus working the gears out etc but I absolutely loved it!  We did a small track first to get us used to it, going over rocks, doing figure of 8 and going up short sharp hill.  He told me I'd got good handling of the bike and I was going at my own pace and that was what he wanted, not to feel I had to keep up with the ones who sped up if I didn't want too.  I was good, I loved it, I'd do it again for sure and recommend Taff Valley Quad Biking   The views of the Welsh hills as you're driving through the fields is amazing.

When we got back to our motorhome, we had a bit of lunch then went to do Clay Pigeon shooting with Andrew on the site when we're staying.  Again, I wasn't fancying it because I didn't think I'd be any good but I hit things and I liked it a lot and I'd definitely do it again.  Again can't recommend this place enough, Facebook a great venue for paintballing events, clay pigeon shooting and other stuff, plus a wonderful place to stay, only 20 minutes from Cardiff.

We enjoyed Sunday night with Andrew and Amanda and the dogs, chilling over a few drinks, then we ordered a Chinese, again I didn't eat loads, so hopefully I'll get another maintain when I get weighed on Thursday.  I'm enjoying life and doing my best, it's the holidays, but when we have the opportunity to have a nice meal out like Aryn and I did on Friday, I'm not gonna turn it down, plus that's what he wants to do as treats rather than going out for the day.

Aryn and I did a bit more air rifle shooting Monday morning, I love it, we were using spring rifles, the one I used Friday was hard to open - I am covered in bruises from supporting it on my body to pull the thing back to load, hilarious because the bruises from me falling down stairs still haven't gone so I look like I've done a few rounds with Tyson!  Thankfully the one he gave me to use Monday was easier to open and I've got to admit I'm hooked, I found it both relaxing from the concentrating and exhilarating from hitting things - it's amazing how excited I can get from hitting a tin can off a target or hitting and spinning a spoon :) I am definitely looking into buying one, we have a firing range not far away at home.  Plus if we got a licence for Ireland we have loads of land to set up our own thing for us to play.  

Moving on, we were so lucky yesterday coming home, it had told me it would take two and a half hours then suddenly it said 15 mins delay where we were on the M5, then within a minute it changed to 28 minutes, then 44 minutes then it said ROAD CLOSED - DAMN! We were 100 yards from a services but I'm thinking you can only get off and straight back on but suddenly my phone map said 'redirecting' and told me to take the service exit, I'm in the 3rd lane but thankfully the lorry to my left pulled off and I got in that lane easily, then the car in the service lane let me in and we made the service exit which took me down a 'do not enter  - hotel only' road but we entered and we never saw a hotel!  We did however get took a new route and despite the diversion and all the problems on the motorways we got back in more or less the original time.  I was so relieved, I couldn't have imagined being stuck in the car 28 degrees with a teenager till 10pm, not sure what had happened on the motorway, hope no one was hurt too badly.

I need to get ready for work, looking forward to my week, have a great day xx

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

I'm such a klutz!

 Tuesday 23rd July 2024

In a motorhome, there's no place to hide :) the toilet is next to everything lol and I'm, let's say - regular, we'll leave it there.  Joking aside, we've had a much needed, chilled out, long weekend away just outside Cardiff.

Loved the campsite Facebook, it's only got 5 pitches, no hook ups, but we have solar now so we don't need anything other than water and a disposal point.  It's on a shooting park, we didn't do that this time but I'd like to have a go next time.  This weekend we just chilled and I loved every minute of it.

Got back last night, but ignored all the things that needed doing like stacks of washing and housework, instead I had an early night.  Woke this morning by an alarm going outside, a shop I think, then to top it off - I feel down the stairs - seriously, I'm such a clumsy bitch.  I was carrying an empty laundry basket down, so grazed my arms on the stair carpet - boo!

 No 'dieting' this weekend, so we shall see what the scales say Thursday, I've not been crazy naughty but I've enjoyed myself, we had one pub meal, I had fish and chips but I leave the batter as I'm not a fan so that wouldn't have been too bad.  We had a maccy's cos there was nothing open and we were hungry.  I'll aim for healthy for the rest of the week.

I ached everywhere before I feel down the stairs, that's not helped at all!  Hey ho, let's start the day, I feel really good otherwise, the weekend has done me the world of good.

Here's to a great Tuesday!

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

The sunshine is so needed

 Thursday 18th July 2024

Well I've had a crappy 'diet' week, I've had my own little pity party the last few days because I was in pain and it's frustrating as hell because I'd got to a place where I was able to walk about and do low level classes at the gym, then this week I've been limping in pain GRRRR!  I've not tracked, I've not eaten great which isn't going to help at all is it!  

Then my mate messaged me to share her joy yesterday, she's lost 5st and looks amazing, she was so thrilled and we had a chat and this one line sh typed really hit home; 

"Life is for living and tomorrow is not promised so eat the cake and drink the wine and pull it back on a boring day"

This makes so much sense doesn't it, I'd had a great weekend and yes I'd indulged but if I'd been better this week, I could have pulled it back instead of not trying.  Lesson taken on board!

The other thing to take from our chat was it didn't happen overnight for her, 

"Keep going… you only fail when you give up…. The last 3 stone has taken since January 2023 so less than a lb a week as an average but I’ll tell you what…. you notice it and the older you get the time it takes means nothing as long as you enjoy life along the way ♥️"

Slow and steady really does win the race! 

Yes, I will be drawing another line this morning, I need to start planning again, the holidays start tomorrow and Aryn wants to go out for meals as his summer treats so I need to eat well overall.  

Whatever the scales say this morning, I'll get back to tracking and eating better, I've took a couple of M&S cottage pie meals out the freezer for today, they were on whoopsie stickers which is why I bought them, we'll see if they're any good.  

Right let's start the day, I've taken my painkillers, had my mug of tea and now I'm gonna go get ready for the day... 

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

There's just not enough hours in the day....

Tuesday 16th July 2024

 Just a quick check in, it's been a few days, we had a birthday in this household at the weekend so there was no 'on track' happening, I cooked t-bones and we had a cooked breakfast Sunday morning, then whilst watching the football Sunday, we had pizza and chips and alcohol in the garden with the neighbours.  Lovely chilled weekend at home though, shame we lost the footy.

I'm in proper pain again, it's going down the back of my leg and around my knee this time, knees feels inflamed. swollen and it seizes up, YAY, just what I need.  I had to keep rearranging myself in the night to ease the discomfort.   I just feel drained the last few days, body tired, I feel how you feel when you've been poorly and it's knocked it out of you, only I haven't had the poorly first! 

I could happily sit round doing nothing but I made myself get going yesterday, I went and did Pilates, I didn't stay for the yoga, my knee was screaming JUST STOP BITCH!  I then nipped to Lidls to do some shopping as I had a £5 voucher, £48 for 4 carriers of stuff, it's ridiculous the price of stuff now, there wasn't even a lot in the bags lol.  

I then made me get my cook on, I'd defrosted some salmon and white fish that I'd had from the freezer, it was stuff I'd bought when it was on a yellow sticker, bought a bit of smoked basa and some spuds whilst in Lidl's then made a fish pie.  I also made a bread pudding with the stale bread I had.

I really enjoyed that fish pie, not had savoy for a while and it was lush, I do love vegetables, I need to not keep buying the same ones all the time! 

Right I better get a wriggle on, was up early but I've done some physio, I couldn't do all of the exercises because of the pain but some is better than none! 

Here's looking forward to a day of huddles and catching up with members, have a great day,

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

Ready for the day!

 Thursday 11th July 2024

Quick check in this morning, I've got to get ready for work, no pics either, I had sardines and egg on toast yesterday, as much as I love them, damn they repeat on me and give me heartburn for ages afterwards!  I also had a sneaky Mcdonalds filet of fish because I had reward point that were going to go out of date, I didn't have anything with it, 315 calories, so not bad and it was fish at least.  

I did a yoga class, plus my physio, but only managed 5,159 steps over the day, burning 1958 calories, so not great, I was tired yesterday, didn't get much done around the house despite wanting to, I just didn't have the energy and my legs hurting - falling apart lol.

Thanks to the football, I've only had 6 hr 37 mins sleep but it was worth the late night (for me anyway) as what a game!  I had to listen to the first half hour as Aryn did MMA till 8 then we had to get back, nipped in the Tesco garage for milk and the forecourt was completely empty as I pulled on - that's a first!  

Trying to decide what to have for dinner as himself is home tonight, not sure how late though so something that can be reheated maybe.  I've took chicken out the freezer, I could do wraps as I have a kit, but I'll have a think, what else I could do with chicken breasts?  Fish and chips would be nice, the chicken could be used tomorrow!  It's his birthday tomorrow but he's out all day.

Anyway, time to get ready for work, told you it was a short one, how will I do at the scales today, we shall see, I'll be happy with 1/2lb especially as I lost 3.5lb last week, I've been okay since Monday, I was over the weekend but we shall see!

Here's to another day of tracking regardless!

Have a great day,

Mwah, luv u

Love me c

Midweek already!

Wednesday 10th July 2024

Another day tracked!  Fancied porridge for breakfast so had it with a banana, I like a bit of cold milk on my cooked porridge, it was lovely but it does repeat on me, think that might be the banana.  

  

Lunch was stuffed mushrooms, I'd seem some in M&S and thought I can make them, I used large mushrooms though, phili garlic and herbs and topped with panko breadcrumbs, I'd do that again! 

 

Gastro fish and chips for tea with corn on the cob, took 15 minutes in the air fryer, perfect quick dinner. 

  

My knees playing me up so my steps are down but it's all good, I still burned more calories than I consumed so that's all that matters, persistence not perfection.

I had an extra half hour in bed this morning though, told Alexa to snooze till 6.30 so I haven't done the physio I planned, will do it later because I know that will help with the pain.

I better go get ready for work or I'll be going in my pjs with wild hair!  

Let's have another on track day, we've got this! 

Mwah, luv u

Love me x

Another day using the magic journal :)

Tuesday 9th July 2024

Another day in the magic journal complete, on track too (just).  I skipped breakfast then enjoyed this salad for lunch, I had a piece of trout that needed using up and Aryn had bought a 400g loaf so I indulged in a slice with a cheese triangle on it, mmm.  I love food I do.

Dinner was this taco kit, I made it with chicken mince from Aldi, 

  

It was good, but I prefer the regular taco seasoning mix to this sweet paprika & garlic, although this meal was lighter in texture and flavour.  I did like the new taco shells which are wider so you can actually get the mixture in.

I indulged in more wine than was planned but it tasted good and I enjoyed it!  

I love doing the Pilates and Yoga on a Monday, it's two hours of calm, I was pleased yesterday that the instructor told me I had good technique because I always think I'm not quite doing it right trying to remember what to pull in, when to breathe in and out, where to put your belly when it's in the way :) but I must be doing something right.

Busy day ahead in huddles, meals need to be planned! I'd put salmon in my planner but I might change it for fish in breadcrumbs or gastro which I can cook from frozen, I need to get stuff done today, boringell stuff like housework, I have leftover lamb that I might make into a shepherds pie and freeze unless I can think of something else!  I have bought the Co-op £5 pizza deal, to have whilst watching the England came but I'll miss the first half taking Aryn to MMA, I could enjoy it during the second half I guess and eat late, or I'll have it beforehand, we shall see.

I'm feeling good, ready for the day, let's do this, day 9 of tracking in my magic book, positivity helps win the day.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

Weekend all tracked...

Sunday 7th July 2025

Yep the entire weekend was tracked, did I go over my calorie allowance - of course I did, I knew I would but it was controlled, enjoyed and 100% honestly tracked.  It was my brother 60th birthday, we went out for a drink and some food, there was cake, it was lovely - seriously the bit of cake I had was epic, definitely recommend Leanne for cake!  I also had an early birthday cake made for Elle as Leanne's away when it's Elle's birthday and let's be honest, an early cake is way better than no cake at all!  I mean look at these! 

 

We also had a Ploughman's lunch in the Vine in Wednesfield, they put it together especially for us and again, that did not disappoint.  

I did leave half of that cheese, shared the scotch egg too, so not so bad, but then we went and had a cheese and onion cob whilst watching the football - seriously their cobs are epic and we won the football so it had to be done!  I think I might need to fetch one Wednesday to eat whilst watching the next match just in case it's a good luck omen :) 

We've had a lamb dinner today and watched Beverly Hills Cop so a nice chilled day all round, I'm gonna be over my calories again but over the week I'm happy with the results.  I've done that I wanted to lose 2lb a week this week but I can't stick to 1400 calories a day so I'll be changing that to 1lb a week which will give me 1777, a much better amount and if I don't have that many on a few days it'll make up for the days I have more.

Right here's to a relaxing night before a good nights sleep ready for a great week.  One week filled in with the magic tracker book, 3.5lb lost, happy lady for sure.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

Survived another day!

 Saturday 6th July 2024

My knee was a bitch yesterday, I did manage Pilates but I had to cancel the afternoon yoga session as my knee was swollen and really painful, it's a bit easier at the minute so hopefully that'll last.

I had a busy day yesterday, got the housework done, the washing, went shopping for the food bank, it's amazing how much you can get when your members donate the odd 50p!

I enjoyed my breakfast of smoked salmon and soft cheese on a muffin, plus my orange.  I forgot to take photo of my lunch, I had tinned peaches with yogurt and a jelly, really liked the tinned fruit, will defo get more.  

  

I didn't eat all the chips so I only had about 100g but I couldn't eaten loads of that steak, he was glad most of it went on his plate!  

We nipped to the pub, I drove and stupidly had diet pepsi / coke because I then couldn't sleep because of the caffeine, I won't be doing that again, need to find me a alcohol free drink for the pub, I'm happy to have water tbh.

I did enjoy a glass of wine with my dinner when we got home and to stop me being tempted to have another, I cleaned my teeth and that worked.  A little over on my daily total but I'm good with that.  

Let's see how I handle the weekend, at least I've done good all week, so I'll take whatever.  It's my brothers 60th birthday today and would've been moms 86th birthday so he was her 26th birthday present!  It's the first time, I haven't automatically thought about moms birthday, it wasn't until I saw my other brothers facebook post that I remembered.  It's good to remember those no longer with us, but I feel it's better to focus on who we still have here and he's a great brother, I should've took cake up the Wrekin on Monday with us to celebrate, we've done that before.

Anyway, I have a busy morning to get too, looking forward to seeing our members, let's have a great weekend.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me 

3.5lb off - yay!

Friday 5th July 2024

Yesterday started a little stressful with an issue with the website Home | Be Happy Owls which took a while to sort so I ended up running late, missing breakfast although I wasn't hungry so was okay with my apple and cuppas.  I was thrilled to see I'd lost 3.5lb on the scales, Elle lost 2.5lb, we've both been paper tracking since Monday, so that obviously helps.

When I got home from huddles at lunchtime, I used the leftover chicken to make a jalfrezi curry with a sachet of Spice Magic sauce I'd had from Farm Foods plus some frozen chargrilled Mediterranean veg I'd found in the freezer and mushrooms, it made 3 big portions, 2 of which I've frozen. Served it with sticky rice. 

  

When I got home I couldn't decide what to have, all I really fancied was a big glass of wine, so that was what I had whilst I thought about what I wanted.  I ended up with a couple of Ryvita topped with low fat mayo and tuna, turns out Minnie liked the bit I gave her to try, so I shared the tin with her as there was plenty. 

Now it's morning and I've realised I've not planned todays food, what will I feed the boys for dinner tonight......

I might get him a bit of steak out the freezer and I can have some fish, or we could both have fish and chips from freezer, or do I buy some mince and make tacos - decisions, decisions. 

I need to do some thinking and planning so that I don't get bored with our meals, I want healthy,  lower calorie meals that we can all eat. 

But first, I've just stripped the bed so need to get that on the line, I really need to do some housework, but I've got pilates this morning too so I'll do what I have time to do, now what to have for breakfast :)

Here's to a day of daft decisions, I've got this - have you?

Mwah, luv ya

Love me xx

On it ain't I!

Thursday 4th July 2024

Another day on track, 3 meals, an apple and a jelly plus plenty of time at the gym, knees not pleased but I'm hoping it will improve as I lose weight. 

Breakfast was the leftover smoked salmon pate with egg on muffin. 

This pasta dish was tasty but too many calories because I want3ed more, which is why I had chicken salad later, but I was more active too which could've made me hungrier I guess. 

  

I'm pleased with how my fitbit looks for the day. 

  

My calories were a couple hundred higher but it was good food and still well lower than what I burned so I'm happy.

Yeah feeling positive if not in a bit of a rush cos I have to leave in an hour and I'm still in my pj's.  I've also got to try and sort our website, we haven't paid for the hosting to be renewed and it's been removed so now we need to decide whether we pay the hosting fee or start from scratch with another hosting site as I don't even know if the info is still there being stored!

Hey ho, let's get dressed and worry about it later!  Here's to day 4 tracking...

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me

I got this!

Wednesday 3rd July 2024

Yep we've got this!  I feel good in myself, the weekend has motivated me to get a grip and watching myself exercising in the mirror at the gym with my new 'square' body is my constant reminder that I want that t-shirt I bought myself last Friday to fit loser!  I got this!

Day 2 in the bag, it looked like this; 

  

I really enjoyed my breakfast, like an omelette when it's cooked right.  The hollandaise sauce on my lunch I'd bought before getting on track, I wouldn't buy it again, it wasn't worth the calories, the smoked salmon pate I bought on a whoopsie was nice for 195 calories in 1/2 tub, that more than covered my breakfast muffin well, I was pleased to see they're only 147 calories each.  Will probably have one for breakfast with the rest of the pate to use it up as it was use by yesterday but I haven't told it, it's the next day :) 

I'd also bought a chicken on a whoopsie sticker so cooked that and made a bit of a dinner with it fancied corn on the cob after seeing it on a photo in our group so that was dinner sorted, purple sprouting for the first time in a long time - lush. 

All in all I had a good day of food, slightly over on my calories but I'm good with that because I've put that I want to lose 2lb a week, I'd rather do that and go over a little than be given 1777 for 1/2 - 1lb a week and use them all up just because, this is just for this week to get me back under control, I'll reconsider each week.

I'm aware that I need to up my fruit and veg intake, I'm using the new journal to count plant points and so far I've only had nine, so aiming for nearer the 30 a week, knowing they need to be different ones is a challenge because I eat similar veggies and don't do much fruit.  I'm up for the challenge!

I had planned to go to gym yesterday but didn't make it as I had to nip to M&S to use a £15 voucher which only had a couple of days left to use, so I shall go after the huddle today, got a pilates class booked and might go for a swim.  Need to ask Aryn what his plan is for tonight as if he's going to gym and MMA, I need to plan what I'm doing at the gym and for the 2 hours he's at MMA!

Day 3, I've got tagliatelle and tomato and mascarpone pasta sauce with pork mince to cook today, it works out at 509 calories per portion, I'll do veggies with mine, to up the veggies, it does look nice!  

Here's to another good day, on track, burning calories, taking care of my body! 

I got this!  

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

BUZZING!

Tuesday 2nd July 2024

WOW WOW WOW I managed to walk up and down the Wrekin and I'm not crying this morning, my body has handled it surprisingly well!  This makes me so happy, I can't even begin to explain my joy, being able to walk again and now feeling that Snowdon and big hills are possible is just amazing to think I could barely walk for a few minutes at the beginning of the year.  I still struggle with standing still but I can live with that.  

This has motivated me to want to lose more weight so I can give my knees a break.  Breakfast yesterday was all about using up what was in the house, I found a couple of yellow peppers and 6 mushrooms that were ready to walk out the fridge, so air fried them and had with scrambled eggs.  At lunchtime I was out so didn't eat, plus I wasn't hungry.  Then for dinner I had gastro fish, mash and veggies, again the cauli was saying if you don't eat me today, I'm gonna be dead by tomorrow! 

  

That was my food day, it looks like this on my tracker; 

Exercise wise, I went to the gym after doing my physio exercises at home and there I was booked on to do pilates and yoga, both low intensity ones, however the pilates had been replaced by something called CIRCL Mobility, which was a bit less low intensity than the pilates and I struggled with some of the moves but I did most of it, when I left I was thinking 'should I really have done this before attempting the walk up the Wrekin'.  I did okay though, it didn't stop us doing it, we were up there in 40 minutes and by the time we got back down, it had taken 1 hour and 10 minutes, that's not bad going for us I reckon, having not done anything for a very, long time.   

I feel really good this morning, I'm shocked I'm not in agony and I've done my physio exercises already and it's only 7am, the damn cat was jumping up my door at 5am, so I've also got my second load of washing in the machine. 

Ready to take on the day, we also nipped to the shop last night after I'd taken Aryn to the gym (yes more exercise!  I did 27 minutes on the recumbent bike whilst he got back into doing the gym), his 'clean living' seems to be over as he's sat next to me eating jam on scones for breakfast!  I bought me some nice veggies whilst he bought himself food that he'll eat for his meals so I don't have to worry about whether he'll eat what I'm having because I know he won't so he's got his own!  

Right lets do this day and thank you to the lovely lady who reminded me that I spent a decade looking after mom and now I'm living my best life so it's understandable that I've been struggling to lose weight, she's so right but I'm ready now, I can live my best life and lose some weight with a bit more care and attention!

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

Lovely weekend, not to fill that tracker!

Monday July 1st 2024

Well I've had a lovely weekend away and I'm ready to get a grip!  We had planned to try and walk up Snowdon but the weather was vile so we all agreed to not bother.  Instead we went to Portmeirion which I've always wanted to visit and it didn't disappoint. Sunday we visited Conwy falls which is a lovely short walk and worth the £2 entry.  After walking round all weekend I realised I don't think my back is ready for it yet and my knee is screaming 'lose some weight bitch!'  Hence my decision and conversation with himself on the way home that I need to lose some weight for health reasons, if he has goodies he's not to let me have them and he's taken all the 'treats' he has in his van so I'm not tempted when he's away - if it's not there, I can't eat it! 

I didn't realise when we were having the conversations that it was the first day of the month and a Monday to boot, plus we're starting the second 6 months of the year so yeah, time to get back to tracking and as if by magic, our new ones have arrived!  We've made them 4 weeks, so we can focus on one month at a time.

I'm going to sit and do a bit of planning for the week ahead and make a shopping list, but I'm going to have fish for dinner today I think, use up some of the stuff in the freezer.

I wasn't too bad at the weekend, I took cottage pie with me for our dinner Friday night, Saturday we had bacon sandwiches for breakfast, then they wanted bacon baps at elevenses so I had a sausage bap, which was amazing.  Dinner was a roast beef dinner in the pub which was lush.  Of course there was alcohol involved and I indulged in a few sweets back at the MH but I resisted pudding.  

Sunday I had eggs on toast for brekkie, then this lovely pork dinner on the way home, finished my weekend off with port and stilton with crackers and now I'm ready to draw the line as they say and stop messing about and as my knees are screaming 'lose some weight bitch'.  

Hoping lots of our members are up for joining me in my tracking for the next four week - Just do it in July!  

My fridge is a bit empty and I don't think I have any bread which isn't a bad thing, might have an omelette for breakfast, start getting the quantity without the excessive calories.  

Yeah let's do this, I'm gonna do my physio first because the yoga and pilates isn't enough I don't think for my back, I will take care of myself!  Will you take care of you?

Mwah, luv 

Love me xxx