Neglect & Abuse - are you guilty?

Friendship is a promise of future loyalty, loyalty no matter what comes.  Promises are the bricks of life and trust is the mortar.  Stephen Carter

I'm spending the weekend with my besties and we are having the best time, unfortunately we're two missing this time round which is really sad because these has been an annual event for a few years now, however there's always next time. xx

On the drive down to Chantel's me and Sarah were chatting continually as you do when you haven't seen each other for a while, we didn't even come up for air, actually yes we did when we had a couple of 'heading towards old ladies moments', you know the ones when you're trying to think of something and you can't for us it was trying to recall the name of Star bursts when we were kids, we googled it in the end, thank goodness for the internet.  We joked that future trips would be full of moments like, "you know him that was in that film, who was married to her who's dead now", yes it happens to us all eventually.

So one of the conversations we had was how Sarah had gained half a stone over the last couple of months since starting her new job and she was about to explain why when I interrupted with the word, "neglect!"  She looked at me initially shocked at my use of word, then nodded and agreed that the only reason she had gained weight was because she had been neglecting herself and putting other things first.  Don't get me wrong I wasn't judging, hell I do it as does most of the people I've ever met, its called being human, its because we are so rushed and busy and have so many things to do that we tend to put ourselves and our wellbeing right at the bottom of the to do list.

When we are tired our brain sends us messages that we need energy, and it means we need to go to sleep and recharge unfortunately we misinterpret the messages and instead of thinking sleep, we think food!  We know food gives us energy so we go to the kitchen because sleep isn't possible as we have so much to do, and we overeat.  Again because we're tired we don't want to be bothered with cooking something healthy and instead we eat quick which is usually junk food, fast food, crisps and chocolate etc.  So now we've gone from neglecting ourselves to abusing our bodies with the wrong food!

I have so much to do before I go on holiday next Friday and the obvious thing to do would have been to stay home and get ahead with my 'to do' list but I knew I needed to stop and recharge, I needed time with my friends and I needed to relax.  I feel fantastic this morning, we had a lovely afternoon yesterday, sat and ate nibbles and drank wine whilst catching up on the last few months.  Then we moved into the living room and all sat on the couch and watched a movie called "Switch" which was really good, then by 8.30pm we were all snoozing and I love that we were in bed by 9, I've finally got them in bed at the same time as me.

This morning I woke at 6ish and put on my running gear, I don't know the area at all so had a quick look at the map on my phone (the gps is rubbish on my phone so it doesn't actually show me where I am!) and headed out, I turned right and in front of me was a huge hill so I decided to walk to the top of that then start running, I thought if I keep turning right I'll end up back where I started, mmm I did eventually but it was 7 miles in the end!  I managed to run 6 miles before getting the worse stitch and had to stop so walked the half mile back to the house.  Ooo running in the dark down country lanes is interesting, you start to see things in the woods that aren't actually there!

As I was running I was thinking to myself I work hard and I play hard so it makes sense that I need to exercise hard too.  I'm so glad I went because I think I ran off my hangover, we're all sitting round now chilling before we go for a Toby carvery for lunch.

If you've read this today and thought mmm neglect and abuse is a bit harsh, think about it, if you have kids would you not feed them all day till 3pm cos you were busy?  Would you throw a bag of crisps and a Mars bar at them every morning as they walk out to go to school?  I hope not, so why is it okay to treat yourself that way?

It's something worth pondering?  And I'm not suggesting your change everything instantly and never eat junk again.  If you love crisps and cakes, suddenly replacing all treats with fruit and rice cakes is doomed to failure.

You can't do everything quickly, we tend to be unrealistic about our goals which lead to demotivation and feelings of failure and hopefully you all know that's an unhealthy cycle to get into.

So today, slow down and agree that you are making changes and getting healthy but you're not in a rush!

You can't hurry life, there's always 168hrs in a week!

12^th November 2011

Anything you have time to complain about – you have time to change!

I’m in a hurry (for a change) but I don’t mind because I have the best life, when I was driving to Burton-on-Trent yesterday for my area meeting I was thinking about this, how lucky I am. I’m only in such a rush because I have so many nice things to do and amazing people to spend time with. I have the bestest girlfriends, I got to have lunch with one yesterday, bless her she got ‘hyper’ Bev yesterday, it took me a good 40 minutes to relax but then we enjoyed the most delicious lunch and afterwards she helped me get up to date with some of my admin so that was a bonus. Today I’m being picked up by Sarah and we’re going to see Chantel, so I get to spend two days with two more fabulous people, Chantel lives too far away so I don’t get to see her anywhere near as often as I like, in my head I imagine living in a street with all my girls like on Desperate Housewives, although when I’ve discussed this with Lynne she thinks it’s not such a good idea because we’d all lead each other astray much to much! After my fantastic weekend, I get to do a 50 hour week doing a job I just adore and that gives me so much pleasure and next Friday I’m off to New York with two more amazing ladies V & Kt and we’re going to have a ball. How fortunate am I to be so rushed, if my only problem in life is I have too much to do then I consider myself blessed.

The fact that I manage to have all this fun and still maintain my weight is just a bonus, especially as I do overindulge but obviously I mush have the balance about right because I’m not gaining continually, if I have a crazy eating day, I counterbalance it with a more sensible day. I no longer eat the way I’m expected to by many, I don’t have cereal for breakfast if I don’t want them. Yesterday morning I had 2 egg custard tarts from Sainsbury’s (13pp), now we all know that is not a healthy balanced breakfast but I’d bought them the day before because I fancied them and I knew they were going to be eaten at sometime so rather than have breakfast cereal for 3pp or toast for 6pp then have the tarts a few hours later, I decided to save ProPoints and eat them for breakfast and get it out of my system! That makes sense in my mind!

We had lunch out which was delicious and again, for dessert we couldn’t decide on which to have, so we ordered the share plate where you got a bit of all five! And I’m quite pleased to say we didn’t eat them all, we both just had a taste of each and then we were satisfied. I’m so pleased I’ve lost that “I’ve paid for it so I’m going to eat it” mentality, you know the one don’t you because most of us at sometime have suffered from it, and it makes us fat – it’s not a good mindset to have at all.

The main course was to die for, Baked breast of corn chicken with wild mushroom, smoked bacon and spinach linguini, mascarpone and truffle oil, it was just delicious and I wanted more of the pasta, so next week I’m going to try and cook it myself, I’m not bothered about the chicken that was on the top I just want a big dish of the linguine, mmm creamy and scrumptious, but there has to be a way of making it lower ProPoints. Here’s one recipe I’ve just found from my files that would be similar and next week I will have a play around with it I think.

Linguine with Boursin & Parmesan

Serves 3 at 16pp or 4 at 12pp

300 g Pasta, White, Dried, linguine or spaghetti

50ml vermouth (or dry white wine)

1 small Onion, All Types, finely chopped

1 carrot, finely chopped

1 courgette, finely chopped

1 red pepper, finely chopped

50g Peas, frozen, or shelled fresh peas

100 g Fromage Frais, Low Fat, Plain

100 g Boursin herbs (or any soft cheese)

4 tablespoons Milk, Skimmed

finely grated rind of 1 medium Lemon,

2 tablespoons Cheese, Parmesan, finely grated

1 pinch Salt, and black pepper, freshly ground

Cook the linguine or spaghetti in plenty of boiling, lightly salted water for 10-12 minutes, or according to pack instructions, until just tender. Meanwhile, warm large frying pan and add finely chopped vegetables, peas and vermouth, heat until cooked, add water if necessary to stop drying out. When cooked stir in the fromage frais, soft cheese, milk, lemon rind and grated Parmesan. Heat gently, stirring, for 2-3 minutes. Season. Drain the linguine or spaghetti well, then add to the sauce and stir gently. Transfer to four warmed plates and serve.

And if you really do fancy chicken too, here’s a nice recipe as well.

Chicken Schnitzel with bacon and white wine

Serves 4 = 5pp each

1 teaspoon garlic oil = 1pp

4 rashers streaky bacon = 6pp

4 chicken escalopes (breasts) approx 125g = 12pp

100ml white wine = 2pp

Put the oil in a frying pan and add the bacon.

Fry till the bacon is crisp and the pan is full of bacony juices. Remove the bacon to a piece of foil, wrap it and set is aside for a moment.

Fry the chicken for about 2 minutes a side, until there is no pinkness when you cut into a piece. Make sure the pan’s hot so that the escalopes catch a litt, turning beautifully bronze.

Remove the chicken to a serving plate and quickly crumble the bacon you’ve set aside into the pan, then pour in the wine, letting everything bubble up, and finally, pour over the chicken pieces.Serve with green beans and for an additional 4pp each have 200g mash potato

Well it may only be 6.30am but I’m ravenous already now! I could just eat that ;D

Right I’m off lots to do, enjoy your day, be thankful for you life and as twee as it may sound, count your blessing, I bet you have loads. xx

Don't sweat the small stuff!

11^th November 2011

You have a choice, stay stuck or do something about what you want.  Stop holding yourself back!

So it’s the 11-11-11 today, and of course it’s also Poppy day, each year the nation shows its support for The Royal British Legion's charity work through the Poppy Appeal, emphasising the need to help all generations of the Armed Forces and their families - today and for the rest of their lives.  Thanks to everyone in my meetings that have donated this year, hopefully the charity will top their target of £36 million for 2010 and reach £40 million this year.  Wear your poppy with pride.

I saw this posted on facebook last night and instantly I stopped fretting about getting everything done before I go away.  Usually I don’t worry, I just get it done or I don’t but the last few days I’ve been getting myself in a right flap, so much to do, so little time.  So now I’ve decided what gets done, gets done, what doesn’t well tough!  They have shops where I’m going so worse case I’ll but what I forget to pack.  This time next week I’ll be at the airport and I won’t care what I’ve forgotten will I ;-)

However before then I’ve got lots to try and do starting with this mornings paperwork, an area meeting tonight and a well looked forward to night at my mates tomorrow.

The diet is most definitely on delay for me, not going crazy just not really thinking about it, I’m glad to say my members aren’t in the same headspace, they are doing fabulously, another two to goal yesterday, Rita and Sara both looking fabulous, and so much weight loss this week, well over 600lb (43 stone), you’re all just amazing and I’m very proud.

I’m definitely being affected by the weather, I’m craving carbs like never before.  I probably haven’t had a jacket potato for a year until the last month and now I can’t get enough of them, so I’ve just been looking on Weight Watchers esource for more interesting topping than “I can’t believe it’s not butter”!

It’s still okay to eat carbs, being starchy carbohydrate foods, pasta and potatoes supply your body with slow-burning energy. When you eat them, they fuel your energy needs and help keep you feeling full for longer. Yet because they are basics in our diet, we tend to stick to the same old ways of serving them, so explore their versatility and enjoy them in these tasty ways, maybe try one of these toppings;

Aubergine, Mushroom and Tomato Bolognaise
Serves 4
Finely chop 1 medium aubergine, 1 onion, 2 garlic cloves and 175g mushrooms. Cook in a non-stick frying pan or wok sprayed with low fat cooking spray until softened. Add a 400g can of tomatoes and 2 tsp Italian mixed dried herbs. Cook over a low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring often, until reduced and thickened. Season, then use to fill jacket potatoes or spoon onto cooked spaghetti .

Creamy Baked Pasta or Potatoes
Serves 2
Beat together 100g low fat soft cheese, 150g low fat plain yogurt, 2 medium eggs, 200ml skimmed milk and 2 tbsp finely chopped chives or spring onions. Season. Cook 150g dried pasta shapes until tender, tip into 2 individual baking dishes and add the egg mixture. Bake at 190°C, fan oven 170°C, Gas Mark 5 for 20-25 minutes, until set and golden. Try using 450g cooked sliced potatoes instead of pasta.

Tuna Pasta or Potato Salad
Serves 2
Mix together 200g tuna, 2 tbsp tomato puree, 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tsp white wine vinegar. Add 6 chopped spring onions, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, ¼ chopped cucumber and 10 halved cherry tomatoes. Add 300g cooked penne or 300g boiled new potatoes. Season, stir well and serve with salad leaves.

Greek Lemon & Thyme Topping
Serves 2
Mix 100g low fat soft cheese with 150g pot 0% fat Greek style yogurt. Add 4 finely chopped spring onions, 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme and 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest. Share between 2 x 225g baked potatoes or cook 150g dried pasta until tender and stir the cheese mixture through, adding 2 tbsp of the pasta cooking water.

Rosemary Roasted Vegetable Topper
Serves 2
Chop 1 red and 1 yellow pepper into large chunks. Slice 1 red onion into wedges. Thickly slice 1 courgette. Tip into a roasting pan and spray with low fat cooking spray. Add 2 rosemary sprigs. Roast at 200°C, fan oven 180°C, Gas Mark 6 for 25-30 minutes, turning once. Stir in a few drops of Worcestershire sauce or mushroom ketchup and 2 tbsp tomato puree. Use as a topper for baked potatoes or cooked pasta.

Creamy Seafood and Shredded Leeks
Serves 2
Finely slice 1 large leek and cook in low fat cooking spray until soft and tender. Add 50g of cooked, peeled prawns, 25g cooked frozen peas and a 170g can of crab meat (drained). Add 4 tbsp very low fat fromage frais, season and stir gently Serve on top of cooked pasta or baked potatoes.

Okay I’ve got to get going, so much to do, so little time ;D

Do it, do it, hurry up!

10^th November 2011

The fly cannot be driven away by getting angry at it. African proverb

Sat here yawning this morning, someone stole my night I think, it was 9pm about half hour ago, or that’s what it feels like anyway.  No doubt my cup of tea will soon be replaced with a coffee and I’ll be good to go.

Guilty of not tracking yesterday but I do remember what I had, tomatoes on toast for breakfast, jacket potato with chicken curry and chicken couscous and cottage cheese for tea, and I didn’t ProPoint any of it, sorry I could give you excuses but I have no good enough reason I just had a sod it day and couldn’t be bothered, at least I didn’t eat loads of junk.

I was feeling sorry for myself because I went running but my foot started hurting so I had to cut it short for fear of doing long term damage.  I never thought I see myself type these words but “I WANT TO RUN”, I’ve got to the point where I can run without wanting to die or cry and I’m actually enjoying it, it makes me feel good, it burns loads of calories and it’s quick and convenient.  So I need my foot to get better soon, I wanna get my trainers back on, and I want to run in Central Park when I go to New York in a weeks time.

Went to pick up the tickets yesterday, how disappointing, they’re not even proper tickets anymore, just etickets printed out on A4 sheets of white paper – not quite the same thing is it!  Oh well I’ll cope I’m sure, only 8 more sleeps and 18 more meetings. 

Time management appears to be a big problem for so many of us these days, It puzzles me and I can’t quite work it out.  Today, we have more time-saving, convenience creating, effort reducing resources than ever before and yet we seem to be busier, more stressed and time poor.

It might help if we try to understand what’s driving our ‘busy’.  Our actions are driven by an underlying cause that often isn’t connected to the activity or its outcome. This can include ‘a need to be needed’, a determination to be seen to be ‘on top of it all’ (superwoman/man syndrome – a common one for perfectionists and high achievers), or procrastination because we’re not sure what to do or how to do it. This can lead to aimless ‘fluffing’ and before you know it, you’ve blown hours or days and achieved little more than frustration.

Recognising the real cause of your lack of time helps you take steps to reclaim it. Think about it – if we valued time as much as we value money, wouldn’t we have more rather than less? Imagine how different it would be if you had plenty of time in the bank and were time rich rather than time poor.

So I don’t know about you but I’m going to start deciding what’s important!  The best way to get the ‘busy’ under control is to check in on what’s most important and ensure yourfocus is largely on your main priorities. Do you really need to go to that party that you know will be boring or is it just that you don’t want to miss out on something?

Know what matters most - check that your priorities will make a real difference. One of the best ways to identify this is to ask, “Of all the things I’ve got on my plate, which will make the most difference a hundred years from now?” Chances are not many, but it’s a sobering thought. If it doesn’t really matter – don’t do it! Choosing not to do something is surprisingly liberating.

Identify the best return on your time investment.  If there were no limits, what would you choose to be doing right now? Yes, you do have a choice as to how you spend your time, far more often than you realise. Which task is going to pay back far more than the time you’ll invest in it? This is a great way of stripping out the time wasters from your day.

We all have those days where you wake up in the morning and just feel overwhelmed because you have an ever growing list of things you need to do? You have way too many thoughts running through your mind and you are beginning to feel a little (or perhaps a lot) stretched.  If you think today might be yet another of those days think about the above and then take a deep breath and accept that you only have so many hours and you will do your best.
I didn’t have 50 minutes to sit writing this blog, but I enjoyed it and it’s done me good so I’ve made time and something else will have to give – toast it is for breakfast again then!
Almost the weekend xx

Just delaying success a little!

9^th November 2011

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. ~Helen Keller

Mid week already, a super fast week in my world anyway, another fabulous day, two more members to goal, well done ladies, and 185lb lost in my meetings, so it may be a dull and drab November but my members are still managing to brighten it up by staying on track and losing pounds, yep they’re certainly managing to make my scales smile!

I’m doing my best to stay on track, struggling a little because I’m already in holiday mode in my head even though it’s still 9 sleeps away :-) so I’ve got to hold it together.  I’m also trying to get everything sorted, so I’m really busy and not spending much time thinking about food or cooking.  I didn’t do too bad yesterday had faggots and roast veggie again because I’d made a spare from the day before, breakfast was a bit rubbish, 2 wholemeal pitta breads toasted with phili light – they were about to go stale so needed to be eaten, same with my tea cottage cheese on a jacket, the cottage cheese needs using.  I’m being economical this week, I don’t want to shop unless I have to, I need spending money for my holiday!

I’m not going to stop trying to stay on track though, the next ten days is all about damage limitation, sticking to it as best as I can before I go away, if I do not lose weight before New York I will not see it as a failure, I will see it as delaying my success till I get back!

By the very nature of being human we cannot help but fail. And when we do fail, if we're not careful we can allow the wounds to cut so deeply into our sub conscious that we begin to think - I am a failure. We might start to make safe choices, to settle for less than we really want and that’s not good.

What would it be like if we decide to cast failure in a different light, to take it out of the darkness of shame and guilt, to remove the feeling of 'disaster' associated with it, to look for what it tells us about our well-being and our conduct in life? What enormous amounts of energy would be freed up? And for what?

I’ve always tried to see failure as practicing for future success! Many a transformation has had failure at its root, I’ve had numerous members join my meeting more than once and then suddenly it just clicks and they achieve their goal weight and are now proud gold members, hell I’m one of them, it took me almost 20 years to finally understand what needed to happen for me not to put my weight back on after losing it. Author Suzanne Falter-Barns says, 'There really is no such thing as failure. There is only the rearrangement of plans and the surrender of ego. There is only the twist in the road we never expect', then there’s Richard Branson was has famously stated that his incredible success is partly due to his many failures.

So wherever your heads at with your weight loss journey at the moment remember maintaining your health is a life long journey, you will be at a different stage all the time, losing the weight is just one step, keeping it off is another.  Then there are the stages where you will have gains such as holidays and other times, I know I shall more than likely gain whilst in New York and I’m ok with that, I’ve already planned to get straight back on it as soon as I get back and try and lose a few before I go away at Christmas again. 

Running will help with my plans I hope, that’s why I started it, luckily I now actually enjoy it too, I think mainly because when I’m running, I actually feel fit, strong and healthy which can only put you in a positive frame of mind.  I feel like I’m doing something productive towards maintaining my health.  I was gutted yesterday because my foot was really hurting and I thought it would stop me running again this week, luckily it feels much better today so I shall do 5k later.  I can’t believe how easily 5k rolls off my tongue now when only 3 months ago I was struggling with 5 yards!  Just shows you can do anything you put your mind too with persistence and patience.

Well that’s me feeling all positive this morning after writing that, you know keeping a diary (blog) really helps motivate me every morning because it makes me think about my life and what I’m doing.

Hope you have a fabulous day, I intend to. xx

Liquid lard 98pp & 3.5lb!

8^th November 2011

The person who really loves you sees what a mess you can be, how moody you can get, and how hard you are to handle. But still wants you in their life.

I did my last Monday night meeting at Wednesfield yesterday, very weird and a little sad as I’ve been at that meeting for at least 5 years maybe longer, luckily some of the members are following me to my other meetings so I’ll still get to see them and I’m happy with the leader that’s taking over (hark at me!) she seems a really nice lady and she’ lost 5 ½ stone!   So from now on Monday nights are paperwork night and all my work should get done.

The scales didn’t love me yesterday though, 3.5lb on, that’ll be the liquid lard also known as Bailey’s, the fact I hadn’t run for 7 days because of my sprained ankle and eating out 3 times over the weekend and not ProPointing the meals!  Lesson learnt I thinks and I’ve got 5 days where I can be golden, not going to drink until Saturday when I’m at my mates house.

I finally got round to doing roast veggies in one of those So Juicy bags, I put potato & sweet potato (microwaved a little first), cauliflower, butternut squash and sprouts and it worked, absolutely delicious. 

So yesterday wasn’t the best diet day because I wasn’t prepared but it was on track.

Breakfast
Wholemeal pitta toasted (4pp)
cheese (4pp)

Lunch

Roast veggies and potatos (5pp)
2 brains faggots & gravy (7pp)

Dinner

Cottage cheese                (4pp)
Sliced apple
Crackers (Jacobs choice) (5pp)
salad leaves, tomatoes, spring onions

Milk in tea (3pp)

Chocolate biscuit made by a member’s daughter (1pp)

Total = 33pp

Earned
Pedometer = 4pp
½ hour run = 5pp

I wasn’t fussed about food yesterday but ate because it’s what you do to stay alive :D Oh if only more days were so simple! 

I was happy with my run though, my ankle/foot still wasn’t 100% but I managed to do 5k in 30m 20s which is 2 minutes faster than before, I didn’t go out planning to run faster I just found it easier to run, so I must be improving physically.  Getting out the door was the hardest thing, then once I was running in the rain it was fab, quite refreshing.  I’d love to get to the stage where I have the time and energy to run 30 minutes, 5 times a week.

This week in meetings we’re talking about food labelling and just walking round Sainsbury’s for 15 minutes yesterday I found a few pleasant surprises.  It’s always worth taking your calculator and checking because you’d be amazed at what you can have that you might think you can’t. 

(what's not to love!)

Oh yes before I forget, it turns out there wasn’t anything wrong with Alfie other than he was a bit randy, I thought he was in pain from his long walk but yesterday he skipped out of the door no problem at all and after talking to the dog walkers on the park they reckoned he’d bumped into a pretty female whilst we were out and he was pining for her!  Well if I’d known I’d have thrown him up the garden all the noise he made all night ;D

10 more sleeps for me before my holiday, this is my first (longer than a wkend) holiday abroad since I became a leader and I can’t wait, it’ll soon be here because I’ve got a busy schedule.  I could just do with losing that 3.5lb before I go!

Have a fabulous tracking Tuesday – I plan too.

Get moving...

7^th November 2011

I went shopping yesterday for a couple of skirts and it’s the first time in a long time I have felt comfortable in the changing rooms, I think I’ve finally accepted my shape and if something doesn’t look right on me then I  go and find something else.  So I came away with three long skirts for my holiday and a jumper, o yeah and a pair of black jeans – even better they were all reduced – you gotta love a bargain.

Alfie had walked me miles on the morning, we were out of two hours but it was too much for him and he was in pain for the rest of the day, whining and crying, think his legs ached and he couldn’t get comfortable.  We can all learn a lesson from him – don’t do too much too soon, exercise should be built up slowly and always be within your capability.  I haven’t run for a week today because of my sprained ankle but it seems okay now so back at it later, and I shall build up slowly again. 

Are you trying to motivate yourself to get active but finding it difficult?  Try focusing on the power of regret, research has shown that just a few moments thinking about how much you will regret not going to the gym (or for that walk) will help motivate you to climb off the settee and onto an exercise bike.  And if it’s the gym you choose, once you get there, try avoiding those floor to ceiling mirrors as another study showed that people who constantly saw themselves in the mirror ended up feeling significantly less revitalised and more exhausted than those facing a wall, researchers believe that the mirrors may encourage people to focus on their less than perfect bodies and consequently do more harm than good.

Still not convinced to do a work out of some sort, then think about how you could burn more calories by making small changes to your everyday routines.  It might be something as simple as fetching your morning paper instead of having it delivered, using the stairs more at work rather than the lift.  Wearing a pedometer has made me more aware of how active I am in a day, and when it’s not got many steps showing it encourages me to get moving.

Talking of mirrors, according to yet another study placing mirrors in your kitchen may help you shed pounds ;D  I reckon we should all stick one on the fridge for a week see if it helps :D

I don’t think I’ll be walking Alfie this morning and if I do it’ll only be to the papershop and back so I need to go running to make up those steps on my pedometer, but before I do any of that, I need to load my car. 

Have a great week. x

Bet ya bottom dollar that tomorrow...

6^th November 2011

A day without laughter is a day wasted. Charlie Chaplin

I did my fair share of giggling yesterday, I head butted a “mind the step” sign as I went into a toilet much to my mates delight - she suggested they should have a “mind you don’t head butt the mind the step sign” sign just for me.  We’d just been for lunch in the Britannia Hotel next to the theatre (bargain £5 for 3 courses) I didn’t have the dessert, and I did choose lots of veggies to go with my gammon.  We were off to see Annie and all the way there in the car I was signing “Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow”, you get the gist, well little Jenny was not impressed at all and instructed me to stop singing or she’d box my nose!  I actually think she willed me to trip up that step!  When we got in the theatre we suggested we all sang but Jen was having none of it, we told her we were going to form a band and go on the XFactor we even had our name, “Ladies that lush”, her response – “you mean - Ladies that need to shush” So that was us told and officially put in out place by a seven year old!

The show was okay, not the best I’ve seen, too long to keep a young audience occupied and I was amused as I watched all the kids get frigidity at the same time, Jen just kept asking, “how much longer is it on”, this is the same child who sat transfixed through “all the fun of the fair” with David Essex so it’s not that she has no attention span, it was just long winded. 

I’d been for a haircut on the morning and even had my hair in curls especially for the show, wished I had more girly girll flare because I’d do that more often, however I’m not and it’s a little to late to start learning, actually no it isn’t but I obviously don’t want to be a girly girl enough to make the effort, it’s much easier to tie it up.

I’ve just realised that this time last year ProPoints was launched, WOW a year since the start of the best plan ever, that’s flown by so quickly and I’m so proud to be part of the success of it, so many members losing so much weight – just amazing.  And of course Weight Watchers being the leaders in their field are always striving for improvements and we’re always waiting for things to get even better.  We were all over the news again this week for being the best option for weight loss but we already knew that didn’t we, I uploaded just a few photos onto facebook of successful members and just in case you’ve never seen my before and after, here it is;

Well Alfie’s not impressed at all so I better go take him for a walk, today I plan on being a domestic goddess, I’m going to cook, clean and try to think about packing, it’s less than 2 weeks away now! 

Have a super Sunday. xx

Can I have your attention please!

5^th November 2011

The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it. Richard Bach

6am and I’ve been in bed for almost 12 hours!  I didn’t sleep for all of them but still have a damn good night, would have been better if it wasn’t for the noise of the fireworks waking me and Alfie up, having said that I’m just relieved they don’t scare him.  I used to love fireworks until I had pets, I still do enjoy watching them I just don’t feel the banging noises are necessary, they make it sound like we’re in a war zone.  I can’t believe I went to bed just after 6pm ;D I turned to mom and said ‘I’m tired’, she replied ‘me too’ , then we both said, “shall we go to bed”.  These days with Sky+ you don’t have to stay up to watch something plus it meant I didn’t have any tea which was a bonus after Cosmo lunch.

Speaking of which I wasn’t too bad, I did go up 3 times but only had 2 ½ plates and a lot of that was veggies, I love their Broccoli and mushrooms, need to learn to cook that kind of Chinese food because I’d eat much more veggie food.  I resisted pudding which never appeals to me in there it’s just cake which you can get much better from elsewhere and if I’m going to waste ProPoints on cake then it’s going to be the best cake ever!

 So how much was my lunch in ProPoints values; (all approximate values of course)

Spring roll (mini) x 2 8pp

Chicken thing on stick 2pp

Beef in black bean sauce (tbsp) 3pp

Lemon chicken (tbsp) 3pp

Sweet & sour chicken (tbsp) 3pp

Egg fried rice (2 tbsp) 5pp

Noodles (spoonful) 4pp

Mushrooms & brocolli 4pp

Chips (had about 5) 5pp

2 small pancakes filled with cucumber and spring onions (3pp)

Still quite high rolling in at 40pp and I really didn’t go OTT but I did leave full to the brim, I had 2 plates and waited a good 20 minutes before going up for that last bit, I fancied the pancakes but not the crispy pork so just stuffed them with cucumber and spring onions.  I was totally full when I left the restaurant and didn’t eat again for the rest of the day.

We did have a good girly giggle whilst there though, I do love my Friday lunch out with the girls.  A couple sat on the table next to us with a little girl, it was fascinating watching her eat her lunch, all touchy feely with it, pulling faces at the same time, very sweet, very funny and very unbothered about how she looked eating her dinner and making a mess everywhere.  We can all learn from the little girl playing with her green jelly and sucking her noodles one at a time!

Unfortunately things change and we grow up and become too self aware, as I was walking in I bumped into a member who’s first words were “You haven’t seen me” she then repeated it, and went and sat down, apparently we don’t say hello to each other anymore ;D Immediately she felt guilty and she shouldn’t we are allowed to go out to eat and we don’t have to justify our choices, as long as we’re happy then that’s all that matters. 

I am a people watcher and they had sat us right up the far corner so I was looking out over all the tables and one lady in particular caught my eye, she ate an entire plate full of food and never looked at it once, she just stared vacantly at the walls all the time she was eating ;( at first I thought it was because she was on her own but even when the rest of the table sat down she just sat staring into space eating.  She wasn’t tasting that food at all and she wasn’t being mindful of it either, such a shame to be that distracted from life, she looked very unhappy.

It’s so important to focus on your food (and everything else that’s going on in your life – be in the moment).  People eat significantly more when they are distracted at mealtimes and therefore not paying attention to their food.  In one experiment the amount of attention that cinema goers paid to a film was related to how much popcorn they consumed.  Those who were more absorbed by the movie ate significantly larger amounts.  In another experiment, people who listened to a detective story during their lunch break ate 15% more food than those who sat in silence.  Distractions while eating, such as watching tv, reading or even chatting with others encourage people to consume more!

So today pay attention to everything you eat, give it your complete 100% focus and taste it, enjoy it and don’t feel guilty about it either. Xx

xx

Hide the Baileys!

4^th November 2011

If achievement had no price, it would be of no value.  So pay the price, do the work & enjoy the rewards.

Well I had a much better day food wise yesterday, started with 2 weetabix and a banana, which was nice but they really do repeat on me afterwards, not going on my favourite list I have to say!  The when I got home at lunchtime I made chicken and butternut squash in a herb sauce using on of these So Juicy cook in the bag things (on offer in Home Bargains), it was delicious for 6pp, and I served mine with some white cabbage that needed cooking.  Then for tea I had the leftovers in a toasted wholemeal pitta bread, very satisfying indeed.  No wine but I didn’t indulge in a big baileys – I’ll be glad when it’s all gone and I won’t be buying any over Christmas!

Loved my meetings this week, everyone’s been fab and I think a lot of members have decided regardless of circumstances or the weather, they will have a weight loss next week.  One member made me smile yesterday when she got on the scales and said “this won’t be good, I don’t emotionally eat I excuse eat, give me any old excuse and I’ll have something to eat”.  Hearing this comment from one so young  didn’t just amuse me but impressed me that she knew herself so well.  Hands up if you excuse eat?  I know I do, at the moment I’m excuse drinking Bailey’s, using the excuse, “well once it’s gone, I can move on” because of course it’ll go off if I don’t drink it won’t it!
I’ve not got to rush to get everything done today because my mates gonna drive over here which is brilliant, I might treat her to lunch as a thank you, time is so precious isn’t it especially when you’re short of it. 

I’m looking forward to the weekend, off to see Annie tomorrow at the grand which should be fun.  I really should think about packing for my holidays but I don’t like packing and it’s not gonna happen till the last minute, and I know I will forget most things anyway ;D

Today’s also going to be a challenge as we’re off to Cosmo for lunch but I plan to be sensible and I’ll stay away from the deep fried stuff, If we’re honest every day’s a challenge isn’t it in a different way, so I’ll be fine.  Fruit breakfast and a light tea, it’ll all be good, heck I might even get mom to hide the bailey’s while I’m out ;D

How silly! Hiding the Bailey’s but maybe not, maybe out of sight, out of mind works!  Research shows that just placing food or drink out of sight or moving it a few metres away can have a big effect on consumption.  In a series of studies, experimenters strategically placed jars of chocolates around an office and carefully counted how many were consumed.   In one condition they compared placing the jars on people’s desks with moving them just two metres away.  In another, they placed the chocolate in either transparent or opaque jars.  Putting the chocolates on people’s desks resulted in staff consuming an average of six more chocolates each day, with the chocolates in transparent jars eaten 46% more quickly than those in opaque jars.  A similar principle applies to food around the house.  In another study researchers stockpiled people’s homes with either large or moderate quantities of ready-to-eat meals, and discovered that the food was eaten at twice the rate in more heavily stockpiled homes.  To cut intake, make sure that tempting foods are out of sight, and in a place that is difficult to access – like on the roof!

So I’m thinking I might do a mixed veggie dish using one of those So Juicy bags later because that would be a mere 3pp for the entire thing, good for dinner when you’ve been out for a meal at lunchtime!

Almost the weekend – have a fantastic  Friday xx

I need to get with the programme!

3^rd November 2011

Your body keeps an accurate journal, regardless of what u write down!

Walking past the chippy yesterday afternoon and I couldn’t resist the smell, so I decided I’d have a few as an early tea save me eating when I got back from the meeting, so in I went, £1.10 for a cone or £1.40 for a bag, well come on – no contest really is it, so bag it was, thinking I’ll share them with my mom.  Walking back to my house I thought to myself ooo I’ll weigh them and tell everyone how many there is, so that’s what I did, and This bag regular of chips weighed 650g that's 45pp!  That’s ridiculous, unless you’re planning on sharing them of course which unfortunately most people don’t because they don’t realise it isn’t one portion!   If you were just having chips then ½ of the bag maybe but if you were having a fish or something with it you shouldn’t be having a 1/3^rd or even ¼ of the bag.  

I did throw most of them away I’m glad to say but it still put a dent in my day’s allowance.

Breakfast

WW Breakfast Oats 3pp
Skimmed milk in drinks 3pp

Lunch

Leftover corned beef hash 10pp

Dinner

1/3^rd bag chips 12pp
Ketchup 1pp

Evening Snack

Ham sandwich (4pp)
Baileys (10pp) Damn stuff needs to be gone out of my house!  I didn’t measure so that’s a guess

Total 43pp

Pedometer earned 7pp

Another not the best day, I couldn’t run because my ankle was sore and it’s swollen up now but the pains not so bad so fingers crossed it should be ok in a few days, not going to run on it until its right, don’t want to make it worse.

I was very productive work wise though, so that’s a good thing, at least once I’ve cut  my meetings down I’ll have more time for paperwork so won’t be quite so rushed and will have time to run and eat properly.  My plan is to be as good as I can be until my holiday then enjoy myself and get right back on track when I return and have a few good weeks before Christmas.

I love that my members are still solidly on the plan and losing weight, those that have been away for half term have come back with smiles on their face knowing they will gain but also knowing they’ll get it off.  Last night was heartwarming watching one member tell everyone how she almost didn’t come, how she was struggling and was ready to give up, then the real spirit of Weight Watchers kicked in and all the other members talked her round, this continued off to one side long after the meeting had finished.  I love that my members all care so much about others, makes me feel good inside. Xx

So wherever you are on your journey know that you can always keep going forward, it’s ok to take the odd step backwards or to remain in the same place for a while as long as you never turnaround and keep walking away. 

 

Weight Watchers works xx