Sunshine lists

28^th January 2018

Focus on your why, not every week will be good but there will be some good in every week.

Another cracking week over in my meetings, we’ve mashed the 2k of pounds lost on my scales, an incredible year to date total of 148 stone.  Yep that’s just over 40 stone this week, 49 stone last week and 50 stone the week before, the remaining was the first week back after Christmas when some folk did lose weight.  As you can see the weight loss is slowing down a little but that’s to be expected, Weight Watchers Flex is designed for members to lose up to 2lb a week, any additional boost at the beginning is okay but once settled into the plan, ½-2lb a week is a good healthy speed at which to lose weight.  And we’re all about the healthy and the happy in my meetings, this week we’ve focused a lot on the happy side and it’s been wonderful watching my members chat to each other about the highlights of their days, the good stuff.  My 3 good things yesterday would be;

• My weekly massage,
• An unexpected, belated birthday gift
• Coming home to find my sister had washed up for me

Isn’t it funny how some tasks seem mammoth, washing up is one such task in my head, I get up in the morning and just stare, thinking, I haven’t got the time, it’ll have to wait till I get back.  That one good gesture truly lifted me when I came home.

Had a couple of tasty meals yesterday, I finished off the teriyaki chicken for breakfast, had it in the last flatbread, that’s the thing about only having yourself to feed, everything comes in packets of 4 or 6 and I don’t want to be freezing bits of everything (I know moms here and I do feed her but she doesn’t always eat as much or the same things as me).

Lunch was something we did both enjoy though, giant 5sp crumpets soaked in egg then dry fried with a bit of WW cheese and topped on the plate with a dry fried egg -

we had that with mushrooms and onions, simple and delicious and very, very filling.

All of that was good, yesterday was good all round to be honest, and no negatives that I can think of at all, I like days like that. 

If you’ve got some time today why don’t you start a sunshine list, a list of things in your life that you’re grateful for, things that make your sun shine and make you happy.  Life is too good not to take time to acknowledge all the good stuff in our worlds.  Actually you know what I’m going to stop typing here and copy and paste a sunshine list I’ve just found on my computer, read it is you like or just go and start your own, I’m going to read it before I post this blog;

My Sunshine List
- Herons - I love them, I know lots of people don't, I know they eat your fish but they are just so majestic, every time I see one I smile, they lift my spirits instantly and I have a good day.  For that I am truly grateful.

- My mom - what can I say, I know she should have come before the herons! However loving and being grateful for the most important person in my life goes without saying - although it shouldn't and we should all tell those we love - how much we love them and often!  So go on, go tell someone you love them!

- Lucy - what a lovely little dog she is, she's bought so much love and laughter into our house with her playfulness.  Even now she's getting old she still manages to run crazy from room to room on occasion.  (this list was obviously written over 8 years ago as that’s how long it’s been since we lost her, Alfie would be on this list now of course, completely different personality, he’s the first dog I’ve reared myself from puppy and he’s a nightmare – but he’s my nightmare and I love him mostly!)

- My siblings - We may not have always got on but I love each and every one of my brothers and my sister, they helped to make me the person I am today.  Mostly because they picked on me ;-) no seriously, we are all so different and yet so alike.  Some I see more than others but I know if ever I was stuck, I could call anyone of them and they'd be there for me.  How lucky am I to be from a family with 5 children.

- My dad - although he's dead, I learnt a great deal from him, mainly what not to do!
He did make me realise we are all products of our environment and can't always help who we become, unless we try hard enough to change. 

- My friends - and baby do I have some really good ones, I'm not going to list them in case I miss one out (I only have a little brain!).  The beauty of getting older is you collect good friends along the way, you become mature enough to realise its ok to lose a few over the years, some friends need to be lost because they weren't very good friends to start with - other friends just move on with their lives.  I'm grateful for all of them because they've all helped me grow and added value to my life.

- My members - they make my work life amazing, I love to go to work every day, how many people get to say that.  They inspire me with their determination and make me feel warm and loved.  Thanks.

Less serious sunshine things (written in the order they spring to my mind!);
- donor kebabs (mmm - can't believe this was the first thing that came to mind!),
- red wine (double mmm),
- sunrises & sunsets,
- trees (I love trees, especially in winter when they shed their leaves &you can see the amazing branches),
- beaches, I love Pembroke shire
- mountains, can't beat Wales
- forests, Cannock Chase is fabulous
- spotting a deer in the woods when you’re out for a walk,
- taking a great photo,
- a good book,
- learning something new,
- getting a phone call or an email from an old friend,
- the smell of cut grass,
- my mom talking to herself in the bathroom when I'm trying to go to sleep,
- one of my mom’s brain numbing tales of what happened whilst she was walking the dog!  (Oh how I’d love to hear one of those again, she hasn’t walked the dog for over 12 months now L)
- tarot cards (fascinating),
- reiki (relaxing),
- affirmations (motivating),
- quotes (inspiring),
- little toddlers (when they’re not crying - this will surprise most because I'm always shouting at them in meetings, but I do like them, just don't want one)
- a good massage or facial
- card making (I love to get creative and this is a new pastime)  (Haven’t done this for a long time)
- Whales - I've been obsessed with them since I was about 10 and got to see my first when I was in my 20's, in 2004 I finally achieved my ambition of seeing a Blue Whale - the most amazing sight of my life.
- My legs - you can't get very far without them!
- Cycling - can't beat racing down a hill at 30mph (as long as you don't fall off cos that hurts) (Been a long time since I did this too, life changes, it can change again)
- Getting a text from my brother Ian, cos it always makes me smile (he's silly!)
- Music - I love listening to my ipod
- A good movie
- A long, hot, bubble bath with a good book & glass of wine on a Sunday - can't be beaten for relaxation.
- A quick shower to wake you up on a Monday morning!
- A cup of tea - need I say more!
- A pint of lager on a hot summer’s day outside a pub when you've been for a walk along the canal.
- birdsong at 5am on a sunny day. Too early to get up but at least you can go back to sleep after you've cussed the birds for waking you!
- Squirrels - they're so cute to watch.
- Foxes - cunning but great survivors.  Natures a wonderful thing if you appreciate it.
- My car - I couldn't get to all the wonderful places I do without it.
- My job - that pays for all those wonderful journeys I make.
- My memories - life's nothing without them.
- Flowers - nothing brightens a room like a huge bunch of flowers.
- Chicken Chow Mein - now there's a take away!
- My bed - it's so comfortable.
- My curiosity - I love that I love to learn and try new things.
- Toast dripping with butter!
- The scales saying you weigh in at your goal weight (because you didn't eat the toast!)  (MMM maybe that’ll happen again one day!)
- Car stickers - some of them are really funny
- People who DON'T use their mobile phone whilst driving, as people who do are very silly and risking lives.
- People who DON'T drink and driver for the same reasons as above!
- Singing at the top my voice in my car - damn I sound good!
- fluffy white clouds in a pale blue sky.
- The moon when it’s full in a clear night sky.
- Smell of bacon sarnies (as requested by Katie)
- Susie (cat) for adding brightness to my day.  (She’s no longer with us either, but now I have the cat that’s not my cat to make me smile in a morning)

 Ain't life great when you stop and think about the wonderful things that make it so!  I'm going to add to my list now because I’m going to take the time to stop and think how my life has changed but how there are different things to make my sun shine and supply the good xx

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it. - Unknown

 Have a lovely day BeYOUtiful xx

Here's to a good day

27^th January 2018

Don’t ruin a good day by thinking about a bad yesterday. Let it go.

Ooo woke at half four feeling great then went back to sleep until the alarm which scared me to death and now it’s gonna take a little time to get myself alert this morning, I’m on the water though and will follow up with a mug of tea.  I love this time of week, knowing that I’m only a morning away from a couple of days off, I do love my meetings but these days I love chilling with my mom watching tv and crocheting, getting me a tidy pile of squares, enjoying that bit, I’ll endure the sewing it all together bit because I know the finished effort will be worth it.

That’s a little like weight loss isn’t it, we love the weight loss results at the scales, we endure having to stay on track continually but the finished effort when we achieve our goals is so worth it.

More positivity in the meetings last night, sadly a couple that needed the meeting talk didn’t stay, I’m not allowed to lock em in though!  We all left feeling better and ready for our weeks.  I even went home and cooked a proper tea, these were my delicious meals yesterday;

11sp of delicious avocado, bacon medallions, flatbread, sweet chilli tomatoes, mushrooms, spring onions & eggs

 

Small bowl of pot of love – 4sp

Teriyaki chicken and microwave chips 11sp

This is my recipe, it’s a base you can mess with it and add more of anyone of it, I usually add more stock, I used white rice too this time.  It would have been nice with parsnips in it, I kept thinking I’ve cooked this before but it tasted different, I think it needs to stand and be reheated later.  Having said that it’s just reminded me of an old favourite - a delicious dish I need to cook again soon, chicken and bacon casserole, I’ll put that recipe underneath.

A Pot of Love

24sp total, Serves 4, 6sp per serving (I got 5 or 6 servings out of mine)

1 tbsp olive oil (5sp)
2 onions, chopped
3 crushed cloves garlic
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp curry powder
½ tsp cinnamon
4 sliced carrots
100g dried lentils
200g brown rice (19sp)
500ml stock
1 diced apple (unpeeled)
4 sliced spring onions

In a saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat; cook onions, garlic, cumin, curry powder and cinnamon, stirring often, for about 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in carrots, lentils and rice; cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute. Pour in stock and bring to the boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until rice and lentils are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir in the apple and spring onions, then cook, covered, for 5 minutes or until the spring onions are heated through.

Chicken & Bacon Casserole serves 4, 26 total, 6sp each or 5sp if using lentils

Calorie controlled cooking spray                                    

4 skinless chicken breasts
1 large onion, chopped                                                    

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
4 rashers fat trimmed unsmoked bacon medallions, chopped (2sp)
250 g (9oz) carrots, peeled and chopped
300 g (10½ oz) parsnips, chopped (8sp)
150 g (5½oz) dried brown rice (14sp) (you could use 100g rice 50g lentils & save 1sp per serving)
500 ml (18 fl oz) chicken stock (make using 3 oxo cubes) (2sp)
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Put oven on gas mark 4ish

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

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

I’m going to make that this weekend, try it with the lentils, might even throw some black beans in – get proper adventurous!

Time for that cuppa and getting ready for my day.  Here are my 3 good things from yesterday,

1. I got two gifts from 2 lovely ladies, really thoughtful ones too
2. The washing up didn’t take as long as I thought it was going to!
3. My teriyaki chicken tea, forgot how good it was and have to say the chicken I used was so good, goes to show where you buy stuff from does matter.

Here’s to staying solid, I know it’s Saturday but we can do it!  Have a solid strong Saturday BeYOUtiful.

Flex food and success - YES!

26^th January 2018

Every day may not be good but there’s good in every day.

What an incredible day at the scales it was yesterday, 220lb in total shed, just incredible, we’re 18lb shy of 2,000lb already in January, that’s amazing, just amazing!  I’m seeing plenty of smiles too, I’m not going to lie not everyone is smiling, we’re not all losing but if it was easy, we’d all be slim.  We are however focusing on the good as a gang this week, all my members are spending sometime in the meetings (and hopefully afterwards) thinking about the good stuff and I’m really enjoying hearing it and reading it in the group.

 www.weightwatcherslocal.co.uk

And if you’re still to rejoin a meeting, there’s a flash sale on this weekend, 40% off a 3 month meetings and online membership, how great it that, you get 3 months for under £40 – that makes me and any other coach a bargain and let’s be honest we all know that yeah Flex is fabulous but Weight Watchers works because of that group support, I’ve seen so much of it over the last few weeks, when someone is upset, there’s always a comforting hand nearby.   Part of the joy of being a coach is watching someone go from feeling low to flying high, I’ve seen a lot of that since the launch of Flex, members who were struggling last year are now loving flex and doing fantastically well, Nicky last night got her 2 stone and told me she's dancing all the time now, Michelle got her stone and a half, that’s just two that spring to mind. 

One lady who will agree that WW works because of the group support is Pam, she celebrated 4 years at goal this week, she joined 5 years ago and has lost 6 stone, 35% of her body weight gone forever.  Pam only misses meetings if she’s on holiday, every week she’s there on the front row enjoying every minute of her hour, actually it’s more than an hour for her as she comes early most weeks – there’s so much to catch up on with the other members!

Another lady who was doing fab was Stacey, she lost 5 stone because she wanted so badly to have a baby and it worked, yesterday she posted to say she lost the weight to get her miracle baby and now she was back to lose her weight again, having done her first stone yesterday, her words, “I did this to get her, now I'm doing it for her to have a happy healthy mommy!”  We all have our reasons, work out your WHY and keep it close by.

Despite a very busy day, I had another 3 good meals yesterday, I made cheesy beans for breakfast using the WW grated cheese that I’d bought, for lunch I used up the last wrap out of that tortilla kit I’d had and topped it with some tomato puree, tomato, mushroom, onion and cheese to make a pizza wrap.  Then for tea I had similar to last night, donor meat (I put it on a skewer on my George Foreman), served it with the flatbread, coleslaw mix with some mint and yogurt, it was good.

I’ve now stopped paying attention to my blog if I’m honest, I’m now messing about on the internet looking for recipe ideas, I’m thinking about doing cook demo’s in my meeting next week so looking for inspiration.

I’m gonna get off and focus on one thing at a time, looking forward to catching up with my Essington members later but until then I think I might need to have a play around in the kitchen, test a couple of ideas.  Yay did I mention yesterday was payday – whoop whoop!

Here’s to a fabulous FLEXtastic Friday, we got this BeYOUtiful!