You can't beat witnessing the happy dance at the scales!

25^th June 2014

Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder. Rumi

You know you’re getting old when you can’t read a label without letting your eyes focus and when you sit down to write your blog and you can’t remember what you had for lunch the day before without checking Facebook first!  Yep that’s me this morning, my body may have woke up when the alarm went off at 5am but my brain is still thinking about it and my eyes too!  So what did we have for lunch yesterday, I remember brown rice and chargrilled veggies, oh yeah we had turkey breast steaks which I cooked in those maggi garlic paper things, I didn’t have to look, it came back to me, I really had to think though – oh man, senior moments are suddenly the norm. 

So yes that worked those Maggi paper cooking things seem to work with any meat/fish you can fry, I still haven’t tried using them in my George Foreman but I reckon they’d work in that too.  For tea I used up the last turkey steak and the leftover veggies and made toasties in my George, that worked well too.

I did a few hours work Monday with the intention of having an hour in the garden yesterday afternoon!  That didn’t happen ;) but I was enjoying what I was doing in my office so I wanted to get it done, I made myself stop to cook something though and eat it and it’s amazing what you can do in under an hour.  I’ve just took some salmon out of the freezer for today, thinking that with stuffed mushrooms for lunch, mmm nom nom. 

I’ve just seen a recipe for turkey burgers in mushroom gravy, that looks absolutely delicious http://loriesmississippikitchen.com/2014/06/turkey-burgers-in-mushroom-gravy.html I may have to do something based around this at some point, it looks delicious! 

I love how you can find ideas and inspiration from almost everywhere if you look, that’s why I absolutely love my Weight Watcher meetings because you can’t beat getting together a group of like-minded people in one place for one purpose.  It’s the easiest way to get ideas and inspiration, Jean Nidetch was a clever lady when she came up with that idea for sure!  Oh and of course not forgetting the sharing of success, just one example last night one lovely member went to get on the scales, she so wanted to be 11st something and the damn scales said 12st bang on, so there was a dash to the toilet, a removal of socks and pedometer and it flicked to just under, everybody in that room was thrilled for her, not just us too, there were cheers all round – WHY? Because everyone in that room knew how she felt, everyone in that room could relate to the feelings she was experiencing, the psychological importance of that half pound.  Yeah, most Weight Watchers as some point in their journey will do the happy day at the scales, even the shy or reserved members will do it, maybe silently in the heads but they’re doing it!  

It’s what makes my job so satisfying, of course, it’s not always all smiles and celebrations because life gets in the way and we don’t always lose weight, sometimes we gain for one reason or another, sometimes we don’t lose and we don’t even know why.  I sat after my meeting yesterday morning with one such lady, she’d had a great week and hadn’t lost weight and of course she was gutted, I looked at her tracker, it was fine, so instead of sulking or giving up she sat with me and we chatted and we got to the bottom of it and she left smiling.  Success takes time and changes and realising it isn’t a straight path but the destination is most certainly worth all the effort.

Right I’m off because I have another full day of celebrating weight loss with wonderful people, does it get any better, hell yeah it does – the suns only shining too!

Have a great day BeYOUtiful!

Are you ready to attack the day..

24^th June 2014

A flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it, it just blooms.

I’m loving the sunshine and enjoyed spending a good few hours gardening yesterday, just checked on my Weight Watchers esource and an hour’s gardening earns me 4pp, I was out there at least 3 before I sat down to chill!  12pp doing something I enjoy, now that’s my kind of activity, it also takes me ages to water the plants every day, I do it with a watering can not a hose pipe so I have to keep walking back and forth to the tap.  I’d realised last week I needed to start moving more, that being busy had made me lazy from an activity point of view so I’m pleased that this week’s meeting topic is along the same lines – Weight Watchers must be physic!  I didn’t wear my pedometer yesterday because I couldn’t find it ;) but it’s already one today so I can work out how much I’m moving at the moment, the dog doesn’t seem to want to walk too much at all and if he does he wants mom to take him so I’ve lost that exercise. 

Monday’s is normally my day off once I’ve done a couple of hours first thing, however it got that hot on the afternoon I decided to get a bit more done so that if it’s nice today I can have an hours lunch and sit outside enjoying the sunshine, maybe I’ll get to do it Wednesday too, highly unlikely Thursday but you never know, it depends how long I want to work Friday doesn’t it.

I’m taking this Project Priority very seriously, it’s not just my eating habits that need looking at, its everything.  I need to put a few systems in place with my work, I think I need a bit of a timetable to make sure everything gets done, I think I need to be a little more organised, I have so much more going on these days and so many hobbies/projects that I need to get myself sorted so I can enjoy them all and one doesn’t get forgotten.

Our main meal was delicious yesterday, we had smoked haddock, mash, poached egg and spinach, I poached the haddock in milk, then poached the eggs in that milk once the fish was cooked, and also added a bit of the milk to the mash to make it creamier, all Filling & Healthy too.

To make sure I don’t drink more than I’ve planned alcohol wise because let’s be honest when the suns shining and you’re sitting in the garden, it’s very easy to partake in a beer or a glass of something, so to make sure I don’t, I’ve only bought what I planned to drink before I go shopping again.  Can’t drink what isn’t there!  I’ve also bought Becks Blue (alcohol free lager) because I love the taste of lager and it’s not a bad imitation, so I’m enjoying a bottle or two of that whilst I sit outside, and that’s only costing me 1pp for 2 bottles.

I’ve just taken today’s lunch out of the freezer, turkey steaks, I think I’ll cook them in those maggi parchment papers and maybe have with rice, then for tea I think a plate of wholewheat spaghetti, I’m really liking that at the moment, I don’t even need a sauce on it, just a bit of salt in the cooking water.

My bestie lives a 60 mile round trip hence we do most of our chatting via messenger and yesterday afternoon we had a good giggle and I realised again this is something that gets missed when we’re both ‘too busy’ another reason Project Priority is crucial, a ten minute online chat with my bestie having a giggle is better than a few pints of lager ;-) and it has the same effect.

Also booked to go and see Wicked in August with my other bestie yesterday because again, making time for those that are important in your life is crucial and unfortunately because of life being so hectic, fun things like this have gone out the window.  

Yes I feel so much better starting this week than I did last week and that’s because I have decided things need to change, have I changed everything already?  No, but that decision to change is more than enough to make me feel like I can get on top of it all.

Right I’ve a car to load and a day of work to get ready for, didn’t go to bed till gone 11 (check me out!) but I don’t feel too tired to be honest, bet I’m dead by Thursday!

Have a great day BeYOUtiful, enjoy the sunshine, stay hydrated and get out there for a little vitamin D, even if it’s only for ten minutes, tis good for you.

Who's up for an awesome week?

23^rd June 2014

When everything feels like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top. 

Normally I write my blogs in the morning but its 10.16pm and I can't sleep... I've had a good day, went to meet my new area team, I was the only leader from my old area but I instantly felt part of this new team and the meeting passed really quickly.  I had to do a ten minute presentation on social media and I was last up, who’s paying attention after sitting in a scorching hot room for a few hours on what would normally be there day off!   Let’s hope the heard a little of what I say, I think I woke up back up a little anyways. One thing I definitely came away believing even more than when I arrived is that Together is Better - no one knows everything, we can all learn from each other, everyone has their strengths and by pooling those together you can put together an incredible force!  Whether it be a work team, a Weight a Watcher meeting, whatever, Together is Better. 

When I got home I spent a few hours chilling up the garden before cooking dinner and then watched Big Brother, what a group of crazy folk they are!  Together sure doesn't seem to be better in that madhouse. 

So now I'm lying in bed and I'm only a little tired because I think I had too much coffee earlier and not enough red wine this evening - on track and in the zone ain't I ;)

I feel 100% better this weekend than last, amazing what some healthy food and some down time can do for the way you feel.  I plan to do some gardening tomorrow after giving Alfie a good walk because moving more matters too.

We had tandoori salmon and actifry chips for tea, those Weight Watcher marinades are very nice.  Breakfast was a ham toastie, I had fruit today too, check me out, fruit proves I’m in the zone, lunch was a ham sandwich so I need to think more about meals when I'm out and about, all that breads not great, overall though my diet this weekend has been much improved.
 
Yes my first weekend of Project Priority went very well and it's evident to me that almost everyone I know could do with getting onboard with this idea. We all seem so busy and there's constantly more and more we could be doing!  Work smarter not harder I've heard a lot lately, so maybe I'll have a look at ways to do that next. Not tomorrow though because its Momday Monday and we shall mostly be chilling together, I'd try to get her out but I think it's too warm so instead I'll sit her in the shade and bring her tea ;) whilst making up some pretty planters up.
Right I think I'm ready to sleep now, it'll be morning when I post this, so whenever it is, as always BeYOUtiful xx

---

It’s now morning, had a very restless night, I couldn’t sleep then Alfie couldn’t sleep he’s had me out of bed a few times, think the weathers affecting him too, not to worry, I’ve managed to get some sleep and now I’m ready for an enjoyable day doing things I enjoy so I can rest whenever.  He wouldn’t even walk when I just offered to take him!  

Before I finish I want you to ask yourselves these questions if you are trying to lose weight because I had to answer them yesterday, and think about the answer don’t just ignore them, they really helped to reinstill my reasons for me.

What do you find challenging when trying to lose weight?

Why is it important for you to lose weight?

What would you like to achieve (with your weight loss)?

So there’s something to think about BeYOUtiful. make the answers and your Monday worthwhile xx

Project Priority WORKS!

22^nd June 2014

You aren't being lazy when you take time for yourself. Rest prepares you to be more productive.  Marilyn Suttle.

Project Priority 100% working, I’m back to my usual self, it really is all about balance of work and life for me, if I work too many hours, I really notice the difference because I already do enough for me.  So yesterday I tidied the kitchen before going for my massage so one routine task done then after that I had my 4 hour pamper session at the Chi Rooms I’m now all smooth and chilled and I have painted toe nails.  Went straight from there to garden centre to get me a few more plants which I shall put in tomorrow as that’s Mom day, then sat for most of the rest of the day in the garden – just chilling.

Today however I’m at work, we have an area meeting – our first actually as a new area so I better get this typed up quickly as I have to shower, dress, load my car and pick someone up at half 8.

My eating has gone back to healthy too which is the norm when I’m happy – I even used on of the Weight Watchers trackers to write it all down on yesterday, my day ended like this;

Char-grilled vegetable omelette 5pp

Ham, spread, cucumber on 2 slices wholemeal bread 6pp

2 bottles of becks blue 1pp

Chicken and vegetable kebabs, asparagus, wholegrain pilau rice 9pp

Wine 9pp

Slice of bread and ham 3pp

Milks in drinks 1pp

Total 34pp

I’m pleased with that!   Yep, I don’t stay down for long, if I notice my mood or my life changing in a direction I’m not keen on, I do something about it as soon as possible – life’s too short to be stressed when you can do something about it.

I highly recommend the frozen Char-grilled vegetables from Sainsbury’s, they’re very versatile and two bags for £2.50.  I don’t recommend leaving a can of pepsi in the freezer to cool down quickly then forgetting it’s there, woke up to a slightly ajar freezer covered in exploded coke – oops ;-) 

Hey ho these things come to remind us to pay attention! 

Right I’m off, wanna sort myself out.  Have a super Sunday all, stay BeYOUtiful and remember you can do this, check out this facebook post from last night in my group#

“Went shopping for trousers today and I came home with size 12! Me in a size 12! Unbelievable! Size 28 is a long distant memory to me now ;)”

And another;

“Omg I'm wearing a pair of jeans that I brought 11 years ago.. used them about two times and they got to tight never been able to wear them again until today... so pleased and chuffed they also have a one in front of them and not a two xxx” 

Or this one;

“holiday clothes shoppin 2day and I went into a shop that only go up a 20 - said to my other half "i'll never get in a 20". Tried a lovely dress on and not only fit but looked quite nice!! Happy days. I know 20 is massive BUT it’s all on the way down and I feel fab so that's the main thing xx”

Anything’s possible if you put your mind to it and it’s not all about the final destination, it’s the journey that counts - make yours a great one BeYOUtiful. xx