Strangely, the reason I have not been on for a while is that i was doing really well and didn't really feel like I needed it. But over Christmas I simply abandoned all thought of diets and exercise. And now, I refuse to beat myself up about it. I simply start again. WI isn't until Monday, and that is when I'll get going again properly, but I'm starting my prep today. Have made some soup which will be for lunches next week. I have all my diet recipe books out and am about to start planning meals for next week properly. Have decided that I'm not going to do a weekly shop this week, but am going to go every day at lunch time and get the ingredients for the eta. I realise this seems a bit backwards but I'm hoping this will minimise waste as we are kinda skint.
On nicer news, we had some exciting news yesterday. My OH's parents, as a treat for his 30th in Jan, are paying for us to go to Canada to visit his bro and new niece! A trip to canada, I mean, that is really amazing. We had both been resigned to not seeing the baby until Xmas next year so the news that we will see her in April has really perked us both up. Its also given me something to aim for. I would love to be 1 stone lighter by then. So that is my target. I could also do with trying to up my fitness a bit for walks etc and probably working in their garden.
I've been reflecting today on just how difficult it is to fit a diet around everyday life, and it's got me wondering if anyone else feels the same.
For the first 3 weeks of this diet I've not been working (I've been not working since Feb, long story). I had loads of time to plan meals, prepare food and make good decisions. However, This week I've gone back to teaching and i'm finding it very difficult to think about how I'm going to fit everything in.
On top of the work thing, my weekends are very busy, I'm struggling to even fit in a weekly shop.
Having time to make meals is so much easier when you are not working. I have planned a menu for the week, but many of the things take a while to make, and I know after a full day at work my mind will try and convince me just to make something "easy" (read: fattening) or something from the takeaway. Having to stand for an additional 30 mins to an hour will certainly not appeal.
On top of that there is the problem of lunches, perhaps this is more a problem of needing inspiration. Its really difficult for me to think of low fat thngs that i can tak for a packed lunch. I'm thinking 0 point soup in a flask most days but I will quickly get sick of that! When I used to work I took microwave meals or went to the local sarnie shop. Cant do that now.
I'm really trying not to set myself up to fail, but it's going to be a hard few weeks until I get used to this. How do you guys fit everything in? (Don't even mention exercise or housework, another 5 hours in the day would be lovely
Finally gone back to work. After being on the sick since last feb and then actually finishing my job in September I've been unemployed far longer than I would like. But I've Finally been picked up for supply teaching and I could not be happier. Its reignited my love of teaching, which I thought had gone forever.
However, I'm bloody shattered. I've done 2.5 days this week plus 1 day and 1 evening (till 9.30) working at the football. Which really isn't all that much but when you've done very very little for bestpart of a year, Jesus it;s hard. Any ideas at all about going to the gym this week have been completely forgotton and I cant really imagine even thinking about it next week, need some time to get used to this.
In other news, have not been weighed (wi on mon) but I can certainly see a difference in my trousers. BF says that I'm losing from my hips but not from my stomach so I need to try and work on doing some tummy stuff I guess. Had a really good ww week this week, 12 points saved so far. Went a bit off track today and ordered pizza for tea, but I had the points for it so I'm not worrying too much.
YAY, after a week of trying really really hard I had a 4lb loss last night! So proud of me. But, I must say I've worked really hard for it. Had a bit of a treat last night, went to McDonalds on the way to Roleplay and had a Big Mac meal, not even working out the points, it was my treat!
But today is back to the grind. Had an egg and cress sarnie for lunch and when I checked the points it was 6.5!!! What a waste, but nevermind, its all I've had all day.
Tea this evening is salmon and a selection of roast and steamed veg. I've never cooked salmon before so I have no idea how it will turn out, or even if I will like it, but we can but see.
Spent all weekend having fun with mates, which is a recipe for bad eating.
Went walking in the forest on Sat, had the common sense to make a packed lunch so lunch was good (salad and chicken kebabs, about 4 points total). Also have to consider that in total I walked for 8 hours, need to work out the bp's for that.
However.... tea time (in a break from the walking) went to KFC, not good, not even thinking about the points.
Sunday we went to the pub for lunch. I had a burger with salad, which in a way is good as I would usually have chips, so I still got to have what I wanted but made sensible cuts.
But then... tea... We got take away so I had kebab and chips.... grrrrr, how annoying is my lack of willpower. Didn't eat all of it but thats not the point. WI tonight, I really hope that hasn't ruined a great week
Yesterday my BF declared it MY day. Meaning that I got his attention ALL day, no work or anything and we could do whatever I wanted. He woke me up with a yummy bacon sarnie (Lean bacon and ww bread) then took me out shopping where he bought me a lovely hat, scarf and gloves to match my new coat and to keep me warm later that evening, then for a coffee (lite) in starbucks then to Chiquitos for tea (was quite surprised how low in points I could make this with careful choices). Then, best bit, he took me to a HUGE bonfire and fireworks display. Was so nice and something I've wanted to do every year for ages. However, He got doughnuts and I tried really hard to resis but cracked in the end and had 2, overall I ended up 9 points over on the day.
Not too bad, I told myself, as I'd saved 4 points the day before. BUT, today I knew I was going for lunch with the girls. Really expected to sabotage myself. But i stayed strong. Had tomato soup to start (skipped the bread) and pasta with a tomato sauce for the main course, diet drinks and skipped desert. Then I went straight from there to the gym. At the mo I'm 4 points under my limit (not including the points I earned, I could still eat them I suppose), feeling a little hungry but I'm not sure if thats just because I'm home alone with nobody to talk to. Trying to resist as I really want to bank those points to make up for the day before.
Also, have (another) potentially bad weekend coming up, but as long as I prepare in advance I should be ok.
Even though I was feeling really poorly yesterday (poor me) I did really well with my food. Made a lovely stuffed Chicken from the ww cook book. Stuck WELL under my points which makes me feel a little better about last weeks bender. It especially amazes me as usually when I'm ill I eat all kinds of crap.
Today, aiming to be 4 points under, so that I can go out for an italian with some mates on Thursday. Getting a horrible craving for Chips, which is not good, but I do have some ww oven chips in the freezer so may have a few of them for lunch.
2 oranges for breakfast, some lemonade. Good so far
Just realised its the start of a new month, so thought I'd set myself some targets this month, something easyish but that are small changes that will make a difference. So....
I will go to the gym at least twice a week
I will drink at least 1l of water each day
I will stick to my points 5 days per week.
I'm saying 5 days for the points as that means that I can save some and have a couple of slightly splurgy days. Obviously in an ideal world I will stick to points 7 days but I'm trying to be realistic.
On Tues we got stuck in town by traffic so decided to eat in town, so we went to Harry Ramsdens and had fish and chips. We said we would make up for it by going to the gym and cutting back 4 points a day. Wed we went to the gym and ate sensibly. Thursday we were rushing around preparing for a friends wedding, by the end of the day we were both shattered so had an indian so I didn't need to cook. Then on Friday was the wedding with lots of food and drink. Sat we were at a halloween party with lots of drink and snacky food.
It's also my TOTM so I feel really fat and bloated and low. And on top of that my asthma is really bad so I'm not sleeping well which is making me feel crap and sorry for myself... Blaaaahhhhhhhh.
But, anyway, I'm back on the wagon today, even though I'm curled up on the settee feeling sorry for myself. So far had a low fat yogurt, some turkey ham, some low fat crisps and a iced coffee (yum). Not going to wi today as I feel too bad to leave the house.
Oooh, Think I might put a piccie of the halloween party up, if I can get it to work...
Me and Jay, AKA Little Dead Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf
Having just checked out someone else's blog I had an idea, why not use my blog to share my fav recipes? So, this is what I'm making for tea tomorrow, it is an absolute fav of my bf and Sooooooo easy to make its insane.
Thai Beef Stir Fry
Serves: 4 Ready in: 10 mins Points: 3/serving
Ingredients
2 tsp veg oil 400g beef strips 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped 2 tbsp soy sauce Handful of basil leaves
Step 1 Heat wok until it is smoking, add the oil and swish round
Step 2 Tip in the beef strips and the chilli
Step 3 Cook, stirring all the time until the meat is browned (aprox 3 mins)
Step 4 Add the soy sauce and cook until heated through
Step 5 Top with basil leaves
I serve it with rice or with roast veg (not included in the point count). As I say my bf loves it, hopefully some of you guys will too.
