Wednesday 18th January 2012 - The one where I cant be bothered to eat

Breakfast:
X 4 Belvita Breakfast Biscuits: 6PP

Lunch:
X 1 WeightWatchers Bagel: 4PP
X 2 Tbs ELF Cream Cheese: 2PP
X 1 Rhubarb Mullerlight: 3PP

Dinner:

X 1 Portion Sausage & Mustard Plait: 10PP
150g New Potatoes: 3PP
Roasted Veg with 1Tsp Olive Oil: 1PP

Snacks:

X 1 Costa Medio Skinny Cappuccino: 1PP
WeightWatchers Hot Chocolate: 1PP

Total points:  31PP

Total Earned: 2PP

Challenges:
Still not eating quite right. Waaay under points yesterday ate unnecessary mini Toblerone just so it didn’t look quite so bad.  Also under points today as well but not by so much, forced myself to eat at lunch time, I regularly tell people off for not eating their points so feeling rather hypercritical at the mo. Didn't really eat a proper lunch, not that I didn't have the opportunity but because 'I couldn't be bothered'. The idea of fruits and veggies are turning my stomach. Refined carbohydrates are what my body is after, preferably in the form of cake or crusty white rolls. Obviously not bad in themselves but I'd rather not get into the habit. I wish I had someone to look after me, and then I would have someone to question my dietary choices. This reminds me, I have a blog post brewing about losing weight when single, it's not all fun and games you know lol.
 
Achievements:
I never thought I would say this on here, but my achievement is eating!  I’ve gone from a food monster to a faster in less than a week.  Weird.
 
Tomorrow:
Busy day, worried I may skip lunch again. The only reason I am eating anything that is vaguely breakfast related is that I have got those Belvita Breakfast Biscuits (seriously who thinks Biscuits are an appropriate food for breakfast?! Other than Lisa Snowdon obviously!) And it feels just like eating regular biscuits.

I’ve planned so I should stick to it, I suppose at least my lack of appetite should result in a loss this week!  I just don’t want it to become a habit, its not healthy.

Verdict:  Looking forward to getting back to my old self

Sunday 8th January 2012 - The one where I get weighed and regret that Apple Strudel

Breakfast:
X 1 WeightWatchers Dark Chocolate & Orange Bar:  3PP

Lunch:
X 1 Costa Skinny Cappuccino: 1PP
X 1 Costa Banana Breakfast Loaf: 11PP

Dinner:

X 1 M&S Chicken Arrabbiata: 12PP

Snacks:

X 1 Greggs Chocolate Doughnut: 10 PP
X 4 Toblerone Mini’s: 8PP

Points used today:  45PP

Weekly Points used: 12PP

Activity Points Earned: 1PP – A walk up the hill and a pootle round town.

Weigh In Result:  +1/2 Lb – Today was my first weigh in at my meeting since Christmas.  I should have been really pleased (I had been prepared for a +3Lbs) but I felt really unhappy as I though I should of lost.  However I have shaken myself out of it, it was my fault for eating such a big meal the night before weigh in and polishing chocolate, apple pie & cream, bacon sandwiches, apple strudel and after eights!  I think that’ll be the delayed hangover kicking in.

Challenges:

I usually make the excuse that as it’s a Sunday I can pig out.  I then usually use all of my weeklies before the week as begun, but not today.  I made a conscious effort to have a treat but not to use them all.  It has been difficult as my Mum has bought me a whole packet of Toblerone Mini’s, but I have had 4 (8PP) and that is enough at the moment, I may have one or 2 more but that is most definitely it!

Achievements:

Only ½ on over Christmas and New Year!  Considering some of the gains I saw/heard at today’s meeting (12 Lbs!) I feel positively saintly.  I am on it this week and without the mistake of eating all my weeklies in one sitting!

Tomorrow:

Planned tomorrows meals, ingredients are in the fridge defrosting.  It’s back to normal this Monday so a long and busy day, therefore PP earned and banked for the weekend!

Verdict:  Good day, and despite my previous negativity a good weigh in a good weigh in.  The meeting was very busy with 17 new members and a positive vibe.  I love my meeting, so many great people and such a mixture of ages and backgrounds.  It’s the people that make’s it worth getting up for on a Sunday morning.

Ready for the rest of the week!

Thursday 5th Jan 2012 - The one where I feel saintly

Breakfast:
X 1 Müllerlight Strawberry: 3PP
 
Lunch:
X 1 Wholemeal Bagel: 6PP
X 1 portion of Chicken and bacon sandwich filler: 3PP
X 1 Apple: 0PP
 
Dinner:
X 1 Portion of White Rice: 6PP
X 1 Portion of Peas: 2 PP
X 1 Chicken & Vegetable Ragu Thingy I made up: 5PP

Snacks:
X 1 WeightWatchers Mini Roll: 3 PP
X 1 Costa Skinny Cappuccino: 1PP
1/4 Pint Skimmed Milk - For tea: 1PP
X 1 Fudge Bar: 3PP
 
Points Used: 33
Points Earned: 4 - Still rocking that pedometer action
 
Challenges:
Going for coffee! Oh the cakes and biscuits look good, and as soon as I have resolved that I shall be having coffee alone, the barista asks the question "any cakes or pastries with that?" and it makes me question my resolve. But I didn't break!

Achievements:
My will power. I have had the option to have a BIG door step sandwich for lunch, I said no and stuck to my bagel. I had the choice of having Indian take away, I said no. I had the choice of having a a cake with my coffee, I said no. Rocking the plan for a second day running.

Tomorrow:
Heading out for my sisters Birthday and it's all a bit last minute. I pigged out on Sunday (you know last day of the holidays and all) and used most of my weeklies so I don't have a safety net. I have made a decision to go for Malibu and diet coke (the very thought of vodka makes me feel ill) and I have budgeted for 5. Unfortunately I am also not sure what I'll be having at dinner so I am not sure what the damage is going to be points wise.  I am going to aim for a fruit laden lunch, and skip the bagel and aim for some thing a bit less pointy. I really don't want to undo all of the good I have done over the last week. Fingers crossed.

Verdict: gooood!

Tuesday 8th November 2011 – Day 10 – The one where I am really greatful for my Costa points... Free (ish) drinks

Tuesday 8^th November 2011
Breakfast:
Mini Cheddars: 7PP
Costa Skinny Hot Chocolate: 3PP

Lunch:
Melon Chunks: 0PP
Mango Chunks: 0PP
x1 Ski Strawberry Yogurt: 2PP

Dinner:

Rice & Vegetable Pilaf: 7PP
Roasted Vegetable & Goats Cheese Plait: 9PP

Snacks:

x7 Refreshers: 1PP
x1 Small Skinny Cappuccino: 1PP
x1 WeightWatchers Chocolate & Vanilla Biscuit: 2PP

Points used today: 32... Yay

Weekly Points used: 0
Activity Points Earned: 5... Another day of being a walking machine, again in the rain

Challenges: Actually a straightforward day, for once, OK I needed to say no to cakes and pastries but i didn't have enough Costa points anyway. I also needed to resist the delights in the Poplar farm shop, but I chose a veggie pie for tea, and not massively pointy either, I just said no the the luscious cup cakes.

Achievements: Guess who is on points today? That'll be me! Usually I tend to spread my weeklies over the week, but I NEED some booze on the weekend so I am going to go easy on them... That's if my ever so flaky friends don't let me down AGAIN.

Tomorrow: Another busy day tomorrow, actually most of my weekdays are busy, I am actually in the office for the chunk of the day, which means snacking, and also as its Wednesday its sandwich day.

I've got a fave sandwich of tuna mayo and red onion, which as fillings go from the lighthouse is one of the lowest options, I've got fruit to go with it. It'll make a change to have a big lunch, and will mean that I won't need a snack before I head off to Zumba... Yes thats right I am making my return, its sooo needed and that 11BP I'll earn will aint to bad either.

Verdict: Wow I've eaten allot of vegetables today... I'll pay for that tomorrow

Sunday 6th November 2011 – Day 8 – The one when I talk about the meeting and weigh in

Gosh, it’s been a week. I have blogged every day, nothing terribly exciting mind you, but I have blogged. I have to say in many respects it has worked. I am far more conscious of what I am eating now as I am going to have to broadcast it to the world! To admit I had a skanky McDonald's made me feel a little bit ashamed, as I know how bad it is for you, but I suppose with everything moderation is the key.

So a summery of the week: Positive, Dehydrated, Good, Knackered, Grumpy, Caffeinated, Passive-Aggressive (I wouldn’t like to hang out with those Dwarfs)

Bonus Points Earned:  37 (I am a walking machine)

So drum roll please weigh in result is…….-1.5lbs

Today’s Meeting:

We have mainly been discussing...Food labeling...

I have to say not one of the most inspiring topics but useful all of the same. Not that we really talked too much about labels to tell you the truth.

Today we had a trainee leader, Angie, take the meeting, and it was great to meet her. She started off a little bit nervous, but you can see she has the potential to become a great leader. It was great to hear her story, she has lost 5st (70Lbs), and she looks fantastic, as this is the amount of weight I still have to lose it was really inspiring to find out about her weight loss journey.

Following on from the meeting last week on positivity, I started to think about how motivating other people’s journeys are. I did talk about using others as 'thinspiration' last week, but I did not realize how much of an impact following others weight loss journeys really has on me.

 

The new WW magazine has just come out, it is one of my 'must buys'. The first section I look at is the success stories, I find them so uplifting and reassuring that the plan works. The same for the website, I love looking at the success stories online, as well as people posting in the community how well they have done at their weigh in.

No matter how much I may enjoy them however, I do often find myself getting frustrated that the magazines will frequently feature people who have only* lost a moderate amount of weight and I would love a few more features on bigger losers, after all I have loads to lose and I want to see someone who reflects my journey. That is why I found it so inspiring to meet Angie today.

I found it reassuring that Angie was able to talk about the fact that not every thing about her weight loss was easy. That honesty, though for some may find off putting, I find refreshing and relatable. One of the things I love about my leader Suzanne is that she isn't perfect when it comes to WeightWatchers, and that she is going through the same ups and down as her members. This makes her so much more approachable and you know that when you discuss that you maybe struggling with her, that she has been through exactly the same situation. I don't think there is anything worse (when it comes to WeightWatchers, I know there are plenty of worse things in life) than a leader you cannot relate to.

Post Meeting sporting new Hat
Scarf and Gloves. Cute Huh! Lol

I am always on the look out for someone that can be a role model for me (I know it is a bit of a tough ask, 30, single, stupidly busy job, non-driver, PCOS sufferer, 5st to lose... Anyone?!?!...Didn't think so) but I suppose there are aspects of many people that I can take inspiration from even if they are not exactly like me in every respect.

So a big thank you to Angie and Suzanne, all of the folks on WeightWatchers online and in the magazine for sharing their success stories, for all of you on the community message boards sharing your highs and lows, for all of the members at my meeting and all of my WW buddies. Thanks to all of you for inspiring me to do better. One day I'll get there and hope to inspire you guys in return.

*I say only like its a bad thing! Please do not misconstrue my comment as dismissive to their journeys, any weight loss no matter how large or small is an achievement.

Sunday 6th November

Brunch:

x1 Costa Cappuccino & 1 Sugar: 2P
X1 Costa Banana & Pecan Breakfast Loaf: 11PP

Dinner:
x1 M&S Ciabatta Olive Roll: 7PP
x1 M&S Beef Lasagne: 18PP
x1 Belgian Bun (With no Cherry, what’s going on with that?!): 11PP

Snacks:
x1 WeightWatchers Chocolate & Vanilla Biscuit: 2PP

Points used: 51PP

Weekly Points used: 19 but not all of them babies

Points Earned: 0PP Mainly laying down...

Challenges:

Not to eat all of my weeklies! I mainly achieved this because it was sooo cold today (the first 'proper' day of Autumn) I left town without completing all of my shopping and couldn’t be bothered to head to the pound shop to stock up on snacks lol. Have been enjoying a lazy afternoon in my room watching a crap film snuggled under a fleece blanket. Bliss.


Achievements:
OK no pedometer today, certainly with the tightness of my dress that was not going to happen!

I did not eat all of my weeklies. I have enjoyed my treat of lasagne (considering I don’t like cheese I often wonder why I like it so much) and a cake, but I do not need to eat anything more.

I do not have anything planned socially over the next week (I seriously need to sort that shit out, I am starting to take it personally that my friends don't want to hang out with me) but I really want to save those points for some booze. I have not had a drink in I-don’t-know-how-long and with all of the work stress that I am under I am feeling the urge. However I hate drinking on my own so they may very well get spent on some Pizza next weekend.

Tomorrow:
Another day of stupid busyness, I am going to struggle to eat and drink for most of the day, however I have got dinner for tomorrow planned and ready to go therefore I am not going to use the 'well I haven't eaten all day' excuse to pig out on crap. Fingers crossed.

Verdict: Feeling better, and the most positive I have been for a while

Friday 4th November - Day 6 - The one where I get soaked in the rain and didn't go to the pub

Breakfast on the Train... Classy

Friday 4th November 

Breakfast:
X1 Ski Strawberry Yogurt: 2PP

Lunch:
X1 WeightWatchers BBQ Snacks: 2PP
X10 Cashew Nuts: 10PP

Dinner:
X6 Slices Pizza Hut Veggie Supreme Small Pizza: 18
X1 Tbs Garlic & Herb Dip: 1
X1 Can Pepsi Max: 0

Snacks:
X1 Rich Toffee Bar: 2PP
X1 Costa Medio Cappuccino & 1 Brown Sugar : 2PP
X2 Costa Chocolate Chunk Cookies: 4PP
X5 Almonds

Points used: 36
Weekly Points used: that'd be 0 as I used them all yesterday!
But had a couple of BP's
Points Earned: 8 - Nearly 7 miles today, mostly in rain

Challenges:
It's still fitting in Lunch with work. I don't have a 'set' time for lunch, and I travel loads during the day so when it is 'lunch time' I am often sitting on a bus or train somewhere in Essex. No one has really given me a solution for some thing that is portable, light and not messy. The only thing that has really worked for me in this respect is slim fast and I am definatley not going there again.

Achievements:
Still wearing the Pedometer, not forgotten it all week and it's great to see what exercise I have done... Often it's more than I realise.

Tomorrow:
Its the weekend! Saturday comes with its own challenges. The feeling you have in Saturday morning when you wake up and realise you don't have to go to work and the world is your lobster is magical.

Often that freedom can extend to an attitude of 'I can eat what I like because it is the weekend'. For those folks who are within their healthy weight range and are not looking to loose any weight, go fill your boots. For me (and others like me) some times the weekend can lead to falling off the wagon BIG TIME. My weigh in is on Sunday morning so generally speaking I never go too bonkers on a Saturday, but then impromptu trips to the pub/meals out can occur.

So plan of action, up early :( I've got washing to do! And I have an appointment with a health trainer. Following on from a rather passive aggressive visit to the nurse she recommended that I go due to my weight issue. I was rather ambivalent to going, however as it is a free service I thought 'why not' its not like I get the benefit of much of the money I pay through tax/national insurance . That's at 10.30 am, and then off to do a 'little bit' of shopping. Then home, cup of tea, housework, another cup of tea, a little nap, book, Merlin, Dinner, Bed. A few PP earned and up bright and fresh for weigh in on Sunday morning.

Verdict:

Alright still in points, could be healthier though... It is soooo difficult to make sure I get a proper lunch. Still a work in progress.





PS. Look what I saw in the Metro whilst on the train today.
Big up to WeightWatchers, I think is you asked most WW members they would be able to tell you that!
 
Suck on that Nurse Lucy!

Sunday 30th October: Day One

Sunday 30^th October:  Day One - Not bad...but not good either

Breakfast:

1x Costa Medio Skinny Cappiccino:                                            1PP

1x Costa Banana & Pecan Breakfast Loaf:                              11PP

Lunch:

1x M&S Roasted Vegetable Focaccia:                                         10PP

1x Portion of Grapes:                                                                      0PP

Dinner:

1x WeightWatchers Bolognaise Al Forno:                                     9PP

1x Tesco Garlic Bread Slice:                                                          3PP

 

Snacks:

1x Aero Chocolate Christmas Tree:                                               4PP

1x WeightWatchers Chocolate and Vanilla Biscuit:                       2PP

¼ Pint of Skimmed Milk – For Tea:                                                1PP

1x Portion of Grapes:                                                                     0PP

Points used today: 41

Weekly Points used:  9

Activity Points Earned: 0 – Shopping, napping and internetting

Challenges:  Sundays are weigh in days, which also means Sundays are ‘treat’ days.  In reality it means that I often eat ALL of my weekly points, by eating all of my weeklies I am often a bit short when I head out on a Friday for a drink.

Today I made a conscious decision not to over indulge.  I walked straight past Greggs lol.

Achievements:  I still have weekly points left!

Tomorrow:  A long day and stupidly busy at work.  I am going to struggle to get any time for a ‘proper’ lunch.  The plan?  Ensure that I have plenty of fruit, healthy and low point snacks to make sure I eat during the day and don’t pig out on crisps and chocolate during the day.  Lets see what happens.

Kicking the Habit (Originally Posted 7th February 2011 on WeightWatchers UK)

Meeting Topic: Habits
This weeks meeting topic was about habits, and it got me to thinking about the habits I have developed since starting WW and bad habits I have yet to kick.

I am the first person to state that I am a rubbish weight watcher. I really am, most other people would be at goal already, but here I am two pounds lost, then one back on. Many people would question why if I am sooo rubbish, would I still bother turning up every week? Well although I am rubbish WW has helped me develop some healthy Habits;

1. Going to WW Meetings: Who would have thought I would enjoy getting up early on a Sunday morning?! Going to meeting s is no doubt now a habit, even when I am not in the same town I make the effort to get on the train to head back for my Sunday morning meeting. If nothing else it means that I am not at home eating lol.

2. Drinking skimmed milk: I have had this for so long now I do not think I could ever go back, it is now automatic. Gone are the days I would race my brother and sister to the kitchen to see who would get the top of the milk on their frosties.

3. The Sunday Coffee: Sunday is my day; once the meeting is over I take a walk in to town and head to Costa for a skinny cappuccino. This may not sound like the best habit in the world, but it is what I do there that is. I am usually there for about an hour, and I read my ‘your week’, and then sit and plan my meals for the week, writing a shopping list as I go, and then write down my ideas for my upcoming blog post. It’s relaxing and proactive at the same time. On those Sundays I don’t manage my coffee, I often don’t manage to plan, make a shopping list or actually do any shopping, which mean I then end up eating what ever ready mean I end up finding at Tesco Metro on my way home from work.

I do have some habits that have been hard to shift and I am not sure how I am going to do it;

1. Emotional eating: When I am upset or stressed, food is my comfort. Granted I have been much better but I cannot currently get over it. I don’t have enough emotional support to be able to say I will no longer binge eat when I am feeling unhappy or stressed.

2. Not eating Lunch: I often just don’t have time, but I should try to make some more difficult though it may be. Although it is easy to think I am saving points by not eating during the day, not eating lunch mean I am very hungry when I get home from work. In turn this often means I do not make the best food choices when I get home, snaking on something accessible (and high in points) whilst I am making my dinner.

As well as my existing habits I was also thinking about things I should be doing, and habits I should work on developing.
1. Exercise: I need to develop a habit to exercise more and regularly. A habit takes 30 days to form apparently so I need to think of something that I can do on a daily basis.

2. Eating Fruit: Yes I do love fruit, but when it comes down to it I would rather snack on Haribo than on fruit (despite its 0pp). Eating fruit as a snack is still not appealing to me and it is a habit I need to develop if I want to be any good at this WW lark.

There are so many habits that I have that are sabotaging my weight loss efforts, my next challenge is to try and change them for habits that are going to support my effort to change.