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!

Friday 6th January 2012 - The one where I sport big hair and heels - The Aftermath

Have totted up the booze from last night. I did not stick to one drink all night as planned, but I stopped drinking at 11 and only stepped over my saved bonus points by 1.  However Thinking about it I must of earned at least 2 whilst out and about, I danced my socks off!  I am a little bit gutted I failed to take any photos of myself, however I am sure something will show up on facebook... My hair looked amazing, Beehive-tastic!

No hangover and feeling ok, however I am not sure today is going to be a good day food wise...

Drinks:
X 1 Double Ameretto (4) and Cranberry Juice (4): 8 PP
X 1 Malibu and Diet Coke: 2 PP
X 1 Lager: 3 PP
X 1 Southern Comfort and Diet Coke: 2PP
X 1 Shot Apple Sourz: 2PP

Total: 17 PP

Friday 6th January 2012 - The one where I sport Big hair and heels

Breakfast:
X 1 Cherry Müllerlight: 2PP

Lunch:
X 1 Apple: 0PP
X 2 Slices Fruit Loaf with Butter: 5PP
X 1 Tesco French Fries: 3PP

Dinner:
X1 Portion Saveloy & Chips: 16 PP

Snacks:
X 2 Portions Mango Chunks: 0PP
X 1 Can Pepsi Max: 0PP
X 1 Tesco Strawberry Scone: 7 PP

Points Used: 33PP
Points Earned: 4PP - And that's without dancing!

Challenges:
It had been the plan that I would bulk out on fruit at lunch time to try to keep some more PP for this evening. Alas to no avail, I was starving. I did manage to steer away from the cakes and Chocolates though and went for rather yummy fruit loaf. Well done me!

It's Rebecca's birthday today, so we are heading out on the town for a few drinks and some dancing. I have budgeted for 5 bottles of lager, this comes in at 12 PP I just hope I don't go to wild. My sister is a really bad influence and like to try and make me misbehave, she succeeds quite allot of the time. All I can do is plan, if I had known before hand I would not have had a past hurrah on Sunday, using almost all of my weekly points, I could have kept a few behind. Oh well hindsight is a wondrous thing but mostly useless at the same time. Wish me luck. Watch out Ipswich!

Achievements:
No chocolate bars from the vending machine! This is a trigger point for me especially when I am bored. It didn't even occur to me today that I could snack on crisps or chocolate.

Tomorrow:
I will mainly be at my parent tomorrow hanging out with my sister and my nephew. It is a bit of a danger time as My Mum and Dad have a huge amount of nibbley chocolate things. Also despite my Mum moaning wildly about her weight she still like to indulge in pies, pastries, cakes and crisps and there is a dearth of fresh unprocessed 'healthy' food. Plan of action, go out for lunch, cook lunch for everyone or just not eat. Not sure which path I'll be taking, but I'm pretty sure it not the last one.

Verdict: Could be worse! I'll find out tomorrow!

12 Things for 2012

12 Things for 2012

Last year I set out in January with a list of things to do/achieve, the majority of which I achieved.  Unlike resolutions I haven’t set these in stone, they are just a list of things I want to get done at some point.

1.    To Finish 2012 at a lighter weight than I did 2011.  I have always been rather wary of setting myself unrealistic expectations in relation to my weight loss.  However after the spur my ‘Birthday Weight Loss Challenge’ gave me, I think that setting specific targets with dates attached will be motivating rather than disheartening.  I have set specific goals related to my weight loss over the year, but my main ambition is just to end he year lighter than I entered it.

2.    Wear a size 14 Bridesmaids dress.  I haven’t just said this for the hell of it.  I have been asked to be a bridesmaid for my lovely friend Sarah (who I met through Weight Watchers).  The wedding is planned for December, and having hovered around a 16 (sometimes bigger sometimes smaller) I would love to get in to a 14 in time for the nuptials.

3.    Run (not walk) a 10K.  To run a 5K was something I achieved last year.  This year I want a bit more of a challenge, so I think a 10K will offer me that.  Wish me luck, I think that this going to be hard!

4.    Go on a Date.  Last year I set a task of ‘developing a love life’.  This was a little ambitious, as I had no Idea of how to start.  This year I still want it on my list.  I have been single for such a long time it is quite frankly unhealthy (and a little bit sad).  So I have set my target low… 1 date, in the whole 12 months… I can do that… Can’t I?

5.    Drink More.  I feel that I am perpetually dehydrated; I do not drink enough, of anything, in the day.  I am not going to state the stupid figure of 8 glasses of water per day, totally unappetizing, but I want to make sure I have at least 3 drinks whilst at work.  I have previously got home to realize that I have not had a drink all day.  If I’m not careful my kidneys are going to start to protest.

6.    Get more involved online.  This one is borrowed from it sux to be fat.  I have been really lax in getting involved in the blogging community, commenting on blogs, discovering new blogs, posting in my facebook group and tweeting.  OK it’s not like I have a massive following, but what is the point in writing a blog if I don’t get involved.

7.    Drink less coffee.  Anyone who has seen my daily food posts may notice that I have a BIG love for Costa Skinny Cappuccinos.  The benefit of having a point’s card is that occasionally you get a free coffee.  I have been getting a lot of free coffees.  Instead of having my ‘once a week’ post weigh in coffee, I had been visiting 2/3 times a week.  This can’t go on! Drinking a double shot at 6pm generally means I am not getting to sleep until late.  I’m past 30 now; I need all of the beauty sleep I can get!  So bye bye mid week coffee.

8.    Write on my Blog.  This one is related to number 6.  I started this blog and then had a big gap when I failed to post anything.  I hate that when I am following a blog, so why on earth should I do that myself.? It may be a bit ambitious to say I will post every day (although if I am feeling super motivated I may well do) so I am going to aim to post at least once a week…Hopefully

9.    See my friends more.  Last year with family illnesses, I spent most of my time off at home with the parents looking after them.  Quite frankly I neglected my friends, both at home and far and wide.  I stopped texting, Facebooking, calling and I didn’t go visiting.  So I am determined to make more of an effort with texts, phone calls, letters and visits this year…weather they want to see me or not!

10.          Read more books.  I love books and reading, but I am so sporadic in doing so.  I’ll go through a phase when I will read a book a week for 2 months and then not pick one up for another 3.  I also tend to go for the familiar tomes I have on the shelf, even though I have a little stock of books I have not read.  So I will aim for a book a month, and make reading part of my routine.

11.          Carry on with all of the things I achieved in 2011:  Well why bother doing them if I’m not going to keep it up!

12.          Be happier at the end of 2012 than I was at the end of 2011.  2012 is looking bright, granted it is only the 5^th, but what the hell, start as you mean to go on!

 Happy New Year everyone!

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!

Wednesday 4th January 2012 - The one where I look forward to the new year.

Breakfast:X 2 Sainsbury's Breakfast Biscuits: 6PP

Lunch:
X1 Wholemeal Bagel: 6PP
X1 Portion Chicken & Bacon Sandwich Filler: 3PP
X1 Apple: 0PP

Dinner:
Rocket Salad & Sesame Oil Dressing: 1PP
Pizza Express Gustosa Pizza: 11PP
Pepsi Max: 0PP

Snacks:
X 1 Portions of Cherries: 0 PP
X 1 Curlywurly: 3PP

Points Used: 33 PP
Points Earned: 5 PP - Pedometer strapped on!

Challenges: Forgot to pick up my lunch and forgot to take my purse to work. So by the time I had the opportunity to get my lunch from home I was starving and could of made some bad choices.  However I stuck to my guns, hence bang on points.  Yay for me.

Achievements: 
Today is the first time in ages that I have actually hit my points bang on. I wasn't hungry at all either, I guess it is a sign I am getting back in to the swing of things.

Tomorrow: 
Should be OK,  lunch sorted, dinner kind of sorted and feeling in control!

Verdict: Good day, best day of 2012 food wise so far!

First blog post of 2012!

I can't believe it has been so long since I have posted a 'proper' blog.

Gone went my resolution to post every day, and in came depression and illness. Thinking about it now I think my depression was related to my illness, my doctor had previously told me that viruses can cause it. Since I have been feeling better, I am feeling far more positive and I am no longer worried I might be heading for a prolonged period of depression.

I'm feeling great about 2012, loads of things to look forward to. I am feeling so positive about this year I have even fond the effort to calculate how far I need to go until I get to goal and calculated how much I would need to lose each week to get there!

Christmas Day:  My Little Bro and I

I am already back on track and didn't need the shock of my post Christmas weigh in to get me back there. I even weighed between Christmas and New Year (something I have never done before) and I lost half a pound! If must be a sign that I am ready for 'proper' weight less this year not just treading water.

The one where I reflect on 2011

11 Things for 2011?

I set out in 2011 with a to-do list for 2011 so before heading in 2012 I thought I would see how well or not I did.  2011 has been a rollercoaster year, especially with the illnesses of both my Mum and Dad.  However I am looking forward

1.    Take a photo of myself at every weigh in.  I have not really tracked my progress and this should be an easy way to do it. – This one I failed miserably at, I’ll probably give it another go, but I am not making any promises!

2.    Cook at least 3 meals during the working week.  I have a terrible tendency to use ready meals or rely on cereal when I get home from work; I am determined to cook more. – This I have managed to do, up until I became ill in September

3.    Run (not walk) a 5K.  This was one of the things on my list for last year and for various reasons (mainly laziness) I didn’t achieve it.  I am determined to do it this year. – Yay I did this.  OK I did it slowly but I did it.  This was one of my major achievements this year, I remember when I started I could barely run 50 yards

4.    Develop a Love Life.  Last year I wanted to find some friends in Colchester, and I think I have done that (hopefully).  Next stop love life, I have no idea how to start with this point but it’s on the list so I will at least try.  Possibly sorting out numbers 5 and 7 may help! – Another epic fail.  Possibly a little bit ambitious, because I have no idea where to start!  Another

5.    Wear more make up.  It may seem stupid but I think for my self esteem and confidence I need to spend a bit more time making myself look good (better) even if I don’t necessarily feel it inside. – This has happened!  Saturdays and Sundays I prettify even if I am just popping to Tesco.  Also unusually I have been putting on make up to go to work… just a little bit.

6.    Buy less packaged fruit.  I spend a fortune on it, it is quite obscene really, obviously a better choice than a chocolate bar but I buy it too often.  More whole fruits for me. – Although still a part of my diet, I have eaten loads of whole fruits.  Figs, persimmons, grapes and Satsuma’s have been the go-to fruits this year.

7.    Go to bed earlier.  I am quite naughty and often stay up late (Ssshhh even on a school night) but not enough sleep is prematurely aging and I don’t want to hit 30 looking like I am 45. – Actually much to my surprise I have been setting my alarm to make sure I am in bed for 10.30.

8.    Spend some time on me.  With work and life it sometimes does not give me enough time to live, I am going to try and set aside 30 mins a day to spend on me not distracted by anything/anyone else. – I have kind of done this; I have been spending at least 30 mins reading (also improving my brain).  I had also aimed to try to blog every day (for a bit).  So this is a tick!

9.    Aim to eat Vegetarian for at least one day a week.  Not only do I want to lose weight I want to be healthier and I don’t think eating huge amounts of meat is all that healthy – I’ve done well with this, veggie stir-fry’s, goats cheese pies, roasted vegetable quiches, all great meal alternatives.

10.          (Purposely) Exercise at least once a week.  OK I walk all of the time, and the bonus points do rack up, yes they help but I want to do more.  I don’t think I will ever be one of those people who are addicted to the gym, but I would like to be one of those people who enjoy exercise when they do it (I think this one might be a bit of a stretch) – Thank god for Zumba! I have been pretty active over the last year.  I have jogged more and I have developed a love for Zumba.  Such a pity my class isn’t running in 2012, going to have to find a new one because I certainly don’t want to give it up.

11.          Be happier at the end of 2011 than I was at the end of 2010. Nuff Said really – Was feeling rather depressed this time last year.  OK I have had a few low points in 2011, and quite frankly I can’t wait to see the back of this year and start 2012.  But I am feeling so positive about the coming year and this is a definite tick.

So bring on 2012!  And my 12 things to do in 2012…

Happy New Year everyone!