As I had another day's holiday today I thought I would go over to Bluewater to get a few bits and pieces. First stop was Holland & Barrett to stock up on my choco teabags which I'm almost out of (I do love having one of these last thing in the evening with a little double cream) followed by a trip to Lakeland to get a salt pig, kitchen timer and muffin tin. The last was a bit tricky as all the decent size tins are too big to fit into my oven, but I finally got one, although it's a bit of a funny shape. I then went to New Look and Evans for a browse and got some trousers for exercising and control knickers.
I found the clothes shopping to be a depressing experience, but instead of acting as I would do normally by treating myself to something to eat and drink to cheer myself up, I headed to the Body Shop (not somewhere I would usually visit) to have a look at their body brushes. Whilst I was there the girl gave me a facial and demonstrated their new anti-cellulite & firming lotion range. I was amazed at what a difference one application made to my arms so I treated myself to a couple of items and this cheered me up considerably. I think this will be more effective than body brushing for me. After that I thought I'd better leave before I spent any more money. *LOL*
Lunch was the burgers left over from yesterday served yet again in mushroom 'bun' with a little blue cheese melted over the top and a side salad of rocket. As I'm working tonight dinner is likely to be a protein shake oh and of course some cheesecake as a snack this afternoon.
Monday, 30 April 2007
Sunday, 29 April 2007
Lots of new tastes
I haven't posted for a few days as I've been busy cybercropping but things are still going well, although my addiction to sweet stuff is alarming, but I think once my TOM is over that'll go again.
On Friday had a me day and went over to Maidstone to visit Lidl. Not a shop I'd ever really thought about much before, but someone mentioned they were selling fitness equipment in their weekly special so thought I'd go and have a nose. I got a rather nice pair of walking trainers, some properly designed walking socks (don't even ask) and a set of weights (need to tone up those bingo wings and the can of custard just isn't cutting it). I also bought a whole load of shopping at a bargain price - getting lots of things I wouldn't normally be able to pick up like mini bratwurst & crayfish. En route back from Maidstone I stopped at Waitrose and finished my shopping - much more expensive, but bought some nice quality items that I wouldn't normally have from somewhere like Asda.
So Friday night I treated myself to a gorgeous pork stroganoff (a recipe by Passley from the forum) with steamed green vegetables followed by a piece of cheesecake (orange & ginger this week). Yesterday I managed to slot in some cooking between LO's and bingo and made limey salmon with a celeriac dauphinoise and a green salad followed by the last of my raspberry mousse. I did succumb to another bit of cheesecake later - but that was about 3am when I was battling to get the last few things done for the CC before I went to bed.
No time to CC today because of work and it will be finished by the time I get home so have time to make some burgers (another Passley recipe) before the closing party tonight.
Still feeling very positive about the diet - now I just have to sort out the exercise. I have made enquiries about a yoga class that takes place just up the road on Thursday evenings. The lady who runs it (Jennifer) said she was sure that I would be able to do yoga as long as my doctor says that I can do it. So I suppose I need to make an appointment to see him now to get the all clear.
On Friday had a me day and went over to Maidstone to visit Lidl. Not a shop I'd ever really thought about much before, but someone mentioned they were selling fitness equipment in their weekly special so thought I'd go and have a nose. I got a rather nice pair of walking trainers, some properly designed walking socks (don't even ask) and a set of weights (need to tone up those bingo wings and the can of custard just isn't cutting it). I also bought a whole load of shopping at a bargain price - getting lots of things I wouldn't normally be able to pick up like mini bratwurst & crayfish. En route back from Maidstone I stopped at Waitrose and finished my shopping - much more expensive, but bought some nice quality items that I wouldn't normally have from somewhere like Asda.
So Friday night I treated myself to a gorgeous pork stroganoff (a recipe by Passley from the forum) with steamed green vegetables followed by a piece of cheesecake (orange & ginger this week). Yesterday I managed to slot in some cooking between LO's and bingo and made limey salmon with a celeriac dauphinoise and a green salad followed by the last of my raspberry mousse. I did succumb to another bit of cheesecake later - but that was about 3am when I was battling to get the last few things done for the CC before I went to bed.
No time to CC today because of work and it will be finished by the time I get home so have time to make some burgers (another Passley recipe) before the closing party tonight.
Still feeling very positive about the diet - now I just have to sort out the exercise. I have made enquiries about a yoga class that takes place just up the road on Thursday evenings. The lady who runs it (Jennifer) said she was sure that I would be able to do yoga as long as my doctor says that I can do it. So I suppose I need to make an appointment to see him now to get the all clear.
Thursday, 26 April 2007
Feeling distinctly twiggy today
Today was weigh day and I was feeling quite worried about getting on the scales in case I'd gained even more weight than last week. I have managed to keep off the scales all week which has helped to keep me postive, but wasn't sure the cheesecake would have helped (hard to believe puddings are OK when you're trying to lose weight). Finally, I forced myself onto them and wooohooo - I've lost 3 3/4lbs - taking my total weightloss to 12 1/4lbs.
This inspired me to finally move the treadmill into the bedroom and actually use it. It'll take a while to get back into the swing of using it, but doing it over the course of a day in small chunks helps. You never know I may even end up getting out my fitness videos. I desperately need a new pair of trainers though as mine are giving my feet serious pain.
Cue twig feeling no. 2. Trying to find the right clothing to walk in I put on a pair of lycra crop trousers (which were part of a set that I wore last year with a matching top and devore overshirt) that I thought would be perfect. They were so big I couldn't keep them on properly. This gave me a fantastic feeling obviously and convinces me that my dress is getting closer every day.
Today's food is a nice mixture - some of the breakfast muffins, they taste much better than they look (need to practice with them further as other on P2T have successfully used paper cases), butternut squash soup followed by a rocket, avocado and parmesan salad with a strip of smoked mackerel and a raspberry mousse. Tonight is pan fried salmon with cauli mash and steamed vegetables in butter.
Off to do a bit more walking.
This inspired me to finally move the treadmill into the bedroom and actually use it. It'll take a while to get back into the swing of using it, but doing it over the course of a day in small chunks helps. You never know I may even end up getting out my fitness videos. I desperately need a new pair of trainers though as mine are giving my feet serious pain.
Cue twig feeling no. 2. Trying to find the right clothing to walk in I put on a pair of lycra crop trousers (which were part of a set that I wore last year with a matching top and devore overshirt) that I thought would be perfect. They were so big I couldn't keep them on properly. This gave me a fantastic feeling obviously and convinces me that my dress is getting closer every day.
Today's food is a nice mixture - some of the breakfast muffins, they taste much better than they look (need to practice with them further as other on P2T have successfully used paper cases), butternut squash soup followed by a rocket, avocado and parmesan salad with a strip of smoked mackerel and a raspberry mousse. Tonight is pan fried salmon with cauli mash and steamed vegetables in butter.
Off to do a bit more walking.
Wednesday, 25 April 2007
How Stupid is This?
This morning I bought a box of orbit complete chewing gum. Of course I wasn't really thinking about carbs when I got it (must change that mindset), but it's OK 'cos it's sugarfree. Just looking at the box I notice that per 100g there are 60g of carbs - that is absolutely HUGE! Of course I can't work out the carb content because whilst they cleverly give all that nutritional information they don't actually bother to give a weight anywhere on the box so I've no idea what each piece of gum weighs.
Tuesday, 24 April 2007
How Not To Cook!
Today gave me my first bad cooking day. I decided to make the breakfast muffins in the PB, although in reduced quantities, but I don't have a muffin tin due to only having a small oven. Instead I decided to use my yorkshire pud tin with muffin cases. This is a BAD idea when talking about an egg & cream mixture. Yep, before I knew it the cases were crumbling and the contents was spilling out all over the baking tray. I did get some muffins, but they weren't as impressive as they could be and of course they've stuck to the paper cases as well. A small muffin tin has been added to my list of things I need to buy, along with a swiss roll tin as I've seen a recipe for a spinach roulade I want to try.
Monday, 23 April 2007
I knew it ...
Making the cheesecake was a mistake. I am obsessing about it and can't get through a day without eating a piece even after freezing the remaining pieces and promising myself I wasn't having another piece until after my Thursday weigh-in. Not so bad today when I hadn't had a huge intake of calories (I know I'm not calorie counting and the forum warns against it, but I can't help thinking it must make a difference), but yesterday when I had so much to eat it put my calorie count sky high. Worse still I missed tea tonight, having a protein shake instead so that I could have a piece. Maybe rather than trying to save it I should just eat the rest of it and then it's gone. I'm sure the sugar craving wasn't helped by my friend at work giving me 2 cadbury's cream eggs this morning for copying some cds for him - I didn't want them, but did get the craving for the cheesecake (because I know it's doable on P1). The eggs went into my desk drawer where they'll stay till I find someone to give them to.
I know that part of the problem is with fitday. Firstly being american it's hard to get the quantities right, also they calculate carbs differently so the reading comes out much higher - however I'm still having trouble getting to the 70/20/10 ratio for fat/protein/carbs. Today for instance I managed 7% of carbs and that's only because butternut squash shows so high on fitday. In order for my fat levels to reach 70% I would have to increase my calorie intake hugely. I had decided that my cheese intake is too large although bizarrely when I actually worked it out over the space of 13 days it works out at approx 2oz a day - which is hardly anything. What I have to do is not have cheese in a meal and then as a snack - either one or the other (this means finding other snack food). The other area I may need to check is on the cream. I seem to be getting through an extraordinary quantity (although not compared to some people on the forum who use 250ml+ a day!) although of course quite a bit went into the cheesecake as well. My jeans are definitely feeling looser this week and I am desperately hoping for a weight loss rather than just inches - although inches would obviously do rather than nothing!
What I need to do next is to increase my exercise. I've been completely pony at the walking so far especially considering the lovely weather, the main problem being that when I work at the pub I walk about 5 or 6 miles behind the bar and I end up offsetting that against the other days, almost all of which I end up with a healthy mark on my pedometer (last Thursday when I couldn't even be bothered to get dressed was an exception). Also at work I am still walking down the stairs (120 of them) instead of getting the lift and have started getting out at the 5th floor on the way up and walking the extra flight (to be built up over a number of weeks until I walk upstairs as well as down) and so trying to be motivated to go out walking (and around the block isn't the most inspiring walk ever) is hard plus my foot has been hurting quite badly for the last few weeks and so I find walking a bit of a trial anyway. I have been doing my upper arm exercises using an illegal can of custard (unfortunately only the 1 can so I have to do each arm separately) in an effort to try and tone up my bingo wings, but I am aware that my exercise levels should be increasing (the pink bible tells me so) and so I need to find something else to do. Time to find my old fitness videos and get back my gym equipment from Lynne - and I really MUST make the effort to at least use my treadmill daily if i don't go out walking!
I know that part of the problem is with fitday. Firstly being american it's hard to get the quantities right, also they calculate carbs differently so the reading comes out much higher - however I'm still having trouble getting to the 70/20/10 ratio for fat/protein/carbs. Today for instance I managed 7% of carbs and that's only because butternut squash shows so high on fitday. In order for my fat levels to reach 70% I would have to increase my calorie intake hugely. I had decided that my cheese intake is too large although bizarrely when I actually worked it out over the space of 13 days it works out at approx 2oz a day - which is hardly anything. What I have to do is not have cheese in a meal and then as a snack - either one or the other (this means finding other snack food). The other area I may need to check is on the cream. I seem to be getting through an extraordinary quantity (although not compared to some people on the forum who use 250ml+ a day!) although of course quite a bit went into the cheesecake as well. My jeans are definitely feeling looser this week and I am desperately hoping for a weight loss rather than just inches - although inches would obviously do rather than nothing!
What I need to do next is to increase my exercise. I've been completely pony at the walking so far especially considering the lovely weather, the main problem being that when I work at the pub I walk about 5 or 6 miles behind the bar and I end up offsetting that against the other days, almost all of which I end up with a healthy mark on my pedometer (last Thursday when I couldn't even be bothered to get dressed was an exception). Also at work I am still walking down the stairs (120 of them) instead of getting the lift and have started getting out at the 5th floor on the way up and walking the extra flight (to be built up over a number of weeks until I walk upstairs as well as down) and so trying to be motivated to go out walking (and around the block isn't the most inspiring walk ever) is hard plus my foot has been hurting quite badly for the last few weeks and so I find walking a bit of a trial anyway. I have been doing my upper arm exercises using an illegal can of custard (unfortunately only the 1 can so I have to do each arm separately) in an effort to try and tone up my bingo wings, but I am aware that my exercise levels should be increasing (the pink bible tells me so) and so I need to find something else to do. Time to find my old fitness videos and get back my gym equipment from Lynne - and I really MUST make the effort to at least use my treadmill daily if i don't go out walking!
Sunday, 22 April 2007
Hunger ... or lack of it
This morning I woke up starving. This is the first time I've felt like that in ages and I wonder if it has anything to do with the sweetness of the cheesecake from last night. However, my weekend breakfast of smoked salmon, avocado and philly roll ups and a cup of rooibos, along with a couple of pints of water soon sorted that out. Unfortunately, it didn't last a long as I'd hoped. I didn't drink as much water as I should have done at the pub and I was soon starving again - especially as everyone seemed to be eating today and I spent most of my time delivering delicious smelling meals. I had celery with a bit of philly in, with some wafer thin ham wrapped round each piece to try and make it more attractive (I'm not keen on celery) obviously not quite the meal that I needed and it didn't really do much to fill me up. So when I got home I had a snack of thai salmon fishcakes with a spoonful of mayo. This was followed a few hours later by a lovingly prepared chicken, cheese & bacon melt with cauli & broccoli mash, asparagus, courgettes & buttered spinach. By now I wasn't hungry though and 1/2 way through I decided I couldn't eat any more even though it tasted lovely and left it. Of course I have managed to find space for another bit of cheesecake (the rest has been frozen and I'm hoping to forget about it for a day or 2) but I am now feeling comfortably full and in need of a snooze - but I have butternut squash soup to make for lunch tomorrow first.
Saturday, 21 April 2007
Virtue and the Saboteurs
No longer am I Delia Smith, I've become Nigella Lawson - I truly am a domestic goddess as I've made a lemon, lime & ginger cheesecake - the first dessert that I've made from scratch for about a million years. I made it because I was feeling particularly virtuous today so it's a treat for me (the first sweet thing (and that includes no sweeteners in my tea) that I've had since starting the IPD) and I am desperately waiting for it to set so I can have a slice. It's from a recipe by the wonderful Bee on the IPD forum who is herself a domestic goddess and has kindly devised this and many other fantastic carb-friendly recipes which are good for phase oners. I don't want to get into the habit of making too many desserts as I don't want to become dependent on sugar/sweeteners again, although I have also taken note of a custard recipe and a faux pecan pie one too (useful for TOTM I'm thinking) .
The reason I'm feeling so virtuous?
Firstly my shopping basket last night (I love going shopping at 1am, so quiet and very therapeutic) was full of cauliflowers and green stuff - in fact the checkout woman commented on how much I must love cauliflower! Such a change from a few weeks ago when I had to force myself to buy the stuff. Of course I can still only eat it with broccoli as a mash, but that tastes so scrummy I'm happy to have it.
Secondly, having tried a zillion teas and having bought a HUGE box of Tetley decaffeinated teabags 'cos they were cheaper than the small box last night which I tried this morning and were foul (the tea is fine but I really can't drink it with double cream and having already given up sweeteners I just can't forgo the milk too, and I can't even bear the idea of soya milk at the moment) I've finally got to grips with the rooibos. I have been managing to drink the vanilla version for the last couple of days, but today my hayfever has kicked in so I have a blocked nose and can't smell the tea properly. It's made a huge difference, without the smell to put me off I can drink it quite happily. Hopefully once I can smell it again I'll be so used to it I won't even notice the smell.
Thirdly, someone at the pub noticed that I've lost weight (although of course it's not weight but inches). It was only 1 person, but her comment was enough to have me floating on a cloud.
Finally, I overcame some saboteurs at the pub and I'm really pleased with myself for doing so. Obviously I am still not drinking any alcohol as I'm in my first 2 weeks, so upon finishing work I went to sit with the usual crew, having a glass of sparkling water instead of my usual snakebite. I was asked at least 6 times what I was drinking and was offered a snakebite by at least 4 of them. They tried everything, telling me I looked unhappy drinking water (no I wasn't I love water and drink loads of it), saying they couldn't bear the idea that I had to drink water so they'd buy me a pint, that only 1 pint wouldn't hurt after doing so well etc. Only 1 person bought me another water and he commented that he was impressed with my resolve. Funnily enough I didn't actually want a drink (maybe I was too eager to get home and make my cheesecake) but it was interesting to see the saboteurs at work. Yet again I had read in the PB about this, but hadn't expected to see it in action quite so soon - although to be fair no-one there knew that I'm on the IPD and few of them could imagine being in the pub without any alcohol.
So I'm feeling virtuous, I'm feeling healthy and feeling thinner too which is a good thing!
The reason I'm feeling so virtuous?
Firstly my shopping basket last night (I love going shopping at 1am, so quiet and very therapeutic) was full of cauliflowers and green stuff - in fact the checkout woman commented on how much I must love cauliflower! Such a change from a few weeks ago when I had to force myself to buy the stuff. Of course I can still only eat it with broccoli as a mash, but that tastes so scrummy I'm happy to have it.
Secondly, having tried a zillion teas and having bought a HUGE box of Tetley decaffeinated teabags 'cos they were cheaper than the small box last night which I tried this morning and were foul (the tea is fine but I really can't drink it with double cream and having already given up sweeteners I just can't forgo the milk too, and I can't even bear the idea of soya milk at the moment) I've finally got to grips with the rooibos. I have been managing to drink the vanilla version for the last couple of days, but today my hayfever has kicked in so I have a blocked nose and can't smell the tea properly. It's made a huge difference, without the smell to put me off I can drink it quite happily. Hopefully once I can smell it again I'll be so used to it I won't even notice the smell.
Thirdly, someone at the pub noticed that I've lost weight (although of course it's not weight but inches). It was only 1 person, but her comment was enough to have me floating on a cloud.
Finally, I overcame some saboteurs at the pub and I'm really pleased with myself for doing so. Obviously I am still not drinking any alcohol as I'm in my first 2 weeks, so upon finishing work I went to sit with the usual crew, having a glass of sparkling water instead of my usual snakebite. I was asked at least 6 times what I was drinking and was offered a snakebite by at least 4 of them. They tried everything, telling me I looked unhappy drinking water (no I wasn't I love water and drink loads of it), saying they couldn't bear the idea that I had to drink water so they'd buy me a pint, that only 1 pint wouldn't hurt after doing so well etc. Only 1 person bought me another water and he commented that he was impressed with my resolve. Funnily enough I didn't actually want a drink (maybe I was too eager to get home and make my cheesecake) but it was interesting to see the saboteurs at work. Yet again I had read in the PB about this, but hadn't expected to see it in action quite so soon - although to be fair no-one there knew that I'm on the IPD and few of them could imagine being in the pub without any alcohol.
So I'm feeling virtuous, I'm feeling healthy and feeling thinner too which is a good thing!
Thursday, 19 April 2007
Onwards and Inwards
The last couple of days have been very hard for me. I was depressed on Day 6 about putting on weight rather than losing it, and that continued into Day 7 as still no weight loss (I just couldn't keep off the scales). I was aware from the PB that something like this was likely to happen around Day 5, but of course when it's actually happening it's hard to stay rational about it. Before I ended up doing something totally stupid like downing bars of chocolate or having a stiff drink, I decided that I am not going to weigh myself again until the end of the 2nd week by which time I am hoping for some movement. The book and the forum girls keep saying that weight loss isn't linear and that there's often a visit by the whoosh fairy rather than steady weekly loss and for a lot of people the inches go quicker than the weight and so many don't bother weighing themselves at all. Whilst I would obviously have preferred a 2lb weekly weight loss, I guess as long as I get there eventually it will all work out.
Having made the decision not to weigh, I decided instead to measure myself. I last did this approximately 2 weeks ago so was overdue anyway. Anyway fantastic news. I may not have lost weight but I've certainly lost inches. 3 inches round my waist, 1 inch round my bust, 1/2 an inch each on my thighs and 1 inch on my hips to be precise - that's 6 inches in total. Obviously not enough yet to make a huge difference to the clothes I'm wearing, but it's certainly a great start. Of course this cheered me up considerably and made me more determined to stick it out.
Things can definitely only get better ...
Having made the decision not to weigh, I decided instead to measure myself. I last did this approximately 2 weeks ago so was overdue anyway. Anyway fantastic news. I may not have lost weight but I've certainly lost inches. 3 inches round my waist, 1 inch round my bust, 1/2 an inch each on my thighs and 1 inch on my hips to be precise - that's 6 inches in total. Obviously not enough yet to make a huge difference to the clothes I'm wearing, but it's certainly a great start. Of course this cheered me up considerably and made me more determined to stick it out.
Things can definitely only get better ...
I'm turning into Delia Smith
No, really, I am. Since starting the IPD I've cooked everything from scratch. I'm currently still following the recipes in the PB but beginning to add my own touches. I'm not entirely sure how I'd cope if I wasn't working at home a couple of days a week, although I expect I'd manage and watch less TV and eat dinner later. Today I made Thai salmon fishcakes with steamed and buttered green vegetables for lunch which were scrummy although not as spicy as they could be as I didn't add very much chilli. Next time I'll up the spice a bit. I followed this with cooking some perfect sausages for breakfast tomorrow, then made a spicy and creamy marinade for the lamb that I'm having for dinner tomorrow night. Only a re-heat for my dinner tonight as I had a portion of faux shepherd's pie with a green salad and blue cheese dressing. After tackling one pile of washing up I pan fried a salmon fillet in cajun spices for tomorrow's lunch salad and made some lime & dill mayo to go with it. Another round of washing up completed and finally I get to sit down with a cup of rooibos and vanilla tea and relax.
The upside of all the cooking and the dishpan hands is that I am really enjoying the food I've been eating. Everything is made with fresh ingredients, no dried herbs or bottled stuff (except for the lazy garlic, chilli and lemongrass), and tastes much better than the meals I used to throw together. Long may it continue.
The upside of all the cooking and the dishpan hands is that I am really enjoying the food I've been eating. Everything is made with fresh ingredients, no dried herbs or bottled stuff (except for the lazy garlic, chilli and lemongrass), and tastes much better than the meals I used to throw together. Long may it continue.
Tuesday, 17 April 2007
Day 6
A very weird day. I woke this morning feeling great, very positive, full of energy and amazingly not hungry. By 10.30am I still wasn't hungry but as it's important to eat at least 3 times a day I made myself a protein shake. Unfortunately that's when everything went downhill. Although I shouldn't have done so I couldn't help but weigh myself and was disappointed to find that almost a week of abstinence from alcohol, chocolate and all those other carbs I love hasn't actually lost me any weight at all. Instead I've gained almost 2lbs. My mood plumeted dramatically and I felt like crying at the unfairness of it (although amazingly I never thought about eating any of the chocolate I have stashed in my cupboard) . A visit to P2T soon reminded me that the Day 5 blues don't always hit on Day 5. Some nice people told me not to worry about it and suggested I not weigh myself for a while if I can manage it (don't think I can) and that soon I'll see a difference. My main worry is that I won't have lost the amount I want to by the time of Jo's wedding and began wondering if I should have gone back to the previous eating plan. Of course, intellectually I know that it can take a while for the weight to go and it may be that I'm losing inches instead and so I'm going to stick with it because I definitely feel much better with this way of eating - I have had no bloating, indigestion or stomach pains for the last week which is definitely a good thing. By the time I went for my walk this evening I was feeling much more positive having cooked a nice beef stew with caulifliower & brocolli mash.
Decided on a packed breakfast tomorrow so I'm having sausages and the last of the egg mayo I have. For lunch I am having a prawn, egg and avocado salad with home-made marie rose sauce. The only problem is the amount of boxes I have to carry into work. Dinner tomorrow will be the tarragon chicken and cauli mash that I was supposed to do on Day 1 with butternut squash soup for a starter *LOL*
Decided on a packed breakfast tomorrow so I'm having sausages and the last of the egg mayo I have. For lunch I am having a prawn, egg and avocado salad with home-made marie rose sauce. The only problem is the amount of boxes I have to carry into work. Dinner tomorrow will be the tarragon chicken and cauli mash that I was supposed to do on Day 1 with butternut squash soup for a starter *LOL*
Day 5
I woke up this morning feeling surprisingly bouncy as soon as the alarm went off - very unusual for me. In fact I was feeling really good (not what I was expecting for Day 5 after reading the PB). Unfortunately the day didn't get off to a very good start as I forgot my work pass (and restuarant card) so instead of scrambled eggs & bacon in the restaurant for £1.50 I ended up paying over £4 for some ham and dairylea cheese from Tesco Metro - worse still apart from some chicken tikka bites (no way at 7am) they were the only things in the whole shop that I could eat!
Apart from that bad start and the onset of a stress headache (my diet one has finally gone) I carried on feeling quite good all day - seem to have loads of energy and once I calmed down the headache went too. I enjoyed my salad nicoise at lunchtime, but forgot I was supposed to have some vinaigrette with it and I'm sure it would taste even better with that. Instead I had some mini babybels to ensure that I was having fat with my protein. For tea I wasn't feeling too hungry so I had a chocolate protein shake and had some ham when I got home after the pub. Amazingly wasn't even feeling too tired when I finished at the pub, certainly not shattered like I normally am.
Find of the week is definitely the choco aztec spice tea. It really does smell of chocolate, and with some double cream added it even tastes a bit like a hot chocolate (very weak of course but still a bit chocolatey) so I'm treating myself to one every night. Let's hope I continue to feel as good and as positive as I feel today.
Apart from that bad start and the onset of a stress headache (my diet one has finally gone) I carried on feeling quite good all day - seem to have loads of energy and once I calmed down the headache went too. I enjoyed my salad nicoise at lunchtime, but forgot I was supposed to have some vinaigrette with it and I'm sure it would taste even better with that. Instead I had some mini babybels to ensure that I was having fat with my protein. For tea I wasn't feeling too hungry so I had a chocolate protein shake and had some ham when I got home after the pub. Amazingly wasn't even feeling too tired when I finished at the pub, certainly not shattered like I normally am.
Find of the week is definitely the choco aztec spice tea. It really does smell of chocolate, and with some double cream added it even tastes a bit like a hot chocolate (very weak of course but still a bit chocolatey) so I'm treating myself to one every night. Let's hope I continue to feel as good and as positive as I feel today.
Sunday, 15 April 2007
Day 4 and still going strong
Forgot to post yesterday as I was rather busy with cooking and washing up (mounds and mounds of the stuff). I had my first non-breakfasty breakfast - avocado and cream cheese wrapped in smoked salmon - absolutely delicious. Of course it helped that it was some of my all time favourite foods and I didn't eat early, about 10.30am so not sure how it would go down at 7am but enjoyed it so much I had the same thing for breakfast today at about the same time.
As I was working at the pub I made an omelette with ham, cheese, onion, mushrooms and tomato and cut it into bite size pieces so I could chomp on it through the shift. This was a great idea, but rather carb intensive - next time I shall have to change the ingredients a bit. Stopped for a drink after work with Andrea and Tina and I only drank soda water. It was a bit weird but I managed to get through it.
I was supposed to have the tarragon chicken that I didn't get round to on Day 1 but instead spent the evening cooking a faux shepherd pie (called that because it uses cauliflower instead of potato - I added some broccoli too and it is scrummy), a bit of which I ended up having for dinner.
Today for work I took some celery stuffed with cream cheese wrapped in ham, plus some baby bels for a snack. This evening I had another portion of the shepherd pie which I had with a mixed salad with blue cheese dressing. I also found time to make my lunch for tomorrow - tuna nicoise salad. Stayed for another drink with Andrea and Tina (A and I having a joke about sharing a jug of water) and then even went back down the pub for a drink with Andrew later. Me not drinking is definitely good for him as it meant I could give him a lift home rather than him having to get a taxi. Let's hope he doesn't get too used to it! *LOL*
I have realised that I am going to have to rearrange my kitchen again. Yesterday I used my steamer for the first time ever and I dug out my food processor which hasn't seen the light of day for about 8 years! I will need to use both of them regularly so think the newish George Foreman grill and Smoothie Maker will have to go into storage for the time being. Grilled food has no place on this plan and as I can't eat any fruit, juice or yoghurt till Phase 2 I'm not likely to be using that any time soon either.
As I was working at the pub I made an omelette with ham, cheese, onion, mushrooms and tomato and cut it into bite size pieces so I could chomp on it through the shift. This was a great idea, but rather carb intensive - next time I shall have to change the ingredients a bit. Stopped for a drink after work with Andrea and Tina and I only drank soda water. It was a bit weird but I managed to get through it.
I was supposed to have the tarragon chicken that I didn't get round to on Day 1 but instead spent the evening cooking a faux shepherd pie (called that because it uses cauliflower instead of potato - I added some broccoli too and it is scrummy), a bit of which I ended up having for dinner.
Today for work I took some celery stuffed with cream cheese wrapped in ham, plus some baby bels for a snack. This evening I had another portion of the shepherd pie which I had with a mixed salad with blue cheese dressing. I also found time to make my lunch for tomorrow - tuna nicoise salad. Stayed for another drink with Andrea and Tina (A and I having a joke about sharing a jug of water) and then even went back down the pub for a drink with Andrew later. Me not drinking is definitely good for him as it meant I could give him a lift home rather than him having to get a taxi. Let's hope he doesn't get too used to it! *LOL*
I have realised that I am going to have to rearrange my kitchen again. Yesterday I used my steamer for the first time ever and I dug out my food processor which hasn't seen the light of day for about 8 years! I will need to use both of them regularly so think the newish George Foreman grill and Smoothie Maker will have to go into storage for the time being. Grilled food has no place on this plan and as I can't eat any fruit, juice or yoghurt till Phase 2 I'm not likely to be using that any time soon either.
Friday, 13 April 2007
Day 2
Well I'm almost through day 2. Not feeling quite as perky as I have been as I've had a headache all day, probably brought on by the diet and I don't seem to have the vitality that I've been displaying for the last few weeks - in fact I feel pretty sluggish.
I also have a problem that I seem to be very hungry today and I'm not entirely sure what to do about it. I have had my breakfast (another fry up), lunch was the wonderful butternut squash soup and a side salad of green leaves and blue cheese dressing into which I added the crispy bacon and parmesan that was supposed to go with the soup. I also had a snack of 2 babybel cheeses just before leaving work and a couple of small pieces of smoked salmon whilst cooking dinner. Dinner was baked cod with tomato on a bed of wild rocket and parmesan shavings which was delicious and should have been filling but strangely doesn't seem to have been. I am going to have yet more water and hope that that does the trick of filling me up.
This afternoon I also bought some different decaffeinated teas. I have tried to drink the rooibos all day and still having trouble with it so thought I'd try something else. The first one I've tried is called choco aztec spice and yep it tastes of chocolate and spices - much better than the rooibos. I've also bought green tea and lemongrass, and never one to give up on something have also got rooibos and vanilla, which the forum girls seem to love.
Still, onwards and downwards (hopefully)
I also have a problem that I seem to be very hungry today and I'm not entirely sure what to do about it. I have had my breakfast (another fry up), lunch was the wonderful butternut squash soup and a side salad of green leaves and blue cheese dressing into which I added the crispy bacon and parmesan that was supposed to go with the soup. I also had a snack of 2 babybel cheeses just before leaving work and a couple of small pieces of smoked salmon whilst cooking dinner. Dinner was baked cod with tomato on a bed of wild rocket and parmesan shavings which was delicious and should have been filling but strangely doesn't seem to have been. I am going to have yet more water and hope that that does the trick of filling me up.
This afternoon I also bought some different decaffeinated teas. I have tried to drink the rooibos all day and still having trouble with it so thought I'd try something else. The first one I've tried is called choco aztec spice and yep it tastes of chocolate and spices - much better than the rooibos. I've also bought green tea and lemongrass, and never one to give up on something have also got rooibos and vanilla, which the forum girls seem to love.
Still, onwards and downwards (hopefully)
Thursday, 12 April 2007
D Day
So today is D Day, the first day of my new way of eating and so far it's going very well. The morning started with a pint of water and the millions of vitamins that I'm taking every day. This was followed by a nice fry up breakfast (and how odd it is to be using a frying pan and fat to cook with) - eggs, bacon, mushrooms & tomato with a cup of chai tea and yet more water. Lunch was a peppered steak with a small green leaf & avocado salad with a spoonful of homemade blue cheese dressing (very yummy!) with a cup of the rooibos tea and another glass of water and now I feel stuffed. Dinner is supposed to be tarragon chicken with faux-mash, but I'm not sure I'll be able to manage it - may have to substitute something lighter instead, especially as I'm also supposed to have a little snack. Surprisingly, the things that have had the highest carb values today so far are the mushrooms and the black peppercorns (yep I'm amazed as well!)
The rooibos is a bit of an acquired taste, actually its the smell that puts me off most, it doesn't taste too bad although I couldn't drink too many cups of it (at the moment anyway, see me glugging it back like normal tea in a few weeks probably). I can drink it black without any sweetener, which is a good thing as the soya milk I had in my chai tea this morning tastes absolutely disgusting and I can't even begin to imagine putting double cream in my tea having spent the last 10 odd years drinking skimmed milk. I shall have to try and bite the bullet with my chai and have that black too, but it's just not the same without that slight touch of milk.
Later this afternoon I'll be making my first batch of butternut squash soup for tomorrow's lunch (and maybe tonight's dinner). No idea if I'll like it as I don't think I've ever tasted it before, but it'll be interesting to see how it turns out. If nothing else my culinary skills will be improved considerably with this new eating plan - the downside of course is all this cooking creates more washing up - I suppose at least that could be classified as exercise *LOL*
On the exercise front I really need to get back into having a walk every day and tonight is as good a time as any to start.
The rooibos is a bit of an acquired taste, actually its the smell that puts me off most, it doesn't taste too bad although I couldn't drink too many cups of it (at the moment anyway, see me glugging it back like normal tea in a few weeks probably). I can drink it black without any sweetener, which is a good thing as the soya milk I had in my chai tea this morning tastes absolutely disgusting and I can't even begin to imagine putting double cream in my tea having spent the last 10 odd years drinking skimmed milk. I shall have to try and bite the bullet with my chai and have that black too, but it's just not the same without that slight touch of milk.
Later this afternoon I'll be making my first batch of butternut squash soup for tomorrow's lunch (and maybe tonight's dinner). No idea if I'll like it as I don't think I've ever tasted it before, but it'll be interesting to see how it turns out. If nothing else my culinary skills will be improved considerably with this new eating plan - the downside of course is all this cooking creates more washing up - I suppose at least that could be classified as exercise *LOL*
On the exercise front I really need to get back into having a walk every day and tonight is as good a time as any to start.
Wednesday, 11 April 2007
Bloating
Last night I went to the Indian for a meal to celebarate Andrea's birthday. Apart from incredibly slow service, it was lovely - a king prawn butterfly for starters followed by chicken mango rose with a small amount of mushroom rice, mushroom bhaji and 1/2 a keema naan. However, almost as soon as I'd eaten it, I began to feel really bloated, to the extent that my trousers, which had been so loose that I'd had to wear a belt with them were so tight I thought I was going to have to undo them - a very uncomfortable feeling indeed. Feeling a little better this morning, but it definitely was proof positive that carbs don't agree with me. The countdown is on - out for another meal tonight with Mrs H3 to celebrate her birthday and then tomorrow is D Day.
I had decided that for easiness I would follow the recipes provided in the pink bible for at least the first week and so I went shopping yesterday and bought all the things I need. Oh my God! It cost me £90! Of course that includes all those fresh herbs and the stuff that I had to replace, plus things like wine vinegar and stock cubes, so at least I won't have to buy some of those for a while, but it was still VERY expensive. My fridge is so stuffed with green stuff (including 2 cauliflowers ... yuk (I am going to learn to love them apparently, and I'd better seeing as they seem to make up quite a large part of the diet - cauliflower mash, cauliflower rice etc. ...)) I could hardly close it and I have a fridge & freezer full of (mainly) fish. I couldn't find a decent sausage in Asda for love nor money, so will have to search further afield - I need to find a decent sausage shop!
I had decided that for easiness I would follow the recipes provided in the pink bible for at least the first week and so I went shopping yesterday and bought all the things I need. Oh my God! It cost me £90! Of course that includes all those fresh herbs and the stuff that I had to replace, plus things like wine vinegar and stock cubes, so at least I won't have to buy some of those for a while, but it was still VERY expensive. My fridge is so stuffed with green stuff (including 2 cauliflowers ... yuk (I am going to learn to love them apparently, and I'd better seeing as they seem to make up quite a large part of the diet - cauliflower mash, cauliflower rice etc. ...)) I could hardly close it and I have a fridge & freezer full of (mainly) fish. I couldn't find a decent sausage in Asda for love nor money, so will have to search further afield - I need to find a decent sausage shop!
Monday, 9 April 2007
Another Weight Loss
I am pleased to report that I did actually manage to lose weight this week. Although I had a great weekend eating and drinking exactly what I wanted (including that cream tea), I still managed to generally stay within my points allowance and also did a LOT of walking. So that's another 4 3/4 lbs gone. Hopefully it won't be too long before I can fit into my M&S dress.
Wednesday, 4 April 2007
Way Off Track
Well I don't think I'll be losing too much weight this week! Yesterday I went completely off track with an evening out and far too many pints of snakebite (quite possibly the worst drink you could ever have on ANY diet) and today I had a lovely meal with Lynne at the Ship. Actually the meal wasn't too bad (if I hadn't eaten for the rest of the day *LOL*), pate & toast for starters, steak & chips for the main course and we shared a rhubard crumble and custard, but I am now feeling a bit bloated (although nowhere near as bad as I would have done before) and I still have another 1 1/2 pints of water to drink before I go to bed. Tomorrow, of course, I am off to Oxford with mum and so expect to be having lots more lovely food over the weekend (a certain teashop in Witney springs to mind).
At least my pedometer has turned up and already in the last 2 days I have earned 2 1/2 bonus points. As they haven't been my most active days ever that's not at all bad. I did remember to walk down the stairs at work today which is also a bonus. Haven't quite managed 10,000 steps a day yet, but I'll get there soon (have done 7,000+ steps today) and hopefully if the weather continues to improve I'll be back to walking every day again soon.
I have gained a new cookbook for my collection - Henry Harris' gourmet high protein low carb regime. Have only had a quick flick through but there are some seriously nice recipes in there and it was a bargain at only £2.99 with free postage! I finished emptying my cupboards of all the bad things today and now have very empty cupboards *LOL* at least I'll be ready to start on the tenets of the PB whenever I get round to doing it (Thursday is looking possible).
My friend Shazzer is currently just about to start reading the PB and is hopefully going to be my diet buddy when she gets as inspired as I am (yes she will). In the book Neris & India both had photos taken at various stages dressed in leotards & tights. Shazzer and I have challenged each other to have similar photos taken, although I have not got a leotard, just a dodgy old swimsuit - should do the trick though *LOL* - I guess that means watch this space!
Also in the book they suggest that you not tell people you are doing the diet, I am assuming that this is because it takes forever to explain to people what it is and isn't about and dispel the myths about low carb diets etc. I have already had at least 2 people dismiss what I'm going to do telling me that it's dangerous (err no it isn't), that the food is unhealthy (nope wrong there too I'm afraid) and that I would be better off sticking to a proper diet. Of course once I've explained at detail what it's all about they've changed their minds. I don't think I can be bothered to tell anyone else, maybe in future I'll just say I've become allergic to potatoes etc. *LOL*
At least my pedometer has turned up and already in the last 2 days I have earned 2 1/2 bonus points. As they haven't been my most active days ever that's not at all bad. I did remember to walk down the stairs at work today which is also a bonus. Haven't quite managed 10,000 steps a day yet, but I'll get there soon (have done 7,000+ steps today) and hopefully if the weather continues to improve I'll be back to walking every day again soon.
I have gained a new cookbook for my collection - Henry Harris' gourmet high protein low carb regime. Have only had a quick flick through but there are some seriously nice recipes in there and it was a bargain at only £2.99 with free postage! I finished emptying my cupboards of all the bad things today and now have very empty cupboards *LOL* at least I'll be ready to start on the tenets of the PB whenever I get round to doing it (Thursday is looking possible).
My friend Shazzer is currently just about to start reading the PB and is hopefully going to be my diet buddy when she gets as inspired as I am (yes she will). In the book Neris & India both had photos taken at various stages dressed in leotards & tights. Shazzer and I have challenged each other to have similar photos taken, although I have not got a leotard, just a dodgy old swimsuit - should do the trick though *LOL* - I guess that means watch this space!
Also in the book they suggest that you not tell people you are doing the diet, I am assuming that this is because it takes forever to explain to people what it is and isn't about and dispel the myths about low carb diets etc. I have already had at least 2 people dismiss what I'm going to do telling me that it's dangerous (err no it isn't), that the food is unhealthy (nope wrong there too I'm afraid) and that I would be better off sticking to a proper diet. Of course once I've explained at detail what it's all about they've changed their minds. I don't think I can be bothered to tell anyone else, maybe in future I'll just say I've become allergic to potatoes etc. *LOL*
Monday, 2 April 2007
Not Quite Going To Plan
Remember I said I was going to start the IPD next Tuesday? Well it may have to slip a few days (or a week). I was supposed to be going out for 2 meals this week, but I had completely forgotten that I had agreed to help Mark run a quiz on one of the days that I'd arranged a meal (sorry Mrs H3) so I've had to reschedule that for next week (eek!) As luck would have it it's also Andrea's birthday next Tuesday and she is going to the Indian that evening (eek again!). So instead of a bad week this week and fresh start next, it's going to be 2 bad weeks and a mega fresh start the week after!
Also having a bad day today. Lesley bought me an Easter egg. Fortunately only a small one (cadbury mini egg) but the temptation of that chocolate on my desk was too much and I ate it at 11am when I was feeling pretty hungry (I had already drunk 1/2 litre of water in case it was thirst not hunger). Of course now I have a tummy ache and am feeling bloated - not nice at all. I think we can safely say that chocolate is no good for me and I shall have to stop eating it (apart from the very occasional piece of dark chocolate - hotel chocolat preferred *LOL*).
On top of that I completely forgot to walk down the stairs for my lunch so a complete failure today. I must try harder!
Also having a bad day today. Lesley bought me an Easter egg. Fortunately only a small one (cadbury mini egg) but the temptation of that chocolate on my desk was too much and I ate it at 11am when I was feeling pretty hungry (I had already drunk 1/2 litre of water in case it was thirst not hunger). Of course now I have a tummy ache and am feeling bloated - not nice at all. I think we can safely say that chocolate is no good for me and I shall have to stop eating it (apart from the very occasional piece of dark chocolate - hotel chocolat preferred *LOL*).
On top of that I completely forgot to walk down the stairs for my lunch so a complete failure today. I must try harder!
Sunday, 1 April 2007
Still Losing
It's time for the weekly weight check-in. I'm pleased to report that I've lost another 3 lb bringing my total weightloss to 5 1/4lb. As you'd expect I am very pleased with this, especially as it's that time of the month so normally I'd expect to gain or stay the same if very lucky.
Next week is going to be a bit more of a challenge as I am having 2 meals out during the week (can't wait) and then of course from Thursday onwards will be at Jo's and all thoughts of dieting will be forgotten till I get on the scales on Monday morning. I'm not intending to go mad, but I just won't be surprised if I gain next week rather than lose. Fortunately, as I've cleared my cupboards of all my high carb items in readiness for IPD, about the only food I have left is chicken, vegetables and some frozen savoury mince so at least the meals I eat when I'm not dining out will be low pointed.
Next week is going to be a bit more of a challenge as I am having 2 meals out during the week (can't wait) and then of course from Thursday onwards will be at Jo's and all thoughts of dieting will be forgotten till I get on the scales on Monday morning. I'm not intending to go mad, but I just won't be surprised if I gain next week rather than lose. Fortunately, as I've cleared my cupboards of all my high carb items in readiness for IPD, about the only food I have left is chicken, vegetables and some frozen savoury mince so at least the meals I eat when I'm not dining out will be low pointed.
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