January......

Firstly, another confession - I've pinched this idea, from Comicbookgirl so apologies but I really liked it, hope you don't mind!

The idea is to look at all my achievements in the past month rather than dwelling on "I could have lost more"....etc.

So:
I've lost a total of ten pounds!!!
I've written on my blog regularly.
My food choices are reasonably healthy and varied.
I've 'met' some really nice, supportive, interesting people by reading their blogs.
I still feel motivated to keep tracking and lose more weight.
I got a beautiful blog award from Jaframity - thankyou.
I've had my hair cut.

I still need to:
Drink more water
Eat breakfast every day
Do some exercise!!
Nothing changes then!! lol

Oh No.......

I have to confess I've cheated a little bit and weighed myself this morning instead of tomorrow - and.... I've lost one pound. I'm pleased with this as I've struggled this week and not tracked properly.

Good job as well I've just been out for an Indian meal for a friends 50th - I planned to be good and just have tandoori chicken, but..... everything was paid for and we had a banquet, none of the choices were low fat and although it was nice I feel really stuffed! Poppadoms, garlic naan, korma, jalfrezi. rogan josh etc, etc. I only had a little of each but it all adds up!

Tomorrow is a new day however and if I can lose 2lbs next week I get my 5%.

Wake Up Calls.....

Just thought I'd share one of my reasons for wanting to lose weight - to be healthy!!

My brother had an angina attack before Christmas (he's 44) and my sister's boyfriend had chest pains last night (he's 46). They are both overweight (and smoke) and it really brought it home to me how easily we can lose people.
My dad had a stroke at 45 and a heart attack at 50 and both grandad's died of heart attacks at 48 and 56 so I have a bit of a family history too.
I've never smoked but know how much impact my weight has on my health.

Very scary, I want to see my grandchildren grow up and live another 40 years at least!!
Sorry for being so negative but it helps to write down the reasons to keep on track.

(If you click on the picture you can see what it says.)

Tired, Tired, Tired.....

I am so tired, had my grandson to stay last night, he is 8 months old, he slept until 6.30am but I can't, keep waking up to see he's ok!!
(I actually do look like the picture in my slippers!!)

Just got to last until 3pm when he goes home to mum (she's at work).

(Later)
He's gone home now, so cute, and smiling all the time.
Just got to not eat until teatime, I have roast beef planned but feel like snacking loads, because I'm tired I think. Going to try drinking water see if that helps.

Tricky Saturdays

Just thought I would share, I find Saturdays really difficult and often use my points up too early in the day - but today I've been fine.

Breakfast - Egg and Beans on Toast (5.5pts)
Lunch - Batchelors Soupfulls Chicken and Veg (2.5pts)
Dinner - 3 Sausage, potato, cabbage, broccoli and gravy (5.5pts)
Berry snack a jacks, capuccino, WW malt bread etc brings it all up to 24.
So quite pleased with myself....and I drank 750ml water.

Tomorrow is already planned with WW bacon, fat free sausage and an egg from my own hens on ww toast with mushrooms for breakfast (6.5pts), roast beef dinner (8pts) and probably soup for lunch.

I feel really positive at the moment and in control (of my eating at least!!)so hopefully it will carry on.

Water....

I found this today, it's part of an article that says you need to drink approximately 2L which we all know, but that its important to spread it out through the day or it doesn't have the effect it should! (I thought it might make it easier to get through too!)



This one shows exactly what we need water for!

Convinced me anyway!

In the 16's!!!!!

I'm so pleased, I've lost 3lbs this week so I've got my silver star on the weight tracker, and...... most important I am 16st something... sounds much better!!!!!
Only problem is - gone down to 24pts!!!

I didn't manage to do the exercise, breakfast and water last week so really need to get this sorted, but.... another quote for you:

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps"

So what I thought was this week I will aim for at least one exercise session, one bottle of water a day (500ml)and breakfast on at least three days. Should be achievable particularly at the weekend!!!

I'm sure I'll write again later I'm in such a good mood now!!! Thanks for reading.

Well.......

Didn't have any breakfast, missed my dinner due to work and then had to go back so only had a quick tea (WW Beef Hotpot and Toffee sundae),haven't drunk much water - so much for planning! but....... I have stayed in my points and still have 7.5 left and I have tracked everything.

Don't know if you've noticed but I like a little picture on each blog entry, I tend to search on google for something that fits if I don't use a photo.
I could have used the usual smiley face for my 'happy'picture but I liked the cow much better!!

I need to focus!!!!

For some reason I've been hopeless today, don't think I've ate too much but not tracked properly or ate proper meals, just snacked (on WW stuff)and kept pinching the roast beef!!

The main thing is that I WON'T do this tomorrow, it's usually the start of a slippery slope but NO! - I WILL: have breakfast, prepare my lunch, plan my tea, drink water and track everything.

Tuesday, now the snow has gone, I plan to finally start belly dancing and wednesday pilates.- should be fun anyway!!

I lost 2lb........

I lost 2lbs this week, second weigh in so I'm very pleased.
I really want to be in the 16's I think thats my first mini goal. Then my 5% which is 16st 10lb. I'll post another photograph of me when I've lost a stone, and I'm going to measure myself again when I get my 10% which is 15st 12lb.

Lots of green instead of all white outside now, not so pretty but I'm glad the snow is going. Its very wet and raining though so always something to moan about!!

I'm going to plan all week later, including exercise, I haven't been so good with drinking water this week either so need to sort that too.

Something to look forward too.........

I'm going to You've been NABD... it's a bike rally in Cheshire in May.
I'm a bit of a rock chick (or rock granny lol..) at heart. I know I don't really look it, but I tend to wear things that I think are suitable for my size rather than what I would really like to wear, and then there is work of course which needs to be reasonably smart.
Two days camping, drinking and partying with 3000 bikers (and my husband of course!)
I'll post photos!!!
I might have a break from the diet that weekend, but a long way to go yet so hopefully I can lose a few stones before then.

Weigh in tomorrow morning so I'll let you know how I get on, I've stuck to my points all week so should be ok, but you never know!!
I really need to start exercising, hopefully now the snow is going I'll be able to get out after work.

Roast Lamb v Thorntons???

I just had a really nice roast lamb dinner.
75g Lamb - 3pts
70g roast potato - 2pts
2 scoops mash - 2pts
Gravy - 0.5pts
carrots/ parsnips - 0.5pts
Broccoli - 0pts
Mint sauce - 0pts.

All that for only 8pts!!!

I could have had 4 thorntons chocolates instead.......

What would you choose?

Just made me think about how the choices I make affect my weight loss.

Saving Money!!!

Just been thinking...... if I can lose weight I can get into all the clothes I've got (some never worn) that are too small, that helps towards one of my other New Year resolutions..... Stop spending so much and save some money!!

My grandson slept through from 7pm until 7am, he is so cute, always smiling and laughing, hardly ever cries. I'm very lucky.

Well.... Poached egg and beans on toast for breakfast.(5.5pts)
WW Pizza oval (3.5pts), Muller Light yohurt (1.5pts) and 2 clementines (0.5pts) for lunch and.....Roast lamb and all the trimmings for tea (8pts).
Thats me all planned for today, with a few points left for snacks/ drinks etc.

The WW pizza was nice, better than I thought it would be, I had the spicy chicken.

Shopping arrrrgh!!!!

Just braved Morrisons..... what a nightmare, worse than before Christmas, but they did have food :)


I have my grandson tonight (in the picture) he's nearly 8 months so a busy night for me!! Hopefully he will sleep through.

Thought I'd show my grandaughter also, she is 6 in May.
Along with my dogs, work, hens, my laptop (facebook, WW, Blog, shopping) and then my husband and not forgetting my teenage son! thats how I spend most of my time.

I lost 4lb!!

As the title says - first weigh in today and I lost 4lbs!!!! Hooorayyy.

I'm so sad - before I even had a coffee I was on my laptop putting it in my WW profile, my spreadsheet, my blog and e mailing the people who run the challenges on the 5+ board!!!

I am organised today, although not dressed yet! (11.30am)
Just had poached egg and beans on toast (5.5pts), prepared soup for lunch with sweet potato, carrots and onion (1.5pts)and Turkey Curry for tea with Rice and WW Naan bread (9pts).

Last day of first week :)

Tomorrow is the moment of truth, hope I have a good result as I've tried hard this week.
I haven't exercised as much as I could but I think the snow has had a big impact on that - I am full of good intentions!

A very stressful day today, but.... I resisted the urge to eat all the WW Victoria sponge cakes and only had one with a cup of tea when I got home.

WW Tagliatelle Bolognaise for tea and a WW Chocolate Mousse Cake.

Haaaa my Asda order has come, all my weightwatchers stuff in it,brave van driver coming up here, my husband had to meet him at the bottom of the drive.

I like the look of blueberry and vanilla oaty biscuits!

Brrrrrrrr........

I know I'm getting boring... sorry, but its very cold again, -7C driving home with -14C forecast for tonight.

Can't believe how much I've eaten for tea and only 8pts.
14 king prawns (1.5pts), big bag of stir fry veg (0pts),blue dragon szcechuan tomato sauce(2.5pts)and Amoy noodles (4pts). Enough left for a WW Victoria sponge (1.5pts) and a cup of Ovaltine light (1pt).
I did have a different lunch, Batchelors Soupfull mediteranean tomato (2pts)with a bag of walkers baked (1.5pts) and 2 satumas (0.5pts)- but still porridge for breakfast, only raspberry this time.(3pts)

Thanks Jaframity for your reply to my last post, makes me feel better I'm not the only one who eats a lot of the same stuff!

Thanks to anyone else who replies as well its great to get the feedback. I'm trying to comment on blogs as I read them, but sometimes struggle to think of anything interesting to say!!

I was looking for a king prawn picture to put on this post...... good job mine were frozen, I'd never eat them!!! horrible looking things!

Oh and I've managed to go so far without getting on the scales - major achievement, hope its all been worth it on Saturday morning!

Day Five!!

Very cold and snowy again today, got stuck on my drive on the way home, but main roads are fine.

Same again for breakfast and lunch - I really need to vary my diet lol but I'm always like this when I find things I like.

I made the effort and made a chicken dinner for tea with carrots, leeks, cabbage and even stuffing. 3 scoops of mash and gravy for only 6.5pts!!

My husband will be pleasantly surprised when he gets home! - The best thing about WW I think, you can eat the same as everyone else and still lose weight.

I sometimes feel mean as we have a few chickens.... but I would never eat them! Just waiting for them to start laying eggs again when the days get longer.

Snow, Snow and more Snow....

Snowing again here tonight after loads this morning, lots of roads closed but luckily I've managed to get to work and home again ok.

Sweet Cinnamon porridge for breakfast and Maxwell House Latte with honey (4.5pts)
Mackarel in tomato sauce (2.5pts) Pasta (1pt) and Cherry tomatoes for lunch with 2 satsumas (0.5pts) and a pack of walkers baked (1.5pts)
At least a litre of water too!

Tea tonight...... Meatballs,pasta sauce and pasta for 9pts (and I get 3 meatballs!!)

No Asda order because of the snow and I was looking forward to my weightwatchers stuff!!!
However wouldn't want anyone to have to deliver in this weather so I can wait....

No exercise again today as not feeling brilliant, but still very positive about WW and staying within my points - I always am though for the first few weeks.

The most I've lost was in 2008 and I got my 10% for 24lbs but it all went downhill from there, each time I start again I seem to weigh a little bit more.
This is the heaviest I've ever been - so it has to GO!!

First day back at work....

And I can't think what to have for tea!!! I know... I should have this planned.

I had Apple and Blueberry Oat so Simple (porridge)(3.5pts) for breakfast and Chicken and Veg soup (2.5pts) and 2 satsumas (0.5pts) for lunch so got lots of points left.

Two of my mini goals - I have had breakfast and I have been drinking water, are good today, but the planning and the exercise - not so good.

Still very cold and lots of snow as you can see from the photo, it was -8C this morning!

I've decided! Thats what WW ready meals are for, a mushroom and broccoli wedge melt and a WW chocolate mousse cake. (7pts)and a few points left for a hot drink and biscuit later. Not too healthy I know but I'm cold!!

Anyway, hopefully going to start pilates again wednesday and belly dancing! next week, so should earn some activity points!

Day Two cont....

Thought I'd better show you my other dog Jack the Bedlington - didn't want him to feel left out!!!
As you can see he prefers comfort and warmth rather than snow!



New food I've discovered!!!

(This may become a regular feature lol)

Batchelors Soupfull - Chicken and Veg 2.5pts, Tomato and Veg 2pts (very filling, great for lunch at work if you have a microwave)
Muller light Vanilla yoghurt with chocolate sprinkles and black cherry 1.5pts (very sweet, very nice!)I have mine with a meringue nest for an extra 0.5pt.
Nature's Choice Fruit pot - 2pts (lovely with sugar free jelly!)
All from the Coop!

Day Two

Still very cold and full of snow here, but managed to get the car out to go and get some healthy food! I've also done an Asda order to be delivered Tuesday with all the WW stuff I like - hopefully they will be able to get to us!

I've had a late breakfast of poached egg and beans on toast (5.5pts) so hopefully won't be hungry until much later when the roast beef is ready.
I love WW points system where you can eat exactly the same as everyone else as long as you count it. Seems to me to be the most sensible way to change your eating habits rather than 'diet'.

My husband was in trouble last night, he 'found' a small box of Thorntons that he had forgotten to give me at Christmas!!! All that hard work I put in eating all the Christmas leftovers!! but - each chocolate is two points so I'm going to eat one (hopefully) each night (counted of course!).

Later I shall walk the dogs again, I won't get the chance until next weekend as its too dark when I get home from work, hopefully I will be able to join the belly dancing class this week - can't wait!!

The picture is my baby Ellie taken a few days ago.

I did it!!

I've managed to stay within my points (up to now anyway!) and not long till bedtime.
I've even drunk a litre of water!!
So far so good and tomorrow is already planned with a roast beef dinner to look forward to.

(I am trying not to obsess about food honest!)

The First Day!!!

Its snowing heavily at the moment, looks beautiful but I have to drive to go shopping so not so good!!

I've planned for today and tomorrow, I've made a cottage pie that worked out at 8.5 points a portion and initially I thought 'oh no, I can't have any', I'm so used to trying to eat lots of very low point foods (ie. fit in lots of snacks), but I thought about my resolution to eat healthily, I looked at the whole day and it fits in easily.
I'm also tracking the water I drink, I've bought some 500ml bottles to make it easier, waste of money I know but it suits my slightly obssesive nature!

Sorry if I'm being boring but I guess its the same with everyone at the start.

Slight update - it is now snowing very heavily and we will soon be snowed in!!!

Oh and I'm also a 16st wannabee! - thanks Chriskaraokeman

Proof - I went for a walk!

I did it again,- I went for a walk all around the fields with the dogs, and my husband this time.
Absolutely freezing and wore me out but I really enjoyed it.

I'm ready to start tracking properly tomorrow with my 25 points a day.

Here Again...

This will wear off when I go back to work honest....I'm going to aim for at least once a week when I weigh in so hopefully it won't get boring!!

I'm into quotations at the moment, my next one is...

"There are no failures - just experiences and your reactions to them."

So I thought I'd use my previous dieting experience (over many years and numerous attempts!!)to list some 'mini resolutions'

1.Drink water (I know - it should be 2 litres a day but I drink none at the moment so any is good!)
2.Track every day - everytime I've failed before, its started with me thinking I know what I'm doing now so no need to keep tracking.
3.Eat breakfast (and not a pack of snack a jacks in the car!)- I have a tendency to eat very little all day,save all my points for evenings and use lots on snacks - not very healthy!
4.Plan meals in advance - getting home tired, then having to decide what to cook - guess what, I go for the easiest option, often not the best.
5.Be active every day - I am shockingly unfit, any activity would be good
6.Take each day as it comes - if I go over, 'draw a line' as they say and don't see it as a total failure.

Thats it for now - sounds easy doesn't it!!

Happy New Year!!!!

Happy New Year - another moment of truth!!!

I weigh 17st 8lb which is only one pound more than on the 1st November so I'm quite happy? with that.

Only 99lbs to my goal of 10st 7lb!!

I'm a member of two weight watchers 5+ challenges so I've set my targets for those -
The Valentine Challenge (6 weeks) is 16st 10lb (5%)or 12lbs
The Easter Challenge (12 weeks) is 15st 11lb (10%) or 25lbs

Ambitious I know but I read a quotation that I liked yesterday.

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars."

I'll be happy with whatever I can lose but the 5% and 10% seemed to be good targets to aim for and to fit in with my aim of being at goal by January 1st 2011.