read all about it....
Stranger at gym says 'You look fantastic'.
Made the fact that I forgot half of my HRM so couldn't use it seem slightly less annoying.
Friday, 30 April 2010
F*ck up Friday
Ever have a feeling that your day isn't going to be that good? I'm not about to doom my whole day, but things have the potential to go totally tits up.
My day started by me putting together a rather odd (for me) outfit. I'm wearing my new denim shorts from Dotty P's which I'm paranoid are too small (even though they are not) and a really bright pink tight fitting polo top from Jack Wills which I've owned for over a year and never worn because I'm still really self concious in tight fitted tops (makes my boobs look huge and doesn't allow any lumps/bumps to be hidden). I'm also wearing a long grey cardi, black tights and silver ballet pumps. Now this is an outfit that I wouldn't have usually put on for a dress down friday, infact its not something I would have ever put together! Therefore, it has the potential to make me feel really uncomfortable in my own skin - you know that kind of feeling when you lose all self confidence and just want to hide away or get changed. I took a photo of myself in my mirror this morning to try and convince myself that I can pull it off.
This is the photo. It's funny really, because now I've cut my crazy 'just hair-dryed' head off the photo, it almost feels like I'm looking at someone else. I've been maintaining my weight now for over a year, why do I still not see myself how others must perceive me? Why am I still convinced that I'm bigger than I am? How much longer is it going to take before my brain falls inline with my body image? I still take in size 12's to the changing room (along with the 10) because I struggle to believe I'll fit in the 10's. Both the items in this photo are size 10's and they both fit fine.
Tomorrow I plan to take new bikini photos, weigh myself and take new measurements to see how I've been getting on these past few weeks. I've still got 1.5 weeks until Dubail, so if I've really messed up I do have a bit of time to reign things in.
The weekend itself isn't necessarily going to be easy, tomorrow morning I'm planning on a run, probably 6 miles, then we're doing our holiday shopping and we're out in the evening at an American style Diner. I think I'm likely to have the steak & a coke float and a milkshake for dessert and a few cocktails. I'm going to try and eat well during the day and not drink too much as I don't want to waste sunday. Speaking of Sunday, it will be our 1st Wedding Anniversary (awwwww). Not sure what the plan is, apparently Mr H has things under control! On Monday I'll probably do another long-ish run and maybe some more shopping ;)
Reviewing yesterdays goals:
1. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 4/5 completed with a gym session
3. Run at least 15 miles. pending - 5.5 miles completed
4. Continue with the extra exercises outlined last week. check
5. Try to eat at least 1/2 of every meal (excluding breakfast) salad/fruit/veggies. check
6. Prepare my work lunches the night before. check
7. Dust off my bike and go out for a ride. pending
8. Hold my abs in a bit more in day to day life! check
Not too bad! I'm feeling quite positive about how my week has been working, other than being generally busy and a little disorganised its all good!
Food for today is the second mishap of my Friday morning, we didn't have anything to have for lunch and I forgot my porridge and my berocca. Booooooo! I hate hate hate leaving my breakfast at home. I'm totally gutted about it. On my way into work I stopped off at an M&S Simply Food in an attempt to get something, but there was nothing that I fancied. I did pick up lunch though.
My food for the day is as follows:
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 1 Slice Wholemeal Toast with butter and Raspberry Jam.
Mid Morning: Banana
Lunch: M&S 'Classic Salad' (all their salads are 2 for £3 at the moment) with 2 for £5 M&S Roast Chicken slices - looking at the ingredients to this I'm wondering how they managed to get 'Brown Sugar' into the Roast Chicken, but its still better than fish & chips in the canteen.
Mid Afternoon: Melon & 1 Babybel Light
Dinner: Slow Cooked Moroccan Chicken (adapted from the quorn recipe that Gayle posted - thanks!), I forgot the chick peas and I only have 1 pepper and 3 cherry tomatoes, but it looked nice enough when I took it out of the slow cooker this morning. I'll serve mine with a load of leafy salad.
I'm hitting the gym at lunchtime and really want to concentrate on free weights & abs as I'll be away from the gym for 3 days with the long weekend. So I'll probably do 10-15 minutes of cardio and up to 50 minutes of weights.
Finally, one thing that cheered me up a bit this morning was seeing this on the cupboard door in the work kitchen. The first sticker went up a few months ago, the second label appeared in the last 24 hours. I don't think it will be there much longer!
My day started by me putting together a rather odd (for me) outfit. I'm wearing my new denim shorts from Dotty P's which I'm paranoid are too small (even though they are not) and a really bright pink tight fitting polo top from Jack Wills which I've owned for over a year and never worn because I'm still really self concious in tight fitted tops (makes my boobs look huge and doesn't allow any lumps/bumps to be hidden). I'm also wearing a long grey cardi, black tights and silver ballet pumps. Now this is an outfit that I wouldn't have usually put on for a dress down friday, infact its not something I would have ever put together! Therefore, it has the potential to make me feel really uncomfortable in my own skin - you know that kind of feeling when you lose all self confidence and just want to hide away or get changed. I took a photo of myself in my mirror this morning to try and convince myself that I can pull it off.
This is the photo. It's funny really, because now I've cut my crazy 'just hair-dryed' head off the photo, it almost feels like I'm looking at someone else. I've been maintaining my weight now for over a year, why do I still not see myself how others must perceive me? Why am I still convinced that I'm bigger than I am? How much longer is it going to take before my brain falls inline with my body image? I still take in size 12's to the changing room (along with the 10) because I struggle to believe I'll fit in the 10's. Both the items in this photo are size 10's and they both fit fine.
Tomorrow I plan to take new bikini photos, weigh myself and take new measurements to see how I've been getting on these past few weeks. I've still got 1.5 weeks until Dubail, so if I've really messed up I do have a bit of time to reign things in.
The weekend itself isn't necessarily going to be easy, tomorrow morning I'm planning on a run, probably 6 miles, then we're doing our holiday shopping and we're out in the evening at an American style Diner. I think I'm likely to have the steak & a coke float and a milkshake for dessert and a few cocktails. I'm going to try and eat well during the day and not drink too much as I don't want to waste sunday. Speaking of Sunday, it will be our 1st Wedding Anniversary (awwwww). Not sure what the plan is, apparently Mr H has things under control! On Monday I'll probably do another long-ish run and maybe some more shopping ;)
Reviewing yesterdays goals:
1. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 4/5 completed with a gym session
3. Run at least 15 miles. pending - 5.5 miles completed
4. Continue with the extra exercises outlined last week. check
5. Try to eat at least 1/2 of every meal (excluding breakfast) salad/fruit/veggies. check
6. Prepare my work lunches the night before. check
7. Dust off my bike and go out for a ride. pending
8. Hold my abs in a bit more in day to day life! check
Not too bad! I'm feeling quite positive about how my week has been working, other than being generally busy and a little disorganised its all good!
Food for today is the second mishap of my Friday morning, we didn't have anything to have for lunch and I forgot my porridge and my berocca. Booooooo! I hate hate hate leaving my breakfast at home. I'm totally gutted about it. On my way into work I stopped off at an M&S Simply Food in an attempt to get something, but there was nothing that I fancied. I did pick up lunch though.
My food for the day is as follows:
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 1 Slice Wholemeal Toast with butter and Raspberry Jam.
Mid Morning: Banana
Lunch: M&S 'Classic Salad' (all their salads are 2 for £3 at the moment) with 2 for £5 M&S Roast Chicken slices - looking at the ingredients to this I'm wondering how they managed to get 'Brown Sugar' into the Roast Chicken, but its still better than fish & chips in the canteen.
Mid Afternoon: Melon & 1 Babybel Light
Dinner: Slow Cooked Moroccan Chicken (adapted from the quorn recipe that Gayle posted - thanks!), I forgot the chick peas and I only have 1 pepper and 3 cherry tomatoes, but it looked nice enough when I took it out of the slow cooker this morning. I'll serve mine with a load of leafy salad.
I'm hitting the gym at lunchtime and really want to concentrate on free weights & abs as I'll be away from the gym for 3 days with the long weekend. So I'll probably do 10-15 minutes of cardio and up to 50 minutes of weights.
Finally, one thing that cheered me up a bit this morning was seeing this on the cupboard door in the work kitchen. The first sticker went up a few months ago, the second label appeared in the last 24 hours. I don't think it will be there much longer!
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Fast Legs
Just a short post to record a NSV. I got up to 152 rpm on the Exercise Bike today at the gym. The guy next to me leisurely going along at around 60-70 rpm even tried to keep up when I started cycling really fast. Needless to say whatever he was listening to wasn't fast enough to get his legs going along to the beat I was listening to.
Oh the joys of working out to metal, I'll have my blast beat any day of the week over some generic pop crap to get me motivated!
Oh the joys of working out to metal, I'll have my blast beat any day of the week over some generic pop crap to get me motivated!
Well done Mr H.
Yesterday was a good day, I ate well, I exercised and I slept well :)
Last nights stir fry was a success, I fried the veggies in a little sesame oil, then made a sauce out of soy, stock cube, 5 spice, cumin, mustard powder, chilli pesto, ginger, almond butter & a splash of water. Worked really well with the tuna steak I cooked on the foreman grill. Mr H ate it all as well which is always a good sign.
Actually, whilst Mr H is on my mind I thought I'd mention what he's been up to lately. He's also been in 'get ready for Dubai' mode and has upped his gym usage from nothing to about 4 times a week and coming for Sunday Run Day with me. Also after much nagging from me, he agreed to give up the fully loaded pepsi, sweets and general other crap for a while to see if it made a difference. I'm pleased to report that he's lost about half a stone and his IBS has stopped! I hate to say 'I told you so' but it totally needs to be said :) I'm really pleased for him, he keeps complaining at the moment that his suit trousers are too big and that his t shirts look baggy. Think we'll get him some new bits and pieces in town at the weekend.
Reviewing yesterday's goals:
1. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 3/5 completed
3. Run at least 15 miles. pending - 5.5 miles completed
4. Continue with the extra exercises outlined last week. check
5. Try to eat at least 1/2 of every meal (excluding breakfast) salad/fruit/veggies. check
6. Prepare my work lunches the night before. check - Mr H did it last night though :)
7. Dust off my bike and go out for a ride. pending
8. Hold my abs in a bit more in day to day life! check
Plan for food today is as follows:
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder (yay!), 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk.
Mid Morning: Banana
Lunch: Slow Cooked Ham with Lettuce, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber & Peppers. (last of my slow cooked ham - boo!) & 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake
Mid Afternoon: Strawberries & Grapes
Dinner: Homemade Burgers in Lettuce leaf 'buns' loaded with cheddar cheese, jalepenos, tomatoes, onions and cucumber
Exercise will be in the gym.
Last nights stir fry was a success, I fried the veggies in a little sesame oil, then made a sauce out of soy, stock cube, 5 spice, cumin, mustard powder, chilli pesto, ginger, almond butter & a splash of water. Worked really well with the tuna steak I cooked on the foreman grill. Mr H ate it all as well which is always a good sign.
Actually, whilst Mr H is on my mind I thought I'd mention what he's been up to lately. He's also been in 'get ready for Dubai' mode and has upped his gym usage from nothing to about 4 times a week and coming for Sunday Run Day with me. Also after much nagging from me, he agreed to give up the fully loaded pepsi, sweets and general other crap for a while to see if it made a difference. I'm pleased to report that he's lost about half a stone and his IBS has stopped! I hate to say 'I told you so' but it totally needs to be said :) I'm really pleased for him, he keeps complaining at the moment that his suit trousers are too big and that his t shirts look baggy. Think we'll get him some new bits and pieces in town at the weekend.
Reviewing yesterday's goals:
1. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 3/5 completed
3. Run at least 15 miles. pending - 5.5 miles completed
4. Continue with the extra exercises outlined last week. check
5. Try to eat at least 1/2 of every meal (excluding breakfast) salad/fruit/veggies. check
6. Prepare my work lunches the night before. check - Mr H did it last night though :)
7. Dust off my bike and go out for a ride. pending
8. Hold my abs in a bit more in day to day life! check
Plan for food today is as follows:
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder (yay!), 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk.
Mid Morning: Banana
Lunch: Slow Cooked Ham with Lettuce, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber & Peppers. (last of my slow cooked ham - boo!) & 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake
Mid Afternoon: Strawberries & Grapes
Dinner: Homemade Burgers in Lettuce leaf 'buns' loaded with cheddar cheese, jalepenos, tomatoes, onions and cucumber
Exercise will be in the gym.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
2 Weeks until Dubai!
Lets start with some good news - yesterdays run burnt off 5 calories short of the chocolate bar I consumed for lunch yesterday. I did a session of free weights/squats etc when I got home so I'm sure that will have covered the rest. Its a shame that 525 calories didn't go towards anything else, but at least its made things seem not quite so bad. I did a 4 miler after work, running a circuit twice. I was pleased because I only stopped twice early on because of the rush hour traffic, the rest of the time I just kept on going :)
I can't believe this time in 2 weeks time I'll be on my way to sunny Dubai! :D
We're off shopping at the weekend and the things I still need to buy are..
* Sandals
* A few tops with capped sleeves - I don't do seperates, I totally live in dresses or at a push skirts and vest tops, but I don't really own any 'pretty tops'. 90% of the tops I own are band t-shirts! This will be hard.
* Sun Cream
* A bikini I've had my eyes on in M&S
* A good book
* New beach bag maybe.
* Anything else that takes my fancy :D
Reviewing yesterday's goals:
1. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 2/5 completed
3. Run at least 15 miles. pending - 4 miles completed
4. Continue with the extra exercises outlined last week. check
5. Try to eat at least 1/2 of every meal (excluding breakfast) salad/fruit/veggies. check
6. Prepare my work lunches the night before. check
7. Dust off my bike and go out for a ride. pending
8. Hold my abs in a bit more in day to day life! check - this was really tough yesterday as I was wearing a waist cinching belt that is already a bit big, when I held in my abs the belt fell down!
And food for today...
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder (yay!), 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk.
Mid Morning: Banana
Lunch: Slow Cooked Ham with Lettuce, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber & Grapes & a boiled egg.
Mid Afternoon: Strawberries & Melon
Dinner: Tuna Steak & Stir Fried Veggies (I will have this tonight as we're leaving work early!)
Exercise wise will either be another run & free weights or a bike ride + weights.
I can't believe this time in 2 weeks time I'll be on my way to sunny Dubai! :D
We're off shopping at the weekend and the things I still need to buy are..
* Sandals
* A few tops with capped sleeves - I don't do seperates, I totally live in dresses or at a push skirts and vest tops, but I don't really own any 'pretty tops'. 90% of the tops I own are band t-shirts! This will be hard.
* Sun Cream
* A bikini I've had my eyes on in M&S
* A good book
* New beach bag maybe.
* Anything else that takes my fancy :D
Reviewing yesterday's goals:
1. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 2/5 completed
3. Run at least 15 miles. pending - 4 miles completed
4. Continue with the extra exercises outlined last week. check
5. Try to eat at least 1/2 of every meal (excluding breakfast) salad/fruit/veggies. check
6. Prepare my work lunches the night before. check
7. Dust off my bike and go out for a ride. pending
8. Hold my abs in a bit more in day to day life! check - this was really tough yesterday as I was wearing a waist cinching belt that is already a bit big, when I held in my abs the belt fell down!
And food for today...
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder (yay!), 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk.
Mid Morning: Banana
Lunch: Slow Cooked Ham with Lettuce, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber & Grapes & a boiled egg.
Mid Afternoon: Strawberries & Melon
Dinner: Tuna Steak & Stir Fried Veggies (I will have this tonight as we're leaving work early!)
Exercise wise will either be another run & free weights or a bike ride + weights.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
A Moment of Weakness
I don't really know what happened. One minute I was in WHSmiths buying Terrorizer and an anniversary card for Mr H's parents, the next thing I know I've got a bar of chocolate in my hand and I'm tucking in.
This was my weakness...
This was my weakness...
Milka Cow Spot Chocolate. Stupid WHSmiths had it on offer at the till for £1 a bar. About 10 minutes and 530 calories later it was all over.
Now to question why... my trip to town had started so well. I went for a mooch in Holland & Barratt and saw a few things that if I was going straight home tonight I would have bought to try, but hot cars and food don't really mix so I didn't get anything. Then onto Dotty P's where I bought a new pair of Sunglasses (extremely similar to my current pair) and a pair of size 10 shorts - yes size 10 shorts. On reflection this should have been all I needed for a good feeling inside. Then I had to go to WHSmiths to get Terrorizer (as Mr H's band have a full page feature) and a card for the inlaws anniversary. I'd even seen the same chocolate on a stand elsewhere in the shop but it didn't tempt me. But when it came to crunch time I picked up a bar at the till and handed it to the sales assistant.
Did I do it because I was alone? Did I do it because I was bored? Did I do it because I still subconsiously reward myself with food? Did I feel empowered by making this decision even though I knew it was a bad one? Did it feel good to be 'reckless'? Did I think no one would find out? I guess probably the answer to all the above is yes.
Now, don't get me wrong every single mouthful of that chocolate was a little piece of heaven. Everything about it ticked boxes for me - the purple packaging, the way that the white chocolate on the milk chocolate made the bar look like a cow, its 100g size that meant I could eat it all, the childhood association with buying Milka from Woolies, the list goes on. But what is most concerning was the fact I bought it at all. In my handbag I have 3 nakd bars that I could have eaten, even if I'd eaten all 3 it would have been better than the bar of Milka. Going back to when I left work I had eaten a babybel to keep the hunger away whilst I was shopping, so even then my shopping trip intentions were good.
I've got 2 weeks and 1 day until I go to Dubai, why am I trying to wreck things for myself?! Its not like I've been denying myself recently, I'm definately a believer in a little bit of what you fancy when you fancy it.
I need to pull myself together and stop acting on stupid impulses. I'm now sat at my desk, not eating my amazing lunch (because I'm not hungry) and awaiting the sugar slump that is sure to arrive in about an hour. Great - just in time for the regular afternoon slump at 3pm!
When the sugar slump arrives, I'm going to come back here and blog about how crap it feels.
Today will be better
Yesterday was such a busy day. I'm not going to bother going into details, because I can't even be bothered to think about it! However exercise for yesterday was a measly 30 minutes - 10 minutes Cardio followed by 20 minutes weights. It burnt 288 calories so clearly wasn't completely useless, but I felt a bit disappointed with myself. On a plus side though I've upped my weights on the leg press and I'm slowly getting my confidence back for my arm weights after the injury I suffered a few weeks ago (which if I haven't mentioned, my Doctor usefully said there was no point in looking into!)
Onwards and upwards for today!
Reviewing yesterday...
1. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 1/5 completed
3. Run at least 15 miles. pending
4. Continue with the extra exercises outlined last week. check
5. Try to eat at least 1/2 of every meal (excluding breakfast) salad/fruit/veggies. check
6. Prepare my work lunches the night before. check
7. Dust off my bike and go out for a ride. pending
8. Hold my abs in a bit more in day to day life! check - though this is really hard to remember to do!
Food for today looks like follows...
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder (yay!), 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk.
Mid Morning: Babybel
Lunch: The demon chocolate bar.
Mid Afternoon: Slow Cooked Ham (cooked over night) with Lettuce, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber & Grapes, Banana, and 200ml Protein Shake with Water after my run.
Dinner: 2 Dippy Eggs and a Wholemeal Pitta
Pud: Strawberries
Exercise wise I'm planning a run at 5pm, followed by a weights at the gym until Mr H finishes work.
Onwards and upwards for today!
Reviewing yesterday...
1. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 1/5 completed
3. Run at least 15 miles. pending
4. Continue with the extra exercises outlined last week. check
5. Try to eat at least 1/2 of every meal (excluding breakfast) salad/fruit/veggies. check
6. Prepare my work lunches the night before. check
7. Dust off my bike and go out for a ride. pending
8. Hold my abs in a bit more in day to day life! check - though this is really hard to remember to do!
Food for today looks like follows...
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder (yay!), 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk.
Mid Morning: Babybel
Lunch: The demon chocolate bar.
Mid Afternoon: Slow Cooked Ham (cooked over night) with Lettuce, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber & Grapes, Banana, and 200ml Protein Shake with Water after my run.
Dinner: 2 Dippy Eggs and a Wholemeal Pitta
Pud: Strawberries
Exercise wise I'm planning a run at 5pm, followed by a weights at the gym until Mr H finishes work.
Monday, 26 April 2010
Polar OwnIndex
Not sure really what to make of the Polar 'Fitness Test' on my HRM but I re-did it for the first time since it arrived in January.
28th January 2010 - 40 (Moderate)
22nd April 2010 - 55 (Elite)
Where for my age range (25-29)...
Very low = < 26
Low = 26 - 30
Fair = 31 - 35
Moderate = 36 - 40
Good = 41 - 44
Very Good = 45 - 49
Elite = > 49
Whether or not its a particularly reliable measure, its still pleasing to see.
28th January 2010 - 40 (Moderate)
22nd April 2010 - 55 (Elite)
Where for my age range (25-29)...
Very low = < 26
Low = 26 - 30
Fair = 31 - 35
Moderate = 36 - 40
Good = 41 - 44
Very Good = 45 - 49
Elite = > 49
Whether or not its a particularly reliable measure, its still pleasing to see.
New Goals
It's Monday and therefore time to set some new weekly goals.
1. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day.
2. Exercise at least 5 times.
3. Run at least 15 miles.
4. Continue with the extra exercises outlined last week.
5. Try to eat at least 1/2 of every meal (excluding breakfast) salad/fruit/veggies.
6. Prepare my work lunches the night before.
7. Dust off my bike and go out for a ride.
8. Hold my abs in a bit more in day to day life!
Food for today:
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 1 tsp Cadbury Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener.
Mid Morning: Bounce Premium Protein Ball (209 Calories)
Lunch: Lettuce, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, Cous Cous, Ham
Mid Afternoon: Banana, Strawberries
Dinner: Steak, Sweet Potato, Asparagus, Mushrooms, Courgette, Red Pepper
Will be off at the gym at lunchtime for a cardio/weights session.
1. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day.
2. Exercise at least 5 times.
3. Run at least 15 miles.
4. Continue with the extra exercises outlined last week.
5. Try to eat at least 1/2 of every meal (excluding breakfast) salad/fruit/veggies.
6. Prepare my work lunches the night before.
7. Dust off my bike and go out for a ride.
8. Hold my abs in a bit more in day to day life!
Food for today:
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 1 tsp Cadbury Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener.
Mid Morning: Bounce Premium Protein Ball (209 Calories)
Lunch: Lettuce, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, Cous Cous, Ham
Mid Afternoon: Banana, Strawberries
Dinner: Steak, Sweet Potato, Asparagus, Mushrooms, Courgette, Red Pepper
Will be off at the gym at lunchtime for a cardio/weights session.
Weekend Roundup
Once again the weekend has been and gone far too quickly.
Saturday
I spent most of Saturday helping a friend move house, I had a pub lunch where there was a good healthy choice on the menu (even if they did forget the chicken I'd asked for to go with it!). In the evening Mr H had cooked our first BBQ of the year :)
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 2 tsp Sweetener, 100% Cocoa Grated.
Mid Morning: 2 Chocolate Caramel Digestives
Lunch: 'Superfood Salad' (Lettuce, Peppers, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Red Onion, L/F Yoghurt Dressing, Pumpkin Seeds) and a few chips.
Dinner: 3 Sausages, 1 Chicken Breast, Cous Cous, Salad, L/F Brownie.
Sunday
We were supposed to head off to Thorpe Park on Sunday but the weather was a bit bad, after a quick check of the weather on the coast we decided to head to Bournemouth instead. We visited the aquarium, walked along the beach, had a picnic in a local hotspot for down and outs (we realised this after a group of crackheads turned up - needless to say we swiftly moved on!), and tried finding Sega World, but realised it was gone :(
Breakfast: 30g Jumbo Oats, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 1 tsp Cadburys Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener.
Picnic Lunch: Wholemeal Chicken Salad Pitta, Bacon Roll (White bread), few crisps, L/F Brownie.
Mid Afternoon: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake.
Dinner: Chicken, Cous Cous, Purple Sprouting Brocolli.
Pud: Melon & Strawberries.
Reviewing my weekly goals as a whole over the weekend:
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a Day Friday-Check, Saturday-FAIL, Sunday-Check
2. Eat 5 Fruit/Veg a day Friday-FAIL, Saturday-Check, Sunday-Check
3. Do Jane Fonda Abs workout every day FAIL (but did do some abs work on Sunday)
4. Do Squats, Ballet Squats, Single Leg Lunges, Butt Raises, Thigh Master (!), Calf Raises, PushUps every day (at least 20 of each) check
5. Run 2 Evenings in the Week. FAIL - 1/2 completed
6. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 5/5 completed with helping a friend move house and some dedicated exercise on Sunday earning me 550 calories across the weekend.
7. Plan Food for the day. semi-check
8. Run up every flight of stairs I come across. check
So not horrendous, not great. Overall in the week I did ok, but I didn't do amazing.
Saturday
I spent most of Saturday helping a friend move house, I had a pub lunch where there was a good healthy choice on the menu (even if they did forget the chicken I'd asked for to go with it!). In the evening Mr H had cooked our first BBQ of the year :)
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 2 tsp Sweetener, 100% Cocoa Grated.
Mid Morning: 2 Chocolate Caramel Digestives
Lunch: 'Superfood Salad' (Lettuce, Peppers, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Red Onion, L/F Yoghurt Dressing, Pumpkin Seeds) and a few chips.
Dinner: 3 Sausages, 1 Chicken Breast, Cous Cous, Salad, L/F Brownie.
Sunday
We were supposed to head off to Thorpe Park on Sunday but the weather was a bit bad, after a quick check of the weather on the coast we decided to head to Bournemouth instead. We visited the aquarium, walked along the beach, had a picnic in a local hotspot for down and outs (we realised this after a group of crackheads turned up - needless to say we swiftly moved on!), and tried finding Sega World, but realised it was gone :(
Breakfast: 30g Jumbo Oats, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 1 tsp Cadburys Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener.
Picnic Lunch: Wholemeal Chicken Salad Pitta, Bacon Roll (White bread), few crisps, L/F Brownie.
Mid Afternoon: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake.
Dinner: Chicken, Cous Cous, Purple Sprouting Brocolli.
Pud: Melon & Strawberries.
Reviewing my weekly goals as a whole over the weekend:
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a Day Friday-Check, Saturday-FAIL, Sunday-Check
2. Eat 5 Fruit/Veg a day Friday-FAIL, Saturday-Check, Sunday-Check
3. Do Jane Fonda Abs workout every day FAIL (but did do some abs work on Sunday)
4. Do Squats, Ballet Squats, Single Leg Lunges, Butt Raises, Thigh Master (!), Calf Raises, PushUps every day (at least 20 of each) check
5. Run 2 Evenings in the Week. FAIL - 1/2 completed
6. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 5/5 completed with helping a friend move house and some dedicated exercise on Sunday earning me 550 calories across the weekend.
7. Plan Food for the day. semi-check
8. Run up every flight of stairs I come across. check
So not horrendous, not great. Overall in the week I did ok, but I didn't do amazing.
Friday, 23 April 2010
Nearly the weekend
Yay for Friday, how glad am I that it has finally arrived?! Feels like its been a hard week, I'm sure partly due to the stress of looking after 'Chop Shop' (what Mr H has taken to calling Dolly after her op) and also because its been a crap week to have been stuck in the office as the weather has been truely glorious. My weekend doesn't really feel like I'm going to have much of an opportunity to relax which is a shame, but I'm sure I can sneak in at least one lie in and one afternoon snooze in the hammock.
Yesterday didn't pan out quite as expected, at 11.50am I got back to my desk after a meeting expecting just to review my emails and then head over to the gym. There was a message from Mr H entitled 'Call me URGENTLY'. Turns out that our builder had arranged to have the scafolding taken down and had 'forgotten' to tell us. Obviously our main concern was Dolly and making sure she didn't split open through all the barking that would have occured with all the crashing around. So we jumped in the car and made the hour trip home to find all the scaffolding gone and Dolly still complete :) Glad she was ok, but still really pissed with the builder!
As I missed my gym session my eating pattern got a bit messed up. An hour or so before my run I ended up having a slice of wholemeal toast about 3pm with almond butter on as my pre-run fuel.
Reviewing my run last night, it was good - but not great. It was one of those occasions where I really struggled to find my rhythm. Possibly because I was running a new route (which had some crazy hills), but I also don't think that Mathcore contributes to a good pace as a result my heart rate often tipped over 180 and I had to slow down significantly to get it back under control. I'm sure next time will be better. This is the route I took along with the altitude graph:
Yesterday didn't pan out quite as expected, at 11.50am I got back to my desk after a meeting expecting just to review my emails and then head over to the gym. There was a message from Mr H entitled 'Call me URGENTLY'. Turns out that our builder had arranged to have the scafolding taken down and had 'forgotten' to tell us. Obviously our main concern was Dolly and making sure she didn't split open through all the barking that would have occured with all the crashing around. So we jumped in the car and made the hour trip home to find all the scaffolding gone and Dolly still complete :) Glad she was ok, but still really pissed with the builder!
As I missed my gym session my eating pattern got a bit messed up. An hour or so before my run I ended up having a slice of wholemeal toast about 3pm with almond butter on as my pre-run fuel.
Reviewing my run last night, it was good - but not great. It was one of those occasions where I really struggled to find my rhythm. Possibly because I was running a new route (which had some crazy hills), but I also don't think that Mathcore contributes to a good pace as a result my heart rate often tipped over 180 and I had to slow down significantly to get it back under control. I'm sure next time will be better. This is the route I took along with the altitude graph:
Just past 2 miles where my route intersects with Stoney Lane is where the mother of all hills begins. You have a downhill stretch just before then, lulling you into a false sense of security then out of the ground rises a monster. I managed to run up to house number 30. Not sure really how far that is, but it gives me something to aim to beat! My heart rate was well over 180 by the time I got to house number 30 and even though I walked the rest of the way up the hill my heart rate had only dropped down to 179 by the top.
It was a pretty good time of the day to be running (I left the house shortly after 5.30pm - so its unlikely to happen any other days than weekends or working from home days), the sun was at a good level in the sky to not be beating down on me (or giving me any dodgy tan lines like Sundays run), there weren't many other people on the pavements and the country roads (with no pavements) were quiet enough to get down without meeting many cars. That all said, the one major downside to running at this time of the evening was that I was in learner driver hell. There was one guy out with his instructor that I kept running into, at times I'd be running faster than he was moving along the road and having to run for my life as he suddenly screeched round a corner without seeing that I was crossing the road. He must have caused me to stop about 5 or 6 times (which on reflection I should have just gone because he was so slow!). I must rememeber next time I do this route to try and avoid hours when learners are out, I think just pushing it back 30 minutes (so leaving between 6-6.30pm) would probably avoid them.
Onto my review of yesterday...
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a Day check
2. Eat 5 Fruit/Veg a day check - Banana, Orange, Apple, Lettuce, Tomato, Cucumber, Baby Spinach, Rocket
3. Do Jane Fonda Abs workout every day check
4. Do Squats, Ballet Squats, Single Leg Lunges, Butt Raises, Thigh Master (!), Calf Raises, Push
Ups every day (at least 20 of each) check - added a few more bits and pieces and increased reps. 5. Run 2 Evenings in the Week. check - 1/2 completed
6. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 3/5 completed with an evening run earning me 588 calories
7. Plan Food for the day. semi-check - had an unplanned piece of wholemeal toast with almond butter as a pre-run snack.
8. Run up every flight of stairs I come across. check
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I got a little distracted writing this up this first thing and I had a meeting most of the day and then skipped off from work early! So its now 20:30 and I'm just finishing my post!
I was working in London today and as a result my food has been far from great, but here goes!
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp Cadburys Cocoa Powder (bleurgh!), 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Semi-Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca
Lunch: Bacon and Tomato Roll (382 calories) & 9Bar (277 calories)
Mid Afternoon Snack: Honeydew Melon
Dinner: 2 x Sloppy Joe Wraps with Grated Cheese
Pud: PBGB
So yeah, not great huh! I've taken today as an unplanned rest day as I had the shakes earlier and I think after 3 days in a row of hard work I deserve a little break. Back on it tomorrow with a run in the morning and then from 11.30am I'm helping a friend move house. I plan on wearing my HRM just to see how much moving furniture pays off!
In other news, I booked my ticket for Ascot Ladies Day this evening squeeee!
Thursday, 22 April 2010
I {heart} Porridge Skin
You heard it hear first, I actually love that solid top you get on the top of porridge. I deliberately leave my porridge a few minutes before consuming it to allow the top to form. The stuff underneath almost even seems disappointing after cutting through that thick top layer.. om-nom-nom.
First off, a review of yesterday...
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a Day check
2. Eat 5 Fruit/Veg a day check - Tomatoes, Red Onion, Cucumber, Lettuce, Banana, Grapes, Jalepenos, Mushrooms
3. Do Jane Fonda Abs workout every day check
4. Do Squats, Ballet Squats, Single Leg Lunges, Butt Raises, Thigh Master (!), Calf Raises, Push Ups every day (at least 20 of each) check - same set up as before
5. Run 2 Evenings in the Week. pending
6. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 2/5 completed with a gym session earning me 404 calories
7. Plan Food for the day. check
8. Run up every flight of stairs I come across. check
I think I did pretty well yesterday, sure I ate two brownies - but the bonus of eating two yesterday was that I sent Mr H into work with the remaining 7 today! I've got 3 potentially bad days lined up, so I really need to keep my eyes on the prize if I want good results. My problem days & associated action plans are as follows:
Friday: Working in London. Now working in London whilst a challenge food wise isn't so much of a problem - its the fact that the weather is fine and I'm in the centre of a million pubs all calling me to have a cold beer or two... or three... or more after work without the whole 'I'll be hungover for work the next day'. So to combat the food/beer, I will take my lunch to work with me and I will not tell any of my friends that I am in London on a Friday, therefore no one will invite me out.
Saturday: Helping a friend move house and associated takeaway afterwards. To combat this, I've already decided to drive so I won't be tempted to join in the wine in the evening. I figure so long as I chose sensibly at whatever takeaway, the effort of moving should hopefully be enough to have earnt me that meal. I'll also take a packed lunch and some healthy snacks so I don't have to fuel myself on biscuits and sugary tea (which was what I ate last time I helped her move!). Also, because we are missing our Sunday run, we're going to try and get out in the morning before I head off. Hopefully an ultra fat burning day will be had!
Sunday: We have to miss Sunday Run-day as we're off to Thorpe Park with my Brother and his Wife. We will be up early to get there. Plan is to have porridge for breakfast, take a picnic full of lovely fresh healthy foods and not be tempted to snack on Theme Park crap. I will probably take a piece of PBGB to keep me away from the ice creams. Again, hoping that being on my feet all day will contribute to some good results!
Onto todays battle plan...
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca
Mid Morning Snack: Banana
Lunch: Baby Spinach, Rocket, Tomato & Cucumber Salad with Ham, 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake.
Mid Afternoon Snack: Orange and Apple Fruit Salad.
Dinner: Sloppy Joes and Salad.
Exercise for today will be another session in the gym probably 20 minutes cardio, 30 minutes weights and its highly likely that I will attempt to complete my first evening run this evening.
First off, a review of yesterday...
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a Day check
2. Eat 5 Fruit/Veg a day check - Tomatoes, Red Onion, Cucumber, Lettuce, Banana, Grapes, Jalepenos, Mushrooms
3. Do Jane Fonda Abs workout every day check
4. Do Squats, Ballet Squats, Single Leg Lunges, Butt Raises, Thigh Master (!), Calf Raises, Push Ups every day (at least 20 of each) check - same set up as before
5. Run 2 Evenings in the Week. pending
6. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 2/5 completed with a gym session earning me 404 calories
7. Plan Food for the day. check
8. Run up every flight of stairs I come across. check
I think I did pretty well yesterday, sure I ate two brownies - but the bonus of eating two yesterday was that I sent Mr H into work with the remaining 7 today! I've got 3 potentially bad days lined up, so I really need to keep my eyes on the prize if I want good results. My problem days & associated action plans are as follows:
Friday: Working in London. Now working in London whilst a challenge food wise isn't so much of a problem - its the fact that the weather is fine and I'm in the centre of a million pubs all calling me to have a cold beer or two... or three... or more after work without the whole 'I'll be hungover for work the next day'. So to combat the food/beer, I will take my lunch to work with me and I will not tell any of my friends that I am in London on a Friday, therefore no one will invite me out.
Saturday: Helping a friend move house and associated takeaway afterwards. To combat this, I've already decided to drive so I won't be tempted to join in the wine in the evening. I figure so long as I chose sensibly at whatever takeaway, the effort of moving should hopefully be enough to have earnt me that meal. I'll also take a packed lunch and some healthy snacks so I don't have to fuel myself on biscuits and sugary tea (which was what I ate last time I helped her move!). Also, because we are missing our Sunday run, we're going to try and get out in the morning before I head off. Hopefully an ultra fat burning day will be had!
Sunday: We have to miss Sunday Run-day as we're off to Thorpe Park with my Brother and his Wife. We will be up early to get there. Plan is to have porridge for breakfast, take a picnic full of lovely fresh healthy foods and not be tempted to snack on Theme Park crap. I will probably take a piece of PBGB to keep me away from the ice creams. Again, hoping that being on my feet all day will contribute to some good results!
Onto todays battle plan...
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca
Mid Morning Snack: Banana
Lunch: Baby Spinach, Rocket, Tomato & Cucumber Salad with Ham, 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake.
Mid Afternoon Snack: Orange and Apple Fruit Salad.
Dinner: Sloppy Joes and Salad.
Exercise for today will be another session in the gym probably 20 minutes cardio, 30 minutes weights and its highly likely that I will attempt to complete my first evening run this evening.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Extra Goal for the Week
I've made a concious effort so far this week to do this, so I figured it should become an official weekly goal.
8. Run up every flight of stairs I come across.
Generally this will result in the single flight of stairs in our house and the 3 flights of stairs at work daily. This Friday I'm working in London, so lots of running around the tube is sure to happen, then on Saturday I'm helping a friend move into her flat, so more stairs will be involved.
I figure its the little things that add up and running up stairs is an instant heart rate raiser.
8. Run up every flight of stairs I come across.
Generally this will result in the single flight of stairs in our house and the 3 flights of stairs at work daily. This Friday I'm working in London, so lots of running around the tube is sure to happen, then on Saturday I'm helping a friend move into her flat, so more stairs will be involved.
I figure its the little things that add up and running up stairs is an instant heart rate raiser.
Makeshift Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
Pack of Lean Beef Mince (I think I use 500g)
1 x Onion
1 x Pepper
1 x Tin of Chopped Tomatoes
1 x Tin of Baked Beans
Stock Cube
Tomato Puree
Red Chilli
Optional extras: Kidney Beans, Celery, Carrots, Black Beans, basically anything you would consider adding to a chilli or a bolognese will work with this!
Method
Chop up the onion/pepper and cook in a pan until softened.
Add the mince and cook until brown.
Add the Chopped tomatoes, Baked Beans, Tomato Puree (2 tbsp ish), stock cube and red chilli and allow to simmer away for about 20 minutes.
Serve in Wholemeal Rolls, Wholemeal Pittas or Wraps with a bit of Salad. (It's certainly easier to eat in pittas/wraps, but its more fun in a roll!)
Pack of Lean Beef Mince (I think I use 500g)
1 x Onion
1 x Pepper
1 x Tin of Chopped Tomatoes
1 x Tin of Baked Beans
Stock Cube
Tomato Puree
Red Chilli
Optional extras: Kidney Beans, Celery, Carrots, Black Beans, basically anything you would consider adding to a chilli or a bolognese will work with this!
Method
Chop up the onion/pepper and cook in a pan until softened.
Add the mince and cook until brown.
Add the Chopped tomatoes, Baked Beans, Tomato Puree (2 tbsp ish), stock cube and red chilli and allow to simmer away for about 20 minutes.
Serve in Wholemeal Rolls, Wholemeal Pittas or Wraps with a bit of Salad. (It's certainly easier to eat in pittas/wraps, but its more fun in a roll!)
Quorn Curry
Ingredients
Quorn Fillets/Pieces or Meat of Choice
1 Onion
Spices (I use Tikka Powder, Medium Curry Powder, Tumeric, Garam Masala, Cayenne, Black Pepper)
Stock Cube
1 tin Chopped Tomatoes
Fresh tomato sliced into 8
L/F Fromage Frais or Yoghurt (I personally prefer Fromage Frais, but I've used both)
Sliced Red Chilli (If you love the spice)
Sliced Fresh Ginger if you have some, if not powdered will do
Spinach
If your feeling adventurous Raisins/Apricots & Mango Chutney
Method
Cut up the onion and Quorn and place in a pan with Fry Light or Spray Oil. Whilst its browning, add the Red Chilli, then add the spices & ginger. I don't really have an exact science to curry making, which makes each one individual. What I can tell you though is that I use at least two different types of pre-mixed curry powder, extra tumeric, extra garam masala, cayenne and black pepper. Sometimes I'll add Ginger powder if I don't have fresh, and if I'm feeling ill I tend to add a fresh clove of garlic too (as I'm sure Garlic is supposed to be good for colds?!).
After you've mixed in the spices and everything is softened/browned at the edges, add the tin of tomatoes, a stock cube and half a tin full of water (use the chopped tomato tin).
Simmer for about 15 minutes and add your extras like raisins/fresh tomato at this point and I personally think a tbsp of mango chutney makes it just perfect. Cook a little while longer until the liquid reduces and finally add the spinach. Once that has wilted, remove from the heat and add the Fromage Frais.
I usually serve with Wholemeal Rice.
Quorn Fillets/Pieces or Meat of Choice
1 Onion
Spices (I use Tikka Powder, Medium Curry Powder, Tumeric, Garam Masala, Cayenne, Black Pepper)
Stock Cube
1 tin Chopped Tomatoes
Fresh tomato sliced into 8
L/F Fromage Frais or Yoghurt (I personally prefer Fromage Frais, but I've used both)
Sliced Red Chilli (If you love the spice)
Sliced Fresh Ginger if you have some, if not powdered will do
Spinach
If your feeling adventurous Raisins/Apricots & Mango Chutney
Method
Cut up the onion and Quorn and place in a pan with Fry Light or Spray Oil. Whilst its browning, add the Red Chilli, then add the spices & ginger. I don't really have an exact science to curry making, which makes each one individual. What I can tell you though is that I use at least two different types of pre-mixed curry powder, extra tumeric, extra garam masala, cayenne and black pepper. Sometimes I'll add Ginger powder if I don't have fresh, and if I'm feeling ill I tend to add a fresh clove of garlic too (as I'm sure Garlic is supposed to be good for colds?!).
After you've mixed in the spices and everything is softened/browned at the edges, add the tin of tomatoes, a stock cube and half a tin full of water (use the chopped tomato tin).
Simmer for about 15 minutes and add your extras like raisins/fresh tomato at this point and I personally think a tbsp of mango chutney makes it just perfect. Cook a little while longer until the liquid reduces and finally add the spinach. Once that has wilted, remove from the heat and add the Fromage Frais.
I usually serve with Wholemeal Rice.
3 Weeks until Dubai!
Seriously, where did last week go?! I'm sure I say this each Wednesday when another week has passed and I'm even closer to my holiday. Good news is that I *think* I'm looking a bit better for all the exercise I've been doing lately. Might bring my monthly weigh in/measurement check forward a week to see if I've made any actual progress or if its all in my head!
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a Day check
2. Eat 5 Fruit/Veg a day check - Semi-check - Banana, Baby Spinach, Tomato, Red Onion, Avocado & Black Beans in the brownie (I'm sure the last two don't count!!)
3. Do Jane Fonda Abs workout every day FAIL - will make up for this today!
4. Do Squats, Ballet Squats, Single Leg Lunges, Butt Raises, Thigh Master (!), Calf Raises, Push Ups every day (at least 20 of each) check - same set up as before
5. Run 2 Evenings in the Week. pending
6. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 1/5 completed with a gym session earning me 346 calories
7. Plan Food for the day. check - but the homemade altered recipe vegan brownie I had for pud was unplanned, but at least it was nutritionally sound.
All in all not to bad, the brownies at the end of the day was a result of speaking to an idiot on the phone. I was trying to help them, but they kept talking over me and raising their voice. As I don't really do 'lovey lovey' customer relations I raised my voice further and put them back in their place, made them feel really small and finally got them to listen (oh the cut-throat world I work in). I was talking to the 'President' of a company, but that matters not. Doesn't matter who you are, if I'm trying to help you and your not listening to me, you'll see a side of me that is rarely witnessed! At 4.45pm it was really the last thing I wanted to be dealing with and as a result I left work late and in a bad mood. So I needed cake!
Today hasn't started that well either, clearing up the mess from my phonecall yesterday resulted in me spending 3 hours (yes 3 hours!) drafting a follow up email to my call to clarify everything I've said. As a result of that, I just suddenly realised that it was 11.30am, I've not had my pre-gym snack and its nearly gym time. So I've pushed the gym back an hour and will go about 12.30pm. Things can only get better eh?
Food for today:
Breakfast: 200ml Semi-Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca.
Mid Morning Snack (well more like 11.30am!): Slice of homemade Brownie ~ 100 calories
Lunch: Quorn Curry Wrap (2 quorn fillets with leftover curry sauce from last night all contained in a wrap & 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake.
Mid Afternoon Snack: Grapes & Fudge Baby (Thanks to Kat for the suggestion to make them!)
Dinner: Homemade Chilli Burgers topped with cheese and jalepenos, wrapped in lettuce leaves with Red Onion/Mushroom/Tomato/Cucumber.
Pud: Another homemade Brownie and Banana.
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a Day check
2. Eat 5 Fruit/Veg a day check - Semi-check - Banana, Baby Spinach, Tomato, Red Onion, Avocado & Black Beans in the brownie (I'm sure the last two don't count!!)
3. Do Jane Fonda Abs workout every day FAIL - will make up for this today!
4. Do Squats, Ballet Squats, Single Leg Lunges, Butt Raises, Thigh Master (!), Calf Raises, Push Ups every day (at least 20 of each) check - same set up as before
5. Run 2 Evenings in the Week. pending
6. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 1/5 completed with a gym session earning me 346 calories
7. Plan Food for the day. check - but the homemade altered recipe vegan brownie I had for pud was unplanned, but at least it was nutritionally sound.
All in all not to bad, the brownies at the end of the day was a result of speaking to an idiot on the phone. I was trying to help them, but they kept talking over me and raising their voice. As I don't really do 'lovey lovey' customer relations I raised my voice further and put them back in their place, made them feel really small and finally got them to listen (oh the cut-throat world I work in). I was talking to the 'President' of a company, but that matters not. Doesn't matter who you are, if I'm trying to help you and your not listening to me, you'll see a side of me that is rarely witnessed! At 4.45pm it was really the last thing I wanted to be dealing with and as a result I left work late and in a bad mood. So I needed cake!
Today hasn't started that well either, clearing up the mess from my phonecall yesterday resulted in me spending 3 hours (yes 3 hours!) drafting a follow up email to my call to clarify everything I've said. As a result of that, I just suddenly realised that it was 11.30am, I've not had my pre-gym snack and its nearly gym time. So I've pushed the gym back an hour and will go about 12.30pm. Things can only get better eh?
Food for today:
Breakfast: 200ml Semi-Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca.
Mid Morning Snack (well more like 11.30am!): Slice of homemade Brownie ~ 100 calories
Lunch: Quorn Curry Wrap (2 quorn fillets with leftover curry sauce from last night all contained in a wrap & 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake.
Mid Afternoon Snack: Grapes & Fudge Baby (Thanks to Kat for the suggestion to make them!)
Dinner: Homemade Chilli Burgers topped with cheese and jalepenos, wrapped in lettuce leaves with Red Onion/Mushroom/Tomato/Cucumber.
Pud: Another homemade Brownie and Banana.
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Frankenpug
It's very rare that I look forward to coming into work, but today is one of those days when I'm glad to be in the office. Yesterday at home was quite stressful with Frankenpug Dolly and full o'beans Edie. By about 7pm I had a stonking headache and was in such a bad mood that I decided to bail on my planned evening run. Good news is that Dolly appears to much better today so we've gone back to work. Fingers crossed everything is ok when we get home this evening. The other reason I'm thankful for being at work is the recycled air. My hayfever has been unbearable the last few days, even the concoction of pills, nasal sprays and eye drops hasn't really helped much. But filtered air makes things bearable.
Reviewing yesterdays plans:
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a Day check
2. Eat 5 Fruit/Veg a day check - Banana, Red Pepper, Baby Spinach, Strawberries, Grapes, Tomato
3. Do Jane Fonda Abs workout every day check
4. Do Squats, Ballet Squats, Single Leg Lunges, Butt Raises, Thigh Master (!), Calf Raises, Push Ups every day (at least 20 of each) check - did the following:
30 x Squats
30 x Ballet Squats
30 x Single Leg Lunges (30 on each side)
10 Butt Raises + 10 second hold
20 Single Leg Butt Raises + 10 second hold (on each leg)
30 Calf Raises
40 x Thigh Master presses
20 x Man Push Ups
5. Run 2 Evenings in the Week. pending
6. Exercise at least 5 times. pending
7. Plan Food for the day. check
Pretty good going for the first day of the week. Am sure I can manage to get 6/7 greens today as I'll be going to the gym at lunchtime. As per my usual routine, planning for about 20 minutes cardio and 40 minutes weights. Our fabulous gym guy left rather abruptly at the end of last week, so we're probably going to have a series of shoddy temp's in for a while before they find a full time replacement. Hopefully it won't impact too much on what I do at the gym, just will probably mean there will be no Body Pump for a while longer.
Food for today:
Breakfast: 200ml Semi-Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca.
Mid Morning Snack: Banana
Lunch: Baby Spinach, Grapes, Rice, Ham, Cheese, Pickle Salad & 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake.
Mid Afternoon Snack: Grapes
Dinner: Chicken Curry
Reviewing yesterdays plans:
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a Day check
2. Eat 5 Fruit/Veg a day check - Banana, Red Pepper, Baby Spinach, Strawberries, Grapes, Tomato
3. Do Jane Fonda Abs workout every day check
4. Do Squats, Ballet Squats, Single Leg Lunges, Butt Raises, Thigh Master (!), Calf Raises, Push Ups every day (at least 20 of each) check - did the following:
30 x Squats
30 x Ballet Squats
30 x Single Leg Lunges (30 on each side)
10 Butt Raises + 10 second hold
20 Single Leg Butt Raises + 10 second hold (on each leg)
30 Calf Raises
40 x Thigh Master presses
20 x Man Push Ups
5. Run 2 Evenings in the Week. pending
6. Exercise at least 5 times. pending
7. Plan Food for the day. check
Pretty good going for the first day of the week. Am sure I can manage to get 6/7 greens today as I'll be going to the gym at lunchtime. As per my usual routine, planning for about 20 minutes cardio and 40 minutes weights. Our fabulous gym guy left rather abruptly at the end of last week, so we're probably going to have a series of shoddy temp's in for a while before they find a full time replacement. Hopefully it won't impact too much on what I do at the gym, just will probably mean there will be no Body Pump for a while longer.
Food for today:
Breakfast: 200ml Semi-Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca.
Mid Morning Snack: Banana
Lunch: Baby Spinach, Grapes, Rice, Ham, Cheese, Pickle Salad & 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake.
Mid Afternoon Snack: Grapes
Dinner: Chicken Curry
Monday, 19 April 2010
New Week, New Plan
First off, review of yesterdays check list...
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 5/5 Completed with a 6 mile run
3. Only eat the food I bring into to work with me. check
4. Book a Doctors appointment to get an inhaler. check, 8.30am Saturday!
5. Run at least one evening during the week. check!
6. Have 5 fruit/veg a day. check - Banana, Raisins, Mushrooms, Red Pepper, Red Onion, Melon, Strawberries, Tomato, Sweet Potato
I think all in all I had a fairly good week, green vs red was up on greens definately. I think seeing days where there were more red's than green's was enough to get me focused for the next day.
Targets for this week - the final push for 'Beach Ready Body 2010':
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a Day
2. Eat 5 Fruit/Veg a day
3. Do Jane Fonda Abs workout every day
4. Do Squats, Ballet Squats, Single Leg Lunges, Butt Raises, Thigh Master (!), Calf Raises, Push Ups every day (at least 20 of each)
5. Run 2 Evenings in the Week
6. Exercise at least 5 times.
7. Plan Food for the day.
Yesterday Mr H got some new lunchboxes from Tesco. So we now have proper tubs to take our salads/fruit into work with us. Bowls with clingfilm over the top were not cool!
Food for today:
Breakfast: 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca.
Mid Morning Snack: Banana
Lunch: Chicken, Moroccan Jewelled Cous Cous, Baby Spinach, Red Pepper.
Mid Afternoon Snack: Grapes & Strawberries.
Dinner: Red Pepper & Chorizo Soup with 1 Slice Wholemeal Bread.
Pud: Scan Bran & G&B Hazelnut Spread
Now I have my inhaler, I plan a 3 mile hill run this evening.
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 5/5 Completed with a 6 mile run
3. Only eat the food I bring into to work with me. check
6. Have 5 fruit/veg a day. check - Banana, Raisins, Mushrooms, Red Pepper, Red Onion, Melon, Strawberries, Tomato, Sweet Potato
I think all in all I had a fairly good week, green vs red was up on greens definately. I think seeing days where there were more red's than green's was enough to get me focused for the next day.
Targets for this week - the final push for 'Beach Ready Body 2010':
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a Day
2. Eat 5 Fruit/Veg a day
3. Do Jane Fonda Abs workout every day
4. Do Squats, Ballet Squats, Single Leg Lunges, Butt Raises, Thigh Master (!), Calf Raises, Push Ups every day (at least 20 of each)
5. Run 2 Evenings in the Week
6. Exercise at least 5 times.
7. Plan Food for the day.
Yesterday Mr H got some new lunchboxes from Tesco. So we now have proper tubs to take our salads/fruit into work with us. Bowls with clingfilm over the top were not cool!
Food for today:
Breakfast: 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca.
Mid Morning Snack: Banana
Lunch: Chicken, Moroccan Jewelled Cous Cous, Baby Spinach, Red Pepper.
Mid Afternoon Snack: Grapes & Strawberries.
Dinner: Red Pepper & Chorizo Soup with 1 Slice Wholemeal Bread.
Pud: Scan Bran & G&B Hazelnut Spread
Now I have my inhaler, I plan a 3 mile hill run this evening.
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Sunday Run-Day
Isn't it nice that the good folks at x socks thought it would be useful to put a reminder about 
which sock goes on which foot. This is the first time I've noticed the 'L' and the 'R', so clearly they don't really need to be there! As if the big ovals meant to go under the arches in your feet weren't a big enough give away!
Todays run was the first long run I have done since I was ill a week ago and Mr H's first session back on exercise since getting over the cold I gave him a few days ago.
As a result, it wasn't spectacular, but we did increase the distance an extra mile. We ran it in 69 minutes, so 11:30 minute mile pace. We stopped a fair few times (between around 5 or 6 times) for at least a minute at a time, and twice on precious down hill stretches, so I'm confident that next weekend (or maybe one evening during the week) we can reduce our time :)
It really was a gorgeous morning to be out running, the sun was shining but it was still cool and the roads were quiet. Best of all, I burnt off a whopping 636 calories!
After getting back from the run, my eyes were stinging (despite the hayfever meds I took pre-run) and I felt really dusty. Check out what I just cleared off my face. Is this just a result of having no rain for a while, or is this evidence of the volcano dust? Either way, it was gross and prompted a very swift shower to remove it all.
Onto the review of yesterday...
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. pending
3. Only eat the food I bring into to work with me. FAIL - I ate way too much unplanned food yesterday.
4. Book a Doctors appointment to get an inhaler. check, 8.30am Saturday!
5. Run at least one evening during the week. check!
6. Have 5 fruit/veg a day. check - melon, pak choi, red onion, sweetcorn, butternut squash, asparagus, purple sprouting brocolli, regular tenderstem brocolli.
Not too bad overall, but I'm really not sure why I ate so much food yesterday. I was hungry for starters, but I think not leaving the house resulted in some major boredom. Theres nothing exciting about sitting on your living room floor watching crappy Saturday TV! I think for me, it was the Magnum that was the worst thing I ate yesterday - I didn't even enjoy it and I don't know why I agreed to eat it?! Will try and have a better day today...
Breakfast: Banana (pre-run), Berocca & 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake (post-run)
Lunch: Moroccan Jewelled Cous Cous, Chicken, Mushroom/Red Pepper/Red Onion skewers
Mid Afternoon Snack: Huge bowl of Melon & Strawberries
Dinner: 1 slice wholemeal bread with Ham/Tomato, 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 100ml Semi-Skimmed Milk (50ml water), Homemade Sweet Potato crisps.
Much better :)
which sock goes on which foot. This is the first time I've noticed the 'L' and the 'R', so clearly they don't really need to be there! As if the big ovals meant to go under the arches in your feet weren't a big enough give away!Todays run was the first long run I have done since I was ill a week ago and Mr H's first session back on exercise since getting over the cold I gave him a few days ago.
As a result, it wasn't spectacular, but we did increase the distance an extra mile. We ran it in 69 minutes, so 11:30 minute mile pace. We stopped a fair few times (between around 5 or 6 times) for at least a minute at a time, and twice on precious down hill stretches, so I'm confident that next weekend (or maybe one evening during the week) we can reduce our time :)
It really was a gorgeous morning to be out running, the sun was shining but it was still cool and the roads were quiet. Best of all, I burnt off a whopping 636 calories!
After getting back from the run, my eyes were stinging (despite the hayfever meds I took pre-run) and I felt really dusty. Check out what I just cleared off my face. Is this just a result of having no rain for a while, or is this evidence of the volcano dust? Either way, it was gross and prompted a very swift shower to remove it all.Onto the review of yesterday...
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. pending
3. Only eat the food I bring into to work with me. FAIL - I ate way too much unplanned food yesterday.
6. Have 5 fruit/veg a day. check - melon, pak choi, red onion, sweetcorn, butternut squash, asparagus, purple sprouting brocolli, regular tenderstem brocolli.
Not too bad overall, but I'm really not sure why I ate so much food yesterday. I was hungry for starters, but I think not leaving the house resulted in some major boredom. Theres nothing exciting about sitting on your living room floor watching crappy Saturday TV! I think for me, it was the Magnum that was the worst thing I ate yesterday - I didn't even enjoy it and I don't know why I agreed to eat it?! Will try and have a better day today...
Breakfast: Banana (pre-run), Berocca & 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake (post-run)
Lunch: Moroccan Jewelled Cous Cous, Chicken, Mushroom/Red Pepper/Red Onion skewers
Mid Afternoon Snack: Huge bowl of Melon & Strawberries
Dinner: 1 slice wholemeal bread with Ham/Tomato, 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 100ml Semi-Skimmed Milk (50ml water), Homemade Sweet Potato crisps.
Much better :)
Saturday, 17 April 2010
Sunny Saturday :)
Isn't it a lovely day outside? The sun is shining, the sky is blue, not a cloud in sight, and I've been up since 7.30am so will get to make the most of this wonderful day.
Mr H slept on the living room floor last night to be with Dolly, we were a little worried about her breathing last night and wanted to make sure we were on hand to help if she started to panic. Poor little love is clearly still unhappy, but her tail is a little more curly today :)
Reviewing yesterday:
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 4/5 completed with an exercise DVD.
3. Only eat the food I bring into to work with me. check, wasn't really at work and hadn't really planned my food... but I didn't really deviat from the adhoc plan.
4. Book a Doctors appointment to get an inhaler. check, 8.30am Saturday!
5. Run at least one evening during the week. check!
6. Have 5 fruit/veg a day. check - Strawberries Lettuce, Red Onion, Tomato, Cucumber, Banana, Sweet Potato, Purple Sprouting Brocolli, Mushrooms, Red Onion.
Lots of green on there :D
And on to todays food...
Breakfast: Usual Porridge & Berocca combo
Mid Morning Snack: Bowl of Cantaloupe Melon
1st Lunch: Leftover Burgers from Last night in a wrap with Ketchup. Stodge central!
2nd Lunch: Ham & Jalepeno Pizza Wrap
Pre-Dinner Dessert: Homemade Chocolate Pud ~ 150 calories
Starter: Mini Bruschetta with Sundried Tomatoes on top.
Dinner: Salmon on Stir Fried veg with a sauce made from Sesame Oil, Soy Sauce and Balsamic Vinegar.
Pud: more Homemade Chocolate Pud ~ 150 calories
Film time treat: Magnum.
Hungry much?!!!!
Mr H slept on the living room floor last night to be with Dolly, we were a little worried about her breathing last night and wanted to make sure we were on hand to help if she started to panic. Poor little love is clearly still unhappy, but her tail is a little more curly today :)
Reviewing yesterday:
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 4/5 completed with an exercise DVD.
3. Only eat the food I bring into to work with me. check, wasn't really at work and hadn't really planned my food... but I didn't really deviat from the adhoc plan.
6. Have 5 fruit/veg a day. check - Strawberries Lettuce, Red Onion, Tomato, Cucumber, Banana, Sweet Potato, Purple Sprouting Brocolli, Mushrooms, Red Onion.
Lots of green on there :D
And on to todays food...
Breakfast: Usual Porridge & Berocca combo
Mid Morning Snack: Bowl of Cantaloupe Melon
1st Lunch: Leftover Burgers from Last night in a wrap with Ketchup. Stodge central!
2nd Lunch: Ham & Jalepeno Pizza Wrap
Pre-Dinner Dessert: Homemade Chocolate Pud ~ 150 calories
Starter: Mini Bruschetta with Sundried Tomatoes on top.
Dinner: Salmon on Stir Fried veg with a sauce made from Sesame Oil, Soy Sauce and Balsamic Vinegar.
Pud: more Homemade Chocolate Pud ~ 150 calories
Film time treat: Magnum.
Hungry much?!!!!
Friday, 16 April 2010
Looks like the bottom of a Parrots Cage
Happy Friday!
Today is Dolly's operation, so poor love wasn't allowed breakfast this morning. I think her heart broke just a little bit when no bowls of food went down. By the time we reached the vets it was clear she knew something was going on. When she got up on the vet table she was trying to climb into my arms :( I always get so worried when she has to have something major done, but fingers crossed we'll get our phonecall in the next few hours to inform us when we can go and pick her up.
Onto yesterdays review:
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a day. check
Today is Dolly's operation, so poor love wasn't allowed breakfast this morning. I think her heart broke just a little bit when no bowls of food went down. By the time we reached the vets it was clear she knew something was going on. When she got up on the vet table she was trying to climb into my arms :( I always get so worried when she has to have something major done, but fingers crossed we'll get our phonecall in the next few hours to inform us when we can go and pick her up.
Onto yesterdays review:
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 3/5 completed with a 2 mile run
3. Only eat the food I bring into to work with me - FAIL, I ate half a chocolate muffin
4. Book a Doctors appointment to get an inhaler. check, 8.30am Saturday!
5. Run at least one evening during the week. check!
6. Have 5 fruit/veg a day. check - Banana, Avocado, Tomato, Cucumber, Mixed Leaves/Lettuce, Red Onion, Peppers.
5. Run at least one evening during the week. check!
6. Have 5 fruit/veg a day. check - Banana, Avocado, Tomato, Cucumber, Mixed Leaves/Lettuce, Red Onion, Peppers.
I nearly had a perfect day :) To be honest, I'm not to unhappy with the half chocolate muffin I ate, my lunch and dinner were pretty much as healthy as possible so a bit of a splurge on half a muffin wasn't too bad. The fact that I even managed to resist the other half is groundbreaking - I hardly ever leave cake!
This morning after taking Dolly into the Vets, we nipped into town to hit the fruit/veg stall. We spent £15 and got soooooo much.
* 1 Honeydew Melon
* 3 Punnets of Strawberries
* Massive bag of Purple Sprouting Brocolli
* 2 enormous Oranges
* 5 on the Vine Tomatoes
* 2 Avocados
* 6 Bananas
* Bunch of Asparagus
* Bag of Grapes
* Giant Cucumber
I also tried to get some more protein powder as I'm running low and they were out of stock, so got some Oatly cream and two jars of nut butter (almond & hazelnut) because everyone keeps talking about it and it sounds sooooo good!
Today plan for food is as follows:
Breakfast: 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca.
Mid Morning Snack: One tiny slice fresh white bread (just out of the oven *drools*) with hazelnut/almond butter and a bowl of Strawberries with 1 tsp sugar.
Lunch: Ham and Chilli Pesto Pizza Wrap & Salad (Lettuce, Red Onion, Tomato, Cucumber) & Banana
Dinner: Homemade beef burgers with Baked Sweet Potato, Purple Sprouting Brocolli, Mushrooms, Red Onion.
Pud: More Strawberries, this time with a tbsp Oatly Cream and a squirt of Agave Nectar - delicious!
Exercise wise, I did an exercise video at lunch earning me about 160 calories, not great but better than nothing!
Oh and before I forget, the reference to the parrots cage - Mr H's view of the 9Bars I bought! :D
Thursday, 15 April 2010
4 Weeks til Dubai, eek!
How quickly are the weeks flying past? It seems like only yesterday Dubai felt like a lifetime away!
To start, lets review yesterday...
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a day. check - managed 2 litres of water + seperate milk + berocca + diet pepsi and extra water before before bed.
2. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 2/5 completed with another gym session
3. Only eat the food I bring into to work with me - no extras. check
4. Book a Doctors appointment to get an inhaler. check, 8.30am Saturday!
5. Run at least one evening during the week. Still pending
6. Have 5 fruit/veg a day. check - Banana, Spinach, Rocket, Grapes, Cucumber, Tomato, Jalepenos
Now that is more like it! Check how green that is :D If I can keep up the levels of green I'll be happy!
Today I'm back in London again, but it's already going much better! No stopping off at Starbucks and I bought my lunch from M&S. Food for today looks like this...
Breakfast: 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Semi-Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca.
Lunch: M&S Ham and Egg Salad
Mid Afternoon Snack: 1/2 a Chocolate Muffin & a Banana
Dinner: Prawn & Avocado Salad
Don't think I'll need a mid morning snack today as I've eaten breakfast much later than usual. I usually eat breakfast around 8am, and today I tucked into my porridge at about 9.20am so thats sure to keep me going to lunch.
My biggest worry for today is my 2pm meeting where 'light refreshments will be served between 1.45-2.15pm'. Its why I packed the Nakd bar...
must resist the plate of biscuits
must resist the plate of biscuits
must resist the plate of biscuts
If I can get through the meeting without attacking the biscuits or resorting to sugary tea to keep myself awake I'll be pleased.
I'm also hoping to get out for a run when I get home too as hopefully I'll be home on an earlier train than usual. Fingers crossed!
To start, lets review yesterday...
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a day. check - managed 2 litres of water + seperate milk + berocca + diet pepsi and extra water before before bed.
2. Exercise at least 5 times. check - 2/5 completed with another gym session
3. Only eat the food I bring into to work with me - no extras. check
5. Run at least one evening during the week. Still pending
6. Have 5 fruit/veg a day. check - Banana, Spinach, Rocket, Grapes, Cucumber, Tomato, Jalepenos
Now that is more like it! Check how green that is :D If I can keep up the levels of green I'll be happy!
Today I'm back in London again, but it's already going much better! No stopping off at Starbucks and I bought my lunch from M&S. Food for today looks like this...
Breakfast: 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Semi-Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca.
Lunch: M&S Ham and Egg Salad
Mid Afternoon Snack: 1/2 a Chocolate Muffin & a Banana
Dinner: Prawn & Avocado Salad
Don't think I'll need a mid morning snack today as I've eaten breakfast much later than usual. I usually eat breakfast around 8am, and today I tucked into my porridge at about 9.20am so thats sure to keep me going to lunch.
My biggest worry for today is my 2pm meeting where 'light refreshments will be served between 1.45-2.15pm'. Its why I packed the Nakd bar...
must resist the plate of biscuits
must resist the plate of biscuits
must resist the plate of biscuts
If I can get through the meeting without attacking the biscuits or resorting to sugary tea to keep myself awake I'll be pleased.
I'm also hoping to get out for a run when I get home too as hopefully I'll be home on an earlier train than usual. Fingers crossed!
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
The Importance of a Good Soundtrack
Not long ago I got back to my desk following an AWESOME gym session. I felt really energised (thanks 9 Bar) and had stacks of enthusiasm to keep going through the whole 67 minutes - probably due to having my ipod with me for the first time in months.
Work recently cancelled our Sky subscription and Freeview is quite limited for music, so at the gym there has been some real drivel on the box as of late and I think its been bringing me down.
Today I stuck on a bit of Ska Punk courtesy of The Planet Smashers (and their album Mighty) and I totally blitzed my session. I did about 23 minutes Cardio (had to get to the end of a song!) and the rest was weights/abs.
Stats from my HR monitor:
Max HR: 180
Avg HR: 140 (a little lower than I like but probably down to the split between cardio/weights)
Cals: 478
60 minutes of my session was spent in Sport Zone 2-4 (around 18-20 minutes in each oddly!)
Work recently cancelled our Sky subscription and Freeview is quite limited for music, so at the gym there has been some real drivel on the box as of late and I think its been bringing me down.
Today I stuck on a bit of Ska Punk courtesy of The Planet Smashers (and their album Mighty) and I totally blitzed my session. I did about 23 minutes Cardio (had to get to the end of a song!) and the rest was weights/abs.
Stats from my HR monitor:
Max HR: 180
Avg HR: 140 (a little lower than I like but probably down to the split between cardio/weights)
Cals: 478
60 minutes of my session was spent in Sport Zone 2-4 (around 18-20 minutes in each oddly!)
Happiness is....
A Pink Heart Shaped Le Creuset Bowl full of Melon :) This was my attempt at being good yesterday when it came to wanting something sweet after dinner. Unfortunately, by 9pm I'd been out to the shops to fetch Mr H some cold supplies and I'd bought home a Galaxy Chocolate Mousse. FAIL!Anyhoo, before I start on explaining myself I'll review yesterday...
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a day. FAIL - only managed about 1.5 litres
2. Exercise at least 5 times. Still have 5 days left of the week to do 4 sessions
3. Only eat the food I bring into to work with me - no extras. FAIL - didn't eat the food I took and bought extras and at home I had a dessert that I really didn't need.. well I did, but I'll explain that in a bit.
4. Book a Doctors appointment to get an inhaler. check, 8.30am Saturday!
5. Run at least one evening during the week. Still pending
6. Have 5 fruit/veg a day. check - Banana, Apple, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Courgette, Mushrooms, Red Onion, Red Pepper, Melon.
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a day. FAIL - only managed about 1.5 litres
2. Exercise at least 5 times. Still have 5 days left of the week to do 4 sessions
3. Only eat the food I bring into to work with me - no extras. FAIL - didn't eat the food I took and bought extras and at home I had a dessert that I really didn't need.. well I did, but I'll explain that in a bit.
5. Run at least one evening during the week. Still pending
6. Have 5 fruit/veg a day. check - Banana, Apple, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Courgette, Mushrooms, Red Onion, Red Pepper, Melon.
Yesterday went wrong on so many levels. I think I could confidently say that yesterday I would consider my actions those of someone who was sabotaging my efforts. The Hazelnut Hot Chocolate for Breakfast, the sandwich + crisps for lunch, the extra serving of dinner, the Galaxy chocolate mousse - all things that I would consider 'bad'. Whilst on the grand scheme of things that are bad, its certainly not horrendous but it is enough to make me take stock of the causes.
Really I think it went downhill from the second I'd just shoved on a hoodie to wear in the morning, it was proper cold and the thought of the 10 minute walk without something to warm my hands got the better of me and I ended up with a hot chocolate. I guess I can reward myself slightly by ordering Skimmed Milk, Sugar Free Syrup & no Whipped Cream though.
When I got to work I didn't need my pre-packed porridge oats. This in turn I think left to me feeling quite peckish around lunchtime, at 11.50am it felt like my stomach was trying to digest itself. Due to time constraints I couldn't get to Borough Market where there is a great choice of fresh healthy foods (and also bad naughty foods) so I ended up at the canteen in work. Even though its had a makeover (and does look really swish now) the cooking facilities are still limited so its really a sandwich or some dodgy looking hot meal. To be honest, a sandwich and a packet of crisps is again hardly the end of the world, but when combined with my 2 final 'out of character' choices it all adds up.
I left work around 4.30pm and arrived at Waterloo 11 minutes later for the 17:05 home. In the crowds standing below the departure boards I spied a familar face - a lady I used to see at my Slimming World group. We had a really brief catch up, she no longer goes to group anymore but she looked fab so she clearly has things under control! I felt some sort of acheivement in knowing that although its been nearly 8 months since I last went to group I have managed to control my own weight without the help and support of a weekly group (though I'm sure some of you reading know where I get my support from ;)).
I walked through my front door at around 6.15pm and set to making dinner. Mr H arrived home shortly afterwards and we sat down to eat. After finishing my first bowl, I had another scoop. Then I had a bowl of melon. Then about 20 minutes later I had the remainder of what was in the pan - I was unstoppable. Later that evening Mr H was feeling a bit crappy because of the cold he got from me, so I went to Sainsbury to stock up on some supplies for him. He wanted something sweet so I picked up some kids sweets and 2 Galaxy Chocolate Mousses (I also picked up a cute pair of green canvas pumps and a polka dot bikini!). When I got home I had a Chocolate Mousse. I had previously tried to kill the sweet craving by having melon, but here I was about 1.5 hours later still craving chocolate. So I fed my body what it wanted. Of course, eating chocolate at 9pm meant that by 10.30pm when we went to bed I was still quite wired. Cue Mr H snoring and I had a pretty crap nights sleep.
This is my line....
--------------------------------------------------------
this is me stepping over it and moving on.
Today I'm confident that everything will work out better. I didn't like seeing how red my goals for the week were yesterday and I'd like to see more green on that when I review things tomorrow morning.
Food for the day...
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca.
Mid Morning Snack: 9 Bar (277 calories)
Lunch: Ham Salad (Spinach, Rocket, Cucumber, Tomato, Grapes)
Mid Afternoon Snack: Babybel Light
Dinner: Ham & Jalepeno Pizza Wrap with Salad & Sweet Chilli Baked Beans w/ Banana to finish :)
I'm hitting the gym at lunchtime, did have an abs class planned but I think I'll acheive more with a general gym session - especially as its my last day I can access the gym this week.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Pizza Wraps
1 x Wholemeal Wrap
1 tbsp Tomato Puree
Grated Cheese
Toppings of Choice (I like Ham, Jalepenos and Peppers)
Place Wrap onto a baking sheet and spread the Tomato Puree across. Add your toppings and sprinkle with grated cheese.
Place under the grill for about 5 minutes (be careful not to burn the wrap!) and roll/fold before serving. Lush with a big plateful of Salad.
1 tbsp Tomato Puree
Grated Cheese
Toppings of Choice (I like Ham, Jalepenos and Peppers)
Place Wrap onto a baking sheet and spread the Tomato Puree across. Add your toppings and sprinkle with grated cheese.
Place under the grill for about 5 minutes (be careful not to burn the wrap!) and roll/fold before serving. Lush with a big plateful of Salad.
London bound
At 6.48am this morning, I boarded the train to Waterloo. How crazy early?! At least the sun is shining and there is something a little bit magical about walking through the City before things start getting crazy.
Food wise today will be a little difficult, because I was up so early I haven't prepared lunch so will edit this post as the day goes on as to what I end up having!
Firstly, a review of yesterdays targets:
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. 1/5 check
3. Only eat the food I bring into to work with me - no extras. FAIL not badly though, I had 1 chocolate covered almond, yes just one!
4. Book a Doctors appointment to get an inhaler. check, 8.30am Saturday!
5. Run at least one evening during the week. Pending, may well be tonight!
6. Have 5 fruit/veg a day. check - Banana, Apple, Lettuce, Spinach, Rocket, Tomato, Cucumber, Pepper, Grapes
As I mentioned, today I am in London. London is a bit of a sore point food wise for me. Its one of the reasons I piled on alot of weight in a short amount of time. Being based within a 10 minute (was previously 5 minutes) of Borough Market means that I have a stack of amaaaaaazing food on my doorstep. Back in 2008 I was working in London 4 days a week with the hour commute either side of the day. On an average day my food would consist of:
Breakfast: Starbucks Hazelnut Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and a packet of Gingernuts
Lunch: Sundried Tomato and Parma Ham with Rocket on a Salted Focaccia Bread with a Chocolate Brownie (Boston, Pecan or Regular). Or if I was working at the Regulator all day, I'd get a buffet lunch where I wouldn't hold back on the white bread sandwiches, crisps and fruit.
Mid Afternoon Snack: Packet of crisps or a packet of EAT fudge.
Train Snack: Crisps/Chocolate/Burger King
Dinner: Same sort of thing that I eat now.
That clearly was not a sensible way to be eating, and I'm glad that I no longer work in London so much!
Today is looking a little different, however I did succumb to a Starbucks this morning as I didn't bring a coat with me!
Breakfast: Starbucks Hazelnut Hot Chocolate with Skimmed Milk & Sugar Free Syrup (no whipped cream).
Mid Morning Snack: Banana
Lunch: I've got a meeting this afternoon, and we may be having a pre-meet lunch to discuss tactics! Edited to add: Wholemeal Ham/Cheese and Salad Bloomer (I left the crusts) with a bag of Ready Salted Crisps (Walkers - 183 calories)
Dinner: 2x Turkey Steak, 100g Quinoa, half a courgette, 5 big mushrooms, 1 Red Onion, half a Red Pepper, 1 tin Chopped tomatoes and a tbsp of Fiery Chilli Pesto, topped with grated cheese shared between me & Mr H. Second helpings and all.
Pud: Bowl of Melon & Galaxy Chocolate Mousse (200 calories)
Food wise today will be a little difficult, because I was up so early I haven't prepared lunch so will edit this post as the day goes on as to what I end up having!
Firstly, a review of yesterdays targets:
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a day. check
2. Exercise at least 5 times. 1/5 check
3. Only eat the food I bring into to work with me - no extras. FAIL not badly though, I had 1 chocolate covered almond, yes just one!
4. Book a Doctors appointment to get an inhaler. check, 8.30am Saturday!
5. Run at least one evening during the week. Pending, may well be tonight!
6. Have 5 fruit/veg a day. check - Banana, Apple, Lettuce, Spinach, Rocket, Tomato, Cucumber, Pepper, Grapes
As I mentioned, today I am in London. London is a bit of a sore point food wise for me. Its one of the reasons I piled on alot of weight in a short amount of time. Being based within a 10 minute (was previously 5 minutes) of Borough Market means that I have a stack of amaaaaaazing food on my doorstep. Back in 2008 I was working in London 4 days a week with the hour commute either side of the day. On an average day my food would consist of:
Breakfast: Starbucks Hazelnut Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and a packet of Gingernuts
Lunch: Sundried Tomato and Parma Ham with Rocket on a Salted Focaccia Bread with a Chocolate Brownie (Boston, Pecan or Regular). Or if I was working at the Regulator all day, I'd get a buffet lunch where I wouldn't hold back on the white bread sandwiches, crisps and fruit.
Mid Afternoon Snack: Packet of crisps or a packet of EAT fudge.
Train Snack: Crisps/Chocolate/Burger King
Dinner: Same sort of thing that I eat now.
That clearly was not a sensible way to be eating, and I'm glad that I no longer work in London so much!
Today is looking a little different, however I did succumb to a Starbucks this morning as I didn't bring a coat with me!
Breakfast: Starbucks Hazelnut Hot Chocolate with Skimmed Milk & Sugar Free Syrup (no whipped cream).
Mid Morning Snack: Banana
Lunch: I've got a meeting this afternoon, and we may be having a pre-meet lunch to discuss tactics! Edited to add: Wholemeal Ham/Cheese and Salad Bloomer (I left the crusts) with a bag of Ready Salted Crisps (Walkers - 183 calories)
Dinner: 2x Turkey Steak, 100g Quinoa, half a courgette, 5 big mushrooms, 1 Red Onion, half a Red Pepper, 1 tin Chopped tomatoes and a tbsp of Fiery Chilli Pesto, topped with grated cheese shared between me & Mr H. Second helpings and all.
Pud: Bowl of Melon & Galaxy Chocolate Mousse (200 calories)
Monday, 12 April 2010
I have to stop blogging twice in a day...
But I just wanted to share an NSV. Earlier today a colleague (who I've not seen for 3 weeks as he's been on a jolly in the States) said 'wow, your looking great! Have you been working out or something?'... well actually, yes I have & thanks for noticing. You just made my day.
Plan for the Week
I thought that alongside setting out what my plan is for today, I'd also set some goals for the week that I can reflect back on.
Goals for the Week:
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a day (been a bit slack on this lately)
2. Exercise at least 5 times.
3. Only eat the food I bring into to work with me - no extras
4. Book a Doctors appointment to get an inhaler.
5. Run at least one evening during the week.
6. Have 5 fruit/veg a day.
As for today, its my first day back in the office in over a week. Infact, quite suprisingly its my first day in the office this month! Can't believe I've not been into my office for 12 days.
Food for today looks like this:
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener. For the first time, today I struggled to finish my breakfast - thats usually the sign that I need to make a change, so tomorrow I will have something different!
Mid Morning Snack: Banana
Lunch: Ham Salad with Grapes & 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake.
Mid Afternoon Snack: Apple & Babybel Light
Dinner: Pizza Wrap with Ham & Jalepenos and Salad.
Pud: Small bowl of Porridge with 2 squares chocolate.
Will be heading back to the gym today for a good session. Probably 20 minutes cardio and 40 minutes full body weights, usual sort of routine. Will also be walking the dogs for an hour.
Goals for the Week:
1. Drink 2 litres of Water a day (been a bit slack on this lately)
2. Exercise at least 5 times.
3. Only eat the food I bring into to work with me - no extras
4. Book a Doctors appointment to get an inhaler.
5. Run at least one evening during the week.
6. Have 5 fruit/veg a day.
As for today, its my first day back in the office in over a week. Infact, quite suprisingly its my first day in the office this month! Can't believe I've not been into my office for 12 days.
Food for today looks like this:
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake, 30g Jumbo Oats, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener. For the first time, today I struggled to finish my breakfast - thats usually the sign that I need to make a change, so tomorrow I will have something different!
Mid Morning Snack: Banana
Lunch: Ham Salad with Grapes & 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake.
Mid Afternoon Snack: Apple & Babybel Light
Dinner: Pizza Wrap with Ham & Jalepenos and Salad.
Pud: Small bowl of Porridge with 2 squares chocolate.
Will be heading back to the gym today for a good session. Probably 20 minutes cardio and 40 minutes full body weights, usual sort of routine. Will also be walking the dogs for an hour.
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Weekend Report
Nothing much really happened this weekend, just lots of chilling out, a few trips to town and lots of good dog walks. I love walking the dogs during the lighter evenings, its good for the soul.
Food at the weekend was ok, not amazing, but given that I'm still getting over a cold and I've been good the rest of the week I'm not too upset about it.
Saturday:
Breakfast: 40g Porridge Oats, 200ml Skimmed Milk, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Berocca.
Lunch: Mixed Salad Leaves & Grapes with Five Spice Chicken.
Mid Afternoon: Starbucks Grande Hazelnut Hot Chocolate with Cream.
Dinner: Takeaway - Curry (half a chicken dopiaza, half a chicken tikka, half a naan, 1 poppadom, half a pilau rice, half a sag aloo and mint sauce - piggy much?!)
Sunday:
Breakfast: 30g Porridge Oats, 100ml Water, 1 Egg White, spoonful of G&B Hazelnut Spread, 150ml Berocca.
Lunch: Lettuce, Ham, 2 Babybel, Cucumber, Apple, Grapes all chopped and mixed with a 50:50 L/F Salad Cream/Mayo sauce with Black Pepper.
Dinner: Turkey Steak/Bacon Roll, Brocolli, Carrots, Butternut Squash/Sweet Potato/Garlic Mash.
After Dinner Snack: Banana and 4 Chocolates.
On Sunday I went for a run, first run in over a week. I didn't run far, but I ran hilly! I did 2 miles in 18 minutes and 57 seconds, so 9:28 miles. I would have liked to have run further, but yesterday was my first instance of summer asthma and knowing that I don't have an inhaler puts me into a risky place if I push myself too far. Must make an appointment at the doctors!
So considering I was ill all last week, I've not been running in ages and my lungs were failing on me, I'm pretty pleased with that.
Food at the weekend was ok, not amazing, but given that I'm still getting over a cold and I've been good the rest of the week I'm not too upset about it.
Saturday:
Breakfast: 40g Porridge Oats, 200ml Skimmed Milk, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Berocca.
Lunch: Mixed Salad Leaves & Grapes with Five Spice Chicken.
Mid Afternoon: Starbucks Grande Hazelnut Hot Chocolate with Cream.
Dinner: Takeaway - Curry (half a chicken dopiaza, half a chicken tikka, half a naan, 1 poppadom, half a pilau rice, half a sag aloo and mint sauce - piggy much?!)
Sunday:
Breakfast: 30g Porridge Oats, 100ml Water, 1 Egg White, spoonful of G&B Hazelnut Spread, 150ml Berocca.
Lunch: Lettuce, Ham, 2 Babybel, Cucumber, Apple, Grapes all chopped and mixed with a 50:50 L/F Salad Cream/Mayo sauce with Black Pepper.
Dinner: Turkey Steak/Bacon Roll, Brocolli, Carrots, Butternut Squash/Sweet Potato/Garlic Mash.
After Dinner Snack: Banana and 4 Chocolates.
On Sunday I went for a run, first run in over a week. I didn't run far, but I ran hilly! I did 2 miles in 18 minutes and 57 seconds, so 9:28 miles. I would have liked to have run further, but yesterday was my first instance of summer asthma and knowing that I don't have an inhaler puts me into a risky place if I push myself too far. Must make an appointment at the doctors!
So considering I was ill all last week, I've not been running in ages and my lungs were failing on me, I'm pretty pleased with that.
Friday, 9 April 2010
Looks a bit like South America
This is my dinner from last night - it was lush. Don't you think it looks a bit like South America?
I bought a Spicy Stir Fry kit from Tesco that had things like Butternut Squash, Pak Choi, Sweetcorn, Onion, Mangetout, Chillis in, and then I added a seperate pack of Baby Sweetcorn and Asparagus. I cooked the veggies in a little Sesame Oil, Balsamic Vinegar and Soy Sauce. The Tuna was just cooked with a little lemon juice and black pepper. Divine.
It got thumbs up from Mr H as well... even though he did pick out all the Asparagus, some Brocolli and one piece of Pak Choi.
Around 9pm I was still a little peckish and was craving something sweet, so I had an Apple sprinkled with some cinnamon. Yummers.
I'm feeling a bit better today, still decided to work from home because theres nothing cool about sneezing all over my colleagues or trying to clear my throat in a ladylike fashion. I'll go back in on Monday when I'm fighting fit and won't make everyones lives miserable by feeling sorry for myself all day :)
I'm still feeling quite smug about my food shop yesterday, I can't wait to cook lots of exciting things over the weekend. So much so that I've actually made plans around my meals being at home so I can do just that! Why waste a Saturday lunch in a crappy restaurant when I can make myself something lush at home (and for half the cost).
Food for today...
Breakfast: Protein Porridge Pancakes (40g Jumbo & Regular Porridge Oats, 1 Large Egg White, 100ml Water, Heaped tsp of G&B Hazelnut Spread
Mid Morning Snack: Berry Cheeky Nakd Bar
Lunch: Ham Salad with 1 light Babybel & 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake.
Dinner: Turkey Escalopes with Salad
Will once again do some exercise, nothing too over the top. Hope to be back on form by Sunday for a run!
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Shopping Trips
Does anyone else wander around the supermarket looking at things, picking things up, having mini arguements with yourself and end up putting things back?
That's what my trip to Tesco was like, a constant battle between good and evil and I'm pleased to report that nothing particularly evil made it into my trolley.
Comparing my list from earlier to what I actually bought:
Bananas check
Apples check
Strawberries check
Melon (Honeydew and Cantaloupe) check
Grapes
Brocolli check
Onions (Red) check
Sweet Potato check
Spinach check
Round Lettuce check
Peppers (3 pack and 2 sweet red peppers) check
Cucumber check
Tomatoes check
Courgette check
Mushrooms check
Carrots check
Stir Fry Veg Pack check
Avocado check
Baby Sweetcorn and Asparagus
Chicken fail
Beef Steak check
Mince check
Tuna Steak check
Salmon check
Turkey Steaks
Wafer Thin Ham
Chopped Tomatoes check
Fiery Chilli Pesto check
Wholemeal Rice (Basmalti) check
Stock check
Baked Beans
Branston Pickle
Pickled Jalepenos
Agave Nectar
Wholemeal Mini Pittas
Wholemeal Wraps
Skimmed Milk check
L/F Fromage Frais (actually got yoghurt) check
Babybel check
The thing that I struggled with most today was in the chiller section, just after picking up milk I spied a twin pack of Rolo Desserts. I picked them up, savoured the moment just thinking about them, and put them back. I'll take that as a NSV :)
That's what my trip to Tesco was like, a constant battle between good and evil and I'm pleased to report that nothing particularly evil made it into my trolley.
Comparing my list from earlier to what I actually bought:
Bananas check
Apples check
Strawberries check
Melon (Honeydew and Cantaloupe) check
Grapes
Brocolli check
Onions (Red) check
Sweet Potato check
Spinach check
Round Lettuce check
Peppers (3 pack and 2 sweet red peppers) check
Cucumber check
Tomatoes check
Courgette check
Mushrooms check
Carrots check
Stir Fry Veg Pack check
Avocado check
Baby Sweetcorn and Asparagus
Chicken fail
Beef Steak check
Mince check
Tuna Steak check
Salmon check
Turkey Steaks
Wafer Thin Ham
Chopped Tomatoes check
Fiery Chilli Pesto check
Wholemeal Rice (Basmalti) check
Stock check
Baked Beans
Branston Pickle
Pickled Jalepenos
Agave Nectar
Wholemeal Mini Pittas
Wholemeal Wraps
Skimmed Milk check
L/F Fromage Frais (actually got yoghurt) check
Babybel check
The thing that I struggled with most today was in the chiller section, just after picking up milk I spied a twin pack of Rolo Desserts. I picked them up, savoured the moment just thinking about them, and put them back. I'll take that as a NSV :)
Shopping Day
If all I achieve today is a food shop I will be happy. Too long have we been living off the contents of our empty fridge, its time to make a change, its time to stop 'making do' with food for meals.
Shopping List (So I can use my iphone 3G connection in Tesco to refer to my blog and pick up food!)
Bananas
Apples
Strawberries
Melon
Brocolli
Onions
Sweet Potato
Spinach
Round Lettuce
Peppers
Cucumber
Tomatoes
Courgette
Mushrooms
Carrots
Stir Fry Veg Pack
Avocado
Chicken
Beef Steak
Mince
Tuna Steak
Salmon
Chopped Tomatoes
Fiery Chilli Pesto
Wholemeal Rice
Stock
Skimmed Milk
L/F Fromage Frais
Babybel
That should keep us going for a while.
I'm still feeling under the weather today (boo!). Food looks like this:
Breakfast: 30g Jumbo Oats, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Berocca.
Lunch: 2 slices of Wholemeal bread with Smoked Salmon and Lemon Juice. 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake.
Mid Afternoon Snack: Banana
Dinner: Tuna Steak on Stir Fry Veg.
Pud: Sliced Apple with Cinnamon.
Will be walking the dogs for another hour and doing 20 minutes exercise DVD (slaps my own wrist for exercising whilst ill, but with less than 5 weeks to go, needs must!).
Shopping List (So I can use my iphone 3G connection in Tesco to refer to my blog and pick up food!)
Bananas
Apples
Strawberries
Melon
Brocolli
Onions
Sweet Potato
Spinach
Round Lettuce
Peppers
Cucumber
Tomatoes
Courgette
Mushrooms
Carrots
Stir Fry Veg Pack
Avocado
Chicken
Beef Steak
Mince
Tuna Steak
Salmon
Chopped Tomatoes
Fiery Chilli Pesto
Wholemeal Rice
Stock
Skimmed Milk
L/F Fromage Frais
Babybel
That should keep us going for a while.
I'm still feeling under the weather today (boo!). Food looks like this:
Breakfast: 30g Jumbo Oats, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Berocca.
Lunch: 2 slices of Wholemeal bread with Smoked Salmon and Lemon Juice. 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake.
Mid Afternoon Snack: Banana
Dinner: Tuna Steak on Stir Fry Veg.
Pud: Sliced Apple with Cinnamon.
Will be walking the dogs for another hour and doing 20 minutes exercise DVD (slaps my own wrist for exercising whilst ill, but with less than 5 weeks to go, needs must!).
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
5 Weeks until Dubai! *eek*
I can't believe it's Wednesday, I can't believe its 5 weeks until we're off to Dubai, off to bare my wobbly body at the pool. Must knuckle down! I guess if I look at it constructively though, if I was dieting I could lose 10lbs in this time and I should be able to exercise about 25 times between now and then reasonably, possibly a little more if I get my ass in gear!
I've got some sort of cold at the moment, its not so much the chesty cough thats annoying, its the dizziness thats stomach turning. I'm working from home today as I didn't think I'd even be able to drive.
Food for today...
Breakfast: 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca.
Lunch: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake & Banana.
Mid Afternoon Snack: Cheese & Pickle on 2 slices Wholemeal Bread.
Dinner: Was a disaster, couldn't decide what to have, didn't feel like cooking, nearly got a takeaway but ended up with an Old El Paso Dinner Kit.
I managed a 20 minute exercise DVD, burning off around 200 calories (didn't wear my HRM, but thats what I burnt off last time), and walked the dogs for an hour.
Plan for tomorrow - GO FOOD SHOPPING!
I've got some sort of cold at the moment, its not so much the chesty cough thats annoying, its the dizziness thats stomach turning. I'm working from home today as I didn't think I'd even be able to drive.
Food for today...
Breakfast: 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca.
Lunch: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake & Banana.
Mid Afternoon Snack: Cheese & Pickle on 2 slices Wholemeal Bread.
Dinner: Was a disaster, couldn't decide what to have, didn't feel like cooking, nearly got a takeaway but ended up with an Old El Paso Dinner Kit.
I managed a 20 minute exercise DVD, burning off around 200 calories (didn't wear my HRM, but thats what I burnt off last time), and walked the dogs for an hour.
Plan for tomorrow - GO FOOD SHOPPING!
Results are in... nothing groundbreaking!
So I finally got around to getting the pics of me in my bikini off my camera for comparison.
Firstly, I'm going to blame Mr H for him being taller than me and not taking that into account when taking both sets of photos. For the first set taken in February he was on his knees to even out the height difference, the second set he took looking down on me - never a good angle! Also, means despite the photographic evidence I have not shrunk height wise in the past month or so!
Secondly, I'm only going to compare front and back pics because stupid me put my arm in the way of the first set of pics I had taken so doesn't really provide anything to compare to.
Thirdly, I know I'm beaten with bruises, I can assure you that Mr H is not mistreating me (its the dogs pointy feet walking over me when I'm lying on the sofa!)
Drumroll please.....
Front view up first, starting at the top down. (February left, April right)
Firstly, I'm going to blame Mr H for him being taller than me and not taking that into account when taking both sets of photos. For the first set taken in February he was on his knees to even out the height difference, the second set he took looking down on me - never a good angle! Also, means despite the photographic evidence I have not shrunk height wise in the past month or so!
Secondly, I'm only going to compare front and back pics because stupid me put my arm in the way of the first set of pics I had taken so doesn't really provide anything to compare to.
Thirdly, I know I'm beaten with bruises, I can assure you that Mr H is not mistreating me (its the dogs pointy feet walking over me when I'm lying on the sofa!)
Drumroll please.....
Front view up first, starting at the top down. (February left, April right)
* I think my shoulders look better, specially my collar bones, much more defined.
* There is less 'schmush' in between my arms and torso at the edges of my bikini.
* My hip to waist ratio has got better.
* Abs (ha!) look a bit better.
* Slightly less overhang on the bikini bottoms.
* Calves have a little bit more bulge to them making my ankles look smaller.
And then the back view *peeks out from behind hands*
Again, starting from the top down...
* Shoulders are also looking better from this angle, the 'v' shape of my upper torso is more defined.
* Arms look better.
* Waist is more defined.
* My ass doesn't bulge outwards as much.
* Legs look a bit more shapely, and a bit more bruised.
Measurements wise, nothing groundbreaking here, but a loss is a loss. So things worth noting:
Bust - down 0.5" (that correlates as I've just got new Bra's in a 30FF - I was a 30G)
Waist (narrowest point) - down 1"
Waist (navel point) - down 0.5"
Hips (over bone) - down 1"
Hips (widest point) - down 0.5"
Thigh - down 0.5"
3.5" lost overall.
I think even though these photos don't show a huge amount of change and my measurements don't show anything major, the subtle changes in muscle definition I have in my body is definately there. I think I may need to do a seperate post on that :)
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Happy Birthday Dolly and Edie!
It's Dolly and Edie's birthday today, I can't believe they are 4 - where on earth have the last 4 years gone.
Here's a pic of them celebrating on a walk in the park (Edie on the left, Dolly on the right)
We had some bad news today about a lump we found on Dolly's shoulder, it contains Mast Cells and needs to be removed for further analysis. I'm going to try and keep upbeat (especially as Mr H is wrecked over this), but I am worried. I just hope that she has age and health on her side and two human parents who would do anything to make sure she gets better. I plan to speak to the insurers tomorrow to find out what we need to do and then get her book into the vets as soon as I can for the op.
Here's a pic of them celebrating on a walk in the park (Edie on the left, Dolly on the right)
We had some bad news today about a lump we found on Dolly's shoulder, it contains Mast Cells and needs to be removed for further analysis. I'm going to try and keep upbeat (especially as Mr H is wrecked over this), but I am worried. I just hope that she has age and health on her side and two human parents who would do anything to make sure she gets better. I plan to speak to the insurers tomorrow to find out what we need to do and then get her book into the vets as soon as I can for the op.
Today was also the first day back into work after the long weekend, I had a meeting in London so was straight up there from home. The Circle line was suspended so I ended up doing most of my travelling on foot - which wasn't necessarily a bad thing as the weather was glorious. However carrying my laptop and a big winter coat around wasn't so glorious. Still, I guess it added weight to my 3.5 mile walk!
Food today consists of:
Breakfast: 30g Jumbo Oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa Powder, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca.
Mid Morning Meeting Snack: Double Twix & a Diet Coke.
Lunch: 6" Meatball Marinara from Subway (as unfortunately half term + 2pm + Borough Market don't really make for many options, the two nice deli's I tried had next to nothing left!) and Banana.
Dinner: Same as last night, except Chicken instead of Turkey.
Pudding: Homemade Chocolate Roulade
Few bits and pieces
I had final weigh in before giving up the scales for the next month or so.... after my terrible weekend..... 9st 6lbs. That means a 1/4lb loss since last week. Not deserved at all, so I'll consider myself lucky.
I've recently developed a black toe, so figured it was about time I got myself some new running shoes. We headed down to Sweatshop in Woking and I very easily spent £130!
Got myself a new pair of trainers, two pairs of socks, and a pair of cropped legged runners.
Heres a pic of me modelling the new leg wear too - excuse the messy bedroom and the gormless face :)
Monday, 5 April 2010
Easter Weekend Report
I can't believe the bank holiday weekend is nearly over. It's gone too quickly, and perhaps I've wasted too much of it.... well being wasted.
Friday was mostly spent rushing around the shops following a last minute change of plan regarding my outfit for Saturdays wedding. Food wise:
Breakfast: 30g porridge oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca
Lunch: 1 Slice Wholemeal Bread, Slice of Cheddar, Spoonful of Pickle
Dinner: We ate out and I had Gammon, 2 Eggs, handcut Chips with Ketchup and for pudding 3 chocolate chip cookies (you know, those large gooey ones), a scoop of icecream and a shot of buttermilk.
Breakfast: 30g porridge oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca
Lunch: 1 Slice Wholemeal Bread, half a chicken breast.
Dinner...
Starter of Goats Cheese on a Puff Pastry base with a Balsamic Glaze
Main Course of Sirloin of Beef served with a Yorkshire Pudding, Mixed Veggies and Roast Potatoes (I only had 1 as they sucked!)
Pudding of Lemon Tart with Clotted Cream and Summer Fruit Coulis (ate the tart, left most of the cream and coulis)
Evening Buffet: I tucked into 1 x white roll with Bacon and a handful of chips.
When I got home I tucked into a slice of PBGB and a gallon of water before passing out in bed.
Drinks wise, I started at about 12.30pm when we arrived at the venue, what I can recall...
2 x glasses of Prosecco before the ceremony
1 x champers @ drinks reception
3 x champers for toasts (had mine, Mr H's and the spare glass on the table!)
My wine glass was re-filled at least 4+ times during the meal, and I know I had a few more glasses of wine and Prosecco's after the meal before the dancing when I switched to flat shoes and diet coke!
Sunday:
Breakfast: Porridge Pancakes with 100ml Water, 1 egg white, 30g Jumbo Oats. Topped with a spreading of G&B Hazelnut Spread. Washed down with 150ml Berocca.
Lunch: Diet Coke and a Triple Chocolate Muffin (with the gooey centre removed) from Debenhams.
Friday was mostly spent rushing around the shops following a last minute change of plan regarding my outfit for Saturdays wedding. Food wise:
Breakfast: 30g porridge oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml Berocca
Lunch: 1 Slice Wholemeal Bread, Slice of Cheddar, Spoonful of Pickle
Dinner: We ate out and I had Gammon, 2 Eggs, handcut Chips with Ketchup and for pudding 3 chocolate chip cookies (you know, those large gooey ones), a scoop of icecream and a shot of buttermilk.
Saturday was the day of the wedding, don't we look smart?! I'm wearing a dress I bought at Hobbs last year to wear on our Honeymoon, but we never went any where smart enough! Good news was that 1 year on, it still fits (its a size 10) and actually possibly fitted a little better around the thigh area :)
Breakfast: 30g porridge oats, 1 tsp G&B Cocoa, 2 tsp Sweetener, 150ml Skimmed Milk, 150ml BeroccaLunch: 1 Slice Wholemeal Bread, half a chicken breast.
Dinner...
Starter of Goats Cheese on a Puff Pastry base with a Balsamic Glaze
Main Course of Sirloin of Beef served with a Yorkshire Pudding, Mixed Veggies and Roast Potatoes (I only had 1 as they sucked!)
Pudding of Lemon Tart with Clotted Cream and Summer Fruit Coulis (ate the tart, left most of the cream and coulis)
Evening Buffet: I tucked into 1 x white roll with Bacon and a handful of chips.
When I got home I tucked into a slice of PBGB and a gallon of water before passing out in bed.
Drinks wise, I started at about 12.30pm when we arrived at the venue, what I can recall...
2 x glasses of Prosecco before the ceremony
1 x champers @ drinks reception
3 x champers for toasts (had mine, Mr H's and the spare glass on the table!)
My wine glass was re-filled at least 4+ times during the meal, and I know I had a few more glasses of wine and Prosecco's after the meal before the dancing when I switched to flat shoes and diet coke!
Sunday:
Breakfast: Choccy egg (yes that cute looking fella in the picture) + 150ml Berocca
Lunch: Salmon sandwiches (2 slices Wholemeal Bread with Salmon and Lemon Juice)
Dinner: Wholemeal Rice, Chorizo, Onion, Spinach, 1 tbsp Double Cream. Followed by a Mini Lindt bunny. At least that was Easter Chocolate done with.
Monday:Breakfast: Porridge Pancakes with 100ml Water, 1 egg white, 30g Jumbo Oats. Topped with a spreading of G&B Hazelnut Spread. Washed down with 150ml Berocca.
Lunch: Diet Coke and a Triple Chocolate Muffin (with the gooey centre removed) from Debenhams.
Dinner: Turkey Steak, Moroccan Jewelled Cous Cous and Salad. Followed by a Banana.
All in all, quite a bad weekend. Only redeeming factor was that we were busy for the whole 4 days, so we did lots of walking and rushing around!
Thursday, 1 April 2010
Why do people think that healthy eating is something to mock?
I'm working at home today. I just found an empty container on the stairs where I guess Mr H emptied out his work bag this morning before heading off to work. This is what I saw...
*
At what point did someone think it was ok to mock him for what he is eating?
For the record, Mr H does not eat badly, he eats what I eat and supplements it with a few treats here and there, crisps, biscuits, fully loaded Pepsi, but nothing too extravagent and not that regularly either.
The contents of this tub when Mr H went into work was Spinach & Rocket Salad, leftover Moroccan Jewelled Cous Cous and a couple of slices of Ham - not what I would consider 'Diet Food'.
What pisses me off is that someone thought this was funny to do, what it probably has acheived is detrimental to what Mr H is trying to acheive. He knows he's a little out of shape, and we're both trying hard to make ourselves look beach ready for Dubai in 7 weeks time. Stupid comments like that can really send a person off course, whether they meant it or not, I'm sure that Mr H subconsiously took that in and took it to heart. He hates the idea of being on a diet - but we're not on a diet, we're just eating right. For example, last night he told me off for making him a 'fry up' for dinner. What I had actually made was 1 x poached egg, 1 rasher bacon with fat removed before cooking, a few tbsp of baked beans, dry fried mushrooms, 1.5 quorn sausages and homemade hash browns (done in fry light in a pan, then crisped up further in the oven). Yes, its a regular meal, but I've cut out most of the bad.
I just wish people could be more supportive... or in lieu of support, just keep their mouths shut.
* just incase you can't read the writing in permanent pen on one of our microwave dishes it says 'Ben is on a diet. Do not feed!'
*At what point did someone think it was ok to mock him for what he is eating?
For the record, Mr H does not eat badly, he eats what I eat and supplements it with a few treats here and there, crisps, biscuits, fully loaded Pepsi, but nothing too extravagent and not that regularly either.
The contents of this tub when Mr H went into work was Spinach & Rocket Salad, leftover Moroccan Jewelled Cous Cous and a couple of slices of Ham - not what I would consider 'Diet Food'.
What pisses me off is that someone thought this was funny to do, what it probably has acheived is detrimental to what Mr H is trying to acheive. He knows he's a little out of shape, and we're both trying hard to make ourselves look beach ready for Dubai in 7 weeks time. Stupid comments like that can really send a person off course, whether they meant it or not, I'm sure that Mr H subconsiously took that in and took it to heart. He hates the idea of being on a diet - but we're not on a diet, we're just eating right. For example, last night he told me off for making him a 'fry up' for dinner. What I had actually made was 1 x poached egg, 1 rasher bacon with fat removed before cooking, a few tbsp of baked beans, dry fried mushrooms, 1.5 quorn sausages and homemade hash browns (done in fry light in a pan, then crisped up further in the oven). Yes, its a regular meal, but I've cut out most of the bad.
I just wish people could be more supportive... or in lieu of support, just keep their mouths shut.
* just incase you can't read the writing in permanent pen on one of our microwave dishes it says 'Ben is on a diet. Do not feed!'
Red Pepper and Chorizo Soup
2 Red Peppers (you can use any peppers, but red gives the best colour)
1 Medium/Large Onion
60g Chorizo
1 tsp Paprika
1 pint Stock (more or less depending on your preferred consistency)
1 tin chopped tomatoes
Chilli (optional)
Black Pepper to season
Chop up the peppers and onions and roast in an oven dish until soft (or if you need soup now, now, now, just dry fry in a pan), add the chorizo, paprika, stock, chopped tomatoes & chilli if you like spice. Simmer for 30 minutes, then blitz, add black pepper to taste and serve. Yummers.
3 hours until the Weekend :D
Don't you just love lie ins, half days, new hair cuts and buying products? Oh and also eating lunch at home so you can have whatever you want?
Well thats what my Thursday is all about. I had a busy day yesterday at work, we had major issues with literally thousands of phone calls failing. I kicked ass and it appears to have been sorted, but I left my phone on last night and besides the bed just in case anything else happened - I'm never normally that committed, I'm definately a 5pm phone off kinda girl.
But today I'd booked a half day so I could get my hair cut. I got up at a leisurely 8am, got changed and did a quick exercise session. Burning off 205 calories, with average heart rate at 140 bpm and maximum at 168 bpm.
Then I got dressed, ran the dogs around the block as I was running late and then got my stuff together to head to town for my hair cut. I didn't get to town until 10.10am, my appointment was at 10am so I was running late. One of the reasons for my lateness was not having any change for parking, I'd had to raid our loose change jar frantically searching for big coins (10p's & 20p's), it then took me forever to put said 10p's and 20p's into the machine for a ticket! More running then followed as I ran to the salon.
I don't really recall ever having a 'great day' at the hair salon, but today was really nice. I couldn't get appointments with my regular colourist or stylist, so I had a guy that used to colour my hair and the style director deal with my hair. I had nice chats about tattoos, muscle cramps and strip clubs with my colourist, then the girl who washed my hair didn't brush my hair too violently and the guy that cut my hair just seemed like he really cared that I left with a good cut. He sorted it out a treat, seriously. Even he looked smug when he had finished (though maybe he was trying not to laugh at my weirdly swollen face - I fear its wisdom tooth related). I even spent £17 on some texturising cream and £7 on a hair treatment. You can always tell when I'm in a good mood when I spend money on a whim on products!
After my hair cut, I scooted down to the Body Shop to whinge about them changing the ingredients of my most treasured face wash (tea tree) and how it now leaves me with puffy swollen eye lids, apparently they completed changed the ingredients, the process that makes it and are now using a different type of tea tree oil (from Kenya rather than Australia). Anyhoo, they said if I take it back they'll let me exchange and I've got some samples of their Seaweed equivalent products to try. Hopefully they won't suck! I also got some Shower Gel for Mr H and ended up getting a bit carried away and ended up with 2 for £8, and then a gift set containing another, a body butter, a body scrub and a scrub mitt thing for an extra £5 - Bargain!
Then before I spent too much more money I left town!
I'm now officially back at work albeit at home with Neighbours on in the background and pug dogs sitting at my feet <3
Food for today is looking a little patchy:
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake (after exercise at 9am)
Mid Morning Snack: Banana (after hair dressers at midday)
Lunch: Protein Porridge Pancake (using yesterdays left at home breakfast + 1 egg white) with a spoonful of G&B Organic Hazelnut Spread
Dinner: Mixed Pepper and Chorizo Soup with a small wholemeal bread roll
Well thats what my Thursday is all about. I had a busy day yesterday at work, we had major issues with literally thousands of phone calls failing. I kicked ass and it appears to have been sorted, but I left my phone on last night and besides the bed just in case anything else happened - I'm never normally that committed, I'm definately a 5pm phone off kinda girl.
But today I'd booked a half day so I could get my hair cut. I got up at a leisurely 8am, got changed and did a quick exercise session. Burning off 205 calories, with average heart rate at 140 bpm and maximum at 168 bpm.
Then I got dressed, ran the dogs around the block as I was running late and then got my stuff together to head to town for my hair cut. I didn't get to town until 10.10am, my appointment was at 10am so I was running late. One of the reasons for my lateness was not having any change for parking, I'd had to raid our loose change jar frantically searching for big coins (10p's & 20p's), it then took me forever to put said 10p's and 20p's into the machine for a ticket! More running then followed as I ran to the salon.
I don't really recall ever having a 'great day' at the hair salon, but today was really nice. I couldn't get appointments with my regular colourist or stylist, so I had a guy that used to colour my hair and the style director deal with my hair. I had nice chats about tattoos, muscle cramps and strip clubs with my colourist, then the girl who washed my hair didn't brush my hair too violently and the guy that cut my hair just seemed like he really cared that I left with a good cut. He sorted it out a treat, seriously. Even he looked smug when he had finished (though maybe he was trying not to laugh at my weirdly swollen face - I fear its wisdom tooth related). I even spent £17 on some texturising cream and £7 on a hair treatment. You can always tell when I'm in a good mood when I spend money on a whim on products!
After my hair cut, I scooted down to the Body Shop to whinge about them changing the ingredients of my most treasured face wash (tea tree) and how it now leaves me with puffy swollen eye lids, apparently they completed changed the ingredients, the process that makes it and are now using a different type of tea tree oil (from Kenya rather than Australia). Anyhoo, they said if I take it back they'll let me exchange and I've got some samples of their Seaweed equivalent products to try. Hopefully they won't suck! I also got some Shower Gel for Mr H and ended up getting a bit carried away and ended up with 2 for £8, and then a gift set containing another, a body butter, a body scrub and a scrub mitt thing for an extra £5 - Bargain!
Then before I spent too much more money I left town!
I'm now officially back at work albeit at home with Neighbours on in the background and pug dogs sitting at my feet <3
Food for today is looking a little patchy:
Breakfast: 200ml Skimmed Milk Protein Shake (after exercise at 9am)
Mid Morning Snack: Banana (after hair dressers at midday)
Lunch: Protein Porridge Pancake (using yesterdays left at home breakfast + 1 egg white) with a spoonful of G&B Organic Hazelnut Spread
Dinner: Mixed Pepper and Chorizo Soup with a small wholemeal bread roll
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