Planet Jildo

Improvements!

2010-12-02T18:59:00.001Z

Things finally seem to be on the up with my recuperation. Had a really good physio session on Tuesday and she was happy enough with my recovery so far and gave me the green light to go and start doing some exercise again :)

So I literally left the physio appt, went home to change and went straight to the gym. And it felt great. I only did 15 mins on the treadmill at a fast walk, 15 mins on the bike and 3 sets of 18 leg presses, but it's all baby steps. I need to remember that my surgery was only 7 weeks ago, and resist all temptation to go hell for leather and end up damaging myself. I'm going to do a week or 10 days of the same very light workout (every other day or so) and then if I have no adverse effects, there's no reason for me not to start back to yoga, do a Zumba class and even some upper body strength training, as long as I keep the weights light for now as it's still very early days.

I must admit though, it's amazing how anxious I obviously am subconciously about hurting my neck. I really enjoyed my first session back in the gym, but spent the rest of the day and the day after fretting about every little bit of pain, in case I'd done something to damage myself. Happily though, my pain has been no worse than it had been in the previous days, and in fact, I am now down to only taking one dose of strong painkillers, at night. I'm very pleased with that as it means I've been able to drive again and though I've not been driving far, it's amazing to be able to have my independence back.

I wanted to go and do a second gym sesh today, but ended up meeting some friends for lunch instead. So I did some WiiFit, which I've dusted off, just as a bit of light exercise to keep my motivation going, and I plan to go to the gym in the morning.

Some good plans for the weekend ahead. Going to see Peter Kay tomorrow night and then lunch and afternoon cocktails on Saturday with one of my oldest buddies. She doesn't go out much as she has two small children so any time we get to spend together is to be savoured over good food and drinkies!

Now to spend the rest of the evening snuggled under my fleece blanket, watching the football. Happy days.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A few photos

2010-11-25T20:44:00.001Z

As promised, here's a couple of photos I've taken this week so far.

The first few are of my favourite subject to photograph, my gorgeous niece Ciara.

And then I decided to get myself in the Christmas mood by taking a couple of wintery, festive photographs.

Between the photos and the selection box, I'm feeling quite excited about Christmas now!!!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Coming of age?

2010-11-25T16:59:00.001Z

Monsoon. Always been a shop that I classed as a bit old for me, a bit expensive for what it is and just not somewhere I'd think of shopping.

So if I now decide I like (some of) the clothes I ask myself has it changed or have I changed? Am I turning into an oldie? Am I one step away from getting my hair cut short and a weekly blue rinse? Not that I, for one second, think that people who shop in Monsoon get regular blue rinses of course, but the point I'm making is that I feel like I'm becoming older than I like to think I am. I'll always be 19 in my heart!

Anyway, the reason for this startling revelation is that I have bought my first purchase from Monsoon today and am actually very pleased with it. So really I don't know why I'm getting my knickers in a twist.

Here it is:

It was one of those ones that looked rubbish on the hanger but then I saw one of the shop assistants wearing it with a belt and cool shoes and it transformed it and sold it to me.

In other news, I got given a selection box today for the first time in about 10 years and am as happy as a 4 yr old on Christmas morning, munching away cheerily on various chocolate bars. Simple things. Reminded me how awesome Toffee Crisps are.

Further to my previous post about my pact with myself to force myself to get out of the house plenty this week, I am pleased to report I've stuck to that so far. The week started terribly, my sleeping was so awful and I just felt rubbish. But I've still dragged myself out and about, even when I least wanted to. As a result, I've had 2 excellent nights sleep in a row and I feel a huge amount more positive. I was at my first post-op appointment with my surgeon on Tuesday and they are more than happy with my progress, so I guess that's perked me up too.

Anyway, I'll stop boring you now as am off to make some mushroom and chorizo risotto for dinner - nom!

Taken a few nice photos this week too so will pop back later and share a few of those.

Catchya!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Come on Jildo!

2010-11-21T17:54:00.001Z

Meh. I really must pull myself together.

It's been 5 and a half weeks since my operation and I'm at a stuttering halt in any progress I've been making. Maybe I'm not, but that's how I feel.

I'm achy rather than sore if that makes sense, but the worst thing is the complete and utter lethargy. I don't want to do ANYTHING. It's all I can do to drag my sorry ass from bed into the living room of a morning.

If I could buy motivation and positivity on eBay, I'd be the highest bidder but I've looked and apparently you can't.

So I need to sort myself out! Goal for the week is just to try and make an effort to get out and about a bit more. Ok, so it'll hurt, but I need to start strengthening my muscles up again and sitting on my ass in front of the telly is not a well-reknowned fitness building activity :)

I actually have an assignment to do for what I affectionately term 'Geek Club'. It's a photography group set up by a few past students of the same photography course I did - basically they set this group up as all the traditional photography clubs in the area are very competitive and quite unwelcoming of younger, new blood and wanted this to be more personal project focussed rather than competition. I joined up with my friend who I met on my course just as a means if remotivating myself for my photography as it's been severely lacking this year through one thing and another.

So I have a mini-project to do for that by next Monday, so that'll give me something to work on this week. I'll share with you as I do it, all feedback welcome!

Also this week I have my first post-op appointment with my surgeon. Hopefully it'll all be good news and that will perk me up too!

Anyway, enough of the misery and meh-ness, I've off to nom my chilli con carne!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Ha! They've arrived!

2010-11-16T15:12:00.001Z

Ooooh. My Ugg biker boots have arrived and are just as fab and comfy and cosy and funky as I hope they'd be!

I ended up buying them off eBay from an American seller and getting them for £175 compared to £250 in the UK. I always look into the sellers reputation on eBay before buying anything, particularly expensive stuff, but always still get twitchy in case my goods arrive and are duds. But happily these are the real deal and I thoroughly love them!

Here they are!

I was almost going to say I've reigned myself in from all the online shopping I've been doing lately then I remembered that I bought yet another pair of boots! But that really is IT now!

Here they are:

They're from River Island and I thought they'd be cute with dresses and skinnies. Can't wait to get the delivery now. My postman thinks it's hilarious that every day he's having to ring the doorbell to give me yet another parcel hahaha :D

Do they do hypnotherapy to stop people shopping?!

The rain and some movies

2010-11-11T18:57:00.000Z

Wow! This weather is unbelievable. The rain is absolutely blattering against the window, the wind is so bad the bins are being trailed about the street and it is SO cold.

So, being off work sick on a day like this ain't so bad. I got up, showered and got into some comfy clothes, cranked up the heating, lit a smelly candle (Yankee Sugar and Cinnamon, a gift from my lovely pals Sam and Lori) and have had chilled out all day. I needed to really, I'm having a bad few days pain-wise, I'm not sleeping well and have just generally felt a bit rubbish :(

So I've been having a moviefest this last couple of weeks. Watching movies is something I love but don't generally have a lot of time for, so I'm taking the opportunity to watch as many as I can. This point is going to be ruined by the fact I'm crap at remembering the names of movies, but I shall do my best in an attempt to produce a vaguely interesting post hahaha.

A few I can remember:

The Hurt Locker - AWESOME. I'm into military stuff anyway but this is just an amazing movie and highly recommended.
Cemetary Junction - I put this on not having a clue what it was about or if it was any good, but actually really enjoyed it. It's a British movie, set in 1973 and based around 3 best mates deciding what to do with their lives. Pretty funny and an easy watch.
Social Network - Didn't expect much of this but really enjoyed it.
The Ugly Truth - Shite. I'm not a great romcom fan at the best of times but I just found this stupid. And Katherine Heigl does my head in.
The Joneses - I'd never heard of this before, it's about a fake family who are employed to live a perfect life to sell their lifestyle, clothes, cars, produucts they use etc to all the people they come into contact with. It was ok, one of those movies where the time passed quickly but the story wasn't really that exciting.
The Bounty Hunter - Rubbish, just rubbish. Didn't even finish it.
Green Zone - A bit disappointed in this actually, I found the story slow and a bit monotonous which is surprising as I do enjoy all things military. Not sure I'd recommend at all.

I'm sure there's more that I can't remember. I'm watching Inception tonight and cannot wait. I just it lives up to my expectations!

That's enough of the Film 2010 lecture :) Off to grab some grub and cosy up! Have a nice evening everyone xx

Goodies!

2010-11-10T20:48:00.000Z

I've not bought new clothes for aggggeees so since I'm a bit under the weather I'm using it as an excuse to treat myself (way more than I should!!!). I love winter clothes so much, I love scarves and boots and tights and coats and cardies and all things wintery!

So I've gone a bit shopping mad in the last 10 days and I thought I'd share my haul with you.

The most expensive purchase was my new boots from River Island. I needed (needed, you understand???!) some shoe boot style thingies for the winter, something I could wear with skinnies, dresses etc. So I got these:

Link

Interestingly enough, on the website they are £125 and they are claiming they are a Selfridges exclusive, but I got them in the River Island Store for £95! Odd.

Anyway, next was a few bits and bobs from Top Shop.

Weird Dreams

2010-11-09T20:08:00.000Z

Well I'm still in early days recovering from my surgery on my neck and am still taking a load of painkillers, which are making me have even weirder than normal dreams. I do generally remember my dreams a lot, and have some corkers, but last nights was beyond weird. I probably wouldn't read on if you're a squeamish type!

I dreamt my eyeball fell out. Oh yes.

It went like this. The dream started with me looking in the mirror and my eye seemed to swell and just burst out of it's socket, and it had all this gunk attached.

It fell on the floor and I couldn't find it, clearly cos I now only had one eye. I seemed to be in a hotel room with my sister who's a nurse and I was begging her to phone an ambulance but she didn't believe me and refused and kept telling me to stop being so dramatic. She then left and I just kept running to the mirror and thinking 'Oh my god I've no eye!'
The next thing in the dream it was the morning, and I looked on the floor and found my eyeball stuck to a piece of paper and all shrivelled so I ran to the bathroom and plopped it in a glass of water to rehydrate it so I could put it back in my eye. Only then did my sister actually believe my eyeball had actually fell out!

I woke up this morning so traumatised I got straight up to check my eyeball was ok and I can't stop thinking about the dream, it was so gross!

Sorry to now have grossed you all out but a problem shared and all that mwahahaha ;)

Well hello, it's been a long time....

2010-11-08T16:20:00.000Z

Goodness me, nearly a year!

I started off the year concentrating on my photography and I started for the second year a Photo a Day project and focussed my blogging on that. Taking an interesting and exciting photo every day is much, much more difficult than it sounds, believe me! I'm not one to just take any old photo, I like every photo I take to be pleasing on the eye and before long, as always, life got in the way and my 365 project fell by the wayside!

Anyway, it's been a busy year. Busy, busy, busy. I train Army Cadets in my spare time and it seems to have taken over my life at certain points this year, and certainly between that and my 'normal' job, there hasn't been a lot of spare time for other things. I love my work in the Army Cadets, it is unbelievably satisfying and a huge amount of fun, but my god is it tiring!

So where am I now? Well, that is a story. On the 14th October I went through my second lot of spinal surgery in the space of 2 years. I spent a very traumatic week in the hospital and am now in recovery at home and likely to be off work until approximately January 2011.

After the last surgery, I put on the guts of 2 stone in weight which is what prompted me to start blogging in the first place. Myself and some friends were going through a health and fitness drive together and began blogging and I realised it's actually pretty fun and have met some great and interesting folk as a result!

I am going to use my recuperation time to do some things I enjoy. I am going to take some photos, as soon as I feel up to it. I am plotting my exercise programme already for when I'm fit enough to begin exercise again and I cannot wait to do some yoga again. I am spending a ludicrous amount of money on clothes (I blame online shopping) which I might share with you over the next few posts :) I am also enjoying cooking now I have a bit more time on my hands and am trying to eat as healthy as I can to avoid putting on all that weight that I did after my last round of surgery!

Phew. Think thats enough for now. If you're still awake, then well done and thanks for reading!!!!

I'm back but in a new form!

2009-12-30T15:46:00.000Z

Hi everyone! I'm still enjoying all your blogs :D

I've decided to return in 2010, but since I have acheived my weight loss goals, I am going to blog about my photography instead.

Here's my new link, follow me if you're interested!

http://planetjildodoesphotography.blogspot.com/

And if you aren't sure, you can have a browse through my Flickr to see what I'm at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jill_murray/

Hope to see you all soon xx

Hello and goodbye....

2009-12-06T19:42:00.000Z

Hello lovely people. I've not been about much, been so busy and just not finding the time to blog anymore. I'm maintaining my weight well so just don't have interesting enough words to bore you all with about what I am and am not eating!!!

I am still avidly reading all your blogs, so whilst I don't really intend to post much anymore (or for now, anyway), I will still be about and keeping up to date on all your lives.

Thanks to you all for being so lovely in my blogging life!!

If anyone wants to keep an eye on me and is on twitter, I'm gonna get active on there again - a bit less thought required than blogging! Follow me... http://twitter.com/planetjildo

Mwah.

I am officially.......

2009-11-03T13:22:00.000Z

...useless!

I was so looking forward to these challenges to help me refocus on my healthy eating and exercise and to be fair, it has done that. But I have failed everything so far!

I have been over calories a couple of days - once by about 350 calories which is my worst ever but other than that only maybe 20 or 30.

I have hit 5 a day every single day, I have drank 2 litres of water every day so its not so bad.

No exercise for about 6 weeks now though :( My bad neck is rearing its ugly head again so I've been forced into not going back to the gym to try and get it to settle down again.

Haven't made my green monster yet either, although I have bought the spinach so I might try it later! I have just been so busy, so so busy and when I am at home I'm so wrecked I can't be bothered blogging.

Anyway, thats just a quick update. One of these days very soon, I'll be back to routine and updating every day and maybe even being properly healthy again!

Challenge 2 - Hmmmmm

2009-10-29T19:35:00.000Z

Ok, so last week wasn't too bad but I thoroughly failed the challenge! However, as I said in my report, it helped me focus my mind again which is probably the most important thing.

This week, I laid off the size of the challenge and cut it back to staying within my calories on a daily basis and making one healthy recipe this week which I haven't made before.

Now, there are certain things that are going to be a given, which I aim for every day regardless, and these are:

At least 5 F & V per day
At least 2 litres of water per day

So any challenges are on top of that.

And so far? I've failed!!! *rolleyes*

I'm a bit behind on my blogging so I'm not going to bore you with 4 days of food, but I had a little bit of a wobble yesterday involving chocolate cornflake buns - was only 30 cals over and am still well inside for the week, but it was a fail nonetheless! Ah well, I shall carry on regardless.

I already know what my recipe is going to be and I have decided I am going to try out one of these Green Monsters I am hearing so much about. I think they sound vile and cannot get my head around them, but so many people love them so they can't all be wrong. I shall let you know how it goes!

Anyway, hopefully get back to posting my food tomorrow. Oh, and another thing new I am trying as of tomorrow morning is flaxseed - I bought finely milled stuff and have put it in my pancake mix which I just made a batch of, looking forward to trying it though kind of horrified at the calorie count given how much they are telling you to eat each day! Shall report back on that too!

Challenge 1 - Day 7 and weigh-in!

2009-10-25T20:34:00.000Z

Another not bad day today. I'm still so high on carbs - that is something I never fully got to grips with last time, I just don't seem to able to get my carbs down to where I'd like them to be ( about 1g per 1kg weight, so about 120g ish a day) but I can improve on where they are at now, so definitely something for me to work on.

So before I talk about the week, here's todays food:

B - Breakfast Pancake with banana & maple syrup
S - 3 Nairns Fruit & Spice oat biscuits (if you haven't tried these, you must, they are incredible!)
L - 2 slices wholegrain toast and 3 boiled eggs
S - Granny Smith apple
D - Vietnamese Chicken Noodle soup
S - 50g fresh pineapple
S - Handful of plain peanuts
S - 1 slice wholegrain toast with raspberry jam (emergency snack as am starving!!)

Am also going to have a hot chocolate for supper as I have had a migraine all day and hope it will help me sleep.

Drinks - c 2l water, 2 large mugs black coffee and 1 mug green tea

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota 1697
+ Exercise Cals 0
Total Cal Quota 1697
Calories Consumed 1625
Calories left 72
Cals to Maintain Weight 1947

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1625
Protein (g) 99.5
Carbohydrate (g) 187.3
Fat (g) 53.7
Fibre (g) 21.0
Fruit & Veg 5.0

Challenge Report!

So I didn't exercise at all this week, so immediately failed! However, I am not so bothered about that as I knew this wasn't a good week for me to be trying to get back into exercise as I started a new job and generally had lots of things on. However, I managed my 5 F & V every day (I think!!) and my 2l of water, and I stayed within calories every day and actually am a whopping 440 calories under in total for the week.

What I did acheive was to refocus my mind on why I began healthy eating and how much better it is than the alternative. It made me feel good and I want to get back there again, and I don't think I made a bad effort for week 1!

And, I lost 1lb which I am chuffed about, especially since I weighed in this morning on the day my period started which generally makes me weigh a bit more than usual.

Watch out for this weeks challenge, to be reported tomorrow :D

Challenge 1 - Day 6

2009-10-25T17:25:00.000Z

Ok so things have been better! I've been a good little girl yesterday and done some decent eating for a weekend. The only downside was polishing off the rest of my G & B mint chocolate whilst Strictly was on but don't think thats too bad for a Saturday night!

Here's my food...

B - Breakfast pancake with banana & maple syrup
S - Smoothie with 100g strawberries, banana, 50g frozen raspberries, 100ml orange juice & 1 scoop of raspberry whey
L - 2 slices wholegrain toast with some light mayo, vine cherry tomatoes, salt and pepper
S - Plain peanuts (50g!!)
D - Vietnamese chicken noodle soup
S - 5 square G & B mint chocolate
S - Half portion of porridge with semi-skimmed milk and cinnamon

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota 1697
+ Exercise Cals 0
Total Cal Quota 1697
Calories Consumed 1690
Calories Left 7
Cals to Maintain Weight 1947

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1690
Protein (g) 99.2
Carbohydrate (g) 195.1
Fat (g) 56.7
Fibre (g) 26.7
Fruit & Veg 6.1

I did my weigh-in this morning, but I shall keep you all in suspenders as to the result until I post my weekly report later!

Challenge 1 - Day 4 & 5

2009-10-24T12:37:00.000+01:00

Ok so things have been better! I am just going to lay down the fact now though that I'll not be hitting my exercise target. With starting the new job and being so exhausted from that, I didn't put any pressure on myself about that. I am planning to go to spin in the morning though, and I'm hoping that will kickstart my exercise again.

So Day 4.....

After an embarrassingly bad Day 3, I reralised I have to pull myself together and get my head round this again. I didn't find it that difficult first time round, so why am I finding it hard all of a sudden! So today i was a very good girl. When the coffee trolley came round, there were slices of cake and I completely ignored them :D And I managed 8.5 portions of F & V - go me!

B - Protein pancake with banana and maple syrup
S - 100g strawberries & 100g red grapes
S - Activia fat free cherry yoghurt
L - Sandwich with 2 slices whole grain bread with tuna and red onion and 5g of light mayo
S - 15g raw peanuts
S - 2 clementines & Granny Smith apple
D - Pad Thai including a whopping 200g prawns!
S - 2 squares G & B mint chocolate

Drinks - 2.5l water, 2 mugs black coffee and 2 green teas

Calorie summary
Daily Cal Quota 1697
+ Exercise Cals 0
Total Cal Quota 1697
Calories Consumed 1568
Calories Left 129
Cals to maintain Weight 1947

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1568
Protein (g) 114.4
Carbohydrate (g) 184.8
Fat (g) 42.3
Fibre (g) 24.0
Fruit & Veg 8.5

Day 5....

Now I'm making an effort again I seem to have loads of spare calories, also due to the fact I changed my loss to 0.5lb a week. I might change that back to 1lb a week next week but I'll see how it goes.

Given I had loads of spare cals, I decided I would have my calorie counted cheat meal tonight and treated myself to a chinese takeaway. it was so beautiful and totally worth the naughtiness. Now I am going to behave myself all weekend!

For the purpose of my food diary I had to try and use values of chinese food that i thought sounded similar to what I had so it may not be entirely accurate....

B - Porridge with semi-skimmed milk & cinnamon
S - 100g strawberries & 100g red grapes
L - 2 slices of whole grain bread with tuna and red onion and 5g light mayo
S - Activia fat free cherry yoghurt
S - 2 clementines & Granny Smith apple
D - BBQ spare ribs (dry) and chicken satay with fried rice
S 1 square G & B mint chocolate

Drinks - c 2.5l water, 2 mugs black coffee and 2 mugs green tea

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota 1697
+ Exercise Cals 0
Total Cal Quota 1697
Calories Consumed 1675
Calories Left 22
Cals to Maintain Weight 1947

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1675
Protein (g) 124.8
Carbohydrate (g) 194.9
Fat (g) 46.2
Fibre (g) 16.8
Fruit & Veg 6.3

And today....so far so good! Think I'm going to change back to posting todays stuff today, i'm struggling to remember stuff! So shall post about today later....

Challenge 1 Day 2 & 3

2009-10-22T13:38:00.000+01:00

Ok so day 2 was much better! I was able to eat what I had brought into work and whilst my carbs are a little on the high side, this is better than I have managed in absolutely ages.

B - Porridge with semi skimmed milk and cinnamon
S - Activia fat free cherry yoghurt
L - 6 slices dark rye Ryvita, extra light Philly, lean ham & sundried tomatoes
S - 100g red seedless grapes, 2 clementines and Granny Smith apple
D - 150g chicken breast fillet with roast veg - sweet potato, red onion, pepper, parsnip & carrot
S - 2 Nairns fruit & spice oat biscuits & 2 square G & B mint chocolate

Drinks - 2.5l water, 2 mugs coffee, 2 green tea & 1 ginger tea

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1697
+ Exercise Cals: 0
Total Cal Quota: 1697
Calories Consumed: 1564
Calories Left: 133
Cals to Maintain Weight: 1947

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1564
Protein (g) 96.5
Carbohydrate (g) 169.7
Fat (g) 56.2
Fibre (g) 25.7
Fruit & Veg 6.0

Day 3 however, not so good. I had a day off work as I had an exam to do, and of course as I was away from the office it all went to pot again. why am I so crap at this???!!!! I did stay within calories but that really was about the only positive thing about the day!

I am so embarrassed about my food but I am committed to this and will post it anyway!

B - Protein pancake with banana and maple syrup
L - Soda bread with bacon & fried egg :-o
D - 2.5 beef sausages, small baked potato and baked beans
After that I gave up all together and had a Tunnocks Teacake and 2 meringue nests!!!

Drinks - 2l water & about 4 mugs of black coffee

Calorie Summary

Daily Cal Quota: 1697
+ Exercise Cals: 0
Total Cal Quota: 1697
Calories Consumed: 1663
Calories Left: 34
Cals to Maintain Weight: 1947

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1663
Protein (g) 85.4
Carbohydrate (g) 189.3
Fat (g) 64.5
Fibre (g) 16.8
Fruit & Veg 2

Whoops.

However, all is not lost. I am back in work and back on straight and narrow and today is shaping up to be a great day. I even declined a slice of lemon cake this morning! Progress!

Day 1 Challenge 1

2009-10-20T18:20:00.000+01:00

Right, this is my 4th attempt to post as my computer keeps crashing and it is stressing me so much that I want to cry! therefore I cannot face typing my huge post out a 4th time!

Summary - day 1 was shit. 1st day of work it was just too awkward and I was too tired.

Kept within calories but that was the only good thing.

Going before this crashes again - hopefully will be able to post more comprehensively later/tomorrow!

A new start! (Mondays post)

2009-10-20T17:54:00.000+01:00

Well, this post should really be at yesterdays date but I had the wonderful idea (or should I say I copied my mates wonderful idea) of transferring my blog to Wordpress. However I have spent several days trying to work it all out, and make my blog look nice and it just wasn't happening so therefore I'm still here!

My blogging has taken a back seat in the last month or more, for various reasons. Given I have had a 2 month break between jobs, one would think I'd have had loads of free time but no! I've had no time whatsoever! For the same reason, my eating and exercise have also been rubbish.
So today (Monday) I started a new job, and what better time to have a clean slate on my food and exercise as well.
Healthy eating really is so much easier for me when I have a routine. I set out in the morning what I am going to eat, bring nothing to work but a healthy lunch and healthy snacks and there is no option to stray! Apart from the first day scone bought by your boss, which you can't really say no too, of course....:S
So my lovely friend Stella http://stelladoeshealthyeating.co.uk/ came up with the idea of our little gang (JAG http://www.jagsfitnessblog.com/, Ivana http://ivanablogalot.blogspot.com/, myself & Stella) and anyone else who fancies it carrying out a series of mini-challenges. The 4 of us have spent the best part of 2009 supporting and encouraging each other through some serious weight loss and we've all let things slide a bit in the last few weeks. I have these chicks to thank for helping me lose 23lbs so far and they have all been superbly successful too. But we want to keep this going! It has been a lifestyle change, not a diet, but it is all too easy to let hard work slip away when life gets hard or busy.
So here it is....

Challenge 1

5+ portions of fruit and veg every day this week

At least 2L water every day (count water in tea/coffee/fruit squash)

Any exercise a minimum of 3 times in the week for at least 30 mins

Stay within calories for the week for those of us counting (focus on the week for now rather than each day)

Weigh in at start and end of the week (if appropriate) and report back on Sunday.

Start Monday.

Ok? So that's it. I have set my weight loss to 0.5 lb a week as I am only 5lbs off target weight of 8st 7lb. This allows me calorie allowance of 1697 per day.

Start weight today: 8st 12lb.
I'll report back tomorrow about today, Wednesday about tomorrow etc etc.
Wish us all luck!

An epiphany but not a good one :(

2009-09-16T14:07:00.000+01:00

As you may or may not know, I have struggled with running my whole life. No matter how fit I seem to be through other activities, I have said for years that for some reason I just cannot run. My breathing is unbelievably bad and within 5 minutes I cannot get breath, and understandably soon after I completely run out of energy.

I don't know how many people over the years have said to me 'Everyone can run', 'You just have to focus', 'Its all in your head' etc etc and I have tried and tried, but it just doesn't get any better.

Then I went out today running with my sister (I ran, she walked behind). She's a nurse. So I ran 14 minutes, had to stop at that point (thats about the furthest I can get), spend about 5 minutes coughing my lungs up (I don't smoke) and then gasp my way back to meet her. I explained to her that I seem to continue to get more breathless after I stop running, for about 5 or 10 mins and my chest has a certain tightness for maybe an hour or two after a run, and I seem to get loads of phlegm after a run.

She said they are all absolutely classic signs of exercise induced asthma and if I have it, it will not get better by itself :(

It would be a fair assumption. I had asthma as a child, but not severely, and stopped taking any meds from I was a teenager as I wasn't really doing any sports so it wasn't really affecting me. But I have had this issue anytime I have tried to run any distance. I also have eczema, and asthma and eczema are closely linked.

Now, this has big implications for me. I am trying to get into the police and have been for years and always seem to come up against bloody obstacles. I am going running to try to get to the level of fitness required for the police. So I am in a vicious circle here as going to the doctor at this stage for what potentially may be asthma is going to be another opportunity for the police to give me a big, fat 'NO' when it comes to my medical (which I am currently waiting for).

But looks like this could explain my difficulties in running, it makes perfect sense.

I don't know what to do.

whispers Hello......?

2009-09-15T15:19:00.003+01:00

I am thoroughly ashamed of myself that it has been almost 3 weeks since my last blog post *hangs head*

I thought once I had finished work I would have lots of free time, apparently not! Between being away the last 2 weekends (and the next 3 weekends coming up), I have been dogsitting for my parents, minding my niece etc etc etc and it has all not been tantamount to a good exercise and food routine. I have only been managing to do my weights routine 1-2 times per week although I have been going for 2 hours of yoga as well as 2 runs a week (only 1.5 miles but better than nowt).

Thankfully, someone up there has been looking out for me, and I have remained at my best weight of 8 stone 12 lb which is my full 1.5 stone loss :D so I am hugely chuffed. However, I am not intending to test the patience of the big man upstairs for too long and am now trying to sort myself out. Its hard though with 3 weekends away coming up....

Anyway, all I can do is be as good as I can as often as I can. It seems to be working ok for now and hopefully as my weeks calm a little my routine will start to form itself.

I shall try, try, try to post here more often too although it seems that every time I post here about posting more often, I end up hardly posting at all!!!

Off to catch up with you all now x

Ouch

2009-08-22T19:35:00.002+01:00

I have day 2 DOMS today which are so bad I am having to walk around on my tippytoes and refrain from getting up out of my seat too often as it is soooo painful - my quads are just killing me!

I so hope they feel better tomorrow as I'd love to do spin in the morning, but at this rate there's no chance!

Thats what I get for skiving off the gym for a couple of weeks. Must. Be. Consistent.

A kick up the bum if ever I needed it!

2009-08-20T15:59:00.002+01:00

So, I went to the gym! Had a great workout, by the end of which, my legs were so wobbly that I wasn't sure my knees would support me to get me down the stairs from the changing rooms in the gym to the front door. Here comes DOMS bad enough to mean I'll be unable to get back to the gym for at least 3 days lol!

Anyway, I thought that since I was kind of on a new start with my workouts today as it has been a couple of weeks and my food hasn't been great, I would get my body fat measured.

When I rejoined the gym in mid June (so more or less 2 months ago) my body fat was a not very good at all 32%. Now, by that stage, I had been eating better for about 2 months and had already lost about half a stone so I've no doubt back in April when I started all this, it would have been even higher.

So now, 2 months later, my body fat is still 30% *sob*

I know I haven't been consistent enough with my workouts and my eating has gone downhill in the last few weeks, so I wouldn't be surprised if it was a little lower than that and has gone back up again! I am gonna be one of those skinny fat people!!!

So a kick up the butt, that is. No more treats except for one treat meal a week. No more sausage night. No more sneaky porridge for supper.

I am going to measure my body fat on a roughly 8 week basis from now on. I think thats a big enough gap to see a difference. I'll aim for now for approximately 25% and see how I feel and look once I get to that level.

Wish me luck!

2nd day of freedom....

2009-08-19T13:04:00.003+01:00

......and I'm not well :(

I really wanted to go to the gym today!

I just feel really weird, I woke up at about 830am after a full nights sleep but I felt so exhausted like I hadn't slept at all. And I have a splitting headache, feel really dizzy and a sore throat. So I had some breakfast and went straight back to bed.

Still feeling pretty rubbish so looks like todays a write-off.

Ah well, hopefully I'll feel a bit better tomorrow.

An update

2009-08-18T10:40:00.003+01:00

Ok, no excuses. Just an update.

It has been a very busy month for me and I have fallen back a little (ok, a lot) on my exercise :-( My eating has been rubbish but I have tried to be within calories where possible so my weight, incredibly, hasn't suffered - although I have no doubt that I am only losing weight as my muscles are probably eating themselves since they've hardly been exercised!

Anyhoo, the reason for all this is that it has been the run up to my final day at work, which was yesterday. I have taken a voluntary redundancy package and am now officially unemployed! It is scary and exciting in equal measure. I want to change my life and I needed to do something radical or I would end up floating along being unhappy forever.

There, I've done it.

So the last month or so has been a constant round of breakfasts, lunches and dinners and celebratory buns (not helped by my birthday thrown in there) which are now, thankfully, at an end and I can get back into normal, healthy living.

My first day off is being spent getting my hovel of a house clean & tidy, I have such a backlog of chores so I am blasting it today and from tomorrow it is just a matter of keeping on top of things.

I am going to be making a real effort now to be an angel with my food. I actually find it harder at home to eat as much fruit as I do at work, but I have no distractions so no excuses!

As for my weight, I am currently at 9 stone 1.5 lbs, which is a total loss of 17.5lbs, which given the rubbish I have put in my body over the past few weeks, I can't quite believe I have maintained my loss! My luck was going to run out soon so I am glad I am 'starting again' at such a good point.

Interestingly enough, my neck pain has got significantly worse again in the 3 weeks or so which I have only been exercising twice a week - I am fairly intrigued by this as it would appear to mean I had perhaps done quite a nice job of strnegthening my muscles in the neck/upper body and the lack of exercise has taken me back a bit. I am very hopeful that a couple of weeks back to it will see an improvement in my pain again. I just need to resist the temptation to go too hell for leather, given that I am free all day every day!

Anyway, enough for now. I pledge that I will be updating you every day, lets see how that goes!

I'm back!

2009-08-04T19:15:00.002+01:00

Yay! I knew I just needed to break the lazy cycle after my 2 weeks of eating out and having too many tipples (oh, and no exercise *shame*) so tonight I put on the trainers and went for a run. 25 mins in all, with only about 5 mins of walking mixed into that which I am very, very pleased with!

I hope thats me back on the wagon once again, although the next few days will tell for sure. Its going to be a difficult next 2 weeks as well as I leave my job in 2 weeks time and have a constant stream of breakfasts and lunches organised before then!!!

Anyway, if I can at least counteract the eating with exercise then all won't be lost. I am looking forward to a break in between jobs and I will be going hell for leather on my training. I can't wait!

I give up

2009-07-31T19:17:00.003+01:00

Ok, thats not as dramatic as it sounds!

But after the writeoff that was last weekend, this week hasn't been much better. Actually Monday to Thursday were fine foodwise but I haven't exercised for a week and a half *gasp*

I have felt so unmotivated and having a few crappy food days last weekend demotivated me even more for some reason!

Its my birthday on Sunday so I am going to embrace the badness this weekend. I have not put on weight any week in 3 and a half months so I am going to bloody allow myself until Sunday night to enjoy my birthday weekend! It started today with my birthday buns (although all I had was a jam doughnut and it was heaven!). Tomorrow shouldn't be too bad as we are going for a Japanese (the wine may ruin it though :D) and on Sunday I shall be having the meal I have been dreaming off since April - an Indian! Can't wait.

I do plan to go to the gym tomorrow afternoon and hopefully get to spin on Sunday morning. And from next Monday - thats it. Back on the wagon. 100% commitment. The naughtiness will be out of my system and I'll be going for broke!

I have a reason to do it now too - found out yesterday that I have passed all my assessments to join the police (my dream job) and am now awaiting my medical date. Given my problems with my neck, I need to be superfit by the time my medical comes around so I can prove that my neck problem isn't an issue anymore. Hopefully that will be enough to keep me going!

So here's to jam doughnuts, wine and Indian food. Enjoy your weekends people *hug*

Mojo-related issues.

2009-07-28T18:45:00.002+01:00

So, I was out last Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and then hungover on Sunday. Then between Saturday and Sunday and some point I pulled a muscle in my right calf and its is freakin' agony (although a tad better today). So that all means I have not done any exercise for a whole week. A whole week!

I feel downright miserable and like I have ruined it all.

[/drama queen]

Pie, mash, cocktails & James Nesbitt

2009-07-25T10:51:00.005+01:00

That was my day yesterday :D

I had my first full day off healthy eating yesterday and it was awesome! I still didn't snack with crap/sweets/crisps, it was really only my meals where I said I am going to have whatever I fancy today, and I did! Special occasion though, friends over from Scotland who I haven't seen in a long time so didn't want to be weird about my food.

I had pie and mash for lunch - a-maz-ing! And then we went out for dinner and i had chilli duck and prawns with noodles which was delicious too. I definitely have entirely changed my mindset though because the 'old me' would have a starter with every single meal out, without fail. But last night I didn't even entertain the idea!

Then I had copious amounts of rose wine and some delicious raspberry cocktails :D

And then....I met this bloke......he was so nice and it totally made my night (even though I was chatting so much crap to him he must have thought we were total losers!)

The apple cart is well and truly upset!

2009-07-23T17:38:00.002+01:00

I feel like all I ever do is come on here and sound like I am making excuses! Maybe I am, but I guess at least I'm admitting to them (like thats better, right???)

Anyway, food is gonna be rubbish the next few days, your honour. An old friend is over visiting and we had lunch today in the pub that does the nicest homemade chips ever! Although to be fair, I love their burgers too but I chose a chicken fillet burger on foccacia instead but thoroughly enjoyed those chips!

So I'll be out tomorrow night having a drink or three, and another dinner (oh, and we're going for lunch tomorrow too) so my aim is this. Try to keep somewhere in the vague region of my calorie allowance, even if my food is rubbish. If I manage to do that tomorrow mind you, I deserve a berluddy medal.

I am 357 cals under for the week so I guess I have a little leeway.

No exercise from now til Sunday so not holding out too much hope for this weeks weighin!

Ah well, I have not had any more than one bad day in a row really for ages and ages so its not the end of the world.

Right?

Sweat where there shouldn't be sweat

2009-07-21T20:52:00.002+01:00

Sorry, not a nice title but ruddy nora, that is what spin class does to me!

I don't think there is one pore of my body that doesn't emit sweat in this class but its awesome, I love it. Actually, thats not strictly true, I don't always love it when I'm doing it (I wanted to leave halfway through the second track tonight, I kid you not) but afterwards I feel so good that I have done it.

But I was gutted tonight when I took a sneaky peek at my HRM and it wasn't working :( I worked extra hard tonight and everyfink.

Anyways, I am most chuffed that my DOMS after yesterdays workout is nowhere near as severe as last week, so I actually feel I may be able stick to the exercise plan this week! Here's hoping....

Ouch

2009-07-20T20:12:00.002+01:00

I've got a sore leg :(

I was only about 10 mins into my workout (and hadn't even worked my legs yet!) when my hamstring started tweaking and by the time I got to my leg presses and stiff legged deadlift, it was really hurting.

I dropped my leg press to 2 x 10 and did 2 x 12 SLDL and 1 x 10 and had to stop.

Hope it goes away tomorrow - the last thing I need right now is an injury! I have smothered it in muscle gel and hopefully that will do the trick - feels a lil better already actually.

I had nice food today. I made myself something completely different and random for lunch - a spicy lentil salad. It looked absolutely disgusting but tasted lovely and kept me full all afternoon. Basically I cooked green lentils in stock and added harissa, chilli, tomato puree, a dash of tabasco and seasoning. Then once the lentils were cooked, I added red onion and sundried tomatoes. Delicious!

Jammie Day

2009-07-19T19:54:00.002+01:00

I have had such a chilled out day today, but yet still managed to get quite a lot done! I did 3 loads of washing, all my ironing (granted there wasn't very much), cleared out my paperwork and cooked a nice dinner and the next couple of days lunches.

I've had a lovely day to myself!

I've been a bit rubbish at posting my food recently, to be honest I'm not so worried about posting it in full every day now cos I feel like I am managing to keep on track very well. I will post it whenever I get the notion but I'd rather just focus on making sure I post something to my blog each day, no matter what, just to keep my healthier lifestyle in general on track.

I have had a couple of nice treats this weekend. Yesterday, I discovered the frozen yoghurt version of Ben & Jerrys Strawberry Cheesecake. Oh. My. God. It tastes exactly like the full fat version! I'm in love! I was very pleased at my restraint mind you - I weighed out 100g and then left the tub at my sisters house so I couldn't get lured in to eat the rest!

I am finding these days that much less of a treat satisfies my craving. I didn't know when to stop before, which was as much of a problem as the crap food itself!

Today, I treated myself to 2 squares of Green & Blacks mint chocolate, as I got to 7pm and had almost 500 calories left! I think cos I haven't left the house today I've not felt very hungry. I'm also going to have a scoop of raspberry ripple whey protein with milk before bed.

No exercise since Thursday - my DOMS have been crippling and this evening is the first I have felt half human again! I really hope I don't end up like this everytime as it is disrupting my plans!

Tomorrow night, I'm going planning to do weights and then go straight for a run on my way home to try and make up for what I should have done over the weekend.

Lets hope it goes according to plan!

Not a good look!

2009-07-18T14:30:00.002+01:00

I am currently walking a bit like a duck, as a result of my weights on Thursday night! I can go upstairs, but going down them again is something of a problem. Lordy.

I was a bit worried it would be like this every time, but I am assured that it won't be like this the more my body gets used to what I'm doing - I don't mind a bit of pain, at least I know I'm working hard - but this I can't cope with permanently!

Anyway, I discovered a gorgeous new snack today - Munchy Seeds Chilli Mix. Nom nom nom. Dry roasted sunflower & pumpkin seeds with crushed chillis and a dash of savoury sauce - and the savoury sauce is made from Soya beans, sea salt & koji so it is a clean & healthy snack.

I'm also loving the sound of the cajun mix!

Here's the nutritional profile:

Seed Mix, Chilli Mix, Munchy Seeds

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (4%)
Protein (21.4%)
Fat (74.6%)
Per 100g
Calories (kcal) 606
Protein (g) 30.4
Carbohydrate (g) 6.1
Sugars (g) 3.5
Fat (g) 47.2
Saturates (g) 6.2
Fibre (g) 5.2
Sodium (g) 0.4

I'm going to hurt tomorrow!

2009-07-16T20:02:00.002+01:00

Day 2 of my new workout plan, and boy was it a killer! My muscles were burning so much and the sweat was dripping off me, I know I worked damn hard. But....I wasn't feeling particularly energetic and I know its because my food was a bit light all day and didn't really prepare me adequately for doing a weights routine tonight.

Problem is, I am staying at my parents house for a couple of days to mind the dog whilst they are on hols. I brought my own food with me to try to not have my eating plan sabotaged by being away from home but I forgot I was going to do weights tonight and only brought some ryvita, ham and extra light Philly for lunch, some fruit, a yoghurt and then managed to grab a couple of slices of wholegrain toast and a banana just before the gym! No wonder I was lacking energy.

And to make matters worse, I hadn't brought anything for tonights dinner (I thought I had but turns out I hadn't) and there is barely any food in the house so my only option for dinner was 2 bowls of Crunchy Nut Cornflakes [/ashamed] Only saving grace is that I ate them within an hour of my workout so hopefully my metabolism will help me out!!!

Anyway, off to fill in some forms. Hopefully have more time to post a bit more detail on my food/workouts by the weekend...

Checking in...

2009-07-15T18:26:00.002+01:00

.....just to try and keep my commitment of posting here everyday even though I didn't have time to post my food for yesterday, nor will I have today as I am rushing out now to an appointment.

Life is so hectic at the minute, even the best plans seem to go astray. I decided when I woke up today that I wasn't going to beat myself up over not sticking rigidly to my plans. I'm trying my best and that will have to do for now.

I finish work in 4 weeks and 3 (working) days (scary!!!) so I certainly should have a lot more time on my hands and I shall be getting stuck into my fitness and keeping my eating on track for the (hopefully) short while that I will have the free time to do so.

Must run, hope you're all ok!

PS Food ok! In cals and behaving myself!

Lordy, I am useless.

2009-07-14T20:38:00.001+01:00

Only set my goals yesterday and they are up the left already!!

Did my new weights workout on Saturday. Couldn't go to gym on Sunday as too sore, gym closed yesterday as it was a public holiday so was supposed to go today for session two.

However, I had application form issues today and ended up having to spend from 5pm until 2 minutes ago filling in an application form so no gym tonight.

Then tomorrow night I have an appointment to go to so won't make it to the gym then either. So already I'm down to max 2 weights sessions this week!

Is anyones elses life as much as a pain in their arse as mine is in mine???

BBQs are evil!

2009-07-13T20:32:00.003+01:00

And that is even with careful planning!

I knew I was going to a BBQ this afternoon so I went shopping yesterday for some healthy(ish) BBQ grub. I ended up bringing chicken breast fillets, king prawns which I marinated in a little olive oil chilli and garlic, and as a treat I bought the best burgers with the least ingredients which I could find and ended up with Tesco Finest Angus beefburgers with Jalapeno peppers.

I vowed that I would eat my meat and prawns only, no bread and absolutely no coleslaw or other such sauces. The bread and sauces I managed - what was my downfall was when I finished my chicken, prawns and burger, there was one lonely burger left sitting right in front of me. And it sat. And I stared at it. I really should have got up and walked away but instead when I'm asked if I want to go halfers, I see this as a good compromise and eat another half burger. Gah. So annoyed with myself but I have kept within my calories so really the only problem is my fat percentage today - it is embarrassing! Ah well, the burger was darn tasty.

B - Pancake made from fat free cottage cheese, oats, 1 egg, 4 egg whites & cinnamon with banana & 1 tsp maple syrup
Post workout - 1 scoop whey protein in 200ml water
S - 1 slice wholegrain toast & raspberry jam
L - 1.5 beefburgers with jalapenos, 50g king prawns & 75g chicken breast fillet from BBQ
S - 6 S & V Pringles (did I forget to mention those??!)
D - Bowl of homemade tomato & lentil soup
S - 1 clementine

Exercise - 40 mins run/walk

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1485
+ Exercise Cals: 198
Total Cal Quota: 1683
Calories Consumed: 1567
Calories Left: 116
Cals to Maintain Weight: 1985

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1567
Protein (g) 137.3
Carbohydrate (g) 117.6
Fat (g) 59.2 :-O
Fibre (g) 15.2
Fruit & Veg 5.1
Water (litres) 2.3

New Goals

2009-07-13T11:15:00.002+01:00

Taking inspiration from some of my buddies on here as well as some of the interesting articles and books I have been reading lately around fitness and nutrition, it feel important now to formally set some goals.

When I started this journey, I really only had one goal - to lose a stone in weight. I have acheived that, but now I feel I am beginning to view this as my lifestyle now and my new goals are going to be more specific to all aspects of my life!

So here goes:

1 - To lose a further 7lbs (bringing me below 9 stone for the 1st time since I was a teenager!!)
2 - To review my weights programme on a 6 weekly basis to keep my body from getting used to what I am doing
3 - To weight train minimum 3 times per week
4 - To run minimum 3 times per week
5 - To complete the 10 week Running Made Easy 5k plan (currently on week 4)
6 - To stay positive and motivated even when I have a crappy day and to admit to my crappy days on my blog :D
7 - To endeavour to eat well most of the time, particularly focussing on my protein/carb intake
8 - To try a new recipe at least once a fortnight

Phew! Think that will do for now!

Eat eat eat eat eat!

2009-07-12T19:51:00.004+01:00

That feels like all I've done today! But in actual fact, its all been small meals/snacks and I really haven't had one big meal today. And I don't feel hungry at all, which is good as I know eating little and often is good.

Haven't exercised today as I have serious DOMS following yesterdays workout and I just couldn't face dragging my aching limbs out for a run. I am praying that I will defy the normal 'day 2 is worse' phenomenon and feel a bit better tomorrow and get out for a run in the morning.
I made a gorgeous soup today, tomato and lentil which I haven't had in ages! I made a pact with myself to eat more lentils/beans/pulses as i don't eat them currently very much and they are great for fibre and protein intake.

I also experimented a little with cottage cheese tonight, and made a cottage cheese dip by blending cottage cheese with red onion, tomato puree, chilli powder and some herbs. I tried it with some carrots and it was ok - but I could still taste the taste of the cottage cheese and it put me off (I can't ruddy stand the stuff and currently can only manage it in my pancakes) so I'll not be rushing to have it again!

Really, really struggling to up my protein and lower my carbs (on non exercise days) and am going to keep experimenting to find things I like.

So short on calories today its ridiculous, am currently 385 cals below my allowance so shall have a scoop of whey protein with milk before bed to hopefully repair my aching muscles overnight!!!

Todays food:

B - Granola with semi-skimmed milk
S - Smoothie with 1 scoop raspberry ripple whey protein, 5og each of blackberries, frozen raspberries and strawberries & 1 banana
L - 2 slices of wholegrain toast with strawberry jam (didn't intend to have toast but forgot to have my lunch and made emergency food in my sisters!)
S - Handful of cashews
D - Bowl of tomato and lentil soup
S - 130g tuna mixed with 30g red onion
S - 100g raw carrot with homemade cottage cheese dip
S - 1 scoop whey protein with 200ml semi skimmed milk

Exercise - None

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1485
+ Exercise Cals: 0
Total Cal Quota: 1485
Calories Consumed: 1335
Calories Left: 150
Cals to Maintain Weight: 1985

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1335
Protein (g) 117.1
Carbohydrate (g) 145.2
Fat (g) 31.3
Fibre (g) 25.3
Fruit & Veg 8.5
Water (litres) 2.3

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (42%)
Protein (36.2%)
Fat (21.8%)

Squeals

2009-07-11T12:59:00.002+01:00

Gooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaal!

At long last (just under 3 months) I have lost 1 stone and am at goal weight no1 of 9st 5lbs. I am so chuffed! Couldn't believe it as I have had a couple of slow weeks.

Its such a good motivator and I went to the gym all pumped up ready for a really good workout and came out having had a great old time.

I started my full weights routine today, devised myself as I can't justify the money on my personal trainer at the minute. I did a lot of research and took tips from Figure Athlete, The Body Sculpting Bible (great book) and my pals JAG and Crappy (or stella as she's otherwise known!) and came up with the workout below.

I'll be coming up with 2 more workouts, each to be done once a week. For the first 2 weeks I'll be doing modified supersets i.e. going in superset order but resting 90 secs in between each set, then after 2 weeks I'll do supersets - after 4 weeks the intention is to do giant sets but I'll see how it goes!!!

Wide grip lat pulldown 3 x 12 @ 28kg
Swiss ball chest press 3 x 12 @ 7kg

Shoulder press 3 x 12 @ 4kg (this is the move I struggle with most as my neck and shoulders are weak as hell)
Dumbbell calf raise 3 x 25 @ 6kg

Bicep curl 3 x 10 @ 6kg
Tricep pushdown 3 x 12 @ 25kg

Leg Press 3 x 10 @ 60kg
Stiff legged deadlift 3 x 12 @ 8kg

Next time, I'll be swapping the last 2 exercises to first in the workout, thanks to the advice of JAG.

I am in no doubt whatsoever that tomorrow I will be barely able to move, but I don't care cos it felt good!

PS not even sure why I've been so rubbish at posting to my blog this last week, I think I just forgot!

Gah Gah Gah!

2009-07-07T20:44:00.000+01:00

I phoned the gym this morning to book into the 715pm spin class. No problemo.

Plan was to go to gym at 630pm, do weights until spin class, hopefully burn c 500-600 cals. So I planned my food carefully so I wouldn't have any bloated stomach issues - came home from work and had a Nakd bar then just before I went out I had 2 slices seeded granary toast with mashed banana. Knew if I did weights and spin I'd have loads of cals left for my dinner afterwards (chicken breast and salad).

Get to the gym to be told the 715pm spin class has been cancelled! I was so pissed off by the fact that the timetable is actually changed this week as its a holiday over here, so they booked me into the class this morning, knowing it wasn't actually on tonight.

Now I have eaten a whopping 228g of carbs, too many calories and only have enough calories left to eat my chicken breast for dinner....on its own....lucky I'm not hungry cos I didn't work as hard as I thought I would. I actually wouldn't have even eaten the chicken but I need the protein.

My great plan ruined!!

I think its getting easier!

2009-07-06T21:05:00.002+01:00

I'm on week 3 (after 4 weeks given week 1 took me so long to actually complete!) of my run/walk plan (Running Made Easy) and for the first time tonight, I think it felt a little bit easier, and I was going for longer too. Really really pleased, between yesterdays great workout and today I feel like I'm getting somewhere with all this which has really boosted me after a not very good few days!

Food for today:

B - Granola & semi skimmed milk
S - 100g each red grapes & raspberries
S - Activia raspberry fruit layer yoghurt
L - 4 chilli wholegrain ricecakes with extra light Philadelphia & 2 slices lean ham
S - Granny Smith apple & 2 clementines
S - Mini babybel light
Pre exercise - Half a Nakd Cocoa Loco bar
Post exercise - 1 scoop whey protein with 200ml water
Dinner - Spicy bean burger with baked beans (bean overload lol)
S - Banana with 2tsps almond butter

Drinks - 3 large mugs black coffee & 5 pints water

Exercise - 35 mins walk/run

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1493
+ Exercise Cals: 234
Total Cal Quota: 1727
Calories Consumed: 1726
Calories Left: 1
Cals to Maintain Weight: 1993

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1726
Protein (g) 94.6
Carbohydrate (g) 226.3
Fat (g) 49.3
Fibre (g) 48.7
Fruit & Veg 12.6
Water (litres) 2.8

Nutrition Summary
Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (50.8%)
Protein (22.6%)
Fat (26.6%)

Super high on carbs today, dunno what the heck happened! Not so worried since I was exercising though.

Food Diary

2009-07-05T20:55:00.002+01:00

Well, following my concerns earlier about eating all my calories, I just about managed it (130 cals short but think I might treat myself to a square of Green & Blacks in a minute!).

B - Protein pancake (1 egg, 2 egg whites, oats, fat free cottage cheese, cinnamon) with banana
Post-workout snack - 1 scoop raspberry ripple whey with 200ml water
L - Scrambled eggs - 2 eggs and 3 egg whites - 2 slices of wholegrain toast
S - Half Nakd Cocoa Loco bar
S - Smoothie - 150g strawberries, large banana, 100ml pure orange
D - Home made spicy bean burger with sweet potato chips
S - 40g cashews
Supper (just before bed) - 1 scoop raspberry ripple whey with 200ml semi skimmed milk
Drinks - 1 large mug black coffee, 3.2l water

Exercise - 35 mins full body weights (rehab programme) & 45 mins spin class - 600 cals

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1499
+ Exercise Cals: 600
Total Cal Quota: 2099
Calories Consumed: 1969
Calories Left: 130
Cals to Maintain Weight: 1999

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1969
Protein (g) 131.9
Carbohydrate (g) 237.3
Fat (g) 53.3
Fibre (g) 37.5
Fruit & Veg 10.9
Water (litres) 3.2

Nutrition Summary
Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (46.9%)
Protein (27.8%)
Fat (25.3%)

Awesome!

2009-07-05T13:04:00.002+01:00

I had a really down day yesterday but was determined that today, I was going to pull myself together and get back on track. So, I got up out of bed all guns blazing, had protein pancake and banana for brekkie and off I went to the gym.

I did about 35 mins of weights (still on my rehab plan, another couple of weeks then will be going onto full strength training) then straight into spin class and I really worked as hard as I can ever remember working - I pushed myself even when I thought my lungs had shrunk to the size of peas and the sweat was dripping off my eyelashes! 600 cals burned in total.

I don't quite know where it came from, but I enjoyed it so much and I hope it was enough to set me up for an energetic and motivated week ahead.

Now, my challenge for the day is eating all my calories - 2099 including my exercise cals. I struggle to eat that many cals and keep it good quality food but today I'm really going to set my mind to it as I want to reap the benefits of my efforts, not just cancel out my hard work by eating crap.

I'll post my food later to let you see how I've got on!

Where did it go?

2009-07-04T09:13:00.002+01:00

My mojo that is. I dunno, I have felt so lethargic this week and am already letting it stop me from getting to grips with my exercise. Hasn't helped that I have yet again been really busy, and between everything only got to the gym and for a run twice this week. Not good enough.

I've stuck to my eating though, so I guess that is something!

Lost 1lb this week - ok, but didn't lose last week and would have liked a bit more.

Anyway, I'm really gonna try and get back into it from today onwards. No plans any night next week or next weekend and I plan to keep it that way, I think the problem is that once I have my plans disrupted, I get thrown completely off course! I'm so easily distracted!

Here's to finding some motivation....

A new chapter!

2009-07-01T16:21:00.002+01:00

Yet again I've been neglecting my blog - was minding my 5 year old niece for 2.5 days so haven't had much time to blog/work out as you can imagine!

So, the plan was to go to spin class last night but to be honest, I had a very draining day and couldn't face it. The reason? I was accepted for voluntary redundancy from my job. So in 8 weeks I shall be officially unemployed!

Yes, there's a recession. Yes, I'm probably absolutely mental.

But, I have been working in the industry I am in for 13 years and I have never liked it. I constantly want to do something else and now I am given a chance to get a lump sum of cash, and keep some substantial benefits for life, and I think I'd have been mad not to take it.

Big risk though - I live alone and have no other income, so really need to find another job of some sort to tide me over until I decide what my next long term plan is. So fingers crossed for me please that it all works out!

The silver lining is.....if I don't manage to get another job straight away, think how fit I'll be as I'll be blasting away at weights and running every day!!!

In a bit of a rush so not going to post my food for today but I'll be back into the routine again tomorrow and shall be blogging every day!

The best laid plans

2009-06-28T18:44:00.002+01:00

Things are a bit stuffed up for me the next couple of days as I am minding my neice from tonight until Tuesday night.

I had great plans to go to the gym today and then do spin and weights on Tuesday night but it isn't qute working out that way!

I went out last night planning to have a couple of glasses of wine. Hmmm. A bottle of rose, a mojito, a weird shooter which I just remembered and a few glasses of champagne later, i went to bed at 5am and woke up today feeling less then healthy :( Needless to say I didn't get to the gym. Ironically enough, I feel ok now but its closed!

And as for Tuesday night, I now have to pick my nieces gran up from the boat and won't get to spin either. i might make it for a weights session later on but i'm really peed off cos the only classes with teachers I like are the weekend ones (out the window today!) and the Monday/Tuesday night ones!

Gah.

Anyway, no point crying over spoilt gym plans. All I can do is work harder the rest of the week I guess.

Gah! Weigh-in

2009-06-27T09:18:00.002+01:00

Apologies that I have been thoroughly useless at blogging this week, between gym and trying to run and other things I have had very little time and been completely exhausted in the evenings, so have neglected my blog a bit.

I have eaten well this week, I have been within calories every day, and did weights on Sunday, spin on Monday and weights & a run on Thursday - yet I didn't lose any weight at all this week :(

Its the first time since I started all this that I haven't lost anything and I can't help but feel disappointed. However, instead of wallowing when I got off the scales (which I was very close to doing) I went straight in and put my gear on (at 8am this morning!), and took myself out to the rugby pitches for 35 mins run/walk, burned 208 cals and am really quite pleased with myself for doing it!

Nothing to report....

2009-06-23T21:43:00.002+01:00

.....but thought I'd say hello anyway.

I have serious DOMS going on from my weights on Sunday but hoping to be sufficiently recovered by tomorrow night to have another session. And I thought I needed a rest day today after the spin class from hell yesterday!!!

Food for today has been good, my spilts are definitely improving - managing to stuff a bit of extra protein in which I am very pleased about. My protein shake for supper is quite frankly to use up the calories, not cos I'm hungry or owt!

B - Granola & semi-skimmed milk
S - 10g each raspberries & red grapes
S - Activia raspberry fruit layer yoghurt
L - 90g chicken breast in herb marinade with salad of onion, pepper, scallions, 30g cheddar, tomato & fat free french dressing
S - 2 clementines & Granny Smith apple
D - Omelette with 2 slices of lean ham & red onion
S - Banana with almond butter
S - 1 scoop whey protein raspberry ripple with 200ml semi skimmed milk

Drinks - 2.8l water & 4 large mugs of black coffee

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1499
+ Exercise Cals: 0
Total Cal Quota: 1499
Calories Consumed: 1403
Calories Left: 96
Cals to Maintain Weight: 1999

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1403
Protein (g) 110.7
Carbohydrate (g) 118.2
Fat (g) 54.4
Fibre (g) 23.4
Fruit & Veg 8.3
Water (litres) 2.8

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (32.2%)
Protein (32.2%)
Fat (35.6%)

This must be what hell feels like.....

2009-06-22T20:36:00.003+01:00

......spin class + seriously bloated tummy = 45 mins of HELL!!!

It really was tough tonight, I don't know what bloated me so badly, but i got through it just about, and 400 cals better off!

Yet again I am sitting here at this time of the evening wondering how to use up my almost 400 remaining calories!

B - Breakfast pancake as per yesterdays post
S - Activia raspberry fruit layer yoghurt
s - 75g each red grapes & raspberries
L - 4 slices dark rye Ryvita with 2 slices lean ham, 30g light Philadelphia & 30g sundried tomatoes
S - 2 clementines & Granny Smith apple
D - 190g grilled chicken breast fillet & salad (red onion, scallions, tomato, pepper, 30g cheddar, lettuce) with 15ml fat free french dressing
S pre workout- Half a Nakd Cocoa Loco bar
S post workout - 1 scoop whey protein & 200ml semi-skimmed milk
S - 25g cashews

Drinks - c 6 pints water

Exercise - 45mins spinning

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1507
+ Exercise Cals: 400
Total Cal Quota: 1907
Calories Consumed: 1573
Calories Left: 334
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2007

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1573
Protein (g) 120.2
Carbohydrate (g) 154.2
Fat (g) 53.2
Fibre (g) 27.8
Fruit & Veg 6.7
Water (litres) 3.4

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (37.6%)
Protein (31.3%)
Fat (31.2%)

Thats about the best I've got my split looking yet!

My uncanny impression of Bambi on Ice

2009-06-21T20:10:00.002+01:00

Yes, that was me after my first PT weights session. Holy moly, my limbs were like water! It was so good though, I forgot how much I enjoy weights.

Going through a rehab programme initially for 3 weeks or so, to rebuild the muscles in my neck/shoulders/upper back and core, and then we'll move onto a strength-building programme.

Programme as follows:

Single leg dumbbells scaption 2 x 8 3kg d/b
Seated cable row 3 x 7 28kg
Swiss ball chest press 3 x 8 6kg d/b
Squat to press 2 x 7 4kg d/b - this I found unbelievably hard as my muscles are so weak in my shoulders and lifting the dumbbells above my head was a killer, we actually had to reduce from 6kg dumbbells to 4kg!
Leg Press 3 x 6 60kg
Pushdowns 2 x 12 25kg

As for my food, well we took my dad to the golf club where there was a carvery. A carvery was quite a good option actually, as I had complete control over what was on my plate. it wasn't perfect but i think I did pretty damn well!

I have about 140 cals left but I am not stressing about eating those - I totally had to guesstimate my whole lunch and it may be a little out and don't want to risk going over. I'm not hungry anyway!

B - Granola & semi-skimmed milk
L - Starter - Bowl of veg soup & salad with smoked & pepper mackerel and shedloads of veg & salad with no dressing. About 1 tbsp of prawn cocktail.
L - Main - 2 slices turkey and 1 slice of very lean ham, 1 scoop mash potato and 1 scoop stuffing, dribble gravy and broccolli & cauliflower
L - Dessert - Walked past the pavlova/roulade/profiteroles/lemon meringue and filled a bowl of strawberries & grapes!
D - Pancake made from 50g oats, 1 egg, 3 egg whites, 125g fat free cottage cheese and cinnamon, with a banana & 1 tsp maple syrup
S - Post workout - 1 scoop whey protein with 200ml water
S - Banana with 2 tsp almond butter

Drinks - c6 pints of water & 2 large mugs black coffee

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1507
+ Exercise Cals: 159
Total Cal Quota: 1666
Calories Consumed: 1520
Calories Left: 146
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2007

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1520
Protein (g) 107.1
Carbohydrate (g) 152.2
Fat (g) 51.9
Fibre (g) 21.6
Fruit & Veg 4.0 This is a little off as I didn't enter individually all the veg I had at the carvery with my salad, couldn't be arsed!
Water (litres) 3.4

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (38.9%)
Protein (29.2%)
Fat (31.9%)

Weigh in....

2009-06-20T21:01:00.002+01:00

......and another 1lb gone! Total 11lbs now and I'm chuffed, really chuffed especially since I had a few bumps in the road this week.

Todays food has been fine, had a little 'treat' tonight of mushed up raspberries mixed in with light Philly to make like a cheesecake mixture, and ate it with 35g of granola. Was pretty good but really could have done with a little sweetening.

I've just realised I didn't snack much today!

B - Granola & semi-skimmed milk
S - Banana
L - 2 poached eggs and 2 slices of wholegrain toast
D - 225g king prawns and another lot of roast veg as per yesterdays food
S - 50g raspberries, 50g philadelphia light & 35g granola

Drinks - 5 pints water, 1 large mug black coffee, small cinnamon latte made with skimmed milk

Exercise - 15 mins Crosstrainer, 15 mins Wii Fit yoga

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1507
+ Exercise Cals: 146
Total Cal Quota: 1653
Calories Consumed: 1536
Calories Left: 116
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2007

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1536
Protein (g) 93.7
Carbohydrate (g) 178.5
Fat (g) 49.6
Fibre (g) 29.7
Fruit & Veg 6.2
Water (litres) 2.8

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (44.9%)
Protein (25.1%)
Fat (30%)

Lazybones

2009-06-20T09:50:00.002+01:00

I really have been a lazybones this week! I had such a tiring weekend last weekend, and I really feel it takes me a whole week to catchup! No big plans this weekend so hoping I'll get caught up on sleep/rest/general chilling and next week will be better.

Yesterday, I was pleased with myself that I gave up my traditional Friday sausage sandwich for breakfast and in truth I didn't really miss it. I had too many naughty things last week, I felt I really should sacrifice something or I could have been ending up on a slippery slope....

Was too tired to post yesterday so here's yesterdays food now.

B - Granola with semi-skimmed milk
S - Activia raspberry fruit layer yoghurt
L - Wholeweat Krisprolls with Philadelphia light & 30g sun dried tomatoes
S - 50g red grapes, 2 clementines
D - 140g pork with a humungous mountain of roasted veg - sweet potato, parsnip, carrot, pepper & onion with a splash of olive oil, balsamic vinegar & thyme

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1507
+ Exercise Cals: 0
Total Cal Quota: 1507
Calories Consumed: 1499
Calories Left: 8
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2007

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1499
Protein (g) 80.9
Carbohydrate (g) 156.3
Fat (g) 62.3
Fibre (g) 25.4
Fruit & Veg 6.7
Water (litres) 3.4

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (39.9%)
Protein (22%)
Fat (38.1%)

Low on protein again! Gah.

Down in the dumps....

2009-06-18T19:21:00.002+01:00

......means eat naughty things :(

Didn't post yesterday cos I felt a little crappy, but my food was grand and came in about 50 cals under. Didn't exercise though as felt so miserable I just put my jammies on and curled up in front of the telly.

But my mood today wasn't much better and it finally got the better of me and not only did I have a scone with jam (no butter, mind you!) for a snack this morning, I had a handful of fries with my lunch *shame*

Having said that, I am still below my calorie allowance (although I am not at all sure the calories for the scone are right so i'm going to allow an extra 100 at least for that!!) and I did a spin class tonight to right my wrongs.

Different spin teacher to last week, this class focussed on speed more than resistance. In truth, I think I preferred last weeks class and will make sure I go back to the same one next week - I burned off 370 cals in tonights class compared to 500 last week, so even though it made me feel like I was going to puke, I obviously was working much harder!

B - Granola with semi-skimmed milk
S - Scone with raspberry jam
L - Chicken breast fillet on 2 slices of rye bread with salad and tomato chutney & a teeny tiny handful of fries
D - 4 slices dark rye Ryvita with 2 vine tomatos chopped in 10g light mayo with 2 slices of lean ham
S - Preworkout - Nakd Cocoa Loco bar
S - Post workout - Banana, 1 scoop whey protein in 200ml water

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1507
+ Exercise Cals: 370
Total Cal Quota: 1877
Calories Consumed: 1555
Calories Left: 322
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2007

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1555
Protein (g) 89.7
Carbohydrate (g) 196.9
Fat (g) 46.8
Fibre (g) 27.9
Fruit & Veg 5.9
Water (litres) 3.4

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (48.6%)
Protein (23.6%)
Fat (27.8%)

Would like to eat another 200 odd calories but have no idea what to have!

Food Diary

2009-06-16T17:52:00.002+01:00

Behaved myself again today and actually managed to get my protein intake up to a decent level without a shake.

Still got a few calories to consume, but I'm off out to my nieces gymnastics display so I'll get a wee snack when I get home.

B - Pancake made with 1 egg, 3 egg whites, 50g oats, 125g fat free cottage cheese & cinnamon with mashed banana and 1tsp maple syrup (enough for 2 days)
S - Activia raspberry fruit layer yoghurt
S - 75g red grapes
L - 4 dark rye Ryvita slices with 2 chopped vine tomatoes with 2 tsp light mayo and 2 slices lean ham
S - 2 clementines & 1 Granny Smith apple
D - 140g thin sirloin steak with sweet potato chips and onions & button mushrooms fried in 1 spritz of 1cal oil spray

Drinks - 2.3l water so far, 3 large mugs of black coffee

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1507
+ Exercise Cals: 0
Total Cal Quota: 1507
Calories Consumed: 1383
Calories Left: 124
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2007

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1383
Protein (g) 95.0
Carbohydrate (g) 170.6
Fat (g) 36.8
Fibre (g) 28.0
Fruit & Veg 11.5 woohoo!
Water (litres) 2.3

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (47.4%)
Protein (28.1%)
Fat (24.5%)

Food Diary

2009-06-15T20:01:00.003+01:00

Ate the remainder of my lovely pork noodle soup for dinner today, it really is gorgeous and I'll definitely be making it again!

And big news of the day is that I went out for a little run tonight! (Emphasis on the word little mind you!). I am starting the 5k plan in the book 'Running Made Easy'. It makes it seem acheivable even for complete running-haterz like me :D http://www.amazon.co.uk/Running-Made-Easy-Susie-Whalley/dp/1861057032 And my neck held out beautifully, so maybe I'll actually be able to keep this up.

Food today was ok, protein intake was abysmal though. I struggle with my protein intake - its lunchtimes that let me down. I don't take too much in the way of meat/prawns etc to work for lunch as we have no fridge and our office is so warm, by lunchtime the food is rank. I really must invest in a decent cool bag and that should help the situation.

B - Granola & semi-skimmed milk
S - 200g fresh pineapple & 50g red grapes
L - 4 slices Dark Rye Ryvita with 10g basil pesto and 30g sundried tomatoes
S - 2 clementines
S - Activia raspberry fruit layer yoghurt
D - Vietnamese pork noodle soup
Pre workout - Half a Nakd Cocoa Loco bar
Post workout - 1 scoop whey protein with 250ml semi-skimmed milk
S - 25g cashew nuts

Drinks - 3.4l water & 3 large mugs of black coffee

Exercise - 33 mins total walk/jog

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1507
+ Exercise Cals: 186
Total Cal Quota: 1693
Calories Consumed: 1542
Calories Left: 151
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2007

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1542
Protein (g) 71.6
Carbohydrate (g) 190.1
Fat (g) 55.6
Fibre (g) 24.7
Fruit & Veg 5.9
Water (litres) 3.4

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (47.5%)
Protein (19.1%)
Fat (33.4%)

Food Diary

2009-06-14T21:13:00.002+01:00

Well after yesterdays misbehaviour, I needed to stick to the rules today and I managed, thank goodness! Bit disappointed though, went to the gym all geared up for my weights session with the PT and he wasn't there - don't know if I got the wrong time or he did, but I was really psyched up for it! I was so deflated, I just muddled about for 20 mins on the treadmill and went home again and did some stretches and stuff at home.

B - Granola & semi-skimmed milk
L - 2 poached eggs and 2 slices of wholegrain toast
Pre workout - Nakd Cocoa Loco bar
Post (half) workout - Smoothie made from 50g frozen raspberries, banana, 1 scoop whey protein & 200ml pure orange juice
D - Vietnamese pork noodle soup (see previous post for recipe)
S - Activia raspberry fruit layer yoghurt & Granny Smith apple

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1507
+ Exercise Cals: 104
Total Cal Quota: 1611
Calories Consumed: 1457
Calories Left: 154
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2007

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1457
Protein (g) 76.3
Carbohydrate (g) 193.6
Fat (g) 42.0
Fibre (g) 25.9
Fruit & Veg 5.1
Water (litres) about 3 pints so far

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (51.5%)
Protein (21.7%)
Fat (26.8%)

Vietnamese Pork Noodle Soup

2009-06-14T21:08:00.006+01:00

Mmmmmmm, this is my new discovery and it is gorgeous. Recipe below. I based it on a few recipes I saw online but totally tweaked it to my own taste. I had only intended to make one portion but it actually ended up enough for two portions, so next time I'll be doubling the meat quantity.

Just start off with a basic stock, and add all the ingredients, including cooked pork and simmer for c 10 mins. I added the noodles 5 mins before the end and they cooked in the mixture.

Oh and a tip, don't add any extra salt to season as the fish sauce and the soy are plenty!

60g Pork, Diced, Lean, Average
24g Onion, Spring Or Scallion, Raw, Average
24g Tomatoes, Plum, Baby, Average
22g Carrots, Whole, Raw, Peeled, Average
1 Tbsp/15ml Sauce, Thai Fish, Nuoc Mam, Amoy
1 Tbsp/15ml Sauce, Soy, Dark, Amoy
1 Tsp/2g Ginger, Ground, Average
5g Chillies, Red, Chopped, Very Lazy, The English Provender Co.
1 Serving/63g Noodles, Egg, Fine Thread, Dry, Marks & Spencer

Calories (kcal) 171.5
Carbohydrate (g) 27.8
Protein (g) 12.8
Fat (g) 1.0
Fibre (g) 2.3

Take That!

2009-06-14T12:03:00.010+01:00

Wowsers, thos guys are berluddy amazing. What a show! I would defy anyone, even the biggest Take That haterz to go to their show and not enjoy it. Many a grown man was dancing in the aisles by the end!

But.....every silver lining has a cloud...and I had a bit of a pigout. It was completely for the sake of it, I didn't really want any of it, and it made me feel so rotten I don't think I'll be doing it again anytime soon. for example, I ate a chocolate muffin and within 20 minutes had the worst stomach cramps!

Amazingly, I stayed within my calorie allowance but that was only because I didn't have a main meal. But my fat was 55g-odd so you get the picture :(

Anyway, here's some piccies for you :D

Weigh in & measure day!

2009-06-13T09:30:00.002+01:00

I have changed my weigh in day from Friday to Saturday as on my measuring weeks I don't have time to do it in the morning and by the time I get home from work I'm generally bloated up!

So....*drumroll*......I have now lost 10lbs! :D

Another 1.5lb this week, which is great as I didn't really expect it - probably lost it in that spin class alone lol!

And my inch loss is total 15 inches. not bad for not much exercise. Starting my free weights programme with the trainer so hoping my next measurements will reflect that....

Loss: 15/04/09 - 13/05/09
Weight 10.0lb
Bust 2.5 inches
Under Bust 3.0 inches
Belly 2.0 inches
Bum 2.5 inches
Hips at Widest 2.0 inches
Top of Thighs (L) 0.5 inches
Above Knees (L) 1.0 inches
Calves (L) 0.5 inches
Upper Arms (L) 1.0 inches
Total 15.0 inches

Oooh and I'm going down to Dublin to see Take That today so i hope any cals I waste on crappy food will be burned off in shouting and screaming and jumping around like a teenager :D

My dindins

2009-06-12T19:27:00.001+01:00

Whoops meant to post a photo of my dinner tonight as it was delicious!

Food Diary

2009-06-12T19:17:00.003+01:00

I had a naughty thing today - my own fault really, I was at an assessment centre thing today for a new job I'm applying for and totally forgot to bring snacks with me for inbetween sessions and ended up getting a Twix from the vending machine. Twas very tasty and I suppose no worse than the normal sausage sandwich I have on a Friday morning (didn't have that today as not at work!).

And then, in case you look at my food diary and think I've lost the plot - I called in at my sisters at lunchtime and they were making pancakes for lunch with my breakfast pancake recipe. So I had pancakes for breakfast and exactly the same again for lunch!!! I didn't mind though as they really are so damn tasty.

B - Pancake as per recipe posted on Wednesday
S - 2 fingers of Twix
L - Pancake again!!!
S - Activia yoghurt with raspberry fruit layer
D - Chicken breast fillet stuffed with pesto and wrapped in parma ham with sweet potato chips (I am addicted!) and petits pois

Drinks - 1.5l of water so far, prob drink another 2 pints

Exercise - None as neck a bit sore after yesterday. Giving it a rest today.

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1515
+ Exercise Cals:0
Total Cal Quota: 1515
Calories Consumed: 1320
Calories Left: 195
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2015

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1320
Protein (g) 80.5
Carbohydrate (g) 167.2
Fat (g) 36.1
Fibre (g) 22.7
Fruit & Veg 5.7
Water (litres) 1.5

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (49.2%)
Protein (25.3%)
Fat (25.5%)

How embarrassing.

2009-06-11T18:41:00.002+01:00

Oh deary me. On the day i forget to shave my legs, I pack a pair of cropped trousers for the gym, and the PT decided to work on my hamstring and calf muscles - cue his hands on my stubbly legs. Mortification!

Anyways....humiliation over.....here's my food for the day:

B - Pancake same as yesterday
S - Activia raspberry layer yoghurt
L - Wholegrain crackerbread with low-fat cheese
S - 200g fresh pineapple, 2 clementines, Granny Smith apple
Pre-workout snack - Nakd Apple Pie bar
D - 140g cod with herby topping, 120g sweet potato chips, 70g petit pois
S - 1 scoop whey protein with 200ml semiskimmed milk
Drinks - 3.2l water

Exercise - 45 minutes counted as body conditioning - worked on my core and strength exercises on my back and legs

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1515
+ Exercise Cals: 193
Total Cal Quota: 1708
Calories Consumed: 1537
Calories Left: 170
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2015

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1537
Protein (g) 101.1
Carbohydrate (g) 217.9
Fat (g) 30.1
Fibre (g) 28.9
Fruit & Veg 9.9
Water (litres) 3.2

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (54.8%)
Protein (27.1%)
Fat (18.1%)

Food Diary

2009-06-10T19:42:00.003+01:00

Sausage night tonight! Sausages will always be my one guilty pleasure - I don't smoke, I barely drink so I'm not too worried :D Was even more naughty than normal today as had oven chips too! Whoopsadaisy. Twas tasty as though!

No exercise for me today, taking a rest day as I'm back with the PT tomorrow starting my exercise plan so saving myself.....

B - Pancake made with 50g oats, 1 egg, 3 egg whites, 125g cottage cheese & cinnamon, topped with banana & 1tsp maple syrup (this makes enough for 2 days)
S - Activia raspberry fruit layer yoghurt
L - M & S medium fish sushi selection
S - 75g raspberries & red grapes, 2 clementines
D - 2 beef sausages (grilled as if that makes a difference!!), oven chips & 100g carrots & parsnip
S - 1 scoop whey protein with 250ml water

Daily Cal Quota: 1515
+ Exercise Cals:0
Total Cal Quota: 1515
Calories Consumed: 1449
Calories Left: 66
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2015

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1449
Protein (g) 83.4
Carbohydrate (g) 178.9
Fat (g) 44.3
Fibre (g) 25.6
Fruit & Veg 6.2
Water (litres) 3.5

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (47.8%)
Protein (23.8%)
Fat (28.4%)

Feeling a lil smug

2009-06-09T20:37:00.003+01:00

Yes, I'm a little bit chuffed with myself today. I have been as good as gold with my food and to top it all, I just did my first spinning class in about 18 months!

I used to do spinning twice a week and loved it, so now I'm feeling a lot better I decided to get back into it. Quite frankly, it was hell on earth. I felt like I was going to vomit quickly followed by almost bursting into tears, but I survived and now I feel awesome! And for the 500 calories I burned, it was worth every bead of sweat and blood which it drained from me.

I feel now like I'm in a 'proper' regime. Before, I kind of felt a bit of a hanger-on as I was eating well but not really able to exercise properly. Now I genuinely feel like I'm getting somewhere.

So, food for today:

B - Granola with semi-skimmed milk
S - Activia raspberry fruit layer yoghurt S - 75g each raspberries & red grapes
L - 6 small Krisprolls with LowLow cheese then 2 clementines
S - Granny Smith apple & 200g raw carrots
D - Grilled chicken breast fillet wrapped in 2 slices parma ham, sweet potato chips and carrots & parsnip (see photo, it was delicious!)
Pre workout - Half Nakd Coco Loco bar
Post workout - Other half Nakd Coco Loco bar & 1 scoop whey protein with 200ml semi-skimmed milk

Calorie Summary Daily Cal Quota: 1515
+ Exercise Cals: 557
Total Cal Quota: 2072
Calories Consumed: 1788
Calories Left: 285
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2015

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1788
Protein (g) 104.8
Carbohydrate (g) 240.0
Fat (g) 48.0
Fibre (g) 39.3
Fruit & Veg 10.7
Water (litres) 3.75l

Nutrition Summary
Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (51.4%)
Protein (23.9%)
Fat (24.7%)

Oh and heres a little photo of my dinner cos it was so scrumptious :D

Yesterday......

2009-06-09T17:45:00.004+01:00

......no I'm not going to break into song! :D

Didn't have time to post yesterday so I'm going to post yesterdays now as I want to keep on track with my blogging!

Had a good day calorie wise, still slightly under but getting there.

And....big news.....had my first PT session! It was great, very much a getting to know you thing and testing my fitness/strength/flexibility etc but he showed me some rehabilitation exercises to do and lordy, they hurt! He's going to concentrate initially on the rehab stuff and hopefully in a few weeks I should be able to move onto some proper training again - yay!

B - Granola & semi skimmed milk
S - Activia raspberry fruit layer yoghurt
L - Salad with 1 slice lean ham, feta cheese, lettuce, peppers, plum tomato, onion and fat free dressing. Afterwards 2 clementines & Granny Smith apple
S - 75g each raspberries & red grapes
S - Banana
Pre workout S - Nakd Coco Loco bar
Post workout S - 1 scoop whey protein with water
D - Haddock fishcake with 95g carrots & 75g parsnips

Drinks - c 4.2 l water & 3 large mugs of black coffee

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1515
+ Exercise Cals: 128
Total Cal Quota: 1643
Calories Consumed: 1440
Calories Left: 203
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2015

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1440
Protein (g) 68.7
Carbohydrate (g) 184.4
Fat (g) 48.7
Fibre (g) 32.9
Fruit & Veg 10.3
Water (litres) 4.2

Nutrition Summary
Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (49.2%)
Protein (19.6%)
Fat (31.2%)

Waaaaaay under calories

2009-06-07T18:49:00.002+01:00

So what do you guys eat to make up your calories on days when you just cannot seem to get them into you???

Maybe its cos I'm loaded with the cold but today I just haven't felt hungry, and anything I have eaten, I have only eaten about half. I've now eaten 2 clementines, an apple and a yoghurt not because I wanted them, but cos I don't want to finish the day having eaten so little!

Oooh, I went for a little run this morning (run being used in the loosest possible way!), just twice round the rugby pitches but its a start and my neck feels great. First PT session tomorrow!

Anyway, here's what i have eaten today - and please excuse the terribly awful brekkie, but I stayed in my sisters house and the only cereal she had was my nieces Coco Pops!

B - Coco Pops and skimmed milk
L - Smoothie with banana, strawberries, raspberries, orange juice, 1 scoop whey protein
D - Chicken with satay sauce and egg noodles
S - 2 clementines, Granny Smith apple, Activia raspberry fruit layer yoghurt

Drinks - 3 mugs black coffee, c 4 pints of water

Exercise - 10 mins running, 10 mins cross-trainer

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1515
+ Exercise Cals: 112
Total Cal Quota: 1627
Calories Consumed: 1165
Calories Left: 462
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2015

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1165
Protein (g) 69.3
Carbohydrate (g) 163.1
Fat (g) 26.1
Fibre (g) 18.0
Fruit & Veg 6.6
Water (litres) 2.4

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (54.4%)
Protein (24.7%)
Fat (20.9%)

I really need to work on cutting my carbs - I just really don't know how!

So now I realise....

2009-06-06T12:43:00.002+01:00

.....why i've been so lethargic and demotivated this week - I have woken up today with a stinking cold and feel so rotten :(

I was even going to go to spin this morning given my new gym membership! I hadn't intended joining a gym again but the local gym are doing an offer saving almost £15 a month on full membership so i couldn't resist. I was also very impressed by the PT who I get 3 free sessions with, who is a sports physio specialising in rehabilitation, which is just what I need.

I really really hope I feel better for my first session with him on Monday!

As for my food, I have been behaving myself in the most part, but just cannae be bothered posting it all. I'll be back on the blog wagon as soon as I feel better, I swear...

Oooh but I did lose 0.5lb this week, which I was pleased about since I have done no exercise!

I'm....

2009-06-03T19:21:00.002+01:00

.......too damn hot.

I just can't face doing my first run in this heat. Gah.

And I'm too embarrassed to post my food diary as I ate half a packet of crisps and a tiny sliver of a traybake - what is this healthy eating lark doing to my head???!!!

Food Diary

2009-06-02T19:52:00.002+01:00

Well, my big plans to go running tonight went out the window - its just too hot, I'm too tired and I would have got to the end of the street before turning back!

But I had a great day food-wise, quite pleased with myself...

B - Breakfast pancake (see recipe in yesterdays post) with banana and 1 tsp maple syrup
S - Activia raspberry fruit layer yoghurt
S - 50g each raspberries & red grapes
L - M & S medium fish sushi selection
S - Granny Smith apple, 2 clementines
D - Pork chop with all fat cut off, sweet potato chips and steamed carrots & parsnips
S - 150g atlantic prawns

Drinks - 4 pints of water, 3 large mugs of black coffee

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1518
+ Exercise Cals: 0
Total Cal Quota: 1518
Calories Consumed: 1310
Calories Left: 208
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2018

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1310
Protein (g) 94.9
Carbohydrate (g) 178.2
Fat (g) 24.2
Fibre (g) 25.4
Fruit & Veg 8.0
Water (litres) 2.3

Carbohydrate (52.8%) The sushi always knocks this up due to the rice - fat nice and low though
Protein (30%)
Fat (17.2%)

New pancake recipe

2009-06-01T21:15:00.003+01:00

Sorry I've been neglecting my blogging duties - was away at a training weekend and have had no time whatsoever.

I'm an instructor with the army cadets and when we are at training weekends/camps we are at the mercy of the chef. Good quality food but high on carbs and not much nutritional value - aiming for filling up people with carbs who are out being active in the fresh air all day long! And to be fair, we be so busy running about that come every mealtime we are ravenous and welcome the stodge. And I haven't put on any extra pounds so thats the main thing.

So I adjusted my pancake recipe to include Quark, following JAGs recommendation. The stuff tastes rank on its own imo, but I replaced the cottage cheese in my pancake recipe for Quark, as when I went to buy more cottage cheese in Tesco tonight they had only full fat stuff. I also added another egg white to up the protein a little. And again, its yummy. I add the maple syrup to sweeten it a little.

Heres the recipe for 2 servings:

Jildo's Breakfast Pancake

Ingredients
1 Serving/50g Breakfast Cereal, Porridge Oats, Dry Weight, Value, Tesco
1 Egg/56g Eggs, Free Range, Large, Average
2 Lg Egg Whites/80g Eggs, Whites Only, Raw, Average
2 Meds/204g Banana, Raw, Flesh Only, Average
10g Syrup, Maple, Average
125g Cheese, Quark, Virtuallty Fat Free, Orchard Dairy

The famous pancake

2009-05-27T17:19:00.003+01:00

Here it is....

Twas very nice indeed. Especially since I added a teaspoon of pure maple syrup on top just to moisten it a little *naughty*

I had also added a good amount of cinnamon to the mix so that gave it a gorgeous flavour.

I think I will muck around with the quantities a bit, maybe throw in an extra egg white or two to up the protein count. I also need to use low fat cottage cheese, the only stuff I had was normal fat, so the calorie count on it will drop once I change that - as it was this morning it came in about 300 cals.

Can't wait to have it again tomorrow morning :D

Help!

2009-05-26T20:38:00.003+01:00

Ok so I am a little obsessed with getting on the pancake bandwagon but I just cannot get to grips with the whey protein recipes so have tried one instead using porridge oats, cottage cheese, 1 whole egg, 1 egg white and cinnamon - and it is gorgeous :D I am going to have it in the morning with banana. Not as protein heavy as some of the others but good enough for my stage, methinks.

The help required is, I made enough mix to do me tomorrow morning and the morning after - will it keep? I have it in a glass jug in the fridge with cling film over it. Nice as it is, I'd rather it didn't kill me!

Food for today....I really need to eat a bit more but i just wasn't hungry today!

B - Granola with semi-skimmed milk
S - 100g each red grapes & pineapple
S - Banana
L - Salad with 1 slice lean ham, peppers, red onion, vine tomato, iceberg lettuce, 30g cheese and 1 tbsp fat free french dressing
D - 137g sirloin steak with small boiled potato and carrots

Drinks - c 2.5l water, & 2 large mugs of black coffee

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1529
+ Exercise Cals: 0
Total Cal Quota: 1529
Calories Consumed: 1154
Calories Left: 375
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2029

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1154
Protein (g) 78.5
Carbohydrate (g) 109.5
Fat (g) 44.4
Fibre (g) 16.0
Fruit & Veg 6.6
Water (litres) 2.5

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (36.5%)
Protein (27.9%)
Fat (35.6%)

Are we drinking too much water?

2009-05-25T10:44:00.002+01:00

Following stellas post, i looked at a few articles and they really do make very interesting reading.

This quote from the bbc article "If you are going to the toilet more than once every two hours or so that might be too much, especially if your urine is clear," she says, but adds that drinking too much water is unusual. is me all over! I am at the toilet at least every hour and my wee is almost clear.

I am not planning on freaking out here at all, but it is worth me bearing in mind that I am drinking up to 3 litres of water a day, on top of perhaps another litre between coffee and smoothie (orange juice) and then all the water I get from fruit & veg.

I'm not going to reduce my levels but I think I definitely won't increase my fluid intake any further!

I have been reducing my salt intake lately as I am trying to eat healthily but after reading these articles I may up it very slightly again, as I too, like stella, have found myself craving salt a bit - although I hadn't really realised it before!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6263029.stm

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1038118/Are-danger-drinking-water.html

Food diary

2009-05-24T18:20:00.004+01:00

I have had a day pottering about the house today and its been lovely! Did lots of tidying, finished my coursework and managed to get through 35 mins of step aerobics and 15 mins of yoga so feeling quite pleased with myself :D

Might even treat myself to a couple of squares of G & B mint chocolate later....

And i'm off work tomorrow so don't even have Sunday night misery!

B - Granola & semi-skimmed milk
S - 50g greek yoghurt with 100g strawberries
L - 2 poached eggs and 2 slices of seeded wholegrain bread
S - Banana
S - 3 slices of wholegrain crackerbread with basil pesto & sundried tomato
D - 150g BBQ chicken with rocket, vine tomato and red onion salad
S - Protein smoothie

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1529
+ Exercise Cals: 252
Total Cal Quota: 1781
Calories Consumed: 1568
Calories Left: 213
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2029

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1568
Protein (g) 97.5
Carbohydrate (g) 163.8
Fat (g) 56.7
Fibre (g) 22.4
Fruit & Veg 7.4
Water (litres) 2.3 so far

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (40.5%)
Protein (25.7%)
Fat (33.7%)

Wii Fit vs My Fitness Coach

2009-05-24T15:37:00.002+01:00

They definitely both have their good and bad points.

I prefer the cardio stuff on My Fitness Coach - proper aerobics class which is pretty good fun and I'm loving that it can incorporate your equipment such as step, weights, HRM. I just did a 30 mins step aerobics class and it was bloody hard work! I then thought I'd try the Wii Fit Step Plus using my step as the Wii Fit board you'd barely notice. Was ok, but My Fitness Coach was definitely a better and more interesting workout. With better music!

However the yoga is miles better on Wii Fit imo. I like how they talk you through the timing of the moves, as in a lot of cases you are in such an angle, you can't follow it on the telly screen. My Fitness Coach talks you through once only, so for the rest of the moves you have to do it from memory, or contort yourself to try to see the screen. Not good.

You also cannot pick and choose your moves within your workout on MFC. You select for example 'upper body' and then follow the workout for 15/30/45/6o mins. Ok for aerobics but for me with my bad neck, there are some yoga/muscle workouts I just can't do, but if they come up in the middle of MFC workout you don't have an option to avoid them and have to just sit it out. Wii Fit lets you choose the moves you want to do - albeit one of my complaints about Wii Fit is the stopping and starting due to going in and out of exercises!

It would be perfect if you could choose the moves you want in either programme and then they are put together in a custom programme for you so you don't have to chop and change.

Maybe someone will think of that some day :D

Yesterdays food....

2009-05-24T10:37:00.002+01:00

Forgot to post this yesterday, oops! Bit low on the fruit and veg, always find it harder to fit in at the weekend, strangely enough! Will try harder today....

Oh, and I attempted a protein pancake yesterday...it was rank. The texture was awful, must try and perfect it again someday but can't face it again today!

No exercise yesterday as had a hard physio session and needed to rest. Going to attempt an hour later on today, will keep you posted.

B - Granola with semi-skimmed milk
L - 2 wholegrain chilli rice cakes with basil pesto and sundried tomatoes - totally gorgeous!
S - Granny Smith apple & red grapes
D - 225g king prawns in homemade satay sauce with fine noodles
S - Mandarin
Drinks - 4 pints water and 2 large mugs of black coffee

Daily Cal Quota: 1529
+ Exercise Cals: 0
Total Cal Quota: 1529
Calories Consumed: 1222
Calories Left: 307
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2029

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1222
Protein (g) 69.6
Carbohydrate (g) 130.4
Fat (g) 47.0
Fibre (g) 14.8
Fruit & Veg 4.4
Water (litres) 2.3

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (41.1%)
Protein (23.4%)
Fat (35.6%)

Weigh in

2009-05-23T08:39:00.003+01:00

5.5 lbs!!! In a month!!! (Its actually 6.5lbs but I started over....) and total inch loss of 10 inches :D

I am really pleased with this as for more than two and a half of the four weeks i have been too sore to exercise so this has really been through eating alone including my odd naughty sausage sandwich.....

Gonna keep going.....

Whoopsie....

2009-05-22T12:53:00.001+01:00

Just a midday update to admit a little naughtiness!

There is a continental food market on in the City Hall grounds next to my work. Went for an amble about and ended up purchasing a cone of churros complete with icing sugar *faint* 200 calories but worth every mouthful :D

If it helps, I did come out with some yummy chilli olives and sundried tomatoes to eat over the weekend....

Food Diary

2009-05-21T20:50:00.002+01:00

Dead on day today although I was absolutely ravenous this afternoon and had to nab a Special K bar off my friend - but it kept me going til dinner and I didn't succumb to the chocolate machine. Willpower is improving big time!

Oooh and I managed 30 mins low impact aerobics tonight with very little pain :D

B - Special K with semi-skimmed milk
S - Banana
S - Activia yoghurt with raspberry fruit layer
L - Soup & 1 slice of brown bread, no butter (no granary bread left!)
S - Red grapes, Granny Smith apple
S - Special k bar
D - 150g chicken breast fillet, small baked potato, steamed carrots
S - Protein smoothie

Drinks - 3.4l water, 3 mugs of black coffee

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota 1546
+ Exercise Cals: 92
Total Cal Quota: 1638
Calories Consumed: 1518
Calories Left: 120
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2046

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1518
Protein (g) 79.4
Carbohydrate (g) 235.1
Fat (g) 29.6
Fibre (g) 23.6
Fruit & Veg 8.1
Water (litres) 3.4

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (60.2%)
Protein (21.7%)
Fat (18.2%)

Exercise!

2009-05-20T20:13:00.003+01:00

Not gonna post my food for today as I didn't have the healthiest of days and it'll just look crappy - especially since i didn't post yesterday and my food yesterday was great! Having said that, I am still over 200 cals below my allowance for today so going to make a protein smoothie now to use them up as I have had a few days this week where I have been quite significantly under my cals allowance....

Good news though, even though it is against physio and doctors orders, I did 15 mins of aerobics tonight on my new Fitness Coach for the Wii. I wanted to get it set up and try it out so gave it a go and it felt ok. I know it sounds like nothing but after the year I've had, it's really quite a big acheivement to be bouncing about waving my arms around!

So I think my plan of action (to be gradually introduced in the next couple of weeks, don't tell the doctor) is stick with the Wii Fit for my muscle workouts and yoga as I like how it tells you you're doing it right, and the use My Fitness Coach for the aerobic stuff.

Thats the plan, please keep your fingers crossed my neck doesn't object....

Where's my hunger gone....

2009-05-18T17:47:00.002+01:00

Well I am back from my weekend, and whilst as food was not particularly of the healthy kind as I knew wasn't going to be, my portions were ickle, partly due to the fact I spent all Saturday sick as a dog - not quite sure why but it passed and by Sunday i felt lots better.

Today, I just cannot get food into me. I have not been hungry at all today. I'm starting to feel a little rumble of hunger in my belly now, my dinner will be ready in 5 mins or so, and I am actually cooking naughty mashed potato (when I say naughty, there's only gonna be a tiny knob of butter in, but that just feels naughty!) to have with my grilled chicken and carrots/parsnips to try and up my calories. I've only consumed 991 so far including my dinner!

I might make a protein smoothie for supper to up my protein and use up some of my extra calories.

Oooh, and my neck is feeling a huge amount better so i'm going to continue to rest it this week and hopefully be able to start exercising again next week!

B - Homemade muesli & semi-skimmed milk
S - None
L - Carrot & lentil soup and 1 slice of wheaten bread (no butter)
S - Granny Smith apple, 2 raw carrots & 2 clementines
D - Grilled chicken breast with carrots & parsnips & 1 mashed potato with small knob of butter

Daily Cal Quota: 1546
+ Exercise Cals: 0
Total Cal Quota: 1546
Calories Consumed: 991
Calories Left: 555
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2046

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 991
Protein (g) 64.2
Carbohydrate (g) 133.0
Fat (g) 23.7
Fibre (g) 19.0
Fruit & Veg 5.0
Water (litres) 1.7

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (51.5%)
Protein (26.5%)
Fat (22%)

Good news & bad news....

2009-05-15T12:29:00.002+01:00

Good news.....I lost that 1lb I'd put back on during my holibobs, so back down now to total 4lb loss in 4 weeks which I'm happy with to be honest, given my inability to do any exercise and numerous blips along the way. I feel like I can maintain this and continue to lose steadily, hopefully keeping the weight off! Not measuring this week though, shall do that next week.

I'm really loving the thought that this time next week I could be under the fateful 10 stone mark.....*crosses fingers*

However when posting my food diary today later on, I shall hang my head in shame slightly. Fridays are the day me and my friends get a sausage bap for a mid-morning snack. It's tradition, I love it and I said I wouldn't sacrifice it. However, after eating it this morning I feel so guilty!

And whilst I'm wallowing in that, I am presented with 5 bags of funsize chocolates on the desk beside me as one of the girls is leaving today. Testing the willpower to the max or what. I am going to allow myself a mini packet of Maltesers though, as a little reward for just being me :D

I must say though I will not be having a healthy weekend - mainly due to circumstances outside my control. I am involved in a youth organisation and we are away on a adventure training thing this weekend. The chef at the centre we go to is amazing, but unfortunately we are given 3 hearty meals on Saturday and 2 on Sunday, and healthy options are classed as things like creamy coleslaw, spuds with no sauce etc, not what you'd really class as healthy!!! So I'll just have to grin and bear it, keep the portion sizes small and hope that the amount of activity I'll be doing will counteract some of the food I'll be eating....

Shall post my food diary later on.....

Not enough hours in the day

2009-05-14T19:05:00.004+01:00

I said willpower was my biggest enemy? I was wrong. Time is actually my biggest enemy. There isn't enough! 3 nights in a row now I haven't been going straight home for dinner. The last 2 nights I went to my sisters so I obviously ate what she made, wasn't awfully bad as she is pretty health concious but not what I would have made myself. Then tonight I had so many messages to do after work I am only in the door at 7pm and feel sick with hunger. It took every ounce of willpower in my body to not stop at KFC, but I had to compromise and since I forgot to take anything decent out of the freezer again (doh) I am having Tesco fishcakes. Again, not the worst but most definitely not the best. I am just so darn hungry I either make myself something quick or I spend ages making something healthier and eat biscuits while its cooking. Gah.

Still sore neck. Still no exercise :(

Anyway, must be positive. I'm not snacking on ANY naughty stuff (unless you include one boiled sweet, which would be harsh!!!) and my portion sizes are reducing, which is a big step for me.

B - Homemade muesli and semi-skimmed milk
S - Special K mini bites
L - Sandwich on wholegrain bread with 1 tsp light mayo, 1.5 slices of lean ham, red onion and a sprinkling of cheese
S - Half a fresh pineapple, banana
D - 2 fishcakes and baked beans :(
J - 1 boiled sweet!

Drinks - 2 mugs of black coffee and 2l of water so far

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1546
+ Exercise Cals: 0
Total Cal Quota: 1546
Calories Consumed: 1462
Calories Left: 84
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2046

Calories (kcal) 1462
Protein (g) 67.5
Carbohydrate (g) 197.4
Fat (g) 45.0
Fibre (g) 22.8
Fruit & Veg 4.9
Water (litres) 2.3

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (52.3%)
Protein (19.1%)
Fat (28.6%)

Better!

2009-05-13T19:43:00.002+01:00

Well, after a serious struggle yesterday, I just didn't feel hungry today which is a whole new experience for me. I had my breakfast at normal time and normally I have a banana by 930am, Special K bites or similar by 11 and a yoghurt at 1130, but all I had this morning was my yoghurt and I was even really that hungry, I just wanted to avoid getting hungry so I didn't eat something naughty iyswim.

I hope this is the beginning of a new 'not feeling hungry' thang going on, that would make the healthy eating a whole lot easier.....

B - Homemade muesli & semi-skimmed milk
S - Activia Raspberry fruit layer yoghurt
L - M & S medium fish selection sushi pack
S - Apple & clementine
S - Banana & red grapes
D - Low fat beef mince with onion, carrots & parsnip & potato waffles (not the best but very tasty :D)
S - Smoothie with strawberries, banana & raspberries with orange juice & scoop of protein powder

Drinks - 3 pints of water so far and 2 mugs of coffee

Daily Cal Quota: 1546
+ Exercise Cals: 0
Total Cal Quota: 1546
Calories Consumed: 1556
Calories Left: -10
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2046

Nutrition Summary

Calories (kcal) 1556
Protein (g) 73.0
Carbohydrate (g) 227.2
Fat (g) 38.3
Fibre (g) 26.7
Fruit & Veg 7.1
Water (litres) 1.7

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (57.2%)
Protein (19.6%)
Fat (23.2%)

Food Diary - Hard Day

2009-05-12T19:20:00.002+01:00

After having a lovely harmonious day yesterday, I had a more difficult day today. I am so exhausted, and by afternoon I just wanted to eat everything in sight. In the end I forced myself to decide between a second bag of Special K mini bites or a bar of chocolate - so to be fair, I chose the mini bites. However I did succumb to one measly square of Dairy Milk about an hour ago.

Almost whole days cals used up and I'm pretty darn sure I'll not make it to bedtime without something else! I must be hormonal. I need food.

Naughty dinner too, we have a family sausage night (don't ask) once a week, and I shall not and will not sacrifice :D

B - Homemade muesli and semi-skimmed milk
S - Banana and packet of Special K mini bites
S - Activia fat free yoghurt
L - Salad with 1 slice lean ham, peppers, tomato, cheese, red onion and healthy living french dressing
S - Clementine, strawberries and grapes
S - Another bag of Special K mini bites
D - 2 thin beef sausages, jacket potato and sweetcorn
J - 1 square of Dairy Milk

Drinks - 1.5 litres so far, will drink possibly another 2 pints before bed.
3 mugs of coffee

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1546
+ Exercise Cals:0
Total Cal Quota: 1546
Calories Consumed: 1509
Calories Left: 37
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2046

Calories (kcal)1529
Protein (g) 64.6
Carbohydrate (g) 203.6
Fat (g) 51.2
Fibre (g) 21.5
Fruit & Veg 5.0
Water (litres) 1.7

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (51.5%)
Protein (17.4%)
Fat (31.1%)

Still no exercise possible as my neck is just too sore. I really hope another couple of days rest and I can get back into it....

Sorry, what?!

2009-05-12T12:47:00.003+01:00

Something astonishing happened today. I was handed one of those yummy new Marks & Spencer cupcakes with the icing on top and jam in the middle - and I said NO *faint*

What is happening to me?!!!

Food Diary

2009-05-11T17:47:00.006+01:00

Good start to the week, I have ate really well today and it hasn't been a chore at all. I hope that's a sign that my habits are changing and I'm getting into the healthy vibe on a day to day basis!

I didn't plan to post the details of my meals, just the nutritional breakdown, but I have changed my mind as you guys know your stuff and might see something which I am doing glaringly wrong that needs changing....

Meals

B Homemade muesli and semi skimmed milk
S Large banana
S Special K Mini bites
S Activia Fat Free yoghurt
L Salad with 1 slice lean ham, cheese, lettuce, pepper, tomato, red onion & low fat french dressing
S Red grapes, strawberries, Granny Smith apple
D Grilled chicken with rice noodles and homemade satay sauce

Drinks - 2 mugs of black coffee, 1 skinny cappucino and so far 1.7 litres of water. Will have at least another pint before bed.

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1546
+ Exercise Cals:0 (i'll be doing some squats and lunges later)
Total Cal Quota: 1546
Calories Consumed: 1349
Calories Left: 197
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2046

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1349
Protein (g) 78.5
Carbohydrate (g) 160.8
Fat (g) 44.5
Fibre (g) 17.2
Fruit & Veg 5.2
Water (litres) 1.7

Percent Calories From:
Carbohydrate (45.8%)
Protein (23.8%)
Fat (30.4%)

Bit low on protein so I might have a smoothie before bed with a scoop of protein powder.

I'm so peed off at my sore neck today cos I've come home really fancying a good hours Wiifit doing a good yoga session and a bit of cross trainer but I'm still a bit tender after the weekends physio and don't want to aggravate it. Bummer.

Food Diary

2009-05-10T19:35:00.003+01:00

Here's my breakdown for today...

Daily Diary Report for 10/05/2009

Calorie Summary
Daily Cal Quota: 1546
+ Exercise Cals: 0
Total Cal Quota: 1546
Calories Consumed: 1330
Calories Left: 216
Cals to Maintain Weight: 2046

Nutrition Summary
Calories (kcal) 1330
Protein (g) 96.3 (29.8%)
Carbohydrate (g) 167.9 (48.7%)
Fat (g) 30.9 (21.5%)
Fibre (g) 25.9
Fruit & Veg 9.2
Water (litres) 2.3

Quite pleased actually as that is even after my french toast with sugar and cinnamon for breakfast!

Homemade Muesli

2009-05-10T18:46:00.002+01:00

I have wanted to find a good muesli to eat to try and fill myself up for longer and stop myself grazing for food all morning in work. However I have a bit of a thing against raisins bleurgh. And have you ever tried buying muesli that doesn't contain raisins? It just isn't possible! So I have taken a stand and made my own and I must say it is damn delicious. Here's the recipe - the quantities really are very vague and tbh you can add whatever the heck you like!

I add the breakfast cereal to give it a bit of crunch as I can't abide a bowl of mush in the morning....

Jildo's Homemade muesli

Ingredients
400g Breakfast Cereal, Almond Oats & More, Nestle
20g Hazelnuts, Chopped, Average
20g Wheat Bran, Average
125g Breakfast Cereal, Porridge Oats, Rolled, Tesco
50g Seed Mix, Original, The Food Doctor
1oz/28g Banana Chips, Average
10g Cinnamon, Ground, Average

Nutrition Profile

Percent Calories From:

Carbohydrate (55.9%)
Protein (12.2%)
Fat (31.9%)

Nutrition Data Per Serving:

Calories (kcal) 264.5
Carbohydrate (g) 38.1
Protein (g) 7.8
Fat (g) 9.1
Fibre (g) 5.1

Willpower

2009-05-10T10:52:00.003+01:00

Willpower - therein lies by biggest enemy. I don't possess an ounce of willpower and that is what I need to change. Ok maybe I do have a little bit. For example, today I was at my sisters for breakfast and they were making my favourite breakfast ever of french toast with cinnamon and sugar *faint* 3 pieces of french toast later and I cancelled my plans to go out for Sunday dinner as I thought I had taken enough calories on and it wasn't even 930am yet! So I guess that is willpower at its most twisted....

My first blog post

2009-05-09T21:52:00.000+01:00

So here I am, jumping onto the blogging bandwagon after the example set by my buddies JAG http://jagsfitnessblog.blogspot.com/ and stella http://stelladoesblogging.blogspot.com/ who are both doing so fantastically in their health & fitness regimes.

I've had a week off my still new healthy living plan as I was on holidays in Barcelona and didn't want to have to be conscious of everything passing my lips - but I am pretty chuffed with myself nonetheless as I actually felt like I might have made a bit of a lifestyle change already as I didn't snack between meals at all (as I normally do on holiday on all piles of crap) and I came home at the same weight as when I left, quite a good acheivement I reckon!

The calorie counting starts again tomorrow. I joined WLR tonight as I want a more accurate account of my protein/carbs/fat intake. My problem is my physio has told me today not to do any exercise (other than some walking) for the next 2 weeks or so as I have had a bit of a flareup of my neck pain again and we have just about got it under control and need to let it settle now. So I am going to try to walk at least 30 mins every day except Monday & Wednesday (no time) and other than that stick to the healthy eating and see how it goes.

I also ordered the 'My Fitness Coach' Wii game, which apparently is more interesting than Wii Fit as it has 500+ exercises available and it tailors workouts to you without all the toing and froing between menus that comes with Wii Fit. Sounds good. Will still use the Wii Fit but nice to shake it up a bit. Not for the next fortnight though!!!

Phew, first post down. Now to stick at it :)

Planet Jildo

Improvements!

A few photos

Coming of age?

Come on Jildo!

Ha! They've arrived!

The rain and some movies

Goodies!

Weird Dreams

Well hello, it's been a long time....

I'm back but in a new form!

Hello and goodbye....

I am officially.......

Challenge 2 - Hmmmmm

Challenge 1 - Day 7 and weigh-in!

Challenge 1 - Day 6

Challenge 1 - Day 4 & 5

Challenge 1 Day 2 & 3

Day 1 Challenge 1

A new start! (Mondays post)

An epiphany but not a good one :(

*whispers* Hello......?

Ouch

A kick up the bum if ever I needed it!

2nd day of freedom....

An update

I'm back!

I give up

Mojo-related issues.

Pie, mash, cocktails & James Nesbitt

The apple cart is well and truly upset!

Sweat where there shouldn't be sweat

Ouch

Jammie Day

Not a good look!

I'm going to hurt tomorrow!

Checking in...

Lordy, I am useless.

BBQs are evil!

New Goals

Eat eat eat eat eat!

***Squeals***

Gah Gah Gah!

I *think* its getting easier!

Food Diary

Awesome!

Where did it go?

A new chapter!

The best laid plans

Gah! Weigh-in

Nothing to report....

This must be what hell feels like.....

My uncanny impression of Bambi on Ice

Weigh in....

Lazybones

Down in the dumps....

Food Diary

Food Diary

Food Diary

Vietnamese Pork Noodle Soup

Take That!

Weigh in & measure day!

My dindins

Food Diary

How embarrassing.

Food Diary

Feeling a lil smug

Yesterday......

Waaaaaay under calories

So now I realise....

I'm....

Food Diary

New pancake recipe

The famous pancake

Help!

Are we drinking too much water?

Food diary

Wii Fit vs My Fitness Coach

Yesterdays food....

Weigh in

whispers Hello......?

Squeals

I think its getting easier!