One problem with getting back on track with your eating, after a period in the healthy-eating wilderness, is the disconnect between your brain and your stomach.
Your stomach quietly say it's not hungry and there's no need to eat yet, but your brain whines that it's bored and let's do something fun. Your stomach tells you that physically you're full, but your brain keeps chomping on about having some dessert, or something sweet, to finish off that dinner properly.
Bad habits are so easy to form, and actually quite easy to break, but it does take a bit of time and effort - it takes willpower too. It's easier to make a decision to do something you don't want to do - make a phone call you've been putting off, get off your ass and go to the gym - than it is to make a decision, and keep making that decision over and over, not to do something you want to do.
And that was my fight with myself yesterday. I planned my food for the day, and after having a banana and a little bit of dry cereal to pep me up for the gym, I was on track for some bonus points to bank.
Incidentally, you know it's been a good work out when you can't coordinate your shaking hand enough to get your key in the locker door afterwards. Coming out of the gym, all I wanted to do was collapse on the sofa and stay there. Preparing any kind of dinner seemed like seemed like a monumental effort.
A quick inspection of the fridge revealed that two of the key ingredients for my proposed dinner were missing - bacon and mushroom pasta without mushrooms or pasta kind of sucks.
Dilemma: do I haul my ass into the shower and then down to Co-Op which stays open later, to retrieve said items, or try and cobble dinner from something else. Answer: there's hardly any veg to be seen in the fridge, and everything else takes too long, and has more points than I want.
Shower, change, jump in the car. Is there a greater torture in life than wandering to the supermarket through a veritable gauntlet of takeaways, all emitting mouth-dribblingly nice smells? I damn near caved for takeaway at that point, but a) my rule says no takeaway until Costa Rica, and b) I know I feel rubbish afterwards.
After dinner, I had battle number 2 with myself. It was near 10pm and I was comfortably full, so somebody explain to me why all I wanted was one of the desserts from the freezer. Admittedly, they're Skinny Cow ones, so they're not exactly unhealthy, but that wasn't the point.
I decided that going to bed and getting an early night was the safest way to win the battle.
Daily result: another 3.5 points banked, and for the first time in forever I'm break-even on my points with 2 days of my Weightwatchers week, and another work out, to go. WHOOOP!!
Circuits last night was TOUGH. The warm-up damn near broke me, and after the first loop of the stations, with 2 still to go, I was ready to lie down on the floor. I persevered through the squats, bicep curls, relay sprints, skipping (skipping??? Haven't done that since primary school!), bunny hops over steps, sit ups, press ups and whatever else, and finished red-faced and breathless. There were only 6 of us in the class, and I'd say most were considerably fitter than me, including the army guy who was busy making his stations harder.
I think I found it so tough as it's exercises I don't normally do, but the instructor was nice and came round to correct my form, and at least each agony is only for a max of 40 seconds (although there's no break between stations until the end if each complete loop). I'm feeling it all over this morning, but I've booked in for next week anyway.
Tonight I've got my counselling session and then I've arranged to meet friends at the cinema straight after. No exercise, but a welcome evening of rest - I've been active the last 4 days so I'm happy with that. Since there's no time for dinner in tonight's schedule, I've planned my food to include tea on the run. I want another day on track.
Catch ya later, dudes.
- Posted from my iPhone
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Back on track thinking
When I first started Weight Watchers, I was avid about tracking my points, earning bonus points, doing a little bit of exercise anywhere I could in my day, just to see those bonus points tick up.
I found an intense satisfaction in activity, because I could really see how moving my body actually counted for something in my battle of the bulge.
Similarly, there was actually a satisfaction is denying myself something small or substituting for something more healthy so I could see my points total go into credit over the course of the week.
Inevitably, that thrill dulled as I started to plod through the middle part of weight loss. The novelty of losing weight was gone, and the end still seemed sooooo far away. I still ticked off milestones here and there, but it was more of a routine than a ground-breaking exercise.
Around Christmas, I pepped up - finally feeling like I was within sight of the end goal. 4 stone gone, and I was on the verge of having less than a stone to go to my goal.
One word: skiing.
A fabulous holiday, where I definitely felt all the benefits of my loss: ski kit that fitted easily, increased fitness, decreased self-consciousness, increased confidence in my abilities, happy enough to stick a bikini on and run through the snow and clamber into the hot-tub in front of virtual strangers (and mostly guys).
I also ate like a pig for a week - copying everyone else - after all I was the same as them now - and paid for it with a half stone gain on my return.
I confidently assumed it would drop off on my return, like my previous holidays during my Weight Watchers journey, but I didn't refind my tracking form. Whilst I didn't get any heavier, I didn't get any lighter either.
I cheated with my food - I'd give up on weekends (and occasional weekdays), and with such huge deficits on points I got used to finishing the week that way. I gave up on trying to catch up my points after a blowout, and stopped viewing the activity as a way to help that.
I still worked out, but more erratically, although I still felt fairly fit. I did some long walks and felt fine, so convinced myself I was still improving.
I started not tracking properly, as I got so fed up of seeing the massive points deficits ... or I'd just not track at all.
I maintained, because I refused to give up totally, but got frustrated at my lack of progress. Why couldn't I lose anything? I mean, I was still pointing(ish) and exercising, but it took a while to admit that I was also lying to myself, and letting food fly under the radar wasn't helping anyone, least of all me.
It's taken a long while to pick myself out of this funk, and I'm frustrated with myself that I've left it this long. Not least, because I'm going on the trip of a lifetime in less than 3 weeks, and I'm still a long way from goal, and not as comfortable with myself as I was.
I've spent the last couple of weeks pulling together the old habits, and this weekend I finally pulled something out the bag I was proud of. Last night, I added another day to that.
I got home from work, and did something I haven't done in a long time: I knew I wanted to go the cinema after work, which didn't leave much time for exercise, but I figured some running was better than none, so I put my butternut squash in the oven to roast, slung on my running gear and slogged out a half hour run, came back, grabbed my dinner, and strolled off to the cinema.
Check me out - on the way to the cinema I was working out what snack I could eat at the cinema for my points, but when I actually got the kiosk, I just got a bottle of Diet Coke - the prospect of banking some points was too tempting.
I was mildly hungry again by the time I got home, or at least craving something sweet, but passed over having dessert from the freezer to just grab a few Haribo my flatmate had left.
This is the behaviour that used to work. My points deficit this week is down to 3.5 points after the weekend. I've got circuits tonight - I'm going to make an effort to bank those activity points (and not die at circuits class). I'm trying really hard to honestly track everything I'm eating (I didn't really want to write down the Doritos on Sunday or the fudge yesterday but I did).
I want to finish in credit this week and fairly confident of a loss on the scales and the inches front. Since my scales are still in kg's only, I've finally worked out what my kg target is so I know what the heck I'm aiming for.
This feels good.
- Posted from my iPhone
I found an intense satisfaction in activity, because I could really see how moving my body actually counted for something in my battle of the bulge.
Similarly, there was actually a satisfaction is denying myself something small or substituting for something more healthy so I could see my points total go into credit over the course of the week.
Inevitably, that thrill dulled as I started to plod through the middle part of weight loss. The novelty of losing weight was gone, and the end still seemed sooooo far away. I still ticked off milestones here and there, but it was more of a routine than a ground-breaking exercise.
Around Christmas, I pepped up - finally feeling like I was within sight of the end goal. 4 stone gone, and I was on the verge of having less than a stone to go to my goal.
One word: skiing.
A fabulous holiday, where I definitely felt all the benefits of my loss: ski kit that fitted easily, increased fitness, decreased self-consciousness, increased confidence in my abilities, happy enough to stick a bikini on and run through the snow and clamber into the hot-tub in front of virtual strangers (and mostly guys).
I also ate like a pig for a week - copying everyone else - after all I was the same as them now - and paid for it with a half stone gain on my return.
I confidently assumed it would drop off on my return, like my previous holidays during my Weight Watchers journey, but I didn't refind my tracking form. Whilst I didn't get any heavier, I didn't get any lighter either.
I cheated with my food - I'd give up on weekends (and occasional weekdays), and with such huge deficits on points I got used to finishing the week that way. I gave up on trying to catch up my points after a blowout, and stopped viewing the activity as a way to help that.
I still worked out, but more erratically, although I still felt fairly fit. I did some long walks and felt fine, so convinced myself I was still improving.
I started not tracking properly, as I got so fed up of seeing the massive points deficits ... or I'd just not track at all.
I maintained, because I refused to give up totally, but got frustrated at my lack of progress. Why couldn't I lose anything? I mean, I was still pointing(ish) and exercising, but it took a while to admit that I was also lying to myself, and letting food fly under the radar wasn't helping anyone, least of all me.
It's taken a long while to pick myself out of this funk, and I'm frustrated with myself that I've left it this long. Not least, because I'm going on the trip of a lifetime in less than 3 weeks, and I'm still a long way from goal, and not as comfortable with myself as I was.
I've spent the last couple of weeks pulling together the old habits, and this weekend I finally pulled something out the bag I was proud of. Last night, I added another day to that.
I got home from work, and did something I haven't done in a long time: I knew I wanted to go the cinema after work, which didn't leave much time for exercise, but I figured some running was better than none, so I put my butternut squash in the oven to roast, slung on my running gear and slogged out a half hour run, came back, grabbed my dinner, and strolled off to the cinema.
Check me out - on the way to the cinema I was working out what snack I could eat at the cinema for my points, but when I actually got the kiosk, I just got a bottle of Diet Coke - the prospect of banking some points was too tempting.
I was mildly hungry again by the time I got home, or at least craving something sweet, but passed over having dessert from the freezer to just grab a few Haribo my flatmate had left.
This is the behaviour that used to work. My points deficit this week is down to 3.5 points after the weekend. I've got circuits tonight - I'm going to make an effort to bank those activity points (and not die at circuits class). I'm trying really hard to honestly track everything I'm eating (I didn't really want to write down the Doritos on Sunday or the fudge yesterday but I did).
I want to finish in credit this week and fairly confident of a loss on the scales and the inches front. Since my scales are still in kg's only, I've finally worked out what my kg target is so I know what the heck I'm aiming for.
This feels good.
- Posted from my iPhone
Monday, 19 July 2010
Walks and weddings
Not a bad weekend on the "I'm trying really hard to behave myself front". Am I very slowly improving?
I went to an old schoolfriend's wedding on Saturday and despite the obvious challenge that an unknown menu for a 3 course dinner plus canapes represents - I emerged just 6 points over. Yay!!!
I had a very chilled out day on Friday and opted to do absolutely nothing at all in the evening, so I was lovely and chilled out. I was also bang on my points.
Knowing that there was a sit down dinner on Saturday evening, I kicked off Saturday morning with an hour of sweaty cardio in the gym - cross-trainer, run on the treadmill and a session on the spin bike. After a frugal (but filling) morning's eating of cereal for breakfast and homemade soup with crackers for lunch, I donned my finery (again) and somehow managed to be late leaving for the wedding, unable to find my invitation and therefore trusting to luck and fortune that I'd find the church!
I did find it in good time, after a mini panic en route that the ceremony was actually 2 not 2.30, and joined my friends for a very sweet service in a VERY picturesque church.
After another feat of randomly lucky navigating I made it cross-country to the reception venue. I freely admit that I ate some canapes, but not everything that was offered. I didn't drink and didn't eat wedding cake, and I religiously pointed everything I ate.
It was a gorgeous afternoon and evening, and I loved catching up with friends and not having to worry too much about what I ate. I got an absolute butt-load of compliments (yay!) and I've got pretty good at accepting them now ;-)
What was weird, was that looking back at the photos, I'm now smaller than one of the girls I went to school with - something that's never happened before. Very strange. I'll pop a few of my favourite photos up this evening.
After a very long peaceful sleep on Saturday night, I had another lazy day yesterday. I hit the Next sale for work clothes and got two more nice fitted dresses. I love that they show off my figure although they are pretty snug at the moment - standing's fine, sitting ... not so much! They'll be fantastic in a couple of pounds time though - coming soon to a Sue near you!
Yesterday evening we strolled over the Beacon for tea at one of our favourite pubs, the Brewers Arms. I spied icecream sundaes on the dessert board so stuck to homemade soup whilst everyone else indulged in fish and chips, so I could have one guilt-free .... soooooooo good! Especially as I finished yesterday bang on my points too.
The fridge is yet again stocked with healthy stuff, so after a pretty well-behaved weekend I'm really hopeful I'll be able to pull something good out the bag this week. I'm booked in for circuits tomorrow night at the gym, and spin on Thursday, and intend to do something tonight - either the gym or a run.
Only 2 weeks left at work now, and I've just received my last paycheck - pretty scary to have all this uncertainty laid out in front of me at the moment after Costa Rica - I guess I just have to look at it as opportunity for a new adventure!
- Posted from my iPhone
I went to an old schoolfriend's wedding on Saturday and despite the obvious challenge that an unknown menu for a 3 course dinner plus canapes represents - I emerged just 6 points over. Yay!!!
I had a very chilled out day on Friday and opted to do absolutely nothing at all in the evening, so I was lovely and chilled out. I was also bang on my points.
Knowing that there was a sit down dinner on Saturday evening, I kicked off Saturday morning with an hour of sweaty cardio in the gym - cross-trainer, run on the treadmill and a session on the spin bike. After a frugal (but filling) morning's eating of cereal for breakfast and homemade soup with crackers for lunch, I donned my finery (again) and somehow managed to be late leaving for the wedding, unable to find my invitation and therefore trusting to luck and fortune that I'd find the church!
I did find it in good time, after a mini panic en route that the ceremony was actually 2 not 2.30, and joined my friends for a very sweet service in a VERY picturesque church.
After another feat of randomly lucky navigating I made it cross-country to the reception venue. I freely admit that I ate some canapes, but not everything that was offered. I didn't drink and didn't eat wedding cake, and I religiously pointed everything I ate.
It was a gorgeous afternoon and evening, and I loved catching up with friends and not having to worry too much about what I ate. I got an absolute butt-load of compliments (yay!) and I've got pretty good at accepting them now ;-)
What was weird, was that looking back at the photos, I'm now smaller than one of the girls I went to school with - something that's never happened before. Very strange. I'll pop a few of my favourite photos up this evening.
After a very long peaceful sleep on Saturday night, I had another lazy day yesterday. I hit the Next sale for work clothes and got two more nice fitted dresses. I love that they show off my figure although they are pretty snug at the moment - standing's fine, sitting ... not so much! They'll be fantastic in a couple of pounds time though - coming soon to a Sue near you!
Yesterday evening we strolled over the Beacon for tea at one of our favourite pubs, the Brewers Arms. I spied icecream sundaes on the dessert board so stuck to homemade soup whilst everyone else indulged in fish and chips, so I could have one guilt-free .... soooooooo good! Especially as I finished yesterday bang on my points too.
The fridge is yet again stocked with healthy stuff, so after a pretty well-behaved weekend I'm really hopeful I'll be able to pull something good out the bag this week. I'm booked in for circuits tomorrow night at the gym, and spin on Thursday, and intend to do something tonight - either the gym or a run.
Only 2 weeks left at work now, and I've just received my last paycheck - pretty scary to have all this uncertainty laid out in front of me at the moment after Costa Rica - I guess I just have to look at it as opportunity for a new adventure!
- Posted from my iPhone
Friday, 16 July 2010
Spinning along
Sometimes the unplanned workouts turn out to be some of the best. I wasn't much in the mood to exercise last night but driving home I convinced myself I'd do something. It looked too windy and rainy out to make running a temptation, so I thought I'd head to the gym instead.
I happened to arrive just as the spin class was starting and Tim yelled across the gym that I should hop on the spare bike. I ended up having an impromptu spin class which was pretty good (although I'd forgotten how much of a difference cleated shoes make!), and then ran afterwards because that's what I'd been intending to do anyway. 60 mins of good cardio - 40 on the bike and 20 running.
I think my heart rate monitor went a bit loopy somewhere along the line as it had my max heart rate clocked at 238 afterwards, which is ridiculous. I've never seen it above 190ish, so I think I either got cross-talk from someone much fitter nearby (the lady next to me was wearing one too and was obviously training hard for something as she'd done two back to back classes and carried on after the session) or my chest band wasn't sitting properly, but it was still a good 600+ calories of burn.
Eats were good yesterday - I was pretty much perfect on my points and even negotiated a film night at the boys without diving in the crisp bowl.
Looking back over my week's tracking I've been pretty good (for me, in the scale of my eating the last 6 months) - I've been either on target for my weight loss points, or within the boundaries of maintenance points for the whole week, which is pretty much a record for me recently. It's therefore more than a little disappointing that the scales have held steady all week and then gained 2lbs overnight for my weigh in, making me heavier than last week.
Why???
Why would you do that to me?
Even if I'd been on maintenance points all week that shouldn't have happened, but I've been below that.
Grrrrr. Instead I felt bloated this morning for no reason (no not that time of the month). Guess I'm just going to have to keep behaving and add a little more effort besides.
I'm heading to a friend's wedding tomorrow which is local for a change, so I've got a weekend at home. At the moment, my plan is to drive and stay off the booze, as that always makes things easier - and this wedding is also out in the middle of the countryside too, so it just makes things all round simpler.
No real plans for tonight at the moment - I could really do with spending the afternoon cleaning and tidying in the flat as it's an absolute tip at the moment, so I think maybe I'll stick some music on and potter this afternoon. Sunday's plans at the moment are a longish stroll on the hills and then tea at one of our favourite pubs on the other side before meandering home again. It's home-cooked food up there, but just means I need to save a few points so I'm not worrying about it.
Let us please pray (for the sake of my sanity) that the scales decide to catch up with my current plans soon. Just in case I've got the tape measure out and taken notes though!
- Posted from my iPhone
I happened to arrive just as the spin class was starting and Tim yelled across the gym that I should hop on the spare bike. I ended up having an impromptu spin class which was pretty good (although I'd forgotten how much of a difference cleated shoes make!), and then ran afterwards because that's what I'd been intending to do anyway. 60 mins of good cardio - 40 on the bike and 20 running.
I think my heart rate monitor went a bit loopy somewhere along the line as it had my max heart rate clocked at 238 afterwards, which is ridiculous. I've never seen it above 190ish, so I think I either got cross-talk from someone much fitter nearby (the lady next to me was wearing one too and was obviously training hard for something as she'd done two back to back classes and carried on after the session) or my chest band wasn't sitting properly, but it was still a good 600+ calories of burn.
Eats were good yesterday - I was pretty much perfect on my points and even negotiated a film night at the boys without diving in the crisp bowl.
Looking back over my week's tracking I've been pretty good (for me, in the scale of my eating the last 6 months) - I've been either on target for my weight loss points, or within the boundaries of maintenance points for the whole week, which is pretty much a record for me recently. It's therefore more than a little disappointing that the scales have held steady all week and then gained 2lbs overnight for my weigh in, making me heavier than last week.
Why???
Why would you do that to me?
Even if I'd been on maintenance points all week that shouldn't have happened, but I've been below that.
Grrrrr. Instead I felt bloated this morning for no reason (no not that time of the month). Guess I'm just going to have to keep behaving and add a little more effort besides.
I'm heading to a friend's wedding tomorrow which is local for a change, so I've got a weekend at home. At the moment, my plan is to drive and stay off the booze, as that always makes things easier - and this wedding is also out in the middle of the countryside too, so it just makes things all round simpler.
No real plans for tonight at the moment - I could really do with spending the afternoon cleaning and tidying in the flat as it's an absolute tip at the moment, so I think maybe I'll stick some music on and potter this afternoon. Sunday's plans at the moment are a longish stroll on the hills and then tea at one of our favourite pubs on the other side before meandering home again. It's home-cooked food up there, but just means I need to save a few points so I'm not worrying about it.
Let us please pray (for the sake of my sanity) that the scales decide to catch up with my current plans soon. Just in case I've got the tape measure out and taken notes though!
- Posted from my iPhone
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Go with the flow
Sometimes, it has to be said, it's just far, far easier to take the path of least resistance.
Last night was a case in point. I had my meals all planned out, but due to being very hungry in the afternoon, I'd had a few extra points in the form of a Nature Valley bar. I also had a Boot Shapers bar on the way to counselling to stop my stomach rumbling.
This would have taken me a whole 2.5 points over for the day. Horror and panic, as I'm sure you can imagine (yeah, I'm being sarcastic).
Instead of just sticking to my original plan of risotto for dinner, I decided to try and be clever and do a new soup recipe for dinner (broccoli and Stilton soup). Not the best plan I've ever had because instead of just being able to stick a box in the microwave and having home-cooked, reheated goodness in a matter of minutes, I was faffing around for nearly an hour, during which time I ate several spoon-fulls of icecream straight from the carton, and a quarter baguette with a little tub of crab.
So I ended up eating 2 points worth more than if I'd just had the damn risotto, with an added feeling of guilt.
So, lesson number 664 in losing weight is this: sometimes it's wiser (as well as easier) to just go with the flow.
- Posted from my iPhone
Last night was a case in point. I had my meals all planned out, but due to being very hungry in the afternoon, I'd had a few extra points in the form of a Nature Valley bar. I also had a Boot Shapers bar on the way to counselling to stop my stomach rumbling.
This would have taken me a whole 2.5 points over for the day. Horror and panic, as I'm sure you can imagine (yeah, I'm being sarcastic).
Instead of just sticking to my original plan of risotto for dinner, I decided to try and be clever and do a new soup recipe for dinner (broccoli and Stilton soup). Not the best plan I've ever had because instead of just being able to stick a box in the microwave and having home-cooked, reheated goodness in a matter of minutes, I was faffing around for nearly an hour, during which time I ate several spoon-fulls of icecream straight from the carton, and a quarter baguette with a little tub of crab.
So I ended up eating 2 points worth more than if I'd just had the damn risotto, with an added feeling of guilt.
So, lesson number 664 in losing weight is this: sometimes it's wiser (as well as easier) to just go with the flow.
- Posted from my iPhone
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
One small battle won ...
... so many more to go.
But for today, I'm content.
Know why?
Know how many bits of my home-baking passed my lips yesterday?
Not one.
Zip.
Zero.
Nada.
In your dirty face, Cake!!!
But not in mine :-)
And it wasn't even that hard in the end. They were all gone by mid-afternoon. Clearly I wasn't paying enough attention to them, in fact, as I wasn't aware they'd all gone and I'd forgotten to put one aside for my flatmate! Doh!!
I had a real craving for risotto last night (the butternut squash and bacon one from the WW's magazine), so I popped round to the supermarket last night to pick up the bits I needed for it. Only problem was that when I got home and started laying out ingredients, I realised I'd forgotten to get any wine - argggh!!
Rather than get side-tracked into eating something I didn't have enough points for, I prepped the first half of the dish and put it in the oven to roast and ran back out to go and get the wine (just a baby bottle though as I don't really drink wine anymore - too many points) and also the milk and salad I also forgot earlier.
Devotion indeed.
So I had a very tasty risotto or dinner with a big pile of fresh spinach on the side, and a small glass of wine (had to finish the baby bottle), and allowed myself a handful of Crunchie Nuggets from the pack my flatmate had opened. Not a bad day at all!
I've pre-tracked my points today, and I've got the other half of the risotto for tea tonight. I've got my third counselling session tonight, so I'm really pleased to have an easy tea sorted for when I get back, as I'm always hungry and that's when the accidental takeaway episodes tend to occur!
I don't feel like I've done much exercise yet this week, but I wont eat myself up about that - just get in what I can, when I can.
I had another call from the recruitment agency yesterday about a third job they want to put me forwards for .... another one in Worcester. So typical that I decide a move to Bristol would be nice and they start finding jobs in Worcester for me!
The only other thing to report is I've started putting together my lists for Costa Rica (and other to-do things like wedding presents for this weekend) and I suddenly feel like I've a lot to do. Time to start ticking things off one at a time I think, so it's not all left til the last minute!
- Posted from my iPhone
But for today, I'm content.
Know why?
Know how many bits of my home-baking passed my lips yesterday?
Not one.
Zip.
Zero.
Nada.
In your dirty face, Cake!!!
But not in mine :-)
And it wasn't even that hard in the end. They were all gone by mid-afternoon. Clearly I wasn't paying enough attention to them, in fact, as I wasn't aware they'd all gone and I'd forgotten to put one aside for my flatmate! Doh!!
I had a real craving for risotto last night (the butternut squash and bacon one from the WW's magazine), so I popped round to the supermarket last night to pick up the bits I needed for it. Only problem was that when I got home and started laying out ingredients, I realised I'd forgotten to get any wine - argggh!!
Rather than get side-tracked into eating something I didn't have enough points for, I prepped the first half of the dish and put it in the oven to roast and ran back out to go and get the wine (just a baby bottle though as I don't really drink wine anymore - too many points) and also the milk and salad I also forgot earlier.
Devotion indeed.
So I had a very tasty risotto or dinner with a big pile of fresh spinach on the side, and a small glass of wine (had to finish the baby bottle), and allowed myself a handful of Crunchie Nuggets from the pack my flatmate had opened. Not a bad day at all!
I've pre-tracked my points today, and I've got the other half of the risotto for tea tonight. I've got my third counselling session tonight, so I'm really pleased to have an easy tea sorted for when I get back, as I'm always hungry and that's when the accidental takeaway episodes tend to occur!
I don't feel like I've done much exercise yet this week, but I wont eat myself up about that - just get in what I can, when I can.
I had another call from the recruitment agency yesterday about a third job they want to put me forwards for .... another one in Worcester. So typical that I decide a move to Bristol would be nice and they start finding jobs in Worcester for me!
The only other thing to report is I've started putting together my lists for Costa Rica (and other to-do things like wedding presents for this weekend) and I suddenly feel like I've a lot to do. Time to start ticking things off one at a time I think, so it's not all left til the last minute!
- Posted from my iPhone
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Breaking the baking ban
.... but not really.
I'm all round feeling quite virtuous right now.
I went out for dinner last night with my dad and a family friend and 2 courses later I was still on track on my points for the day. I had an idea of what to eat to stay on plan, and although I got a little tempted to stray by the menu, I ordered a tomato and vegetable dish with penne. When my dining companions decided on dessert, I averted my eyes from the honeycomb cheesecake (my absolutely favourite) and had raspberry sorbet. Sparkling water to drink (lots of) and a little stroll home instead of the car.
Now ... this 'ere baking. I swore at the weekend that there would be no baking for the next 4 weeks to help with the non-derailment of Costa Rica plans. Then I won the office sweep stake for the World Cup and spent most of yesterday being badgered for cakes to celebrate my win. (Ah yes, the irony of winning money and then being forced to spend it on the people you won it off. I wonder how many of them would have rushed out to buy cakes had they won?).
It seems a bit silly to buy cakes when I enjoy baking so much and am given such a blatant excuse to do it. So I baked after getting back from dinner. Chocolate chip cookies and chocolate brownies.
But hear this: I haven't eaten a single one of my own cakes yet. I'd really like to avoid eating any at all, so I'm busy encouraging everyone in the office to get stuck in.
I honestly love baking - there's something highly therapeutic in putting raw ingredients together and coming out with something completely different and hopefully highly tasty.
In some ways I'm desperate to eat one, as I have that unreasonable feeling that most overweight people probably have, that there's something (nice) on offer and I'm missing out. Even if we don't need it or even much want it.
I know they'd taste good, but I'm not hungry right now, and I have plenty of healthy snacks with me. I'm enjoying the feeling of righteousness that not eating them is giving me. A little battle with my demons that it's within my power to win ... if I choose to. I've just got to choose to.
I'll let you know later if I manage to make the right choice! :-)
- Posted from my iPhone
I'm all round feeling quite virtuous right now.
I went out for dinner last night with my dad and a family friend and 2 courses later I was still on track on my points for the day. I had an idea of what to eat to stay on plan, and although I got a little tempted to stray by the menu, I ordered a tomato and vegetable dish with penne. When my dining companions decided on dessert, I averted my eyes from the honeycomb cheesecake (my absolutely favourite) and had raspberry sorbet. Sparkling water to drink (lots of) and a little stroll home instead of the car.
Now ... this 'ere baking. I swore at the weekend that there would be no baking for the next 4 weeks to help with the non-derailment of Costa Rica plans. Then I won the office sweep stake for the World Cup and spent most of yesterday being badgered for cakes to celebrate my win. (Ah yes, the irony of winning money and then being forced to spend it on the people you won it off. I wonder how many of them would have rushed out to buy cakes had they won?).
It seems a bit silly to buy cakes when I enjoy baking so much and am given such a blatant excuse to do it. So I baked after getting back from dinner. Chocolate chip cookies and chocolate brownies.
But hear this: I haven't eaten a single one of my own cakes yet. I'd really like to avoid eating any at all, so I'm busy encouraging everyone in the office to get stuck in.
I honestly love baking - there's something highly therapeutic in putting raw ingredients together and coming out with something completely different and hopefully highly tasty.
In some ways I'm desperate to eat one, as I have that unreasonable feeling that most overweight people probably have, that there's something (nice) on offer and I'm missing out. Even if we don't need it or even much want it.
I know they'd taste good, but I'm not hungry right now, and I have plenty of healthy snacks with me. I'm enjoying the feeling of righteousness that not eating them is giving me. A little battle with my demons that it's within my power to win ... if I choose to. I've just got to choose to.
I'll let you know later if I manage to make the right choice! :-)
- Posted from my iPhone
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