There’s nothing like the squeeze of your trousers around your tummy, butt and thighs to make you want to starve and exercise yourself to death.
From the moment I pulled on my work trousers there was a major struggle to button them up and a major threat of ripping! I knew right then that it was time to stop with excuses and start getting my lazy butt into gear!
So on Tuesday I started to eat healthily and drag my butt out of bed to exercise each morning. Five days later and despite working my arse into a state of great pain when getting on and off the toilet, my belly still rolls over the top of my trousers with my butt cheeks still threatened to burst the seams!
Now, I’m not silly, I know that fat loss takes time, lots of time, and I know that I’m not going to see results after just 5 days, but that doesn’t make me any less upset and disappointed when it happens! You see, I just don’t have patience! And that’s the number one thing I hate about dieting and exercising... you need patience…. lots and lots of patience…. and will power, which I don’t have much of either!
It’s weird because when it comes to diet, nutrition, the body and exercise I know a bit about it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no expert but I’ve read enough books and research to know what I have to do, what I shouldn’t do, what’s good for me, what’s bad for me, what works, what doesn’t work, what happens when I eat this, what happens when I do this and what happens when I put a slice of takeaway pizza to my mouth!
But despite this knowledge and despite feeling guilty as I eat food that I know I shouldn’t be, it’s never stopped me. It’s never put me off. And now I’m have to live with the consequences…. a protruding pot belly and pairs of very, very tight trousers!
So once again I’m on a diet! But this time I’m hoping it’ll be different because I’m looking at the longer picture. No more 12 weeks of super strict dieting and exercising to get my perfect shape. Oh no, I’m giving myself until Las Vegas (which is a whopping 9 months away) to achieve a better body!
Lets see if the slow, steady and most importantly, sensible, approach will hopefully help me be motivated, determined and successful!
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Saturday, 10 March 2012
Thought of the week: (whilst watching Embarrassing Bodies)
I really wanted to go to bed and get an early night tonight but now I want to see this ladies bagels!!
Diet:
Has gone out the window! I haven’t been feeling 100% and when I feel like that the last thing I want to do is eat lettuce leaves and cottage cheese. So this week has been filled with cheese toasties, sausage, egg and chips, lasagne, pizza, chocolate cake and biscuits! Not a fabulously clean and healthy diet but i've loved every meal and, for the first time in a long while, I havent constantly been thinking about food and what i'm going to eat! With mums b'day celebrations, meals out and a trip to London on the horizon in the next coupe of weeks I have decided to eat what I want and sort myself out when things have settled down. Its just easier that way and means I wont feel guilty about the toasties, chips and biscuits that are on the menu this week!
Exercise:
Has also gone out the window! I have somehow managed to tear the calf muscle in my left leg which means I’m walking like I’ve sh*t myself!!
On a more serious note, my leg has swollen, its painful to touch and it aches whether I’m sitting or standing so i've laid off the exercise to prevent any further damage and pain. I've been stinking out the house with plenty of Deep Heat rub and chucking painkillers down my throat in the hope that I would be able to re-start my workout this weekend but its still too sore.
In other news:
Due to my poorly leg I had a couple of days off work to do nothing but sit on the sofa with my leg elevated. During this time my wonderfully kind and caring sister brought me cups of tea, chocolate cake, magazines and even cooked my dinners! I’m very lucky to have a sister who would do that for me so I want to publicly give her a HUGE thank you!! Thank you Louie! Love you!
Also, its national pie week!!! Yay! I love pie.... in fact I love pie so much it is undoubtedly my favourite meal in the whole wide world! Unfortunately my sister isnt a pie fiend like me so I dont get to have them much but tonight she is allowing me to indulge in pie week by cooking me a dinner of pie, new potatos and vegetables. Yum yum!
That's it for this week... well, with a cr*p diet and no exercising there’s not much to say! I'm off to have a cup of tea and danish pasty so until next time....
I really wanted to go to bed and get an early night tonight but now I want to see this ladies bagels!!
Diet:
Has gone out the window! I haven’t been feeling 100% and when I feel like that the last thing I want to do is eat lettuce leaves and cottage cheese. So this week has been filled with cheese toasties, sausage, egg and chips, lasagne, pizza, chocolate cake and biscuits! Not a fabulously clean and healthy diet but i've loved every meal and, for the first time in a long while, I havent constantly been thinking about food and what i'm going to eat! With mums b'day celebrations, meals out and a trip to London on the horizon in the next coupe of weeks I have decided to eat what I want and sort myself out when things have settled down. Its just easier that way and means I wont feel guilty about the toasties, chips and biscuits that are on the menu this week!
Exercise:
Has also gone out the window! I have somehow managed to tear the calf muscle in my left leg which means I’m walking like I’ve sh*t myself!!
On a more serious note, my leg has swollen, its painful to touch and it aches whether I’m sitting or standing so i've laid off the exercise to prevent any further damage and pain. I've been stinking out the house with plenty of Deep Heat rub and chucking painkillers down my throat in the hope that I would be able to re-start my workout this weekend but its still too sore.
In other news:
Due to my poorly leg I had a couple of days off work to do nothing but sit on the sofa with my leg elevated. During this time my wonderfully kind and caring sister brought me cups of tea, chocolate cake, magazines and even cooked my dinners! I’m very lucky to have a sister who would do that for me so I want to publicly give her a HUGE thank you!! Thank you Louie! Love you!
Also, its national pie week!!! Yay! I love pie.... in fact I love pie so much it is undoubtedly my favourite meal in the whole wide world! Unfortunately my sister isnt a pie fiend like me so I dont get to have them much but tonight she is allowing me to indulge in pie week by cooking me a dinner of pie, new potatos and vegetables. Yum yum!
That's it for this week... well, with a cr*p diet and no exercising there’s not much to say! I'm off to have a cup of tea and danish pasty so until next time....
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Thought of the week:
12 weeks. That’s 84 days. I’m thinking of ordering a Domino’s. And its only day 1.
Diet:
Fed up of feeling like a hefferlump and eating my weight in cr@p, I decided it’s time to get serious and set myself a challenge! I did this last year when I gave myself 12 weeks to shape up before my 25th birthday and holiday to Ibiza, and I had lots of success with it. It proved that if I keep focused, ignore the negative comments and be patient then I can do it and see results.
So on Monday I started another 12 week challenge! Unfortunately due to birthdays, Easter and various trips away my diet, especially in the earlier weeks, won’t be as strict as before or as I’d like, but if I give it my best shot I should be able to shift a few unwanted pounds!
Today is the 6th day of the challenge and so far so good. It helps that I’m allowing myself one meal a week to have a bit of a blowout to accommodate those birthday parties etc, and having the mentality of “its only 12 weeks- It’s not like you’re never going to get to eat pizza again!” stopped me ordering Domino’s on the first, second and third day of the challenge!!
But, as stated before, I’m fairly busy over the next couple of months so being 100% strict won’t be possible and that includes this weekend- which started last night when my sister treated me to a bottle of wine and chinese takeaway. Then tonight I’m meeting up with a friend who I haven’t seen in ages and, as usual, this will be a rather alcohol fuelled affair so she is cooking up a bit of a pizza feast to line our stomachs! Obviously pizza and alcohol are not the best ingredients for fat loss, add a raging, morning after the night before hangover and it’s a recipe for disaster!!
Therefore I’m hoping to not get too drunk (I often leave the vodka out of my diet Coke which is a cunning way to disguise the fact I’m not drinking alcohol!) and not have the customary cheesy chips in the taxi ride home! Yep, last night wasnt brill for the waistline, tonight will not be good on the diet front either and yet tomorrow it’s Sunday dinner at mums! I really want the roast dinner to be the only naughty thing I eat as a whole day of hung over, soak up all the alcohol scoffing would be waaaaay too many calories for this weekend!
Exercise:
Despite having a niggling pain in my back and struggling to open my tired eyes in the morning, I have still managed to get my sleepy butt out of bed and work myself into a somewhat sweaty state. I’m currently working out 6 mornings a week and have to admit that my legs do feel rather tired, rather quickly! I’m happy to see that my arm exercises are feeling a little easier to do though as I do struggle with these. This, added to the fact I’m not in complete and utter pain for days after, suggests to me that I’m getting a tad stronger and am recovering well.
This morning I have already spent a hardcore 25 minutes doing circuits involving squats, press ups, dips and lunges but as you already know, I’m having a night on the tiles tonight so rather than missing tomorrows session (sleeping at my friends tonight and spending tomorrow at my parents means no time!) I am going to do another blood pumping, muscle hurting weight session this afternoon! Who knows, I may like exercising later on in the day and, fingers crossed, it might make me feel a bit less guilty about the food and alcohol I’m about to consume!!
In other news:
In preparation for tonights night on the town I've just shaved my legs... and for the first time ever I did it without cutting them!!! Man, I feel like a woman! (Da, da, da da, da, da da << Shania Twain style!)
12 weeks. That’s 84 days. I’m thinking of ordering a Domino’s. And its only day 1.
Diet:
Fed up of feeling like a hefferlump and eating my weight in cr@p, I decided it’s time to get serious and set myself a challenge! I did this last year when I gave myself 12 weeks to shape up before my 25th birthday and holiday to Ibiza, and I had lots of success with it. It proved that if I keep focused, ignore the negative comments and be patient then I can do it and see results.
So on Monday I started another 12 week challenge! Unfortunately due to birthdays, Easter and various trips away my diet, especially in the earlier weeks, won’t be as strict as before or as I’d like, but if I give it my best shot I should be able to shift a few unwanted pounds!
Today is the 6th day of the challenge and so far so good. It helps that I’m allowing myself one meal a week to have a bit of a blowout to accommodate those birthday parties etc, and having the mentality of “its only 12 weeks- It’s not like you’re never going to get to eat pizza again!” stopped me ordering Domino’s on the first, second and third day of the challenge!!
But, as stated before, I’m fairly busy over the next couple of months so being 100% strict won’t be possible and that includes this weekend- which started last night when my sister treated me to a bottle of wine and chinese takeaway. Then tonight I’m meeting up with a friend who I haven’t seen in ages and, as usual, this will be a rather alcohol fuelled affair so she is cooking up a bit of a pizza feast to line our stomachs! Obviously pizza and alcohol are not the best ingredients for fat loss, add a raging, morning after the night before hangover and it’s a recipe for disaster!!
Therefore I’m hoping to not get too drunk (I often leave the vodka out of my diet Coke which is a cunning way to disguise the fact I’m not drinking alcohol!) and not have the customary cheesy chips in the taxi ride home! Yep, last night wasnt brill for the waistline, tonight will not be good on the diet front either and yet tomorrow it’s Sunday dinner at mums! I really want the roast dinner to be the only naughty thing I eat as a whole day of hung over, soak up all the alcohol scoffing would be waaaaay too many calories for this weekend!
Exercise:
Despite having a niggling pain in my back and struggling to open my tired eyes in the morning, I have still managed to get my sleepy butt out of bed and work myself into a somewhat sweaty state. I’m currently working out 6 mornings a week and have to admit that my legs do feel rather tired, rather quickly! I’m happy to see that my arm exercises are feeling a little easier to do though as I do struggle with these. This, added to the fact I’m not in complete and utter pain for days after, suggests to me that I’m getting a tad stronger and am recovering well.
This morning I have already spent a hardcore 25 minutes doing circuits involving squats, press ups, dips and lunges but as you already know, I’m having a night on the tiles tonight so rather than missing tomorrows session (sleeping at my friends tonight and spending tomorrow at my parents means no time!) I am going to do another blood pumping, muscle hurting weight session this afternoon! Who knows, I may like exercising later on in the day and, fingers crossed, it might make me feel a bit less guilty about the food and alcohol I’m about to consume!!
In other news:
In preparation for tonights night on the town I've just shaved my legs... and for the first time ever I did it without cutting them!!! Man, I feel like a woman! (Da, da, da da, da, da da << Shania Twain style!)
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Thought of the week:
There’s a reason why the word diet has die in it!!
Diet:
Okay, I confess – I totally screwed up my diet last weekend!
After my night out at The Plough on Friday I was supposed to get back to eating healthy at the weekend but come Saturday there I was, sat on the sofa, watching Take Me Out, gorging on a Chinese takeaway! Fast forward to Sunday- I got out of bed, started eating, and never stopped! I don’t know how many calories I got through over those three days but it was A LOT!!
Needless to say, the guilt over my complete and utter piggyness made me make the decisions to:
1) cut a few more carbs out of the diet for the week,
2) say no to pancakes on Pancake day,
3) have only a small serving of mums dinner on Thursday and
4) scrap this weekend’s naughty meal.
Now, don’t be too surprised but I totally f**ked up numbers 2 and 3 which kind of buggered up number 1!
I can’t really be blamed for failing point 2 though as I’m pretty sure it’s against the law not to have pancakes on Pancake day?! And, I can’t really be blamed for failing point 3 either seeing as mum made one of my all-time favourite meals!
Okay, so it’s not illegal but Pancake day is (after Christmas, Easter and my birthday) my favourite day of the year and if I didn’t have pancakes on Pancake day I would never get to eat them! As for Thursday’s hiccup, mum had brought all the ingredients for the good, old gravy dinner of toad in the hole and seeing as I cooked it and I love my British gravy dinners, nothing would have stopped me eating a lot of it!
Needless to say the last 7 days have been a complete write off on the diet front and have now been added to the “try to pretend this never happened” bin!
Exercise:
I may not be brilliant at keeping my fingers out of the biscuit tin but I sure can drag my butt out of bed and pump some iron! And this week I cranked things up a notch!
I decided to reduce the number of sets I do but increase the number of reps per set- for anyone who doesn’t know, this results in some major muscle burn and fatigue! The lactic acid seriously burns but after feeling the need to make amends for the diet front, I wasn’t ready to stop there and finished off each session with a couple of heart pumping circuits.
Yep, the exercise has been a real killer this week but I’ve kept at it and I’m glad that this side of things seems to be going fantastically! My cr*p diet has left me feeling a bit bloated and pot-bellied but at the same time I feel a bit fitter and stronger due to the weight training.
I’m not 100% sure whether I’ve packed on some muscle but after getting “ I hate muscles on women” as a response from my sister when I flexed a bicep, I’m more inclined to say I may have rather than I haven’t!
I still need to start jogging or some other form of cardio but as I have no plans for a summer holiday this year, I have no plans in wearing a bikini this year, and therefore have no plans in rushing!
In other news:
Our newly decorate lounge looks amazing! It went from this.....
Yep, we love our new look, more spacious livng room and I am very proud seeing as I did most of it! Who says girls can't DIY!
There’s a reason why the word diet has die in it!!
Diet:
Okay, I confess – I totally screwed up my diet last weekend!
After my night out at The Plough on Friday I was supposed to get back to eating healthy at the weekend but come Saturday there I was, sat on the sofa, watching Take Me Out, gorging on a Chinese takeaway! Fast forward to Sunday- I got out of bed, started eating, and never stopped! I don’t know how many calories I got through over those three days but it was A LOT!!
Needless to say, the guilt over my complete and utter piggyness made me make the decisions to:
1) cut a few more carbs out of the diet for the week,
2) say no to pancakes on Pancake day,
3) have only a small serving of mums dinner on Thursday and
4) scrap this weekend’s naughty meal.
Now, don’t be too surprised but I totally f**ked up numbers 2 and 3 which kind of buggered up number 1!
I can’t really be blamed for failing point 2 though as I’m pretty sure it’s against the law not to have pancakes on Pancake day?! And, I can’t really be blamed for failing point 3 either seeing as mum made one of my all-time favourite meals!
Okay, so it’s not illegal but Pancake day is (after Christmas, Easter and my birthday) my favourite day of the year and if I didn’t have pancakes on Pancake day I would never get to eat them! As for Thursday’s hiccup, mum had brought all the ingredients for the good, old gravy dinner of toad in the hole and seeing as I cooked it and I love my British gravy dinners, nothing would have stopped me eating a lot of it!
Needless to say the last 7 days have been a complete write off on the diet front and have now been added to the “try to pretend this never happened” bin!
Exercise:
I may not be brilliant at keeping my fingers out of the biscuit tin but I sure can drag my butt out of bed and pump some iron! And this week I cranked things up a notch!
I decided to reduce the number of sets I do but increase the number of reps per set- for anyone who doesn’t know, this results in some major muscle burn and fatigue! The lactic acid seriously burns but after feeling the need to make amends for the diet front, I wasn’t ready to stop there and finished off each session with a couple of heart pumping circuits.
Yep, the exercise has been a real killer this week but I’ve kept at it and I’m glad that this side of things seems to be going fantastically! My cr*p diet has left me feeling a bit bloated and pot-bellied but at the same time I feel a bit fitter and stronger due to the weight training.
I’m not 100% sure whether I’ve packed on some muscle but after getting “ I hate muscles on women” as a response from my sister when I flexed a bicep, I’m more inclined to say I may have rather than I haven’t!
I still need to start jogging or some other form of cardio but as I have no plans for a summer holiday this year, I have no plans in wearing a bikini this year, and therefore have no plans in rushing!
In other news:
Our newly decorate lounge looks amazing! It went from this.....
to this.....
Yep, we love our new look, more spacious livng room and I am very proud seeing as I did most of it! Who says girls can't DIY!
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Thought of the week:
My knickers are so far up my arse I might as well be wearing a thong!
Diet:
I love my food (especially the high carb, high fat, high calorie stodgy stuff) and I love lots of it! Yep, when I eat I like proper portions, none of this “one leaf of lettuce and I’m a salad” crap! Of course, it’s due to my love of food and man-sized portions that I now have a pot belly that likes to roll over the top of my trousers at the same time as pushing my top over my belly button! Now, I could just buy bigger clothes but I’d need money for that, so I’ve been left with the only other option available- diet and exercise! Urgh!
Google will tell you that pastry, fried foods, sugar, alcohol, and every other food I love, needs to be cut out for fat loss which is why I always tend to fail… and which is why I’m so proud of myself right now…. because (with the exception of a Peanut Butter Kit Kat chunky) I’ve gone a whopping 10 days without any naughty food!
That’s a real achievement for me and it was easier than I thought! There were a couple of evenings where that pizza menu nearly crept out the pizza menu drawer, due to my laziness in not really wanting to cook rather than actually craving one, but I stayed strong, got my arse off the sofa and cooked my chicken and veg knowing that I would enjoy my naughty meal at the end of the week a lot more if I did!
Although I’m chuffed about going 10 days without any major slip ups, I know I need to keep it up if I’m ever going to lean up and that has never been easy! Things always seem crop up that seem to make it difficult for me to eat my “diet” foods- take this coming week for example:
Its Pancake Day is this Tuesday and my sister always makes up a big, yummy batch for us to enjoy after dinner, and then on Thursday it’s dinner at mums where I’ll eat whatever gorgeous meal I’m served. Trying to diet around plans like these is difficult as I don’t want to put people out and seem unappreciative of their generosity. Luckily, I think I have a solution! I’ll have a few pancakes on Tuesday as my dinner, I’ll have a “normal” portion of mums cooking on the Thursday and I’ll scrap my naughty meal for the week- basically, I’ll have two smaller treats rather than one huge blowout!
Exercise:
On the physical front, everything is going A-OK. Again, I don’t seem to be feeling the pain of ripped muscles but I’m hoping this is because I’m getting stronger and eating and resting well rather than not putting in enough effort! Seeing as each workout is still getting my heart rate up and my blood pumping i/m definitely hitting it intensely so hopefully I’ll start seeing some serious results soon.
It hasn’t been easy getting out of bed in the dark, cold mornings though. There has been a couple of times when I’ve been snuggled under my duvet wondering whether to opt for a lie in but determination has prevailed, and after downing a cup of hot green tea during my warm up, I’m soon wide awake and sweating!
In other news:
Last night I had an indulgent meal at The Plough in Fen Ditton as my naughty meal. After 10 days of strictness I felt I had earned the meal and was able to enjoy it without thinking about diets, calories or wobbly bits! It was also fab due to the voucher we had (bargain) and the great company of my sister! We get on really well (a good thing really seeing as we live together!) but add a bottle of wine, a gorgeous three course meal and lots of chit chat, and you have a giggly, girlie scene worthy of a Sex and The City episode!
Also in other news, today we have started our lounge makeover! Our handyman is currently showing me his builders bum as he gets to work on ripping out the old wooden fire place so he can replaced it with our rather sleek looking wall mounted one! Once done we need to redecorate the wall with pink wallpaper so we are being really, really nice to Dad! Hee hee!
My knickers are so far up my arse I might as well be wearing a thong!
Diet:
I love my food (especially the high carb, high fat, high calorie stodgy stuff) and I love lots of it! Yep, when I eat I like proper portions, none of this “one leaf of lettuce and I’m a salad” crap! Of course, it’s due to my love of food and man-sized portions that I now have a pot belly that likes to roll over the top of my trousers at the same time as pushing my top over my belly button! Now, I could just buy bigger clothes but I’d need money for that, so I’ve been left with the only other option available- diet and exercise! Urgh!
Google will tell you that pastry, fried foods, sugar, alcohol, and every other food I love, needs to be cut out for fat loss which is why I always tend to fail… and which is why I’m so proud of myself right now…. because (with the exception of a Peanut Butter Kit Kat chunky) I’ve gone a whopping 10 days without any naughty food!
That’s a real achievement for me and it was easier than I thought! There were a couple of evenings where that pizza menu nearly crept out the pizza menu drawer, due to my laziness in not really wanting to cook rather than actually craving one, but I stayed strong, got my arse off the sofa and cooked my chicken and veg knowing that I would enjoy my naughty meal at the end of the week a lot more if I did!
Although I’m chuffed about going 10 days without any major slip ups, I know I need to keep it up if I’m ever going to lean up and that has never been easy! Things always seem crop up that seem to make it difficult for me to eat my “diet” foods- take this coming week for example:
Its Pancake Day is this Tuesday and my sister always makes up a big, yummy batch for us to enjoy after dinner, and then on Thursday it’s dinner at mums where I’ll eat whatever gorgeous meal I’m served. Trying to diet around plans like these is difficult as I don’t want to put people out and seem unappreciative of their generosity. Luckily, I think I have a solution! I’ll have a few pancakes on Tuesday as my dinner, I’ll have a “normal” portion of mums cooking on the Thursday and I’ll scrap my naughty meal for the week- basically, I’ll have two smaller treats rather than one huge blowout!
Exercise:
On the physical front, everything is going A-OK. Again, I don’t seem to be feeling the pain of ripped muscles but I’m hoping this is because I’m getting stronger and eating and resting well rather than not putting in enough effort! Seeing as each workout is still getting my heart rate up and my blood pumping i/m definitely hitting it intensely so hopefully I’ll start seeing some serious results soon.
It hasn’t been easy getting out of bed in the dark, cold mornings though. There has been a couple of times when I’ve been snuggled under my duvet wondering whether to opt for a lie in but determination has prevailed, and after downing a cup of hot green tea during my warm up, I’m soon wide awake and sweating!
In other news:
Last night I had an indulgent meal at The Plough in Fen Ditton as my naughty meal. After 10 days of strictness I felt I had earned the meal and was able to enjoy it without thinking about diets, calories or wobbly bits! It was also fab due to the voucher we had (bargain) and the great company of my sister! We get on really well (a good thing really seeing as we live together!) but add a bottle of wine, a gorgeous three course meal and lots of chit chat, and you have a giggly, girlie scene worthy of a Sex and The City episode!
Also in other news, today we have started our lounge makeover! Our handyman is currently showing me his builders bum as he gets to work on ripping out the old wooden fire place so he can replaced it with our rather sleek looking wall mounted one! Once done we need to redecorate the wall with pink wallpaper so we are being really, really nice to Dad! Hee hee!
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Thought of the week:
I hate it when people whistle out of their nose! It’s soooo distracting!
Diet:
Well, the week didn’t start great as on Monday (the day straight after my naughty meal) I ordered a Dominos….. a big Dominos! So big that when I finished my stomach really, reeeeally hurt! Needless to say the discomfort has taken the appeal out of ordering anymore takeaways for a while and even if it didn’t, the bloated belly and wind I had to deal with the next day sure did! I mean it’s never ideal having to handle that on any day, let alone a work day. I spent most of my time squeezing your buttocks together trying to prevent any unwanted fragrances escaping my arse and floating around the office! And unfortunately I had it bad! So bad that there was more than one occasion where I “let rip” on the toilet and I swear I lifted a couple of inches off the seat!! (At this point I would like to state that it takes a very brave individual who, when they leave the toilet and meet the audience who clearly heard the windy shenanigans, walks passed smiling in an unassuming, “nothing happened, you heard wrong” kind of way. Luckily, I’m one of those individuals!)
Since then I have been eating the usual “good for you” foods with no slip ups and due to my early week failure, this weekend’s naughty meal is cancelled! I shall be making my own healthy, low carb version of spaghetti bolognese instead.
Exercise:
After the lack of sore, achy muscles from my kettlebell session I decided that I needed to “let rip” (in a completely different context to above!!) and up my game. So I ditched the circuits and supersets for the more hardcore approach of hammering one body part constantly for a period of time. This approach was immense and my body felt the tiredness and pain as I repeatedly hit the same exercise over and over. As the day passed I could feel the soreness emerging and by Tuesday night I was “feeling it” all over- in my arms, my legs, my back, my butt…. and I loved it! I was also “feeling it” in my stomach which I didn’t love so much due to the pain it caused when I had to push out a little of that Dominos induced wind!
But the pain never stopped me and the very next day I picked up the kettlebell again. Only this time, despite the already slightly sore muscles, I really wanted to feel the burn so I swung it HIIT style! I managed to last a whopping 5 minutes doing 20 seconds on, 10 seconds rest before having to move onto a bit of HIIT shadow boxing. Again I punched my way through 20 seconds of time before resting for 10 seconds and re-starting. 5 minutes later I grabbed my kettlebell for the second time and repeated! That workout lasted just 20 minutes in total and oh boy, there was no lack of soreness this time!
In other news:
I have another dish to add to my list of perfect culinary creations! My meatloaf…
As you can see it turned out fantastically and tasted just as good! There was some left over which I heated up and served with some brussels and carrots later on in the week– it really does make a quick, hassel free, yummy weekday dinner!
Last weekend we were lucky enough to have some reward for this horribly cold weather…. Snow! And lots of it! Thankfully, despite a few scary moments, I was still able to drive to my parents for nans birthday roast dinner! The snow really made for a great weekend, especially for Bertie who had never seen the white stuff before! Since then we have had even more snow which I feel gives me enough reason to wear my Santa socks despite it being mid-February!
Finally, this Friday coming will be getting our new, sleek looking fireplace installed. I have the day booked off work (you know, just in case the handyman needs my help!) and in the evening my sister and I will play taxi to my parents as we drop them off to see the Johann Strauss orchestra before we head to The Plough in Fen Ditton for dinner. This meal will be my naughty meal for the week and I’m very, very excited about it as I haven't eaten out i ages!
I hate it when people whistle out of their nose! It’s soooo distracting!
Diet:
Well, the week didn’t start great as on Monday (the day straight after my naughty meal) I ordered a Dominos….. a big Dominos! So big that when I finished my stomach really, reeeeally hurt! Needless to say the discomfort has taken the appeal out of ordering anymore takeaways for a while and even if it didn’t, the bloated belly and wind I had to deal with the next day sure did! I mean it’s never ideal having to handle that on any day, let alone a work day. I spent most of my time squeezing your buttocks together trying to prevent any unwanted fragrances escaping my arse and floating around the office! And unfortunately I had it bad! So bad that there was more than one occasion where I “let rip” on the toilet and I swear I lifted a couple of inches off the seat!! (At this point I would like to state that it takes a very brave individual who, when they leave the toilet and meet the audience who clearly heard the windy shenanigans, walks passed smiling in an unassuming, “nothing happened, you heard wrong” kind of way. Luckily, I’m one of those individuals!)
Since then I have been eating the usual “good for you” foods with no slip ups and due to my early week failure, this weekend’s naughty meal is cancelled! I shall be making my own healthy, low carb version of spaghetti bolognese instead.
Exercise:
After the lack of sore, achy muscles from my kettlebell session I decided that I needed to “let rip” (in a completely different context to above!!) and up my game. So I ditched the circuits and supersets for the more hardcore approach of hammering one body part constantly for a period of time. This approach was immense and my body felt the tiredness and pain as I repeatedly hit the same exercise over and over. As the day passed I could feel the soreness emerging and by Tuesday night I was “feeling it” all over- in my arms, my legs, my back, my butt…. and I loved it! I was also “feeling it” in my stomach which I didn’t love so much due to the pain it caused when I had to push out a little of that Dominos induced wind!
But the pain never stopped me and the very next day I picked up the kettlebell again. Only this time, despite the already slightly sore muscles, I really wanted to feel the burn so I swung it HIIT style! I managed to last a whopping 5 minutes doing 20 seconds on, 10 seconds rest before having to move onto a bit of HIIT shadow boxing. Again I punched my way through 20 seconds of time before resting for 10 seconds and re-starting. 5 minutes later I grabbed my kettlebell for the second time and repeated! That workout lasted just 20 minutes in total and oh boy, there was no lack of soreness this time!
In other news:
I have another dish to add to my list of perfect culinary creations! My meatloaf…
As you can see it turned out fantastically and tasted just as good! There was some left over which I heated up and served with some brussels and carrots later on in the week– it really does make a quick, hassel free, yummy weekday dinner!Last weekend we were lucky enough to have some reward for this horribly cold weather…. Snow! And lots of it! Thankfully, despite a few scary moments, I was still able to drive to my parents for nans birthday roast dinner! The snow really made for a great weekend, especially for Bertie who had never seen the white stuff before! Since then we have had even more snow which I feel gives me enough reason to wear my Santa socks despite it being mid-February!
Finally, this Friday coming will be getting our new, sleek looking fireplace installed. I have the day booked off work (you know, just in case the handyman needs my help!) and in the evening my sister and I will play taxi to my parents as we drop them off to see the Johann Strauss orchestra before we head to The Plough in Fen Ditton for dinner. This meal will be my naughty meal for the week and I’m very, very excited about it as I haven't eaten out i ages!
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Thought of the week:
February already... oooh, pancake day this month!
Diet:
In my opinion the key factor to losing fat and keeping it off is patience… and unfortunately I don’t have a lot of it. Personally when I put in the effort I want to see results straight away even though I know it doesn’t work like that! So after a week or so, despite feeling generally “better” in myself, I do find myself feeling disheartened by the fact my pot belly is still there and end up reaching for the telephone to give Dominos my usual order. And this week has been no different….
After last week’s decision to be super-duper strict, 24/7, I knew that I would never be able to do it and therefore I decided that I would allow myself to have one meal a week where I could eat or drink whatever I wanted. This would hopefully keep me on track by having a treat to look forward to and work hard for. This new plan seemed to be working as day after day passed without any slip ups. I was feeling, fit, healthy, (and even slimmer!) but then Thursday hit! All of a sudden I felt fat and down in the dumps, BUT I kept on course and was pretty chuffed with myself! But then yesterday hit... in a big way... when at work... as I noticed how just fat and wobbly my thighs were when I was sitting on the toilet! I mean seriously! I’ve been squatting, lunging, stepping, butt clenching for the past for 3 weeks and they still look like that! They look exactly the same as when I did nothing but sit on my arse feeding it chips! Obviously this did not go down well so I wiped, pulled up my knickers, did up my trousers, sucked in my stomach and stomped back to my desk! It’s safe to say that every ounce of my will power was at work last night as I marginally managed to stick to my diet and downed just the one Carlsberg!
It’s now Saturday which means I only have to get through today before I get to indulge this week’s naughty meal – mum's roast lamb dinner! Surely I can do that? Right??
Exercise:
Due to all my naughtiness in the past few weeks I have made sure to keep up with my six weight sessions a week. Not only that but I have increased my workload by adding a few more reps to my sets. Even though I absolutely hate it at the time, I do love the buzz I feel afterwards and when I do slip up diet wise, I feel that a good, hard workout helps to counteract some of it!
To be honest, I also love the buckets of sweat and sore, achy muscles that comes with it- it makes me feel that I’ve really done some good work!
Talking of sore, achy muscles, I decided to switch things up a bit this week so on Wednesday I reached for the kettlebell! I did swing after swing after swing, and expected to “feel it” immensely the next day. I was rather disappointed when I didn’t! Maybe I’m just fitter than I thought? Or maybe (and most likely) I didn’t push myself hard enough?? Either way it was a nice change from my usual routine so I’ll definitely work that kettlebell again…. only more fiercely!
In other news:
Firstly, I want to congratulate my mum (who won’t be reading this as she doesn’t really do technology!) on her fantastic efforts and weight loss. We brought her a dress this Christmas which didn’t quite do up, but instead of returning it for a bigger size she used it as her incentive to cut out the chocolate and crisps. We visited her last weekend and guess what she was wearing when she opened the door….. yep, her Christmas present! And it fitted perfectly- well done mum!
On my quest to eat nice and healthily I have been doing some googling and looking for some yummy new recipes I could try. In my opinion, I make a great green thai chicken curry, beef stroganoff and chilli con carne, and tonight I’m hoping to add meatloaf to that list as I’ll be making and tasting my very first one! Of course, I don’t make the traditional style of the dishes as the amount of carbs are a no-go for me, but they certainly fill a hole and tickle my taste buds!
Finally, I promised my sister I wouldn’t tell anybody about this soooooo…
When out for a muddy walk last Sunday my sister unfortunately lost her purse with some money in it. If that wasn’t upsetting enough, she also got dog turd all over her fingers after picking up Berty’s rather runny poo!! Of course, I nearly wet myself laughing at this but my sister was less than pleased! Who said being a responsible dog owner was easy!
February already... oooh, pancake day this month!
Diet:
In my opinion the key factor to losing fat and keeping it off is patience… and unfortunately I don’t have a lot of it. Personally when I put in the effort I want to see results straight away even though I know it doesn’t work like that! So after a week or so, despite feeling generally “better” in myself, I do find myself feeling disheartened by the fact my pot belly is still there and end up reaching for the telephone to give Dominos my usual order. And this week has been no different….
After last week’s decision to be super-duper strict, 24/7, I knew that I would never be able to do it and therefore I decided that I would allow myself to have one meal a week where I could eat or drink whatever I wanted. This would hopefully keep me on track by having a treat to look forward to and work hard for. This new plan seemed to be working as day after day passed without any slip ups. I was feeling, fit, healthy, (and even slimmer!) but then Thursday hit! All of a sudden I felt fat and down in the dumps, BUT I kept on course and was pretty chuffed with myself! But then yesterday hit... in a big way... when at work... as I noticed how just fat and wobbly my thighs were when I was sitting on the toilet! I mean seriously! I’ve been squatting, lunging, stepping, butt clenching for the past for 3 weeks and they still look like that! They look exactly the same as when I did nothing but sit on my arse feeding it chips! Obviously this did not go down well so I wiped, pulled up my knickers, did up my trousers, sucked in my stomach and stomped back to my desk! It’s safe to say that every ounce of my will power was at work last night as I marginally managed to stick to my diet and downed just the one Carlsberg!
It’s now Saturday which means I only have to get through today before I get to indulge this week’s naughty meal – mum's roast lamb dinner! Surely I can do that? Right??
Exercise:
Due to all my naughtiness in the past few weeks I have made sure to keep up with my six weight sessions a week. Not only that but I have increased my workload by adding a few more reps to my sets. Even though I absolutely hate it at the time, I do love the buzz I feel afterwards and when I do slip up diet wise, I feel that a good, hard workout helps to counteract some of it!
To be honest, I also love the buckets of sweat and sore, achy muscles that comes with it- it makes me feel that I’ve really done some good work!
Talking of sore, achy muscles, I decided to switch things up a bit this week so on Wednesday I reached for the kettlebell! I did swing after swing after swing, and expected to “feel it” immensely the next day. I was rather disappointed when I didn’t! Maybe I’m just fitter than I thought? Or maybe (and most likely) I didn’t push myself hard enough?? Either way it was a nice change from my usual routine so I’ll definitely work that kettlebell again…. only more fiercely!
In other news:
Firstly, I want to congratulate my mum (who won’t be reading this as she doesn’t really do technology!) on her fantastic efforts and weight loss. We brought her a dress this Christmas which didn’t quite do up, but instead of returning it for a bigger size she used it as her incentive to cut out the chocolate and crisps. We visited her last weekend and guess what she was wearing when she opened the door….. yep, her Christmas present! And it fitted perfectly- well done mum!
On my quest to eat nice and healthily I have been doing some googling and looking for some yummy new recipes I could try. In my opinion, I make a great green thai chicken curry, beef stroganoff and chilli con carne, and tonight I’m hoping to add meatloaf to that list as I’ll be making and tasting my very first one! Of course, I don’t make the traditional style of the dishes as the amount of carbs are a no-go for me, but they certainly fill a hole and tickle my taste buds!
Finally, I promised my sister I wouldn’t tell anybody about this soooooo…
When out for a muddy walk last Sunday my sister unfortunately lost her purse with some money in it. If that wasn’t upsetting enough, she also got dog turd all over her fingers after picking up Berty’s rather runny poo!! Of course, I nearly wet myself laughing at this but my sister was less than pleased! Who said being a responsible dog owner was easy!
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Thought of the week:
Another Tuesday, another Dominos….. and I wonder why I never get anywhere!
Diet:
Well my idea of eating well all week and letting go at the weekend seems to be a brilliant plan as, knowing I can be a little bad at the weekend means I’m able to stick to my chicken and veg dinners on these cold, dark week nights. But this week did not go well… not well at all!
After a rather long, slightly stressful day at work on Tuesday my dinner quickly turned into a can of Carlsberg and a Domino’s takeaway! That meal turned out to be the first step onto a slippery slope as Wednesday and Thursday soon fell at the wayside!
I think it’s clear that my “eat well in the week, treat myself at the weekend” plan may not be the brilliant idea I first thought it was! So I have now made a decision! A very important decision! And that decision is…. to get strict! Yep, it’s now all or nothing so starting yesterday I’m eating healthy (apart from very, very special occasions!) - even at weekends!
Exercise:
I never weigh myself and very rarely reach for the tape measure- it’s all about how I feel and how much flab is hanging over the top of trousers! So, considering I’m feeling a lot more energetic, and generally just “better”, I would say the six workout sessions a week are starting to make some small impact mentally. However, physically there is still way too much belly rolling over the top button on my work trousers! (Of course this is probably due to my poor… very poor diet, and pizza ordering!)
Currently all my workouts are resistance based and I’m feeling much stronger because of it, but I can have the odd “I’m feeling bulky” moment so cardio is definitely needed! With that said, I’m in no major rush to start my jogging as I do enjoy, and tend to stick to my running a lot more in the warmer, lighter mornings of spring and summer!
Other news:
Me and my sister are currently planning our new look lounge and we have purchased a rather sleek looking wall mounted fire to replace the original wood mantle and electric coal one. We are now scrutinising wall paper and wondering just where we can install a plug socket for the fire seeing as we don’t want the wire showing! Wall paper wise, we’re thinking bright so lots of hot pink, apple green and antigua blue samples are taped to our currently dark purple feature wall. As for the plug dilemma- we have no idea!
Another Tuesday, another Dominos….. and I wonder why I never get anywhere!
Diet:
Well my idea of eating well all week and letting go at the weekend seems to be a brilliant plan as, knowing I can be a little bad at the weekend means I’m able to stick to my chicken and veg dinners on these cold, dark week nights. But this week did not go well… not well at all!
After a rather long, slightly stressful day at work on Tuesday my dinner quickly turned into a can of Carlsberg and a Domino’s takeaway! That meal turned out to be the first step onto a slippery slope as Wednesday and Thursday soon fell at the wayside!
I think it’s clear that my “eat well in the week, treat myself at the weekend” plan may not be the brilliant idea I first thought it was! So I have now made a decision! A very important decision! And that decision is…. to get strict! Yep, it’s now all or nothing so starting yesterday I’m eating healthy (apart from very, very special occasions!) - even at weekends!
Exercise:
I never weigh myself and very rarely reach for the tape measure- it’s all about how I feel and how much flab is hanging over the top of trousers! So, considering I’m feeling a lot more energetic, and generally just “better”, I would say the six workout sessions a week are starting to make some small impact mentally. However, physically there is still way too much belly rolling over the top button on my work trousers! (Of course this is probably due to my poor… very poor diet, and pizza ordering!)
Currently all my workouts are resistance based and I’m feeling much stronger because of it, but I can have the odd “I’m feeling bulky” moment so cardio is definitely needed! With that said, I’m in no major rush to start my jogging as I do enjoy, and tend to stick to my running a lot more in the warmer, lighter mornings of spring and summer!
Other news:
Me and my sister are currently planning our new look lounge and we have purchased a rather sleek looking wall mounted fire to replace the original wood mantle and electric coal one. We are now scrutinising wall paper and wondering just where we can install a plug socket for the fire seeing as we don’t want the wire showing! Wall paper wise, we’re thinking bright so lots of hot pink, apple green and antigua blue samples are taped to our currently dark purple feature wall. As for the plug dilemma- we have no idea!
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Remember me? Well if not, don’t worry, as you can get a rather detailed introduction to me and my life by reading the below, older posts. But for those who can’t be bothered to read it and want to know just who I am then here’s a quick intro….
My name is Pickle (well, that’s my nickname!) and since the beginning of time I have struggled to lose my ever expanding pot belly due to my love of sitting on my butt, drinking alcohol and eating Domino’s pizza… with all the sides!
Last year I decided enough was enough and set up this blog to help me once and for all stay on the straight and narrow and lose my belly for my 25th birthday and holiday to Ibiza. My thinking was that if I had to tell people how much I actually eat and how often I slip up, I’m bound to not do it as I don’t want everyone knowing!
At first this worked pretty well as I ate healthy foods, worked out and shed a good stone of weight. But me being me couldn’t keep it up and I ended up eating anything and everything in sight to the point I eventually gave up and even stopped blogging.
I’m now back to my original (if not heavier) weight and feel I should once again give my will power and determination the benefit of the doubt and try this blogging/healthy lifestyle thing again! So, without further a-do, here’s my first blog post:
Thought of the week:
I’ve dieted and exercised for a full week now…. Why isn’t my belly flat yet!
Diet:
After a good two months of eating whatever I like (generally cr*p) over the Christmas/New Year period, I now find myself in the very familiar situation of feeling a bit too podgy for my liking…. and my jeans!
So, for the last two weeks I’ve being trying to get back on track with the whole healthy eating thing. Week one didn’t go overly well seeing as I ordered a Domino’s pizza on the Tuesday, a Chinese feast on the Saturday and then stuffed my face with a chip butty on Sunday!
However, this week I’ve been gold as gold and stuck to my healthy eating because of one reason…. I decided that if I do well in the week then I can relax over the weekend. Yep, be good in the week and be a little naughty at the weekend- after all, I am just getting into the swing of things so baby steps at time people!
So tonight I’ll be enjoying a fish and chip dinner (don’t worry – it’s not from the chippy!) and tomorrow I’ll be stuffing my face with my mums first roast dinner since Christmas! Mmm mmmmm!
Exercise:
Not only did I spent pretty much the whole of November and December eating high calorie, high fat junk foods, I also sat on my big, lazy butt with my only exercise being my many walks to the fridge and back. This wasn’t totally due to my piggyness as I was suffering from a very severe case of shin splints which have taken a whopping 8 odd weeks of rest to heal.
Still, my shin are better now and as I’m trying to eat healthy I have picked up the weights and done a good few reps…. Especially this week!
I haven’t started jogging again yet as the weather is still a little cold for me (I have my reasons- I’m a Raynaud’s sufferer!) but fingers crossed I keep the workouts up and increase my fitness so when my first run does appear I’ll feel a little less suicidal afterwards!
Other news:
From Saturday the 14th January 2012 we officially became a four man household after my sister rehomed the lovely Berty (a rescue dog from the animal shelter I work at). Berty is a lovely Collie X who seems to like nothing more than licking my face as I lay on the floor doing my weighted bench lifts! Still, he’s a good boy and has settled in well with me, my sister and Dotty, her 2 and a half year old Jack Russell.
Also, my sister turns the ripe old age of 30 this December and my present to her…. a week of eating, drinking and gambling in Las Vegas! So, for the next gazillion months I’ll be saving, saving, saving to make sure she gets the best Vegas experience ever!!
Until next time….
My name is Pickle (well, that’s my nickname!) and since the beginning of time I have struggled to lose my ever expanding pot belly due to my love of sitting on my butt, drinking alcohol and eating Domino’s pizza… with all the sides!
Last year I decided enough was enough and set up this blog to help me once and for all stay on the straight and narrow and lose my belly for my 25th birthday and holiday to Ibiza. My thinking was that if I had to tell people how much I actually eat and how often I slip up, I’m bound to not do it as I don’t want everyone knowing!
At first this worked pretty well as I ate healthy foods, worked out and shed a good stone of weight. But me being me couldn’t keep it up and I ended up eating anything and everything in sight to the point I eventually gave up and even stopped blogging.
I’m now back to my original (if not heavier) weight and feel I should once again give my will power and determination the benefit of the doubt and try this blogging/healthy lifestyle thing again! So, without further a-do, here’s my first blog post:
Thought of the week:
I’ve dieted and exercised for a full week now…. Why isn’t my belly flat yet!
Diet:
After a good two months of eating whatever I like (generally cr*p) over the Christmas/New Year period, I now find myself in the very familiar situation of feeling a bit too podgy for my liking…. and my jeans!
So, for the last two weeks I’ve being trying to get back on track with the whole healthy eating thing. Week one didn’t go overly well seeing as I ordered a Domino’s pizza on the Tuesday, a Chinese feast on the Saturday and then stuffed my face with a chip butty on Sunday!
However, this week I’ve been gold as gold and stuck to my healthy eating because of one reason…. I decided that if I do well in the week then I can relax over the weekend. Yep, be good in the week and be a little naughty at the weekend- after all, I am just getting into the swing of things so baby steps at time people!
So tonight I’ll be enjoying a fish and chip dinner (don’t worry – it’s not from the chippy!) and tomorrow I’ll be stuffing my face with my mums first roast dinner since Christmas! Mmm mmmmm!
Exercise:
Not only did I spent pretty much the whole of November and December eating high calorie, high fat junk foods, I also sat on my big, lazy butt with my only exercise being my many walks to the fridge and back. This wasn’t totally due to my piggyness as I was suffering from a very severe case of shin splints which have taken a whopping 8 odd weeks of rest to heal.
Still, my shin are better now and as I’m trying to eat healthy I have picked up the weights and done a good few reps…. Especially this week!
I haven’t started jogging again yet as the weather is still a little cold for me (I have my reasons- I’m a Raynaud’s sufferer!) but fingers crossed I keep the workouts up and increase my fitness so when my first run does appear I’ll feel a little less suicidal afterwards!
Other news:
From Saturday the 14th January 2012 we officially became a four man household after my sister rehomed the lovely Berty (a rescue dog from the animal shelter I work at). Berty is a lovely Collie X who seems to like nothing more than licking my face as I lay on the floor doing my weighted bench lifts! Still, he’s a good boy and has settled in well with me, my sister and Dotty, her 2 and a half year old Jack Russell.
Also, my sister turns the ripe old age of 30 this December and my present to her…. a week of eating, drinking and gambling in Las Vegas! So, for the next gazillion months I’ll be saving, saving, saving to make sure she gets the best Vegas experience ever!!
Until next time….
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Week Three
Thought of the week: (When on the home stretch of Tuesdays run)
Wow I could keep running for hours! Must be that tub of Ben & Jerrys I ate last night!
Diet:
After the all out binging I did last weekend I seem to have hit somewhat of a stumbling block in the fact that I cant stop eating "crap!" The truth is, all the calorie counting and meal planning I have done over the last year or so has exhausted me to the point where, mainly due to lack of results, I cant be arsed and dont want to do it anymore.
So this week I decided to have a "semi-rest" from it all by eating healthily while at work but having whatever I fancy for dinner. I know this will not give me my lean and toned stomach but I just havent been in dieting frame of mind!
But Monday the 1st of August just round the corner now so i'm thinking new week, new month, new start! So starting tomorrow, my plan is to try to be a little stricter with dinner which means keeping a small amount of carbs on the menu but passing on the desserts!
The naughty bit:
Well... Monday was turkey drummers, chips, bread, peas and a tub of Ben & Jerrys. Tuesday was a burger, jacket potato, beans, cheese and a jam roly poly with custard. Wednesday wasnt too bad until I snuggled on the sofa with a tub of ice cream watching Step Up 3. Thursday was mums toad in the hole and an apple crumble with custard! Friday was, you've guessed it, Dominos pizza with lots of sides and desserts. Last night was chicken burgers, chips and a toffee and pecan roulard at mums, and tonight is corned beef hash and baken beans! (Wowza... lots of cals there!)
Exercise:
Its official- I'm king of the hill! Okay, more like queen of the hill but the bottom line is: I finally made it to the very top of the steep hill and all the way back home without stopping and more importantly, dying!
I can't begin to tell you how good it feels to actually be back at the top of my running. Its really feels great and my goal is to now try and run even further... but first I need to find a nice way to add more miles to my route.
Circuit wise I'm back on top form there too! I'm now doing an extra circuit (so 5 instead of the 4!) and am managing to add 15 minutes of interval cardio to the end! Again i'm absolultely chuffed that i'm back on it with the exercise... I feel it makes up for my disasterous diet a little!
The painful bit:
My thighs! Yep the hill running, squats, lunges and reverse lunges have left me and my thighs feeling a little tight and sore!
In other news:
The "Come Dine With Me" three course meal that I did for my family last Sunday was a roaring success! We had warm cheese, crusty bread and caramelised red onion to start, pan fried duck with green beans and daulphinoise potatoes for the main and mini frangipan tarts with ice cream to finish. The whole family seemed impressed with my culinery skills and they especially loved my dessert! Even my mum (who is not a dessert fan- crazy I know!) is still ranting and raving about my tarts and homemade shortcrust pastry!
To be honest I've been doing a lot of cooking this week and have even whipped up a couple of healthy dinner dishes - Green Thai Chicken Curry and a Beef Stroganoff! Both were very yummy and a hit with me and my sister so they will definitely be on the new "stricter dinners" menu!
On Thursday I went to the birthday party of Dotty, my lovable niece, who turned 2 years old. To celebrate we had a hearty meal and gave Dotty some pressies - I gave her a chew toy, set of balls and 2 very big meaty biscuits! What? Oh, I see! No, Dotty isnt a baby! She's my sisters adorable black and white, short legged, short haired Jack Russell puppy... waaaaay cuter then any baby!
Wow I could keep running for hours! Must be that tub of Ben & Jerrys I ate last night!
Diet:
After the all out binging I did last weekend I seem to have hit somewhat of a stumbling block in the fact that I cant stop eating "crap!" The truth is, all the calorie counting and meal planning I have done over the last year or so has exhausted me to the point where, mainly due to lack of results, I cant be arsed and dont want to do it anymore.
So this week I decided to have a "semi-rest" from it all by eating healthily while at work but having whatever I fancy for dinner. I know this will not give me my lean and toned stomach but I just havent been in dieting frame of mind!
But Monday the 1st of August just round the corner now so i'm thinking new week, new month, new start! So starting tomorrow, my plan is to try to be a little stricter with dinner which means keeping a small amount of carbs on the menu but passing on the desserts!
The naughty bit:
Well... Monday was turkey drummers, chips, bread, peas and a tub of Ben & Jerrys. Tuesday was a burger, jacket potato, beans, cheese and a jam roly poly with custard. Wednesday wasnt too bad until I snuggled on the sofa with a tub of ice cream watching Step Up 3. Thursday was mums toad in the hole and an apple crumble with custard! Friday was, you've guessed it, Dominos pizza with lots of sides and desserts. Last night was chicken burgers, chips and a toffee and pecan roulard at mums, and tonight is corned beef hash and baken beans! (Wowza... lots of cals there!)
Exercise:
Its official- I'm king of the hill! Okay, more like queen of the hill but the bottom line is: I finally made it to the very top of the steep hill and all the way back home without stopping and more importantly, dying!
I can't begin to tell you how good it feels to actually be back at the top of my running. Its really feels great and my goal is to now try and run even further... but first I need to find a nice way to add more miles to my route.
Circuit wise I'm back on top form there too! I'm now doing an extra circuit (so 5 instead of the 4!) and am managing to add 15 minutes of interval cardio to the end! Again i'm absolultely chuffed that i'm back on it with the exercise... I feel it makes up for my disasterous diet a little!
The painful bit:
My thighs! Yep the hill running, squats, lunges and reverse lunges have left me and my thighs feeling a little tight and sore!
In other news:
The "Come Dine With Me" three course meal that I did for my family last Sunday was a roaring success! We had warm cheese, crusty bread and caramelised red onion to start, pan fried duck with green beans and daulphinoise potatoes for the main and mini frangipan tarts with ice cream to finish. The whole family seemed impressed with my culinery skills and they especially loved my dessert! Even my mum (who is not a dessert fan- crazy I know!) is still ranting and raving about my tarts and homemade shortcrust pastry!
To be honest I've been doing a lot of cooking this week and have even whipped up a couple of healthy dinner dishes - Green Thai Chicken Curry and a Beef Stroganoff! Both were very yummy and a hit with me and my sister so they will definitely be on the new "stricter dinners" menu!
On Thursday I went to the birthday party of Dotty, my lovable niece, who turned 2 years old. To celebrate we had a hearty meal and gave Dotty some pressies - I gave her a chew toy, set of balls and 2 very big meaty biscuits! What? Oh, I see! No, Dotty isnt a baby! She's my sisters adorable black and white, short legged, short haired Jack Russell puppy... waaaaay cuter then any baby!
<< Awwww, Dotty!
(See, waaaaay cuter than any baby!)
So there you have it! My week of "semi-rest" and naughty dinners! Now as August approaches I must try to pass on the desserts, forget that Dominos exists and finally lose my podge!
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Week Two
Thought of the week: (After one of the girls brought cake in the office)
No Laura, dont have any chocolate fudge cake... there's Ben & Jerrys Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream in the freezer you can have!
Diet:
You'll be glad to know that despite the above thought that occurred on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after another cake was brought in, I had neither the chocolate fudge cake or Ben & Jerrys Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream! It was a struggle to say no but I stayed strong and determined... until Friday... when Dominos came a knocking... and today... when I devoured a sausage sarny, crisps and belgium bun for lunch and brought cookies for later! But me being the optimist I am, I like to look at the good points and the good point about this week is... I stuck to my healthy eating for a whole 6, yes 6, days before Friday occurred! Amazing huh? (Or should that be: "amaze huh?" My sister has been using the word "amaze" for every adjective recently i'm positive it must be the latest craze word!?)
The naughty bit:
Well, where to start! Obviously yesterday and today have not been angelic and as my week runs Monday to Sunday there is still tomorrow to go too. And as my sister kindly invited mum and dad over for dinner tomorrow I shall now be cooking a naughty three course "come dine with me" style dinner for the family! (Eeeek! 3 naughty meals/days on the trott! Not good! Not good at all!)
Exercise:
The good news is I'm running a little further up the hill. The bad news is it really really hurts! My fitness definately took a beating last month, and once you add the extra pounds I now have to lug around, you have the perfect recipe for a heartattack! But I'm still plodding along and will keep plodding along til I reach the top of that hill and back!
As for the bodyweight circuit sessions, these are also making my heart and lungs pound violently against my ribcage! But with the help of a cup of caffeine filled tea with my warm up, I'm managing to complete all my reps and sets aswell as adding a little skipping/shadow boxing to the end!
The painful bit:
Its still my back and shoulders... that shadow boxing stuff is hard core!
In other news:
I finished the book "Sweet Temptation" by Lucy Diamond and have to say it was a great read. I did feel a pang of jealously at how quickly the time on their diets whizzed by though- it took me three days to read that book and in those three days Maddie lost god knows how many stones, Jess shaped up and Lauren slimmed to a size 12! I suppose it was a book, and in books months can pass in just a few paragraphs but still, it would be nice to do a year of dieting in three days!
Also this week I've tried to up my twittering! Yes I am on Twitter and can be found at @laurapicklecox so feel free to follow. My sister says the key to Twitter is to follow lots of people and reply to their tweets. Sounds like a solid plan but I find it very difficult to tweet anything that isnt to do with me!
Its been a real quiet week so thats about it! Guess i'll see you at the end of week 3!
No Laura, dont have any chocolate fudge cake... there's Ben & Jerrys Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream in the freezer you can have!
Diet:
You'll be glad to know that despite the above thought that occurred on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after another cake was brought in, I had neither the chocolate fudge cake or Ben & Jerrys Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream! It was a struggle to say no but I stayed strong and determined... until Friday... when Dominos came a knocking... and today... when I devoured a sausage sarny, crisps and belgium bun for lunch and brought cookies for later! But me being the optimist I am, I like to look at the good points and the good point about this week is... I stuck to my healthy eating for a whole 6, yes 6, days before Friday occurred! Amazing huh? (Or should that be: "amaze huh?" My sister has been using the word "amaze" for every adjective recently i'm positive it must be the latest craze word!?)
The naughty bit:
Well, where to start! Obviously yesterday and today have not been angelic and as my week runs Monday to Sunday there is still tomorrow to go too. And as my sister kindly invited mum and dad over for dinner tomorrow I shall now be cooking a naughty three course "come dine with me" style dinner for the family! (Eeeek! 3 naughty meals/days on the trott! Not good! Not good at all!)
Exercise:
The good news is I'm running a little further up the hill. The bad news is it really really hurts! My fitness definately took a beating last month, and once you add the extra pounds I now have to lug around, you have the perfect recipe for a heartattack! But I'm still plodding along and will keep plodding along til I reach the top of that hill and back!
As for the bodyweight circuit sessions, these are also making my heart and lungs pound violently against my ribcage! But with the help of a cup of caffeine filled tea with my warm up, I'm managing to complete all my reps and sets aswell as adding a little skipping/shadow boxing to the end!
The painful bit:
Its still my back and shoulders... that shadow boxing stuff is hard core!
In other news:
I finished the book "Sweet Temptation" by Lucy Diamond and have to say it was a great read. I did feel a pang of jealously at how quickly the time on their diets whizzed by though- it took me three days to read that book and in those three days Maddie lost god knows how many stones, Jess shaped up and Lauren slimmed to a size 12! I suppose it was a book, and in books months can pass in just a few paragraphs but still, it would be nice to do a year of dieting in three days!
Also this week I've tried to up my twittering! Yes I am on Twitter and can be found at @laurapicklecox so feel free to follow. My sister says the key to Twitter is to follow lots of people and reply to their tweets. Sounds like a solid plan but I find it very difficult to tweet anything that isnt to do with me!
Its been a real quiet week so thats about it! Guess i'll see you at the end of week 3!
Saturday, 16 July 2011
Week One
Thought of the week:
£166 million.... I so could have done with £166 million!
Diet:
Diet wise I'm being nowhere near as strict as before because:
(1) Ibiza's gone so I dont have to worry about my wobbly bits bulging over my bikini for a good year or so.
(2) I can't do it! As soon as I say "Right Laura, no more biscuits!" then all I can think about is biscuits and no matter what I do I cant stop thinking about biscuits until I end up scoffing down a packet or two!
So i'm easing myself in gently by making small changes and having everything in moderation. (Afterall, its not about dieting, its about lifestyle changes right?? And there is no way I can go my whole life without biscuits!)
Its not been a bad week food wise but thats because:
(1) Its only the first week!
(2) I'm back working 9am til 5pm Monday to Friday so have no choice but to eat what I take to work with me.
(3) I'm eating more calories (from "good" foods) so I dont starve myself and end up diving head first into the nearest biscuit tin.
(4) I'm still allowing myself to have a naughty meal when the "occassion" rises. One of the problems I had last time was I scheduled my cheat meals for the weekend but then some "event" would pop up mid-week and i'd end up having another one! So this time I'm not scheduling my cheat meals and will have one when an "event" like I'm at my mums or I'm dining at a restaurant arises. (Normally just one "event" pops up each week which is ideal so fingers crossed a lot of "events" dont pop up in one week... or worse, that none pop up at all!)
The naughty bit:
This weeks naughtiness came on Tuesday and last night (Fri):
I was at my mums for dinner on Tuesday where she cooked the classic dish of: Fish fingers, chips and baked beans, accompanied by bread for a chip butty! And seeing as my mum stores a barrell of biccys in her cupboards I just couldnt pass on a dessert of tea and biscuits!
Last nights cheat came from Dominos- small pizza, wedges, chicken wings, cookies and free Ben & Jerrys ice cream! To be honest it wasnt really needed and I do feel I let myself down for having it after I'd been so good the rest of the week (Tuesdays dinner excluded!) and it wasnt for any "event" although... if I mention the words "time of month" I'm sure a few of you (especially the ladies!) will understand!
Exercise:
As for the physical side, again i'm easing myself in gently and am getting there... slowly! I'm currently focusing on getting my fitness back up to where it was before my month of eating, boozing, eating, sitting on my arse and eating began!
So, I'm doing a full body bodyweight session 3 times a week and going for my 3 morning runs.
I'm proud to say that I havent skipped a session and the bodyweight routines seem to be getting to somewhere near my earlier efforts. The running is taking a little longer though- I'm currently managing to run to the bottom of the very steep hill and back home (2.58 miles) just before my heart explodes! But I'm confident that I can reach my old distance of 3.57 miles (thats to the top of the very steep hill and back) within the next couple of weeks!
The painful bit:
Well up until this morning my thighs were biggest aliment, what with all the squatting, lunging and running, but after mixing my Friday workout up a bit and adding some shadow boxing my triceps and upper back are sore, sore, sore!
In other news:
I saw Take That live at Wembley! Whoop whoop! Wembley was an open roof and it p*ssed... and I mean really p*ssed... down with rain for most of the night but rain or no rain- it was awesome! I really only went to see Robbie (who was brilliant and totally stole the show) but the other four boys didnt disappoint either and helped to make it a show I'm sure I'll "neeeeeeeever forget!" (See what I did there?? Hee hee)
And after catching the reading bug on my holiday in Ibiza I have made myself promise to read at least one book a month (afterall, I've really got to stop wasting my evenings watching soaps!) So this month I read Jane Costello's "Girl on the run" which was actually very motivating for helping me to get out of bed for my morning runs... and has even planted the idea of me doing a few races myself!? I have now started on "Sweet Temptation" by Lucy Diamond- I'm only a few chapters in but am already enjoying the story as its about 3 ladies who are all fighting their own battle of the bulge- naturally I'm able to connect with this book really well!
Thats about it for week 1- roll on week 2!
£166 million.... I so could have done with £166 million!
Diet:
Diet wise I'm being nowhere near as strict as before because:
(1) Ibiza's gone so I dont have to worry about my wobbly bits bulging over my bikini for a good year or so.
(2) I can't do it! As soon as I say "Right Laura, no more biscuits!" then all I can think about is biscuits and no matter what I do I cant stop thinking about biscuits until I end up scoffing down a packet or two!
So i'm easing myself in gently by making small changes and having everything in moderation. (Afterall, its not about dieting, its about lifestyle changes right?? And there is no way I can go my whole life without biscuits!)
Its not been a bad week food wise but thats because:
(1) Its only the first week!
(2) I'm back working 9am til 5pm Monday to Friday so have no choice but to eat what I take to work with me.
(3) I'm eating more calories (from "good" foods) so I dont starve myself and end up diving head first into the nearest biscuit tin.
(4) I'm still allowing myself to have a naughty meal when the "occassion" rises. One of the problems I had last time was I scheduled my cheat meals for the weekend but then some "event" would pop up mid-week and i'd end up having another one! So this time I'm not scheduling my cheat meals and will have one when an "event" like I'm at my mums or I'm dining at a restaurant arises. (Normally just one "event" pops up each week which is ideal so fingers crossed a lot of "events" dont pop up in one week... or worse, that none pop up at all!)
The naughty bit:
This weeks naughtiness came on Tuesday and last night (Fri):
I was at my mums for dinner on Tuesday where she cooked the classic dish of: Fish fingers, chips and baked beans, accompanied by bread for a chip butty! And seeing as my mum stores a barrell of biccys in her cupboards I just couldnt pass on a dessert of tea and biscuits!
Last nights cheat came from Dominos- small pizza, wedges, chicken wings, cookies and free Ben & Jerrys ice cream! To be honest it wasnt really needed and I do feel I let myself down for having it after I'd been so good the rest of the week (Tuesdays dinner excluded!) and it wasnt for any "event" although... if I mention the words "time of month" I'm sure a few of you (especially the ladies!) will understand!
Exercise:
As for the physical side, again i'm easing myself in gently and am getting there... slowly! I'm currently focusing on getting my fitness back up to where it was before my month of eating, boozing, eating, sitting on my arse and eating began!
So, I'm doing a full body bodyweight session 3 times a week and going for my 3 morning runs.
I'm proud to say that I havent skipped a session and the bodyweight routines seem to be getting to somewhere near my earlier efforts. The running is taking a little longer though- I'm currently managing to run to the bottom of the very steep hill and back home (2.58 miles) just before my heart explodes! But I'm confident that I can reach my old distance of 3.57 miles (thats to the top of the very steep hill and back) within the next couple of weeks!
The painful bit:
Well up until this morning my thighs were biggest aliment, what with all the squatting, lunging and running, but after mixing my Friday workout up a bit and adding some shadow boxing my triceps and upper back are sore, sore, sore!
In other news:
I saw Take That live at Wembley! Whoop whoop! Wembley was an open roof and it p*ssed... and I mean really p*ssed... down with rain for most of the night but rain or no rain- it was awesome! I really only went to see Robbie (who was brilliant and totally stole the show) but the other four boys didnt disappoint either and helped to make it a show I'm sure I'll "neeeeeeeever forget!" (See what I did there?? Hee hee)
And after catching the reading bug on my holiday in Ibiza I have made myself promise to read at least one book a month (afterall, I've really got to stop wasting my evenings watching soaps!) So this month I read Jane Costello's "Girl on the run" which was actually very motivating for helping me to get out of bed for my morning runs... and has even planted the idea of me doing a few races myself!? I have now started on "Sweet Temptation" by Lucy Diamond- I'm only a few chapters in but am already enjoying the story as its about 3 ladies who are all fighting their own battle of the bulge- naturally I'm able to connect with this book really well!
Thats about it for week 1- roll on week 2!
Friday, 8 July 2011
BREAKING NEWS: Those who indulge BULGE!
Good evening and welcome to this special Pickle news bulletin.
Our top story today...
After over-indulging for the past 4 weeks Pickle's waist line is bulging to the point where it has now taken up residence flopping over the waistband of her trousers!
Our sources say that Pickle is not looking her best and isnt very fond of her newly grown muffin top that makes the buttons on her trousers pop open! To add to the drama, her face has also enrupted with "greasy food and alcohol induced" spots making her look like a human dot to dot puzzle, and her attempts to get back into exercise are resulting in near death heartattacks.
Our source says:
"Pickle's really struggling to get back into exercise, especially with her running. She used to run 5km each morning but she's lucky to make the 2km mark these days!"
Its fair to say that Pickle's 12 week Ibiza challenge is yet another plan to add to her long list of failed health kick attempts!!
Pickle, who is feeling incredibly demoralised and sorry for herself, has released the following statement:
"Firstly to call me a human dot to dot is sooo not nice! I've always had dodgy skin and its not my fault my concealor wont cover the buggers!
Secondly, I would like to declare that my fight with my pot belly is not a battle - its a war! And whilst I may have retreated on this and every other previous occassion, I will not be defeated! I have been dieting since I was a toddler so am well practised and come Monday the 11th July I will once again prepare my healthy eating and exercise arsenal for another battle!
At this point I would like to re-confirm that this will start on Monday the 11th July 2011- therefore I should not be judged for the crap I shove down my throat tonight and this weekend!
Thank you"
There you have it folks - straight from the pigs (*gasps*) sorry horses, mouth- podgy Pickle will return to her healthy ways starting this Monday so make sure you stay tuned for her regular, and what she feels to be rather humourous, weekend updates!
Our top story today...
After over-indulging for the past 4 weeks Pickle's waist line is bulging to the point where it has now taken up residence flopping over the waistband of her trousers!
Our sources say that Pickle is not looking her best and isnt very fond of her newly grown muffin top that makes the buttons on her trousers pop open! To add to the drama, her face has also enrupted with "greasy food and alcohol induced" spots making her look like a human dot to dot puzzle, and her attempts to get back into exercise are resulting in near death heartattacks.
Our source says:
"Pickle's really struggling to get back into exercise, especially with her running. She used to run 5km each morning but she's lucky to make the 2km mark these days!"
Its fair to say that Pickle's 12 week Ibiza challenge is yet another plan to add to her long list of failed health kick attempts!!
Pickle, who is feeling incredibly demoralised and sorry for herself, has released the following statement:
"Firstly to call me a human dot to dot is sooo not nice! I've always had dodgy skin and its not my fault my concealor wont cover the buggers!
Secondly, I would like to declare that my fight with my pot belly is not a battle - its a war! And whilst I may have retreated on this and every other previous occassion, I will not be defeated! I have been dieting since I was a toddler so am well practised and come Monday the 11th July I will once again prepare my healthy eating and exercise arsenal for another battle!
At this point I would like to re-confirm that this will start on Monday the 11th July 2011- therefore I should not be judged for the crap I shove down my throat tonight and this weekend!
Thank you"
There you have it folks - straight from the pigs (*gasps*) sorry horses, mouth- podgy Pickle will return to her healthy ways starting this Monday so make sure you stay tuned for her regular, and what she feels to be rather humourous, weekend updates!
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Its finally here...
... Ibiza... and the final blog entry from podgy Pickle! (I know, I know. Its a sad time, a very sad time.)
Yep, 12 weeks ago I set out to lose my stubborn, ugly, unloved pot belly and regularly updated this blog to not only entertain you (if there are any "you"'s out there??) but to also keep track of my progress.
I would love to say that the last 12 weeks have been a fun and pleasurable experience but seeing as thats not true i'd be lieing! While I enjoyed the initial success I had in the first six weeks, the last six weeks has been nothing less than a rollercoaster ride!
The first half of the challenge came and went without any mishaps - I ate my planned meals, did all my exercises and kept to my rule of just one naughty meal a week. My willpower and determination during this time paid off as for the first time since I was, I dont know.... a toddler!? I tipped the scales at under 9 stone! (8 stone 11lbs and 3/4 to be exact! A huge achievement for me seeing as I have always struggled to get under the 9 and half stone mark!)
But then I hit "the wall!"
Yep, I got to that point where I thought: "Wow, 12 weeks is a long time! I dont think I can keep this up!" This thinking plus the fact that I had already achieved a lot made me think I could afford to relax a little... but I was wrong!
From the start of week 7 to the present day, I have struggled beyond belief to stay on track with the diet. My one naughty meal a week soon turned into two naughty meals a week... all the way to today where I have had a whopping three naughty meals this week and that doesnt include tonight when I go out for dinner!
Obviously, this is not good and I feel ashamed typing it! But, on a positive note I have kept up with my exercises of jogging 3 mornings a week and lifting weights 3 times a week too- it's easy to do when you enjoy it :)
But as you can imagine, my poor second half performance means I havent got the beach body I wanted and i'm pretty sure i'm back over the 9 stone mark! (I'm not going to weigh myself to see though!)
So, my pot belly will be joining me on the flight to Ibiza! And unfortunately, my pot belly will also join me on the return flight... but it would have grown a whole lot bigger! (*grimaces*)
Yep, 12 weeks ago I set out to lose my stubborn, ugly, unloved pot belly and regularly updated this blog to not only entertain you (if there are any "you"'s out there??) but to also keep track of my progress.
I would love to say that the last 12 weeks have been a fun and pleasurable experience but seeing as thats not true i'd be lieing! While I enjoyed the initial success I had in the first six weeks, the last six weeks has been nothing less than a rollercoaster ride!
The first half of the challenge came and went without any mishaps - I ate my planned meals, did all my exercises and kept to my rule of just one naughty meal a week. My willpower and determination during this time paid off as for the first time since I was, I dont know.... a toddler!? I tipped the scales at under 9 stone! (8 stone 11lbs and 3/4 to be exact! A huge achievement for me seeing as I have always struggled to get under the 9 and half stone mark!)
But then I hit "the wall!"
Yep, I got to that point where I thought: "Wow, 12 weeks is a long time! I dont think I can keep this up!" This thinking plus the fact that I had already achieved a lot made me think I could afford to relax a little... but I was wrong!
From the start of week 7 to the present day, I have struggled beyond belief to stay on track with the diet. My one naughty meal a week soon turned into two naughty meals a week... all the way to today where I have had a whopping three naughty meals this week and that doesnt include tonight when I go out for dinner!
Obviously, this is not good and I feel ashamed typing it! But, on a positive note I have kept up with my exercises of jogging 3 mornings a week and lifting weights 3 times a week too- it's easy to do when you enjoy it :)
But as you can imagine, my poor second half performance means I havent got the beach body I wanted and i'm pretty sure i'm back over the 9 stone mark! (I'm not going to weigh myself to see though!)
So, my pot belly will be joining me on the flight to Ibiza! And unfortunately, my pot belly will also join me on the return flight... but it would have grown a whole lot bigger! (*grimaces*)
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
They think it's all over...
... it is now! Yep, i'm just a few days away from the sunshine of Ibiza and I have done all I can! No amount of dieting, exercise, breathing in or praying will change the way my belly and I look in a bikini now!
I have to say that this last week has been very very relaxed for me, both in the way of work (I really couldnt be bothered to do anything) and my diet and exercise (I knew losing another pound wouldnt make a huge, if any, difference so kinda thought "sod it!")
I have still been getting up at the crack of dawn to go for my 3.57 mile runs and do my weight routines, but the evening bike rides did stopped- not only because I thought practising the art of eating ice cream and drinking alcohol in the evening would be more beneficial for Ibiza but also because of this darn British weather! So windy and rainy! (Better not be like that in Ibiza!)
In all fairness my diet hasnt been overly bad! I may have had the odd alcoholic beverage and bowl of ice cream but i've pretty much stuck to my "good for you" food for the rest of the time!! I did veer off track by changing a turkey and veg meal to a more satisfying sausage and mash combo- but seeing as sausages are protein, potatos are veg and it was served with a big pile of peas, thats a rather balanced meal in my eyes! (*smiles*)
But now its all off! The 12 week plan has ended as from 5pm tomorrow I am officially off work and on annual leave! Yippeeeeeeeee! And as Ibiza will be just around the corner i'm going to celebrate...
Friday will come, i'll wake up, have a cup of tea, do a workout, drink my protein shake, shower, dry, get dressed, clean the house, pop to Tesco, pack my suitcase, eat lunch, drive to my parents, make chit chat with the folks, wait for my beautician, let the beautician in, have my eyebrows waxed, have my eyelashes tinted, pay the beautician, and then...
The beautician will leave, we'll open the champagne, get the chinese takeaway menu, argue over who's gonna ring up, order the same dishes, order too many dishes, lay the table, guzzle our champagne, warm plates in the oven, look out the window for delivery, finish our champagne, moan there's no more champagne, open some wine instead, check out the window again, sit on the sofa, down our wine, say how hungry we are, have another look outside, pour more wine, listen to the doorbell, rush to the door, pay the driver, take our food, sit at the table, top up our drink, frantically pile food on our plates, and... eat and drink waay more than we should or need!
I have to say that this last week has been very very relaxed for me, both in the way of work (I really couldnt be bothered to do anything) and my diet and exercise (I knew losing another pound wouldnt make a huge, if any, difference so kinda thought "sod it!")
I have still been getting up at the crack of dawn to go for my 3.57 mile runs and do my weight routines, but the evening bike rides did stopped- not only because I thought practising the art of eating ice cream and drinking alcohol in the evening would be more beneficial for Ibiza but also because of this darn British weather! So windy and rainy! (Better not be like that in Ibiza!)
In all fairness my diet hasnt been overly bad! I may have had the odd alcoholic beverage and bowl of ice cream but i've pretty much stuck to my "good for you" food for the rest of the time!! I did veer off track by changing a turkey and veg meal to a more satisfying sausage and mash combo- but seeing as sausages are protein, potatos are veg and it was served with a big pile of peas, thats a rather balanced meal in my eyes! (*smiles*)
But now its all off! The 12 week plan has ended as from 5pm tomorrow I am officially off work and on annual leave! Yippeeeeeeeee! And as Ibiza will be just around the corner i'm going to celebrate...
Friday will come, i'll wake up, have a cup of tea, do a workout, drink my protein shake, shower, dry, get dressed, clean the house, pop to Tesco, pack my suitcase, eat lunch, drive to my parents, make chit chat with the folks, wait for my beautician, let the beautician in, have my eyebrows waxed, have my eyelashes tinted, pay the beautician, and then...
The beautician will leave, we'll open the champagne, get the chinese takeaway menu, argue over who's gonna ring up, order the same dishes, order too many dishes, lay the table, guzzle our champagne, warm plates in the oven, look out the window for delivery, finish our champagne, moan there's no more champagne, open some wine instead, check out the window again, sit on the sofa, down our wine, say how hungry we are, have another look outside, pour more wine, listen to the doorbell, rush to the door, pay the driver, take our food, sit at the table, top up our drink, frantically pile food on our plates, and... eat and drink waay more than we should or need!
Saturday, 11 June 2011
New hair, dinner at mums- must mean...
... I'm officially in holiday mode!
Yep, this weekend is all about Ibiza baby! My bank balance is already £70 slimmer thanks to my restyle at the hairdressers this morning, and tomorrow my mum, sister and I will hit the shops for essential holiday wear! (Hence the reason for staying at mums tonight... so we can hit those shops early!!)
I've had a really good week on the diet with no mid week cheats or takeaways so, as I have a lot to do this weekend and wont be at home, i've decided to relax my diet for these couple of days... starting tonight with a girlie night in!
Yep, dad is out playing cricket so its just us 3 girls, some trashy TV, a simple dinner of chicken, chips and beans, tipple of Cava and... dessert! (You've always gotta have dessert on a girlie night in!) And tonights dessert is something I baked as a suprise for my mum...
Pickle's fudge tart... just like the ones from school! (Go on admit it - you want some! I dont blame you- I'm a fab little baker! I even make my own pastry!)
I can tell tonight is going to be a great evening and it wont stop there as tomorrow we'll embark on our fun shopping spree and depending on the weather, we'll either indulge in lunch at one of Cambridge's restaurants or a scrummy BBQ in the evening. (Mmmmm)
So, as you can see the diet is momentarily on hold and will recommence on Monday... for a few days... as from 3pm Thursday I am officially on annual leave and so the holiday really begins!!
Yep, this weekend is all about Ibiza baby! My bank balance is already £70 slimmer thanks to my restyle at the hairdressers this morning, and tomorrow my mum, sister and I will hit the shops for essential holiday wear! (Hence the reason for staying at mums tonight... so we can hit those shops early!!)
I've had a really good week on the diet with no mid week cheats or takeaways so, as I have a lot to do this weekend and wont be at home, i've decided to relax my diet for these couple of days... starting tonight with a girlie night in!
Yep, dad is out playing cricket so its just us 3 girls, some trashy TV, a simple dinner of chicken, chips and beans, tipple of Cava and... dessert! (You've always gotta have dessert on a girlie night in!) And tonights dessert is something I baked as a suprise for my mum...
Pickle's fudge tart... just like the ones from school! (Go on admit it - you want some! I dont blame you- I'm a fab little baker! I even make my own pastry!)
I can tell tonight is going to be a great evening and it wont stop there as tomorrow we'll embark on our fun shopping spree and depending on the weather, we'll either indulge in lunch at one of Cambridge's restaurants or a scrummy BBQ in the evening. (Mmmmm)
So, as you can see the diet is momentarily on hold and will recommence on Monday... for a few days... as from 3pm Thursday I am officially on annual leave and so the holiday really begins!!
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Eating more...
is harder than I thought! I know, I didnt think it would be either! All week i've done my exercises and have been aiming to eat at least 200 extra calories from "good" food a day.
But despite trying i'm just not chomping through enough food and with no naughty meal to re-charge my batteries, i'm now starting to lack energy and feel drained, especially in my legs! This is obviously not good as i'm now finding it a lot harder to...
(1) get out of bed in the morning- especially as I know i'm getting out to do exercise!
(2) get on my bike after work- all I want to do is curl up on the sofa and watch some life wasting TV!
(3) get in the mood to cook- not good when the only other dinner options are a takeaway or munch on crappy snack food!
Totally sucks eh??
But i'm trying to think of possible positives like...
... I'm not actually craving a big, high cal, high carb, high fat meal (even though my body could probably do with one!)
... I'll enjoy my naughty weekend meal a lot more knowing i've earnt it by being good all week.
... if I miss the odd evening workout it wont have a huge impact as my diet is helping to give me the calorie deflict I need.
But I need to do something! So, with just two days until the weekend (which will involve lots of holiday prepping for me! Hee hee!) I am going to try and get the balance right by either making sure I eat more daily calories or by missing the odd exercise session.
My theory is, whichever I do will mean my calorie deflict will be slightly reduced so i'll have more energy?? Well, thats what i'm telling myself anyway!
But despite trying i'm just not chomping through enough food and with no naughty meal to re-charge my batteries, i'm now starting to lack energy and feel drained, especially in my legs! This is obviously not good as i'm now finding it a lot harder to...
(1) get out of bed in the morning- especially as I know i'm getting out to do exercise!
(2) get on my bike after work- all I want to do is curl up on the sofa and watch some life wasting TV!
(3) get in the mood to cook- not good when the only other dinner options are a takeaway or munch on crappy snack food!
Totally sucks eh??
But i'm trying to think of possible positives like...
... I'm not actually craving a big, high cal, high carb, high fat meal (even though my body could probably do with one!)
... I'll enjoy my naughty weekend meal a lot more knowing i've earnt it by being good all week.
... if I miss the odd evening workout it wont have a huge impact as my diet is helping to give me the calorie deflict I need.
But I need to do something! So, with just two days until the weekend (which will involve lots of holiday prepping for me! Hee hee!) I am going to try and get the balance right by either making sure I eat more daily calories or by missing the odd exercise session.
My theory is, whichever I do will mean my calorie deflict will be slightly reduced so i'll have more energy?? Well, thats what i'm telling myself anyway!
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Pickle's perfect pizza!
Yep, I did it! I finally found a recipe that not only gives me a low cal, low carb pizza base but also tastes great with a crispy crust! And here's the pic to prove it... 
Yum yum, looks good eh?? And it came in at only 274 calories! But saying that, it was only a small 6" pizza as didnt want to attempt to make a huge one incase it all went wrong and I ended up wasting my ingredients!! But it was delish and now I know it works i'll definately be increasing the inches and adding a few to my food diary!
My pizza triumph isnt the only event of the past few days- this morning I finally conquered the horribly steep and long hill that I've been trying to reach the top of! Yep, I jogged uphill into a head wind for about 4 miles and it took me just 34 minutes! (very proud! *big cheesy grin*)
This acccomplishment probably had something to do with the HUGE 5 course meal me and my sister indulged in last night! Lots of carbs + lots of fat + lots of cals + lots of champers = lots and lots of energy this morning!!
Not only that but yesterday morning I also decided to do something brave (or stupid depending on how you look at it!) ....
... I stepped onto the scales again - just two weeks after the last and very traumatic time!
And why did I decide to do this? To give me kick up the butt! Yep, with my diet being less than 100%, I thought the best way to help me stick to my "one naughty meal a week" rule was to shock myself by seeing just how many lbs my extra, and normally very calorific, meal is adding!
And the result...
...wasnt quite what I expected! In the last two weeks i've managed to shred 1lb with my bodyfat decreasing by .1% - thats nearly the same amount that I lost in 4 weeks when I was trying a hell of a lot harder!
So, there you have it... eating more calories (and being slightly naughtier!) isnt sooo bad afterall if your exercising hard! In fact, its better! I now realise its all about balance and making sure your eating enough calories to fuel your workouts and keep your energy and metabolism high! So, thats what i'll be focusing on for the last two weeks of my plan- eating more calories (preferably "good" calories - not takeaways and biscuits!) so that I have plenty of energy and can give it my all when exercising!
Yum yum, looks good eh?? And it came in at only 274 calories! But saying that, it was only a small 6" pizza as didnt want to attempt to make a huge one incase it all went wrong and I ended up wasting my ingredients!! But it was delish and now I know it works i'll definately be increasing the inches and adding a few to my food diary!
My pizza triumph isnt the only event of the past few days- this morning I finally conquered the horribly steep and long hill that I've been trying to reach the top of! Yep, I jogged uphill into a head wind for about 4 miles and it took me just 34 minutes! (very proud! *big cheesy grin*)
This acccomplishment probably had something to do with the HUGE 5 course meal me and my sister indulged in last night! Lots of carbs + lots of fat + lots of cals + lots of champers = lots and lots of energy this morning!!
Not only that but yesterday morning I also decided to do something brave (or stupid depending on how you look at it!) ....
... I stepped onto the scales again - just two weeks after the last and very traumatic time!
And why did I decide to do this? To give me kick up the butt! Yep, with my diet being less than 100%, I thought the best way to help me stick to my "one naughty meal a week" rule was to shock myself by seeing just how many lbs my extra, and normally very calorific, meal is adding!
And the result...
...wasnt quite what I expected! In the last two weeks i've managed to shred 1lb with my bodyfat decreasing by .1% - thats nearly the same amount that I lost in 4 weeks when I was trying a hell of a lot harder!
So, there you have it... eating more calories (and being slightly naughtier!) isnt sooo bad afterall if your exercising hard! In fact, its better! I now realise its all about balance and making sure your eating enough calories to fuel your workouts and keep your energy and metabolism high! So, thats what i'll be focusing on for the last two weeks of my plan- eating more calories (preferably "good" calories - not takeaways and biscuits!) so that I have plenty of energy and can give it my all when exercising!
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
I love surprises...
... and this bank holiday weekend threw up two of them!
Firstly, I was surprised with a very early birthday present from my family- a brand new mountain bike... with dual suspension... and a comfy seat!
I know, i'm a lucky girl! And I have to say, my new bike really is the dogs b*****ks! I went out on it properly for the first time tonight and every crack, dip and bump in the road couldnt stop me and my new bike!
The only downside is I can no longer use "my butt hurts too much" or "my tyres have a slow puncture" as an excuse as to why i'm sat on the sofa watching Hollyoaks rather than doing my scheduled bike ride!
But I really do love my brand new, shiny, blue and white bike and I can't thank my parents and sister enough for surprising me with it!
The second surprise happened when I started eating my homemade Tandoori Hot pizza... and unfortunately it wasnt a good one!
Dont get me wrong the topping was fab (spicy turkey, mushrooms and mozzarella!) but the crust kinda turned out like a very firm omlette which I really wasnt expecting when I took my first bite!
To be honest the "kinda of" omlette base topped with tomato puree, turkey, mushrooms and mozzarella wasnt that awful and me being me (a girl who hates waste!) ate the lot! But, i've brought a shed load of flaxmeal which was not cheap so i'm determined to make a proper pizza base with the stuff! So, i've done some googling and tomorrow I will put my chef's hat back on and attempt to come up with a crusty pizza base!
So, with just a mere 18 days til the end of my 12 week challenge and my holiday to Ibiza, here's hoping my culinery skills can prevail before I cave in and order old faithful.... (Ooops! Too late... Dominos was ordered yesterday!)
Firstly, I was surprised with a very early birthday present from my family- a brand new mountain bike... with dual suspension... and a comfy seat!
I know, i'm a lucky girl! And I have to say, my new bike really is the dogs b*****ks! I went out on it properly for the first time tonight and every crack, dip and bump in the road couldnt stop me and my new bike!
The only downside is I can no longer use "my butt hurts too much" or "my tyres have a slow puncture" as an excuse as to why i'm sat on the sofa watching Hollyoaks rather than doing my scheduled bike ride!
But I really do love my brand new, shiny, blue and white bike and I can't thank my parents and sister enough for surprising me with it!
The second surprise happened when I started eating my homemade Tandoori Hot pizza... and unfortunately it wasnt a good one!
Dont get me wrong the topping was fab (spicy turkey, mushrooms and mozzarella!) but the crust kinda turned out like a very firm omlette which I really wasnt expecting when I took my first bite!
To be honest the "kinda of" omlette base topped with tomato puree, turkey, mushrooms and mozzarella wasnt that awful and me being me (a girl who hates waste!) ate the lot! But, i've brought a shed load of flaxmeal which was not cheap so i'm determined to make a proper pizza base with the stuff! So, i've done some googling and tomorrow I will put my chef's hat back on and attempt to come up with a crusty pizza base!
So, with just a mere 18 days til the end of my 12 week challenge and my holiday to Ibiza, here's hoping my culinery skills can prevail before I cave in and order old faithful.... (Ooops! Too late... Dominos was ordered yesterday!)
Sunday, 29 May 2011
20 and a half...
..days til Ibiza!! Whoop whoop! You're jealous right?? Hee hee.
To be honest i'm not sure what to say as not a lot has changed since the last post - i'm still eating healthily, still exercising and still trying to give it 100% but without piling a tonne of pressure on myself and being overly strict.
So, what can I write in this post that would justify you taking time out of your busy schedule to read it??
Well, I thought (as its the bank holiday and we all know that I struggle to stay on the straight and narrow when at home surrounded by food!) I'd share my awesomely yummy yet good for you bank holiday meals...
Saturday:
Yesterday was football night! I'm a big fan of Man Utd so watching them play Barcelona in the Champions League final whilst I slobbed out on the sofa with a beer and pizza would have been heaven! But due to obvious reasons this would have hindered any fat loss so I found a meal worthy of football time in the form of... Pickle's Chicken Fajitas! Now I know what your thinking- a great big wheat based meal with fried tortilla chips on the side?! But no, Pickle's version is a lot more healthy as I used 50/50 wholegrain wraps, didnt bother making any nachos and didnt add the mayo and cheese to my wraps! I did have a sneaky half a glass of champers with it but managed to pass on the strawberry cheesecake for dessert!
Sunday:
Today is a family day and before the wind decided to turn galeforce we were suppose to be off to Sunny Hunny (Hunstanton!) where I would have undoubtely had a full blown naughty day by feasting on picnic food, a fish and chips dinner and those seaside must haves- dinky doughnuts! Therefore, the weather has kinda done my diet a favour as I will now enjoy just one naughty meal with my parents- sausage, mash, peas and gravy... mmmm! Again I shall have half a glass of wine with this meal but will hold my ground and say "no!" to dessert - apple strudel and custard! **
Monday:
Now i'm really looking forward to tomorrow as I have stumbled across a homemade pizza recipe that takes the cals, carbs and fat of my favourite dish and demolishes the hell out of them! So, i'll be putting on my apron, hitting the kitchen and baking my very own version of a Dominos Tandoori Hot!
So, there's my planned bank holiday meals - if your lucky (and my pizza turns out alright!) I might even pop up a review and pics in my next post!
** Please note that this is my intention at the time of writing this! Once the apple strudel comes out the oven the situation may have to be re-assessed- and if a small portion does happen to find its way down my throat then I might aswell spend the rest of the day tucking into the many other delights in my mums cupboard! Afterall, I am being more relaxed over my diet and if we had gone to Sunny Hunny I would have eaten crap all day anyway right?? (Hee hee!)
To be honest i'm not sure what to say as not a lot has changed since the last post - i'm still eating healthily, still exercising and still trying to give it 100% but without piling a tonne of pressure on myself and being overly strict.
So, what can I write in this post that would justify you taking time out of your busy schedule to read it??
Well, I thought (as its the bank holiday and we all know that I struggle to stay on the straight and narrow when at home surrounded by food!) I'd share my awesomely yummy yet good for you bank holiday meals...
Saturday:
Yesterday was football night! I'm a big fan of Man Utd so watching them play Barcelona in the Champions League final whilst I slobbed out on the sofa with a beer and pizza would have been heaven! But due to obvious reasons this would have hindered any fat loss so I found a meal worthy of football time in the form of... Pickle's Chicken Fajitas! Now I know what your thinking- a great big wheat based meal with fried tortilla chips on the side?! But no, Pickle's version is a lot more healthy as I used 50/50 wholegrain wraps, didnt bother making any nachos and didnt add the mayo and cheese to my wraps! I did have a sneaky half a glass of champers with it but managed to pass on the strawberry cheesecake for dessert!
Sunday:
Today is a family day and before the wind decided to turn galeforce we were suppose to be off to Sunny Hunny (Hunstanton!) where I would have undoubtely had a full blown naughty day by feasting on picnic food, a fish and chips dinner and those seaside must haves- dinky doughnuts! Therefore, the weather has kinda done my diet a favour as I will now enjoy just one naughty meal with my parents- sausage, mash, peas and gravy... mmmm! Again I shall have half a glass of wine with this meal but will hold my ground and say "no!" to dessert - apple strudel and custard! **
Monday:
Now i'm really looking forward to tomorrow as I have stumbled across a homemade pizza recipe that takes the cals, carbs and fat of my favourite dish and demolishes the hell out of them! So, i'll be putting on my apron, hitting the kitchen and baking my very own version of a Dominos Tandoori Hot!
So, there's my planned bank holiday meals - if your lucky (and my pizza turns out alright!) I might even pop up a review and pics in my next post!
** Please note that this is my intention at the time of writing this! Once the apple strudel comes out the oven the situation may have to be re-assessed- and if a small portion does happen to find its way down my throat then I might aswell spend the rest of the day tucking into the many other delights in my mums cupboard! Afterall, I am being more relaxed over my diet and if we had gone to Sunny Hunny I would have eaten crap all day anyway right?? (Hee hee!)
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