Here I go again

It has been a while and a lots happened over the past 18 months.  Not all good though and along the way I lost the plot quite a bit, so here I am again starting again but not from the point I started last time.  Thankfully I had not quite put it all back on again.

I packed up smoking in September last year and it started to go on big time then

I am now back on track.  Summer is not far away, although its freezing today and seems a long way off and I want to fit in some of the clothes I got last time round.  I have just started week 3 , onward and downward then :-)

Week 1 - 4 1/2 lb
Week 2 - 2 lb
Week 3 - 2lb
Total so far = 8 1/2lb

Week 32 Success

Week 32

Lost = 2 lb

Total lost = 70 1/2 lb's

Yay I made it to my 5 stone target before Christmas.

Job interview photo

I have decided to weigh in once a month now as I am slowing down, so pleased to have got this far though.  I hope to start a new job in January too so will be busier and I want to get back to Aquarobics as the pool I plan on going to should be finished with their refurbishments.

A Christmas treat for you.  

I have been trying various low calorie Hot Chocolate drinks and the best on flavour I found, also the cheapest! was Sainsbury low cal drink

 The drink is 35 cals 

add 2 WW Digestive biscuits for a total of 119 cals 

or 

2 WW chocolate biscuits for a total of 135 cals.

Have a good week

xx

Merry Christmas

Week 31 Interview time

Week 31

lost = 0

Total lost = 68 1/2 lb

Stayed the same this week, there is a bit of a pattern to this now so not bothered by it.  I had a couple of mince pies too as its Christmas and maybe they didn't help but I didn't eat them all which would have been easy as I love them :-)

I have a job interview  today and bought new clothes in such smaller sizes than I have been in a long time, a great boost for the diet.

Thanks to all the visitors who call by, got over 1000 hits now :-)

So only 2 weeks to Christmas now , aiming for my 5 stone target so just that 1 1/2 lb to go, lets hope it goes

Have a good week

xx

Week 30 Busy busy

Week 30

Stayed the same

Total lost =68 1/2 lb's

Stats

Waist = 10"

Bust = 8"

Hips = 8"

Arm = 2"

Leg =2"

Neck = 1"

  Total inches lost - 32"

BEGINNING

SEPTEMBER

LOST THE TRIPLE CHIN AND HAMSTER CHEEKS :-)

Dress sizes down = 10

After last weeks big one I am not surprised to stay the same this week. I got the tape out and the stats have moved by another 9 1/2" since the last measuring session in September.

It's a busy week with a new heating boiler going in at last, after 6 weeks of no heating it will be nice to be warm again. Looking forward to being able to get the Christmas decorations up, I normally have them up much earlier than this. 

I thought I would share a few Christmassy Hints, Recipes and tips with you.

The first one is 

Danger Foods at Christmas

look out for these temptations that look innocent enough but will add pounds and they are not even large portions of each item

Food	Weight	Calories
Mince Pies	2 (110g)	370
Crisps	1 packet (30g)	164
Christmas Cake	1 slice (70g)	249
Mixed Nuts	1 handful (40g)	256
Christmas Pudding w/ double cream	1 portion (100g) 1 serving (60g)	329 269
Mulled Wine	1 glass (125ml)	245
White Wine	2 glasses (250ml)	185
Breadsticks	4 (28g)	110
Assorted Chocs	6 chocolates (60g)	268
Twiglets	1 serving (100g)	394
Sausage rolls	2 small (64g)	254
Pate on French Toast	2 servings (80g) 2 slices (80g)	252 216
Total		3561

 

 ********************************

A British Tradition

Weight Watchers Points 1.5 per serving about 150 calories

Low-Cal Christmas Pudding

Prep time: 35 minutes, plus overnight soaking
Cooking time: 6 hours

8 Servings per pudding makes 2 puddings

This version contains no added fat or sugar but is every bit as good as the traditional. It also fills a 2-pint/1.2-litre pudding basin or two 1-pint/600ml basins. For an extra-formal presentation, make the puddings in 8 individual dariole moulds and serve one  per person.

Ingredients
75g raisins
75g sultanas
75g currants
250g dried apricots, pitted prunes and dried figs (any combination), roughly chopped
4 tbsp brandy, rum or medium sherry
100ml cold tea
1 tsp orange zest, plus juice of half an orange
1 tsp lemon zest, plus juice of half a lemon
1 banana, mashed
2 medium carrots, grated (about 150g)
2 eggs, beaten
75g wholemeal flour
1/2 tsp mixed spice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
75g wholemeal breadcrumbs (made from day old bread)

Preparation

1. Soak the dried fruit in the brandy, rum or sherry, tea, fruit zests and juice overnight.

2. Add the mashed banana, grated carrots and the eggs. Sift in the flour and spices, add the breadcrumbs and mix thoroughly. Use Spray Light to oil the basins.

3. Steam (as Traditional Christmas Pudding with Brown Ale) for six hours, topping up with water when necessary. 3. How to steam the pudding: cover the pudding by using two sheets of greaseproof paper cut larger than the basin. Lay them on top of each other and make a pleat down the middle by folding the layers over on themselves, about an inch wide. This allows for the pudding to rise while steaming. Do the same with a piece of foil and place on top of the greaseproof paper. Lay the paper and foil on top of the basin and tie a string tightly around the rim of the basin, thus securing the paper and foil. It is helpful to make a 'handle' with another piece of string to help you remove the basin from the pot. Trim some of the excess paper and foil.  

4. If you have a steamer large enough to hold the pudding basin, fill the bottom with water and bring to the boil. If using a large saucepan, place the pudding inside and pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the basin but not touching the string or paper. Cover the steamer or saucepan with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for eight hours. Keep the kettle full of boiled water, checking the pan from time to time and topping up with water. Whatever you do, don't allow the pan or steamer to boil dry! 

5. After eight hours, remove the pudding using the string handle and allow to cool completely. Remove the string, greaseproof paper and foil and re-tie with fresh.

6. Store in a cool, dark, dry place for up to a year. If you want to feed the pudding with more rum, unwrap and poke long holes with a cocktail stick or skewer. Drizzle a tablespoonful over the top and rewrap, remembering to make another string handle.

7. When ready to serve on Christmas Day, steam for another two hours. Carefully unwrap the hot pudding and invert onto a serving plate.

***********************

Hope you enjoy this

 Have a good week

xx

Week 29

Week 29

Lost = 4 lb's

Total lost = 68 1/2 lb's

Crikey, wasn't expecting that this week.  Only 1 1/2 lb's to 5 stone now

This weeks task is to get a New Job so wish me luck

HAGW

xx

Week 28

Week 28

Lost = 1 1/2 lbs

Total lost = 64 1/2 lb

Not much to say, still cold and trying to get a boiler installed, it's getting boring now on top of frustrated to the max, how hard should this be anyway.

Hope you have a good week

xx

Week 27 Go ME

Week 27

Lost = 1 lb

Total lost = 63 lb

That is 4 1/2 stone :-)) Yay

I made it to the next marker but this is getting slower now.  

another  tag ripped off the diet flipper

Today's  motivation quote seems very appropriate as I am proud of how far I have come :-)

I have 6 weeks to Christmas, can I do the 5 stone target I wanted.

Watch this space :-)

Have a good week diet friends xx

Week 26

Week 26

Lost = 2 lbs

Total lost = 62 lbs

Yay another stone barrier crossed and 1 lb off 4 1/2 stone marker now.  I am on target for the 5 stone by Christmas I hope.

It's been a trying week, with a power cut caused by Galeforce winds and our boiler finally breaking down leaving us with no heat until we can afford to replace it.  Lucky we have an Immersion to get hot water for washing, so at least I won't be a "smelly nellie" just a "chilly willie" lol

Tried this week are some meals from Marks and Spencer Count On Us range

I would say these are not cheap but full of flavour though in some cases the portion size is not great.

Sorry borrowed the pack shot and not great quality
Very tasty but not a lot of it for the 365 calories

This was delicious 290 calories and well worth trying

Have a good week

xx

Week 25 sorry no posts

This week has been a mess so no report this week, I am not giving up just not weighing in
xx

Week 24 Moving again :-)

Week 24

Lost = 2 1/2 lb's

Total = 60 lb's

I knew I had lost this week I could feel it :-)  funny how even though I have loads to lose a few pounds off does still notice.

I have been having a lot of homemade soup this week as the weather has finally turned much colder.

Saturday night treat meal was Chicken Taco's, sorry no picture I ate it before I remembered...lol

Chicken Taco's

•  1 Chicken breast - about 100grams
• 2 Taco shells
• 1 onion
• Taco spice - 1/4 of pack
• Salsa - 50g
• Sour cream  2 tblsp
• green salad - as much as you like

Calories = 398

Heat oven for 10  mins, put in the Taco shells and turn oven off, you only want to warm them not cook them.

Slice chicken into strips and slice onion finely.  Put about 6-8 tbsp water into a frying pan add onions, chicken and spice and heat through until chicken is cooked and most of the water has gone so it is "dry"

Put into the warm shells and top with salsa and sour cream, add green salad

Quick, easy and delicious - enjoy 

Have a good week x

Week 23

Week 23

Lost = 1/2 lb

Total lost 57 1/2 lb's

A small loss despite weighing and counting everything I ate.  

I did notice my scales seemed a bit doo-lally today so maybe I need to get some more.  

I did drop to 1400 cals and wrote it all down so maybe it will take another week to start to register again.

I made some vegetable soups this week to freeze and use as the weather has turned colder and I do like soup.  This recipe on "Weightwatchers" is zero point item, without bread or croutons, obviously.

Croutons, this sort add 200 calories or count whatever yours equal

 Curried Butternut Squash Soup

• 1 small Butternut squash
• 1 Turnip about 1/2 lb
• 2 onions
• 3 large carrots
• 2 stock cubes - veg or chicken
• 1 dessertspoon Curry paste - your choice as to how hot. 
• The idea is to give a hint of curry, to add warmth,  not overload it.

my brand choice 

1. Peel and chop all the veg
2. Put into a pot with 2 pints/1 litre of water
3. Bring to boil, then lower heat and add curry paste and simmer till veg are cooked.
4. Blitz with a stick blender or processor.  For safety wait till it is cold!!

Easy and quick to make, freezes well or will keep in the fridge for several days.  I don't add salt as the stock cubes seem to have enough but that is up to you.

Have a good week

xx

Week 22 - still stuck

Week 22

Stayed the same again

total lost = 57 lb's

So it would seem that complacency has crept in.  I am not counting calories, just assuming and obviously getting it wrong, OR I need to lower the daily calorie rate to 1300 as 1500 is now my maintenance number.

Whatever it is this week I am going to weigh, count and write down everything like I used to to keep an eye on things.  I downloaded a new app for my phone which I can enter calories into, so going to see how good that is.

"I will not give up"

Have a good week

xx

Week 21

Week 21

Stayed the same :-(

I hate this but it happens

Good thing is I measured and inches lost amount too:

• waist down  8 inches
• bust down    7 inches
• Hips  down   5 inches
• arm down  1 inch
• leg down  2 inches
• neck down 1 1/2 inches

That is 24 inches off my body :-)

Have a good week

xx

Week 20 Yay done it

Week 20

Lost = 2 1/2 lb's

total lost  = 57 lb's

Yay I passed the 4 stone off mark :-)

Latest crave meal is

Old El Paso Chilli Pepper Rice with 2 tablespoons of sour cream and 2 tablespoons of Salsa

= 400 calories and it is delicious

tastes a bit like an Enchilada without all the calories

So despite testing the jam I made, for taste, I still lost...lol

Onwards and downwards I go, next target 4 1/2 stone or 63 lb's

have a great week

xx

Week 19

Week 19

Lost = 1 lb

Total lost = 54 1/2 lb

Have a good week

xxx

Week 18 birthday :-)

Week 18

Lost = 1 lb

Total lost = 53 1/2 lb

Just need 2 1/2 lbs to get to the 4 stone target now :-)

It was my birthday this weekend, had a great time and lots of lovely gift.  Good part is I got so many flowers and no chocolates.  I don't actually like chocolate but LOVE flowers so this is good.  Thanks for my presents xx

Have a good week

xx

Week 17 !!!!! cool

Week 17

Lost = 3 1/2 lb's

Total lost = 52 1/2 lbs

What an amazing weekend I just had.  Mystic Moon was amazing, lovely people, good music and brilliant weather.  The plus was all the work and cooking etc means I had a fab weight loss because of the running round :-)

enjoying the pool on the amazing sunny day

some of the lads having fun

 Gerry playing his Guitar

My Daughter singing her songs

Bonus, I broke the 50 lb target barrier too

have a good week

xxx

Week 16 Yay me

Week 16

Lost = 2 1/2 lb

Total lost = 3 and 1/2 stone :-)))

or 49 lbs

Yay I did it 3 and a half stone before Mystic Moon

xx

Week 15

Week 15

Lost = 1 1/2lb's

Total lost = 3 stone 4 1/2 lb's

I had some new photo's done this week.  I went looking in the loft for clothes and found a load that have not fitted for over 7 years!!  Not only do I have a new wardrobe but I can fit into them :-)  I always loved these jeans and they now fit and are even a bit loose :-)
Here are some before and now pics I wanted to share with you.

now

before

before

now

now

You can see the results now, it's nice to see it in a photo as I am sure when you look in a mirror you only see what you want to!!

I have been busy in the garden, painting walls etc ready for our music festival.  It is only 2 weeks away now and one more weigh in.  I had set myself the target of a 4 stone loss by Mystic Moon, which was a little bit ambitious in the time I had when I started.  I think I might get the 3 and a half stone which is still good in 16 weeks of dieting anyway.

We now have a full on 12 days of last minute festival prep.  I still have sewing to do and a few more areas in the garden to paint and fuff over. I will aim for that last 2 1/2lb for the three and a half stone barrier.

I am going to pick Blackberries this week, we have a load in the hedges round the garden.  Great for freezing and blitzing in natural yoghurt for a dessert. Why not go find some, they're free diet food and enjoy the sunshine.

This week my favourite nibbles were these, delish and 81 cals a bag :-)

Have a good week

xx

Week 14

Week 14

Lost = 1 1/2 lb

Total Lost = 3 stone 3 lb's

Had a bit of a stomach bug this weekend, still not feeling great :-( 

Have a good week

xx