Tuesday 30 March 2010

Tuesday 30.03.2010

Weigh-in: 193.8lbs again (I swear my scale is either possessed or ridiculously accurate)

Eats:

Breakfast:

Green smoothie (2.5 points)

  • banana
  • ice
  • 250ml milk
  • maca
  • spinach

mid-morning snack:

apple (0.5 points)

lunch:

zero point soup

  • cabbage
  • tomato
  • onion

Boots shapers coronation chicken sandwich (4.5 points)

salt and vinegar snacks (1.5 points)

mid-afternoon snack:

apple (0.5 points)

babybel (1 point)

zero point soup

pre-workout snack:

half a banana (0.5 points)

half a nakd cocoa orange bar (1 point)

dinner:

broccoli and shrimp alfredo (3 points)

  • courgette ribbons
  • broccoli
  • shrimp
  • extra light laughing cow
  • black pepper

1/6 of a reese’s peanut butter easter egg (6 points – it’s supposed to serve 4 but I’ve cut this sucker into 6 and stored the rest in the freezer.  I’ll be damned if this easter gift is going to get the better of me!)

Total: 21 points

Activity: 2.5 miles in 29:53

  • mile 1 in 11:44
  • mile 2 in 11:55
  • last half mile in 6:15

Water: 72oz + sleepytime tea

Monday 29 March 2010

Monday 29.03.2010

Weigh-in: 193.8lbs

Weekly check-in: –1.2lbs from last week :)

Eats:

Breakfast:

Green smoothie (2 points)

  • half a banana
  • ice
  • 250ml milk
  • maca
  • spinach

mid-morning snack:

apple (0.5 points)

lunch:

Boots shapers chicken flat-bread (4.5 points)

salt and vinegar snack a jacks (1.5 points)

biscuit (1.5 points)

dinner:

salad (1 point)

  • lettuce
  • sweetcorn

Sainsbury’s be good to yourself lasagne (6.5 points)

half nakd cocoa orange bar (1 point)

Total: 18.5 points

Activity: rest day (first day of my 28 week half-marathon plan!)

Water: 24oz + 500ml diet cream soda oops

Sunday 28.03.2010

Weigh-in: 192.6lbs again

Eats:

Breakfast:

Half a banana (0.5 points)

humuus and 1.5 peppers (2.5 points)

Green smoothie (2.5 points)

  • banana
  • ice
  • 250ml milk
  • maca
  • spinach

lunch:

bran flakes and milk (4 points)

post-workout:

extra light laughing cow wedge (0.5 points)

green smoothie (2.5 points)

  • half a banana
  • ice
  • 250ml milk
  • protein powder
  • spinach

dinner:

salad (1 point)

  • lettuce
  • pepper
  • tomato
  • light balsamic dressing
  • sweetcorn

carrot fries (1 point)

weight watchers caramelised onion and goat cheese pizza (6.5 points)

half nakd cocoa orange bar (1 point)

Total: 22 points

Activity: Body Pump

Water: 72oz + slimatee

Saturday 27 March 2010

Saturday 27.03.2010

Weigh-in: 192.6lbs

Eats:

Breakfast:

Green smoothie (2.5 points)

  • banana
  • ice
  • 250ml milk
  • maca
  • spinach

lunch:

1.5 ham/cheese/pickle/mayo sandwiches (so difficult to estimate when you’re relying on someone else’s cooking!)

  • 3 slices of wholemeal bread (4.5 points)
  • ham (1 point)
  • cheese (3 points)
  • pickle (.5 point)
  • mayo (2 points)
  • tomato and lettuce

dinner:

1 large glass and 1 small glass of white wine (4.5 points??)

a few salt and vinegar crisps (2 points)

carrots

green smoothie (1.5 points)

  • banana
  • spinach
  • ice
  • milk

Total: 21.5 points (I have no idea really but I think I’m at least overestimating rather than guessing low for the sandwich/wine/crisps etc)

Activity: nothing official but I was on my feet for about 5 hours today at my latest volunteering venture

Water: 72oz + slimatee

Friday 26 March 2010

Friday 26.03.2010

Weigh-in: 194.6lbs still

Eats:

Breakfast:

Green smoothie (3.5 points)

  • banana
  • ice
  • 250ml milk
  • maca
  • spinach
  • brown rice protein powder

mid-morning snack:

apple (0.5 points)

lunch:

spinach and ricotta canneloni (7 points)

side salad (0.5 points)

afternoon snack:

chocolate cake (2 points)

dinner:

humuus (4.5 points)

carrots

chardonnay (2 points)

Total: 20 points

Activity: none again :(

Water: 72 oz + diet coke (eek first one in a long time!) +slimatee and sleepytime tea

Thursday 25 March 2010

Thursday 25.03.2010

Weigh-in: 194.6lbs

Eats:

Breakfast:

Green smoothie (2.5 points)

  • banana
  • ice
  • 250ml milk
  • maca
  • spinach

mid-morning snack:

mini babybel (1 point)

apple (0.5 points)

lunch:

barbeque chicken wrap (3.5 points)

french fry crisps (1.5 points)

afternoon snack:

2 brownie bites (3 points??)

3 biscuits (4.5 points??)

dinner:

salmon in soy and honey (6.5 points)

green beans

weightwatchers brownie (6 points)

spelt tortellini (6 points)

Total: 35 points (at least I’m tracking my overeating session!)

Activity: none – another late day in the office

Water: 40 oz

Wednesday 24 March 2010

Wednesday 24.03.2010

Weigh-in: 193.6lbs

Eats:

Breakfast:

Green smoothie (2.5 points)

  • banana
  • ice
  • 250ml milk
  • maca
  • spinach

mid-morning snack:

mini babybel (1 point)

apple (0.5 points)

lunch:

Stir-fry veggies

haddock fish cake (3 points)

afternoon snack:

mini babybel (1 point)

apple (0.5 points)

orange (0.5 points)

Cadbury’s creme egg (3.5 points)

dinner:

biona spelt and vegetable tortellini (6 points)

passata

sweetcorn (0.5 points)

extra light laughing cow (0.5 points)

brussel sprouts roasted in balsamic dressing (0.5 points)

Total: 20 points

Activity: none – a late and crazy day in the office

Water: 72 oz

Tuesday 23 March 2010

Tuesday 23.03.2010

Weigh-in: 194.4lbs

Eats:

Breakfast:

Green smoothie (2.5 points)

  • banana
  • ice
  • 250ml milk
  • maca
  • spinach

mid-morning snack:

mini babybel (1 point)

apple (0.5 points)

lunch:

Sainsbury’s chicken tikka sandwich (4.5 points)

Total greek yogurt with honey (3 points)

afternoon snack:

mini babybel (1 point)

apple (0.5 points)

pre-gym snack:

2 baklava bites (3 points??)

post-gym snack:

Green smoothie (3 points)

  • banana
  • ice
  • 175ml milk
  • lucuma powder
  • spinach
  • brown rice protein powder

dinner:

Stir-fry veggies

haddock fish cake (3 points)

Total: 22 points

Activity: Body-pump again!

Water: 72 oz

Monday 22 March 2010

Moving to daily weigh-ins (Monday’s eats 22.03.2010)

I’m going to weigh-in daily.  I’ve been feeling like once I weigh in on the Monday I have a couple days to be a bit more lenient with before I have to buckle down and it’s just not a productive process.

So Monday’s weigh-in: still 195lbs

Monday’s eats:

Breakfast:

Green smoothie (2.5 points)

  • banana
  • ice
  • 250ml milk
  • maca
  • spinach

Protein pancakes (1.5 points)

  • brown rice protein powder (0.5 points)
  • egg whites
  • agave nectar (1 points)

mid-morning snack:

blood orange (0.5 points)

lunch:

tofu pita (6.5 points)

humuus (1.5 points)

afternoon snack:

mini babybel (1 point)

apple (0.5 points)

dinner:

veggie pasta (4.5 points)

  • pasta
  • quark
  • chipotle salsa
  • pasatta
  • spinach
  • courgette
  • sweetcorn

Laughing cow extra light (0.5 points)


Total: 19 points

Activity: nothing specific, but I walked quite a bit this evening shopping and to and from and the tube station!

Water: 96 oz

Sunday 21 March 2010

Sunday’s Eats (21.03.2010)

All in all a good day – OP, some activity, lots of fluids.

Breakfast:
Bran flakes (3 points)
250ml milk (1 point)
Green smoothie (2.5 points)

  • banana
  • 250ml milk
  • spinach
  • maca
  • ice

Lunch:
pasta (3.5 points)
spinach
tomatoes
passata
onion
quark (.5 points)

snacks:

nakd cocoa orange bar (2 points)

carrots

humuus (3.5 points)

Total 2% greek yogurt with honey (3 points)

Dinner:

stirfried vegetables

pita chips (2 points)

humuus (1 point)

Total: 22 points

Drinks:

72oz water

1 cup slimatee

1 cup sleepytime tea

Activity:

Body Pump

Thursday 18 March 2010

updated rewards

I missed my Monday weigh-in because I was crabby, bloated and hormonal and I knew I wasn't going to see a loss so I stayed away for my own sanity.

I peeked this morning and am on track for a teeny-tiny loss come next Monday!

I've revised my goal rewards and am going to celebrate every half stone (7 lbs for my American readers). This way I get more rewards! Plus its easier because I want to loss about 28 pounds or 2 stone so it fits nicely.

When I hit 188 - new jewellry
When I hit 181 - new shoes
When I hit 174 - facial
When I hit 167 - all new underwear
When I hit 165 - big celebration and a new pair of designer jeans

I fully envision that this will be an expensive project but eh, that's what my money is for right?

I also think when I hit the 180s I'm going to spend my gift card I've been hoarding since it expires this year and even though it was my reward for hitting goal last year it doesn't seem to have motivated me. Being in the 180s will be a major milestone regardless since I'm always fluctuating in the 190s - it was a college weight too and everytime I embark on a new diet it seems my first weigh-in goes back to that number.

180s here we come!

- CJ

Wednesday 10 March 2010

Pizza Party

Did you guess the secret ingredient I picked up over the weekend inspired by Carrots n Cake and Healthy Tipping Point?

POLENTA!

285

And the best part? This whole thing (5.5pts) was only 51p…51p!

I sliced up 2pts worth and grilled them.  Then I added some passata, mushrooms and spinach and topped with 3 Babybel light cheeses for a grand total of a 5pt pizza.

DSCF0001

This was actually pretty good – I didn’t know what to expect with polenta but it wasn’t half bad.  51p can’t be beaten either but next time I’m going to try making polenta fries.  I tried a piece of the polenta before I added the sauce and toppings and it was crispy and delicious.  Once it had sat in the sauce for a while it lost some of that crispiness so next time I’m definitely going to maximise the crispy potential!

QOTD: Have you ever tried polenta? Got any good recipes?

- CJ

Technorati Tags: ,,,

Tuesday 9 March 2010

Xanthan Gum Heaven

It’s Tuesday – which means we made it through the first day of the week!

I went to Sainsbury’s on Friday night to pick up my favourite Weight Watchers pizza but left with a whole host more.

One of those was Doves Farm xanthan gum.

DSCF0333

I posted on Saturday how luscious and creamy it made my green smoothie but holy crap it deserves its very own post because this stuff is just that good.  I had read about it on HEAB and she RAVED about it. I had backtracked through her links and read Smoothie Girl’s take on them and knew I had to try it.

DSCF0328  This is just a cup of skimmed milk, 4 ice cubes, a handful of spinach and a banana.  Blitzed with about 1/10th of a teaspoon of xanthan gum it somehow increases in volume and thickness and becomes the consistency of a super milkshake.  It made my typical morning drink so delicious that I ended up having a second one after dinner just because it was so creamy and tasty. 

Words are not even doing it justice, but in the words of the Fitnessista herself – FOODGASM!

I absolutely urge you to try it and if you do, let me know!

I picked up another food blogger inspired product on Friday that I’ll feature as soon as I figure out what to do with it!

Hint: it’s appeared on Healthy Tipping Point AND Carrots n Cake recently.

What amazing products have you discovered thanks to food blogs?

-CJ

Flailing

Different than failing - it just feels like I'm flailing about slightly on my plan already.

I completed the full week of tracking and eating on points until yesterday's weigh-in and then last night, whether through boredom or some ridiculous disappointment in ONLY a one-pound loss, I strayed.

I'd eaten only 12 points during the day but then had whole foods' brown rice vegan sushi, a goats cheese and mesclan side salad and a 5.5 point chocolate bar. In all seriousness, it probably wasn't that bad points-wise and I've certainly binged on worse!

So today I'm picking myself back up, my bag is packed with the most delicious looking green monster - I put in a little extra xanthan gum (I've got a special gum post going up later) and its super-thick! I've got salsa chicken, a wrap and salad for lunch and two snacks plus my iced coffee.

Today is going to be fine. I'm going to be fine, just fine.

-CJ

Monday 8 March 2010

My Latest Gadgets

I said last Monday that I’d do a post on my new smoothie maker and coffee maker – so as promised.

My routine lately has been to set my Morphy Richards coffee maker each night.  At 6am it switches on and I have lovely freshly brewed coffee as soon as I wake up.  I drink half (4 cups) with half a cup of milk while I’m getting ready.

DSCF0330

Then I put the other half in the fridge to make iced coffee.  I take the other half from the day before as iced coffee to the office with another half cup of milk to sip throughout the morning.  I find coffee and milk really filling so it stops me from aimlessly snacking all morning.

Then I blend up my green smoothie in my Kenwood  Smoothie 2Go.  I love this thing – it makes the smoothies directly in the travel mug so once it’s done I just throw it in my bag and take it to the office to sip alongside my coffee.

DSCF0332

For 4 points total, it’s a pretty filling breakfast even if it is all liquid!

- CJ

Monday Weigh-In

Quickly, before I forget
Last week's weigh-in: 196.2
Today's weigh-in:195.0
Total loss: 1.2

Honestly, kind of thought I'd lose more but its a loss so I'll take it. Maybe I screwed it up by actually exercising yesterday - yes for the first time in a couple of weeks I ran 2.5 miles yesterday afternoon. The sunshine was glorious but its still so cold out!

Got another day of eats packed in my bag and we're off!

-CJ

Sunday 7 March 2010

Protein Pancake Sunday

A little bicarbonate of soda, a touch of baking powder, some brown rice protein powder and liquid egg whites.  All whisked together to form pancake batter.

DSCF0338

For 1pt of protein powder I can make about 4 pancakes.  Cook them up and coat with 0.5pt of agave and it’s pancake Sunday!

DSCF0337

Today I made only three and the last one (hidden on the bottom of that pile) was so thick that it burned on the bottom before it cooked.  I don’t recommend burning protein pancakes – they get REALLY bitter!

But still, 1.5pts for a pancake and syrup breakfast really can’t be beaten!

- CJ

2010 goals revisited: March update

Two months of 2010 down so it’s time for another progress report:

In 2010 I want to:

Volunteer – I haven’t figured out the specifics, but I want to get back into fundraising or other work with a charity that I care about

Oops, still nothing on this down – need to get researching into some ideas

Get organised – This is a goal every year and I think I made a definite improvement on this in the past 12 months.  I’d like to keep my flat at a level of cleanliness that I don’t have to ‘apologise for the mess’ whenever someone drops by unannounced.  Of course, I’ll still say it regardless!

I’m doing pretty good.  The bathroom is tidy, the kitchen is more often than not respectable and the living room is so-so.  I do have to organise my closet and bedroom and I NEED to hang up my pictures.  I moved in about 18 months ago and still have barely decorated!

Save money – I started this one yesterday when I cut my broadband bill in half.  I want to do a full money makeover and get my bills as low as possible over the next few weeks.  Then I fully intend to cut back on my spending, particularly in terms of food shopping, eat out less especially for lunch and get some money into my savings account by stopping spending on my credit cards.  I aim to only put things on my credit card that can be expensed back to work and this will also ensure that I don’t miss any expenses that could have been claimed back each month.

I did put an ipod charger adaptor on my credit card on my recent vacation but I paid it off as soon as I got back so I’m back to all zero balances.  I’ve been taking my lunches in all week and sticking to a £50/week food budget so far. 

Reignite a childhood passion – I’m not sure I’ve figured this out yet either but it’s one of the goals suggested by Spark People (as is the one below) and I really like the idea.  Maybe I’ll join my colleagues at their weekly netball game, maybe I’ll dig out my old flute or go camping.

Nothing yet – still need to think of what I’m going to do!

Look forward – I already cut out pictures and articles about places I want to travel to, restaurants I want to eat at, things I want to try or see and now I want to create a dream board.  It will be something that can inspire me day-to-day to move towards a life that is everything I dream of.

Ok this one I have no excuse for not starting – I REALLY need to get moving on this one

Make peace with my grief – My father died 11 years ago and I still cannot talk about him without tears.  I’m pretty sure it’s not typical to still harbour grief this long and this may require counselling, but it’s definitely a place that I’d like to get to.

Still reading my three grief books – it’s always going to be a work in progress but I’m proud that I’m doing something about it.

Expand my cooking skills – I aim to make one new recipe a week to expand my repertoire of go-to dishes. I’d also like to give my kitchen a bit of a makeover (organisation again!)  I’d also like to experiment with different grains, new spices and find kale to try those crispy kale chips I see throughout blogworld!

I’ve made quite a few yummy recipes this month – love my roasted chickpeas and have been doing some really fun roasted vegetables. I’m all about the zero-point vegetables now that I’m back on WW!

Health and fitness goals are to:

Try a new sport – I never thought I'd do as well as I’ve done this year with running.  Even though I took an almost 6 week break after the half-marathon and then another hiatus after breaking my wrist I’ve stuck with it for most of the year and have even run twice this week between Christmas and New Years, quite likely the only time I’ve ever worked out in these usually gluttonous days. As soon as my wrist heals I want to try Bikram yoga and have already scoped out the closest yoga studio. I also plan to PR at the same half-marathon race next September.

Not yet and I need to get back to the gym period.

Look after my skin – I am 27 and still fall to sleep with my makeup on. I want to establish a skin routine and stick to it. 

My skin is still being crappy lately – another work in progress. Hopefully the regular green smoothies will help!

Eat cleaner – I plan on fully completing Project55 this year and reaching my goal weight finally. As part of this I aim to

  • increase my fruit and vegetable intake to 5-9 portions daily
  • increase my intake of healthy fats
  • increase my protein levels with an aim of 15g at breakfast
  • eat less meat
  • take daily probiotics
  • take a multi-vitamin/supplement daily

Still not taking probiotics or supplements but I’m doing much better eating clean.  I eat some chocolate in the evenings but other than that this past week for example has been excellent.  Low fat dairy, massive amounts of vegetables and meat (chicken) only twice. 

I’m feeling really good about this past month – 10 more to go!

- CJ

Saturday 6 March 2010

Saturday food diary

Breakfast was a green smoothie

  • banana 1.5pt
  • milk 1pt
  • ice
  • spinach

DSCF0327

2-egg omelette (with extra egg whites 0pts) with Babybel light 4pts and ketchup 0.5pts

Lunch was a mushroom burger 2pts, wrap 2.5pts, yellow pepper 0pts and mustard 0pts and an iced latte 1pt

Dinner was another wrap 2.5pts, light mayo 0.5pts, tuna 2.5pts and mustard 0pts

Followed by another green smoothie 2pts because last night I discovered xanthan gum and OMG it makes smoothies so thick and luscious!

A delicious day of eats for 20 points – did I earn any activity points this week? No – today in fact I’ve spent most of the day on the sofa catching up on Biggest Loser and other TV shows that I just don’t get to see during the week.  It’s been blissfully lazy!

QOTD: Do you struggle with weekend eating when it’s less structured?

- CJ 

Friday 5 March 2010

A sneak peek at the scale

I stepped on the scale this morning even though I told myself I'd do a full week and weigh in on Monday again. I don't want to jinx anything but if today was weigh-in day I'd be happy to report a loss.
Tonight I plan on stopping by the grocery store after work and picking up a pizza. It'll be my (still within points) celebration of the end of the week and then some egg whites to make pancakes tomorrow.

It feels so good to get my eating back under control. Next week's goal will be to continue tracking and staying on plan AND fit in a workout or two.

QOTD: how important is exercise in your routine? Do you think you can be successful on this journey without it?

-CJ

Thursday 4 March 2010

Three days going strong

I've completed three days of my tracking challenge and all is well - I told myself I'd do it for the working week and then I'll figure out the weekend separately.

So far I've been successful because of meticulous planning and a strict meal plan.

Every day I've eaten the exact same thing followed by a slight variation on a big salad in the evenings. I made five batches of roasted vegetable pasta for lunches and my cheese/crispbread/apples/peppers have been recurring snacks. Its working but some variety will probably become necessary in the long-term.

Any ideas for good lunches I can make in advance and portion out for lunch?

-CJ

Wednesday 3 March 2010

Happy Hump-day and a NSV

The daily updates (particularly if I'm doing it first thing) are really helping keep me on track.

Last night after my ranch chicken salad dinner I had my budgetted squares of chocolate and got ready for bed.

A few minutes later, I was standing in front of the fridge breaking off squares from the chocolate bar again. I could have eaten it - I was under points yesterday so I wouldn't have even been going off plan but instead I put the chocolate back and walked away.

I told myself I'd be setting a dangerous precedent straying off my eating plan this early in the game and with not even a remotely valid excuse.

QOTD: how do you talk yourself out of dangerous situations like boredom snacking or late-night munchies?

-CJ

Tuesday 2 March 2010

Make or Break it Tuesday

The presenter on the radio this morning was talking about how Tuesday is the day that defines the rest of your week.
Monday is full of good intentions - but how long do they last?

Well, I'm happy to report that despite working late (last night 'til 10pm!) I'm sticking with my good intentions and my meal plan if not my gym class schedule.

I got up this morning, packed my green smoothie, iced cofee, veggie pasta and snacks and trundled off to the office (early!) again.

And best of all - I didn't touch the giant chocolate bar that my colleague brought back from her vacation.

-CJ

Monday 1 March 2010

Monday Weigh-In

If this works and I successfully post from my blackberry this blog may just come alive after such sporadic blogging the past year!

Last night on twitter I pledged to kick things up a notch in March.

I weighed in this morning at 196.2 and to be honest off the top of my head I don't know how that compares to last time since it was so long ago!

Yesterday I planned my meals and exercise for the working week and am now carting a full days eats to the office:
1) Iced coffee
2) Green smoothie
3) Wholewheat pasta with roasted vegetables and passatta
4) Apple slices
5) Babybel
6) Pepper slices
7) 2 Ryvita crisps with an extra light laughing cow wedge
For a total of 13.5 points including the very large coffee I already drank first thing.

Now I'm just hoping that my containers hold and I don't arrive at the office with a bag of brown sludge!

Later I'll post links of my new smoothie maker (which converts to travel mugs!) And coffee maker! I got a little planning happy this weekend but if these gadgets help me see the scale move they'll be well worth it.

QOTD: what gadgets and gizmos have been instrumental to your weight loss?

- CJ