Fighting The Flab

4th May Food Diary

06:45    Red Bull Sugar free, 2x Hi-Fi Light Cranberry (B)
07:10    Banana
08:45    Red Bull Sugar Free
09:30    Coffee
11:00    Apple
11:45    H2O, Banana
13:00    Lean Ham, Boiled Egg, Sweet Chili Chicken (1.5 Syn), Lettuce, Sweetcorn, Red Pepper, Cucumber, Celery, Potato's
13:30    H2O
17:45    Sweet and Sour Chicken (3.5 Syns) Noodles, Red Onion, Cabbage, Carrots
20:00    Melon, Pineapple, Apple, Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Blackberry, Meringue (2 Syns), Muller light yogurt cherry,
22:00    250ml Semi skimmed milk (A), Hi-Fi bar (5.5 Syns)

Today's thought.....  "If you're going through hell, keep going." Winston Churchill

3rd May Food Diary

08:00    Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, Baked Beans
08:30    Coffee
09:00    Grapes 200g
11:00    Coffee
13:30    6 Ryvita wholemeal crispbreads (B), 4 Laughing Cow Light Triangles (A), 2 Slices Lean Ham, Sweet Chili Chicken (1.5 Syns)
14:00    Coffee
14:10    Strawberry's, Raspberry's, Blueberry's, Blackberry's, Grapes, Melon, Pineapple, Muller Light Yogurt Vanilla
15:00    Apple
16:00    Coffee, Sugar (1 Syn)
17:50    Tuna, New Potato's, Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower
18:00    Coffee, Muller Light Yogurt Cherry
21:00    Strawberry's, Raspberry's, Blueberry's, Blackberry's, Grapes, Melon, Pineapple, Apple, Banana, Muller Light Yogurt Cherry, 2 Mini Meringues (2 Syns)
22:30    Hi-Fi light bar (3 Syns)

Thought for the day....

2nd May Food Diary

05:50    250ml Skimmed Milk (A) 35g Porridge (B) Coffee
07:30    500ml H2O
08:35    Activia Snack pot Peach (.5 Syns)
08:40    Apple
11:00    H2O
11:40    Apple
12:10    Tuna Pasta, Cucumber, Sweetcorn, Onions, Light Mayo (2 Syns)
13:10    H2O, Strawberry's, Raspberry's, Blueberry's, Blackberry's, Melon, Pineapple, Grapes, Muller Yogurt Vanilla
14:30    Coffee
15:40    Coffee
19:00    1 Litre H2O
20:45    35ml 18 Year Old Malt Whiskey (4 Syns)
20:55    300ml Dr Pepper Diet
21:00    Lean Beef mince, Potato's, Salad, Rice, Onion
21:05    300ml Dr Pepper Diet

Today seemed a little bit easier on the diet, although I had run out of water whilst at work which was a major blow. Its amazing still how much water I drink and how much it means to me. In the past when I have helped people diet and lose weight, I have always, always expounded on the virtues of water, water and more water. Most 'normal' human beings need 8 glasses of water a day (roughly 2 litres) but for us flabby people out there we need much more. Maybe as much as double, I know when I am training and dieting my water intake goes through the roof. It is not unusual to find me downing 3-5 litres per day for a couple of reasons. Firstly when I do any form of physical activity I tend to do it to its most intense, as a result, I sweat. Not a little, but a lot. So I need to replace that fluid. Secondly, the more water you drink the less room for food and you feel less hungry.  So running out of water in the middle of the morning was quite hard on me.

Other than that, the diet went quite well, it is certainly easier having everything with me at work and just picking up a carrier bag full of the days food each morning. Now I wish that I could say it was me preparing it all, but it is not, in fact I prepare very little of it. The kudos on keeping me on track has to go to Kerry. Yet again a super star. Sorting out food for the whole day the day before, and making sure everyone in the house has what they need. Round of applause for Kerry!!

To go alongside the diet, I have started training again, not in kick boxing, (although I intend to once my weight is down) but at my children's GKR Karate club. I went to my first class last night and took part in one of the most intense kicking drills I have done in a long time. To be fair, my balance was off, my kicks were week, my muscles burned and hurt, but I kept up with them all. I did every single exercise. 90 Min's of leg burning fun, started with some stretching and warm ups, then pyramid kicks across the tops of chairs, front kicks, round kicks and side kicks. More stretching, some running drills games, then into Kata. When I had finished the lesson i was soaked and sore and tired and knew that I had a set of legs even if they did not feel like mine. Shower, food, bed. Sleep.......

This morning, I expected my legs to be full of lactic acid, I mean it has been 3 years and I am 14 stone heavier. However, I woke up this morning and stretched gingerly in bed, awaiting the familiar pain of not being able to move, but nope, nothing, I am a little stiff and my back hurts a bit, but my legs are fine. So that is a positive. More training on Saturday!

1st May Food Diary

06:35 Sugar Free Red Bull
07:09 2x Hi-Fi light bars (B)
07:30 300 ml Dr Pepper Diet
09:20 Muller Light Yogurt Strawberry and Cranberry
11:40 Sugar Free Red Bull, Apple
12:00 Melon, Grapes, Pineapple, Strawberry, Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry
13:10 Apple
14:50 Coffee
16:00 4x Ryvita Wholemeal crispbreads (4 Syns), 4x Laughing Cow light triangles (A),
Pickled Onions, Lean Ham, Sweet Chili Chicken (1.5 Syns)
16:10 500ml H2O
18:10 Coffee
20:35 1litre H2O
20:45 Cottage Pie, Butternut Squash, Cauliflower, Carrots
21:30 Melon, Grapes, Pineapple, Strawberry, Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry,
Muller Light Yogurt Vanilla, 3 Mini Meringues (3 Syns)

Today was a difficult day on the diet, not for temptation, but for time to stop and eat. So I ate most things on the run and had to wait till late to eat lunch (as I discovered making up crispbreads whilst driving is bad). Having said that, I still did not cheat when I went into the service stations, I still did not feel that hungry at any point and I still made some good food decisions (well, Kerry did, as she prepares everything). All in all this first week has been OK. I'm not going to lie, it hasn't been all roses (in fact no Roses, as chocolates are not allowed) and I have struggled to see how this diet will work for me, but I have not cheated and I have followed it to the gram.

There is 4 of us on this healthy eating kick, Kerry, Dan, Kellie and I and we all got weighed in tonight. All of us lost weight. Dan and I have already managed to turn it into a competition of sorts, friendly of course, but bantering a bit in the weigh in cue etc. (I won this week heehee, but to be fair I had the most to lose).

This week I lost 1 stone and 3.5 lbs (remember the .5, its important!) which equates to 17.5 lbs (for the Americans) and 7.94 Kilos (for the Europeans). A massive loss. None of which I could have done without the support of everyone, especially Kerry as she plans all our food (and works full time, and looks after the children, and looks after me, and had laser eye surgery this week!) and she is my super woman.

How do I feel mentally? Hmmm, I expected the big loss, and to be fair if I had not achieved it I would have had the right hump, however, I did not expect that much. I was pleased when they told me, very pleased, however I know next weeks will not be as big. I am under no illusions with dieting, have been there too long and done too many stupid things to my body. I know how my body acts and reacts to foods, training etc. Everyone keeps telling me its amazing that I can lose weight so fast, I am not sure everyone appreciates the hard work that goes into it. Comments are made along the lines of its easy for you it falls of you, you lose weight so fast, and you have done it before. None of these are particularly motivational, in fact some of them are hurtful in a weird way. I still smile and respond with a positive. I seem to be in a good place emotionally, certainly I am ready for the next week ahead.

Today's thought... You'll be amazed at what you can do and how well you can do it.

29th April Food Diary

08:15  2x Poached Eggs, 2x Lean Bacon, Mushrooms, Baked Beans, Tomato Sauce (1 Syn)
             1x Wholemeal Bread (3 Syns)
08:30  Coffee
09:40  500ml H2O
12:30  Pineapple, Melon, Apple, Blackberry's, Strawberry's, Banana,
             Muller Light Vanilla Yogurt, 3 Mini Meringues (3 Syns)
13:30  Apple
14:00  Lean Roast Beef, Roast Potato's, Carrots, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Cabbage,
             Runner Beans, 2x Yorkshire (4 Syns)
16:00  Apple
18:20  300ml Dr Pepper (diet)
19:00  Ryvita Dark Rye Crispbreads (B), Laughing Cow Light Cheese Triangles (A),
             Lean Ham, Pickled Onions
20:15  300ml H2O and 400g Grapes
21:45  Vanilla Muller Light, Blueberry's, Blackberry's, Raspberry's, Strawberry's,
             Apple, Banana, Melon, Pineapple, 3 Mini Meringues (3 Syns)


Today was a hard day on the diet, not for any particular reason, just found it hard. Kerry made a great roast dinner which was filling, and I ate a lot of fruit as per usual (I still cant see how we are going to lose weight eating all this fruit and potato's etc) but I had to go into co-op and but some drinks for the family, on my own..... Now this did leave me in a bit of a dilemma... Firstly, I don't feel like I am losing weight, secondly I don't trust the diet, and thirdly, well who would know if I did buy a sneaky chocolate bar?

I didn't buy any chocolate or sweets or anything I shouldn't have. I went home and had some more fruit. If nothing else I can be honest and say I have given this diet a proper chance and have followed it strictly this first week. I don't feel any better and I don't feel any thinner, Tuesday night will tell I guess. Even if this diet does work, it is not as easy or as straight forward as The Diet Plate is to use, in fact I may have to dig mine out and start using that as well as the Slimming World diet, can't hurt to use them in conjunction?

Have not done any more training today, was meant to, just didn't find the time, or motivation. We did watch the girl with the dragon tattoo thought, the new one.... its good, but I have a sneaky suspicion the book is better, I get this idea, as Kerry kept saying it all the way through the film!... It was nice to snuggle up with Kerry though, even if I do whinge about the films she picks...

28th April Food Diary

07:30    Omelette with Ham, Mushroom and Onion. (1.5 Syns)
08:30    500ml H2O
12:05    Banana
12:15    Muller light Cherry
13:30    Coffee (Black+Sweetener)
15:30    Coffee
16:30    Burgers, Chips and beans. Tomato Sauce (1 Syn)
16:50    750ml H2O
17:00    Lemsip Blackcurrant  (0.5 Syns) 
17:45    Pineapple, Blackberry, Strawberry, Banana, Apple, Muller light Cherry, 
               3 Mini Meringues (3 Syns)
18:30    500ml Dr Pepper Zero
20:00    Coffee
21:00    2x W.W Danish bread toasted (B) + Laughing cow light triangles (A)
21:55    500ml H2O

Today was a good day diet wise, in fact apart from being ill it was a good day all round. We started the day by running the children around to Karate and football etc. Kathleen's Karate lesson was excellent and I am really proud of her for starting at a new Dojo. This part of the day was fine, we took with us what we were allowed to eat. No problems!

We got home and spoke to the in-laws. We decided to pop round for a coffee. They had a little present for us and it was really nice of them (more about that on another post). Then it was decided we would stay for the day. I have to be honest I love my in-laws to bits, they are the nicest people and genuinely care about all of the family. Spending a day with them is quite normal and hugely enjoyable, however, it also tends to be quite food and booze filled. Now that's not a bad thing, in fact I rather enjoy it, but having just started a diet.... well you can see what I am getting at. My father-in-law (Les) is also a very hard man to say no too, if you order a drink it is always a large one, and if you at his house, its a quadrupole!

I have to be honest and say, this was not what I had planned.....

Having said that, Les has got a brand new Bravia 3D TV, and transformers Dark Side of the Moon 3D... so it was rude not to stay and watch it... the children watched it first (we only have 4 pairs of glasses) whilst Les and I played with new gift. Kerry ran home and picked up the ingredients for our planned lunch, arrived back and started cooking... all was going well. Les then suggested we went to the shop and got some snacks in for the film. Kerry and I dived into the books to see what we could have today that would not blow our points. Kerry settled on a curly wurly (6 Syns) and I on 50g Toffee Popcorn (10 Syns). Les and I shot of to the shop, now this is normally where I would fill up with junk and to be fair I was sorely tempted, Kerry would not know! However, I didn't we picked up the supplies minus the popcorn as they did not have any and headed home. Whilst the film was on I had my usual fruit, yogurt and meringue's.... yummy. 

I was impressed with Les and Ed (Mother-in-law) as neither of them offered us a drink, which to be fair I would have rationalised away the syns and fit at least 1 in if I am honest. It was quite a change for them as well, as normally they would have a drink whilst we were there... so maybe this diet is good for all of us?

It was a very enjoyable day all round and the film in 3D was excellent, although it took some getting used to! The only down side (if you can call it that) is that we did not fit in any exercise... still 1 day at a time....

Todays thought is... Death isn't sad. The sad thing is: most people don't live at all.

26 April 2012 Food Diary

07:30    Tea
09:00    Tea + Sugar (1 Syn)
10:40    Diet Coke
13:00    180g Pineapple
13:10    Sugar Free Redbull
13:20    Muller Light Strawberry
13:30    Melon, Apple, Grapes and Strawberry 300g
15:25    Melon, Apple, Grapes and Strawberry 300g
16:30    750ml H2O
18:50    750ml H2O
19:35    Luscious Lemon Hi-FI Bar (B)
20:00    Black Coffee + Sweetener
21:00    2x Chicken Breast wrapped in lean bacon, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower 
                Jacket Potato with 2 tsp lurpack Lighter (3 syns) 50g Feta (A)
21:30    Muller Light Cherry
21:40    Black Coffee + Sweetener

So that was day 2, as mentioned on yesterdays blog, woke up with a pounding headache which took most of the day to go. Today was quite hectic and I did not get to eat till late, but even so, not a bad day.
We now have the shopping in for the diet so should get a bit easier now and allow us to eat proper breakfasts etc, although it has to be said I am a great fan of fruit, always have been.... don't know why I stopped eating it in the first place really...

Did not get to do any exercise today, but Kerry and I are planning a pad session at home tonight. Think it will be the first time she uses her pink gloves in anger! I am really looking forward to it. I love training, I am a bit concerned as Kerry finds it difficult to hold pads for me and I do not want to hurt her! In reality, it has been a long time since I trained. I know I wont be able to do what my body used to do, but I am scared that it will be worse than I imagine... its not easy moving 30stone... especially quickly...

Feeling OK today, not great, due mainly to a cold, but not bad either. Feeling good about the food choices I have made the last couple of days.. RAWRRRR

One thought... The journey is what brings us happiness not the destination....