Another small loss, another 1lb down. I am now back to where I was before the horrible 7lb in 2 weeks that kick started this challenge. I can't believe it has taken twice as long to lose it as to gain it, I best keep that in mind when I think about falling from the wagon.
Now that I am starting to get more mobile with my ankle (I drove mum and me to slimming today - yippee for me), I am going to have to start upping up my exercise, I am not talking anything overly active but I think I could manage to do something everyday maybe go for a walk or swimming.
I really want a 2lb loss next week, I dread writing that as when I set a target I usually go off track, but I want my stone and a half award.
Check out my food diary here: Slimming World Challenge.
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
The Diet Struggle Continues !
I am having a bad diet week, I am still within the weekly syns but am struggling to maintain focus. I can't work out why I get like this. Is it boredom or a sense of why try so hard for such a small loss? I seem to get to week 4 and lose motivation. Keeping the diary is the only thing that is keeping me on plan at all, I nearly stopped at the weekend when I was eating everything in sight, but I wrote it all down on a scrap of paper and sat down while the kids were watching Karate Kid and worked out the syns.
I very nearly ate a McDonald's on Sunday, I checked the syns before we set off and decided that there was no way I was wasting that many on junk food; so while he and the not so little dears stuffed their faces, I had a coffee and a free bag of fruit (from an instant win on the monopoly game) instead. OK I admit it... I stole a single chip, a small bite of a cheeseburger (well we won that too - so it was free), and a sip of banana milkshake - but they are all counted and in the diary, I figure I showed real restraint not giving in and eating the second free cheeseburger.
I made the smash pizza on Saturday, but I forgot to take a photo - I will take one next time I make one. It was very filling, I think I made the base a bit too dry and I didn't roll it thin enough but other than that it was pretty good. I didn't feel too deprived when they were eating the proper stuff. I followed the Smash pizza recipe on Jess Collings' wonderful blog; although I had mozzarella, olives, pepperoni and roast chicken on mine.
I also made some chickpea snacks thanks to a helpful hint from someone in my SW group. I drained a can of chickpeas, laid them out on a baking tray, sprayed with fry light and sprinkled with season all and cooked for 15 minutes. I ate them still warm, was a bit like those hot peanuts you get in bars - quite yummy.
I very nearly ate a McDonald's on Sunday, I checked the syns before we set off and decided that there was no way I was wasting that many on junk food; so while he and the not so little dears stuffed their faces, I had a coffee and a free bag of fruit (from an instant win on the monopoly game) instead. OK I admit it... I stole a single chip, a small bite of a cheeseburger (well we won that too - so it was free), and a sip of banana milkshake - but they are all counted and in the diary, I figure I showed real restraint not giving in and eating the second free cheeseburger.
I made the smash pizza on Saturday, but I forgot to take a photo - I will take one next time I make one. It was very filling, I think I made the base a bit too dry and I didn't roll it thin enough but other than that it was pretty good. I didn't feel too deprived when they were eating the proper stuff. I followed the Smash pizza recipe on Jess Collings' wonderful blog; although I had mozzarella, olives, pepperoni and roast chicken on mine.
I also made some chickpea snacks thanks to a helpful hint from someone in my SW group. I drained a can of chickpeas, laid them out on a baking tray, sprayed with fry light and sprinkled with season all and cooked for 15 minutes. I ate them still warm, was a bit like those hot peanuts you get in bars - quite yummy.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Slimming World Challenge Week 3 Results
Tonight I lost 1lb, not exactly jumping for joy but that is three losses in a row. I didn't feel like I had lost much so it wasn't a surprise but I would like to see at least 2lb next week. The kids are staying this weekend which is always difficult, they are really fussy eaters and it isn't worth the arguments making them eat slimming world too. I am going to try Slimming World pizza on Saturday night then they can have regular pizza without tempting me.
I will share my results later.
I find the variation in weight loss frustrating, 1lb, 4lb then 1lb again. Why when we stick to the plan does the amount we lose vary so much?
My other half thinks that I am always a week behind on my weight loss, so the 4lb loss was a result of the first week on the challenge, and this weeks was the result of the 80 odd syns I had on week 2. This week was just over 70 syns so hopefully that should be somewhere between the two.
There is always the issue of hormones, If we throw them into the mix, last week was also star week and I always lose more then. Then there is how much you eat and drink on weigh day, I never eat exactly the same so if I haven't digested the food then it might weight heavier some weeks than others. There is also fluid retention as a result of exercise, hormones or medication. Then there is the clothes, I don't always wear the same thing so that can add or lose a lb. When you think about it, there is no surprise that sometimes you have an unexpected gain or lose more than you thought you would.
I was feeling a bit down about the size of the loss before I started this post, but when you put it all in perspective like that, it doesn't seem too bad.
Click here for my full food diary for the Slimming World Food Diary Lent Challenge.
I will share my results later.
I find the variation in weight loss frustrating, 1lb, 4lb then 1lb again. Why when we stick to the plan does the amount we lose vary so much?
My other half thinks that I am always a week behind on my weight loss, so the 4lb loss was a result of the first week on the challenge, and this weeks was the result of the 80 odd syns I had on week 2. This week was just over 70 syns so hopefully that should be somewhere between the two.
There is always the issue of hormones, If we throw them into the mix, last week was also star week and I always lose more then. Then there is how much you eat and drink on weigh day, I never eat exactly the same so if I haven't digested the food then it might weight heavier some weeks than others. There is also fluid retention as a result of exercise, hormones or medication. Then there is the clothes, I don't always wear the same thing so that can add or lose a lb. When you think about it, there is no surprise that sometimes you have an unexpected gain or lose more than you thought you would.
I was feeling a bit down about the size of the loss before I started this post, but when you put it all in perspective like that, it doesn't seem too bad.
Click here for my full food diary for the Slimming World Food Diary Lent Challenge.
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Slimming World Internet Recipe Trials
Mum and I decided to experiment with some Slimming World recipes we had seen online for tea tonight. We had both independently come across recipes for Diet Coke Chicken, and were intrigued to try it.
The basic recipe was
4 skinless chicken breasts
2 onions
1 can diet coke
1 tsp worcestershire suace
3 tbsp pasatta
Basically you fry off the chicken and onion until the chicken is starting to colour then add the other three ingredients and cook off until the sauce has thickened. We tested the sauce and decided it was a bit bland for our tastes so added the following
1 tsp chilli powder (ideally this would have been fried off with the meat at the start)
1 tsp chicken bovril
another tbsp pasatta
We cooked off the extra ingredients and served it with boiled rice.
The added heat from the chilli and the salt from the stock definitely gave it a more rounded flavour.
The basic recipe was
4 skinless chicken breasts
2 onions
1 can diet coke
1 tsp worcestershire suace
3 tbsp pasatta
Basically you fry off the chicken and onion until the chicken is starting to colour then add the other three ingredients and cook off until the sauce has thickened. We tested the sauce and decided it was a bit bland for our tastes so added the following
1 tsp chilli powder (ideally this would have been fried off with the meat at the start)
1 tsp chicken bovril
another tbsp pasatta
We cooked off the extra ingredients and served it with boiled rice.
The added heat from the chilli and the salt from the stock definitely gave it a more rounded flavour.
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| I think I was impatient to get eating as it is still a bit steamy - oopps! |
The second experiment came courtesy of a fellow blogger at Slimming World Recipes, she has some interesting recipes and this one caught my eye, well who wouldn't say no to syn free crisps.
I was very impressed by how like crisps they were, so moreish and dead easy to do. I have a horrible feeling the slimming world mafia may not approve, they can be awful funny about things like this. But assuming I don't gain weight this week, I will definitely try these again.
Sunday, 20 March 2011
Slimming World Black Forest Roulade
8 tbsp artificial sweetener
2-3 drops vanilla essence
2 level tbsp plain flour
1 level tbsp cocoa
1 tbsp hot water
8oz fresh cherries (stoned fresh or desfrosted frozen)
255g quark
1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees C/Gas 6. Put the eggs, sweetener and vanilla essence in a bowl and whisk until light and thick. Fold in flour and cocoa powder and add the hot water. Spoon into a 29.5 x 23cm/13 x 8 inch swiss roll tin lined with greaseproof paper.
Bake for 8-10 mins.
2.Turn out onto a piece of grease proof paper, peel away the backing paper and trim the edges. Roll up and leave to cool.
3.Reserve a few cherries for decoration. Unroll the sponge and spread with the quark (add sweetner and vanilla essence to taste, set some aside for the topping) leave a 4cm/1.5 inch border. Reroll and decorate with reserved quark mixture and cherries.
4. Cut into 6 slices and serve.
8.5 syns for the whole roulade, less than 1.5 syns per slice.
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| 8.5 syns for the whole roulade |
 |
Yummy and less than 1.5 syns per portion |
Serves 63 large eggs
8 tbsp artificial sweetener
2-3 drops vanilla essence
2 level tbsp plain flour
1 level tbsp cocoa
1 tbsp hot water
8oz fresh cherries (stoned fresh or desfrosted frozen)
255g quark
1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees C/Gas 6. Put the eggs, sweetener and vanilla essence in a bowl and whisk until light and thick. Fold in flour and cocoa powder and add the hot water. Spoon into a 29.5 x 23cm/13 x 8 inch swiss roll tin lined with greaseproof paper.
Bake for 8-10 mins.
2.Turn out onto a piece of grease proof paper, peel away the backing paper and trim the edges. Roll up and leave to cool.
3.Reserve a few cherries for decoration. Unroll the sponge and spread with the quark (add sweetner and vanilla essence to taste, set some aside for the topping) leave a 4cm/1.5 inch border. Reroll and decorate with reserved quark mixture and cherries.
4. Cut into 6 slices and serve.
8.5 syns for the whole roulade, less than 1.5 syns per slice.
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Slimming World Challenge Week 2
Hip hip hooray, I lost 4lb's, and even better I am Slimmer of the Week. I am really pleased, but considering that last time I had a good loss it was followed by two huge gains I am a little apprehensive about overdoing the celebration.
So far however, the challenge seems to be going well, a total loss of 5lb in two weeks. I have 6 weeks go to the end of the challenge, it will be interesting to see where I am by then. I would really like my 2 stone award, which is 9 lbs away.
I know it is possible as long as I stay motivated, I feel more passionate about sticking to the diet than I have in years, I actually want to stick to it, for me. Maybe that is it, the missing link - all this time I have wanted to be thinner because of what other people might think, I have wanted to be someone else. For the first time in ages, I just want to be me, I want to lose weight to make me happy not anyone else.
So far however, the challenge seems to be going well, a total loss of 5lb in two weeks. I have 6 weeks go to the end of the challenge, it will be interesting to see where I am by then. I would really like my 2 stone award, which is 9 lbs away.
I know it is possible as long as I stay motivated, I feel more passionate about sticking to the diet than I have in years, I actually want to stick to it, for me. Maybe that is it, the missing link - all this time I have wanted to be thinner because of what other people might think, I have wanted to be someone else. For the first time in ages, I just want to be me, I want to lose weight to make me happy not anyone else.
If you would like to see my food diaries I am writing them up on the Slimming World Lent Food Diary Challenge page.
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Slimming World Food Diary
I am still reeling from shock, I have gained 7lb, in just two weeks! Half a stone - I feel so annoyed, I won't make excuses, but I will say I didn't expect that size of gain.
The shock has made me determined to stick 100% to the diet this week. I really hope that the result will be a large loss, I am so disappointed I really wanted my two stone award by now, but I am back up at a total loss of less than a stone after this recent disaster.
I feel that there are some clear reasons for losing weight and I want to write them here for the world to see, that way I can't hide from them.
Reason 1: I want a sex life! How is that for brutally honest I think I may be finding my virginity again it really has been that long. I know I am unattractive and I have lost confidence in that department, but I miss feeling sexy and desirable; I don't expect to look like a page three model; just vaguely attractive.
Reason 2: I am reliably informed the PCOS symptoms will reduce if I lose weight down to a healthy level.
Reason 3: I hope losing weight will increase my fertility and my chances of conceiving (see reason 1)
Reason 4; I have little control or clue how to deal with anything else in my life, I think concentrating on weight loss as my primary goal for a while might lead me to resolving some of the other issues I am avoiding dealing with.
I promise to be good from now on, in fact for lent I am giving up cheating on slimming world! I am starting early so here is my food intake for the last 3 days.
Spaghetti with Quark, tinned tomatoes, 1 tbsp pesto (4 syns) and Quorn fillets.
1 Banana muller light and 1 plum.
Daily total 4 syns
Friday
Scrambled egg, fatless bacon, and tinned tomatoes.
Butternut squash and red pepper soup.
Pork loin and bovril on 4 ryvitas (HE).
Rhubarb muller light
Fresh Fig
Steak, SW chips, salad and 1 tspHelmans XL mayo (1/2 syn).
1 Hi Fi delux bar (6 syns).
Daily total 6.5 syns
Saturday
Bacon, dry fried egg, wholemeal bread (HE and 2.5 syns)
Butternut squash soup
SW lamb rogan josh, sw chicken balti, rice
4 x SW vegetable samosas (4 syns)
1 x Weight Watchers naan bread (5.5 syns)
2 x Coors Light beers (9 syns)
1 tsp lime pickle (0.5 syns)
1 x galaxy ripple (9 syns)
Daily Total 30.5 syns
Sunday
Bacon, scrambled egg, baked beans, 2 x weight watchers sausages (1 syn).
Plum
Roast chicken, dry roast potatoes, mashed potato, spring cabbage, carrots, leeks, yorkshire pudding (7 syns) and Gravy (4.5 syns)
2 x Alpen light (HE)
Daily Total 12.5 syns
Total so far this week 53.5 syns
The weekend is always the hardest part so I am pleased with how I have done so far, just got to keep it up.
Update will be posted tomorrow.
For the full food diary for this week and the whole of lent please see the Slimming World Food Diary Lent Challenge.
For the full food diary for this week and the whole of lent please see the Slimming World Food Diary Lent Challenge.
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