Not a good day - AF due, eating sweeties :-(

Well I did Wii last night for 45 mins, I can feel it in my legs this morning! The hula hooping is pretty hard work. Will aim to do maybe a shorter session tonight as my Mum is arriving later.

So far, so good today with food, had more than my five a day already with salad and fruit for lunch. Not sure I'm getting enough protein going by the pie chart on the daily plate, so will need to address that - maybe buy some smoked tofu for my lunch later in the week.

I definitely eat less at home than I do at work, so am off next week, which should help, if I can stay away from the kids' eggs!

Sun shine!

Is very motivational!
Have had a good food day so far, plus doing loads of cleaning, so the exercise is happening without me having to set the time aside. Got A mopping the loors with me, she's loving it! M still not herself, so she's lounging watching Charlie and Lola, wee scone.
Wii tonight, I'll aim for 45 mins once the kids are in bed.

Summer here we come :-)

Pistacchio nuts

I had a small handful today thinking it would make a healthy snack as I'm back on track with my eating - or so I thought! Went to enter the details in the Daily Plate - 170 cals for 7 nuts!!!! Now I know nuts are high in fat, but wow, didn't expect it to be so high.

Ah well, so I'm more focussed this week having booked the holiday - woohoo!!!! I have to imagine myself in my cossie, and right now that's not a pretty thought. 16 weeks to lose at least 22lbs, doable, if I put my mind to it.

Blah de blah

I started listing food consumption again today, not a great day foodwise, but almost stayed within my calorie limit.
Cal has just switched on the Wii, so going to to half an hour to get myself back into ti and then off to bed as I'm knackered!

Sabotage!!!!!

And all my own fault. Why, why, why, two punds down antother pound up. Own stupid fault for being a fat lazy trout. Blah!!!!!!!!!!!

1lb down!

Yay, back to where I was before my relapse! And still feeling motivated.
Another 30 mins on the Wii Fit last night. Stepping and Hula Hooping mostly. Feel I'm seeing a slight difference on my belly, which is encouraging. Also, with my new scales I can see each 0.1 of a lb go, so even if I don't lose a lot, I still know I'm going in the right direction.
Met a friend for coffee yesterday (well a skinny hot chocolate with no cream! - I don't like coffee) so when I looked up the calorie content for my plate I was shocked by some of the calories in all the Starbucks range. A SKINNY muffin was nearly 400 cals! I couldn't believe it. I've thought they were pretty ok before, but now I'll avoid them.

So porridge for breakfast today, I am doing this! I feel good about it and plan to keep this feeling.

Found a useful website

http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/users/myplate/ So have entered all my data for today into it. Pretty easy to sue and has all the UK supermarkets too, so brands aren't an issue. Yay!

Wavering

Posting to stop myself snacking!
Gutted to find our massage therapist may not be coming back after Easter too! Blah!

Anyway - keeping my resolve, not giving in to temptation, I don't need crisps right now, lunch is only a little while away!

Forgot to mention I'm having a massage this morning - yay! Love getting them and just what I need to relax a bit.

Just starting my day as I mean to go on

Reminding myself here to be in control of my eating actions today.
Porridge for breakfast at my desk this morning.

I'm feeling positive, the scales aren't moving down as quickly as I want, but the general trend is a very slow downward one, which is better than up.

No planned exercise this morning, waiting for someone to come and look at my car, so I'm not going for a walk, although it's a lovely sunny morning. But, will get back on the Wii tonight and do some stepping. Maybe aim for 30 mins tonight, as I seem to be hogging the TV these days!

I love love love my Wii fit!

Honestly - I'm so in love with it i cannot believe it LOL
60 minutes again tonight, but it just feels like fun and not a trial. Did mostly stepping, some running and some hula hooping. It's great to have goals, to aim to beat myself, but also to have it all recorded.

Did ok food wise today, I seem to have a time in the mid afternoon when I crave crunch, so I'll need to watch out for that.

Ironing won out over the Wii last night, but at least there was some activity and no eating! LOL

Off to bed now, still doing the plank at bedtime, managed 50 seconds last night, will aim for that agin tonight, night night. x

New month, new me!

The calorie counting is really focussing my mind on portion sizes and just what I am eating. I'm fiding I'm not so inclined to grab a biscuit or crisps as they will use up the calories i need for "real" food. Feeling pretty motivated on that one, which is great. I just need to keep it up.

Did 62 minutes on the Wii Fit last night. Mainly hula hooping, stepping and running! What a laugh. Anna beat me in a race! Also some balance stuff, which I suppose isn't strenuous, but hopefully having an effect in other ways. Managed to reduce my Wii age to 38! yay! So at least I'm down to the age I actually am LOL.

Still doing the plank each night before bed. Can only manage 40 seconds, but I really feel my muscles working.

I'm hoping this is a plan I can actually stick to, I did calorie counting in my teens and the consequences weren't good, but I'm more mature now and know that I need a balanced diet.

Also the reports in the media this week about 40% of cancers being preventable and being mainly down to poor diet and lack of exercise really woke me up. I'm now at an age I can't ignore these things.

So - March, start of Spring, start of my new regime and countdown to a summer of lovely clothes!

Aiming for 16 years younger!

Set up the Wii fit last night, what a hoot. Absolutely love it! I can see me spending a lot of time on it. Totalled 30 mins worth of excercise, but was mainly trying out the different activities.
Only downside was it told me I was 54!
Ah well, I have goals!

Started calorie counting yesterday. I'm not 100% accurate as homemade stuff can't be, but I reckon I was on around 1200. Going to aim for between 1200 and 1500 a day and hopefully, combined with the exercise, I will start to see a big difference.

The scales took back one of the lbs it had added back on this morning, thank goodness, but still up. However, walked to Princes Street and back again this morning, and will have another go on the Wii Fit tonight. I now feel I can do this!!

The Wii fit has arrived!!!

Yay! i'm going to set it up tonight when the girls are in bed. No excuses now, I will have a programme and be monitored - I can no longer hide!!!!!!

Not in love with my new scales

Because I'm now back where I started ugh - I'd been trying so hard.
A wee boost of a pound down would have been nice. Blah!

Just saying no!

I'm typing here to stop me giving in to the crisp craving that has just come over me. In the office alone and it would be so easy, but no!!!!!!! NO!!!!

I'm taking a set of hand weights home with me tonight to use on the stepper, bye bye bingo wings! Woohoo!!!!

So reminding myself that I won't get that lovely summer skirt and top if I indulge, I want to look good in them not like a blob. Just say no - just say no - just say no!!!!!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More motivated

Last night I did 500 steps on the stepper, spent 1/2 hr bzzing with my slendertone, did 50 crunches and the plank for , well 40 seconds, but boy does that hurt!
This morning I walked from work to Princes Street, right along Princes Street and back through the Grassmarket. All on the quest for a High School Musical bottle! Got one and a Buzz lightyear cup for Mouse, so she wouldn't be jealous.
So, after doing all that I'm not spoiling it by eating crap, so had a fruit salad and a shape fill you up yoghurt for breakfast.
Can't quite give up the fizz, but have bought caffiene free Diet Coke which will hopefully be fine, as I had been told by the doc to cut out caffiene altogether, and creeping back on the Diet Coke was bringing the symptoms back.
So, plan for today is eat well, stepper again tonight.... lather rinse repeat all week.

Goal pic

Is my new profile pic. I made it ages ago on one of those model things and saved it - so there it is - what I want to look like by summer.
I'm blogging away today lol!
Pottering around on the pc while the girls are playing with dough.

Looking up tips on staying motivated

Been on the hunt for tips, I'm rubbish at keeping a food diary, but I like some of these. I think an overhaul of positive thinking is what I really need. Not just about appearance and health, but about the big picture, I need to shift my focus from what isn't right to what is and how I can make that spread to all areas.

The following tips can help you achieve your desired weight loss and maintain a steady, healthy diet that's right for you.

Find a diet you can live with. Sure, you can probably lose weight by eating cabbage soup three times a day, but who can stick to such a diet for long? No matter what diet you choose, make sure it includes a variety of food. A good rule of thumb is that if you can take a client to lunch and still stick to your diet, it's one you can stay on for the long haul. This I can do, I can stick with the healthy meals, but it's the snacking that does it for me. I know I snack out of habit/boredom/stress and very rarely hunger. I need to combat the urge to snack.

Remember where you started. You know those photos you hate? The ones where you look your heaviest? Now's the time to dig them out and start thinking of them as your "before" pictures. Visualize what it'll be like when you can put your "after" pictures next to them. They are embedded in my brain!!!!!

Make a list of things you'll do when you hit your goal weight. Don't just make a list of one-liners -- get into some detail. If one of your goals is to visit old friends you've been ignoring, think about where you'll "happen" upon them, and what you'll say when they remark about how good you look. Try to add to your goal list everyday. At the very least, go over it and pick the one goal you're looking forward to the most that day. Use that image as motivation to keep going. Maybe this could be something I keep on my desk, so that when I start to think about snacking I can write down a goal instead? I don't want anyone else reading it though - hmmm.

Find a "diet buddy." Being accountable to someone else can help you through some rough spots. Hearing someone else's struggles will help you come up with suggestions for them that will help strengthen your resolve. And when you're feeling down, someone else who knows what it's like just might say the thing that gets you going again. Lorriane <3

Avoid known trouble spots. If you consistently overeat in certain situations, stay out of those situations. But you always go out with your co-workers after work on Friday? Well, if that's your downfall, you just have to decide whether "tradition" is worth your health. Look for people who want to start an after-work tradition that doesn't revolve around eating and drinking. I can't escape my desk! Need a strategy! See above!

Don't let a setback sabotage you. Everybody stumbles at some point. But the people that finally reach their goal weight are the people who pick themselves up, wipe the ice cream from their chin, and get back to their diet. Beat yourself up for about a minute and then drop it. Move on. Your goal isn't behind you -- it's right out there in front. Get going! Yep, this is me, I've failed I may as well eat a whole cake....

Make realistic goals. Your high school reunion is in six weeks (what a great place to make business contacts!) but you're not going unless you lose 45 pounds first. Well, if that's your criteria, save the stress and forget about going. If you do hit your goal, you'll regret it later when you realize that half the weight you lost was muscle, not fat, and since you can't keep up an extreme weight-loss program for the long term, the yo-yo effect will be horrible. Yes, the suggested one to two pounds a week weight loss sounds too slow, but think of it this way. At that rate you can safely lose 100 pounds by this time next year. Without suffering. I'd be happy to see even 1lb a week come off. *sigh*

BONUS TIPS
Whatever it takes -- no matter what. When you're serious about getting fit, let that be your motto. It'll be inconvenient to eat right at times, you'll want to just let go other times. But stay committed to the goal and visualize the results. Don't let anyone or anything stand in your way.




From another site:


Weight Loss 101

Sometimes we start losing weight, but we never finish. We ditch another diet. We throw in the towel on our exercise efforts. Maybe it's from outside pressure; sometimes we aren't ready to lose weight. Whatever the cause, it is not at all uncommon.
That doesn't mean you're destined for failure. Even if you've started and stopped 100 times before, this time doesn't have to end the same way.
By putting some important skills to use, you will find it a little easier to stick to your weight loss efforts than if you rely on sheer will alone.

Skill One: Reward Yourself
One of the best ways to stay motivated throughout your weight loss journey is to reward yourself with non-food rewards that you will look forward to and enjoy. It can be something tangible (a new book) or something intangible (no less important), such as a lazy Saturday of watching movies in bed. I need to think of things I can do to reward myself, they must be cheap, I can't get a day to myself or anything (Dh works weekends I work all week), ideas please! (If anyone's reading!)

By marking a goal -- say, each five pound loss -- you will begin to correlate reaching your goals with a pleasurable experience. When simply seeing the scale numbers change loses its "buzz," that special treat will keep you going.

Skill Two: Track Your Progress and Portions

Whether you keep a spreadsheet on your computer or simply jot down your stats in a notebook, keeping an eye on your progress will keep you motivated. You can track your weight, measurements, or BMI -- it is up to you. By looking back at how far you've come, you're less likely to revert to old habits.

Additionally, if you keep careful records, you will be able to catch slip-ups in your calorie counting or exercise habits that, left unchecked, could cause a major plateau or weight gain.
Careful record-keeping includes closely monitoring portion sizes -- what many say is the most important long-term weight management key. Over-doing portions of even healthier foods can mean the difference between long-term weight loss success and eventual failure. Keeping a food diary is the best way to keep on top of what you're eating. I wonder if calorie counting is an option - it caused me loads of grief as a teen and as a result I've never tried that, but I'm older and wiser now...

Skill Three: Master Emotional Eating
To achieve long-term weight loss success, you will have to come face-to-face with any emotional eating habits by asking some important questions: Do you overeat when you're angry? Do you splurge on an extra serving of dessert when you're feeling frustrated?
Being honest with yourself is the only way to get the true measure of your emotional eating triggers. Without facing them, you will always be less likely to be in control of your weight. Yep *raises hand*

Skill Four: Prepare for the Pushers
There will always be people who encourage you to go off your diet "just this once." That's not really a problem until "this once" becomes time and time again. If every time you see someone you go off the rails at their suggestion, it may mean you need to distance yourself or have a serious talk with about your weight loss efforts.
Peer pressure doesn't end when you get older; it's ever-present if your friends and family correlate enjoying time with you to eating with you. Plan non-food activities with loved ones and work hard to resist temptation when you're in an environment where food is part of the festivities. See desk comments above, this is true for me.

Skill Five: Remember, It's About Health, Too
In a Web poll, 65% of our site's visitors said they were losing weight for appearance's sake; only 35% said they were doing it for their health. To be honest, that surprised me quite a bit, considering how great an impact weight loss has on health and overall quality of life.
The thing is, your slimmer self will become your norm. The compliments about your weight loss will die down. Once you've worn that "new and improved" size for a while, the thrill of trying on the clothes in your new wardrobe will start to fade. Shopping outside a plus size store, if you're doing so for the first time, will be exciting only for so long (or until your credit cards are maxed out). So, if you ask me, it's not all about looks.
When motivation to stick to your new eating and exercise habits wanes, and a quick glance in the mirror doesn't do the trick, considering the many health risks of obesity probably will get you going. By maintaining a healthier weight, you are more likely to live a longer life with fewer medical problems. Wearing a smaller size is just the icing on the cake; a happier, healthier life is the ultimate reward. At this point in my life I am definitely thinking about the health issues. I'll be forty next year, I want to feel great in my forties.

Bzz Bzz

Laughing at myself here. I was having a clearout and found a Slendertone belt I had bought off ebay ages ago lol. Must have taken a notion to that after Maddie was born. Anyway, I've just rigged it up and am wearing it as I do the housework. Not sure if that's an effective of it, but I'll give it a go.
There are three pads that give a blast of something every few seconds and apparently cause my abdominal muscles to workout. It feel like the TENS machine I used with both my labours, but thankfully without the pain. It's a bizarre sensation, not sure if it's actually doing anything and don't know how long I need to keep using it to find that out LOL. Apart from the big plastic control on the front I could wear it under clothes quite discretely, but I think if I went into work with this bulge at the front the gossip would fly LOL. So I'll give it a blast at home and see what happens.
Been using the Wii quite a bit, and we're definitely getting the fit board when it comes into stock. I know that's not a massive amount of exercise, but it's stopping me sitting still. Also planning to get the personal trainer game and feel with the goals they set it will be something I can stick to as I'll see some progress.
anyway, going to Bzzz off now and clean the bathroom LOL

Had a couple of days off, been lovely to be around the girls for a bit extra, they are so funny!
Went swimming with them yesterday, which doesn't mean that I go any exercise, but they had fun. M is so bold, she was heading off to the deep end without a backwards glance, A, on the other hand, wanted her feet firmly on the floor, had to really coax her, and that's despite all the swimming lessons. She's just not a water baby.

Looked in the mirror and felt rubbish, so heavy and blobby, also didn't help that a Facebook friend posted a pic of her in a teeny weeny bikini and there wasn't an ounce of flab. Not fair!

Weight still the same, but not gone up, funk is lifting slowly, but still feel like I'm wading in treacle a bit.

On the plus side got a new mobile phone deal and we're getting a free Wii! Yay, so am going to invest in a Wii fit and make the most of that.

Come on spring

This funk isn't lifting, AF has been and gone and I still want to punch someone LOL.
I need a good nights sleep and some daylight.

Been ok ish food wise, had some kiddie sweets today, but avoided chocolate etc. Will do some more stepping tonight, it's getting easier, finally!!!!

Not in the mood to write much, think I'll go and step away the grumps now....

300 steps

and 50 crunches, a start... baby steps, if I don't start somewhere it won't happen at all.

Scales also down 1/2lb...

Blah

Having one of those days where I just feel blah. I did lose another 1lb, so that's good, but I'm on a downer today. Which is always crappy when it comes at a weekend, seems like such a waste. A day like that at work seems ok because I've got work to keep me busy. At home, when trying to do fun things, i'm just so not in the mood. AF must be around the corner.
Luckily I haven't fallen into the eating trap, but not been motivated to exercise. I've done the stepper about 4 evenings. Not done yoga yet.
Calum upstaged me by doing 2000 steps last night, so I felt like a real loser with my 400. :-(

Monday again tomorrow, doubt I'll manage my mini goal of !0lbs off by the end of Feb, but maybe 5lbs off is actually achievable.

Stepper

Put the stepper together, which was very straightforward and have done 200 reps on it. My heart rate was up and felt like I was really working. Till I checked the calories burned - 28.4!!! LOL What would that be? A carrot?
Ah well, it's a start. I need to get the habit going. Hopefully get my fat thighs toned a bit more. Also better than the rebounder right now as less danger of getting a black eye with a stray bouncing boob. Will try for 200 reps a night this week and then step up next week. Easy to do, took around 5 mins, so no excuse really not to do it.
Next step yoga, will do that tomorrow night (Lorraine if you're readin - nag me!)

New month

Well my new scales are now a daily feature in my life, and true to them shocking me I have lost 1lb since buying them! Yay! although yesterday was my daughter's 6th birthday, so I did indulge in cake, but I'm quite determined to get going again today.
Put together my new stepper (another bargain) and will install it in front of the TV later, even if I do 10 mins of that a day it's going to do some good.
Trying to get myself out of the "fat" minset, I'm sure that's one of the big hurdles to overcome. I saw a skit and top I'd like for the summer, so keeping that in mind, I need to be slimmer to wear them, I'm aiming to release the slim me from within! Positive thinking, believing I am on my way to a new me and not making excuses, that's the start of February!

New Scales

I knew mine were out, they are the old dial ones. So when I saw Slater body analyser ones for £7.50 down from £29.99 today I treated myself.
Got them home and shocked myself! They weigh 5lbs more than my old scales. I know they are more accurate, but I didn't need that. Bah! So it's back to square one.
They also, shockingly, flag up th % of fat you have (too high) and the % water (too low). So there can be no more slacking, I have to fix this now and get myself healthy. :-(

Ugh, as it get closer to Monday I keep thinking of ways I'm going to fail. My positive outlook from earlier in the week is beginning to wane. Not sure why, maybe just the whole thing tying in with the end of the Christmas break and getting back to the normal routine I suppose.
I can't afford to put weight on as that would necessitate new clothes, we don't have the spare cash for me to fork out on a new fat wardrobe. If I lose I kept all my smaller clothes from between my pgs, when I did successfully lose.
I can do it again, I will do it again, I am making a big step towards good health!

Plans!

I've decided that next week will be a week of simply healthy eating. I am not going to count calories or drastically change my meals, which are generally pretty well balanced. I will however rule out any unhealthy snacking and replace snacks with fruit or veg snacks.
I think trying this approach one week at a time will hopefully work and I can see results early on. With the wee one's birthday coming at the end of this first week I'll hopefully have seen some difference before that to encourage me not to indulge too much.
This has to be a positive way of eating, not a "diet" as such, more of a shift to a healthier attitude towards food and ensuring that I eat a blanced diet as well as cutting out the rubbish.
So, starting Monday and continuing till Saturday I will not have any cakes/biscuits/chocolate/sweets. If I have crisps it will be those that are under 100 cals a bag such as Quavers and limited to one pack in a day.
I have to believe this is possible as the additional 7lbs I've put on this year have to be the first to go!