Too Much Good Food!

I've had an up and down couple of weeks, some weight off, some weight on.  Not entirely sure why, but as always, I am remaining philosophical about it and know that all the hard work I am doing WILL pay off in the end.

I've been doing lots of cooking this week, this fact will have NOTHING to do with my weight gain this week, I'm sure, it couldn't could it, nah, nothing ;)

One of the ladies at Fat 2 Fit Club discovered a fab app called Fast Paleo, it has some fantastic recipes on it and I fear I may have got a little carried away........
So far I have cooked:
- banana bread
- cinnamon cookies
- almond & courgette bread
- carrot and banana muffins
- Chipotle honey pulled pork
- Chicken wings
- Coffee pot roast beef

A mighty impressive list I'm sure you'll agree, however I am soooo going to have to rein it in.  The pulled pork is amazing, I refuse to stop making that dish, but I know I definitely have to bake less :(  This does not make me happy, and I am a happy person.

On the exercise front I have worked like crazy (my opinion obviously!), 5hrs of training with the evil ones - Chris L of Innovate Personal Fitness and Chris M of Urban Gym should have left me a broken woman, but no, I have survived!  OK, my thighs do ache a little today - I did 2 sessions yesterday, but overall it has been a good week.  The classes are brill and the support from all the other 'Fitties' is amazing.

So, plan for this week.....  I have got to get back on track so I think I will go full detox mode, and probably include a fasting day.  I actually find going without food for 24hrs a relatively easy experience, once you get passed not having breakfast the rest of the day usually goes by OK, hunger is kept at bay through drinking water and of course the prospect of a cracking tea :)

More ramblings soon.  Now that's something for you to look forward to isn't it!

Paaaaartttyyy!!!

Oh my gawd!

There are a number of things I should probably put into this installment.

Firstly, it's been ages since I last bored you all senseless with my ramblings, not sure why, it just is.

F2F is still being amazing, although the weight is not dropping off, my overall fitness is slowly improving.  I have had a couple of landmark things happen since we last spoke - firstly I skipped.  It might not sound much but after about 6 thwarted attempts, I finally managed to skip for the duration of the exercise and let me tell you I was well proud of myself :)
Secondly, and again it isn't earth shattering but I ran for over a kilometre without stopping.  I don't think I've ever done that and as I stumbled off the treadmill all sweaty and red faced I must admit to also sporting a rather bonkers looking grin - my prerogative, afterall I had done all the hard work.

Eating wise it is going OK, strangely no yearnings for bread but always something sweet, luckily the delish carrot and banana muffins usually put paid to that.

Two weeks ago I made a massive decision, and that was to resign from my singing group and commit fully to the F2F program.  As we do three sessions a week I really wanted to be there for all of them.  I did only miss one session due to choir practice, but the entire time I was there I felt really guilty, strangely I have not had the same feelings about missing choir, this confirms to me that I have made the right decision.

Well, so far we have made it through two lots of F2F and it just gets better and better.  The boys, Chris L and Chris M just keep coming up with more and more ingenious ways of getting us to work our butts off, some with considerably more success than me!

As a reward, a 'social' was organised.  OMG it was fabby!  So, a few of us gathered at Kate's for a couple of pre-show drinks then onto dinner at Restaurant Bar & Grill.  Nice food, great atmosphere and superb company.  After chowing down we headed off into town for a couple more beverages.  Now I'm not sure I should say anymore, if you want to find out about our nights out you will just have to sign up to the program. Ladies only though - sorry boys :)

And that brings us up to date.  More soon.  Toodle-pip

Gloves at the Gym??

Hurrah!!!!!

After the disappointment of last week I am very pleased to report that I have lost 4lbs this week :)

Last week I resolved to go right back to basics and I did.  I stuck hard and fast to the basic eating guidelines and combined with a decent amount of exercise I hope that I have put myself back on track.  I find it really difficult when I get set backs, but the support of the F2F group has been fab, both Chris Lupton & Chris Mackay and of course the other fab ladies sweating it out with me, so I advise anyone who is struggling to stick with it.

Thankfully it is not all beige*, there have been some flashes of colour in the food department this week.
(*by beige I mean no 'fun' food)
After searching the web for Paleo inspired dishes I happened upon some baking recipes, you can guess what's coming next..... after a visit to the shops and ingredients duly bought I revved up my baking mojo and made some truly delicious Carrot and Banana muffins.
I used some of my work colleagues as guinea pigs (pigs being the operative word here) and they loved them!  So much so that I had to box them up so they didn't eat them all :)

Flushed with my initial success, the remainder of the muffins were taken to F2F and proved equally as popular, I decided to try a cookie recipe.  This one included raw honey (how expensive!?!?) and although once again they were popular with the people at work, I wasn't so keen.  Bit too much honey taste for me and also too much walnut flavour, I prefer pecans.  They did look good though :)

Another bonus this week was the gluten free sausages that Ashlea and her husband raise and sell.  Obviously they don't raise sausages, but you know what I mean.  Check out Hole House Farm on Facebook if you're interested,  I promise you they are the best sausages I have ever eaten (and believe me I've eaten plenty).

Having missed F2F on Friday as I was at choir practice I hit the gym with renewed vigor on Saturday and Sunday and got proper hot and sweaty.  Cardio followed by resistance and abs, I am a machine.  A slow, ploddy, wobbly machine but a machine either way ;)  After wheezing away on the rowing machine on Saturday my hands hurt (aaawww) so I decided it was time to get out the gym gloves.  Very grand and professional you might say, a necessity I say.  When you have hands like mine that are dainty and delicate (!) then you have to do all you can to protect them, as a result I own a pair of gloves that I use when lifting weights and repetitively pulling on handles etc.  Well the gloves were out on Sunday, and thankfully so.  After 15 mins on the x-trainer and 3000m on the rowing machine my poor hands would have been hurting and blimey I might even start developing callouses (urgh).

I think I will take them along to F2F this week just in case I need to get a firm grip on something ;)

Booo Hisssss

First week off detox and I've put 2lbs back on :(

I seriously am rubbish at this whole dieting thing, but I am not despondent, well not that much!

I am still loving the exercise days and am supplementing with sessions at the gym.  I find it amazing that no matter how knackered I feel before I go, I feel totally alive and buzzing by the time we finish.
the new group is good, although I will admit to not knowing most of the new faces, but morale is high and this week has seen more fantastic results in relation to weight and inch loss - well done ladies!!

The boys are fab at bossing us along, even those of us (me) who constantly try to find an 'easier' alternative to some of the exercises :)

So, my first week off the detox and I will admit to being a little demob happy.  This week found the odd Haribo, digestive biscuit and even a cheeky slice of pizza finding their way into my face.  Disappointing for all, especially me.  I was convinced I could slacken off a bit and remain successful, I do the same thing with every weight loss program, and always gain some weight back, you would think that I would be wise to this by now, but apparently I'm not.  This is, hopefully, the ONLY week this is going to happen, I promise this to myself and anyone else willing to listen.

I know I always sound like I don't take this stuff seriously, but I do, I love what Chris & Chris are doing.  Seeing the changes in all of the ladies, both old and new, is fab, but I don't want to be obsessive about it, I can't allow it to be all consuming, it has to become part of who I am and how I live my life, not WHY I live my life :)

So, Friday is an example of my dedication to this life (well I think it is).  Friday is choir day, find us on Facebook - look for Serendipity Ladies Choir, still looking for new members :).  Anyway, back to me..... the traffic was shocking, 30 mins from the top of Westmorland to the Empress roundabout meant that I was NEVER going to make practice, so I did a 360 at the roundabout, rushed in, got changed and headed up to F2F, sooooo glad I did, fab workout and just what I needed after a stupid busy and long week at work, my 16hr Thursday had made me a tad weary!

Inspired by this I have also done two sessions at the gym, lots of abs work - dead flies and kettlebells featured prominently, along with much grunting and groaning.  Thank goodness I had the 'quiet' workout room to myself!

Anyway, I'm putting myself back in detox mode, super strict and focused.  Hopefully this will give my body the kick in the arse that it needs (I still can't get my foot to my own ass with enough force for it to be meaningful).  Let's hope for a better weigh in result next week!

End of Chapter 1

Blimey those 3 weeks have flown passed!

This time three weeks ago I was starting to feel nervous about the start of the Fat 2 Fit 3 week detox program with Chris Lupton (www.innovatefitness.co.uk) and Chris 'coffee' Mackay, and now suddenly, somehow we are at the end already and I am 14lbs lighter than I started :)

The group has been flabulous!  A great set of women with one goal in mind and the spirit and determination to do something about it :)
I must admit that the idea of a group exercise session didn't fill me with joy at the start, I can't imagine anyone with a body like mine being happy to have a bunch of strangers watching them wibble and wobble their way through a series of torturous exercises (thanks guys!).  However, I am happy to be proved very, very wrong on this occasion, because it has been BRILLIANT!!!

The working together, sharing ideas, supporting each other and general chat has been a real bonus.  I like to think that this is just the beginning for us all, and even though some are not carrying on with the sessions, we will all stay on contact and keep showing each other the level of support and banter that we have started to develop.

Before I get too gushy, I really should thank the chief torturers - Chris Lupton & Chris Mackay.  They have done a fab job of taking a group of skeptical women and converting us to a way of living that can only lead to better things.  I would especially like to thank them for the ridiculous circuits they put us through, who knew smashing a ball into the floor could be so pleasurable!

So now we are moving on, the original band of 'losers' is breaking up (sob) and new folks have signed up, I must admit to being nervous that the ethos of the group might get diluted, but I guess we will just to wait and see.

Well, here's to the future and the next 14lbs :)

Week 2 already

Can't quite believe that we have reached the end of wk2 of Fat to Fit (I still like my alternative name better!).

It's been ace so far, lots of laughs, lots of torture, (thanks Chris & Chris) but as masochists we keep turning up 3 times a week for our fix :)

Fridays session was tough, far too many burpees and crunches for my liking and I was convinced that my stomach 'muscles'* would be hurting on Saturday morning.
* - I use the word muscles in the loosest sense of the word because I am in no doubt that I do not have any muscles there, anyone who witnessed my attempt at a 5 second crunch will whole heartily agree!

However, after a fun evening in the pub, consuming water, which is surprisingly easy to do, although the odd look from people who don't know why and assume you must be a recovering alcoholic, I woke on Saturday to no pain.  Yaaaaaaaaaay abs of steel!!!  lol

Had fab plans to hit the gym on Saturday but was called upon to help out a friend so never made it, oh well ;)
Like every weekend we have had during this program I have not felt hungry, so after having a glass of juice for breakfast, I decided at 4pm that I really should have some lunch, didn't really want it but forced myself to eat a jug of turkey chilli.  That was it for food except for a cheeky Nakd bar, I love those guys.

So........  Sunday morning dawned and as we know by know it is officially LKD (Lead Knicker Day).  The scales (Wii fit board) beckoned my to step upon it, I didn't want to, it kept calling, I still didn't want to.  Having dreamt last night that I had gained back all the weight I lost in wk1 I DEFINITELY didn't want to get on the scales.  However it is an unavoidable necessity and I duly climbed aboard.

3lbs gone, making a grand total of a stone in the 2wks :)  I know I shouldn't be disappointed but I really wanted to drop 4lbs this week to take me into the next stone bracket, but hey ho, this will only serve to spur me on.  Having purchased a proper tape measure this week I was hoping that it might show some loss of inches, my clothes are feeling looser so it must be happening, sadly not.  Once again I measured and found that I have only diminished by about 1 inch overall, aaaarrrrrgggggghhhhhhh.

Well it was off to the gym this morning instead, I do like exercising.  Some cardio and lots of core, plus some kettle bells - I am a machine!  A fairly slow, ploddy type machine, but we all know it's the tortoise that wins, right?

Although we are now in the final week I am glad that the torturers are continuing with the group exercise classes, I must admit I didn't think I would like it, but as we are mostly in the same situation it has turned out to a real laugh, I hope the new classes have the same feeling.
If you're interested, and if you are looking to step up your fitness/diet/both the get in touch with @ChrisLuptonpt at  http://www.innovatefitness.co.uk .  He will hurt you but you will love him ;)

Halfway there....

Crikey, these last few days have been a blur.

First the good news..... I lost 11lbs in week one :)))

Second the not so good news...... somehow my inch loss was miserable, barely an inch gone off the bits that were being measured :(((
Must admit to using a metal tape measure, but even so, I was sure I would have shown a better return, I guess all the fat must have been from one of my multiple chins!

The exercise classes with Chris Lupton (http://www.innovatefitness.co.uk) and Chris Mackay have been ace, really enjoying the group workouts, the sound of the others puffing and panting covers the sound of my sobbing and swearing!

Can't quite believe we are already halfway through the program but I must admit I have found the complete change of diet fairly easy to manage.  As a bakers daughter, food tech teacher and confirmed bread lover I was dreading not being able to have anything made from wheat flour but having taken time to look at recipes online and using the feedback and ideas from the rest of the group I am managing to put together a nice range of meal ideas.

One of the best things I have done is to buy a juicer :)  All the results so far have been fab, although my first attempt of just fruits was too sweet, I now add loads of veg to the mix and spice it up with some root ginger. I must say that I have not been disappointed.
As a result I am now replacing breakfast with a glass of juice, quite frankly I was getting a bit sick eating eggs, didn't really eat them before so suddenly eating them on a daily basis was all a bit too much.  Obviously if they were in cake form I might not have given them up so easily.
That said, I have made a pastry free quiche and it is delish :)

More good news today... @ChrisLuptonpt and Chris M are planning on continuing the group fitness classes - yay :)
Although I go the gym, I find myself quick to cheat if I am left to my own devices, so the fact that I will still be seeing the top torturers is good news for me and my plans.

Roll on the rest of the week!

I Don't Like Lamb

Day 5
The day I thought about bread

Here we are, nearly at the end of week 1 of our group project.  A small select band of ladies all working REALLY hard with Chris L & Chris M to put in place some ideas and mindset to help put our (my) life back on track.

Now, I've been really proud of myself all week and I am still am feeling proud of myself, but crikey its been a tempting couple of days.  My exam groups have been doing some fine cooking and bless them, as always they want my opinion on what they have done, sometimes it's so hard to say to no, but once I explain why they are brilliant.  But, my god I could have ripped the banana muffin straight from the oven!!

All the way home in the car all I could think about was bread, luckily I was running late and didn't have time to go to the shop.  If I had it might have been carnage in the bread aisle!  I imagined myself grabbing fresh crusty rolls and just cramming them in my mouth, rolling around on pile of thick sliced white and rubbing bagels across my face.  Well, OK, I wouldn't have done it really but it's an increasingly attractive plan :)

Off to F2F (remember my alt name ladies!) and yet another killer circuit, thanks guys!
Again with the star jumps, seriously, if I was meant to get a body the size of mine of the ground I would come with equipped with some sort of springs or jet assistance.
Anyway, there were star jumps and planking, bloody hell they hurt my back, apparently I needed to raise my ass in the air a bit more.  When stick thin men are telling me lift my fat ass higher in the air, they have NO idea of the effort that involves.

After the hour of torture, I wasn't feeling hungry so I hit the shower and then hit the pub.  Fab night had, weird how pubs really smell of booze!  Never notice this when I'm drinking, but blimey there was a whiff of ale in the air last night.  I actually quite enjoy drinking water in a night out, its certainly a cheap night out!  One draw back being the ridiculous number of visits to the loo I had to make and when the 'turn' is located not far from the toilet doors, it starts to look like I might be a bit of a groupie!  That aside I managed to keep my hunger at bay with water and went to bed still not feeling hungry.

Day 6
The day I discovered I definitely don't like lamb.

Saturday morning, lovely lie in and off to the gym.  Yes, that's right, OFF TO THE GYM!!!!

Still not hungry, this is turning into a fast.  Can't understand why I'm not hungry, but I'm not, so there.

Wobbled, puffed, panted and sweated my way through an hour at the gym, drank a litre of water and once suitably freshened up went into town.  Still not hungry.
Primark was definitely a mistake.  Why did I do it?  I realise I'm going to sound like a grump but I ruddy hate prams and buggies, especially the woman with the massive double buggy try to negotiate her way through Primarni at midday, I mean seriously!

A wonder through M & S food hall resulted in some healthy goodies, although I could of done some damage to a packet of Percy Pigs and then home.  Finally started to feel a bit peckish and decided I should eat.  A quick look in the fridge and I decided that I would finish off my lamb broth.  Now I'm not a fan of lamb but thought I should step outside my comfort zone on all things during this program so I did.  The other day I really enjoyed the broth but today it just didn't do it for me.  The smell, the taste, everything about it was just not enjoyable and that made my mind up, I really don't like lamb.

So it's chicken for tea, the pub and bed.

Not looking forward to tomorrow.  Its Lead Knicker Day or LKD as I will refer to it from now on.  That is, weigh in and measuring day, I tell you what I really hope to see a difference on the scales, no reason why I shouldn't but as a fat lass I'm never that positive about stepping on the wretched things.

Hey ho, I think enough blithering for now, two instalments in a day is waaaaaaay to much information about me for anyone to suffer :)

Catch-up

When I restarted this blogging business I intended to jot some ramblings everyday, however being the crap person that I am, I have missed a couple of days, so instead I have decided to do this as and when I might have something interesting to say.
My advice..... don't hold your breath!

Day 3
Day three was the day that I decided the name Fat to Fit just wasn't appropriate.

The eating is going well, lots of variety, really enjoying cooking again.  It's great that my job allows me to prepare and cook stuff at work.  Finally making good use of my slow cooker, my day tends to result in my torturing the other people in my block with the smell of my tea wafting through their classrooms!  Ha

The drinking is also going well.  When I started I thought that there was no way that I would be able to drink 3l plus of water everyday, but touch wood, I am actually finding it surprisingly easy to fit it all in.

The exercise, ah, this is the fun part!  OMG tonights workout was good, don't get me wrong as much as I might whinge and moan and groan I really love exercising once I get into the swing of it.
The circuit that the evil duo of @ChrisLuptonpt and Chris M set up was a killer.  My body is not designed to leave the ground without some assistance so star jumps????? Seriously, not gonna happen, well no more than about 10 and then collapse!
This is the day I decided on a couple of new names for our venture, Fat to Fit????  No chance, Fat to Dead was an option, however my particular favourite was and still is Fat to F***ed :)
The workout ended with a fab game during which we had to steal weights and run with them, bonkers to see a load of slightly wobbly women (some a lot more wobbly than others) 'running' around with kettle bells and some kind of torturous weigh bag.

Day 4
The day that I was a winner.

The days in between training days are usually spend walking slightly strangely.  Due of course to the extreme effort that I put into the group workout with Chris from Innovate Fitness and Chris M, who I assume has a business name, but not one I know :| and not due to any kind of 'funny' business.

Once I got going, the aches and pains drifted away, until it came time for a wee of course and then my body suddenly remembered that the muscles just above my knees hurt and made the whole process somewhat less elegant than it might normally be!

The day of work over, it was time for my first venture out to the pub.  Now I don't normally venture out on a school night, but as local 'celeb' Patrick Dunlop was asking the questions in the pub quiz I decided it would be rude not to join in.
Well, to cut a long story short we won!!!  Yay

A good end to a good day :)

Day the 2

Food...... it's something I think about a lot, especially more so now that I am on the @ChrisLuptonpt detox.

However, rather than thinking about it in terms of what goodies shall I 'treat' myself to today - I'm talking crisps, sweets, pastries etc. here, I actually find myself wondering what interesting thing I am going to prepare for my meals.

Now, I'm a grazer by nature (I have been called a cow on more than one occasion), and as a result I like to nibble, a lot.  If I wasn't nibbling, then it went in the microwave, ready made for me my Mr Marks, Mr Spencer or the good people of Sainsbury's, not interested in cooking for 1 at all.  More often than not I end up with some chicken nugget type things or just a bread based product (mmmmmmmm bread).

However, and I find this a bit odd, in the last two days I have not thought about snacking at all and have enjoyed the process of planning and preparing my meals.  Although I am sticking mainly to firm favourites, I have already been inspired to try new things, with a great deal of success even if I do say so myself :)

Anyway, enough, time to rest my aching bones.

For the record I am writing this blog a day behind time, I have in fact just completed Day 3, but more about that tomorrow!

Here I go again ......

I swear that:

a) I have no self control when it comes to crisps
b) You can't beat a good Haribo and
c) I am a glutton for punishment.

So after a relatively successful start to the year, completing my 21 Day detox with @ChrisLuptonpt, I was full of confidence that I would once again be able to continue to with my weight loss and would once again get into my size 14 trousers :)

But, no, of course I fell of the waggon at the first sniff of a packet of Walkers and so here we are, 9 months later and once again I am back with Mr Lupton.
Back to no coffee, no booze and NO CRISPS :(((

Like last time I really enjoy the food, makes a change for me to make the effort and actually cook something for my tea rather than setting something to 'ping', also like last time I really hate (love) the exercise part of the program, I find that good whinge is an integral part of the exercise process :)

Well, I am happy to report that Day 1 went well food wise and I finally got to meet the rest of the gang at our first group workout session.  Now, it was bad enough before when it was just @ChrisLuptonpt to cope with when exercising, however we have to contend with double trouble as Chris is being joined by Chris Mackay, at least it means I don't have to learn a new name to scream when I hurt!
Needless to say the workout was hell.

Roll on Day 2.....

It's Been A While

To my shame I have failed to blog for a long time.

So flushed was I with my detox success that I got all giddy and took my eye off the ball :(

Since February I have been suffering with a leg injury, the result of which means that I am not allowed to go to the gym, as this kind of activity could potentially cause more harm than good.  Needless to say I am absolutely gutted by this as I had just got right back into the swing of going (all thanks to Chris Lupton!)

As a result my weight loss has taken something of a stall.  I carried on well initially, but have become increasingly relaxed in my approach to food because I want to be able to exercise as well and I can't.

This is how bad it is, did a leisurely stroll around the Race 4 Life last weekend, completed in under an hour but my slowest time ever, and even this extra activity dislodged my bandages and set back my leg problem.  Aaaarrrgggghhhhhh

Anyway, trying something new now, giving up gluten and reducing my carb intake just to see how it makes me feel.  Constantly feel sluggish at the moment and I remembered that when I was on my detox I didn't feel like this so I'm gradually cutting out the foods I think I love but don't love me back and we will see how it goes.

Hopefully it wont be too much longer until my leg is better, got the Midnight Walk for St Michael's Hospice looming so I need to get into some serious walking training.

Oh, is you're feeling generous the please donate by clicking on the link on this blog or text FBMW69 to 70070, ta :)

Into the Beyond.....

Having completed the 21 day Guinea Pig Challenge with Chris Lupton (Evil One) the time has come for me to 'man up' and take responsibility for mself and my choices.

When Chris was the boss of me, telling what I could and couldn't eat, when I should and shoulodn't eat, I found it relatively easy to stick to the plan. However, now I'm on my own, cheating is going to be soooooooo easy!

After seeing Chris for the last time on Wednesday, I will admit to letting my hair down a little. Bread was my first daliance, left me feeling unsatisfied. Infact I was so disappointed that I have decided to reuce my wheat intake to a bare minimum. Back drinking coffee, black so no dairy and also a cheeky vodka and diet coke too :)

Treated myself to some scrummy cakes too, but again, left me feeling sluggish and lead legged, so I think I am deffo going to have to keep wheat stuff pretty much out of my diet - gutted as I LOVED bread and associated products :*(

Hey ho, my sluggishness wont have been helped by the fact that I have not been able to exercise since last Monday, a whole week, due to my having a cough, cold and now some sort of throat thing whereby my voice has just about gone, but my throat is not sore :/

Feb Photo Challenge - Day 2

Day 2 - Words

Photo Challenge

Decided to take part in @fatmumslim's Feb Photo Challenge. Find details here:http://www.fatmumslim.com.au/2012/01/february-photo-day-challenge.html

Keep watching for daily pics :)

Day 1 - My View

Day 21 - OMG It's the End Already!

Blimey, how time flies! 21 days ago I never actually thought this day would come, no coffee, no wheat, no CAKE!!!!!

But here I am, still slightly reeling from the shock of having survived, having got my love for the gym back and most surprising of all, of not missing coffee (unless I smell it) at all!

I've got a cold, it's rubbish, snot and coughing, BOOOOOOOOOOO

Struggled through the day, not remotely hungry, managed an apple all day and loads of water, thankfully all my time at the gym has helped to keep me continent, the amount of coughing I have been doing has given my intercostals a proper workout, which is lucky because there was noooooo way I was getting to the gym today!

Home before 7pm, which is unheard of in my world and I immediately fell asleep, meaning of course that I could only manage one episode of Lewis and ended up having a latish tea, nice though, fresh tuna with mushrooms, green beans and some horseradish sauce - yum.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring..... nervous of course, the final weigh in :/
Not expecting miracles, not been eating properly because of the cold, missed a couple of gym sessions because of work and the cold and to cap it all it's THAT time of the month, seems it's all conspiring against me :(

Oh well.....


UPDATE

Met Chris tonight for the final weigh in, a disappointing 3lbs off, bringing my 21 day total to 22lbs!!!!!
Now I know I shouldn't be disappointed by this, but I am, still that is just the motivation I need to continue on this path. Some of the changes will remain, some will not, coffee and alcohol will DEFINITELY be back, but I think I will stick to one carb day a week. Although carbs are my fave foods I have managed this long so why not for longer? Chris can't think of any reason why I would want them back in my life, so I will bow to his expertise and try to keep them to a minimum. The gym is deffo back to stay, I love it, always do once I get through the door!

Finally, a MASSIVE thank you to Chris Lupton, firstly for giving me his time for free, for being supportive, bossy, rude (he called me fat more than once!) and for helping me get my head back to the place it needs to be so that I can get back to my former glory! Cheers matey, much love :)

This is not the end of my ramblings, although there will not be any more daily updates, I think I will keep the 'Beyond' to a weekly update, unless of course anything terribly news worthy occurs in my life (unlikely) in which case hear it here first, well probably not first, but it will be right up there!

Thanks xx

Day 20 - Sniffles

Monday morning arrived in a flurry of snot and coughing! Urgh, I hate having a cold, I particularly hate snot, a cough I can cope with but snot drives me crackers :(

Anyway, undeterred it was back to the working week, hopefully this week will be less frantic than last, maybe I'm paying the price for working long hours last week by getting a cold, my body's way of telling me to slow down maybe?

What I find ironic is that for the last 3 weeks I have lived a healthier lifestyle than I have in ages and I STILL get a cold!

So an ordinary day passed, I again managed to resist both cake and scrummy homemade pizza, very proud of myself :)

Although sniffling I headed off to the gym and managed to rack up another and probably my final PB on the rower!! Yay \0/

A quick chicken stir fry and tucked up in bed for 11pm, not a bad day at all.

Day 19 - All Quiet....

Sundays are always a nice quiet day with me. Up at a reasonable time today, well anytime is reasonable compared to yesterdays ridiculous lie in!

Straight out to the shops to get ready for the week, both for work and for me, healthy food a go go!

Even as someone who basically cooks for a living I still find it a bit of a strain to cook for myself at home, so these last 3 weeks have been a revelation as to what is possible in a short time and still be tasty. The time from thinking about eating to actually eating has to be fairly quick with me or else I change my mind!

After hitting the shops, supermarket, I headed straight to the gym. Still not eaten following my fast day yesterday and still not hungry so I just kept on going. Sadly I did not have the gym all to myself today, tsk, fancy having to share! Rubbish :)

Once home, decided to do some cooking, curried veg soup, spicy aubergine dip and baked tuna with beetroot salad all magically appeared :) yum!

Rest of the day spent doing work ready for next week, oh the crazy life of a 40 something singleton!

Day 18 - Go Faster!!

Having made a total balls up of yesterday, I switched my fast day to today. The challenge being, could I a) would I remember I was fasting and b) could I last without food?

After 13hrs sleep, I know half the day but blimey I must of needed it as I usually get by on 6hrs a night. So after 13hrs I felt well rested and ready to face the day. Having decided to fast today I topped up on water and headed for the gym. So far so good - no food consumed :)

And the gym was great! Only me in the place for most of my workout meaning that there was no one about to hear my pain. Having missed a couple of workouts so far this week I am still playing catch-up and was working really hard, actually sweating and everything!

Tried a couple of new things in my gym session, a painful 5mins on the new style cardio wave, some toning work on my 'full house' bingo wings and yet another PB on the rower :))

A quiet afternoon followed, still no food, until finally I headed out to the pub. Still finding it surprisingly easy to stick to drinking water when I'm out, although it is surprisingly not that hydrating, often wake up with a dry mouth :/

A quiet night spent out and then home to bed, mission accomplished! Yay \0/

Day 17 - I've Got A Little Confession to Make ......

What a fool I am! I mean seriously stupid doesn't even come close!

Friday is my fast day and all was going well, had breakfast and was working my way through water to keep me going through the day. Got to lunch time and completely forgot I wasn't supposed to be eating and only went and had some flipping lunch! D'oh

This of course put me in a dilemma, should I just treat this as an ordinary day or begin my fast again? I went with the ordinary day option and have decided to fast tomorrow instead. I really hope this doesn't mess up the detox program too much! Can't believe how stupid i was, really, really crap.

Been a weird week all told, missing two gym sessions, really long days at work and just getting through my sweetie cravings, grrrrrr talk about disappointed in myself.

As a punishment I worked double hard at the gym and had an early night.

:(

Day 16 - A Long Day

No time to think about the detox today, just had to get on with it.

Full day at work, including producing a buffet for 150 people.

Been feeling a bit wobbly with the food today, too many temptations lying close by - I love buffet food. Anything I can just pick up and shove in my gob is a winner as far as I'm concerned and believe me when I say there were plenty of winners floating about my workplace today :)

Made it to lunch and had some delicious fresh tuna and salad. Just lightly seasoned the tuna with salt & pepper and dry fried until just cooked through - I'm sorry purists but I really can't eat meat that is in any way pink!

My evening consisted of keeping 11 children quiet as we tried to set up the buffet and then service. I must admit the kids were fab and the evening went very well. Loads of lovely comments about the spread and most of it eaten.

Sadly as the 'do' went on until after 9pm, this meant that I actually left work at 10 to 10 meaning that I was not going to get to the gym AGAIN!

I genuinely am sad about that as I am now right back into going for my daily workout, never thought I would hear myself say that again as the lb's crept back on!

I would say roll on tomorrow when I can get back in the (bike) saddle, but sadly tomorrow is fast day so frankly it's double edged!

Day 15 - LKD

Blimey, can't believe that weigh day (lead knicker day) has arrived again already!

Scrummy scrambled eggs and mushrooms for breakfast, then a normal busy day followed. Nightmare! Had to make my fave pizza, I really, really tried to resist, but ended up nibbling a tiny corner, just base, no cheese and immediately felt really guilty and sent Chris a message to tell him!

Needless to say I was muchly disappointed in myself and spent the rest of the day going without.

No time for the gym today, so off the meet Chris for the dreaded meeting with the scales and tape measure :/

Gingerly I stepped forward, can't look, deep breath, aaarrrgggghhhhh what will the result be????

PHEW....... another 6lbs gone!!!! Yay \0/

Bit disappointed I didn't make the 1/2 stone, but it's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!

The biggest shock was the news that I have lost 7in from my waist!!! Shocking, who knew I even HAD a waist! :)

Carb day today, so butternut squash for me for tea, when I eventually got home from the shops, yes I know, I'm always at the shops, but I've got a busy day tomorrow. Honest.

Day 14 - 2/3's Done

Guess what I had for breakfast today, go on, have a guess................ yesssssssssss turkey chilli! :D

Another busy day in my world, Chinese New Year banquet, shouting, smiling, stressing and coping, all on a small bowl of chilli and an apple. Personally I think I did jolly well to last til after 5 to have my lunch without nibbling on a naughty morsel, but I did!

LKD is fast approaching so I battled on regardless. This lead to yet another super quick turn around when I got home and straight out to the gym. I've always been the same, get me through the door of the place and I will work til I am coughing up a lung but you have to get me through the door!

The thought of Chris peering at the scales and being disappointed is all the motivation I need right now, so I duly beavered away rowing, cycling and even a little bit of X-training, ooOOOOooooo. Sadly no PB's today, but you can't have everything :)

More chilli for tea and then off to bed. Night all.

Day 13 - The Day I Got Told Off

Monday means back into my familiar routine, thank goodness. I really am a creature of habit :)

My usual breakfast of turkey chilli kickstarts my day very nicely, I think I should write my recipe down for prosperity because it really is lovely!

Today was not a 'normal' day at work but it was good fun, especially when we were making moon rock buns and rocket shortbread, yum. Not one morsel passed my lips I'm very pleased to say :)

I talk about food a lot because my life revolves around food, this is what I do everyday, this no doubt accounts for the reason I'm undertaking this 21 Day Challenge with Chris!

After a mega shop ready for work tomorrow, I ran into the house (trotted), threw on my gym kit and hit the treadmill. Another breath taking workout, I swear this had better be worth it!

So, my telling off, well not really a telling off, but foolishly I had mentioned to /Chris earlier in the day that I kept feeling hungry at the end of the working day, but by time I got back from the gym I didn't feel like anything to eat, well, let the 'rant' begin! Let's just say that as a result of my little pep talk I will now be making sure that I try to fit in a snack after the gym :/

Day 12 - Still Peckish

Sunday, normally a lazy day turned into quite a busy one for me.

Was meant to go and meet Chris, sadly (not) he had to cancel :) However, not to take advantage of getting off lightly, after a scrummy breakfast of scrambled egg and mushrooms, I headed off to the gym.

Not straight to the gym, obviously I had to make my daily pilgrimage to the supermarket, once I had given thanks to the god of shopping, I finally headed to the gym. Yet more sweat, no blood or tears (yet), so a good result! Actually nice and quiet on a Sunday lunchtime, might make that my regular time :)

The rest of my day was spent marking and craving sweets! Whenever I diet I always find that I develop a need/want/urge/desire for sweets. Mmmmmmm tangfastics!

Being of strong resolve I resisted the temptation and did a load of cooking instead. Turkey chilli, baked cod, aubergine dip, vegetable soup and roasted chicken all emerged edible from the kitchen :)

Sadly wasn't hungry after all that, but nibbled on some cod a few vegetables, I sacrifice myself for new leaner fitter me!

I find weekends tricky, too much time when I have access to food and too much tome to think about it. I know I need to surround myself with nice, healthy food (which I do), but I really was close to buying some Percy Pigs, close but no sweet.... HOORAH for me :))

Day 11 - Halfway There

Woke up starving!

Not surprising really considering yesterday was my fast day, so a hearty breakfast was called for - poached eggs and mushrooms, yum!

Following a bimble around town, it was time to head of the to the torture chamber, or the gym as it is more commonly known. Another near death experience led to new personal bests' on both the rowing machine and the bike. Yaaaaaaaaay good to see that all my hard work is not in vain!

As a reward I allowed myself a lazy afternoon, not a jot of work done, excellent.

Chicken stir fry for tea then out to the pub, well it is Saturday :)

It was only whilst there that someone mentioned that I was already halfway through this 21 Day Challenge, blimey, how time flies! Can't say I'm not glad about that, although this has definitely been the kick start that my return to a slimmer me needed, sometimes (cover your eyes Chris) I really want a cup of coffee or a piece of bread!

Anyway, three pints of water later it was time for home and some well earned sleep before seeing Chris tomorrow :/

Day 10 - Fast Again

I used to look forward to Friday's, not so much as the moment.

Friday is my fasting day, although to be fair, I'm glad it's a week day when I've got work to keep my occupied rather than at the weekend.

Guess what I had for breakfast, go on, have a guess...... yessssss that's right, I had chilli. Since making my chilli with turkey mince I find I really really like it, can't be doing with the smell of beef cooking, urgh!

And that was it, no more food for me, bring on the water.

The morning was ok, no lessons so no contact with food, however when the games began I was to be surrounded by samosas (sweet & savoury), scones (my absolute favourite) and soup (not such a favourite!)

Sometimes I surprise myself, food was being offered by the kids left, right and centre but I was strong, I was resolute and all offers were politely declined.

Made it to they gym and did another good work out, really pleased to row further than before and on an empty tummy too!

Sadly feeling a little peckish this week, last week I surprised myself be not feeling hungry at all, all change this week and rather than sitting at home fantasising about food, I went down the boozer. A little better, definitely stopped me thinking about food :)

Home and bed at a reasonable 10 past midnight, really looking forward to breakfast!

Day 9 - Back to It

So day 9 dawned, and to be honest I'm still a little shocked at last nights result, who'd have thought that was possible without having surgery to remove a limb!

Turkey chilli beckoned for breakfast, actually quite enjoy having something that might be considered more of a supper dish for breakfast, gets my day going anyway.

Tricky day today, kids making fresh pasta spinach and ricotta ravioli and as they do, they all wanted me to try their efforts, hard to say no over an over, but fear not my resolve was strong and to their credit the kids understood why I had to refuse, although they didn't get why I should choose to give up bread! Bless.

Tortured everyone with my lunch, cold cod salad, oh yes, nice smell of fish in the block for the remainder of the day :)

Home via the supermarket, as always, and then the gym! Good workout, lots of sweat, maybe not as attractive as I could be at that moment but hey ho :/

More chilli for tea, you may be picking up on a theme here..... I like chilli :)

Day 8 - Lead Knicker Day

I woke with a feeling of dread..... today is weigh in day :( or as I like to call it Lead Knicker Day, forever to be referred to as LKD.

Aiming not to worry too much about it and not feeling any lighter I trundled through my day. Green goo was consumed :( followed by breakfast, right ready to face the day!

Usual stuff, surrounded by food, resisting the temptation to try everything, the kids have been great to be honest, they know I'm on a diet so although they offer me their food, when I decline they go 'oh yeah, you're on a diet Miss, sorry'. Bless teenagers!

The working day rattled on and finally the tie came when I had to leave work and head closer to the dreaded scales. I continued to put off the inevitable by going to the supermarket, again, but finally reached home.

A quick change and out of the door I go, heading off to meet Chris.......

Gulp

The scales appeared, I step back, but then have to step forward and wait for the scales to brace themselves for my bulk. I refused to look, Chris said it's good. I refused to believe him and demanded a recount. So, back on I got and this time I looked, UNBELIEVABLE I have somehow managed to shift 13lbs in one week!!!!!

aaaarrrgggghhhhhhhhh

I still can't believe it because I'm not entirely sure where the weight has gone from, sadly I still have a range of chins to choose from and far too many wobbly bits to mention here :) Measurements were taken, which I can only assume were smaller than last week.

As a celebration Chris then stuck me on the treadmill and made me sweat by forcing me to run at ridiculous speeds! To be honest any running is ridiculous to me so it doesn't really have to be very fast!

Home then, smiling of course, to have my version of fish and chips, yum! Baked cod with butternut squash chips, did I mention today was also my carb day - hurrah :)

Tea demolished, far quicker than I had hoped, and then to bed, Ah the rock and roll lifestyle.

Day 7 - How Time Flies

Crikey can't quite believe I've been doing my 21 Day Challenge with Chris for a week already! I have to say that this week really hasn't been as bad as I feared, well not all of it, the PT sessions with the 'evil one' are as always really painful, but I keep going back so they can't be that bad can they?

So what would today bring, well as it turns out it brought a really long day. The day began with some killer steps, not going to get to the gym tonight so had to resort to Chris's horrid home exercises, plus I did a few squats to stretch out my still aching legs.

Chicken salad for breakfast, not as weird as it used to be. Not sure if that is good or not. Still sometimes think about toast and coffee but not enough to do anything about thankfully.

Busy day so lunch was missed, finally settled to tea of chilli, very very tasty, one of the best things I have made so far this week. Sadly I was still at work eating, but you've gotta grab the chance when you can :)

Left work at about 9pm, yet another supermarket visit on the way, finally landed at home at 10.30pm, another 17hr day done.

Too tired to eat and frankly not actually hungry. Any other week I would be reaching for bread and butter or crisps or whatever 'treat' I might have stashed away in the cupboard.

Not looking forward to tomorrow at all, it Lead Knicker Day (LKD) or weigh in day as everyone else knows it. LKD sums up how I feel as I approach the scales, always feel like I weigh a ton more than I did at the start of the week! Anyway that to worry about tomorrow, eeeek!

Just so you know, legs still aching and back still twinging, but do you heat me moaning??? Hmmm?? :)

Day 6 - The Agony

Back.... legs.... PAIN :(

Having thought I had got through my session with Chris unscathed I got up with confidence, well I would have got up if my legs and back had cooperated! Never have I felt such agony, my thighs were on fire, I kid you not! As for my back, well it twinged, I blame the kettlebells, not my poor state of fitness, obviously!

Once I got going it was a little better, but not brilliant, hey ho on with the day.

A normal work day passed without event, still in pain, still walking a little oddly, I headed for home. Via the supermarket to get supplies, I made it home (8pm).

Aaaaaaah a nice sit down and a bite to eat you might assume, oh no, under strict instructions from Chris to bring up a lung, I head to the gym! An excellent workout later, I managed to hold onto my internal organs just, thought the bike might force one up, I headed for home proper (9:50pm)

Decided to make chilli for tea, not a massive fan of beef, but battled through the smell and finally ended up with a pretty nice bowl of tea (10:45pm). Quick nibble and finally off to bed. Thank goodness.

Drifted off to sleep hoping for less aches and pains, fingers crossed :)

Day 5 - I think I might be sick :(

Day 5 dawned, the day after the day after the fast day and strangely I still didn't really feel that hungry, lucky really because today was the day when I had to troop off to meet Chris :-0

The first real training session started off well enough, little did I know that Chris was lulling me into a false sense of security!! After pacing/warming up on the treadmill the pain/moaning/hatred/SUFFERING started! Squats, pull-ups & press ups in circuits, followed by kettle bell hell - picking up and putting down (basically a squat with weights) at intervals and the swinging the ruddy thing to chin height (I had to pick one to aim for) by throwing my hips forward! Oh the pain.
Thankfully we headed back to the relative safety of the treadmill, ha how foolish I am! As I was plodding along little did I know what the 'evil one' had planned, suddenly the speed shot up and I had to puff a little harder to keep up with the machine, then just as suddenly the speed dropped back to plodding pace - excellent. But no! This was only the first of a series of speeding up intervals each one faster than the last until I finally had to give and JOG!!!!! Not a pretty sight and thankfully there was no-one around to see my mass wobbling as I tried to run for the first time in years.

Then at last it was over, just the painful but satisfying stretches to do and then home. Easy peasy you might think, but try walking home when you can't feel your legs!! A 10 min walk took me 25 mins, I swear if you had seen me you would have thought I was drunk at 11am!

Decided I should probably eat after training and a hearty chicken salad was created, however took me ages to eat because I still wasn't that hungry :(
The green goo is getting harder to bear, have actually resorted to standing over the sink with a towel round my neck to catch dribbles now! But I am still downing it (*proud*).

Sadly I chose this moment to sit for a couple of hours working, not a good idea as my legs, which still felt weird were also starting to ache. So after struggling back to my feet I decided a walk was in order, off to ASDA then to face the battle and stretch it out a bit.

Delightful tea consisting of fresh tuna with soy and chilli dressing - Yum. Never had fresh tuna before, surprising really given all the food that I have eaten over time.

Ah well, that's it for today, bring on tomorrow, still stiffening up btw :)

Day 4 - Still Not Hungry

So the day after my first fast day dawned and I felt distinctly un-hungry, odd feeling for me because I can usually eat at any time, particularly when I haven't eaten over night!

Tootled around the house a bit, still not hungry, went into town bought a whole load of 'healthy' food, still not hungry, how long could this go on for, I was now getting on for 30 hours food free and was thinking I really should eat. So I decided to make a start on breakfast, I literally had to force myself to eat, again not a feeling I am at all used to!

I had of course had my green goo, gross is too nice a word for it, I literally have to hold my nose as I drink it and stand over the sink in case I feel like vomiting :/

Later that day the time came for my workout, now I like the gym (once I get there, the problem has always been getting me through the door!) but I like to trundle away on the machines, yes work up a sweat but I really don't like loosing the feeling in my legs and not being able to breathe! Unfortunately THAT is what Chris had demanded, he is very bossy! So I dutifully did as I had been instructed and seriously it was hideous, the person I felt the most sorry for was the poor woman on the X-trainer behind me when my not small backside was wibbling about during my bike intervals! 45 minutes later I staggered out of the gym to face the ultimate test, walking down the steps from the gym to the car park!

Another evening in the pub beckoned and again I was on the water, but I really pushed the boat out and had a slice of lemon in it, whoa, I know, crazy but true :)

A successful day all in all, onwards and upwards :)

Day 3

So today is the first day I have been really dreading, it was my first FASTING day aaarrggghhh

Green filth was to be the only 'food' to pass my lips after breakfast, joy of joys. Still I'm in this to win or else @ChrisLuptonPT might kill me.

Spent the day being busy, sadly that busy involved making pasta bakes, scones and fruit salad :/ but fair play to myself I resisted even the smallest crumb (scones are a killer for me).

Anyway, as the day progressed i forgot that I couldn't eat, weird really when you think that the reason I'm undertaking this challenge is because I eat too much!

Been to the gym, killer interval training again (thanks Chris), and all seems well. Big test coming up, going to the pub and only drinking water, I normally have diet coke or coffee when I'm not drinking but not today!

Update:

So a night down the boozer was ok on water, got a few funny looks and comments from friends but all in all it went well. However, pubs smell really odd when you're not drinking, by odd I mean they smell of booze! Who'd have thought that?!?!

Fasting has finished, not as bad as I thought afterall, got more grief from my mates for not eating, but as I told them this is just the kick up the arse I needed to get me back on track AND got the promise of free cake from Bespoke Cupcakes in Harrogate!!! Yummy, you must try them out if you're ever in Harrogate, find them on John Street.

The Beginning of Change

So... here we go!

This blog will chart my progress through yet another diet!

Don't expect it to be interesting or exciting, just the mundane ramblings of yet another fat girl!

So how did I get here? Well...... before Christmas I saw a tweet from @ChrisLuptonPT of Innovate Personal Training asking for 'volunteers' to take part in his '21 Day Challenge'. It interested me and so I enquired, I'm always looking for ways to lose weight having tried all the clubs and fads, so I thought what the heck.
Having been accepted I met Chris and he basically scared the s*** out of me and told me I should be successful on his program because I was so fat (not quite in those words but you get my drift)! lol

Following the usual hideous 'before' picture and various weights and measurements :( my new journey towards healthy began.

Day 1
Wednesday began slowly, no usual litre of coffee on the way to work, did I mention this plan was a detox as well as everything else! But once I got my head around no coffee it wasn't too bad. Finding breakfast was a challenge, what to have when toast, muffins, bagels etc. are off the menu?? Plumped for boiled eggs (no soldiers) and a litre of water.
Lunch was much easier, salad and more water. PT session in the evening with Chris, torture would be more apt but to my great delight I think I managed to surprise the fitness guy by being able to touch my toes and stuff, RESULT!
Chicken and veg for tea then of to bed. Not too bad all told, except for GREEN drink :( OMG this super food punishment had better be worth it, it is possibly the MOST disgusting thing I have ever ever tasted, and believe me I have tried LOTS of food and drink. It is filthy and I can only drink it by holding my nose and downing the lot in one - gross.

Day 2
So Thursday dawned, after pee breaks during the night, 3l of water takes it toll on an aging bladder, I felt stiff from my gentle PT session, but not hungry and not craving carbs as I imagined I might, hmmmm strange feeling but not unpleasant.
Sorted better meals for the day, practice makes better, but the green filth was still filthy!
First gym session tonight at the Hydro, by this I don't mean I joined today, oh no, I have had membership for many a month but decided that I should use it! Chris has planned for my home fitness to be 15 minute interval training on the rower - OMG!!!!! how horrible is that! I thought I might fall off the machine at one point, but I managed to hold on and finish :)
Home for a cracking tea and then bed, tomorrow looms - Fast Day #1!!!!