I had fun last night, of a gastronomic sort..
The high street was just FULL of food stalls, hardly any Xmas stalls selling stuff. This is what I had to get through
Mexican (you cant get good Mexican in the UK)
Thai (ditto)
A CHOCOLATE STALL fresh warm brownies, huge slices of cake,liquer truffles oh dear..
for Ginny Lou - a hot mulled cider stand, and a hot mulled wine stand, smelt soo good
A hot chocolate with whipped cream and brandy stall
A curry stall
A hot dog, burger stand right outside the butchers on the pavement
A cheese stall
Popcorn, fresh donuts, candy floss
So, I did prepare, honest. I had a big bowl of chicken and vegie soup before I left with the kids. They didnt have dinner, they knew they would be tempted and they were ready..
So what I did get, was a huge slice of chocolate cake, with a ganache (chocolate and cream) icing. And 3 fleece blankets, becuase they had cute snow flakes on them. I left the kids at them market as they were with their friends and a salivating mum is so not cool when youre 12 and 14..
So I walked home, nobody home as my husband was away on business. Then I sat down at the table, put the cake on a plate, made a fresh espresso and ate the cake with a knife and fork. Oh lordy it was heaven!
I enjoyed that so much more, because I wanted it and didnt feel guilty about wanting it. But back on track today, with cheese and salad and a protein shake for breakfast. I think I will stay home next Tuesday, to avoid the temptation..
Ooh, yummy! Hey, good for you for choosing the time and place for a treat, and enjoying it to the fullest! Now back on track, and it's a way of life, not a restrictive "diet".
feeling blah... our 18 year old dog Fila is dying, and will need to be put down after Xmas. I think she should be put down now, but my husband wants one last Xmas with her. She now has to be carried everywhere, cant walk very far on her own anymore and now her bladder isnt working..
I also had a killer period this week so havent done exercise apart from walking since Tuesday. Which means my diet has been crap ever since I had the chocolate cake on Tuesday night. I still cant get my mind state away from seeking out food as comfort. I ate a packet of biscuits at work on Wednesday trying not to think about the dog. It didnt take the pain away, but it did put me in a foggy mind state for a while.
I did go for a bike ride today with my son, and that was fun, to get out into some winter sunshine and fresh air. So now back to nursing our doggie, at least she still wants to eat at least.
I'm sorry to hear about your dog. I know it's a tough thing (I had to put my cat down a few years ago after a stroke), but it will eventually get better.
Sorry about your dog. I do know how that feels and it's cruddy. You'll get back on track though.
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Originally Posted by realcdn
I'm sorry to hear about your dog. I know it's a tough thing (I had to put my cat down a few years ago after a stroke), but it will eventually get better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chloe2
So sorry to hear about your dog. I'm (obviously) a dog person. I can't even imagine what you're going through. {{{{{hugs}}}}} I'll be thinking of you.
thanks everyone, we had lots of cuddles with her yesterday. We went to the mother in laws last night, and she even wagged her tail, because m-i-l always makes a fuss of her. She had a pigs ear and was ecstatic, even barking, which was nice to see. Back to the gym tonight, then a day off tomorrow to do the last bits of Xmas shopping, lots of NEAT.
Thanks I get bored, so I keep changing it!
6 days til Xmas now, oh I cant wait!! Everyone is excited, most of the present shopping is done - thank the lord for Amazon and e-bay, and now just sorting out grocery lists. I pre ordered my Xmas present, Tom Venuto's The Body Fat Solution, after hearing good things about it. It's meant to focus on the psychological side of fat loss and maitenance, which I could use. It comes out on Jan 9, so should reach UK soon after, and will come as a nice push along once the challenge has started.
Did a 2 hour walk today with a friends crazy dog. As much as I love my doggie, its so nice to walk a young dog who is crazy to run and play, Iwas getting so morbid with our old girl who needs to be carried everywhere.
I was looking at Fitday, in the activity it had 'carrying a 20lb load or more upstairs', yay, I can burn so many calories carrying the dog upstairs! I never thought of that as activity
3 days til Xmas, yay yay yay!! I must admit that Im now thinking of the time off work (10 days) instead of the food and festivities. Shopping and planning for Xmas feels like a job in itself. My husband and I spent most of the day in two different supermarkets buying stuff. i cant believe we con ourselves every year thinking we need to eat 7000 calories (or thereof) in one day with our nearest and dearest.
My sons have bought their Xmas presents, some are geinius, ie the wine breather you pop over a bottle and works in 4 minutes, down to the bizzarre golf club shoe horn..
My husband has man flu, and a day off today, so hope he feels better by Thursday. I was hoping to go to the gym tonite, but we'll see what happens.
Thanks for your very kind & welcoming message! I'm looking forward to cheering you on! We have similar starting stats and goals.
I'm in London. I moved here about a year ago from New York, and I love it here so far. I've only been to Devon once, specifically to Cornwall. It's very pretty, even the drive was nice.
Your reference to man flu had me in stitches. My husband, too, suffers from this elusive condition.
Happy Xmas everyone There is no diet plan today, just more protein than sugar...
Looking forward to waking up tomorrow starting a clean diet, and getting ready for the next challenge
So true! There's very little Mexican food here. During my time in NYC, I spent a few years living above a restaurant called Burritoville. I didn't appreciate it as much as I should have!
Next time you make it to London, let me know. I've found a few good Mexican places so far, and I'm working on expanding that list. I'll send you the latest copy when it's time.
I would love that! Im hoping to come up around Easter time with the kids. My friend bought me Anjum Anand's Indian cookbook, and I've been making batches of dhal and black eyed pea curries. I cant face another turkey/baked potato/cranberry combination. I love dahl, especially with a dollop of greek yogurt, basmati rice and heaps of fresh coriander. Now Im heading off to watch a rugby match, well the last half anyway, I cant handle standing around in the wind too much, so might end up going for a very brisk walk to keep warm.
Our doggy is still alive, and has been loving the turkey, Xmas pudding, clotted cream everyone has been feeding here. She has been sleeping so much, but we are determined for her to have a good time surrounded by her people family.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Xmas and counting down to challenge time!
Next time you make it to London, let me know. I've found a few good Mexican places so far, and I'm working on expanding that list. I'll send you the latest copy when it's time.[/quote]
I'm going to be brave and post my other pics soon in the challenge thread, but not yet. How is it you can delude yourself you look ok, when you wear layers of bulky clothing, and when you get dressed you do it quickly and only take a cursory glance in front of the full length mirror? Or maybe that is just me.
My main goal for 2009 is fat loss, and to fit into these pair of true religion, size 31 jeans. I am going to put the jeans pics as well as my body pics each month of the challenge. Im hoping I will at least see a change each month in how the jeans fit. This is really embarassing..
I am hoping I will not see these pics in fat loss sites as the typical muffin top in jeans. But like an alcoholic, unless you face up to your problem, admit it and be ready to do something, then it never changes.
I know there are a lot of fit and dedicated women on this site, but my pcis will be my own challenge to heal my body inside out and I am not going to quit on myself this year. My husband took the above pics, thank god for his good heart he didnt tell me what he saw. I want to bring sexy back next year.
This is a long rambling post I know, but who else can I tell that I feel a degree of shame and disgust right now? Last night a burglar came into our home at 4.30 am. I heard our dining chair creak, and a bump and thought it wasnt right. My husband ran downstairs and the guy fled out the back door. He hadnt taken anything but all our stereo equipment and the Wii was disconnected, ready to go. He even turned off the fridge and the microwave, which was just weird.
I feel so bad, because someone has been in our home, touching our things. The only thing he stole was a remote control for the tv, which is really irritating as its no use to him, as we brought our tv over from Australia and it will be really hard to find a replacement.
I know there are worse things, but please everyone, make sure all your doors and windows are locked.
Wow, that would be scary. I'm glad nothing major was taken (can the lack of remote control contribute to NEAT?), and I'm glad you are okay. I'm so sorry you had that happen though--I can imagine what you must be feeling.
About the flab pics, just think, now you'll have something to compare to when you are all hot and lean! Truly, I wish I had some pictures of me in January so that the progression was really clear. Anyway, good luck in the challenge!
About the flab pics, just think, now you'll have something to compare to when you are all hot and lean! Truly, I wish I had some pictures of me in January so that the progression was really clear. Anyway, good luck in the challenge!
Thanks for the encouragement. I had a proper grumpy day yesterday, but am feeling much better today.
My starting pics
weight
180 lbs
height
5'11
right bicep
11.8
bust
43.3
waist at belly button
35.8
hips
40.5
right thigh
23.2
right calf
15.3
body fat %
28
I made a mistake by posting thumbnail size on the challenge thread from flickr, but I think these are bigger and more realistic
went for a 2 hour walk with the boys and a friends dog by the beach. ran some, walked some, it was fun and didnt feel like exercise at all. Looking forward to New Years Eve. We are going down to the local rugby club which has been hired out for the night by friends with families, so the kids and grownups can party together. im going to bring my salads and dips and chicken breasts diced up with salsa, so I have an alternative to all the pizza and chips that will be there. not so sure about the alcohol though..
I'm going to be brave and post my other pics soon in the challenge thread, but not yet. How is it you can delude yourself you look ok, when you wear layers of bulky clothing, and when you get dressed you do it quickly and only take a cursory glance in front of the full length mirror? Or maybe that is just me.
My main goal for 2009 is fat loss, and to fit into these pair of true religion, size 31 jeans. I am going to put the jeans pics as well as my body pics each month of the challenge. Im hoping I will at least see a change each month in how the jeans fit. This is really embarassing..
I am hoping I will not see these pics in fat loss sites as the typical muffin top in jeans. But like an alcoholic, unless you face up to your problem, admit it and be ready to do something, then it never changes.
I know there are a lot of fit and dedicated women on this site, but my pcis will be my own challenge to heal my body inside out and I am not going to quit on myself this year. My husband took the above pics, thank god for his good heart he didnt tell me what he saw. I want to bring sexy back next year.
This is a long rambling post I know, but who else can I tell that I feel a degree of shame and disgust right now? Last night a burglar came into our home at 4.30 am. I heard our dining chair creak, and a bump and thought it wasnt right. My husband ran downstairs and the guy fled out the back door. He hadnt taken anything but all our stereo equipment and the Wii was disconnected, ready to go. He even turned off the fridge and the microwave, which was just weird.
I feel so bad, because someone has been in our home, touching our things. The only thing he stole was a remote control for the tv, which is really irritating as its no use to him, as we brought our tv over from Australia and it will be really hard to find a replacement.
I know there are worse things, but please everyone, make sure all your doors and windows are locked.
It happened to me last year. Someone broke in while I was sleeping and took my purse. I STILL can't go to sleep without the TV on, and it was months before I could sleep straight through the night. It's a horrible violation. I live in such a safe, quiet neighborhood and I wrongly thought it would never happen to me. Glad you are all safe.
It happened to me last year. Someone broke in while I was sleeping and took my purse. I STILL can't go to sleep without the TV on, and it was months before I could sleep straight through the night. It's a horrible violation. I live in such a safe, quiet neighborhood and I wrongly thought it would never happen to me. Glad you are all safe.
Thanks Jane. Its so freaky at the moment, both my husband and I stir at the sllightest sound and everyone in the house is double checking all the locks before we go to bed. We live in a nice street, with lots of young families, so never thought it would happen. I will make a point to tell all our immediate neighbours, as I guess so many people will be going out tonight for New Years Eve, and probably a prime time for any burglars.
I hope you have a wonderful New Year, and that your mum starts to feel better and you find somewhere she is happy to be in the next stage of her life.
Sorry about your break-in. Years ago, in another city, there had been a couple of break-ins while my parents were away. This led to me convincing my mother to get an alarm. Every night she checked the doors and set the alarm. One night, when she had family staying, they set the alarm and went to sleep. The alarm went off at 3am, and for a day or two she figured one of the guests had opened a door (and didn't want to admit it). The next weekend one of the neighbours was building a fence. Turned out that he had been coming home and saw a couple of guys running between his house and the next one. We figured they were just trying doors and that the alarm sent them running. We now both check the doors each night (even in a different city). The stupid thing is that the guy had probably tucked the remote into a pocket, getting ready to cart off the television.... but what a pain!
Just popping by to spread some good wishes for the New Year. May the new year bring with it some of what you wish for.
I have yet to get my booty to the gym this year, but will be next week for sure. I have been keeping busy though, doing lots of walking in the woods with a friends dog, and I picked up my band and have been doing squats and pushups ad hoc.
Just thought of another thing to add on to my challenge for this year - to up my daily veg intake. Im pretty crap at that, only managing 1 or 2 a day and 1 of those is usually a potato of some sort.. My goal is to go for 5 a day, whether it be in soups or salads or on their own. I have just ordered a middle eastern vegetarian cookbook. when I was in Turkey last year I ate so many yummy vegetarian foods that I vowed to cook some when I got home then never got around to it.
Hey, on the veggie thing, I have NEVER been a veggie person, but I'm finding lately that as I push for 5 servings a day, I have been ending up with more and more (sometimes 10!) AND I'm enjoying it! Finally! I can honestly say that I love most vegetables, in many variations, and although I'd still rather have a cookie than a carrot, it's a complete change for me. So it's do-able, just stick with it...
ugh - it's just creepy knowing that someone has been in your home while you're there! happened to us in indianapolis when the two oldest were babies - came down for church and found the back slider open and all of the electronics unplugged. not sure what spooked them, but we think all they got away with was a book of stamps.
So far so good. I went to the gym last night and did the circuit class. It was tough, lots of burpees, squat thrusts and shuttle sprints. I felt so good when I finished because I was sweaty and hot, and it has been so cold in the UK this week.
I was going to go to the gym today to do Stage 1 Part A but my hamstrings and chest were really sore from yesterday so I did Leighs OPT lifting programme. The wide leg deadlifts pinged my butt and hamstrings and the plank only lasted for 30 secs instead of 1 minute, but everything else was fine.
Had some bad news today, my brother isnt coming over from Australia with our dog. I left the dog behind with my brother 3 years ago to look after as we could only take my husbands dog to the UK with us. My son was so looking forward to this. I am thinking of looking around the dog shelter places for another dog, but not exactly a sensitve thing to do right now as our old pooch is still alive. Looks like next week will be the week we put her down.
I have been eating more veggies. A big smoked mackerel and green salad with avocado last night, and today I have cooked stuffed peppers with brown rice, mushrooms, basil and parmesan, and a dish of cauliflower, cumin, red onion, and chickpeas with a tahini dressing. The kids actually like because I put heaps of flavour in it. I have stopped buying crisps and biscuits too so the kids have to associate themselves with fruit again, even DH was looking thru the cupboards last nite and couldnt find anything..
our 18 year old dog Fila is dying, and will need to be put down after Xmas. I think she should be put down now, but my husband wants one last Xmas with her. She now has to be carried everywhere, cant walk very far on her own anymore and now her bladder isnt working.. 
It comes out on Jan 9, so should reach UK soon after, and will come as a nice push along once the challenge has started.
Truly, I wish I had some pictures of me in January so that the progression was really clear. Anyway, good luck in the challenge!
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