Body Magic... Turns you into a Wizard, right?

Today was the day I attempted my first workout in nearly a year. My muscles are weak and feel a little shaky but I'm feeling good. I have realised how out-of-shape I have become and I'm now determined to change that too.

I've also been pondering over alternative reasons to why I'm not losing weight as quickly as I'd like. One major factor is possibly not eating quite so much fruit right now. Another could be portion size. I know the plan says to "Fill your plate with free foods" but I do honestly believe there may be a limit to that. So, for this week, I've meal prepped and got all my lunches sorted, topped up on Muller Light yoghurts, and am drinking fruit tea inbetween mugs of coffee and builders tea. It may help, what with the antioxidants, etc.

For the first time this week, I'm also feeling more energetic. I've been struggling with sleep again and it's having a bad effect on my energy levels. However, I had a hunt in the cupboards last night and found a packet of teabags that I bought a while ago to see if they would help me drift off. And I think they worked. The blend of Chamomile, Lavendar and Vanilla Bean certainly aided my sleep last night. If you're struggling to get to the Land of Nod, try Twining's Sleep Tea. Highly recommended from me.

Anyways, It's time to settle down with a mug of Twining's Strawberry & Raspberry tea and an Alpen Light bar (3 Syns). Let's hope I can walk tomorrow and go for another workout.

Ciao!

The First Weekend

The first weekend on plan is usually the hardest. You have a day to spend together at home with the child. You don't want to spend time in the kitchen. You normally don't even eat proper meals. You just eat junk and keep going until one of you admits defeat. Full fry-ups, coffee with sugar, chocolate, crisps, pizza. Oh, the shame.

But not today. Being organised with healthy food in the kitchen, and being in an environment that I enjoy, I've had no problem cooking on a Saturday. I've even been shopping. I did pick up chocolate bars but there's method in the madness: they're already in a big plastic box and I will be writing the Syn values on the side so that when I have an abundance of Syns left over, I can simply grab one for a real treat. The Emergency Box, if you will. Trust me, it's probably the only way I'm going to get any Syns into my diet.

I made more of the Tomato, Lentil and Vegetable soup today. It's a proper heart-warmer and filling to boot. It gives me a great big smile everytime I put a hot spoonful in my mouth. It's just that good. No kidding. Even the kid likes it. I could tell when she was mooching off me and I gave her a taste to get rid of her. More fool me - she had half the bloody bowl gone. No wonder she's growing like a weed.

I had a craving for something sweet today too. Instead of reaching for the Emergency Box, I had a bowl of the tomato, veg and lentil soup I made the other day (not the one I made today - same stuff, but that's for tomorrow and the beginning of the week!) and then had some chilli I had left over from last night along with boiled rice. I stopped halfway through because I wasn't hungry anymore. I was satisfied. If I had finished the bowl, it would have been pure greed. That's the habit I need to break. After all that healthy, free food, I popped the kettle on, had some milk from my measured allowance - didn't even realise how much milk I take in my tea until right now - and grabbed a Chocolate & Fudge Alpen Light bar from the Healthy Extra box. Three Syns are better that 5 or 10 or whatever, so I'm still guilt free today.

I decided to start measuring my milk and putting it in a plastic bottle so I know I've had all my allowance. Just like I've measured out all the cereal I had in the house. It's all in little bags in a box. My cupboard is pretty well organised, and full to the gunnels now. (Gunnels - is that just a North East Scotland word, or does it exist outwith? Who knows?)

There's some turkey and pork in the fridge needing used up so I think I'm going to use 2 pork fillets to make my fried rice again and bulk up on the veggies, and then cook the rest with spices and keep it cold for snacking on. It's makes a change from chicken thighs. Those may be used for making curry or a roast dinner tomorrow. We will see what I can be bothered doing. Maybe a roast will be easier than I expect. Chuck everything in the oven, roast tatties as well. Loads of veg on the side and make my own gravy for 1 Syn per serving (I think? Will need to check my book!)

So far, I'm delighted with the plan but as always, the proof will be on the scales on Thurday.

13th January 2016

Since September, a lot has changed. I have become a better housewife. I have been dragged down by depression again. I have sought help for said depression. I'm now on top of the world. And also my housework. For the first time in... well, forever, I'm proud of my home (nearly). There are still some areas requiring attention, but my kitchen is unrecognisable and I'm still tweaking it. But I can use it, and happily do on a regular basis. MiniMe comes through every morning while I make breakfast. She has her banana and milk, I make my breakfast and other food as required and then we retire to the drawing living room with a cup of tea and an Alpen Light bar to watch some TV on the hard drive.

Since the new year is here, I decided to REALLY follow the Slimming World plan and rejoined group yesterday. I've been writing my intake of food and drinks in my new diary from my mother-in-law, and it's really helping me. I am no longer hungry during the day. I am eating more than before, but it's always healthy stuff that will benefit me. I've not had any fruit myself today yet that will change after lunch. I'm enjoying making soup every couple of days and preparing healthy meals for my family every day or so, depending how much time I know I'm going to have. Last nights quick supper was super speedy and very filling. I'll post a recipe and photo soon, if I can remember how to do that.

Right now, I have a cheeky monkey trying to write her own bit on the blog. She's cute, but not very helpful.

So, to all who are starting the new year in a similar vein as myself: Good Luck! You can do it. Be positive and prepared and you will succeed.