Grrrrrrr - Bank Holidays !!!!!!!

When the feeling of disappointment and failure tries to take over .................

My Easter weekend isnt quite how I had hoped, (Diet wise that is). I know bank holidays are hard to keep on track but i have tried my best to have all the right foods at hand to be good. Wanting my 3rd silver 7 so much, not wanting to lose track of what my goals are but not being restricted by the whole "Diet" thing.

My hubby even bought me the mini bars are Green & Black's Chocolate, one of my favourites and at 2pp each, where could i go wrong.

Well i'll tell you where.  You cant plan the unplanned, bank holidays for me and my family are not about sitting around the house so why I thought I could plan being good by buying things to have in the house.  What was i thinking ?  I have been out everyday, whether it be vistiing people or running errands I have been out, grabbing lunch on the go or eating late.  It goes back to a previous post about being out of routine.  I need to learn to choose the right things when I am out, and when I do not right off the rest of the day telling myself it hasnt gone to plan.

Now to not feel guilty, a terrible feeling I, and i am assuming many other Weight Watchers feel when the plan doesnt go to plan, when the healthy evening meal turns into takeaway, when the 2pp bar of chocolate turns into crisps, chocolate and much more while watching the new Sky Disney channel, ah the inner child lives on LOL.

I wrote on my facebook page earlier,

"Bank holidays are great except when on a diet- no plan, no control = not happy bunny"

 

Now thanks to some very supportive comments, reminding me its one weekend, the guilt will not win, I have not failed, it is a minor hiccup that i can move on from and start tomorrow as it is, a new day.

 

I have a new plan, Dont make plans for holidays, just try your best, choose wisely, track the best you can and enjoy it !!  I like my new plan.

 

 

 



 

Keeping it Real & Counting Points

I have had a "strange week",  I have been a slightly hormonal which I think has a lot to do with it, but I have been having a re-think.

I decided just over a week ago to try and make a few little changes to create new habits, one of them to get up earlier, have breakfast before leaving the house and hopefully use my Vibro machine for 10 minutes, well I'd love to say its been a success but that would be lying lol. The first few days were fine, then the lack of sleep kicked in, and if i need anything i need my sleep.

I tried earlier nights, but after finishing the list of things that I need to do before i finally go to bed, it never happened.  So late nights and early mornings didnt mix.  Then I found I wasnt enjoying having breakfast.  I dont like eating too early and found i was now eating because of the time of day not because i was hungry or because I wanted to.  The vibro machine was the only bit i did enjoy, a good shake on a morning to wake you up. 

New plan :
Stay in bed longer, it's cosy, it's warm, I get more sleep = Happy Dolittle !
Vibro machine when i get in from work, shaking the inches off is just as effective in the evening as the morning and i have found myself going on a second time inbetween cooking tea = Happy Dolittle !

The lack of sleep, and errational hormones lead to not as good a week as i had wanted, (and the two meals out maybe didnt help hee hee)  I had hoped for 1 1/2lb this week to get me to my 3rd silver 7, but only lost 1lb.  And as i stood in my meeting feeling slightly disappointed I then started to reflect, as I do, having little conversations in my head.  Its not a race, its about losing weight, being healthy and being happy.  I am in this for the long term and it didnt take me a year to gain all the weight so why should i expect to lose it in a year.  As like many others I am sure, i want a miracle and want to lose 3-4lb a week, but I am also realistic and know this isnt the way to do it, unless i cut off a limb which isnt advisable.

I also tried another Filling & Healthy this week and realised I was eating more than i needed because I could, and then wrongly worked out the points of what i had that day and it was much different to my daily pp allowance.

I have decided to stop changing so many things, and stop trying new things and I am going to follow the plan as I know it works.  Counting Pro Points ! 

On a posiive note I have come out the other side of my "strange" week, with a loss not a gain. 


I think thats enough for now, I need my beauty sleep xxxx

Time to change

My leader said to us last week, "it takes 21 days to make a change become a habit"

This has stuck with me this week, I have no idea why but it has, so that's what I have decided to do. I am going to make changes and create new habits.

What I am loving about WW this time round is I am learning as I go, unlike before where I changed the way I ate to lose weight, I am now changing the way I live to lose the weight and make sure it stays off. It is as it says a lifestyle change.

21 days of making new habits fits in well with my next time off work. I am taking some holidays the 2nd week of the school holidays, 3weeks away so I am going to try and make some changes. I can't guarantee I will stick to them all but no harm in trying.

First I am going I get up half an hour earlier on week days, this may seem like not much of a challenge but for me it's huge. I am not a morning person, actually the opposite I am more of a night owl but as I drove to work this morning, eating my Belvita biscuits as I drove, (at least I have breakfast in some form) I thought this is hardly the best way to use 6 of my precious pro points. So up earlier and breakfast before leaving the house is the plan.

Another bad habit i have is lack of exercise. i am great at finding excuses not to exercise, weather, time, mood, tired anything really but time to change. I would also like to add 10 minutes on a morning to use the vibro machine and at least 10 minutes on the Airwalker when I get home from work. 20 minutes a day is not much to ask so let's hope I can keep it up. It will help get me on track for when I do the Race for Life in July.

Adding this small changes to the ones I have already made, the drinking more water, the less diet coke, the planning my meals and tracking as you go. They all add to a slimmer, happier Dolittle.

Wish me luck x

Weekly 49... to use or not to use ??

I love my 49 weekly points, the extra freedom weight watchers offers to the already liveable plan.  I find having them for a few extra a day, or like I did last week, using them for Mother's day so i could relax for the day and took the day off.  And really love having them when the unexpected takeaway takes place and it can be guilt free.  Ah the joy of guilt free food .......

But, me being me, I like to challenge myself so this week I am trying my best to not use my weekly points through the week, but because I believe they are there to use, I will have them after weigh in on wednesday night.  Well maybe not all 49 in one go but treat myself to a takeaway or a big bag of peanut m&m's mmmm.

I follow many other weight watcher's on facebook and there seems to be a real mix of feelings towards the weekly points and whether they help your weight loss or not.  I appreciate others may find they slow down their losses but i feel like I have a comfort zone knowing they are there if i need them.. 

Another reason I have decided to try and stick to only daily points this week is because I recalculated my weekly points allowance and realised i had gone down a point.  This got me thinking to how I would manage on what i eat now when i get closer to goal and only have the minimum 26pp a day.  I may then need the weekly ones each day but until then I am trying to find lower pointed snacks or alternatives to what I like. 

I am on day 2 of sticking to my daily points and pleased to say have managed ok, little peckish tonight but will get through it.  Weekends are a tester so i will see how I get on. 

Hopefully I will report back next week after Weigh In with another loss.

Lisa xxx

Filling & Healthy days ..

Well i have done two filling and healthy days so i'm sharing my thoughts on them.

 

Before doing this i was a little dubious as i know portion size and the ability to know when to stop is something i have problems with, hence being the size i am now.  But as i said on a previous post i needed to try it to know if it would work for me.

 

My first day was yesterday, friday, so a working day.

  

 

Breakfast : Egg & bacon sandwich - this was very nice but too much to do when I am rushing out the door for work.

Lunch : Jacket Potatoes and Baked Beans - It was nice being able to have these without weighing them and they were filling.

Tea : Gammon Steak, Homemade paprika wedges, Poached Egg, Pineapple, Onion Rings (4pp) and salad - Loved this. No worrying about the size of the gammon steak, or how many wedges to have, oh and no choosing between the egg or pineapple because i love both.

Snacks : Banana & WW Chocolate Bar - Still needed my sweet treat mid afternoon, 2pp

 

I found Friday ok, i was struggling with my conscience over the amount i was eating and was hungry when i got in from work until I had tea.  I missed being able to have something little while waiting on my hubby coming home.  I used 6 of my weekly propoints in the day.  Overall happy with the day and was full most of it.

 

Now today has proven a different experience altogether.  From when i made the food plan earlier in the week, or plans changed but i decided to keep to a filling and healthy day.

 

 

Breakfast : WW Bagel, Scrambled Egg, Bacon & Beans - Very Filling

Lunch : WW Pitta Bread, Roast Chicken, Salad & coleslaw (2pp)

Afternoon Snack : 3 x WW Digestive Biscuits (3pp)

Tea : Quorn Chilli, used WW Jar Chilli Sauce (3pp), Wedges, WW Pitta, Salad & Grated Cheese (2pp)

Snacks : Snack size Galaxy Ripple (2pp)

 

Breakfast was nice and because i wasn't in a hurry for work it was enjoyable.  It was also very filling, the WW Bagels being more filling than bread.

Lunch proved a little more challenging.  We had plans to visit my mother in law for mothers day and we were calling at Morrisons on the way to grab lunch.  I missed the convenience of the pro points, i was a little stuck on what to choose but decided on some roast chicken, a little salad from the salad bar and WW pitta.  I added coleslaw to avoid it being dry and it was nice but not that filling.

I had the three digestives on the go in the afternoon, partially for my sweet fix and because i was hungry.  I had planned to be home in time to make a big pan of homemade vegetable soup but we went to see our grandson and ended up staying longer than expected.  I again was wishing I hadnt done a filling and healthy day.  The idea of takeaway started to rear its head as we travelled home late and the thoughts of now standing cooking a meal from scratch was less appealing, but i am pleased to say I didnt. 

Tea was Quorn chilli, i used the ww chilli sauce as didnt have kidney beans in the house and because i thought it would be quick and easy.  ( i have counted 3pp for this as i have kept some back for tomorrow).  More Wedges, Salad leaves and a little grated cheese, with WW Pitta breads.  Really enjoyed this meal, very filling and tasty, but did wonder if i really needed quite so much, and after reflection think i ate it as i was able to not because i needed it.

No reason went into the galaxy ripple other than i wanted it, and well worth the 2pp mmmm  I will be buying the snack ones again.

 

My thoughts on F&H days now are different to a few days ago.  i would have said that weekends were easier as I have time to cook but not for me.  weekends also mean having no routine and that works fine when you have the convenience of pro points.

 

Mentally its a challenge going against the whole quantity arguement, i dont think i am in the right place with my weight loss yet to be able to control portion sizes and would slowly keep having more than i needed.

 

Choice, as much as there is a good choice of foods i would always struggle for breakfast ideas as the cereal available is not to my tastes and usually take breakfast with me to work so cooked is out of the question.

 

Snacks are also a small problem for me, i am not a fruit fan so snacking on fruit doesnt appeal.  i know i should but i dont see the point of eating things i dont enjoy just because it has a zero pp value.  i do like summer fruits, peaches, nectarines, strawberries when they are at their best.

 

Having said all this i wouldnt rule out another F&H day, even considering one monday as I am at work so routine is easier. I plan to make the soup i didnt make today which also means I can have as much as i like of it.

 

Did i feel fuller, not always.  Did I feel healthier, No, not when i was having the arguement about portion sizes.  Lets hope the scales are still kind but i feel slightly out of control with not having wrote down the points.

Dolittle xx
 

 

Filling in time

I'm sat waiting on my weigh in tonight and thought how do i stop myself eating before i go, and here i am.  My new favourite passtime along with my facebook page.

I have been reflecting on this last week in hope that i have a loss tonight but i have to be honest and say i have let myself down.  I have talked the talk but not put my own advice into practice.  I didnt track all week, which is annoying as i dont know how good or bad i have really been so makes going to get weighed a little anxious. 
I find myself asking why i havnt wrote it all down, always the good intention to do so but this week it hasnt happened, well not everyday.  But not being one to dwell on it, i will move on, lesson learnt and as always plan to do it next week.

I also havnt done any exercise, i do have a genuine bad back so have avoided doing anything to make it feel worse.  again not a good way to spend your week.  

Fingers crossed and everything else to go with it, that this week is fine.

Next week is already planned, knowing we were going to discuss filling and healthy at this weeks meeting I have planned 2 days of F&H to see how they work.  I dont think i can truly follow ww without trying all aspects of the plan, how would i know what works best for me if i dont try.  I am impressed with the choice of food on the F&H food list but a little unsure if i am able to identify the full feeling, after all i wouldnt be the size and shape i am if i did.  But always the optimist i am trying and will report back how it goes.

I have also been thinking alot about how to use my points.  I am getting mixed reviews through ww friends on facebook.  Some use all the weeklies, as i do, some not at all.  some have trouble losing if they use the weekly points but i would have to rethink what i have if i dont use them.  I think I will try a week without and see if it reflects in my loss, again if i dont try i wont know. 
I had also thought about having 3 or 4 of my weeklies a day and only use the rest if an unexpected event arose, or a major drama effected my day and i turned to chocolate, you just never know when the emotions will take over.  I will save the weeklies challenge for another week though, one test at a time is enough.

I am also pleased to say I am going to be doing The Race for Life in Newcastle this year, July 21st.  One of my Bucket List for 2013.  my aim will to be try and jog around this year, i have done it a few years ago but walked, very red faced and very unfit I will add, but made it all the same.  this next week I will start a little extra excercise, walking in my lunch time to start a little training, I think i will need alot of training, but little steps to start haha.

Well its a little closer to the scales so wish me luck xxxxxx

My New Approach

Weight watchers have launched their new approach and I have to say after a good few years of trying to get back in "The Zone" of losing with weight watchers I feel its finally clicked again.

 

I know my last really successful run was 10 year ago, and I often ask myself what happened between then and now. Why i couldnt lose it like i did before, why it never worked the same, but instead of wondering the "Why's and What for's" i am now just focussing on the present and future me.

 

When I returned to the ww meetings I purchased a journal, I know tracking is the way forward but found the little trackers supplied every week too small.

 

 

I now love using my journal, filling it in most days on an evening.  The one week i didnt i gained, coincidence maybe but mmmm, thinking not.  Unlike the small trackers the Journal guides you through Weight Watchers new 3 step approach Tracking, Places, Routine. 

 

TRACKING

Everything you eat goes in there, even when you cringe when  writing it down because you know you shouldnt have had it.  There is no point missing it out, its only you that your lying to. 

 

And then those things you write down and then  work out the points value, like my M&S Milk Chocolate cookie, and I have to say it was an amazing cookie, the ones bought from the bakery section.  Big and full of huge chunks of chocolate.  Mmmmmm  But then I realised I had ate 10pp worth of yummyness and maybe not worth it after all.

 

Tracking works, simple as that and with it all there in front of you it gives you the chance to see what you can improve or change to suit your losses or gains.

 

PLACES

One of the sections is about managing places, learning to deal with those weight loss danger zones.  I have over the last few weeks realised some of mine and I am making changes to deal with them.  One is the supermarket, as for many people it can be an aladdins cave of goodies.  As much as you can go with a list, it wont stop those odd items, on special offer and too good to pass up on, ending up in the trolley.  And i dont know about anyone else, they are never bought for me but i always eat them

 

I now shop online as much as I can, plan my week, make my list, add them to the trolley, then make a point of looking over the list just incase i have things i dont really need.  Its amazing how things can still end up in there when your clicking the mouse on your computer.  I find this has helped with the temptation of the aisles and also spending less, result !!

 

My 2nd hot spot is work, its a tricky one as I have to go to work.  I sit in a service reception area with 3 men, one being my hubby, who dont understand the relationship I have with food.  Some days it can be a really negative place to work and as I tend to be an emotional eater, I find myself wanting the comfort of the vending machine when the days are like this.  Some customers can be hard work, nothings good enough and no matter how nice you are they still feel the need to have faces like slapped bums.  It costs nothing to smile and even less to be civil, and dont they know I have a weight loss goal to get to so how dare they cause me upset when the vending machine is so close by ........... maybe i should wear a badge " Be Nice Im On A Diet " lol

 

These moments are not everyday but can certainly test the will power so i am trying to have low pp snacks with me incase.  I do usually take something for mid morning and mid afternoon to keep the snack cravings at bay, not always a success but the guy who fills up the machine has put in Walker's French Fries and Quavers so I at least have a low pp snack incase i do give in.

 

ROUTINES

The Journal askes you "What small changes you can make this week".  A chance to see what can be changed, where things can be different and how to change the bad habits into good ones.

 

If anyone has ready my earlier posts they will see I have Fat Friday, usually consisting of McDonalds for lunch, well this week that was my bad habit to change. No fat friday, time my routine changed and pleased to say i did just that and didnt miss it at all.

 

In week three of my journal I wrote to plan my week earlier as i was planning on a wednesday night after Weigh In, getting food delivered Thursday night, sometimes friday and by then I had already had 2 bad days that weren't planned.  Now I plan my week for my food delivery on a wednesday night ready for the start of my new week.  My own new approach Plan It, Buy it, track It lol.

 

 

I think I have waffled on enough for today, I find the more I am enjoying what I am doing, the better I feel and the more I feel I need to share.   What can I say, Im feeling great and I want to shout about it.

 

Dolittle xxxxxxxxx