It's a miracle...

 

 

This plan really work... click here to find out more!

Ok, I was genuinely convinced I would have put weight on after my weekend of excess, but I stepped onto the scales today and low and behold, I have lost 2lbs again, taking me to a 21 lbs loss. Excellent!

I think I'll start to take measurements as well as weight

What I hope will happen to me!

Back to work now, but wanted to update you!

Ali xxx

 

Stay safe...

Just a brief blog today, but I wanted to write to tell you all to stay safe in this weather! In the space of the hour that I've just spent at the gym, the wind seems to have picked up even more. I know that nobody needs a lecture, so just stay safe, and be sensible.

I went to the gym intending on doing loads, but I took my book and just read for 45 minutes whilst on the bike. I did over 9.5km though, and I was sweating way too much for a girl, so at least I've done some exercise! I'm reading "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry; it's a powerful book, to say the least, and I cannot put it down.

I'm not too confident about Weigh Day tomorrow. After my very heavy weekend, I don't feel like I've pushed myself the extra mile in terms of my exercise regime. If I maintain this week, I will be happy, but I am guessing my first gain, probably a pound or so! I'll just have to work twice as hard next week, although it's half term and I usually slip into bad habits when we're off work. I'm sure that you guys will motivate me enough to stick with it while I'm not distracted by work.

I tried a Low Low ready meal this evening for my tea. It was the Chicken and Chorizo Paella. My first mistake was buying a ready meal that's microwave only, when I don't own a microwave! It said it was to be steamed, so I put it into my steamer for 30 minutes, like I did with the Weight Watchers steam and serve meals. This didn't work, so I ended up putting it in the oven for a while. After all the hassle I didn't even enjoy it. It wasn't as tasty as the Weight Watchers' meals I've had, and the chorizo content was almost non-existent. The only thing that I liked about it was the £1 price tag. I'm clearly a Weight Watchers girl at heart.

Off to bed now to scare myself silly as I catch up on The Following. I've a long day of moderating, followed by Parents' Evening, ahead of me tomorrow, but I will try to update you all on my weight at some point.

Remember, take care in this awful weather.

Ali xxx

Walk off the weight...

Sorry I've been a bit silent this weekend. Unfortunately, I have only one excuse: a hangover! I think I died a million times over. I've never been so ill. It's not big, or clever, but I had a lot of fun in the build up! I think I deserved to let my hair down and go a bit wild. And I was so impressed that I had fit into a pre-Christmas dress, that I just went wild! I'd bought myself this in November in a size 16, but it was a million miles away from fitting. Not only did it fit me, but it was loose in places and really comfortable. I also felt nice in it too, which helps. I'm given myself kudos, because I've worked hard to get into this dress. I have three others that I'm hoping to fit in as the weight comes off, so watch this space.

 
I went to Rojo with some work ladies. It was really nice. The food was good, but the atmosphere and service was excellent! Relaxed and comfortable, just what I think us Southfield ladies needed! We shared some Nachos to start (between three of us, so it wasn't bad at all). For my main I got chicken skewers with vegetables in a mango sauce. This came with rice and a couple of wedges. It was really tasty. We were good and didn't have a pudding! We did, however, sample some cocktails. I can highly recommend the strawberry mojito! The trouble came when leaving Rojo, when I thought it was a good idea to drink double vodka and tonics. The rest is history. I worked it out that it had been five months since I last went out, and even then I wasn't drunk, so this was certainly justified. Am I convincing you, or just trying to convince myself? My husband is too lovely, and he let me stay in bed until dinner time. The 6 hours awake with Noah was hard. An eager toddler and a killer hangover are two things that should not ever go together!
 
Can I confess to my sins now please? Let's just say the food from my lovely meal didn't stay down long enough to be properly digested, so I was starving come 6pm on Saturday. Still hung over, and suffering the dreaded munchies, I went to Asda. Big mistake! For my tea I had an entire pizza to myself, some crisps and some chocolate. It was my entire daily allowance of Weight Watchers ProPoints in one meal. It was a good job that it was my only meal of the day then. Oh, the shame! I'm telling you this to highlight what my drinking session caused me to do. I fell completely off the food wagon. I was firmly back on it by yesterday, and I even walked 2 miles. Today I have been even more vigilant, and walked 3.8 miles, so I think I've made up for the error in food judgement! I'm not so pious as to pretend I am an angel when it comes to this weight loss malarkey; I am, however, dedicated enough to think of two days out of fifty as simple respite, rather than failure. I'm going to do what I can to still lose 2lbs this week, as this will put me at my lightest since I was four months pregnant with Noah (yes, I regularly weighed myself when I was expecting).

My exercise plan for this week is as follows: tomorrow I am trying Piloxing for the first time (oh hell). Wednesday I am going to go for a walk again with my mam. Thursday I will go for a swim or to the gym after work, and I will do the same on Friday. I will go swimming or running on Saturday morning, and then on Sunday I will be sleeping all day, because...

It's this weekend that Andy and I are sleeping under the stars in the freezing cold to raise money for charity! It's for the Cumbria Foundation and is called The Big Sleep. For more information- and for details on how to donate- visit our fundraising page here. It's for an amazing cause. Go on, you know you want to donate!

Well, I am off to chill and then sleep. I'm a bit obsessed with Ryan Gosling so I think it's the turn of Gangster Squad tonight.

Take care, and have a great week.

Ali xxx

Where has today gone?

I've just noticed the time, and realised that I've not written my blog, or done those bloody squats! I'll have to do both very quickly before I go to sleep. I've done lots of moving about today. Noah was at the health visitor for his check up so when I picked him up we walked, and went for a little walk before I had to head back to work. It was lovely really. I took him to join the library too, so you know where we'll be headed on Saturday! Mother Nature is making life tricky, girls- you know how it is! I slapped that bitch in the face though and still went to the gym. I did six miles on the bike and the 10 minutes on the cross trainer. My legs are feeling it! The reason I have divulged a little too much information is to make a point. I normally allow Mother Nature to completely take over, and I can usually barely manage work, let along anything else. This time I've had a bit of a "mind over matter" moment and just got over the cramps and went for it. I must admit, it actually makes me feel a little better- although I've got a serious temper on me this week! This being said, there was a part of me that couldn't be bothered, so to help me along I took my book with me to read on the bike...










I made a delicious tea tonight. It was stir fry vegetables which I used a little bit of Light Soy to fry them in. I added some chicken that I had baked in the oven with the juice of a lemon and the juice of a lime squeezed over it. It was unbelievably tasty and only 3 ProPoints.



Right, these 250 squats aren't going to get done with me just sitting here!

Good night you lovely lot!

Ali xxx

Ready for the weekend!

Where has the week gone? Friday again, but that's a good thing!

I started the weekend right with a trip to the gym (and a weekly catch up with Sarah). We're getting very good at this! I am proud of us. It's amazing how much I'm enjoying going to the gym and swimming. I think every time I go I feel a little more confident. I'm by no means hardcore, but I am challenging myself and not resting on my laurels. I might have lost 15lbs, but that means I've still got 41lbs to go! Slowly does it if I want lasting results.

I had a self-esteem boost today. I'd bought myself a dress from Asda to wear on New Year's Eve and it was the tiniest size 18 I had ever seen. I looked like a sausage in it! Needless to say I've never had it on. The tags were still on this morning! Not only did I feel up to trying it on, it actually bloody fit me! So I wore a new dress to work today, that had been stuck in my wardrobe for weeks!

I must think of a treat to buy myself when I hit the -2 stone mark. My MAC lipstick (in MAC red, of course) is on it's way. I like having something to bribe myself with, as well as good health! I'm thinking a pair of DMs, but at £90 (at their cheapest) I may be being a bit too extravagant. Perhaps I should get those when I hit -3 stone, and treat myself to something smaller- ok, cheaper! Any ideas would be great! All this exercise is making me need a massage! I have a voucher for Solo that my fabulous sisters got me for my birthday. I think half term might be the time to use this!

My lips are still tingling from my tea! I made spicy meatballs in a wrap with a huge zero ProPoints salad. It was 10 ProPoints in total but more than worth the slight splurge, and very filling. I've only used 13 ProPoints today anyway. I'm sensing a small glass of red might be on the cards! What are you guys all doing this evening?

Going to love you and leave you now. I've got a little project I'm working on, and I want to have a read, so I best get cracking!

Have an amazing weekend everyone.

Ali xxx

Location:Workington,United Kingdom

Another weekend: GONE!

I hope that you've all had a lovely weekend; they go in far too quickly don't they? I'm sure everyone says the same, not matter how much they love or loathe their jobs.

I've felt pretty run down all weekend with this cold. I really shouldn't moan, and I understand I am rapidly turning it into "man flu", but it has been rotten. Touch wood *quickly knock on the kitchen table* it seems to be subsiding. I think that rearranging my plans, or the majority of them, has done me good. Kudos to me for being sensible for a change!

Being on a losing streak has really pushed me into thinking seriously about my approach to losing more weight and, more importantly, my approach to fitness and exercise in general. Yesterday morning I had a decision to make: stay at home "nursing" the cold whilst most definitely feeling sorry for myself, or get my arse out of the house and do some exercise. The "old" me would definitely have stayed in, and probably bought some chocolate to make myself feel better. Instead Andy and I went to the sports centre at Moorclose and played badminton for an hour. It was hard work, but I was pleased afterwards, and I enjoyed myself (if I ignore the fact that I lost). Noah was with his Nanna Jen, so we managed to race around Asda in no time at all. My "diet"- I do hate that word- saved us a fortune! We'd normally spend £80 a week, as we'd buy a ton of crap. Our shop was just over £50 because we only bought fresh and healthy ingredients. Needless to say Mr W was VERY happy about that! Having resolved that I won't buy any clothes until I'm a size 14 again also worked. I just skipped past George, and didn't buy anything that I didn't need. Could it be? Am I now a grown up?

I've been into my salads the past two days; I think that my body must be craving the nutrients from fruit and veggies in a bid to rid me of the cold. Yesterday I had a zero ProPoints salad with a small amount of low fat mayo and a tin of Weight Watchers Tuna and Sweetcorn. It was really tasty and filling, just enough for lunch anyway.


A lovely evening was had by all last night at The Castle Bar, as the Williamsons gathered to celebrate and remember two very special people...

I was worried about eating out, but I used last night as my treat, and dipped into my "extra" ProPoints where needed. I had a Brie starter, which came with a chutney and a side salad. It was delicious but I huge portion for a starter! I ate the salad and shared the cheese with Noah. I left the chutney, but did taste it and it was lovely. My main was amazing: Tempura Chicken in a Lime and Chilli sauce. I ordered it with a side salad, but they put rice with it too- which I left purely because I was so full. Ordinarily I adore huge portion sizes, but I did struggle with them last night, and had to force myself to stop eating. I must learn to stop when I'm full, not when my plate is empty! I was the designated driver so stuck to Diet Coke. Again, I would have had a drink had I not been driving, so I need to give myself diversions and reasons not to. I had a brilliant night without the booze, so I really benefited from staying away from it.

I was headed to bed at around 1am when I remembered that I hadn't done my squats! It was a real inconvenience to have to do 140 squats when I was so tired!

I must add a huge "THANK YOU" to my amazing friends, The Milligans, for coming to collect Noah and watching him while we stayed out for a bit. It was a massive help! Noah is not nice when he's had too late of a night! This morning was another day where I didn't feel too great (another slight food hangover, anyone?) but I dragged myself to the gym (after yet again sleeping in for swimming). My #bff- am I too old for that term?- came with me so it didn't feel onerous at all. Another good gossip! Sarah lost her treadmill virginity, which was interesting! Have you regained normal sensation in your legs yet?

I had another salad for lunch. Today was a Zero ProPoints salad with Olives (10 olives=1 ProPoint) and fresh salsa (also zero ProPoints). I felt I needed some protein after the gym so I had a boiled egg! It was loads, and all for three ProPoints!


We had a "healthy" Sunday dinner tonight for our evening meal. This consisted of a chicken breast baked in the oven (4 ProPoints), carrots and parsnips boiled and then baked for a short time, broccoli, green beans and sprouts. Andy and Noah had the same, but replaced the green vegetables with boiled potatoes. Everyone was a satisfied customer. I took a photo, but the quality was rubbish so I'll post one next time I make it.

I'm going to chill tonight watching either "The Musketeers" or "Mr Selfridge". I wonder if either will fill my "Sherlock" gap sufficiently. Monday calls so I'm going to head off now.

Make sure you all have a great week.

Ali xxx

Location:Workington,United Kingdom