The reason I ask if it's really the weekend is that I seem to have misplaced Thursday! Can it really be Friday?
I've just encountered a first at the gym. I ran for almost 30 minutes, doing five minute bursts separated by two and a half minutes of walking. May I add that this was AFTER three miles on the bike? I got in the car and seriously thought I had wet myself, but alas, it was my heated seat. Same sensation and I have probably lost all feeling in my legs! I found the first and second set quite hard, but the other two sets were ok. I feel good for it, so don't quite care how bad I am at running. My dad asked me a question before: "Have you ever seen a runner with your build?" Well, no. But my shape is certainly changing so maybe it will get easier the lighter I get. Anyway, I don't want to run a marathon, just the Race for Life for my Grandad! 5 months and counting...
I am VERY excited for tea tonight. I am having an actual take away! Albeit salad and potato wedges, but it's a take away all the same; and it is my first of 2014. I think I've earned it. With a week of ups and downs, but a day of particular highs, I think a little celebration is in order. A glass of red is a must!
Andy got me a little present delivered today courtesy of Parcel Genie... It's so cool and random, and totally sums up why we're together! Some of you might not get it, but to me this present is romance at it's best:
I wonder what next week will have in store? Hoping to test out my new "going out"" glasses when I go out next Friday with Liz and Sarah (and yes, they are prescription... geek chic posing at it's most practical):
Happy weekend you lovely bunch!
Ali xxx
Nothing like an open evening to shatter you out! I'm running on empty now so I won't be long. Still happy about another weight loss this week. That's enough to make me smile.
It's the final day on my squat challenge; I'd say I'm going to miss them, but I don't want to lie to you. I'll have to keep up with them kind of, to make sure I keep working on my legs. They're definitely a bit more toned, but I'm nowhere near having the "thigh gap", although I don't think I ever will have that. I'm going to start a challenge for my arms, although most of them involve planking, something which I don't do!
Couldn't be bothered with making much for tea so I went for an omelette. Not very inspiring but it filled a gap and looked like pizza. Psychological eating!
Ali xxx
Week 4 has been another successful one. I'm down 2lbs on last week, so I'm very happy! That's 17lbs in total.
Best get to work! Have a good day.
 |
| Sums up my mood today! |
Ali xxx
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
Running club night two. It wasn't too bad! It was by no means easy but I did manage it a bit more. The slow starts are a bit annoying (come on people, 6.30pm is 6.30pm) but we got there in the end. It was "walk for three minutes and run for three minutes" four times. I managed. I ran when I was meant to and walked when I was meant to. I kept a slow pace and just plodded on alone. It was good. Kind of. No trying to keep up, and no worrying about coming last (for the record, I didn't). I did note the odd surprised glance when I walked in. Clearly I was the one people were expecting to drop out. Craig, the guy who keeps the slow coaches at the back going, said as much. I was apparently doing much better this week but he was shocked that I had returned. Hmm... not sure how to feel about that, but I won't be quitting, no matter how much I dislike running. The slower runners were so slow that those in front went on a detour and had to run more. I feel a bit put out that just because I'm slow I had to do less than everyone else. I would've liked to have done the same distance as everyone else, even if it had taken me longer. That did piss me off, if truth be told. It was ok, but by no means the highlight of my week!
I had a gorgeous Weight Watchers' tea tonight. It was another Steam and Serve and was the Sweet Mango Chicken one. This was 7 ProPoints with a huge zero ProPoint salad. Very filling, and I didn't feel as though I was eating "diet" food either. This is always a good thing, especially when you're a bit- well, a lot- greedy by nature. It was sweet without being sickly. Don't expect to get much chicken either, as it was sparse in this packet.
The "steam" cooking... It says to use a microwave, but as I don't own one, I cook this in my steamer. It works perfectly.
What it looks like... although this isn't mine as I had eaten it all before I remembered to photograph it.
I've not got much else to talk about. I did think I had squats to do, but Day 28 is a rest day. I can't believe I have actually seen this through to the end. What shall I do next? Definitely need to give my legs a rest. Hump day tomorrow everyone; the weekend is in sight!
Ali xxx
Today has been a funny old day. Pushing the usual Monday blues aside, I've not felt too hot at all. Couldn't quite put my finger on what was the matter, just a bit of a stomach bug.
I went to bed when Noah did which helped. I then got my second wind at 8.30pm, which was a bit inconvenient as I should've just slept through. I decide to put this energy to good use, and went for a swim. I only stayed for 30 minutes, but managed 40 lengths, which is impressive for me. I was one of "those" swimmers, wearing goggles! I've not done this since I was a kid, and in my head I was Rebecca Adlington, gliding effortlessly down the pool. I am sure that those around me had other ideas, and that the reality of my efforts weren't quite as seamless!
Tomorrow is running club, part two. I'll be honest, I'm not looking forward to it. I'm fairly optimistic that I will do better than last week, but that's it! This new-found determination will see me finish what I started, even if I don't want to! I'm sure I'll have an interesting update for you guys tomorrow anyway. This one is short and sweet, as forgotten squats, closely followed by sleep, are calling me!
And for some motivation for all the running group... I'm not at all in love with Ryan Gosling!
Ali xxx
I've neglected my blogging duties this weekend, but I've had such a nice one that I will forgive myself for it! Saturday started with a run around the block for my running club homework. I use the term "run" fairly lightly, but I did find it better than the time before. Maybe it will get easier after each time. I'll let you know on Tuesday! We had a fiasco with our new washing machine, thanks to Curry's. This company has the worst returns/exchange policy that I've ever encountered. I am not impressed with their service in the slightest. Thanks to Nigel, my stepdad, it's all sorted, but it was still an inconvenience for everyone. Here's a photo of the sorted products, very excited to use them (I'm aware of the tragedy of this statement). Our kitchen needs redecorated now though:
It was nice to catch up with Sarah outside of a gym! We went to Costa, and we were very good getting tea with skimmed milk (zero ProPoints) and resisting a cake! The tea actually lasted longer than a coffee so we had more time to catch up! Excellent! I had a very relaxing evening at home with Andy and Noah. Andy got a pizza, but I wanted to be as good as possible so I got a Weight Watchers' Steam and Serve Chicken dish which was 6 ProPoints, to have with a salad. My treat was an Asda Chocolate Sundae (6 ProPoints) and 9 ProPoints worth of wine. It was nice to indulge in something a bit naughty. I've been so good with the plan that I didn't feel remotely guilty. I still came 12 ProPoints under target for the day anyway!
Weekend treats:
Today was the birthday party for my gorgeous and special niece, Daisy! It was a lovely day with my fabulous family. Daisy, Abigail and Noah had a whale of a time. I didn't hold back on the buffet- it was from Al's Kitchen, it would've been rude to say no- so I will just get back on track tomorrow. To be fair, I'm so full I won't eat much this evening, so I doubt I'll go over my points allowance. Life is too short to worry about having one day off here and there; if I don't have the odd free day I would hate the entire thing and give up! It was a wonderful day, and I love seeing Noah play with his cousins as he clearly loves his Day-Z and Babigail to pieces!
My kit to send off a sample of my cheek cells came yesterday. I'm hoping to be eligible to donate stem cells, so fingers crossed. It took me no more than five minutes to swab the inside of my cheeks and get it parcelled up. I will be so pleased if I can donate. I think it'll make my year! Someone asked me yesterday why I want to do this... All I could respond with was "Why not?" To find out more, Google "Delete Blood Cancer".
My 14lb loss treat:
Excuse the dodgy selfie, but I wanted to show how beautiful this lipstick is!
My 1 stone treats arrived yesterday. I am in love with the MAC Red lippy, it really is what I hoped it would be. The liquid eyeliner is brilliant too; it doesn't smudge or flake, so I am very pleased with my purchase. I liked the thought of treating myself to Nike Blazers when I lose my next stone (13lbs to go), but these aren't THAT much cheaper than a pair of DMs, so I've decided to go for my 11th pair of Converse. I want double tongued ones, hopefully these:
Back to work tomorrow, which means back to the routine which is helping me shift the weight. Touch wood, I have a fairly calm week ahead of me. So far no meetings. I'm hoping that it stays this way. Going to go now so I can read more of The Book Thief, and hopefully have a play with my new washer and dryer. What an exciting life I lead! Oh, I also have the small matter of 225 squats to do before the end of he day!
Have an excellent week guys, hoping to have plenty of exercise and weight loss gossip for you!
Ali xxx
