Little Miss Contrary Does The Dukan Diet

Day? feeling rough and stressed

2012-02-16T02:34:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all of you who messaged me to see how I was doing. I''m ok! Hanging in there and managing to maintain. Had a few falls off the wagon - including a subway sandwich last week which left me pumping and feeling feverish all afternoon - note to self you know how bread makes you feel so stop it!

This is the busiest time of the year for me at work coming up to year-end and everything comes due for submission, claims, audits etc. I've also taken on a few extra hours helping out another GP which doesn't help my stress levels. So really food and the restraints of dieting and NOT drinking wine have been too tough to cope with when I'm up to my ears and tearing out my hair. Chocolate was becoming a crutch for a few days but that has safely been banished now. We have a new drive through Costa near work so I'm going to use that for my mid-afternoon fix or reward to keep me strong instead of a Snickers Duo!!!

Still managing to resist normal carbs in general, bread, pasta, potatoes etc - they just don't appeal to me anymore so that hasn't been hard. I haven't been drinking enough water. I haven't been swimming again yet since my holidays but I have been going to Zumba every Monday night - well, we missed one last month cos there was a power cut. So I do want to get back to swimming and walk/jogging but that may have to wait until April just because there are only so many hours in the day.

This weekend is a little manic so I'll be as good as I can be;

Frugal Sisters Taste-testing tomorrow night at my house
People for Dinner Saturday night (doing Mexican so I can be good)
Out for Dinner at a friends Sunday night (no idea what were eating)

I'm really pleased that your all still going strong and I have still managed a little read here and there but haven't been able to dedicate as much time to reading everyone's blogs and I'm sure that does have a knock-on effect on my mindset. I don't want to say I'm not going to diet properly until the end of March and the financial year, but I am not going to pile extra pressure on myself to have to concentrate on that too and stress myself out. So please bear with me for a few weeks while I try and get a better work/life balance in place. I am still a Dukaneer, I'm not going anywhere but I might be a bit quiet on the blog front. Thanks again for all you support and messages.

Yesterday's Food
Mid-morning snack: celery with reduced fat and sugar free peanut butter
3pm late lunch: chicken curry
Dinner: Sauteed garlic king prawns
Snack: atkins chocolate coconut bar (gross! I think this had gone off but i needed chocolate)
Liquid intake: 2L (tea, coffee, 500ml water)

Day 238 - 8th Day of Re-Cruise

2012-01-15T09:44:00.000-08:00

Weight 181.4lbs - weight lost 53.6lbs - 1lbs lost since Thursday

Happy to see some movement despite Thursday's mishap. I've baked some of Charlotte's Oatbran & Flaxseed bread rolls this afternoon to take to work to have as toast for breakfast. It's soooo good, and will make sure I get in breakfast and my daily oatbran which has been a bit hit and miss so far this year. I must recommend Charlotte's recipe list here for inspiration if you feel your eating the same thing too often.

Yesterday we booked a mystery weekend for March - something to look forward to. Going with Lorna so it will be a good laff wherever we end up. Where are we going? Who knows - its a mystery!!!

I've made a moodboard on mydeco.com for what I want to do with our kitchen. Register for free and you can create your own moodboards for any project - brilliant! I can see me and my sis wasting hours on this.

What do you think?

Yesterday's food
Breakfast: boiled eggs and a cup of tea
Lunch: hot beef and onion
Dinner: chicken curry
Liquid Intake: 2.5L
Exercise: 1 hour walk

Day 235 - 5th Day of Re-cruise

2012-01-12T08:12:00.000-08:00

Weight 182.4lbs - weight lost to date: 52.6lbs - Maintain since Tuesday

I had a bad food day yesterday. I think I may see a blip up on the scales tomorrow for it. I don't really understand what I was thinking. I feel like I ate crap for the sake of it. Part of it was not eating til 12 so then stood in the queue at Boots when there were reduced chocolate bars - I had an out of body experience as my hand reached out and took not one but 2. 'Well, they are on offer,' my brain said, 'and I probably will save them for Alex,' I reasoned - incorrectly. Then on the way home the car drove itself into the MacDonald's drive-thru - not good. It was gross, and I don't think of myself as a binge eater but 2 burgers and 3 bars of chocolate in quick succession comes pretty close. I think its been an emotional couple of days and the food seemed the answer. It isn't - ever.

I did laugh yesterday tho when I got a text from my brother-in-law (who has just started the Dukan) saying he had just accidently eaten a samosa!! After the the rubbish I'd eaten 'just' a samosa seemed positively angelic.

Also wanted to update you on a very exciting find in Tesco this week - Stevia!!! Finally!!! The EU approved the use stevia extract in the UK at the end of November 2011but this is the first time I have SEEN it and BOUGHT some myself. I know Charlotte had a whole blog post on sweeteners but I cant find it. Sorry Charlotte but I did try. For those of you who are anti artificial sweeteners - this may be the one for you. It available in several varieties. This is the official write up of Canderel Green from Tesco.com;

"Delicious sweet taste

0 calories

Suitable for diabetics when used as part of a balanced diet

Suitable for vegetarians

Steviol glucosides (Stevia extracts) based table top sweetener.

Canderel Green, a low calorie sweetener with ingredients of natural origin.

New to the Canderel range, Canderel Green is specially formulated with extracts of the Stevia plant. Stevia has been used as a natural sweetener in South America for centuries and more recently in Asia. This fantastic range uses Reb A, the sweetest extract found in the Stevia plant. It is more than 200 times sweeter than sugar, but without the calories.

Suitable for all the family, Canderel Green tablets are ideal for sweetening hot drinks. Its handy dispenser also makes it easy for slipping into your bag and sweetening on the go.

Don't forget Canderel Green is also available in granules, perfect for sprinkling over fruit or cereal or even for cooking and baking. So go on, indulge yourself"

And Truvia;
"Calorie free sweetener from the stevia leaf

Sweetness from a leaf

Suitable for people with diabetes

Suitable for vegetarians

Steviol glycosides based granular table top sweetener

Stevia leaves are steeped in water similar to making tea. This unlocks the best tasting part of the leaf, which is purified to provide a calorie free sweet taste.

Truvia® is proud of our strong environmental and social sustainability goals for bringing stevia from field to table.

Learn more at truvia.co.uk"

There is also a Tate & Lyle Sugar and Stevia blend available

Yesterday's Food
Breakfast: None
Lunch: 2 MacDonald's double cheeseburgers without the buns, costa light coffee 0% fat with sugarfree hazelnut syrup
Dinner: chicken tikka pieces and riata
Snack: 2 Quality Street 'The Purple One' bars and a Bounty - gross!
Liquid intake: 2.5L (water, tea and a costa light coffee)
Exercise: cleaning, changing bed etc

Day 233 - Day 3 Re-Cruise

2012-01-10T00:42:00.000-08:00

Weight 182.4lbs - weight lost 52.6lbs - 0.6lbs loss since yesterday

Many thanks for all the concern re my house burning down - thankfully it was still standing when I got home and the stew was cooked perfectly in the slow cooker. It didn't smell very nice for some reason but tasted good. I have blended what's left into a soup and brought it to work for lunch today. 1st Zumba of the year was good last night. I wish she would change it sometimes though cos it's always the same and it would be nice to have a few new routines for the new year.

Yesterday's Food
Breakfast: 3 coffees, oatbran porridge and a boiled egg
Lunch: Chicken & Squash soup
Dinner: Beef stew
Snack: 2 squares diabetic dark chocolate
Liquid Intake: 2L
Exercise: 1 hour Zumba class

Day 232 - Day 2 Re-cruise

2012-01-09T02:06:00.000-08:00

Weight 183lbs - weight loss 52lbs - maintain since Thursday

No movement on the scales for the last few days but that's fine. So I lost 4lbs on the 5-day Attack and as of yesterday we had a salad which made a nice change. Today, I've stuck my slow cooker on with a beef stew so that should be nice to come home to - or maybe my house will have burned down - who knows?! I'm trying to get back on track with the exercise too so we went for a walk yesterday round the reservoir, when we got there it was drizzling so we ended up going at quite a pace. I did eat alot yesterday, even though I wasn't particularly hungry. 'So why all the food?!' I hear you cry in despair. Partly because we had my niece to stay over and I know she will eat a roast dinner and all the veg that entails, and partly because stuff needed eating or throwing away.

Tonight it's Zumba class at the local school 8-9pm. Normally, B.S.C. (before slow cooker) we wouldn't eat until after I got back at about 9.30pm so it will be better having something ready when I get home at 6.30pm. Hopefully I'll get for my swim tomorrow too. Then Wednesday I'm helping out on a friends house labouring for a plasterer all day so that sounds like hard work to me!

Yesterday's food
Breakfast: Two eggs and left over spicy taco mince, all mixed up together
Lunch: Roast chicken, mashed carrot and swede, red cabbage and a couple of roast parsnip spears.
Dinner: Ham salad with balsamic & basil dressing
Snack: Atkins brownie bar (while Alex & Rhian had toffee popcorn)
Liquid Intake: 2.5L
Exercise: 40 minute walk round the reservoir - at a pace up and down slight hills

Day 228 - 3rd Day of Re-Attack

2012-01-05T01:17:00.000-08:00

Weight 183lbs - weight lost 52lbs - 1.6lbs lost since yesterday

That's 4lbs gone since Tuesday - Good news!! Only trace on the ketone strips this morning. I'm feeling alot healthier (except for the niggly cough) so should really get back into some exercise. Since the weather is so appalling it will have to be Zumba DVD, Dance Central on Kinect or Wii fit tomorrow after I've cleaned the house. Since being on holiday and then being ill I don't think the house has been cleaned properly once. Alex is doing his bit but it's not the same. He HAS kept the washing basket down which is a massive job done.

Got a slow cooker yesterday free with our Staples delivery, so I'm going to start using that, putting it on in the morning and coming home to a meal ready - that will be amazing and should mean we eat dinner earlier which I am sure helps with weight loss. We so often end up just sitting down to our meal at 9pm because of work and other arrangements. It can't be healthy eating a full meal and going to bed not long after.

Went to see the latest Mission Impossible film last night. Tom Cruise is looking good for knocking on 50 although his long hair bothered me. As did the cream jeans. You'll see what I mean if you watch it. Simon Pegg was very funny as always. As with all the Mission Impossible films - you have to suspend your disbelief at alot of the stunts and situations they get themselves in and the little bit at the end that was supposed to tug your heart strings just irritated me. I'm not going to give anything away, but if he could put on a disguise for a mission so easily why couldn't he don one at the end for personal reasons???!!!

Yesterday's Food
Breakfast: eek - 2 more cups of tea (I know, I know)
Lunch: (11.30) low carb sausages
Dinner: (9.30pm) half a chicken with Piri Piri seasoning from the takeaway - a bit too hot for me actually
Liquid Intake: 2L
Exercise: none (just trying to keep warm when it cold and wet)

Day 227 - 2nd Day of Re-Attack

2012-01-04T03:02:00.000-08:00

Weight 185.6lbs - weight lost 49.4lbs - 1.4lbs loss since yesterday

We ended up having chicken breast stuffed with garlic and herb light Philadelphia cream cheese and wrapped in lean ham slices for dinner last night. It was very good, quick and easy. Apart from one cup of tea with sugar in (I don't even take sugar in tea!!) and a couple of throat sweets I was pretty carb-free yesterday.

I'm happy to see movement on the scales already, its very motivating. It's also great to see so many people, who's blogs I've spent an enjoyable time reading (and stealing ideas from) over the last year, starting up again and lots of newbies too! The more the merrier I say!

Day 226 - 1st Day of Re-attack

2012-01-03T05:49:00.000-08:00

Weight 187lbs - weight lost 48lbs - New start today

Since December has been such a write-off diet wise - I thought it sensible to restart with new attack this week of 4 days. Which means I'll hit the weekend ready for a PV day. The plan is to continue as was pre-December to get to my target. I haven't been for a swim today because I'm getting over a throat and ear infection so I don't want to push it too much. I assume I will have to go through carb-flu again probably tomorrow or Thursday - something to look forward to! I'm going to use those ketone test strips to to monitor my status getting into and staying in ketosis the same as Charlotte.

It's our wedding anniversary in March, the 13th to be precise, and I'd like to give my husband the anniversary present of a wife nearly back at the weight he married her/me/she - now I'm confused with this talking in the third person lark. Anyway, that's 37lbs away right now so if, and its a big IF, I can do 3lbs a week I will be only a few pound from target by our anniversary. Otherwise I will be well on the way and will still pat myself on the back for progress made.

Today's Food
Breakfast: 3 cups of tea with skimmed milk - REALLY not hungry
Lunch: King Prawns and seafood sticks
Snack: Total greek Yog 0% fat with vanilla sugar free syrup

Dinner will likely be chicken based - after all as every Dukaneer knows - Poultry is our friend. Planning to drink at least 1.5L of water as well through the evening. A walk very unlikely in this weather.

I'd just like to welcome any newbies - starting out this month - you know who you are - please don't take anything I do as gospel or probably that of any other blogger either. We all have our little cheats that work for us but may well not work for you so my advice is get the book, read it and stick to the principles of that. For instance; 3 cups of tea does not a breakfast make. Also - It's a great idea to start your own blog to monitor your progress and keep track of what you eat, tell me about it in a comment on here and I will follow your progress with interest. Best Wishes, Little Miss

Day 221 - 215th Day of Cruise

2011-12-29T03:52:00.000-08:00

Weight 186lbs weight lost 49lbs - gain 2lbs since 20th Dec

Just a brief check-in since everyone seems to have gone quiet - understandably so - I havent been immune to the allure of the snacking and carbs and have not always resisted when I should. But - I am not concerned - I genuinly feel like, with this Dukan Diet, I've cracked it - I know I can lose weight and I know its not that hard. So gaining a few pounds over a holiday or the sillly season does not daunt or depress me.

Things haven't been particularly easy since we got back from our hols. A dear friend died far too young. I cannot express how much he will be missed by all who knew him - it almost seems irreverant to mention something so serious on such a flippant forum but I assure you its not meant that way (we love you C). We've also had my troubled 15-year old neice to stay again for a few days - drama all the way. In the last two weeks life hasn't felt real, a not particularly pleasant dream, with plenty of tears and tantrums thrown in. I also realised yesterday I have only been at work 6 days of December what with the hols and bank holidays. It does make me yearn for January's routine and normality when socialising returns to a managable level and eating well is much simpler.

I'm looking forward to a happier, thinner 2012 - see you on the other side folks.

Holiday Photos

2011-12-20T15:28:00.000-08:00

Havana - the cars, the buildings

Havana Old Town

We did play tennis as well as pose

Al Capone's House - now a restaurant

Window at Casa De Al's

could I cringe any more?!

The Pool

The Beach

shopping

Pina Colada anyone?

Yes please!!

Alex went to the gym more than me

Proof I did go though, twice anyway...

Dancing with the Crew

At Club Tropicana...

Yes, they have large lampshades on their heads

The drinks ARE free, before you ask

not sure what the nipple tether is for

Sunset from Xanadu

View from top of Xanadu

Enjoying the sunset on the roof at Xanadu

Day 212 - 206th Day of Cruise

2011-12-20T10:01:00.000-08:00

Weight 184lbs - weight lost 51lbs - GAIN 6lbs since 29th November

We had a FANTASTIC holiday - Cuba was beautiful - surprisingly lush and green - hot and sunny most days with a couple of cloudy days. I need to sort through my pics and find some to post on here. Dietwise, Lets just say that I was Bad and leave it at that. All inclusive food and drink is not conducive to restraint and I gave myself a couple of days at home to be bad, get over the jet lag and start a mini attack from Monday. Which I did. I aslo have a rotten cold from all those germy coughing folk on the plane and STILL haven't got the jetlag under control. I can't seem to fall asleep until 2am and then have to get up at 6.30 for work. I'm not napping either so just surviving on far too little sleep! I'll start having hallucinations soon probably - I wonder if they will be of pina coladas and pancakes with maple syrup....

The hotel was massive and new, with beautiful grounds and lots of different pools and restaurants so even though we were there 16 days and only left the resort a couple of times - we didn't get bored. It was however full of French Canadians. Not that I have anything against French Canadians but I found it very difficult to call on my limited Spanish for the locals, when all around me people were speaking french so every time I tried to formulate a sentence in my head it became a horrible mixture of languages and made no sense whatsoever to anyone!

I'll post again later with some photos. I've enjoyed catching up with all your blogs!!!

Day 191 - 185th Day of Cruise

2011-11-29T01:48:00.000-08:00

Weight 178lbs – weight lost 57lbs – 3lbs lost since Sunday – WHOOSH!!!

Yeay! Finally I achieve a deadline and I’m 170-something ready for my holiday – despite being PV for the last two days - So that’s another mini goal too - 4 STONE down - SOOO happy. I did throw myself into Zumba more than normal and get an ever redder head in the process but I guess looking at the scales this morning it was worth it!! I'll save the award rosette for the 60lbs mark so for now you'll have to make do with the ticker.

My niece came to Zumba too (she turned her nose up at the idea of a jog in the cold and dark on Saturday night!), she said she enjoyed it more than she thought she would – I’m just really glad we managed to break her out for her texting coma to come out and DO something. Teenagers!! She is out with my sis this morning and then will be staying with them for a few days after we go – that will defo convince her that she is better off at home with her mum - T won’t let her sleep all day and watch TV all night like me and Alex do!

So I wish you all a fond farewell for a couple of weeks. The plan is to eat carbs at lunchtime only, if I am going to have them, exercise everyday either; jog on the beach, swim lengths before the pool gets busy, or go in the onsite aircon’d gym, but I WILL be drinking alcohol and have the odd dessert. Hopefully that will minimise the damage but I’ll get to enjoy my holiday – from what I hear Cuban food isn’t great so I probably won’t eat too much anyway – especially if it’s hot.

I think it’s going to kill me not being able to blog or read anyone else’s for 17 days!! I’ll have to dedicate a full day when I get back to catch up on how you are all doing and post some pics.

Stay strong y’all!

LMC

Yesterday’s Food

Breakfast: Coffee and Oat bran porridge

Lunch: Tuna with wakame salad

Dinner: fajita chicken mix with red and yellow peppers

Snack: low fat cheese slices

Liquid Intake: 2.5L

Exercise: 1 hour Zumba class

Day 189 - 183rd Day of Cruise

2011-11-27T08:49:00.000-08:00

Weight 181lbs - weight lost 54lbs - no change since yesterday

No change on the scales today but hey-ho. Did my toenails and my niece's last night with these funky nail art foil stickers, like Minx but cheaper! They are great for holidays because unlike nail varnish, they don't chip when you go on the beach and they last a good month at least.

Apologies for the toe shot for those of you who don't like feet!

We also went for a jog/walk combination last night down the canal which was a good route but muddy. Alex says we will keep it up on holiday easier as we will have less to do - maybe he's right.

Also I have some bad bad news. There is only dial-up at the hotel which is 10CUCs or about £7 an hour!!!! No wifi and cruelly slow dial-up mean I am VERY unlikely to blog or surf at all while we are away unless there is a very rainy day. My mobile operator says £3 for 5MB and then £15 per MB after that - that's shocking and how will I know when I've used a MB???

I will keep my holiday journal which my very-kind-and-full-of-the-best-taste-in-the-world-sister bought me for the holiday (can you tell she reads this sometimes?!) It has sections for journal, useful addresses and info, a photo section and a little pocket for souvenir tickets and flyers. Very cool.

I'm still not totally packed. Maybe halfway? Alex hasn't even started to put out what he wants to take so if he doesn't get a move on he'll end up with what I like.

Yesterdays Food
Breakfast: milky coffee with my new SF Kahlua syrup in
Lunch: Hot roast beef slices with onion gravy and horseradish sauce
Dinner: Chicken tikka pieces with raita
Snack: Atkins chocolate brownie, another milky coffee and an Atkins peanut butter cookie - I know, I know - its because they are THERE, waving at me.
Exercise: 30mins jog/walk combination from Week 2 Day 2 of Couch to 5K app (which for some reason has now become Couch to 10k - no chance)
Liquid Intake: 3L

3 Days to Cuba Countdown

Day 188 - 182nd Day of Cruise

2011-11-26T10:35:00.000-08:00

Weight 181lbs - weight lost 54lbs - gain 0.2lbs since Wednesday

I've eaten more Atkins bars than normal in the last couple of days which might be why I haven't lost anything. I had a massive delivery of different bars and SF syrups on Thursday so I had to try a few different ones I hadn't tried before didn't I??

Nothing much to report since Wednesday. I had to work Friday cos one of the receptionists was off sick so I didn't get my afternoon Zumba DVD done nor the cleaning house I would normally work up a sweat doing on a Friday. My eldest niece came down on the train today from Cumbria and is staying with us a couple of days. Picked her up at the station today and she was wearing black sequinned shorts and tights - man, she makes me feel old.

I started my packing last night and I'm going to admit to you now my very blonde moment. I started packing and we have 20kg allowance each per suitcase, so I thought I'd weigh it half-full and see how I was doing weight-wise - well, I think you can all guess by now that I forgot to chance my scales from pounds to kilograms - and therefore started panicking thinking I wasn't going to be able to take all the clothes and shoes I wanted to - honestly, I PROPER panicked because half-full it already weighed 25 - kilos, I thought, but of course it was actually 25lbs!!! Anyway - would you believe, I didn't realise it until today so spent a night and morning worrying about it like a lunatic!!! I'm embarrassed. and dumb. and blonde. Once I realised my mistake however, I gleefully threw in 3 more pairs of shoes!!!

Yesterday's Food - PV
Breakfast: tin of mackerel fillets in brine, 2 boiled eggs
Lunch: half a roast chicken with low fat soft cheese with garlic and herbs
Dinner: Chicken and king prawns with loads of sautéed onions and peppers
Snack: Atkins peanut butter cookie, Atkins peanut butter cups (EEK!)
Liquid Intake: 2.5L
Exercise: 30mins walking round town at lunchtime

4 Days Cuba Countdown

Day 185 - 179th Day of Cruise

2011-11-23T02:16:00.000-08:00

Weight 180.8lbs - weight lost 54.2lbs - 1.2lbs loss since Monday

I'm putting this loss down to getting back on track with the exercise. Went to Zumba class with my sis and a friend for an hour of dancing like a lunatic and flinging my arms and legs around in a less than rhythmic fashion. The my swim yesterday 35mins mix of breaststroke and backstroke. Hence the loss I think. We have friends for dinner tonight who have just had a baby so I don't think I'll have time for any exercise this evening.

Yesterday's food - PP
Breakfast: 2 boiled eggs with peppered smoked mackerel
Lunch: flaked salmon with a boiled egg
Dinner: 3 low carb sausages
Snack: Almond oat bran cookie
Liquid Intake: 2.5L
Exercise: 35 swimming lengths

7 Days Cuba Countdown

Day 183 - 177th Day of Cruise

2011-11-21T06:29:00.000-08:00

Weight 182lbs - weight lost 53lbs - 0.8lbs lost since last Monday

Apologies for the lack of posting, I'm afraid I've had very little to report. I've been on the go slow with weight loss again I'm happy it's not going up! Foodwise has been fine but I haven't exercised as much as I'd like mostly because of having family to stay for the funeral and then being away this weekend. Just Zumba Monday night and my 30mins swim on Tuesday as normal. We did however spend a hour or so wandering around the Lumiere festival in Durham on Saturday night which was some light exercise at least! I love this photo of us although Alex thinks his nose looks very pointy - its not really that sharp! - I like it because I actually look like I have bones in my face which is unusual for me!!

Huge snowdome in the square

Me and the hubby

The funeral went as well as can be expected with a turn out of over 200 - he was a very good man. Really good to see my Cumbrian sis and her eldest daughter for the weekend too. Then up to the Northeast Saturday to Sunday staying with friends in the middle of building an extension. Very cold up there and not helped by a house with big holes in at the mo and no central heating. Therefore I'm banking on an extra calorie burn for my body trying to keep itself warm - thanks Claire!!! Really good to catch up and exciting to see progress from the plans actually coming to fruition.

Finally updated my profile pic as suggested too.

Zumba class tonight with my sis and Gosia - I'll have dinner before I leave work so I'm not eating too late at night and hoping for a loss on the scales tomorrow. I'd really like to be one-seventy-something for when we go on hols and then if I put a little back on on holiday I won't be too depressed! I really need to get back into the running programme from Wednesday too - we are going to do it on holiday as well on the beach. Eeek - SO excited!!!

Yesterday's food - PV
Late Breakfast: 3 low carb sausages, 2 rashers of crispy bacon an egg, mushrooms and a couple of tbs tinned tomatoes. Cup of Tea & a cup of coffee with semi skimmed milk
Dinner: Roast Turkey and Roast Beef with roast parsnips, cauliflower, carrots, swede and gravy with water and a coffee for dessert while everyone else ate icecream and syrup sponge with bottomless custard jugs at Toby Carvery.
Snack: Almond flavour oatbran biscuit with dark chocolate
Liquid Intake: 2.5L
Exercise: none

9 Days Cuba Countdown

Day 176 - 170th day of Cruise

2011-11-14T06:17:00.000-08:00

Weight 182.8lbs - weight lost 52.2lbs - 2lbs lost since Friday!

Happy with this although I'm not sure why the whoosh! I haven't done anything different really in that this weekend has been exercise-less as I have basically slobbed around the house all weekend until last night when we went out for dinner to Gosia and Sebastian's. Gosia is also doing the Dukan Diet and is in Cruise but she only wants to loose another kilo now so will very soon be consolidating. I asked her last night what her 1st celebration meal will be and she laughed and mulled it over with a grin on her face for about 10 minutes!! In the end it involved KFC and a McFlurry! She does look great and was telling me that she got onto the diet because her sister has lost 5 stone on it so far. Like I said, G really doesn't need to lose anymore, and is happily in her pre-moving-to-England-jeans. I'm looking forward to getting into my pre-wedding clothes. It feels like its getting a little closer though I held up one of my UK size 14 skirts the other day and I can't imagine being little enough to fit into it! I'm happily in several of my size 16 jeans now although I muffin top a little over them, my 18s fall down and give me a saggy bum so it's a dilemma.

Went to see the Immortals on Saturday night at the cinema, it was good but some of the violence was horrific. I could have done without searing some of that into my memory banks to be honest. Maybe I just get far too involved in the film, no one else seemed bothered but i was jumping and holding up my hands in a defensive gesture - must have looked like a right nutcase!!!

Tonight is our Zumba class. G and I have convinced my sis and Rhian to come with us too after our success last week. Should be a good laff and it's defo a good workout. Then my usual swim tomorrow before work.

My other sis is coming down for the funeral on Friday and I'm hoping Tabs is coming with her too. They have been seeing more of each other, much to Evil E's chagrin, and Tabs stayed over with her Saturday night. I hope their relationship continues to repair itself. I'll probably totally lose it at the funeral, especially if M or his bro cry - what is it about men crying?!

Is this font better? I was reading a bog the other day and the font made it incredibly hard to read - comments please...

Managed to sell quite a lot of my too big branded stuff on ebay and have so far bought a few bits with the proceeds ready for our hols...

That is not me modelling the vest top - I WISH my arms looked like that!!!

Yesterday's Food - PV
Breakfast: Oat bran porridge
Lunch: Omelette with peppers, leftover chicken and low fat cheese
Dinner: Chicken with a spicy coating, cauliflower, brocolli, carrots and cucumber and yoghurt dip
Snack: Milky coffee with vanilla SF syrup
Liquid Intake: 3L
Exercise: arm exercises with my 5kg weights

17 Days Cuba Countdown

Day 173 - 167th day of cruise

2011-11-11T16:21:00.001-08:00

Weight 184.8 lbs - weight lost 50.2 lbs - maintain

I don't mind the maintain on the scale, my clothes tell me I'm still getting smaller and that's enough for me.

Today was a sad day, an expected death of a much loved extended family member. Cried on and off. It is sad but also a relief, his last days weren't pleasant for anyone including him. It's felt a bit like we've been holding our breaths waiting. So sad for his wife who is a rock. I wouldn't be dealing with it anywhere near as well as she is and I know that if we didn't have faith that we would see him again this would be SO much harder. Anyway that's why it's short and not so sweet tonight.
I do hope others out there in the world going through something similar have their faith to comfort them as well as family and friends to surround you.

;@(

The Psychology Behind Your Food Cravings - And How To Beat Them

2011-11-08T10:09:00.000-08:00

Intriguing article - is it accurate for you? You can use the arrows of the photos along the bottom to pick the food you crave and it has a piece about why you crave that and how to beat those cravings!

The Psychology Behind Your Food Cravings - And How To Beat Them:

'via Blog this'

Day 169 - 163rd Day of Cruise

2011-11-07T10:32:00.000-08:00

Weight ?

Sorry didn't get to the scales this morning cos I was running a bit behind. I don't feel like I drank enough yesterday either. The assembly was really good and very motivational. Just what we need. Well, what I need. I did get lots of compliments on my weightloss and outfit and was brave enough to go with the red shoes and bag in the end and I had big hair too. In them heels I'm at least 5.10 which helps slim one down some too. Totally forgot about pictures until we got home and it was dark and my hair has gone a bit flat so I've just uploaded one rubbish one and promise I will get a better one soon. And, of course, no current photo should be without its embarrassing 'before' shot...

To the left, current photo 06.11.11. To the right, 'before' photo 30.5.11

I personally think, if Lorna was really my friend, she'd have deleted that photo IMMEDIATELY!!! It's Awful, with a Capital A. Hope this doesn't give anyone nightmares!

We went out for a meal last night at a local pub and had Gosia & Seb back for a fire in the chimnea afterwards. A very good, but very long day.

Yesterday's Food - PV

Breakfast: poached egg and 2 low carb sausages (a bit fatty though), can of 0% carb Relentless energy drink

Lunch: Salad with chicken tikka pieces and a yoghurt

Dinner: Steak and mushroom salad without the dressing or croutons

Snack: small glass of port by the fire - eek!

Liquid Intake: 2L (two 500ml bottles during the day, can of relentless and 2 glasses of water with dinner)

Exercise: None, but Saturday afternoon we worked up a sweat on Kinect Sports so not an entirely exercise-less weekend.

Day 167 - 161st Day of Cruise

2011-11-05T10:47:00.000-07:00

Today's weight 184.8lbs - weight lost 50.2lbs - 1lbs lost since yesterday

Yey for exercise!! Had a chat with my sister-in-law today about dieting. She has tried SO many different diets and she has great willpower so they all work for her (except slimming world for some reason) but the trouble is she always puts it back on again, not all of it but she knows its going back up again and she needs to do something. She's not keen on the Dukan cos she doesn't like meat that much - she pretty much only eats chicken out of the meats available. I explained to her (good thing I was reading the book again last night!) about the consolidation and stabilisation phases to help introduce new foods but still keep control longterm. She says that's what she needs but still isn't keen on the meat. I'm going to lend her the book and see what she thinks. Does anyone know of any blogs out there of minimal meat eaters I can point her to for motivation?

Yesterday's Food - PP
Breakfast: Costa skinny latte (I appreciate this is not a real breakfast)
Lunch: Sliced roast beef with onions and horseradish sauce
Dinner: Half a garlic roast chicken with coleslaw
Snack: Atkins chocolate crispy bar
Liquid Intake: 3L
Exercise: 15mins walking round town between buses, 30mins jog/walk, AND 2hours cleaning the house

Day 166 - 160th Day of Cruise

2011-11-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

Weight 185.8lbs - weight lost 49.2lbs - maintain since Wednesday

So still haven't lost that 0.8 need for the nice round 50. Maybe tomorrow. Went running again tonight, kicked it up a notch and started week 2 (90 sec run, 2 mins walk 30mins) cos it was a bit too easy Wednesday night, although my legs were still aching a bit today. It was harder tonight but still doable which felt like an achievement. Although I should have done more stretches in the cooldown because my legs went stiff straight away! Bit of shinsplints but nothing I can't handle. Gonna have a bath now an soak my achey bits.

Car went in for it's MOT today - only came to £72 which wasn't half bad, although we need to book it in again for a few things in a couple of months but at east that will be after the holiday and we'll have a bit more cash to spend on it. The mechanic tells me the things he has to fix are mostly caused by the potholes (Yorkshire has terrible roads) so there's not much I can do about that - I'm quite sure I wouldn't get anywhere sending the council the bill! It did mean I had to go on the bus today, two buses to get home from the Citroen garage - £6.30!! I can't believe public transport is meant to be a cheaper option.

Yesterday's Food
Breakfast: 2 poached eggs with a cup of tea
Lunch: half a garlic roast chicken with coleslaw, more tea
Dinner: King Prawns with a little light mayo for dipping
Liquid intake: 2.5L
Exercise: None (may well be why I've maintained)

26 Days to Cuba Countdown

Getting Fat: What You've Been Told Is Wrong - Refuse To Regain

2011-11-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

Getting Fat: What You've Been Told Is Wrong - Refuse To Regain:

'via Blog this'

Day 164 - 158th Day of Cruise

2011-11-02T10:53:00.000-07:00

Weight 185.8lbs - weight lost 49.2lbs - 1lbs loss since Monday

Which means, drumroll please... I've reached my next mini goal 3.5stones lost! I'll make an award stamp for Friday when hopefully I'll be one more pound loss = 50lbs down. I can't quite beleive it even though I know it MUST be true. I still see the same person in the mirror, I don't really see much of a difference. Granted I feel different/better and people are commenting either to me or others within my earshot that I look good but I must have a mental block someone. I'm hoping when I reach my goal and am wearing my UK size 14s that I actually recognise how far I've come and how much I've lost. Right now I'm still officially overweight, still fat. Just not as fat as I was. Hmmm.

Tonight Alex and I are starting the Couch to 5K app programme Sandi recommended (complete with warm up and cool down stretches as illustrated). I'll let you know how we get on.

Yesterday's Food

Breakfast: two poached eggs

Lunch: Half a roast chicken and fromage frais with strawberry SF syrup

Dinner: Cod and king prawns sauteed with white wine, garlic and shallots

Snack: Atkins chocolate bar

Liquid Intake: 2.5L (not including a bit of swimming pool water!)

Exercise: 20 mins breaststroke, 10 mins backstroke, 5 mins arm exercises with a water bottle weight

28 Days to Cuba Countdown

Day 162 - 156th Day of Cruise

2011-10-31T04:41:00.000-07:00

Weight 186.8lbs - weight loss 48.2lbs - 0.8lbs loss since yesterday

And its still going down - thank goodness. Just shows - stick with it through the stagnation and eventually your body will get the hint and let go! Plus its only 10.30am and two people have already complimented my weightloss today - must be the outfit cos I see these people several times a week so its not like they haven't seen me for ages and can see a difference. My UK size 18 work trousers are defo looser but not quite for the charity bag yet. Not sure what to do with my hair for the assembly on Sunday, I have a big face so I tend not to wear it all back. I might wave it like in my profile picture. Do you think I should update my profile pic or leave it as is? big decision.

I've downloaded the iphone app Couch to 5K recommended by Sandi here. I've always wanted to be able to run but just thought it wasn't for me, and I ordered myself some sketchers running shoes the other day to make sure I'm giving my foot the proper support. Still going to keep up with my swimming on Tuesdays - I really enjoy that.

Yesterday's Food

Breakfast: Slept in
Lunch: Chicken frankfurter omelette
Dinner: Chicken, cabbage and roast parsnips
Snack: 2 squares of dark chocolate
Liquid Intake: 3L including 1.5L water plus teas, and coffees
Exercise: 35 mins Zumba

30 Days to Cuba Countdown

Day 161 - 155th Day of Cruise

2011-10-30T05:30:00.000-07:00

Weight 187.6lbs - weight lost 47.4lbs - 3.6lbs loss since Monday

So this week I've finally had the whoosh I've been waiting for. Not much has happened this week so I haven't had much of anything to blog. Its TOTM and yet I'm losing weight so I'm a bit worried it might go up again once it's done. I can get into most of my UK size 16 jeans now so even though I haven't been losing weight for a coupla weeks, I must have been losing mass. I have been keeping up with the exercise better this week though which I hope is a contributory factor. Monday 20mins Zumba, Tuesday 30mins swimming, Wednesday 20mins walk, Thursday nothing, Friday worked up a sweat cleaning the house for 3 hours, Saturday 30mins walk.

Going off-subject, I have Keratosis Pilaris on my upper arms and back (like little hard pimples under the skin) and its really flared up in the last year. I thought it was a symptom of having put on weight but it hasn't improved as I've been losing it. Experts say up to 40% of adults suffer with it at some point and its often called chicken skin, you may well suffer yourself or know someone who does. With our holiday fast approaching I though'd I'd make a concerted effort to improve the appearance of it - there's no cure but you can make it look better with various regimes. So this week every night I have been scrubbing the affected areas with a body brush and tea tree soap and then applying coconut oil (I like to try the natural stuff first). It does seem a little better already which isn't surprising since I'm normally rubbish at moisturising my skin and this week I've been doing it at least once every day which in itself help. I'm going to see if I can get hold of some cream high in AHAs as that is meant to help too. I'll keep you posted in case anyone out there is interested.

Back to Dukan, I've been very basic all this week, basing my days eating plans on previous 'good loss' weeks from June/July this year. I have it pinned to the calendar and it's made it alot easier to eat right in the evening after a long day at work, I know exactly what I'm cooking and don't have to think about it. I also did the weekly shop online and had it delivered so I knew I had what I needed for every meal. I've been PP all week and then PV Friday and Saturday and today. I am really pleased about being in some more size 16s and spent yesterday afternoon photographing branded clothes that are too big and putting them on eBay. I'm hoping to get a bit of money for them which I can then use to buy any last minute holiday stuff we might need.

I'm only 1.6lbs away from my 3.5stone mini goal and only 2.6lbs away from 50lbs down - exciting times! I have resigned myself that it is definitely alot slower now though. But, as I have read many wise folk blogging recently, it took years for me to gain all this weight so I shouldn't expect it to disappear overnight. It's good to know I'm not alone in this battle too - hope your all having a good week!

Day 155 - 149th Day of Cruise

2011-10-24T07:58:00.000-07:00

Weight 191.2lbs Weight lost 43.8lbs - 0.8lbs lost since Friday

A little bit down snce Friday - its heading in the right direction so I hope it carries on that way. Facinating reading on Kathlucky's blog about fat cells - worth a look.

Had a good weekend with the kids, not a MacDonalds in sight. We baked rasberry muffins on Saturday afternoon which is an Atkins recipe using ground almonds instead of flour to reward Alex and his sis for their hard work clearing out the garage. They might be suitable for the Consolidation Phase I suppose. At least, now his van and garage are all organised, he'll be able to find stuff now instead of buying new all the time 'cos he can't find things!

The roast went well Saturday night - I really wanted some of the bread sauce but resisted - I shouldn't have made any since I knew it would be tempting. They all had toffee pie for pudding and the kids had chocolate trifle which always goes down well. All of the desserts were courtesy of Mr Tesco. I wasnt going to make something like that and then not be able to eat it! I did have a small glass of port sat out with the chimnea which was my one cheat of the weekend. but worked it off doing a funny dance to shake off the sparks several times!

The cinema was fine on Sunday - Monte Carlo - not my idea of a good film but the kids enjoyed it - Alex decided he had better things to do! The girls had some pick and mix and I had a coconut atkins bar and a coffee.

Getting my roots done on Friday thank goodness 'cos im sick of the sight of them - my hair looks dip-dyed at the moment - its not a good look. Although I hear I'm in elevated circles since celebrities are letting their roots show to prove their not grey - how mad is that! My roots aren't grey - just a dull dark blonde/light brown.

Going PP again today - because I can. Alex is playing football tonight so I'm going to catchup watching this weekend's episodes of Strictly Come Dancing and An Idiot Abroad that I recorded.Steamed salmon and king prawns for dinner - Alex can have oven pizza when he gets in.

Yesterday's Food - PP
Breakfast: Oat bran muffins with coffee
Lunch: leftover roast chicken with a little gravy
Snack: 2 chicken frankfurter sausages, coconut atkins bar in the cinema
Dinner: steamed mussels
Liquid Intake: 2.5L
Exercise: Cleaning up after the kids went home, stripping beds and doing laundry - 1 hour+

Day 152 - 146th Day of Cruise

2011-10-21T10:26:00.000-07:00

Weight 192lbs weight lost 43lbs - 0.2lbs GAIN since yesterday

Still no downward movement on the scales but hey-ho!

My sister and I went to have a fish pedicure today. I bought her the voucher for it months ago and we finally got round to going. Well - what an experience. I have to say - I would not have it done again - it's not for me. We were very brave considering how nervous (and how ticklish) we were, and had to distract ourselves during the process talking about anything and everything to avoid thinking about the fact that there were FISH EATING THE DEAD SKIN OFF OUR FEET! Errrr - I just shuddered. I keep thinking I can still feel them...wriggling...ew! It's only for 15 minutes and T says she can feel a difference. I can't, and it didn't feel relaxing or therapeutic as a beauty treatment should in my book.

After doing the shop, I've come home, cleaned out our fish tank, which is a backbreaking job I only have to do every 6months or so and done the ironing. I've bought stuff to do a roast for the in-laws and my 3 littlest nieces tomorrow night including dessert options for them (made sure they are nothing I can't easily resist).

Here's hoping the scales will be kinder tomorrow, after all its 6pm and I've only had a skinny latte and some crispy bacon slices so far today! I have noticed I've been missing dairy for the last couple of days (apart from the skimmed milk in my tea and coffee). I'll address that this evening with some fat free fromage frais with vanilla sugar free syrup in a sweet gallette for supper since I havent had any oat bran yet today either. Chicken fajitas for tea tonight - minus the wraps for me and lots of peppers and onions since today is meant to be a PV day.

Yesterday's Food - PP
Breakfast: oat bran muffins with coffee
Lunch: Lean mince meatballs
Snack: Seafood sticks
Dinner: Prawn curry
Liquid Intake: 2.5L
Exercise: None

Day 151 - 145th Day of Cruise

2011-10-20T05:21:00.000-07:00

Weight 191.8lbs weight lost 43.2lbs - GAIN 3.4lbs since last post

Well I have to admit I've been this weight for a few days now and didn't have the heart to post anything quite so depressing. My only bad cheat (the worst in 151 days!) has been the peice of millionnaires shortbread on Monday night - which I don't think warrants this kind of gain! I really hope its just water but it doesnt seem to be going. Granted the exercise has gone out of the window while I've been poorly sick and now I'm well I need to get back into moving more often.I've been eating fine although probably more fat than I should be having strictly Dukan. Alex and I shared a large mixed keebab on Tuesday night, I had the chicken tikka and a bit of doner meat and salad and he had the nann bread and the rest of the meat. The meat was dry so I don't think it was tooo fatty but still not very strictly Dukan either.

I have my neices to stay this weekend while their parents take a well-deserved weekend away so that will likley mean resisiting MacDonalds for saturday lunchtime & cinema food Sunday afternoon. We have the inlaws as well for tea Saturday night so I'm doing a roast cos then I can just avoid the roasties.

Anyway I'm plodding on and trying not to get too dejected. Hopefully its just water and I'll see a WOOSH in the next couple of days. It's our Assembly on 6th November but I've already got my dress so I don't need to panic shop or try to squeeze into anything. This is my dress - black shoes or red heels and red bag to match?

As for the dresses I got for the summer convention that were still too small in July, I'm going to put them back on eBay. They are Monsoon with the tags still on so should bring in a bit of cash, I don't have any events coming up I could wear them for and by next summer's coverntion they should be at least 2 sizes too big!

It's mainly for the holiday (30th Nov) I want to have lost more and be a UK size 16 if I can. I don't want to be too nauseating in my bikini though why I worry with some of the sights I've seen on holiday I'l never know - some people are very brave.

PS To my fellow Dukaneers if you do notice anything wrong with what I'm eating that could be contributing to my gain/plateau - please don't hesitate to pipe up. I really appreacite your advice and support.

Yesterday's Food - PP
Breakfast: Turkey & Coriander Burgers, 2 coffees with skimmed milk and sugar free vanilla syrup
Lunch: King prawns and 2 boiled eggs

Dinner: lean beef meatballs with low fat cheddar
Snack: Oat bran porridge made with skimmed milk and sugar free maple syrup

Liquid Intake: 2.5L

Exercise: none

Day 143 - 137th Day of Cruise

2011-10-12T03:37:00.000-07:00

Weight 188.4lbs - weight lost 46.6lbs - 0.8lbs loss since yesterday

Happy with this although I think alot of it is down to not being able to taste anything and not feeling like eating but then to say I didn't feel like eating I still think I ate quite a lot! I haven't moved much, I've either been at work, isolated from the general workforce in my office, or at home on the couch. Neither of those boost the metabolism!

I bought some no added sugar jam yesterday - its not sugar free and its not Dukan legal but I've really fancied something sweet with all this meat I'm eating. I even put SF maple syrup on some chicken as an experiement (actually not bad). So im gonna use this jam as a cranberry/apple sauce substitute kind of thing to have with roasted meats (just a tsp here and there).

Felt faint at the till in Morrisons - even pushing a trolley round for a couple of bits was too much like hard work! I did bake some more carrot cupcakes last night (the chocolate ones just werent cutting it), and made a curry which alex had some of for his tea and this morning I've added roasted butternut squash, button mushrooms and spinach so we can reheat it for tea tonight. Proper stodgy stuff - defo a comfort food but a legal one!

I'm gonna have one of those sweet gallettes again like a crepe with sweetner and lemon juice or SF chocolate spread, cos that was REALLY good. The batch of carrot cupcakes makes 16 cupcakes out of the 6Tbsp of oatbran which means I could have a smaller sweet gallette for supper made with 1Tbsp oat bran AND still have a coupla cupcakes for brekkie too - awesome!

Hope you're all well and happy out there in cyberspace - my condolances to any BB users - should have got an iphone!

Yesterdays Food
Breakfast: mullerlight lemon cheesecake, coffee with semi-skimmed milk
Lunch: 3 boiled eggs and an orange peppers in slices, water and a coffee with skimmed milk
Dinner: pork steak with 1tsp jam
Snack: sweet gallette with rasberries and 2tbsp FF fromage frais flavoured with SF vanilla syrup
Liquid intake: 2.5L
Exercise: none - still ill

Day 142 - 136th Day of Cruise

2011-10-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

Weight 189.2lbs weight lost 45.8lbs - maintain

Nothing to report, still ill - thanks for all your messages of good will - hopefully they will boost my immune system. Alex has gone out to the gym. I'm stuck in feeling sorry for myself. Wasn't fit enough to go for my Tuesday morning swim. Gonna contemplate cooking curry for tea. Got myself some salad for tomorrow to see if I need some veg to get better. I also bought some reduced raspberries which I'm gonna have in sweet gallette for supper. I know its not Dukan legal but berries have the lowest carb content of fruits and I'm hoping they will help me get better quicker. I'm hoping it will look a little something like this...

Yesterday's Food
Breakfast: Muller light, 200ml FF fromage frais, two cups of tea with skimmed milk
Lunch: tin of crab meat in brine, drained, low fat cottage cheese, tea with skimmed milk
Dinner: Herby meatballs with passata and asparagus low fat grated cheddar
Snack: 2 squares of dark chocolate and another yoghurt
Liquid Intake: 3L
Exercise: none - still ill

Day 141 - 135th day of Cruise

2011-10-10T06:27:00.000-07:00

Weight 189.2 weight lost 45.8lbs - 0.4lbs loss since Thursday

Full of cold - sniff - eating takeaway - sniff - minus the rice and naan bread - sniff - feeling sorry for myself - sniff - Plan for diet time travel - gone out the window - sniff sniff cough.

Spent Saturday renewing all my Information Govenance certificates on the IG e-learning site - so I did achieve something. I also did my nails to look like strawberries -there is bog roll in the picture because of the runny nose....

Back to work today still sniffing and running a fever but I've tucked myself away in my office with a warning sign on the door. I'm going do what I have to and then take myself home early - there must be some perks to being a PM?!

Yesterdays food
Breakfast: coffee
Lunch: roast chicken and onion chutney
Dinner: garlic chicken, mushrooms and low fat mozarella
Snack: two chocolate oat bran muffins
Liquid Intake: 3L (3 coffees and 2L of water)
Exercise: None

Day 137 - 131st Day of Cruise

2011-10-06T12:35:00.000-07:00

Weight 189.6 weight lost 45.4lbs - 1lb lost since yesterday

Really pleased with this loss - long may it continue. Tomatoes snuck in at the end but they were next door's home-grown and about to go off so it had to be done. Today was the first day of my diet time-travelling, eating everything I ate on Day 15. It wasn't easy because I've been in and out to 3 different meetings today, but I did manage to fit in everything except the yoghurt and boiled egg during the day. I had to throw away the egg cos it wasn't cooked enuf and I didn't have time to finish it off a bit more as I had to run to meeting number 2. Feel like I'm coming down with Alex's cold. Very kind of him to be so generous with his germs. Good thing dinner was chicken soup! I really fancied plantain though - where did that come from?!

Yesterday's Food - PP
Breakfast: Two teas with skimmed milk
Lunch: Tesco chicken with chilli lime and coriander, 200ml FF Fromage Frais and vanilla muller light mixed together, tea with skimmed milk
Dinner: beef tomatoes, low fat mozarella, salami with balsamic vinegar
Snack: two chocolate oatbran muffins with half fat creme fraiche
Liquid Intake: 3L
Exercise: None

Day 136 - 130th day of Cruise

2011-10-05T05:24:00.000-07:00

Weight 190.6lbs - weight lost 44.4lbs - gain 0.2lbs since last Wednesday

I apologise for having gone a whole week without an entry. Had a fantastic weekend away with my sisters in 'sunny' scotland (I did wave in your general direction Charlotte!) I say 'sunny' because scotland was the one place in the UK that didnt have a heatwave this last weekend. It was nice Friday and we visited Culzean Castle and country park and the weather statyed good until 4pm when it absolutely tipped it down and we got drenched. We spent saturday shopping in Glasgow, afternoon tea in Browns (I had the seafood platter while T&R devoured smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches, scones, cake, tea and wine) and had a tour of the Glasgow School of Art which is an amazing building and I highly recommend it. My seafood platter came with wakame which looked like little green worms but tastes fantastic - I defo need to get hold of some - its a Japanese seaweed so hopefully Dukan-friendly too) Sunday we went back south a bit to Gretna to the outlet village for more shopping (stocked up on diabetic chocs from the Thorntons outlet) dropped my sis off in Carlisle before heading back home. Both my sisters were shocked at my willpower this weekend, they both abandones their diets entirely for the weekend (one is doing WW and the other just cutting back) - I did avoid all blatantly obvious carbs but had a few less obvious ones and wine too. But in my defense we did walk for huge amounts of time (6hrs each day for Friday & Sat) and then swim in the hotel pool too which should have counteracted some of the damage. So I was greeted by the scales on Monday morning with a 4lb+ gain. Hmm. so much for walking burning it off. Turns out though it must have been mostly water because I was down 3lbs yesterday and down another pound today meaning I'm back to more or less where I was this time last week - Bonus!

I've been catching up reading other peoples blogs too - seems like alot are stuck on a plateau like me. I'm going to use my blog to go back in time and eat the same menu for a week that I did in one of my best weight loss weeks. Not the attack but an early cruise week where I wasn't messing about and cheating. If your stuck too why don't you join me as an experiment and see how it goes?

So tomorrow I'm going to recreate Day 15 - my 9th day of Cruise and go from there. Ill have to nip to the shops and bake tonight but I actually feel very positive about it.

Yesterday was supposed to be PP but I had a leaving do to go to for two local PMs who are retiring so had to make the best of what was on the menu - at least I didnt do as badly as one of my fellow PMs who has just started the Dukan - and have pudding!!!

Yesterday's Food - PP
Breakfast: Oatbran & flaxseed toast, with reduced fat peanut butter, tea and coffee
Lunch: roast chicken breast shredded

Snack: Two squares of diabetic dark chocolate
Dinner: Mussels in a creamy sauce to start and chicken with cauliflower and mange tout with a large glass of red wine followed by a coffee
Liquid Intake: 3L
Exercise: 20 mins breaststroke, 10 mins backstroke = 750m swim before work

Day 129 - 123rd Day of Cruise

2011-09-28T08:50:00.000-07:00

Weight 190.4 - weight lost 44.6lbs - MAINTAIN since last Thursday

Well over the last few days its gone up a couple and now dropped back down to the same as last Thursday. A bit irritating as I've been good. I have only sneaked a little pate on my toast twice this week. Not enough to deserev no movement at all. My average calories have been around 1000-1100 this week which is a bit higher than normal but still enough to result in a better loss than ... Nothing. I'm still hoping for a last minute loss for this weekend - Were staying at a hotel in Aye with breakfast so Im gonna take some of my bread to toast and have with scrambled egg in the morning and were off to Browns for afternoon tea on Saturday I think. Both my sisters are really supportive of my diet so hopefully things should go swimmingly, there will be lots of walking around the city and swimming in the hotel pool too - Yey! I wonder how many laps of the little hotel pool it will take for me to do my usual 750metres!

Had to drop off the car this morning for a safety recall on the back bumper so walked uphill to work and then will have to walk back down for it tonight (=30mins). We will probably do something tonight too as far as exercise goes since it looks like its going to be a lovely evening. Stomach still aches abit from the pilates on Sunday! I will work on a hula hoop video since I seem to have cracked it now - as soon as I tried clockwise instead of anti-clockwise it just clicked. I actually feel more like exercising now, the weather helps but I have more energy and now the stress has depleted a bit at work I feel less like crawling into bed and feeling sorry for myself when I get home from work!!!! I did manage to avoid the cold that was going round everyone at work too - just need to avoid the 'contagious' MIs now and Ill be happy (3 in 12m and we only have 10 staff!!!).

Yesterday's food
Breakfast: oatbran & flaxseed toast with chicken pate and two coffees with skimmed milk
Lunch: Cooked chicken breast slices
Dinner: Chicken, peppers and onions with fajita spices and a dollop of salsa and half fat creme fraiche
Snack: Hot chocolate made with skimmed milk, two tsp cocoa and some hazelnut sugar free syrup
Liquid Intake: 2.5L
Exercise: 20 mins breaststroke, 10 mins backstroke (I can't do backstroke if there is anyone esle in my lane because im likely to veer into them)

Charlotte's dukan oatbran & flaxseed bread

2011-09-24T12:29:00.001-07:00

This bread is awesome - thanks so much Charlotte for the recipe it's sooo good. My mixture was very dense and not as runny as the one on the video I guess cos he puts all that oil in. The bread is moist and quite dense but awesome toasted. I sliced my round buns (baps, rolls, stotties, barm cakes, muffins - whatever you call them where you live) into two horizontally cos they were quite thick. As C says you can only have one of the six servings per day and believe me you will WANT MORE.

We were invited to dinner at some friends tonight and yesterday they cancelled to sort out taking their brother to the airport- it's sad to say I was pleased - not because I don't want to spend time with them (they are really good company) but because I didn't know what we'd be fed (they are polish) and I didn't want to have to try an explain to them so id have ended up eating whatever they gave me which would have been a gamble- anyway they cancelled til next week so I have time to talk to her before then and find out what she's cooking.

PS holiday booked 15 nights to Cuba on the 30th November - just over 9 weeks. If I can manage 2lbs a week til then that's 18lbs which will make me 172lbs/12.2 stone which used to be top of the normal range for my height from when I did weight watchers when I was 16 ( the range was 10.2 to 12.2) I've just checked on their website and it's changed!!! I know that was years ago but how is it different now?! The range now is (9.2 to 11.6) I can tell you now I would look ill at 9.2. I'll be happy with 11 or just under. When will my boobs shrink - aaargggh!!! Just gonna play xbox adventures and work up a sweat on the mine cart game - we are SO rock and roll on a Saturday night!!!!

Yesterdays food - PV
Breakfast: fat free natural yoghurt mixed with a muller coconut yog half and half
Lunch: Thai green curry leftover from tea the night before
Dinner: chicken breast, mashed swede, french beans and cauliflower cheese (low fat grated cheese, fat free from frais, tsp mustard, 1 tbsp Parmesan and half tsp nutmeg) the sauce does separate but I just leave the clear watery bit in the dish.
Exercise: cleaning, ironing, cooking
Liquid intake: 3L

Day 123 - 117th Day of Cruise

2011-09-22T09:06:00.000-07:00

Weight 190.4lbs - weight lost 44.6lbs - 2.8lbs lost since yesterday!! WOOOSH!

REALLY pleased with this, I thought I was stagnating again so this is reassuring and nearly 3lbs lost this week. Have to say that diabetic dark chocolate from Thorntons is awesome. I'm restricting myself to a couple of squares twice a week. I've had a busy day today, cleaning, doing the washing, ironing and checking my sun cream situation. I have two bottles of SPF25 and a bottle of SPF15 and then a bottle of SPF8. Knowing that the temp there is over 30°C I don't think I'll need to take the 8. Its hard enough to convince Alex to wear suncream but bearing in mind how badly he burnt in the Maldives which was a similar temperature - hopefully he will wear suncream this time. He is olive-skinned anyway so always goes black on holiday. I'm getting really excited. I haven't been on holiday for a fortnight for at least 20 years!! I tried on another ebay purchase from years ago today a next size 18 dress which still wont go round my boobs. Do I assume, bearing in mind that article on vanity sizing, that actually Next & M&S have it right and all the other shops are pandering to our vanity?

I haven't got round to making any Dukan bread today but I did go to the health food shop to get some flaxseed for it - which Charlotte had described the faffiness of grinding into meal - imagine my joy when n Holland and Barrett they had this stuff - ready milled flaxseed. Dukan bread here we come!!!

Yesterday's Food - PP (except for the carrot and mushrooms!!)
Breakfast: two carrot cupcakes
Lunch: roast chicken breast
Dinner: turkey breasts with mushrooms
Liquid Intake: 2.5L
Exercise: walk round town 20mins

Day 122 - 116th Day of Cruise

2011-09-21T14:21:00.000-07:00

Weight 193.2lbs - weight lost 41.8lbs - 0.6lbs GAIN since Monday

Not too worried about this - I'm having a stressful week and the excess Cortisol my body is producing will not be helping - I AM behaving food and exercise wise but I have bigger fish to fry this week than to panic about the scales not moving in the right direction. Try the no-diet fat busters quiz to find out your fat type. I used to be a 'pre-diabetic fat' - cheery!! not anymore!! Under the description of Depression type it says 'Depression also raises levels of the stress hormone cortisol which encourages weight gain and means you can put on weight even if you don't overeat.' I'm not depressed just stressed and irritable - great fun for my team.

I really enjoyed my swim yesterday and am going again tomorrow but I'm going to try to the sports centre in town for a change, just to see if it's any better than the stadium pool. I went to town this aft and cleared my head a bit, FF iced coffee and 6 mins on the sunbed and I was a new woman.

I've had an exciting evening (while Alex snoozed on the couch) looking through holiday brochures ready for our holiday in a couple of months. My demands are; Cuba, All inclusive, swim up bar, choice of restaurants and preferably not too long a transfer from the airport. If we can I'd really like to do a twin centre and have a few days in Havana followed by 11 nights at a beach resort. I know its silly but I've never been to a hotel with a swim up bar before. The agent is calling me tomorrow to see if she can price match one I found online, I really hope so. We were determined this year to go on a holiday just the two of us because last year we did 10 days with my family in Spain and 10 days in Lanzarote with his family. So far this year he has had a lads weekend away to Wales and I've had a girls weekend away to Spain so this holiday needs to be romantic, relaxing and idyllic. We will really NEED a holiday by December and I'm hoping to be another stone lighter if I can. I think when we've booked it ill feel like I can work to a deadline which will help keep me strict with the Dukan rules.

My mum is in Germany right now touring the rhine (or is it rhone) valley sampling the locally produced wine as she goes so she'll be having a good time. Which leaves me and my sis looking after her cat. At least we both have a key this time, last time we were cat-sitting, the flippin' cat was inside and neither of us had a key so we had to break in. I won't post the photo of my sis going headfirst through the upstairs window cos I don't think she'll ever forgive me for releasing that one into cyberspace!!

Yesterday's food - PV
Breakfast: 2 carrot cupcakes, muller coconut yog & 0% greek yog mixed together to make it go further
Lunch: Gallette stuffed with tuna, crab meat mixed with 2 tbsp ff fromage frais
Dinner: stir fry veg with chicken and king prawns
Liquid Intake: 2.5L
Exercise: 30 mins swimming (750m)

Day 120 - 114th Day of Cruise

2011-09-19T11:16:00.000-07:00

Weight 192.6lbs - weight lost 42.4lbs- no change since yesterday

I only need to lose one more pound before I am officially overweight, not OBESE but overweight. Kathlucky posted a very useful list of the hidden names of sugars to look out for on labels you might find useful, I don't think its worth memorising - its a long list - but if you read it, they might be familiar when you actually see one on a label, there were alot I'd never heard of.

Alex popped in to see me at work this morning and could tell from my face it wasn't a good one - he is such a sweetheart he went out and brought me back a takeaway breakfast of sausage, egg and mushrooms - swimming in grease - but sweet nonetheless. I knew it would be a stressful week with the GP off and had found it hard to get back to sleep when I woke up too early this morning. But when I got in this morning I head that the extra cover I had organised for Friday had failed to materialise causing the locum extra work and strained relations which I don't need right now!! Defo need to go swimming tomoro before work cos I think it gives me thinking and breathing time and helps me process things and stop stress getting on top of me.

Then, this afternoon, my sister called and asked me to come and collect two of my nieces from the hospital because number 2 had fallen and hit her head and needed stitches so number 1 and number 3 got to spend an exciting couple of hours at work with me making their sister a get well soon card. Turns out she's had it glued - clever these doctor types arent they?!

Alex made me burger melts for tea when I got home and as bought the cat a fluffy bed I doubt he will ever actually use. I might go on the wii fit or dance central in a bit so that I will have got in SOME form of exercise today.

Yesterday's Food - PV
Breakfast: carrot cupcake
Lunch: chicken curry from the freezer, two carrot cupcakes and a milky coffee
Dinner: Roast chicken, mashed carrot and swede and homemade cauliflower cheese
Snack: Atkins chocolate crisp bar, milky coffee with hazelnut sugarfree syrup
Exercise: none
Liquid Intake: 3L

Day 119 - 113th Day of Cruise

2011-09-18T07:34:00.000-07:00

Weight 192.6lbs - weight lost 42.4lbs - 0.6lbs since Thursday

Celebration time - 3 stone down and 0.1lb away from the halfway mark. I really confused myself with my ticker because it told me last week that I was halfway but then I realised that I'd set my ticker to MY goal 11 stone/154lbs but my blog had my final goal of 150lbs which is my Dukan True Weight. So I've updated my ticker and here it is;

Being another stone down it should be reward time but I don't need another handbag just yet and my roots have another few weeks to go before they need doing and since we're about to book a holiday for December time I think that should be treat enough. The weight loss has definitely been going slower but then I haven't gone a week without wine recently and the fat content has definitely crept up, this hasn't completely stalled the loss, just slowed it but I'll have to rein in back in again in readiness for our holiday in December.

We've had a really good weekend but having my sister down had meant a couple of extra meals out and about and at my other sister's for supper last night - she was brilliant and catered around me and my diet again and just added bread for all the non dieters which was really good of her. The fondue was higher in fat than Dukan normally allows (probably more atkins than dukan but very low in carbs) and the two glasses of red wine were definitely illegal. I really appreciate all the support I'm getting from my family esp my hubby, who is very quick to comment on any new changes to my size and shape.

Last night we went to the Maize Maze for a torch-lit adventure. The same maze you can do during the day - and it challenging even then as the maize is 2.2m high and set over two huge fields, so you can imagine the confusion at night when you cant see the deadends until you've come face to face with corn. Really good fun and there was lots of screaming and mud to add to the experience - well worth a fiver! Definitely going to try the bigger one at York next year. A good 60mins walk.

We've decided on the venue for the anniversary party next year. Although I intend on being well into the consolidation phase by then, we will all wanting be looking our best and getting posh frocks and tuxes. I'm hoping my nieces will be able to come down with their mum for the weekend then too. There are lots of the family they haven't even met yet. Feels abit like were planning a wedding; looking at cakes and table decorations and booking a DJ, we're hoping that our sis in law is happy with the arrangements we make since, being in Spain, she can't really be as involved as much as I'm sure she'd like to be.

Hoping to get swimming Tuesday and Thursday morning this week and a walk tonight if we've got the energy and the weather stays bright, otherwise it will be dance central on the xbox again. I baked another lot of carrot cupcakes Saturday because I've found if I don't have them I end up skipping breakfast if I'm in a rush. I managed to find a muffin top baking tin so I can make rice cake sized pieces of Dukan bread. I'm going to try out Charlotte's recipe.

Have a great week everyone!

Yesterday's Food
Breakfast: 240ml ff fromage frais with french vanilla sugar free syrup (I'm not sure what makes it French)
Lunch: 3 x lean beef burgers with low fat cheese slices on each,coffee with skimmed milk and sugar free hazelnut syrup
Dinner: Two legs of garlic roast chicken and roasted veg (carrots, courgette, parsnips and red onion)
Supper: Savory fondue - Ham, butternut squash and courgette with REALLY good cheese sauce (not low fat so illegal) and two glasses of illegal red wine
Liquid Intake: 2L
Exercise: 30 mins walking on FS in the morning then hall cleaning 30 mins and 60 mins walking through the maze.

Day 116 - 110th Day of Cruise

2011-09-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

Weight 193.2lbs - weight lost 41.8lbs - 1.6lbs lost since Saturday

I'm pleased with the loss this week despite my cheating at the weekend and TOTM. I enjoyed another swim (750m) on Tuesday morning before work. I actually got my 40's housewife head on and took in my tankini bottoms a couple of inches on each side so they fit fine and don't slacken off as I swim anymore. I also did some back stroke as that article suggested for lengthening and stretching out the back and toning the shoulders and back better than breast stroke.

I've had quite a stressful week at work although short since I had today booked off as leave as my sis is down to visit. So today I took her to a local historical tourist sight then out for an al fresco lunch and to a local outlet village for shopping this afternoon, the weather stayed sunny and warm and we had a great day. I didn't buy any clothes, I'm so close to getting into my 16s it would just be a waste of money. I got some diabetic dark chocolate in the Thornton's outlet which use polyols instead of sugar, they are quite high in fat still but will be a good little treat on occasion, especially with all this stuff that has been in the news about dark chocolate being as good for you as a jog!!!!

Yesterday's food
Breakfast: muller light coconut mixed with 3tbsp fat free fromage frais to make it go further, two filter coffees with skimmed milk (I needed them!!)
Lunch: left over taco minced beef and peppers, coffee and skimmed milk
Snack: Atkins coconut bar, more tea and coffee
Dinner: Salmon fillet and Roasted veg
Liquid Intake: 2.5L
Exercise: None

Update...

2011-09-13T01:24:00.000-07:00

Just to let you know I've updated Day 100 with the photos of the outdoor dinner party if your interested click here...

Day 113 - 107th Day of Cruise

2011-09-12T09:08:00.000-07:00

Weight? as of 10.09.11 weight lost 40.2lbs

I didn't weigh-in this morning for several reasons;
1. It's TOTM
2. Caught my finger on a safety pin and it was bleeding
3. I felt fat
4. It's Monday
5. I didn't want to be in a bad mood today cos I had the accounts to do
6. I've been bad
7. The cat walked on the scales so his cat hair might have knocked out the reading
8. I hadn't been to the loo

Apologies if the last one's too explicit for your tastes. Anyway I still feel fat, and its a combination of the above, some of them not so relevant!!! I'm afraid I allowed myself to be a 'pathetic' female and used the TOTM as an excuse to give into some cheating and no exercise. And, since I really don't suffer badly with such things, it is an EXCUSE, and not a REASON. So back to it today with a PP day which so far, and it's nearly 5pm, is going well. Please believe me that the courgette fries SOUNDED safe but when they came they were lightly battered and de-lish - I DID EAT THEM!!! I must work out how to make them myself in a safe Dukan friendly fashion with cornflour batter and cooking spray they were so good. I did try the courgette crisps other people have tried but they were either burnt or tasteless so not worth the effort involved for me. I had the fries for Pudding cos Alex had ordered a Warm Chocolate Lava Cookie with icecream and I had to be eating something while he ate that or I'd have knocked him out with the wine bottle so I could steal it. I'm sure he would have been understanding about it.

Saturday's Food
Breakfast: Spinach, Ham and baby bell light omellette with 2 eggs

Lunch: Lean grilled pork steaks with 2 tsp apple sauce (made from my apples and sweetener)

Dinner: King prawns, Salad with grilled chicken, pancetta and avocado, no dressing, and a side of courgette fries plus half a bottle of Rose

Snack: handful of mixed nuts in the cinema

Liquid Intake: 3L

Exercise: 20mins Weeding and sweeping up in the garden and a bit of hanging out and bringing in laundry at various intervals during the day - apart from that I was one with the couch

Yesterday's Food
Breakfast: 2 x Carrot Cupcakes

Lunch: 2 x Macdonalds double cheeseburgers minus the bread, sauce or gerkins - blergggh + (and this is where it gets really bad) 10 chicken mcnuggets with satay sauce - they weren't even that nice but I was hungry
Dinner: Basa fish skewers from tesco - tasteless and a weird consistency, king prawn skewers

Liquid Intake: 3L

Exercise: None

Day 111 - 105th Day of Cruise

2011-09-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

Weight 194.8lbs - weight lost 40.2lbs - 0.2lbs since Thursday

So it's TOTM so I shouldn't expect a massive loss, just happy to sit on the couch watch old episodes of Mad Men and feel sorry for myself today. We're out for Final Destination 5 at the cinema tonight and then a meal at Bella Italia. Italian Restaurants are the hardest menus when you're on the Dukan, aren't they? all that pasta and pizza. Anyway I'll probably have a couple of safe starters instead of a main course. The TOTM may make me more susceptible to Alex's prompt to share a bottle of rose...

Very active all day yesterday; picking up the fallen fruit under the trees, then up and down the ladder picking a bucket full of plums and a crate of apples; then another couple of hours of laundry and stripping and making beds and then baking another batch of Carrot cupcakes (using 5 full eggs this time), and cooking dinner, cleaning the bathroom and lounge and a huge pile of washing up. So I've frozen a bag of plums for mum to make jam and will take the rest and the apples to the hall tomorrow to find them good homes. I don't find the plums tempting, but the apples are...must give them away and remove the temptation.

I got a little bit better at hula hooping - I still can't do it but I did keep it off the floor a little longer. My sis came round with her youngest to discuss plans for our other sis coming down next weekend and for their 25th wedding anniversary next year - its gonna be a biggy. So she picks up the hula hoop and after a couple of failed attempts she can do it!!! this is my sis not my niece, and she does a kinda side to side shimmy to keep it up, she's not entirely sure how she did it either and I've tried and that movement doesn't work for me.

Yesterday's Food - PV
Breakfast: 2 Carrot Cupcakes, Coffee with skimmed milk
Lunch: Lean Pork Steaks with mustard and yog sauce, coffee & skimmed milk
Snack: Carrot Cupcake, Total 0% greek yog 170ml with strawberry sugarfree syrup, tea with skimmed milk
Dinner: Meatballs with grilled asparagus, shallots and passata (Alex had spaghetti with his)
Liquid Intake: 3L - lots of water today
Exercise: 1hr gardening and 2 hrs housework, hula hooping (or trying to) 5 mins (I'm sure trying to is just as hard work as actually successfully doing it) according to my app all that burnt off a massive 800 calories!!

Swim away the calories | Mail Online

2011-09-09T09:51:00.000-07:00

I must work on my technique Swim away the calories | Mail Online:

'via Blog this'

Now that's fast fashion! Couple model 100 years of style in 100 seconds | Mail Online

2011-09-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

Now that's fast fashion! Couple model 100 years of style in 100 seconds | Mail Online: fantastic video

'via Blog this'

Day 109 – 103rd Day of Cruise

2011-09-08T03:37:00.000-07:00

Weight 195lbs – weight lost 40lbs – 1lbs loss since Tuesday

Pleased to be sustaining a weight loss after messing about at the 200lb marks for so long. Long may it continue.

Didn’t get on the swim I wanted this morning ‘cos I was far too tired this morning which comes from falling asleep on the couch last night watching a tripe film – Cedar Rapids – and being uncomfortable and then having to wake up properly at 12 to take myself to bed – grrr. At least we didn’t have the pleasure of the cat’s company in bed last night, he actually asked to go out despite the hideous weather.

Really pleased with the Carrot Cupcakes – they taste really decadent with the cream cheese icing – turns out you CAN have your cake AND eat it!!!

I had the afternoon off yesterday (off my secular work that is) and worked at home, trying to catch up with the washing, do Alex’s invoices and pre-study for the meeting tonight. So fairly busy, we wanted to go to the cinema last night with it being Orange Wednesday but when we got to the cinema there was NOT ONE free parking space AT ALL. So we gave that up as a bad job and went home and watched said film (Cedar Rapids). If the carpark was full I hate to think what the screens were like – I hate it when the cinema is so busy we have to sit next to strangers, I like a buffer zone of empty seats around us – yes I’m weird like that.

My colleague at the PCT who has started the Dukan Diet is doing swimmingly – she was gluten free anyway so it’s not a massive jump for her to be carb free. She says it’s really clicked for her and she enjoys the food options. She can’t have the oat bran though because of the gluten so I need to do some research online for other options ‘cos she can’t be the only one.

Yesterday’s Food - PV

Breakfast: a carrot cupcake, Mushroom and low fat cheese mini quiche and 1 slice roast beef (weird combination but true)

Lunch: Turkey burgers with dipping sauce made with 1 tbsp fromage frais and half a tsp mustard and a carrot cupcake

Snack: 2 carrot cupcakes

Dinner: Chicken curry with spinach

Liquid Intake: 2L

Exercise: NONE – EEK!

Swimming

2011-09-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

Just a little update after my 30mins swimming this aft, I took a late lunch and went to swim lengths. I have to say I'm not impressed with the facilities but the pool itself was fine and not too busy. I swam 735 metres, which was 42 lengths of the 17.5m pool - It would have been longer but the end was cordened off for something - in 30 mins, breast stroke. Really enjoyed it and its great exercise - I could feel my arm muscles toning up as they dragged my un-aerodynamic (is it hydrodynamic for water?) self through the water. Anyway, problem is I hadn't eaten much before I went, even though it was 3pm and I felt like I'd been eating all morning in calorific terms it was very low (1 pot 0% greek yog, two carrot cakes, two slices of ham and a tbsp cottage cheese). So when I came out I was running on a pretty heavy calorie deficit. A quick stop at M&S for king prawns, crispy bacon strips and a fat free latte from costa and I'm feeling much more like myself again. trouble with this diet is I never feel just a bit peckish, its either, I feel fine but I should eat or like that today - true hunger, I'm told. At least it wasnt a sugar low as well - I used to get that really badly; shaking, ratty, numb fingers and feeling sick as a dog.

I'm gonna swim again Thursday morning before work and have something ready to have brekkie at work when I get there. I did have to keep stopping every couple of length to pull my tankini bottoms up so I need to invest in another pair of tankini bottoms. The top is an underwired one from Bravissimo, cost me a bomb but its fantastic. I hope none of the old chaps swimming lengths near me were wearing goggles - they would have got an eyefull.

Day 107 - 101st Day of Cruise

2011-09-06T06:08:00.000-07:00

Weight 196lbs weight lost 39lbs - maintain

I made some of Charlotte's Carrot Cake Muffins last night - oh wow! Mine were a bit dry whihc might be 'cos I used 2 less eggs, but with cream cheese icing (frosting) on top they were awesome!!! The batch made 18 little cupcakes for me, so on my 2Tbsp oat bran allowance, I can have SIX a day if I want to - and I do!!! But I probably won't cos it just sounds piggy. I have had two this morning with a cup of tea though and they are just as good today. So thanks Charlotte - you're a star!

Also found this recipe on Kath's blog (The Duchess of Dukan, Alabama) - Sunshine Souffle

She mentions that once cooled you can slice this and re-fry it (dry or with spray) to make french toast. Well that sounds like a plan to me so I might ake some on Friday and attempt french toast on Saturday morning for our brekkie for a change from omellette or scrambled egg!

I'm off for my first swim at the stadium this afternoon. I'm a bit nervous so I rang them to check how much it was and if I needed a pound for the lockers and stuff. I didnt check if I need a swimming cap so I'm taking it anyway. I also have a variety of costumes in my bag in case my tankini bottoms (size 20) are too loose and threaten to expose me. It does seem silly to be nervous but I've never been there before, and I'm worried I'll take a wrong turn and end up in the men's changing room or that I'll swim the wrong way in my lane and get told off or something!

I kept reading on other people's blogs about coconut yoghurt, well our Tescos doesnt have any but I went in the Cooperative yesterday and low and behold - Muller light limited edition coconut sprinkled with Dark Chocolate and on offer (4 for £2). Now, I'm not going to recommend these to anyone else as, although they are fat free, they have SUGAR and sweeteners - nearly 12g of the white stuff! I'll limit myself to once every few days to offset the badness.

Yesterdays Food - PP
Breakfast: 200ml fat free fromage frais with cocoa, oat bran and sugar free caramel syrup
Lunch: 2 slices roast beef and two slices of low fat ham, coleslaw and low fat cottage cheese with chives

Dinner: Turkey burgers made with turkey mince, 1 egg, ground cumin, 1 chicken stock cube, a bunch of fresh coriander (I'd normally add oat bran too but I'd had my allowance for breakfast)

Snack: 2 carrot cakes - yum, mullerlight coconut limited edition
Liquid Intake: 2.5L
Exercise: nowt (bad, bad)