Je vais en France

Ok - my French is a little rusty (actually not used since I did my A-Level) so let's hope I am not overly required to speak much of it over the next 10 days. I am so glad the holiday is almost upon us. I've felt crappy all week fighting off this man flu (read cold) which has lead to a couple of dodgy choices on the food front. Tuesday, I was fairly saintly and ate a plethora of Vegetables - Parma Ham and Mozzarella salad with loads of fresh Veg Box Veggies (spinach, lettuce, avocado, cherry tomatoes, beetroot, red cabbage and carrot) for lunch and Courgette, Spinach and Asparagus Risotto for dinner. Yesterday, not so good. First of all, there were an abundance of Bacon Sandwiches in the office - and with my defences down, I couldn't resist the faint smell of bacon filling my snot filled nostrils, Lunch was another salad - but accompanied by 2 coronation chicken sandwiches left over from a buffet and a slice of Banoffee cake. Gah.

Last night I'd booked myself in for an Indian Head and Back massage thanks to Groupon. An hour of bliss - which left me looking like someone had poured a chip pan over my head - seriously not a cool look. Even better that I didn't have any form of brush or hair bobble and I'd parked the car about as far away as I could get.... couple that with my bright red beak - and I was looking Smokin'! When I got home and showered and attempted some form of packing for my hols, I really couldn't be bothered to do much in the kitchen, so I succumbed when Matt offered to go to McD's on his way back from the airport last night. A cheeseburger and 4 chicken Nuggets for dinner. Healthy stuff.

So, last day at work today until the 3rd May. Happy Days. We are heading down to Folkstone tonight and then we proceed to drive around France like a pair of clueless numpties. I am so looking forward to it and very thankful we have invested in European Sat Nav as my navigational skills are more than suspect and led to a fair few arguments when driving round the US.

I don't expect my diet to be overly great the next 10 days, but I'll try not to be too much of a piglet. We've a few Chateaux tours lined up, so I suspect there will be much wine involved. How awful, huh?

Happy Easter and Bank Holiday everyone - see you on the 3rd! Au Revoir!

Man flu and ridiculous tenants

I've been a bit AWOL due to stress and man flu which has meant my gym action has been non-existent, although my food has still been okish. The scales are still playing funny beggars so I am not overly sure what's what.

The source of my stress last week came from my flat. As you may know, I still own my flat which I've been renting out for a few years - since I moved in with Matt. I tried to sell it last year unsuccessfully, so decided to continue renting it for the foreseeable. The flat had been empty for a few months while I tried to sell and a friend stayed. I had a family move in just over a month ago - a couple and their young daughter, so I was happy that it was not going to be a source of stress finding the money to cover the mortgage and all the associated bills for at least another year. Little did I know, it was actually Mr. Bean who had moved into my flat.

His list of demands/ complaints over the space of 2 weeks were as follows:

• Flat must be professionally cleaned to provide a sanitary environment for his child - agreed £120 down. He didn't agree that the standard of the cleaning was professional so I had to send the cleaner back - another £60 down.
• Lock must be changed as it was a bit stiff and his wife might get locked out - agreed £60 down
• Bed must be removed as he needed a bigger bed for him and his wife and child to share - agreed £40 down.
• Oven was not working as there was heat coming out of it. Disagreed, it's a fan oven - heat must come from somewhere. This went back and forth for days until I finally sent someone out - £80 down to tell me what I already knew. It was fine. He still disputed it.
• Paint tin and spare kitchen tiles must be removed from the spare room cupboard as it was a hazard to his daughter. Agreed  he could remove them. He refused as it was not his job, so someone had to go round and do it.
• Flat was then 'infested' with insects - I sent a pest controller round (£70 call out) who agreed there were a few flies in the property - mostly because the tenants had the windows open all the time. Tenant then insisted it was not safe for him and his family to stay so I was obliged to pay for them to stay in a hotel. Disagreed - told him to move out.

Thankfully he has now gone, but not after much stress on my behalf and a lot of money spent. He is now trying to get compensation from me for buying a new bed. Honestly, I was a tenant from the ages of 18-30 and I can't ever remember being so difficult. So, I am back to having an empty flat which is not ideal - but slightly less costly than paying out constantly for no reason. Hopefully someone will want it and will move in soon. Fingers crossed. 

Other than that, the weekend was lovely. My friend came over on Saturday for lunch and then I met Matt and some other friends in town later for dinner. Sunday, my parents came down, so we spent a lovely day wandering around Henley in the sun. Since Sunday morning I've been struck down with some hideous form of man flu which I am desperately trying to beat with copious amounts of Vitamin C and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Thankfully I am on holiday next week so should have plenty of time to recuperate. Friday we are off to France for a 10 day driving holiday, covering Bordeux, The Dordogne and the Champagne Regions. I am very much looking forward to it. I anticipate a lot of wine, cheese, ham and French bread may be on the menu. Had better make sure I do some walking whilst there to compensate!

A healthy tasting menu

Last night, as I mentioned, we had another meal out. You'll know that eating out is a passion of mine, something I really enjoy and something I am loathe to give up in my quest to lose weight. Before my fall out with WW, I managed to eat out regularly and still lose weight - and now I am going it alone, I am determined to carry on in the same vein.

We were lucky enough to secure a table for 4 at our favourite restaurant for their Spring Tasting Night. We eat here fairly regularly and the menu is always full of seasonal produce from the local area. Last night's menu focussed on healthy eating - absolutely ideal for me at the moment.

So, we had 7 courses, each of them small and perfectly formed and absolutely delicious. With the menu we were give a description of each course along with the health benefits of eating these foods. It has definitely inspired me to try and recreate some of these amazing flavours. The Hake with Gazpacho Sauce was delicious and the Lamb with Cauliflower 'couscous' (minced cauliflower from what I could work out) was inspired. Beetroot with Goat's cheese is another thing I'll definitely be trying - oh and that Pea and Mint Soup was bloody amazing.

I've totted up my calories as best I can and the menu really didn't come out too badly at all. Result.

However, today, just to be on the safe side, I've made sure I've eaten a bit less and I've done the Hill of Hell 5 times in order to work up a sweat.

I've worked from home which is sometimes a danger zone for me. However, I have so far consumed - Spelt Pancake for breakfast (with Salt - I don't do sweet first thing). Lunch was at Cafe Rouge thanks to Tesco Vouchers, so I had the Entrecote Salad (handily listed as under 600 calories and a healthy option) and dinner will be Chicken Curry bulked up with all of these Veggies, no rice. 

I'm avoiding the scales til Friday as I really can't cope with their mood swings. Onwards and downwards I hope.

Scales - I could fall out with you.

You guys were of course right, the scales are playing silly beggars with me. I was 6 pounds down again last night after a trip to the gym and copious amounts of water throughout the day. I tried to book in for Spinning, but our new gym only allows you to do this 30 mins in advance, it would seem that 29 minutes prior to the class starting is too late. I may have to hang around reception in a stalker like fashion in future.

Not to be deterred, I did my own work out. 20 mins cycling at a fairly fast pace - my heart rate was around 145, 10 minutes on the Stepper until my calves felt like they might explode, 10 minutes on the cross trainer with a heart rate of 154 and then 5 minutes on the running machine to cool down. A proper sweat was worked up for the first time in an age and it felt good. Let's hope the exercise bug has hit me again. We'll gloss over the fact that I almost crashed my car driving under that bloody wind turbine - made even worse by the sunny weather and the flipping moving shadows it casts on the road. I'm shivering at the mere thought. Hideous.

Food yesterday was almost saintly - Spanish Omelette for breakfast, Salmon Salad with Lemon Dressing for Lunch and Home made Burgers for Dinner with a copious amount of salad (no bread or chips!). No diet coke or tea passed my lips all day. Might explain the sudden loss of those extra pounds.

1103 calories in - 559 burnt (although that seems generous) - I am surprised I didn't pass out.

First thing this morning the scales were up a pound from last night - how is this even possible? It's a good job I am not really one for daily weigh-ins, or I'd soon be smashing the bloody things up. I will weigh myself again on Friday and if they are still showing me ridiculous things, I'll probably stamp my feet and cry.

Today I've not been such a saint on the food front, I made the mistake of buying some fat free licorice (raspberry flavour) for a sweet treat every now and then - unfortunately I seem to have a bit of a taste for it and I've eaten most of the bag. 500 and odd calories worth. Somewhat counteracts the Fruit and Yoghurt for breakfast and pasta salad for lunch. What an eejit. I could probably cope with this if I had a night in, but actually we are off out for dinner with friends, so I am just going to have to be as good as I can but not worry overly. I'll hit the gym tomorrow and be extra good on the food front to compensate. This is after all, how most thin people live their lives. How hard can it be??

Moody Monday

Dear Monday,

Please Bugger Off.

That is all.

Kind Regards,

Linzerello

Gah, as you can probably guess, I am not feeling the love for today. I had a lovely weekend, the sun was shining and I felt all happy and smiley. This morning, I have woken up under a black cloud (not literally since the sun is still making an appearance) and it's not a pretty sight.

Friday, I jumped on the scales and saw a loss of a pound - I am happy with that since that is my aim. Friday night saw us sitting in the sun with a pint of Cider, followed by a curry and a couple of drinks at home and I was still within my calorie goal for the day.

Saturday, I met the girls for lunch in Henley, partook in a few glasses of Pimms and came home for an early night after being out for most of the day. Yesterday involved lunch with friends in their garden enjoying the spring sunshine. Absolutely lovely.

Today, I just didn't want to get up. I half considering calling in sick as I was so loathe to get out of bed, but that's not really the attitude. I hopped on the scales to see how I was doing - 8 POUNDS UP. Seriously, what on earth is that about??? I realise it cannot be accurate, I simply can't have put on 8 pounds of fat over the course of 3 days - especially given I was quite restricted (I turned down dessert on both Saturday and Sunday, I drank way less than I wanted to and I filled up on Salad yesterday so I didn't eat too much yummy lasagne), but it sure is enough to put you in a bad mood. Couple that with my ridiculous tenant creating problems where they don't exist and rude customers and you have a foul mood.

I've booked myself into Spinning tonight to try and lift my mood and shed some of those 8 pounds. Happy Monday y'all!

Irrational phobias

I've discovered an issue with our new gym. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am a freak. I am irrationally scared of windmills and wind turbines... Yip, you read that correctly. They scare the heck out of me.

So, imagine my delight upon driving to the gym on Monday night to see this little puppy alongside..... Deep breaths now....

That's actually freaking me out somewhat now just looking at that photo. Urrgghhhhh, horrible things. I'm going to have to undergo some form of hypnosis or something to get over this otherwise Matt is going to have to drive me to the gym whilst I am blindfolded. Not overly handy really. He might get arrested for kidnapping.

In other news, the eating is going quite well. I am tracking every day with myfitness pal and have been under my calorie goal every day. I even managed to eat pizza last night and stop at 2 slices (normally I'd have had at least 4) - a minor achievement. I'm exercising again, my water intake is up and I am feeling a heck of a lot better about myself than I have in the past few months,, my skin is better, my hair is glossy again.... the fact that the sun is shining is probably adding to my joyous mood. Oh and I am also a hussy who appears to have come to work in a completely see-through top but we'll brush over that. 

I did a quick 3 mile walk last night with my bestie - so much easier to exercise with someone when you spend the 45 minutes putting the world to rights. 

Tonight I'm meeting a couple of friends for dinner after work, but I've already made my menu choice so I am going to stick to that and plan everything else around it. Tomorrow night I've work drinks, but I am taking the car. I feel almost saintly. 

Now if I can just get over this bloody irrational fear of windmills, life will be sorted. 

Weekend round up

Oh Monday, you do disappoint me with your eagerness to arrive. 

Hope you all had lovely weekends. Mine was great, much improved from the hospital visits of last weekend.

Friday we went to our local pub, where I chose a Salad for dinner - yes, a SALAD. Wonders will never cease. I did wash that down with a couple of lovely Ciders, but I surprisingly still came in under my calorie goal for the day. I seem to be determined to prove to myself that my divorce from WW is the right move.

Saturday's plan was to get up at 9am and drive up to Nottingham. Imagine my surprise when I woke from my slumber at 0950 - this never happens to me, I always wake up at 0630am, no matter what the day. Anyway, we quickly packed an overnight bag, grabbed some fruit and a quick coffee and set off up the Motorway. Matt used to go to University in Nottingham, so he wanted to go back to see the place and show me around. He also booked us into the wonderful Sat Bains with rooms for dinner and an overnight stay. 

Since I knew we were having a 10 course tasting menu that night, I made sure I stuck to fruit all day so I could fully appreciate the meal. I know 10 courses sounds ridiculously piggy, but each course is probably 2-3 mouthfuls each and so wonderfully flavoursome, that you feel totally satisfied and not at all stuffed once you are done. Here is a quick snap of the menu. I didn't have the Scallop due to it's ability to explode my head, so Belly Pork was my first course. Totally amazing food (we skipped the cheese course - I can show restraint sometimes!). 

At the end of the meal we got to go into the kitchen to meet the Man himself. Thankfully, I'd had a couple of glasses of wine so I wasn't overly star struck, but it was amazing to see what goes on behind the scenes, it's like a military operation. Such a lovely night!

Breakfast was included yesterday, so I had poached eggs with toast and a couple of slices of crispy bacon. The eggs were completely perfect, I don't know how anyone can master this trick. After a long wander around Nottingham (exercise you see) we grabbed a skinny latte from Starbucks and headed home. Matt decided to ignore the Sat Nav and go his own way, which saw us remaining 150 miles from our destination after an hour of driving.... clever man.

Last night's dinner was a Vegetable fest. I made another curry (Starfish, I forgot to answer your question last time - I use Goldfish curry paste usually or just tinned tomatoes with a mixture of  spices). Last night was Chinese Chicken curry - 2 chicken breasts cooked with Onions, Mushrooms, Courgettes, Cabbage and Leeks - basically everything that was in my fridge mixed with a couple of spoonfuls of the Goldfish paste and water. No rice or bread required as the curry was full of Veg. Delicious and one of the best ways for me to get my intake of Veg up.

There are also changes afoot in the Linzerello household. Yesterday we made the brave decision to rejoin the gym. It's not something I am massively enthusiastic about, but I know it's needed. So, tomorrow night I am going to be brave and pop along and see what's what. It's a new gym to me, so I'll feel completely intimidated to start with, but I guess I need to get on with moving my bottom a bit more than I have been. I am going to get back into Spinning and also try Zumba. Exciting times. 

I am also the proud owner of a new set of scales - I hopped on them this morning - and get this.... I am 4 pounds down from my last WW weigh in. I jumped on and off about 10 times to make sure, so I am more than happy with that. Obviously I know they won't be exact, given I was naked when I weighed myself today and I was never that brazen at a WW class, but at least the scales are in the right direction. I shall probably make Friday my WI day from now on, so watch this space.