For once, I am actually fairly glad it's Monday. My weekend has been alcoholic and I am glad to be back to work so I am not forced to drink cocktails, wine or any other dodgy shots. I feel sick at the thought.
Friday night was my second birthday dinner with my friends. I didn't eat all day as was still stuffed from the Thursday night eat fest. Dinner at a local italian restaurant was lovely, but I drank a bit too much prosecco and wine. Not like me at all..... I had Anti Pasto to start followed by Roast Suckling Pig and (butter drenched) Veg. Delicious.
Saturday morning I had to be up bright and early to drive to Cardiff for a Hen do. I picked up my friend Laura at 0930 and took my car for her inaugural over night trip - she was most excited. The hen do was a good laugh, if not fairly hideous - think Pink Tutu's, Penis Necklaces, Cocktails and Shots, Dodgy 80's music and a overly short Stripper which culminated in us staying overnight in what can only be described as a Hostel full of Hen and Stags (when you ask for a triple room, you don't tend to expect a bunk bed above the double bed....) Anyhow, I digress - we had the pleasure of some very young Hen's (not with us) blasting music at 4am in the paper walled corridor of the hostel, sorry hotel. We saw the same girls at breakfast (our Hen had identified them from their shrieking) in just their underwear - it was a very classy establishment. So, not a lot of sleep, a hangover and a 2 hour drive home didn't lead to a very happy Linz.
Eating has been all over the place and not at all on plan. I'm back at it today, but my parents arrive tomorrow for a couple of nights which means more meals out and then Friday we have the wedding (of the Hen do I just attended) in Ross-on-Wye which again means no control! Ho hum, it's not easy is it?
I guess I will just be as good as I can be whenever possible. WI on Wednesday will be interesting!
Monday, 14 June 2010
Friday, 11 June 2010
I never need to eat again
Well 12 hours after the event, I am still beyond stuffed. Food last night was amazing, but we had a lot of it - and a lot of wine too.
We went for a 10 Course Surprise - so we didn't even look at the menu. Just told the waiter what we didn't like (shellfish in my case or my head swells up) and off they go and prepare a meal for you. We also decided to go for the wine pairings - which meant 10 glasses of wine - which meant a fairly drunk Linz & Matt.
It was absolutely lovely (if not VERY expensive) but it was my birthday pressie from Matt as I have been wanting to go for ages, so I am kind of able to justify it... sort of.
I had to make notes of what we ate or I knew I would forget. I wanted to take photos - but I don't think thats really the done thing in fancy restaurants. I am not overly familiar with the etiquette, but perhaps getting your phone out at every course might be frowned upon?
So here is what we consumed....
The only thing I wasn't overly fond of was the sweetbread - well actually that's a lie, it tasted nice, but when you think about what you are eating, it kind of puts you off a little bit. Especially when your boyfriend has a very perplexed look on his face. Matt was a bit traumatised after I told him what it was he had just eaten (he thought the waiter said it was truffle???!) and I couldn't stop laughing which is probably not the done thing either. Cow balls are obviously the norm in posh restaurants.
So we got home after a 4 hour eating extravaganza, very drunk and very stuffed. Lovely. I haven't had breakfast this morning as I actually cannot face food, so lunch is not looking likely. Let's hope I have some room by tonight in time for another meal out. Help!
We went for a 10 Course Surprise - so we didn't even look at the menu. Just told the waiter what we didn't like (shellfish in my case or my head swells up) and off they go and prepare a meal for you. We also decided to go for the wine pairings - which meant 10 glasses of wine - which meant a fairly drunk Linz & Matt.
It was absolutely lovely (if not VERY expensive) but it was my birthday pressie from Matt as I have been wanting to go for ages, so I am kind of able to justify it... sort of.
I had to make notes of what we ate or I knew I would forget. I wanted to take photos - but I don't think thats really the done thing in fancy restaurants. I am not overly familiar with the etiquette, but perhaps getting your phone out at every course might be frowned upon?
So here is what we consumed....
- On arrival - Rosemary Popcorn, Houmous with Smoked Paprika and Marinated Olives. Glass of Kir Royale
- Potato Velouté with Truffle and Chive foam, homemade bread. Glass of wine
- Goats Cheese Mousse with mixed seeds. Glass of wine
- Organic Salmon with Wasabi Mayonnaise and Soy Sauce. Glass of wine
- Foie Gras with Walnuts and Caramel Jelly. Glass of wine.
- Pan Fried Halibut with Asparagus. Glass of wine.
- Veal Rump, Sweetbread, Pea Puree, Pommes Anna. Glass of wine
- Selection of Cheese with Raisin Bread. Glass of White Port.
- Mango Jelly with Coconut Foam. Glass of Fizzy Pink.
- Poached Meringue with Strawberries and Basil Jelly. Glass of wine
- Vanilla Cheesecake with Orange Carpaccio. Glass of wine.
- Coffee and Petits Fours (Coconut Ice, Turkish Delight and Chocolate Meringue).
The only thing I wasn't overly fond of was the sweetbread - well actually that's a lie, it tasted nice, but when you think about what you are eating, it kind of puts you off a little bit. Especially when your boyfriend has a very perplexed look on his face. Matt was a bit traumatised after I told him what it was he had just eaten (he thought the waiter said it was truffle???!) and I couldn't stop laughing which is probably not the done thing either. Cow balls are obviously the norm in posh restaurants.
So we got home after a 4 hour eating extravaganza, very drunk and very stuffed. Lovely. I haven't had breakfast this morning as I actually cannot face food, so lunch is not looking likely. Let's hope I have some room by tonight in time for another meal out. Help!
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Birthday!
Thanks for the Birthday wishes people, I still don't feel like a grown up, even at the ripe old age of 34. I am having a fairly lovely day so far - well as nice as it can be when you're actually at work.
I am doing my best to put on those 2 pounds I lost at yesterday's weigh in - and so far so good. I could gain a stone if I carry on like this.
Matt, bless him, got up early and cooked me breakfast in bed (Matt never cooks - in fact I am not sure he knows how to work the hob, but he seemed to work it out today). It was a healthy breakfast, but still more than I would normally eat of a week day (bearing in mind the 10 course meal tonight!). So in theory I should have been set up for the day.
However, I then brought this small selection of tit bits into the office.
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Fairly large mistake as my willpower is practically zero, I keep telling myself calories don't count on your birthday. I allowed myself one of each - but then I ate about 4 of each anyway and now feel extremely sick. They seem to be shouting at me everytime I walk past - they are fairly persistant little buggers. I may have to invest in some ear plugs for the rest of teh afternoon.
I've tried to negate the damage of the cakes with an Innocent Veg Pot at my friend Sarahs at lunch time and a hold of her 2 week old baby - which made my arm ache so I think that counts as exercise.
I'm also wearing a dress today, so you can tell it's a special occaison. This is one of the many dresses I bought for the weddings which was not suitable, but I liked it anyway, so I am sporting it with a legging and a cardie to hide my many sins. I actually feel fairly ladylike for once. It definitely looks better on me when you cannot see my Yorkshire Pudding knees.
So (much) more eating and much drinking to come. I'll probably have to roll into work tomorrow in my barrel like state. But what the heck, it's my Birthday! I'll worry about it tomorrow.
I am doing my best to put on those 2 pounds I lost at yesterday's weigh in - and so far so good. I could gain a stone if I carry on like this.
Matt, bless him, got up early and cooked me breakfast in bed (Matt never cooks - in fact I am not sure he knows how to work the hob, but he seemed to work it out today). It was a healthy breakfast, but still more than I would normally eat of a week day (bearing in mind the 10 course meal tonight!). So in theory I should have been set up for the day.
However, I then brought this small selection of tit bits into the office.
.jpg)
Fairly large mistake as my willpower is practically zero, I keep telling myself calories don't count on your birthday. I allowed myself one of each - but then I ate about 4 of each anyway and now feel extremely sick. They seem to be shouting at me everytime I walk past - they are fairly persistant little buggers. I may have to invest in some ear plugs for the rest of teh afternoon.
I've tried to negate the damage of the cakes with an Innocent Veg Pot at my friend Sarahs at lunch time and a hold of her 2 week old baby - which made my arm ache so I think that counts as exercise.
I'm also wearing a dress today, so you can tell it's a special occaison. This is one of the many dresses I bought for the weddings which was not suitable, but I liked it anyway, so I am sporting it with a legging and a cardie to hide my many sins. I actually feel fairly ladylike for once. It definitely looks better on me when you cannot see my Yorkshire Pudding knees.
So (much) more eating and much drinking to come. I'll probably have to roll into work tomorrow in my barrel like state. But what the heck, it's my Birthday! I'll worry about it tomorrow.
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
WI Wednesday
So I am pleased to report the scales moved - after 2 weeks away from my 'official' weigh in, I have lost 2 whole pounds. I think shaving my legs in the shower this morning contributed to the weight loss, every little helps.
Actually, I am really pleased with that - I am not sure it's deserved given I have exceeded points on a fairly regular basis and barely moved (apart from walking in Amsterdam). I need to be extra good this week - I think that's highly likely to be an impossibility.
Tomorrow, I may have mentioned, is my birthday and I am commiserating turning 34 in style. Matt is taking me out for a very fancy dinner - a tasting menu which is apparently 10 courses. I think I need to starve myself all day in preparation. However, one small stumbling block prior to that is I am meeting a friend for lunch. I am just popping to hers as she's a new Mum (2 week old Isobel), but I can't really expect dust and water, which is what I should be existing on in preparation for a 10 course meal. How does one consume that amount of food??
Friday night, 10 of us are off for dinner (there is a theme here) to a really nice Italian Restaurant who do mammoth portions of gorgeous food. Ho Hum. I probably won't drink loads however as I've an early start on Saturday. I'm off to Cardiff for a hen do - which involves Cocktail Making and Dinner and no doubt copious amounts of alcohol. Not to mention pink t-shirts and tutu's.
Sunday I may well come home and hibernate.
Work has been awful today, I've had the headache from hell and a load of hassle from not very appreciative people. I've not slept well for the past 3 nights, so I am hopeful tonight I will be knocked out - a couple of gins may assist perhaps? I need a lot of energy for the next few days. I am exhausted just thinking about it!
Actually, I am really pleased with that - I am not sure it's deserved given I have exceeded points on a fairly regular basis and barely moved (apart from walking in Amsterdam). I need to be extra good this week - I think that's highly likely to be an impossibility.
Tomorrow, I may have mentioned, is my birthday and I am commiserating turning 34 in style. Matt is taking me out for a very fancy dinner - a tasting menu which is apparently 10 courses. I think I need to starve myself all day in preparation. However, one small stumbling block prior to that is I am meeting a friend for lunch. I am just popping to hers as she's a new Mum (2 week old Isobel), but I can't really expect dust and water, which is what I should be existing on in preparation for a 10 course meal. How does one consume that amount of food??
Friday night, 10 of us are off for dinner (there is a theme here) to a really nice Italian Restaurant who do mammoth portions of gorgeous food. Ho Hum. I probably won't drink loads however as I've an early start on Saturday. I'm off to Cardiff for a hen do - which involves Cocktail Making and Dinner and no doubt copious amounts of alcohol. Not to mention pink t-shirts and tutu's.
Sunday I may well come home and hibernate.
Work has been awful today, I've had the headache from hell and a load of hassle from not very appreciative people. I've not slept well for the past 3 nights, so I am hopeful tonight I will be knocked out - a couple of gins may assist perhaps? I need a lot of energy for the next few days. I am exhausted just thinking about it!
Monday, 7 June 2010
Catch up
Hello people, it's been a little while. The end of last week passed in a non too stressful if not, extremely busy manner.
Thursday night I met friends at a pub in Esher - but they didn't serve food which was somewhat annoying as I ended up with a very classy packet of Pork Scratchings for my dinner washed down with copious Lime and Soda. So I came in on points, but in a fairly unhealthy way.
Friday we flew off to Amsterdam and had a fab weekend. Lots and lots of walking was done, lots of alcohol was consumed and a fair amount of food. I obviously didn't count points all weekend, but I am convincing myself that walking for hours on both Saturday and Sunday may have negated the damage of Pancakes (AMAZING), Bitterballen and a club sandwich and Steak and Chips amongst the other less memorable items I consumed. I also managed to buy a few bits for my friend's hen do at the end of the month - you can imagine the classy items I purchased. I was somewhat worried that the security screening would pick out the various male appendage shaped items (think cake tin and pepper pot) in my holdall, but I guess they are used to that carry on and no eyelids batted. Matt was refusing to associate with me at that point - just in case I had to explain myself. Doesn't every woman long for a pepper pot in the shape of part of the male anatomy?? Perhaps not.
I am a bit scared of the scales this week but my brain seems to have clicked back into WW mode this morning so I am hoping I can get a shifty on with this weight loss business. It's been 2 weeks since my last weigh in and my hormonal scales don't seem to have a clue what is going on. I tried on my latest attempt at a wedding outfit last night and it was beyond hideous. It's spurred me on a bit to try and get a few more pounds off as I am in danger of looking like the Michelin Man in satin.
This week will, however, be challenging. Thursday is my birthday so I have nights out on Thursday and Friday (involving dinner) and then Saturday, I am off to Cardiff for another hen do. In fact the rest of the month looks pretty ridiculous. Can someone please send me a massive dose of willpower??
Oooh and also - thanks to everyone for commenting on my last post about my car. I am officially in love with it - I'm like a proud mother :)
Thursday night I met friends at a pub in Esher - but they didn't serve food which was somewhat annoying as I ended up with a very classy packet of Pork Scratchings for my dinner washed down with copious Lime and Soda. So I came in on points, but in a fairly unhealthy way.
Friday we flew off to Amsterdam and had a fab weekend. Lots and lots of walking was done, lots of alcohol was consumed and a fair amount of food. I obviously didn't count points all weekend, but I am convincing myself that walking for hours on both Saturday and Sunday may have negated the damage of Pancakes (AMAZING), Bitterballen and a club sandwich and Steak and Chips amongst the other less memorable items I consumed. I also managed to buy a few bits for my friend's hen do at the end of the month - you can imagine the classy items I purchased. I was somewhat worried that the security screening would pick out the various male appendage shaped items (think cake tin and pepper pot) in my holdall, but I guess they are used to that carry on and no eyelids batted. Matt was refusing to associate with me at that point - just in case I had to explain myself. Doesn't every woman long for a pepper pot in the shape of part of the male anatomy?? Perhaps not.
I am a bit scared of the scales this week but my brain seems to have clicked back into WW mode this morning so I am hoping I can get a shifty on with this weight loss business. It's been 2 weeks since my last weigh in and my hormonal scales don't seem to have a clue what is going on. I tried on my latest attempt at a wedding outfit last night and it was beyond hideous. It's spurred me on a bit to try and get a few more pounds off as I am in danger of looking like the Michelin Man in satin.
This week will, however, be challenging. Thursday is my birthday so I have nights out on Thursday and Friday (involving dinner) and then Saturday, I am off to Cardiff for another hen do. In fact the rest of the month looks pretty ridiculous. Can someone please send me a massive dose of willpower??
Oooh and also - thanks to everyone for commenting on my last post about my car. I am officially in love with it - I'm like a proud mother :)
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Happy!
So Ladies and Gentlemen, after my last post full of frustration, yesterday was a good day. I am now the proud owner of a new car - see how shiny and red it is? Clearly I cannot afford it, but needs must and all that! I love it - hopefully this will be a little bit more reliable than the heap of junk which broke down on me more times than I care to remember.
I also managed to get my iphone yesterday which should also assist with my bad back, as I will no longer be carrying a brick around in my handbag. However, that didn't go overly smoothly and resulted in me somehow deleting every phone number I had, which was fairly clever. For a girl who works in IT, I am a complete technophobe in real life!
I weighed myself on the hormonal scales at home and they showed me to be 3 pounds lighter than I was last week, but we'll be taking that with a large pinch of salt - a bag of salt perhaps.
Busy few days ahead, meeting friends tonight and supposed to be staying over at one of their's in Twickenham. However, me and Matt are off to Amsterdam tomorrow straight from work and I've managed a complete fail on the packing front so I am not really sure how that one is going to work out. I may have to come home later and do a bit of late night panic packing or pop home tomorrow lunchtime and do the same.
Food wasn't overly good yesterday, I didn't eat a lot all day and then we ended up out last night ordering a Wetherspoons Sharing Platter, ho hum, a plate of deep fried goods. Healthy!
So back on the straight and narrow with food today. As I keep saying, one baby step at a time. Enjoy the sunshine if you have it.
I also managed to get my iphone yesterday which should also assist with my bad back, as I will no longer be carrying a brick around in my handbag. However, that didn't go overly smoothly and resulted in me somehow deleting every phone number I had, which was fairly clever. For a girl who works in IT, I am a complete technophobe in real life!
I weighed myself on the hormonal scales at home and they showed me to be 3 pounds lighter than I was last week, but we'll be taking that with a large pinch of salt - a bag of salt perhaps.
Busy few days ahead, meeting friends tonight and supposed to be staying over at one of their's in Twickenham. However, me and Matt are off to Amsterdam tomorrow straight from work and I've managed a complete fail on the packing front so I am not really sure how that one is going to work out. I may have to come home later and do a bit of late night panic packing or pop home tomorrow lunchtime and do the same.
Food wasn't overly good yesterday, I didn't eat a lot all day and then we ended up out last night ordering a Wetherspoons Sharing Platter, ho hum, a plate of deep fried goods. Healthy!
So back on the straight and narrow with food today. As I keep saying, one baby step at a time. Enjoy the sunshine if you have it.
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Frustrations
Today has been one of those days. Food has gone well, possibly because my energy has been focused elsewhere and I have been a massive ball of frustration. Nothing major I hasten to add, just minor things which have all come together to really bloody annoy me.
Forgive me if this descends into a major rant.
This morning started off well when I popped to my friendly local corner shop to collect my latest parcel from Very. My latest attempt at getting the dress situation for weddings sorted. Armed with my confirmation of my account number, the email stating my parcel was available for collection and photo ID. The guy gave me 2 parcels, proceeded to tap something into his useless computer and then told me there were no parcels for me to collect.... Erm excuse me, what are these I have in my hands?? "Well sorry madam but they aren't for you".... well clearly they bloody well are you numpty as that's my blooming name on them and I've just shown you my driving licence with my face on it. "Sorry madam but I don't know you." Well no, but that's why I have shown you my ID?? After 10 minutes of arguing he practically wrestled them from me and I stormed off - minus said dresses. Gah.
Cue me driving off in Matt's very fast car (which seems like a rocket after 4 years of driving the heap of junk) and wheel spinning furiously. Don't tell Matt, he's a bit precious about it. Thankfully he was tucked up in bed at home still feeling very sorry for himself so he'll be none the wiser.
In order to sort out the car situation, I've tried to increase the limit on one of my credit cards by a measley £500. I called Barclaycard Customer Services on Saturday to request the increase and was told I'd have an answer within 48 hours. Today arrived and no phone call, so I call them again, to be told I'd have an answer within 48 hours. Well that's not bloody useful is it really since I needed the answer 24 hours ago. So now I have to attempt to pay for the new car on a credit card and couple together a bit of cash. It's that or try and pay on a variety of cards and look like a right numpty. Surely £500 is not worth them even worrying about? Gah number 2.
And then stupidly, I tried to upgrade my phone to an iPhone since it's the end of my contract and I can upgrade for free. Except in the shop they gave me the phone and then took it back off me telling my free iPhone was going to cost me £89. Well thanks very much, that doesn't appear to be overly free. There seems to be a theme today with people giving me stuff and then taking it back.... After 20 minutes on hold to Vodafone customer services, apparently I can upgrade for nothing... just the computer keeps saying NO. Gah number 3.
And I won't even start with the 32 minutes I was on hold to my car insurance company.
And breathe.....
Sorry people, I feel somewhat better for that.
Like I say food has been really good today. I'll spare you the photos since I've not eaten anything overly exciting. Crumpets with Peanut Butter for breakfast, Lunch was a Jacket Potato with Tuna, Spring Onions and reduced fat Salad Cream and an Apple. Dinner was a turkey stir fry. All good, if not a little dull. I am seriously craving chocolate right now, but we don't have any in the house and I am far too lazy to go out and get some so I shall manage to resist that temptation.
I am working from home tomorrow as I've an early start and I am hopefully going to pick up my new car - which means no WI for the second week. It's a bit of a worry really as I tend to go a bit off the rails if I can't get to WI consistently. I can have a go on my home scales, but they can vary by 6 pounds depending on what mood they are in. I guess I'll just have to keep plodding on with my baby steps and hope for the best.
So dear readers, hopefully tomorrow I won't be given a shiny new car, only to have it wrestled back off me and hopefully the scales will be a little bit kind. Let's hope they are in a good mood.
Forgive me if this descends into a major rant.
This morning started off well when I popped to my friendly local corner shop to collect my latest parcel from Very. My latest attempt at getting the dress situation for weddings sorted. Armed with my confirmation of my account number, the email stating my parcel was available for collection and photo ID. The guy gave me 2 parcels, proceeded to tap something into his useless computer and then told me there were no parcels for me to collect.... Erm excuse me, what are these I have in my hands?? "Well sorry madam but they aren't for you".... well clearly they bloody well are you numpty as that's my blooming name on them and I've just shown you my driving licence with my face on it. "Sorry madam but I don't know you." Well no, but that's why I have shown you my ID?? After 10 minutes of arguing he practically wrestled them from me and I stormed off - minus said dresses. Gah.
Cue me driving off in Matt's very fast car (which seems like a rocket after 4 years of driving the heap of junk) and wheel spinning furiously. Don't tell Matt, he's a bit precious about it. Thankfully he was tucked up in bed at home still feeling very sorry for himself so he'll be none the wiser.
In order to sort out the car situation, I've tried to increase the limit on one of my credit cards by a measley £500. I called Barclaycard Customer Services on Saturday to request the increase and was told I'd have an answer within 48 hours. Today arrived and no phone call, so I call them again, to be told I'd have an answer within 48 hours. Well that's not bloody useful is it really since I needed the answer 24 hours ago. So now I have to attempt to pay for the new car on a credit card and couple together a bit of cash. It's that or try and pay on a variety of cards and look like a right numpty. Surely £500 is not worth them even worrying about? Gah number 2.
And then stupidly, I tried to upgrade my phone to an iPhone since it's the end of my contract and I can upgrade for free. Except in the shop they gave me the phone and then took it back off me telling my free iPhone was going to cost me £89. Well thanks very much, that doesn't appear to be overly free. There seems to be a theme today with people giving me stuff and then taking it back.... After 20 minutes on hold to Vodafone customer services, apparently I can upgrade for nothing... just the computer keeps saying NO. Gah number 3.
And I won't even start with the 32 minutes I was on hold to my car insurance company.
And breathe.....
Sorry people, I feel somewhat better for that.
Like I say food has been really good today. I'll spare you the photos since I've not eaten anything overly exciting. Crumpets with Peanut Butter for breakfast, Lunch was a Jacket Potato with Tuna, Spring Onions and reduced fat Salad Cream and an Apple. Dinner was a turkey stir fry. All good, if not a little dull. I am seriously craving chocolate right now, but we don't have any in the house and I am far too lazy to go out and get some so I shall manage to resist that temptation.
I am working from home tomorrow as I've an early start and I am hopefully going to pick up my new car - which means no WI for the second week. It's a bit of a worry really as I tend to go a bit off the rails if I can't get to WI consistently. I can have a go on my home scales, but they can vary by 6 pounds depending on what mood they are in. I guess I'll just have to keep plodding on with my baby steps and hope for the best.
So dear readers, hopefully tomorrow I won't be given a shiny new car, only to have it wrestled back off me and hopefully the scales will be a little bit kind. Let's hope they are in a good mood.
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