Disappearing leaves and a mini rant...

Thanks all for your comments yesterday, I ended the day with a few points to bank and a BP on the pedometer (without actually trying, I'll take that) so all was not lost. Dinner was fairly miserable (stir fries never excite me and turkey should just be for Christmas) but that was my penance for the Nik Nak episode.

Today I am not sure if I am hungry or I feel sick. I am sure by the age of 34 I should be able to distinguish between the two. I felt queasy all morning (I am definitely not with child or hungover) which has been a little bit unpleasant, but my meagre ration at lunchtime seems to have perked me up a bit.

I made this Peach, Parma Ham and Gruyere Salad (I've downloaded the Waitrose App on my iPhone which is dangerous, it's not like it's a cheap place to shop) and this morning when I brought it to work, the leaves seem to have completely disappeared. I presume it's something to do with the dressing breaking them down or summat (clearly I know nowt), but I literally had about 2 forkfuls. Not overly satisfying, but tasty all the same. I drastically cut down the oil in the dressing so it worked out at 3.5 points for the (not a) lot. Will definitely try it again - but may bring the dressing separately in future to avoid baby portions. Fortunately I have a fruit YoYo to tide me over for 5 mins or so before I start attacking the cabbage I've bought to accompany dinner later.

No plans this evening for once - Matt is apparently cooking, which means I buy something he can stick in the oven and he plates it up (stuffed lamb breast, do lamb's have breasts??), although we tried this last week and ended up at our local Thai. Tomorrow we're off to Twickenham for a BBQ and that is about it. In theory, I should be ok on the diet front. Need to try and get some walking in. I did 100 squats last night and 80 sit ups this morning, but that's not really good enough is it? I don't find torrential rain makes me want to get myself out pounding the streets.

Ok and now a mini non-diet related rant, feel free to stop reading now. I have been a landlord for the last 2 years (not something I really wanted to do, but needs must) and last night I popped over to my flat to take a few bits over for my friend who moves in at the end of the month whilst it's on the market and not selling any time soon, Goddamn recession. My flat is the top floor of a Victorian Conversion with a shared hallway with 2 other flats.

If you rented a flat, and post arrived at that address not for you, would it really be that difficult to pop it back in the postbox marked return to sender or would you just leave it all piled up in the hallway making the place resemble a Royal Mail sorting office?? And if the lights in the shared hallway needed new bulbs (you can't actually see my front door if the light is off, Lord knows how my tenants ever got in) would you not spend a few pence and replace them? And if a couple of lights in the flat had gone too - would you not do the same?? Bearing in mind I bought 5 bulbs for 99p in the 99p shop yesterday. Harumph. I spent about half an hour last night sorting through 2 years worth of post (it actually filled a bin liner) and another 10 minutes today sticking it all back in the post box. Royal Mail will love me. Clearly this is not worth getting myself wound up about, but it's a slow news day in Linzerello land so forgive me.

Right then, rant over, that's it from me, toodle pip people. Have fabulous weekends.

One good week, one bad

It seems this week is not off to the best of starts. After my meagre lunch of Onion Rings yesterday, I was about to chew my arm off, when saviour came in the form of a left over platter of sandwiches from an office buffet lunch. Saviour for my stomach, trauma as a WWer. 1/4 of a cheese and onion sandwich (why did I not pick ham or something less lardy??) and a miniscule slice of quiche abated my hunger until I got to my friend Laura's house for dinner.

Turns out the Salmon En Croute was actually to be Salmon Wellington. Think Salmon, think Pastry, think Cheese Sauce. Think 583 calories and 19g of Saturated Fat. Think 13 points. Think feckadoodle do.

So 31.5 points yesterday out of a possible 26. Thankfully I managed to bag myself another few BPs on the pedometer so I was actually only 1 point over for yesterday if I take those into account - which I don't want to do, but needs must. I get traumatised if I see a negative balance on my online points tracker.

Today should have been better. It can still be rescued, but I haven't learnt any lessons about buying multi-packs of crisps. Mindless eating is also an issue here.

Breakfast = 2 slices of Wholemeal toast with Peanut Butter - keeps me full for ages so far so good. (4.5) A bag of Bear Fruit nibbles to assist with my 5-a-day (1)

Mid Morning = Bear Peach Fruit YoYo (1) - healthy, 5-a-day, we like it.

Lunch = Butternut Squash Macaroni Cheese - delicious if a little pointy for lunch but contains veg so its good (more 5-a-day here) (7)

Post Lunch = 2 bags of Nice and Spicy Nik Naks (5) WTF???

I have now learnt said lesson and given the remaining bags of crisps to a colleague much to his delight. What a numpty I am.

Thankfully dinner is a Turkey Stir Fry (4) (yet more 5-a-day, if I wasn't a crisp addict, I'd almost be a saint) so in theory I am ok - 22.5/26. Not the end of the world, but still. I will endeavour to do some sit ups and thigh master later to make myself feel suitably punished and the hill of hell will be attempted tomorrow morning.

Right, I am off to chastise myself a bit more. Have a good day y'all.

Trying....

Thanks for all your comments last night, I am spurred on this week to be as good as gold. I always have a fear when I have a big loss that it's some freak of the scales and it'll all be back on the following week, so I NEED to be good. I'm now back at 50 lbs in total lost, only 2 more to go to match my lowest weight in recent history and then it's unknown territory.

Today is trying my ability to be good. Up early this morning, 3 mile walk done, 3 BP's earnt. Bosh. 2 packs of Granola Nibbles and 1 pack of Fruity Bits with skimmed milk for breakfast (4.5). Bosh.

Text message from friend who I am visiting tonight to say she is cooking Salmon En Croute with Veg for dinner. Bosh and Aaarrrggghhhhh. Have you seen the points in this? 10 at perhaps the very least (presuming I get an average Salmon Fillet and a sheet of ready made pastry), but more likely around 14-16. Ok, no panic, will have a simple salad for lunch and life will be sweet.

And then... completely forgot I'd arranged to meet another friend for a pub lunch and she called me at 12 to find out if I was on my way as she was there already. Whoooops. So I flew out of the office, Eating Out Guide in hand so I can be super prepared and pick something for 4-5 points at the most.

Well thanks Brewer's Fayre, you have indeed made that tricky. Chicken and Bacon Salad perhaps? 7.5 points. Tomato and Roast Vegetable Pasta perhaps? 12 points. Tandoori Vegetable Curry perhaps? 13 points. Why is it everything you think sounds fairly good, is not? So, a portion of Onion Rings for lunch it was - 3.5 points. I won't mention that I am about to chew my arm off within 90 minutes of eating them. I just hope my friend has dinner ready the minute I walk in her door tonight.

WI result

3.5lbs off!! Over the blooming moon. I'm even spurred on to be relatively healthy with my post weigh in meal. Miracles will never cease.






See how happy I am??

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Food diary - done

It all went a bit Pete Tong this morning. I was meant to get up and meet Alex for a walk, but I felt like crap due to a disturbed night's sleep. My darling boyfriend is in Stress Head mode presently, which means he spends the night impersonating a Whirling Dervish on acid. Turns out Alex had also had a bad night's sleep and I awoke to a text sent by her at 4am to say she'd not be making it either. Thankfully it was persisting down so I didn't feel any need to go it alone. No exercise for me (apart from 80 situps and 10 minutes of the thigh master before bed last night - spurred on whilst watching The Biggest Loser USA).

So it's the end of my WW week, which means the end of food photo's for now - although I do find this really useful so it may have to become a bit more of a regular feature. I may have to extend the repertoire of Linzerello's Kitchen, however.

I've worked from home today, on account of feeling like crap, so breakfast was 2 slices of Warbuton's wholemeal toast (1.5) with Scrambled Eggs (2.5) and Lurpak Lighter (1).

and a Skimmed Hazelnut Latte (0.5)

I'd prepared lunch last night (I don't usually eat out of tupperware at home, sometimes I use plates) which was lovely.

50g of Quinoa (2) cooked in Veg Stock, with red pepper, cherry tomatoes, spring onions, spinach and a dressing made with Tahini (0.5), Lemon Juice, Garlic, Parsley and Mint. Topped with 40g of dry fried Halloumi Light (2). Very filling.

So that's it I think. WI is at 1830 and I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed. We'll probably have a Rib Eye Steak post WI with loads of Veggies - don't tell anyone, but I don't usually point this meal as it's after my WI for the week. Bad??

I'll be back later with the results from the scales.

A good food day and a busted ankle (again)

I was in bed very early night last night (9pm) and I still feel totally shattered today. Drinking is not big or clever. Fact.

I'm trying to be much better today and eat a bit more healthily but food shopping yesterday didn't happen (due to lethargy) so it was a make do situation this morning. A roll with one chopped hard boiled egg and extra low fat mayo with Spinach (4.5). Litre of water and the obligatory cuppa.

For lunch I popped to my friend Sarah's house (the same friend who we were very drunk with on Saturday) apparently her hubby was as ill as us yesterday so he wasn't overly popular with a baby daughter to contend with. I don't think hangovers and children go together too well. Our friend Caroline had popped over to see Sarah as well so we had a lovely lunch and a catch up.

On my plate: small spoonful of reduced fat coleslaw, houmous, red onion marmalade, carrot sticks, red pepper, cucumber, beetroot and lettuce with 2 small slices of wholemeal pitta, extra mature cheddar and a small slice of crustless quiche (8 ish)

Shame I only had an hour really, would have been nice to spend a good few hours nattering with the girlies.

Mid afternoon I had 400g of Melon (1.5). I wouldn't normally buy pre-packed fruit because it's so expensive, but this was reduced to clear.

I need to reign in my spending the next few months as my tenants have officially moved out and whilst the flat is up for sale, I am having to cover the Mortgage and council tax until my friend moves in for a bit in September. Not sure how to reign in said spending when I have so much coming up over the next few weeks. Friends BBQ at the weekend - should be fairly cheap, following weekend I have my sisters Hen do in Benalmadena (won't be at all cheap), after that we are off to Stow-on-the-Wold for a weekend (probably not cheap either) and then we go on holiday. Hmmmm. May need to have a major sort out tonight and get some stuff on eBay or offer to sell my body for medical research purposes.

Dinner tonight was Lamb Massaman (7.5) bulked out with mushrooms and onions and a few potatoes to keep the lamb content down - I stole the lovely Laura's idea of using Cauliflower instead of rice to try and keep my points down. All in all, not a bad day on the food front.

On my way home from work I managed to bust my sodding ankle again, I stood on a small stone in the car park and the bloody thing sprained once again. I'm at a total loss as to what to do with it now, that's 6 times I've sprained it. Perhaps I need to get back to physio and get it looked at again. Does anyone have any tips for strengthening my ankle? It's obviously so blooming weak now. Very frustrating. I'll just have to strap it up tomorrow and go walking anyway.

Fingers crossed the scales are kind to me tomorrow night, I'll be most unhappy if one day of boozy excess has ruined my fairly hard work.

Hangover at the Hind's Head. (Day 5)

As you may have guessed from my last post, yesterday was a bit of a write off. I was soooo hungover. I just cannot drink like I used to. I don't think it was overly clever of me to have a salad and then nothing else but booze and expect to feel ok the next day. Anyway, after a few false starts yesterday, I managed to get up and out and off to the Hind's Head in Bray for Alex's Birthday lunch.

Thankfully everyone at lunch was a little bit worse for wear so I didn't feel too bad. You'd think we'd all know better at our age.

I really like the Hind's Head, it was packed which I guess is not unusual for a Sunday afternoon and the menu was really good. It was difficult to know what to order. Anyway, I started with one of Heston's Scotch Eggs. AMAZING. This was blooming lovely. I am not sure of the points - perhaps around 4 or 5.

For Main course, I had the Roast Beef. I asked for an extra Yorkshire Pudding (I could exist on them alone) tried to eat as much Veg as I could and only had one of the delicious Roast Potatoes. I guestimated around 12 points for this.

Thankfully food assisted the hangover a little bit and I no longer felt like I might projectile vomit at any moment... TMI? :)

Spent the rest of the afternoon lazing around the flat. Matt was in a bad way as well so we just lounged on the sofa watching rubbish TV. Most enjoyable.

We ended up sharing a Pizza Express American Pizza for dinner (6 points for half) as it was in the freezer and I just wasn't capable of cooking anything 'proper'.

So, I think yesterday was ok from a points perspective - if not my most healthy day. Saturday was most definitely not good from an alcohol perspective and I really don't know where I am at now. Most probably there is a bit of a deficit over the week, but a couple of good days should see me alright.

Fingers crossed.

P.S. I am never drinking again.....