Recipe: Spanish Omelette

Today's choice of a recipe is a filling & healty spanish omelette with eggs, potatoes, chorizo and vegetables.
A former Au Pair from Spain came for a visit with her future mother in law and both cooked this lovely dish. As we are having hens on the farm, we always have loads of eggs. 
Last week, I tried to do it myself, and this is with what I came up with.
This recipe makes two large omelettes and about 16 slices, one slice has a value of 4.
You could do this recipe easily on a filling and healthy day, without the Chorizo (or count them with your weeklies, same goes for the oil, but remember, you are allowed to have two teaspoons of oil on a F&H day) and more vegetables.

You will need for 2 large omelettes:
makes 16 slices - one slice has a ProPoints value of 4

600g babypotatoes
12 medium eggs
90g Chorizo
1 large onion
90ml sunflower oil
1 large pepper
5-6 mushrooms
salt & pepper

to serve:
mixed lettuce
tomatoes
pepper
spring onions
balsamic vinegar

Cut the babypotatoes, mushrooms, pepper and onion  in fine slices. 
Cut the Chorizo sausage in small cubes.
Divide the potatoes in two bowls and mix with some salt and pepper. 
Heat the oil in a large frying pan and add one batch the potatoes, fry them for a few minutes on medium heat and add then half of the chorizo, mushrooms, pepper and onion. 
Fry until potatoes are cooked trough and begin to brown slightly.

Take the mixture out of the fat and fry the rest of the potatoes, the sausage and vegetables in the same way. 
Meanwhile take two bowls and crack 6 eggs in each. Mix with a fork.

Add the fried potatoe-veg-sausage-mixture and combine. 

After frying both batches of potatoes, remove the oil from the pan and put one egg-potatoe mixture into the empty frying pan. Cook on medium heat.
After about 30-60 seconds, turn the omelette with plate (put the plate onto the omelette turn the pan around, that the omelette will be on the plate, than put the omelette back into the pan, to cook the other side). 

Do this three to four times until the omelette is browned evenly and cooked trough.
Optional put the omelette under the grill and finish it this way.
Cook the other half of the mixture the same way.

Serve warm or cold, with a fresh mixed salad, dressed with a splash of balsamic vinegar.

A girl's weight-loss-journey #9 - 3 milestones

Hello from a wet Athlone! (Well we have had fantastic weather the last few days but today it's rainy, and really damp)

So here comes an early post after today's Weight Watchers meeting.

Statistics and key information:

Check out my other weeks here

Number of weeks: 13

Weight loss this week: -3,5 lbs, ~ 1,6 kg

Weight loss in total: -3^st  1,5lbs, ~19,7kg

Feeling: Okay-ish. I guess. I mean, what wouldn't you like about the fact, that you've lost 3,5lbs in one week and three stone, almost 20kgs in three months?
My week was more or less alright, all in all.
I didn't think a lot of my weight loss during the week, except on Tuesday. 
I have the problem, that I put myself under pressure. It's not even that I think, "I HAVE to lose weight", it's more, "I have to lose at least three pounds, better 5lbs". 
I know, that this is so wrong, but I can't help myself. I still have a lot weight to lose and I want to do it in a short time...

Favourite food: Steak & chips with lettuce & mushrooms, meatballs with mashed potatoes, roasted beef with vegetables & potatoes, shepherds pie, spanish omelette

 Favourite treats: double chocolate buns, large chocolate macadamia latte (geez, I was kind of shocked, when I pointed it... :-)), chips & chicken nuggets, Cadbury crispello chocolates

Exercise: I went walking in Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun, Mon & Tue. And I walked to town and back on Saturday, what would be a 10k in total. 

Recipe: Something Sweet - double chocolate buns

Unfortunately, for my and my weight, I am having a sweet tooth. 

I love chocolate! But as I do weight watchers I'm looking for low points alternatives and recipes. 

So today I have a double chocolate buns recipe, with 3 ProPoints per bun. 

For about 14 Buns you will need

-each will have 3 ProPoints-

90g self raising flour

90g sugar

90g low fat spread

2 medium eggs

50g plain chocolate cut into small pieces

20g cocoa powder

bun cases

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Sift the flour into a bowl, add the sugar and spread. Give it a quick stir.

Add the eggs one at a time and stir until the mixture becomes a homogenous batter.

Add the cocoa powder and the chocolate pieces. Stir until everything is combined.

Use two tablespoons and spoon the mixture into the bun cases.

Bake the buns for about 15 minutes. Check with a skewer if they're cooked through.

Serve them warm or cold. With fresh fruits, like strawberries, blueberries or raspberries.

Recipe: Cabbage - a traditional Irish vegetable

I love vegetables, and so I am glad, that most of the veggies have 0 points, wich make them a great and filling  side dish, for meat and potatoes.

Today, I want to show you a simple, yet delicious recipe with cabbage. A typical Irish vegetable that I would serve with potatoes and ham (so we had this dish the last week and it was 10 Points)

Cabbage:

You will need:
1 head of green cabbage
water
vegetable stock cube
salt, pepper corns, chili powder
1 onion
bayleaves

Half the cabbage, remove the hard core and peel the leaves of the cabbage. Cut larger ones into smaller pieces. 
Peel an onion and slice it in quarters.
Put the cabbage, vegetable stock cube, onion, bay leaves, pepper corns, salt & chili powder into a large sauce pan, cover it with water and bring it to a boil

Turn down the heat and let the cabbage simmer for about 20 minutes. 

Drain the cabbage, remove the bay leaves & onions, put the cabbage back in the pan and shred it with the help of a large knife.

Have your cabbage with the food you want:

A girl's weight-loss-journey #8 - And life goes on

Hello there!

I hope you had a great week and a wonderful weekend.
Last week, I was too busy and disappointed with the result, that I just gave it a miss. (For those who want to know the result, I lost 1lb the last week and I did a lot of exercise and behaved really well)

Statistics and key information:

Check out my other weeks here

Number of weeks: 12

Weight loss this week: -5,5 lbs, ~ 2,5 kg

Weight loss in total: -2^st  12lbs, ~18kg

Feeling: Yes, I was sad and disappointed after the last week and I was a bit unmotivated for the weeks to come, I thought, I had a really bad week, and I did not expect a good weight loss, and tadah, I lost 5 1/2 lbs. You see, every time, I am having a good feeling, I do not lose that much, and if I am feeling that the week was bad, I lose a huge amount. Crazy. But so, this means, I've almost lost 20kgs in 12 weeks, since January and I am proud and really happy. Hopefully, I will lose two pounds this week, so I would get a silver seven for 3 stone gone. That would be amazing, honestly!

Favourite food: Pasta & Carbonara Sauce, Spanish Omelette, Lentils with potatoes, chorizo, bacon & pepper

 Favourite treats: Fish&Chips, Buns

Goals & plans for the next week: Well, I walked a lot and long distances. I went to town the last Sunday, and to the centre, it's about a 5 km distance, so I walked 10kms in total and it took me about 1hr each way. So I want to walk a longer distance, at least one time a week, to improve my fitness levels. I really enjoy walking, and I do not mind, if there is rain or if it's cold and windy. 
And I want to concentrate on eating less rubbish, hopefully, I will fit in another Filling&Healthy food day.

A girl's weight-loss-journey #7 - Totally 10%

Hello there!

I hope you all have a wonderful sunny weekend, just like we're having in the middle of Ireland.
Today, I'll have my weekly weight loss update for you

Statistics and key information:

Check out my other weeks here

Number of weeks: 10

Weight loss this week: -5 lbs, ~ 2,2 kg

Weight loss in total: -2^st 5½lbs, ~14,9kg

Feeling: I lost 5lbs this week and I ate chocolates around Easter. Of course, I am more than happy! And with that, I also reached my 10% goal, and that means I am 10% lighter than I was 10 weeks ago! And I do that Weight Watchers programme only for this 10 weeks, and I am neither starving nor unhappy and I am feeling so good.
I also reduced my daily allowance this week (I started with 51, ten weeks ago, and now, I am with 46 PP). Actually, this was one of the things, I was afraid of, that I wouldn't cope with the reductions of my daily allowance, but actually, I don't miss the other points, I've used before. 
Especially during the last two weeks, I recognized, that I haven't had cravings for sweets in the afternoon. The last week (with Easter) I found it actually difficult, to use all of my daily points, but without being hungry or something like that.

Favourite food: Pasta & vegetable stir-fry, pasta & carbonara sauce

Favourite treats: Fish&Chips on Good Friday, it was Easter of course chocolates :-)

Goals & plans for the next week: Last week: honestly, I was walking a lot and for a longer time. I went to Galway's Food Festival, and walked the whole day, I also went to town, and walked back from there, what is a bit over an hour. I also walked my usual "small route" in the fastest time ever.

With the spring forward and the lovely sunshine at the moment in Ireland, I am so motivated, to go outside for a walk, it's such a great exercise and I recognized, that my thighs and bum got more toned, what makes me really happy.

Tips and thoughts: 
1. We usually believe, what we're telling ourselves, so maybe it's time to think positve, don't lose the confidence in yourself. YOU CAN DO IT.

Instead of saying 

I can't

I'll never

Nothing will change

I shouldn't 

try

I will lose weight

I am able to do it

I am capable

I can manage it

A girl's weight-loss-journey #6 - Staying on track

Hello there!

This won't be a long one, as I will to busy and gone at the next weekend - it's Easter and I will be down in Galway for the Food Festival  - to write a proper article.

Statistics and key information:

Check out my other weeks here

Number of weeks: 9

Weight loss this week: -2 lbs, ~ 0.9 kg

Weight loss in total: -2^st ½lbs, ~12,5kg

Feeling: I reached another “milestone” this week, with losing my second stone in 9 weeks. I am so happy, and without sounding to cheeky, I am proud of myself and it's just great, to get the applause from all the other members after my leader announced my two stone weight-loss at the end of the meeting this morning. I kind of had a good week, although I “just” lost 2lbs. I am happy with that and haven't had any cravings during my PMS this time, which totally surprised me.

This whole week, I never thought of the amount I would have lost, but last night in my bed, I was kind of thinking, and panicking: What if I haven't lost anything? I kind of pressurized myself and I, myself, would have been disappointed. I know, that there could be weeks without seeing anything on the scales, but it would have meant, that I didn't put in all my effort. Actually no one would say that, except of me, and just me.

I know, as well, that I should change my attitude and that means, I will try to take it from week to week and every week, as it comes. There might be better ones than others.

Favourite food: Prawn Curry with rice, pasta bake with mushrooms and tomatoes, pork fillet with potatoes and vegetables

Favourite treats: Hot cross bun, Cadbury Roses

Goals & plans for the next week: Last week: walking on three days, due to weather conditions and school holidays.

Next weekend is Easter, so I might use more than my weekly ProPoints, I am used to, for some Easter chocolate indulgence. Chocolate is definitely my downfall. I will also be in Galway for it's annual food festival. I am really excited about the things, I will see there. I hope it won't be to hard to stay on track. I think, this is my first real challenge, as it is something unusual and I don't know what to expect. But I am really looking forward to this weekend, anyways, and food should not reign over your whole life.

Tips and thoughts: I just have two ideas for this week: 1) Make your weight-loss visible: put two cents, for example, in a glass for every pound you've lost during a week and 50 cent for every whole stone you've lost. At the end of your journey, you could use the money for buying yourself a new top in your new size or something else, that symbolizes your “new you”.

2) Award yourself with something non-food related for every “milestone” you achieved. Buy new earrings, nail polish, a book or something else you would like

Zero-Points Vegetable Soup with Butternut Squash, Carrots, Leek & Peppers

I would say, that I am kind of addicted to soup. I love to eat a bowl just for lunch or as a starter for dinner. At any time of the year, you would be surprised how many combinations there are for cold soups, perfect and refreshing for a hot summer day.

There are so many vegetables you could combine and the taste of fresh products is always amazing.

As soups are kind of filling, they're always making a zero ProPoints alternative if you want to spend your points on something else.

Today, I have a recipe with butternut squash, leek, carrots and red and yellow peppers:

This will make a large batch of soup, would say, at least 8-10 large bowls of soup, you could just let it cool down and pour them into individual containers to put them in the freezer.

You will need: 

2 peppers, I used one in red and yellow, each

5-6 carrots

1 butternut squash

1 leek

2 small or 1 large onion

2 cloves of garlic

1 vegetable stock cube

about 1,5 litres of water (+additional 500-750ml to add after/while blending)

salt & pepper, pinch of chiliflakes

no-calorie cooking spray

1. Peel the carrots, deseed and peel the squash. Cut all the vegetables in large junks. 

Half the onions and chop them in rings and the garlic in fine dices.

2. Turn on the heat of your hob, mist a large pan with the cookingspray and saute the onion and garlic until light brown. Then put in the vegetables and the 1,5 litres of water cover with a lit and bring to a boil.

3. Let the soup cook for about 20 minutes on high heat, till the veg is soft. Turn of the heat and use a hand blender or a conventional blender to create a smoth consistency. If you like it junky just blend about half of the soup.

4. Use the aditional water, if necessary, if you like your soup  more runny.

5. Serve in large bowls as a starter for your dinner or as part of your lunch with a sandwich, made with calorie controlled bread, low fat, wafer thin chicken, a sclice of half fat cheddar, leaves of lettuce & slices of cucumber

A girl's weight loss journey #5- Filling & Healthy food doesn't need to be boring

Hello there!

I hope you're all fine and you had a wonderful weekend!

F If you want to know, how I did this week, just scroll down and skip my text! You'll find all the stats and key facts for this week at the bottom of this post

Find my other posts HERE!

Maybe you know the feeling of completely being not motivated in doing something. You know exactly what you should do, like eat this food, because it's a healthier choice, but you just feel not like it or you just got that craving for that cheeseburger with a large portion of chips. (Well this wouldn't be me, as I am not mad about fast food chains, my weakness is chocolate and everything sweet, like baked goodies).

Well, so am I, usually we take the way with the least resistance, we're having the things we love and enjoy, no matter if they are unhealthy or not. And usually when you are on a diet special things are NOT allowed. And that, the sooner or later, will end in cravings and starving for your favourite food. (But why do you have to pass on your favourite treats?) You'll have it and abandon your good intentions, with the bitter sweet feeling of failing, once more. You won't be motivated in doing another diet and you won't try a new start.

We are all afraid to fail, maybe, this is the reason, why some people don't start something, at all.

There might be to many restrictions in a specific diet, and this just reasons why we won't even try it.

The key to that is, to have a programme, that allows you, to have everything you want, BUT in moderation. To be clear, no one could use weight, when having their fast food or cakes every day in huge amounts. If you have a sweet tooth, allow yourself a treat, on maybe two or one day a week. I save special points for these treats.

Starving and craving won't make you happy in the future, nor will you be successful on your weight loss for a long time.

When you are following the programme, like me, and count your points daily, sometimes, it could get a bit boring and you need to do something else. So there are the “Filling & Healthy Food Days” you could try. Basically, this means you could eat food of a specific range without counting the points or control your portion sizes. You just need your own feelings of satisfaction. When are you comfortably full. (Well, if you do not know that feeling, or if you know, that you'd eat to much, you should stick to the ProPoints)

So actually, you are allowed to have all fruits and vegetables, specific meats & almost all kinds of fish and shellfish. Eggs, wholegrain pasta, rice and couscous and of course potatoes. Filling and healthy means that these will keep you fuller for longer, as they tend to be high in proteins and fibre, but less in calories or points. So all the things you CAN'T find on that list of food that are allowed will be counted in points and you have to take these of your weekly allowance.

But now, I want to tell you about my experience with Filling & Healthy food days and I'd like to give you some ideas and inspiration for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Who said that filling and healthy food is boring? - Get yourself creative and choose the food you like

Once you've decided to do a filling and healthy food day you maybe ask yourself, what should I eat then? I found this very easy, to be honest, as I am eating filling and healthy food mostly during the week, so my anxiousness was more of that kind: Will I eat to much? Do I really now, when I'm comfortably full? Will I use more ProPoints than I am allowed to on a normal day? Will I be hungry?

The reason, why I was excited to try it, was to get to know the feeling of counting no points for a day, to get to know my new eating habits and how I improved my eating in total (portion control & food choices) and the main reason was to have a day without eating any rubbish-like things such as biscuits, cakes or chocolate. And as we talked in one of the last meetings about it, I felt really comfortable, at the end, to try this other way, Weight Watchers has to offer.

So first I went through the list of food, you're allowed to eat, the day before , just to PLAN my day AHEAD. And this is, what I made out of it: I had porridge with half milk, half water and fruits for breakfast. As I usually have a bit of porridge or weetabix and then toast with jam or ham. Instead I had a bigger portion of oats and I felt really good and full after this so it kept me going until lunchtime where I had some potatoes fried in a pan with wafer thin turkey, egg, cottage cheese and vegetables. As you can see, there is a wide range of different foods, that are available and keeps you full for a longer time. I had the cottage cheese as well as I had the egg and these are both high in proteins and this just kept me till the evening time. For dinner, I chose to do an oven dish with loads of vegetables, potatoes and chickenbreast, I used a chicken stock cube dissolved in water as a fluid (one stock cube has a ProPoints value of 0, it's also a great addition for 0Points vegetable soups, as it gives flavour without adding points).

For a little dessert I chose a fruit salad made with pear, blueberries, aples & pineapple.

At the end of this day, I was really surprised, that I managed it, without any cravings for sugary treats. I didn't feel hungry at all and with knowing it better to not count the approximate ProPoints for that day, I did exactly that, and found out, that I used less points, that I am allowed to on my daily allowance.

I had three Filing & Healthy food days in the last two weeks, so far, and all of them were good and I enjoyed the food I was eating.

Well, during the week I don't have a cooked breakfast, what is kind of traditional for Irish breakfast. I'd do that on a weekend, that sounds like the perfect breakfast for a lazy Sunday morning. I would have some scrambled eggs with mushrooms and tomatoes, bacon medallions and baked beans.

For Lunch you probably have a salad with cooked chickenbreast, boiled egg and a dressing with oil and vinegar. (You are allowed to have 2 teaspoons of oil without counting the points for it) This makes a nice alternative to a simple, mostly not filling, sandwich (also when you are counting points). You could also do a frittata with cooked potatoes, your favourite vegetables and an egg.

As a filling dinner you could make a roast chicken with roast vegetables and potatoes, by using a teaspoon of olive oil. Like fish or shellfish? Try a fishbake with wholegrain pasta or potatoes. Why not try a stir fry with loads of fresh and in-season vegetables, pasta, praws or shrimps, turkey or chicken breast slices. You could also have a lean fillet steak with a baked potato and green beans.

As you can see, there are loads of things available, also a dessert, like fruit salad with plain no fat yoghurt (put a little bit of sweetener in it, if you wish), grill pieces of pineapple and serve with a dip made with quark cheese, a bit of skimmed milk and a pinch of cinnamon.

Start to be creative by choosing the food that is available and you like to eat and combine!

Statistics and key information:

Number of weeks: 8

Weight loss this week: -2 lbs, ~ 0.9 kg

Weight loss in total: -1^st 12 ½lbs, ~12kg (only another 1 1/2lbs to go for my second stone! Yay!)

Feeling: I am really happy, that I lost these 2 lbs this last week, as I know, that there was St. Patrick's Day weekend and I had a lot if treats and stuff like that. So this means, that I only have one and a half pounds to go for another stone gone. At the moment I am just thrilled and so completely motivated to do it the next week!

You have to know, that I've lost weight before Weight Watchers, but I put it back on. But in my adult life, I have never weighed that “less” as I do now, and for me, this is a great feeling, and it's kind of a goal I reached this last week.

Favourite food: Pasta with mushroom-carbonara sauce, pork-chops & potatoe mash, poached chicken breast with vegetables & potatoes

Favourite treats: Jelly in green & orange with vanilla ice cream for St. Patrick's Day, cooked breakfast with Hash browns, black pudding, scrambled egg, rashers, sausages & brown bread

Goals & plans for the next week: I was walking on 4 days the last week and I went to the pool for a swim on the bankholiday the last monday. It was great, I really enjoyed to swim these lengths and it was a different activity from walking. I know now, what I've missed and I'll definitely do it a again any time soon.

So my goals for the last week will stay the same. Walking – but I need to start to increase my speed/pace I want to walk my usual route faster than I ever did before.

As Easter is around the corner, I really do not want to eat to much chocolate this week, as I will indulge on the Easter weekend (you know, that I am a chocoholic, so I'll have my Easter chocolates in moderation).

The last week, I had another filling & healthy day, and I enjoyed it, to eat a specific range of food without counting points.

Tips and thoughts: Don't just concentrate on what is happening on the weighing scales! There are other milestones that could add to your achievements, while losing weight.

Not only, that you are dropping weight, maybe you've noticed other, non-scales related things. Maybe you dropped a dress-size or you need a new bra, because the old ones got to big. Maybe you lost several inches around your waist, your upper arms, hips or thighs. Maybe you recognised, that you aren't out of breath after walking up the stairs or you could walk your usual walking route on a faster pace/in less time you used to. Or maybe you just feel more confident after starting to lose weight & getting compliments for your new you.

Maybe you should start to think in other dimensions apart from the scales. Think of buying the dress for your birthday in one size smaller than you wear now or try timing your walk and improve your time week after week or you want to walk a 5 or 10k in a few months, then let that be your goal.

So, the ultimate tip for this week is: Make yourself a list with achievements you could and want to reach while losing weight and that have nothing to do, with the number the scales are telling you.

A girl's weight loss journey- #1 getting started

So when I arrived here in Ireland, it was kind of a new start for me.
I ate healthier, more vegetables, salad and fruit. I went outside, walked and I started to be more active in general. And I lost weight. Well I don't know, how much, because I didn't weigh myself for a longer time, then.

At the beginning of this year, however, I decided to do that weight loss theme properly. Well, I was encouragement from my hostmum, she always mentioned, that I lost weight, and told me, that I would look better, without the additional weight. And I really felt better. So it was her, who brought me to Weight Watchers, as she lost weight herself through this programme.

So I went to my first meeting on a Wednesday in the middle of January, 5 weeks ago. And I have to say, that I love it. First it takes some time to get used to count the points but, when you have an idea, what products are having less or zero points you are on a safe side. Fruits and lots of vegetables have a ProPoints Value of Zero, so it's great to fill you up. Having a salad with chicken and egg sounds really yummy to me, and makes a great and filling lunch.

Well, I am not advertising for Weight Watchers, but I want to share what works for me and I want so show and tell you, how I keep going, and maybe you want to join and follow me on my journey!

So let me tell you something about the Weight Watchers programme. It's not a strict diet, its kind of a change into your eating habits, and I think this is what I really needed. You have to change your eating habits rather than dieting, e.g. eating only carbs or proteins. Nothing is not allowed, but some food has higher ProPoints than others (based on Proteins, Carbs, Fats and Fibres). I would say, in theory, you could eat everything, but in moderation.
You have a daily allowance in ProPoints, based on gender, age, height and weight and a weekly allowance of 49 ProPoints that you could use for special treats or if you want to go out, having a Pint or going to a restaurant.

I, for example, found out, that 7 pieces of fruit and veg a day keep me kind of happy. I feel fitter, less lethargic and not that tired as I used to be. I tend to eat more veg & salad than fruits, because fuits usually contain fruit sugar, that has calories as well.

So and yeah, I know pretty well by myself that I am fat. So everyone who sees me on the streets should shut up, I really don't need anybody to tell me that. I am not a fan of negative criticism, it would hurt me more than it would help me. I need someone who keeps me motivated, even if I just lose one pound a week or nothing.

And this is why I love my meetings. Actually, it's my favourite day during the week. The meetings are great fun and the members all in the same boat. Well, maybe there are people who could do it all on their own and just want to do it alone, because they feel confident to stay on track. I, myself, found out that I need that extra push. The support keeps me going and focused. It's definitely worth it to have this day during the week, where you meet the others and you have your "weigh-ins", and seeing a minus on the scales is such a great feeling.
But even if that's not the point, there is your leader to cheer you up, you know, there is always a next week! And I love my leader, she is great and she really knows her job.

So, with this new kategory on my blog, I will keep you informed about my weekly process. I want to share my feelings & goals for the upcoming weeks, tips, recipes and so on.

This was my fifth week, I attended a WW-meeting, and so the fourth week I lost weight:

Number of Weeks: 4

Weight loss: -4 1/2 lbs/ ~2kg
Weight loss in total: -13 1/2 lbs/~6kg

Feelings: I am so so happy! I was dissapointed about last week, because I lost only one pound then, although I should have been happy, that there was a minus on the scales.
This week on the other hand, I thought, that I didn't lose anything, I didn't feel to good, I was craving for a lot of sweet things (what doesn't mean that I ate all of them).
So this was a real surprise for me and I couldn't be more happy with this week's result.

Favourite Food: homemade Pizza, with lots of yummy vegetables - roasted chicken with potatoes and veg
Favourite Treat: Cupcakes by M&S - Brownies

Goals & Plans for this week: more walking, at least 30minutes 5 times a week. I really want to see a total weight loss of 1 stone next week (I have 1/2lb to go) but I would love a weight loss of 4 pounds as well :-)
I'd love to go to the pool for a swim, hope I could realise that this weekend, why not using a wonderful Sunday morning for a little pool session?

Tips/Inspirations for the week: Set yourself small goals. You can't do it all in one week (You know the saying, that Rome wasn't build in one day, right?!)
You have to want it for yourself and just do it for yourself, not for anyone else, if you don't want it, you won't be motivated, but if you really want to change something, do it now and not in one week or one month, start today by moving more, walking doesn't cost anything, except your own effort to do it!!

A girl's weight loss journey- #2 Impatience is my biggest weakness

I finally did it last week and wrote my first blog-post, concerning my weight loss and the joining of Weight Watchers.
And by the way, thanks for the lovely comments, here on my blog and on facebook. All of them were much appreciated!
It's kind of a big deal for me, because  I kept my weight-issues and problems most of the time by myself.

Not that I've never tried to lose weight.
My diet history started in school I guess, when I was in secondary school, but the effort was mostly not very high and so I've never been much successful. When I lost weight, I gained it back, the sooner or later. 
So I had times when I was dissatisfied with my image, I saw in the mirror, the size of clothes I wore and the health conditions I've been in. Then, there were times, where I thought maybe I'm not meant to be thin, and I accepted, that I'll always be the big girl. 

But you know, nothing happens just with luck, you need to have a plan and you have to be active and doing something for yourself.
Yes, nobody said, that weight loss will be easy, and that'll happen just with a snap, it takes time.

My weakness is my impatience

I'd love to lose all the 13 stones now and immediately without waiting. I'm a person who is really imaptient and I'm dissatisfied when I just lose a pound, although I know, that this is totally normal, and you can't always lose 4 pounds a week. And one pound is a great loss for one week.

I also know that it's better to lose the weight in a moderate time than in a short crash-diet-like-way.

On the one hand, I don't think that my skin would cope with a fast weight loss and I would just have aweful flabby skin. (Although, as I mentioned in my first weight loss post, I never was thin, always big and I don't know, how my skin would cope with the weight loss. My horror imagination would be, if my flabby skin would just hang off me and my skinny new body, so that I would need an operation to lift all my flesh.)

On the other hand, it's safer to lose weight steadily, if you want or need a special weight and want to maintain it. It's easier if your body has the change, to cope with the changes. For some people it's harder to maintain their weight, than losing an amount of weight.

So this is finally another thing to learn for me. I have to be patient and accept the changes of my body. I can't do it all in a short period of time. So, the sooner I face the thought, that it'll take a while, I'll be able to enjoy my journey to a new me.



Number of Weeks: 5

Weight loss: -3 lbs/ ~1,1kg
Weight loss in total: -1st  2 1/2lbs/ ~7,4kg

Feelings: Awesome! One stone is gone, at least 12 more to go! I am really happy and satisfied. My next goal is to lose the second stone and to be more active.
The last Saturday, I bought myself a top in a NORMAL shop for the first time of my life! And it really felt great. It shows me, that I'm on the right way.
My hostdad told me yesterday morning before I left for the meeting, that I seem to be happier the last weeks, and I would agree with that.
It shows me, that I can do it, and that's not just the weight loss, that gives me a slimmer body, it's also my feelings and my inner me, just changes as well.
It'll might take a while and there is a long way to go, but I won't give up.

What frustrates me: You know, that I'm, although I lost a stone, still big and that's what people on the street and in the shops think and see. They don't know, that I already lost a lot, since I've come here.
Maybe you will say, that I shouldn't bother because they don't know me and my story, my success and my goals but it still kind of hurts facing these comments, since forever. (And yes I know that I have less self-confidence)

Favourite Food: turkey-ricenoodle-veg-stir fry
Sunday Lunch: roast chicken with potatoes and veg
Veg stir fry with pasta and king prawns
Favourite Treat: Scone with Jam and Cappuccino
Selfmade, 1ProPoint, Biscuits
Justin's Sponge Cake

Goals & Plans for this week: How did I get on the last week? I walked 5 days during that week for 40 or more minutes. I wanted to go to the pool, but sometimes things happen, so I couldn't go, instead I spent the time with Laoise and Evin playing and colouring.
So for the next week I want to increase my activity level, walking longer distances or 6 or 7 days a week, going to the pool on Sunday OR Aqua Fit on a Monday morning is still on my agenda.
I also want to eat more at Lunch-/Dinnertime, meaning spending my ProPoints on propper food instead of snacks. Should keep me happier.

Tips/Inspirations for the week: Staying satisfied is important! Nothing is more crucial than being hungry and craving for something fatty or sugary. That said, I love to eat plenty of fruits and veg during the day. A fruit salad with a no fat yoghurt and a meringue makes a great dessert for 3Pts. And I enjoy it!
But let me tell you about myself this week: The last Friday I was craving for sweet and fatty things. I helped myself to a slice of Pizza, garlicbread and biscuits. Did I feel happy or satisfied that night? NO! Did I enjoy it? Well, no.
And it was not only that I felt guilty to eat all that rubbish, it was more that I ate the things without thinking, not having control, although I should have known better.
And I definitely know now, why I had these cravings. It was my PMS, funny that, I don't have the need for sweets during my menstruation, it's more the days before it. Knowing that and I still lost weight, I know that I have to control myself the next month and react wiser in situations like this.
I also have some Weight Watchers biscuits at home or on the go, when I really need something but don't want to spend loads of ProPoints.
Stay positive: it doesn't matter if you lose 5lbs or one, every loss is great and counts. You have to tell yourself, that you are on your OWN journey, so you decide the pace.