Hey all,
I'm back! I flopped and failed horribly for a while there, I totally fell off the wagon! Hell I think I fell off the planet! As of today, with todays weight in, I'm nearly back to my starting weight before I started ww.
So I'm sadly nearly starting from scratch, which is really sad. Made my heart and soul cry! But at least I know what I need to do! It's a new year! New Beginning!
Wish me luck....I really need all the positive vibes!
Monday 2 January 2012
Saturday 17 September 2011
New week! New Motivation! New Recipe!
Right, well lets get the unplesentaries out of the way! Saturday morning is when I have my weight (wi) at home. Well this week I was up 1.6lbs. Yes its up....but comparded to recent weeks its a small gain!
A number of factors influenced the scales this week, not making excuses, but one does have to accept it is impossible to be be "perfect" 100%. This week, I think the injections I was on for the alst 4 years have finally left my system...as I think I got a very small "time of month"...like for half a day! As odd as that sounds...I'm delighted, means by body finally starting to recover and stablise! Yippp! Going to hold off till maybe Christmas to get the implanon put in. The pill just does not suit me...and the back pain I used to get during my periods was horrid! I used to be doped up on painkillers and still hunched over in pain!
Second factor this week, First week back at college! Oh I'm such an animal geek its embarressing! Love my new course! and love my timetable. I have one break a day, and its 1/2 hour long...means no bordom eating...no popping into the city for long lunch, not like last year where some days I was having two 2 hour breaks a day! Which meant lots of coffee, sandwhiches thick slice bread, full fat butter, full fat mayo, full fat milk.
This year I am trying to be more sensible financially aswell and bring packed lunch! This week I was bringing ham/chicken salad sandwhichs. Well clearly from the gain of this week, the sandwiches were not doing the intended job...of filling me up! Kinda found when i got home from college about 3pm the stomach was roaring at me.
Well today, Saturday just being trying out a ww lunchbox chicken pasta recipe from there website/cook book. and oh wow its so nice...and it even looked like the one in the picture.! The portion I made for my self was 9pp which to me with my points allowance is a very modest respectable number. And better more, it actually did fill me up! It's carbs, protein, veg! Really healthy and balanced, cheap to make too...everything you can get in aldi and lidl! No running around looking for speciality ingredients! I'm just so chuffed that I finally got off my arse and made it, it's one of these recipes I've been meaning to try for ages!
Woo! Right back to ebay! As part of getting my mo-jo back, I'm bidding on a ww pro points starter pac on ebay! I want to get all the books the meetings people have! I'm only doing it online! I think having some reading material might inspire me at little. Keep it in the nightstand for when I cant sleep!
A number of factors influenced the scales this week, not making excuses, but one does have to accept it is impossible to be be "perfect" 100%. This week, I think the injections I was on for the alst 4 years have finally left my system...as I think I got a very small "time of month"...like for half a day! As odd as that sounds...I'm delighted, means by body finally starting to recover and stablise! Yippp! Going to hold off till maybe Christmas to get the implanon put in. The pill just does not suit me...and the back pain I used to get during my periods was horrid! I used to be doped up on painkillers and still hunched over in pain!
Second factor this week, First week back at college! Oh I'm such an animal geek its embarressing! Love my new course! and love my timetable. I have one break a day, and its 1/2 hour long...means no bordom eating...no popping into the city for long lunch, not like last year where some days I was having two 2 hour breaks a day! Which meant lots of coffee, sandwhiches thick slice bread, full fat butter, full fat mayo, full fat milk.
This year I am trying to be more sensible financially aswell and bring packed lunch! This week I was bringing ham/chicken salad sandwhichs. Well clearly from the gain of this week, the sandwiches were not doing the intended job...of filling me up! Kinda found when i got home from college about 3pm the stomach was roaring at me.
Well today, Saturday just being trying out a ww lunchbox chicken pasta recipe from there website/cook book. and oh wow its so nice...and it even looked like the one in the picture.! The portion I made for my self was 9pp which to me with my points allowance is a very modest respectable number. And better more, it actually did fill me up! It's carbs, protein, veg! Really healthy and balanced, cheap to make too...everything you can get in aldi and lidl! No running around looking for speciality ingredients! I'm just so chuffed that I finally got off my arse and made it, it's one of these recipes I've been meaning to try for ages!
Woo! Right back to ebay! As part of getting my mo-jo back, I'm bidding on a ww pro points starter pac on ebay! I want to get all the books the meetings people have! I'm only doing it online! I think having some reading material might inspire me at little. Keep it in the nightstand for when I cant sleep!
Sunday 11 September 2011
Hearty Dinners!
Well I'm back at college tomorrow....its raining, its cold....a salad just aint going to cut it for lunch and dinners! Times to get out the big pots and pans and slabs of meat and peel some spuds! Stew Time! There is no rule saying you cant have "dinners" for lunch....just a slightly smaller portion for lunch! I haven't tried these yet, but hmmm they sound really good....I feel wall warmed up just reading them!
Irish Beef Stew
No. of Servings: 4
Pro Points Per Serving: 6Preparation Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 160 min
Enjoy this classic beef and vegetable stew on any other wintery day when you need tasty comfort food.
5 spray(s) Cooking Spray, Calorie Controlled
500 g Beef, Stewing Steak, Raw, Lean, cut into chunks
1 large Onion, All Types, chopped
2 medium Carrots, Old, Raw, cut into chunks
2 medium Leek, sliced
1 1/2 cube(s) Stock Cube, Vegetable, beef, 700ml with hot water
400 g Potatoes, Old, Raw, cut into chunks
50 g Peas, Fresh or Frozen, (thawed if frozen)
2 tablespoons Parsley, fresh, chopped
1 pinch Salt, and freshly ground black pepper
Heat cooking spray in a large saucepan then add the stewing steak a little at a time, so that it sears and browns.
Add the onion, carrots, leeks and stock. Season with a little salt and pepper. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered for 2 hours. Check the level of liquid occasionally adding more stock if needed.
When the meat is tender add the potatoes and cook them until tender – about 20 minutes. Stir the peas into the stew and cook gently for another 3-4 minutes. Serve sprinkled with chopped fresh parsley
Cooking Time: 160 min
Enjoy this classic beef and vegetable stew on any other wintery day when you need tasty comfort food.
5 spray(s) Cooking Spray, Calorie Controlled
500 g Beef, Stewing Steak, Raw, Lean, cut into chunks
1 large Onion, All Types, chopped
2 medium Carrots, Old, Raw, cut into chunks
2 medium Leek, sliced
1 1/2 cube(s) Stock Cube, Vegetable, beef, 700ml with hot water
400 g Potatoes, Old, Raw, cut into chunks
50 g Peas, Fresh or Frozen, (thawed if frozen)
2 tablespoons Parsley, fresh, chopped
1 pinch Salt, and freshly ground black pepper
Heat cooking spray in a large saucepan then add the stewing steak a little at a time, so that it sears and browns.
Add the onion, carrots, leeks and stock. Season with a little salt and pepper. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered for 2 hours. Check the level of liquid occasionally adding more stock if needed.
When the meat is tender add the potatoes and cook them until tender – about 20 minutes. Stir the peas into the stew and cook gently for another 3-4 minutes. Serve sprinkled with chopped fresh parsley
Beef Pasta Stew
Pro Points Per Serving: 8No of Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 25 min
Cooking Time: 105 min
Try this delicious family casserole for a cosy autumnal dinner.
600 g Beef, Stewing Steak, Raw, Lean, diced
5 spray(s) Cooking Spray, Calorie Controlled
1 large Onion, All Types, sliced
6 clove(s) Garlic, peeled
3 teaspoons Rosemary, Fresh
12 individual Olives, in Brine, drained
400 g Tomatoes, Whole or Chopped, Canned
2 cube(s) Stock Cube, Vegetable, beef, use 2 low salt and make up to 1 litre
125 g Pasta, Plain, Fresh, Uncooked, wholemeal shapes e.g. fusilli
1/4 teaspoons (ground) Pepper, Black (Whole, Cracked or Ground)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 1/140°C/fan oven 120°C. Brown the beef in low fat cooking spray in a non stick frying pan, in 2 batches, transferring the meat to a plate as it is done.
At the same time, brown the onion in low fat cooking spray in a large flameproof casserole, adding a splash of water if needed to stop the onion sticking.
Add the whole garlic cloves, rosemary, olives and chopped tomatoes to the casserole. Pour a little of the stock into the frying pan and stir to release the meat browning juices, then add this to the casserole, along with the rest of the stock. Return the beef to the casserole and bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer to the oven to cook for 1½ hours.
Stir the pasta into the casserole, pushing it down into the liquid. Replace the lid and return the oven to cook for 10-15 minutes, until the pasta is tender. Season and serve immediately
Steak and Guinness Casserole
ProPoints® Per Serving: 5
No. of Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 120 min
A measure of Ireland's favourite brew gives this casserole depth and flavour.
5 spray(s) Cooking Spray, Calorie Controlled
700 g Beef, Stewing Steak, Raw, Lean, cubed
2 clove(s) Garlic, crushed
1 medium Onion, All Types, chopped
1 medium Leek, sliced
1 cube(s) Stock Cube, Vegetable, beef, dissolved in 300ml water
200 ml Guinness Original Guinness
2 tablespoons Redcurrant Jelly
225 g Mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons Parsley, fresh, chopped
1/2 teaspoons Thyme, Dried, (a few sprigs)
1 pinch Salt, black pepper, freshly ground
2 tablespoons (level) Cornflour, blended with 3-4 tablespoons cold water
Preheat oven to Gas Mark 5/190°C/375°F.
Spray a large flameproof casserole with low fat cooking spray and place over a high heat. Add stewing steak a handful at a time, so that meat seals and browns. Add garlic, onion and leek and cook for 3-4 minutes, until slightly softened.
Add stock, Guinness, redcurrant jelly, mushrooms, parsley and thyme. Bring up to the boil, then cover and transfer to the oven. Cook for 1 1/2 hours, until the meat is very tender.
Season with salt and pepper. Stir in blended cornflour and cook on the hob until thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve with fresh vegetables such as carrots and cabbage.
ProPoints® Per Serving: 5
No. of Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 120 min
A measure of Ireland's favourite brew gives this casserole depth and flavour.
5 spray(s) Cooking Spray, Calorie Controlled
700 g Beef, Stewing Steak, Raw, Lean, cubed
2 clove(s) Garlic, crushed
1 medium Onion, All Types, chopped
1 medium Leek, sliced
1 cube(s) Stock Cube, Vegetable, beef, dissolved in 300ml water
200 ml Guinness Original Guinness
2 tablespoons Redcurrant Jelly
225 g Mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons Parsley, fresh, chopped
1/2 teaspoons Thyme, Dried, (a few sprigs)
1 pinch Salt, black pepper, freshly ground
2 tablespoons (level) Cornflour, blended with 3-4 tablespoons cold water
Preheat oven to Gas Mark 5/190°C/375°F.
Spray a large flameproof casserole with low fat cooking spray and place over a high heat. Add stewing steak a handful at a time, so that meat seals and browns. Add garlic, onion and leek and cook for 3-4 minutes, until slightly softened.
Add stock, Guinness, redcurrant jelly, mushrooms, parsley and thyme. Bring up to the boil, then cover and transfer to the oven. Cook for 1 1/2 hours, until the meat is very tender.
Season with salt and pepper. Stir in blended cornflour and cook on the hob until thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve with fresh vegetables such as carrots and cabbage.
Monday 22 August 2011
Haven't been here in a while!
Quick catch up session!
ww been going so-so for me lately! Up/Down/Staying same....
well I recently went to my doctor to chage contraception, I had been on deprovera injections every 3 months for the last 4 years....I thought I was doing great...making sure I didn't get pregnant....and even had no periods..brilliant! Well my doctor wanted me to change, because there is bone density factors associalted with prolonged use of the injections...and I am only in my early 20s. So he suggested getting the implanon bar...if I wanted longterm non pill contraception. So off I went to the local family planning clinic....oh they were so nice...don't ever be afriad to go in there....they are there to advise on starting families....as well as preventing unexpected families from starting.
Well oh my god I got the shock of my life, so much so I may have cried a little in there. The FPC doctor i met, a women was furious and disgusted that I was allowed to be on the depo injections...becauses it turns out these injections, hormone based, stimulate the hunger/appitite sector of the brain (fact) and incrase the appitite by at least 20% and that young women, especially those already with significant weight to lose should run a mile from these injections. By this point I had already been off the injections about a month, and in that month my body had turned into a war zone, in about 4/5 weeks I gained like a stone! But oh my god...she said thats normal...my body was kinda detoxing off the hormones! She said it could take about 6 months for my body to totally get rid of all these hormones, and I'll know there gone when my periods return!
So here I am...I was doing great all year....then my body goes splat! It totally threw me off the wagon and the horse kept running with the wagon...been playing catch up last few weeks! Going to focus on toning and inch loss and eating right....eventually the scales will catch up....they have to....even with everything going against me...eventually excercise and healthy eating HAS to result in some weight loss....
So here I am....getting ready for 2nd year of college, also dealing with trying to conquor my fear of driving. I want to head off travelling next summer. I have boarderline thyroid...which the doctors says nothing can be done about....and my body is a hormonal mess from contraception! But you know what....at least I know it wasn't ALL MY FAULT....I did have factors working against me! I'm not giving up! I'm eating healthier these days Than I have ever been!
I'll post the courgette lasagne recipe in the next day or so!
ww been going so-so for me lately! Up/Down/Staying same....
well I recently went to my doctor to chage contraception, I had been on deprovera injections every 3 months for the last 4 years....I thought I was doing great...making sure I didn't get pregnant....and even had no periods..brilliant! Well my doctor wanted me to change, because there is bone density factors associalted with prolonged use of the injections...and I am only in my early 20s. So he suggested getting the implanon bar...if I wanted longterm non pill contraception. So off I went to the local family planning clinic....oh they were so nice...don't ever be afriad to go in there....they are there to advise on starting families....as well as preventing unexpected families from starting.
Well oh my god I got the shock of my life, so much so I may have cried a little in there. The FPC doctor i met, a women was furious and disgusted that I was allowed to be on the depo injections...becauses it turns out these injections, hormone based, stimulate the hunger/appitite sector of the brain (fact) and incrase the appitite by at least 20% and that young women, especially those already with significant weight to lose should run a mile from these injections. By this point I had already been off the injections about a month, and in that month my body had turned into a war zone, in about 4/5 weeks I gained like a stone! But oh my god...she said thats normal...my body was kinda detoxing off the hormones! She said it could take about 6 months for my body to totally get rid of all these hormones, and I'll know there gone when my periods return!
So here I am...I was doing great all year....then my body goes splat! It totally threw me off the wagon and the horse kept running with the wagon...been playing catch up last few weeks! Going to focus on toning and inch loss and eating right....eventually the scales will catch up....they have to....even with everything going against me...eventually excercise and healthy eating HAS to result in some weight loss....
So here I am....getting ready for 2nd year of college, also dealing with trying to conquor my fear of driving. I want to head off travelling next summer. I have boarderline thyroid...which the doctors says nothing can be done about....and my body is a hormonal mess from contraception! But you know what....at least I know it wasn't ALL MY FAULT....I did have factors working against me! I'm not giving up! I'm eating healthier these days Than I have ever been!
I'll post the courgette lasagne recipe in the next day or so!
Saturday 25 June 2011
There is more to life
Right, well been feel pretty crappy this week. I failed my driving theory test, which I actually had studied really hard for! I also finished up on the contraceptive jab which I have been geting every three monthes for the past 3 or 4 yearss. So at the moment until I can get the implanon bar put in, I am a hormonal mess! I have 3 years of PMS boiling inside me. I had forgotten that the PMS me is a bottom less pit hungery me! I have been eating all round me....you know the way angry at the world teenagers will drink and do drugs...well an angry at the world weight watchers will EAT!
It was only last night when I was trying to figure out why I couldn't get a grip on my self and my eating....this time last year the same thing happened. Cabin Fever! I've been stuck in this house obsessing about eating and drinking for six weeks! I finished college 12th May....I say the only time i've left the house since then is to stuff like grocery shopping and other things like that. So it's kinda taking its toll on me, mentally....and the fact i've gained like 1/2 stone over last two weeks .....clearly taking its physcial toll too, although I know some of that will be water retention from hormones going gaga!
So yeah....as the title says....I need to find my life and start freaking living it! But first gotta sort out this implanon thing...find someone that will put it in! :)
Feeling better now! After I had my little breakthrough last night I got the BEST nights sleep....was just what I needed! Ready to take on the day!
It was only last night when I was trying to figure out why I couldn't get a grip on my self and my eating....this time last year the same thing happened. Cabin Fever! I've been stuck in this house obsessing about eating and drinking for six weeks! I finished college 12th May....I say the only time i've left the house since then is to stuff like grocery shopping and other things like that. So it's kinda taking its toll on me, mentally....and the fact i've gained like 1/2 stone over last two weeks .....clearly taking its physcial toll too, although I know some of that will be water retention from hormones going gaga!
So yeah....as the title says....I need to find my life and start freaking living it! But first gotta sort out this implanon thing...find someone that will put it in! :)
Feeling better now! After I had my little breakthrough last night I got the BEST nights sleep....was just what I needed! Ready to take on the day!
Thursday 23 June 2011
Food Diary (Good Day)
Breakfast:
40g Tesco Hot Oats 4pp
150ml Skimmed Milk 1pp
Nescafe Skinny Mocha 2pp
WW Toffee Apple Yoghurt 1pp
Pears, Tinned, Drained 0pp
8pp
Lunch:
50g Ainsley Harriott Thai Cous Cous 5pp
Yellow Fin Sole 5pp
10pp
Activity:
30 Minutes Treadmill Walking
3pp Earned
Snack:
Banana Bran Muffin 3pp
Nescafe Skinny Mocha 2pp
5pp
Dinner:
Quorn Pasta Bake
15pp
Snack:
Options Hot Chococlate (11g)
1pp
40g Tesco Hot Oats 4pp
150ml Skimmed Milk 1pp
Nescafe Skinny Mocha 2pp
WW Toffee Apple Yoghurt 1pp
Pears, Tinned, Drained 0pp
8pp
Lunch:
50g Ainsley Harriott Thai Cous Cous 5pp
Yellow Fin Sole 5pp
10pp
Activity:
30 Minutes Treadmill Walking
3pp Earned
Snack:
Banana Bran Muffin 3pp
Nescafe Skinny Mocha 2pp
5pp
Dinner:
Quorn Pasta Bake
15pp
Snack:
Options Hot Chococlate (11g)
1pp
Wednesday 22 June 2011
Original Basic Bran Muffin Recipe 4pp (Serves 6)
This is THE bran muffin recipe. I tweaked to suit my tastes and points...and cooking ability...lol (i could not for the life of me get them to rise)
but this is the ORIGINAL recipe which works out at 4pp per muffin
100ml Skimmed Milk
100g Plain Flour
60g Wheat Bran
60g Soft Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp bicarbonate soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch of cinnamon
if using berries 125g of chopped berries eg blueberries, raspberries, strawberries.
if using banana's about 2 and 1/2 soft mashed bananas per 6 muffins
1. Preheat the oven to 190C (gas mark 5)
2. Put skimmed milk and wheat bran and soak for few minutes.
3. While bran is soaking beat sugar and eggs untill well combined and then mix into above bran mixture.
4. Sift in the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, bicarbonate soda. Fold in GENTLY with a metal spoon. Stir in the berries to distribute them evenly througout the mixture.
5. Devide into 6 paper cases in a muffin tin.
6 Bake in preheated oven for 20 - 30 mins (until the muffins are well risen and firm to the touch, timing can very to oven to oven)
7. Cool on wire rack, then store in airtight tin or seeled container in fridge.
NI per serving
143kcal
2g fat
0.5 sats
12.8 sugar
4.7g fibre
0.4g salts
This is the NI given in the cook book, I used the ww online recipe builder (im an online member) to point the recipe...
Changes I made along the way:
I use self raising flour and 1tsp of both baking powder + bicarbonate
I sift the flour TWICE. to add air to the mixture.
When combining wet to dry mixture...from research online...I learned to should NOT beat it too much...and you should still see lil tiny pockets of dry flour.
I prefer banana's over berries (theyre cheaper...and supermarkets sell soft old banana at 1/2 price)
I also only use 40g instead of 60g of soft brown sugar and reduced the bran from 60g to 30g.
This means they are only 3pp per muffin.
I love the banana taste so i kinda bumped it up to 3 bananas per 6 muffins...bananas have natural sugars that will sweeten the recipe.
I also find they freeze exceptionally well...and only take about an hour to defrost. DO NOT thaw in microwave. they go hard!
If you find them too dry just omit some of the bran wheat.
they're a great source of fibre...nearly 5g per muffin! great for when your bloated!
Enjoy with a 11g sachet (1pp) of Options hot chocolate for a yummy low fat 4pp snack!
but this is the ORIGINAL recipe which works out at 4pp per muffin
100ml Skimmed Milk
100g Plain Flour
60g Wheat Bran
60g Soft Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp bicarbonate soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch of cinnamon
if using berries 125g of chopped berries eg blueberries, raspberries, strawberries.
if using banana's about 2 and 1/2 soft mashed bananas per 6 muffins
1. Preheat the oven to 190C (gas mark 5)
2. Put skimmed milk and wheat bran and soak for few minutes.
3. While bran is soaking beat sugar and eggs untill well combined and then mix into above bran mixture.
4. Sift in the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, bicarbonate soda. Fold in GENTLY with a metal spoon. Stir in the berries to distribute them evenly througout the mixture.
5. Devide into 6 paper cases in a muffin tin.
6 Bake in preheated oven for 20 - 30 mins (until the muffins are well risen and firm to the touch, timing can very to oven to oven)
7. Cool on wire rack, then store in airtight tin or seeled container in fridge.
NI per serving
143kcal
2g fat
0.5 sats
12.8 sugar
4.7g fibre
0.4g salts
This is the NI given in the cook book, I used the ww online recipe builder (im an online member) to point the recipe...
Changes I made along the way:
I use self raising flour and 1tsp of both baking powder + bicarbonate
I sift the flour TWICE. to add air to the mixture.
When combining wet to dry mixture...from research online...I learned to should NOT beat it too much...and you should still see lil tiny pockets of dry flour.
I prefer banana's over berries (theyre cheaper...and supermarkets sell soft old banana at 1/2 price)
I also only use 40g instead of 60g of soft brown sugar and reduced the bran from 60g to 30g.
This means they are only 3pp per muffin.
I love the banana taste so i kinda bumped it up to 3 bananas per 6 muffins...bananas have natural sugars that will sweeten the recipe.
I also find they freeze exceptionally well...and only take about an hour to defrost. DO NOT thaw in microwave. they go hard!
If you find them too dry just omit some of the bran wheat.
they're a great source of fibre...nearly 5g per muffin! great for when your bloated!
Enjoy with a 11g sachet (1pp) of Options hot chocolate for a yummy low fat 4pp snack!
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