Healthier All Round

The kids and hubby seem to be over the stomach bug they all suffered from. Latest news is that my poor mother in law has it. She looked after the kids on Saturday through to Sunday whilst hubby and I got to enjoy somewhere new.  6 days after all the sickness started, I feel fairly confident in saying that I think I have avoided it.

So then, despite feeling guilty about leaving the kids when they were unwell, hubby and I headed off to the city of Milton Keynes. It was about a 2 hour drive but we had a lovely day there. We arrived around 2pm and were amazed by what the place has to offer. As well as separate regions for theaters, entertainment, eating out, bars, hotels and of course a massive shopping center, there was also a big dome used for indoor skiing, indoor sky diving, bowling alley etc. It really is a difficult place to describe but we loved it.

We spent a fair bit of the day exploring before settling for a late lunch at a nice restaurant. We shared a starter then had a main and were too full for an evening meal. The beer in the evening probably helped us remain full up. It's nice just to be able to go to a bar as a couple and sit and relax watching the world go by. Late in the evening we thought we would venture to the square behind our hotel and discovered a most interesting little carribbean restaurant that doubled up as a cocktail bar. I was pleasantly surprised that when I ordered my strawberry daiquiri as I got two. We didn't realise that cocktails were 2 for the price of 1 in happy hour.  Lovely!

We had a good night in the hotel. It was away from most of the shops and entertainment centres but we could walk from our hotel to the far end in 20 minutes so we felt very central amongst it all.

Breakfast at the hotel was included in our package and again, we still weren't particularly hungry but it was a good end to a nice romantic little break.

On the way home we called in at Ikea as mother in law wanted some curtains and we bought the kids some doughnuts.

Though still a little sluggish the boys all seemed much better when we returned home. Liam and James were extra cuddly but they were looking better and playing nicely.

On Monday my scales said I was 8lbs down from the previous Monday weigh in. I am SO pleased with myself I cannot begin to explain. It was the kick I needed. I feel so much better in every way - all by getting in control of things again. By going back to meals rather than continuous snacking, all is heading in the right direction again. This week I am brimming with confidence and would like to lose 3lbs. Let's see what we can do.

House Of Poorly Mites

Since the world hasn't ended (A religious leader in the US claimed the world will end with a big earthquake before 7am UK time today) I am taking a break from the big clearup.

The washing machine is on, I will have at least one more load to do today and it's all the kids special blankets.

Thursday hubby came home from work feeling exhausted and feeling sick. He ended up vomitting in the night.

Last night all 3 kids caught up.

I guess that's 4 down one to go - ME.

Please let me get through this weekend healthily as I am looking forward to a special day/night out with my lovely hubby and having a little break from the kids

Whoah Mama!!!!

Last Friday was probably the day I felt worst about my weight and I decided that things had to change.

I began cutting back on portions and snacking. Replacing bad snacks with good ones.

Monday became the start of my new "self improvement plan" and I have stuck with it rigidly. Tracking EVERY calorie I consume, weighing out portions and thinking before I eat. Something that I haven't done much of lately.

Though I am not excessive with the exercise, I am keeping myself busy and walking at least 90 minutes daily.

Today the scales reflect my changes.

Since my crap day last Friday I have lost 8, yes EIGHT lbs. 6 of which have been since Monday.

I have lost alot of water and have spent half my days in the toilet so it feels.

It's obviously working!

I am still a little bloated but it's just the encouragement I needed to give me back my confidence at this. I am halfway through my official week of dieting since Monday is the official weigh in day. I just have the weekend to get through. It's the weekends that are the challenge. (Especially since hubby and I are having a night off and staying in a hotel and will be dining out somewhere.)

I just need to watch my cals, make sensible choices and ENJOY the weekend.

I CAN do it, I just have to be tough on myself.

Now with a new found motivation, I intend to keep it up through the summer.

I'm No Quitter - Unless you count Quitting unhealthy food.

Thank you for the comments. I know alot of us are not finding it easy at the moment so I don't feel so alone. I just think that yesterday was one of those days everything came to a head.

Today is very different.

Sulk is over.

Here's the plan of action after a good think about things.

1. Eat Breakfast daily. Up to 300 cals (bowl of cereal or 2 slices toast with margerine)
2. Eat decent lunch to avoid snacking later. Up to 400 cals.
3. Dinner up to 700 cals. 
4. Allow 100 cals for snacks of fruit or breadsticks.
5. 1/2 pint 1% milk allowance per day for drinks and cereal. around 100 cal.
6. Keep up the walking to school and back burns approx 350 cals per day.
7. Drink plenty. If peckish (ie when the kids eat is a tough time) drink a squash/water/coffee.
8. Avoid kids leftovers.
9. Avoid kids crisps and snacks.
10. If I mess up, get back on track ASAP. 
11. Do NOT feel sorry for myself. 
12. Deal with it and get over it.

So that's me giving myself a firm talking to!!!

Without trying too hard that's allowing myself 1600 calories and letting myself burn some off 5 days a week.

I know I can do this. I've done it before. I can do it again.

I just need to pick myself up from this little rock I'm crawling under more and more.

Done well so far today, I just have to resist the snacking when bored!

Now today is a new day and I am facing the day head on with the intention to kick ass!!!!

I need to get back to controlling the food I eat rather than have it control me.

Feeling Bleugh - Putting It Mildly

I've been slack on the updates of late and keeping it rather er... dull? Impersonal? I dunno what I'd describe it as but not so much me.

To be quite honest I've been feeling a little down. Nothing in particular getting me down but just life in general.

Weight being top of the list. I've stopped losing and started gaining - RAPIDLY.

I had my latest contraceptive shot last week and have put on 3.5kg since my last one 3 months ago.

Now I know it's only the equivalent of around 8lbs but I feel pretty damn awful about it.  I was expecting a gain as I've had a bad few weeks but not THAT much. The only condolence in my defence was I normally have an early morning appointment - This was evening AFTER all my meals for the day.

Still, I feel like the last 3 months of trying to lose weight has been a total waste of time.

The problem is, the weight gain makes me feel rubbish and like I am failing.

Then comes the "Well, why the hell do I bother?"

Then comes more eating.

More eating of things I'd avoided whilst losing weight.

A bit more of a gain so I feel annoyed and settle my bad mood with 1/2 a pack of chocolate biscuits or a takeaway.

I need to get out of this vicious circle. It's making me bad tempered and I feel like I am letting everyone down (not sure how) as well as myself.

I'm at the point I am tempted to ask my Doctor for slimming pills. To join Weight Watchers. Anything!!! I just want this excess fat GONE and to stop despising myself. The only thing stopping me seeing my Doctor is that I fear I will just end up in tears trying to explain it to her in person. Writing is one thing, talking it through is another.

I've had a stressful couple of days with the kids too. As much as I love the little dears, a break from time to time would be nice. So feeling stressed with the kids and with my weight, it's no wonder I am feeling a bit of a loner and a wreck right now.

Anyway, I must try to stop this self loathing and pull myself together. It's not good for the kids.

And Another Five....

1.  Monday was  a hectic day. James 2.5 year check came out incredibly well. He has reached every milestone expected of him and is ahead in some aspects of development. He is in a perfectly healthy height and weight range and loved the attention as well as the books he got. I've also been told by one of his pre-school carers that he is a very happy confident little boy. Today he even ate his lunch as he was feeling more comfortable in the environment. He is a wonderful little guy.
2.  Matthews parents evening was also Monday. He is doing so much better than at his last one. He was doing fine then but his teacher was full of praise on how much he is improving with his writing, his concentration and being able to get on with work. He is not vying for the attention of the whole class so much and is doing very well to meet all targets for his age. I am very proud of him. I allowed him to attend with me since I now think he is at an age he can listen and take notice of what is said a little more. Especially when it is praise. I think that this teacher has really bought out alot of confidence in Matthew and it's because of this he is doing so well. Mrs F really is a star!
3. If I LOST 1lb for every time I have thought about rejoining WW this week, there wouldn't be much need to rejoin. I have discovered today that there is a WW meeting in my village and since I am really struggling with the weight this year I am going to bite the bullet and join myself up next Tuesday.
4. I am discovering that having longer nails makes me realise how much dirt gets under the nail. It's kinda gross.
5. I could be finding more dirt under my nails since it's been operation "clear up, sort out and get things up to date" week. All looking much more shipshape at home now.

Five Short Things

1. Hubby has been a non smoker for 3 weeks now. We all know it's not good to smoke, worse still for a diabetic. He's doing well and I am incredibly proud of him.
2. Liam has had his cot converted into a bed. He currently prefers sleeping on the floor.
3. We paid out £70 this week for pre-school for the next 5 weeks and for Matthews Beaver scouts, I feel conned.
4. I haven't bitten my nails for a week. Long girly hands here I come. (again)
5. Finally, I have lost 2lbs taking me down to 218lbs. I've been stuck for 4 weeks!!!! Hence the lack of updating my weight, no point when it doesn't change. THIS has been what I needed. Schools are back so exercise is on the up naturally and I'm back on the exercise bike in toddlers rest time. Summer is not far off and I want to be under 200lb for the summer.

What a Week For The History Books

What a busy few days for the worlds media.

On Friday I, along with almost 25 million other Brits, watched the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton on tv. Over a million people lined the streets of London to celebrate in street parties and to get a view of Englands future King and his wife.

William and Kate are now officially Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. She is not yet Princess as William is not the future King - yet. He is second in line to the throne so only once he becomes next in line, will she get the honour of being called Princess.

I am not a huge fan of lace. So whilst the dress is far from what I would have chosen for myself, it had EVERY box ticked for a future Queen. It remained modern yet modest.

Of course, it wasn't just Kate that got the UK's attention.

Her sister Pippa looked equally stunning as maid of honour.

Absolutely stunning, the pair of them.

The service was a typical church service on a mega scale. Around 1900 people attended the wedding. The couple are now having some private time in the UK before they honeymoon and William is posted out to the on RAF rescue duty for 10 weeks in the summer.

Today it is reported that Osama Bin Laden has been killed after almost 10 years of trying to hunt him down. Whilst many across the world are celebrating, I fear that this may only be the beginning of another uncertain age of terrorism. I cannot see Al-Qaeda disappearing quietly. There will be someone to take over in no time at all and what could they be capable of? None of us ever would have predicted the 9/11 attacks so who knows who will be the replacement or what could come as retaliation. Sometimes, it's better the devil you know.

Bin Ladens death will not change the fact that thousands have died because of his rule. The 9/11 attack and those who have fought in battle since. None of this changes.

I don't think that anything that happened to him would ever be fitting enough for a mass slaughter like the attacks, but since when did 2 wrongs ever make a right?

The world may no longer have the threat of Bin Laden but it doesn't mean we're in a safer world at all.