15 January 2012

After an early breakfast of a mint chocolate protein shake, I spent the morning on a bit of housework, whilst ruminating on my problems. This left me feeling depressed and teary so I went to the gym for a good long session in hopes of working it off.

Before the gym I had some ham and cheese for lunch then stopped at Asda and got some essential supplies, but because I was so fed up and in a self-sabotaging mood I also bought some chocolate. Sadly, not the dark over 70% chocolate that I normally enjoy and is classified, at a pinch, just about okay for Phase Two of the IPD, but giant chocolate buttons which can definitely be classed as comfort food but very non-low carb friendly.

After a three hour long workout including cardio, power plate and swimming (I’m guessing I’m going to die tomorrow) I ended up feeling angry (with myself) rather than depressed and came home to dinner of pork and mushrooms in a creamy mustard sauce with buttered savoy cabbage and mangetout and cheesy broccauli (see what I did there) mash. I then sat down to watch one of the best programmes I’ve ever seen, namely the last episode of Season 2 of Sherlock during which I consumed my chocolate.

However, I didn’t eat all of it. Whereas before my trip to the gym I was ready to overdose on sugary chocolatey goodness by scoffing the entire pack, the delay and change of mood meant that I had the sense to split the pack into four and only eat one quarter. The others I’ve packaged separately in readiness for the hard times ahead and have stored them somewhere safe (in my Monster Book of Monsters box which can be a bit temperamental about opening so I might have a problem retrieving them when the need arises).

Obviously the gym did its job as my Moodscope score is considerably better today than yesterday and far better than it would have been if I’d stayed in the mood I was in earlier. I’m feeling more positive at the moment which is a good thing – and I’m not even feeling guilty about the chocolate!

Today’s exercise:  bike = 12 mins; stretching = 10 mins; treadmill = 5 mins; cross trainer = 5 mins; arm bike = 16 mins; power plate = 25 mins; bike = 10 mins; swimming = 60 lengths

Carb's Eaten: 44.6

Exercising to: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J K Rowling read by Stephen Fry (UK Edition)/Various swim tracks

Weight Loss in 2012 = -2 pounds

Total Weight Loss = 1 stone 12 pounds

Inch Loss = 19.5 inches

Current Goal: To wear my M&S ‘magic’ dress (size 22) (hopefully by Easter)

Mood (according to Moodscope): 43%

14 January 2012

On waking this morning I realised that I really couldn’t face dealing with my problems without ending up seriously depressed, if not suicidal, so decided to completely ignore the bad stuff for the day. Instead I set to work having a bit of a clear up and finally installed the LCD TV that I bought last year, which gave me my workout for the day as it meant removing a 50ish kg TV from the stand and through the flat (I had been waiting for help but decided I couldn’t wait any longer, although I will need help getting it to the tip). This was a good move as my mood has lifted considerably, although being serious I can’t put off the bad stuff for much longer.

I began the day with a mint chocolate protein shake. Lunch was leek mince with an almond topping served with cheesy cauliflower and broccoli mash and buttered savoy cabbage. The fridge is now almost bare and so dinner was some ham, cheese and avocado.

I’m thinking about going to the gym tomorrow. I can’t decide whether to go for another power plate session (my abs have finally stopped aching) or whether to give the aqua aerobics a go. Afterwards I really need to go shopping, if only to stock up on essentials like cream, soya milk and green stuff.

Today’s exercise:  Weight lifting and hauling

Carb's Eaten: 28.2

Exercising to: Wizard Rock (HP-related music for those not in the know)

Weight Loss in 2012 = -2 pounds

Total Weight Loss = 1 stone 12 pounds

Inch Loss = 19.5 inches

Current Goal: To wear my M&S ‘magic’ dress (size 22) (hopefully by Easter)

Mood (according to Moodscope): 29%

13 Friday 2012

So today has been a dreadful one for me, with more bad news sending my mood rocketing down to its lowest level since I’ve been using Moodscope.

The morning began badly when I couldn’t drag myself out of bed due to tiredness and the headache that is still lingering. When I did finally surface it turned out that it was a good thing I hadn’t gone to the gym as my lower abs and biceps have seized up, quite painfully. It turns out that instead of taking it easy (as I worry sometimes that I do at the gym without Siobhan around to push me) I really did push myself and am suffering big time for it today.

Breakfast was a chocolate mint protein shake, followed by another fry up for lunch (mainly to use up the remaining bacon etc.). Dinner was bacon wrapped cream cheese stuffed chicken breasts with buttered green vegetables (once again because they needed to be used up).

Once my mood plummeted I found it a little hard to concentrate or get enthused about anything, so I took refuge in watching many episodes of Fringe to take my mind off my problems. I did take a break to watch the Sports Relief Celebrity bake off final and found myself seriously craving the yummy cakes and biscuits being cooked and so dug out a piece of cheesecake. A glass of Glayva has put my carbs well over the limit for the day, but makes me feel better.

I am aware that I can’t bury my head in the sand forever, but currently definitely not up to dealing with my problems today. Maybe I’ll be more up to it tomorrow. Either way, I’ve got a lot of stuff I’ve been putting off that needs to be done so I should be pretty busy.   

Today’s exercise:  None

Carb's Eaten: 41.7

Exercising to: Watching Fringe and baking programmes

Weight Loss in 2012 = -2 pounds

Total Weight Loss = 1 stone 12 pounds

Inch Loss = 19.5 inches

Current Goal: To wear my M&S ‘magic’ dress (size 22) (hopefully by Easter)

Mood (according to Moodscope): 15%

12 January 2012

A little late getting to the gym this morning, but that probably helped as I was having a power plate workout. The college is back so the place was absolutely packed – with even more students than before Christmas.

It’s been a bad day for me, with bad news and confirmation of bad news (which is reflected in today’s Moodscope score) so I’ve not been feeling at my best. Still headachy too, so I had a lunchtime nap to try and shift it, but I woke up with stomach cramps too, although they fortunately only lasted an hour or so and I’ve absolutely no idea why they happened.

Breakfast was a chocolate mint protein shake (my current fav) with some ham and strong cheddar for lunch. I was having trouble getting the motivation to cook (hence the picky lunch) and eventually had a fry up – gluten free sausages, oak smoked back bacon, scrambled eggs, mushrooms and tomato – which was lovely. I followed this with a piece of cheesecake and had a tot of Glayva to cheer myself up.

I’m beginning to feel the power plate workout in my abs, may do some more tomorrow if I’m not too sore.      

Today’s exercise:  bike = 10 mins; stretching = 10 mins; power plate = 30 mins; swimming = 20 lengths

Carb's Eaten: 30.8

Exercising to: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J K Rowling read by Stephen Fry (UK Edition)/Various swim tracks

Weight Loss in 2012 = -2 pounds

Total Weight Loss = 1 stone 12 pounds

Inch Loss = 19.5 inches

Current Goal: To wear my M&S ‘magic’ dress (size 22) (hopefully by Easter)

Mood (according to Moodscope): 24%

10 January 2012

I’ve still got a nagging headache today, the legacy of yet another night of rubbish sleep and nothing will seem to shift it.

Breakfast this morning was peppered buttery boiled eggs with sausages, which made a nice change from a protein shake. For lunch I had some of the mince I cooked yesterday. Because of the headache I didn’t really fancy much for dinner so just had some prosciutto, cheese and a greek yoghurt.

I had intended to go to the gym this evening to do some power plate work but couldn’t face it with this stupid headache so am going to have an early night instead.

Today’s exercise:  walking to and from work

Carb's Eaten: 25.8

Exercising to: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J K Rowling read by Stephen Fry (UK Edition)

Weight Loss in 2012 = -2 pounds

Total Weight Loss = 1 stone 12 pounds

Inch Loss = 19.5 inches

Current Goal: To wear my M&S ‘magic’ dress (size 22) (hopefully by Easter)

Mood (according to Moodscope): 33%

9 January 2012

I have to admit to being very disappointed today as I discovered that I’d put on four pounds, which means not only did I put back what I lost over Christmas, but also the two pounds I’d lost before Christmas to make my two stone. To be honest I’m a little confused by this. I could fully understand the weight gain last week when I’d been eating and drinking whatever I wanted, but to go on now after a week back on low carbing seems rather cruel – and, I will admit, very demoralising for me.

I was already having a bad morning, with stress stuff causing another bad night and the loss of my car keys causing me to be later for the gym than I’d have liked, but this was a real blow. But, determined not to let it beat me, I did my workout as usual and stuck rigidly to my carb limit for the day.

Back home, for work and a chocolate mint protein shake, followed by a late lunch comprising a ham, cheese and mushroom omelette. This evening I cooked some sausages in preparation for breakfasts, stuffed aubergines and the base for an almond topped mince dish. For my dinner I had pork and mushroom stroganoff with salad followed by another piece of cheesecake as I was feeling sorry for myself (although it’s made me feel rather sick so I shouldn’t have had it – I’ve now frozen the rest).

So I’ve tried to carry on even though I’m feeling quite disheartened by the weight gain and am hoping that it was just some strange blip. I really hope that next week will see a loss (any would do but today’s gain would be better).    

Today’s exercise:  bike = 10 mins; stretching = 10 mins; treadmill/weights = 10 mins; cross trainer = 10 mins; arm bike = 16 mins; bike = 10 mins; stretching = 10 mins; swimming = 10 lengths

Carb's Eaten: 28.3

Exercising to: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J K Rowling read by Stephen Fry (UK Edition)/Various swim tracks

Weight Loss in 2012 = -2 pounds

Total Weight Loss = 1 stone 12 pounds

Inch Loss = 19.5 inches

Current Goal: To wear my M&S ‘magic’ dress (size 22) (hopefully by Easter)

Mood (according to Moodscope): 34%

8 January 2012

So cooking, games and the TV meant I completely forgot about blogging yesterday.

It was a productive day as I managed to cook a huge beef and butternut stew and a ham and cabbage casserole. I also managed to get myself sorted with another few recipes for today – leek, blue cheese and ham bake (there was a bit of a tricky moment when I realised that I didn’t have any white wine which is part of the recipe) and a lime and ginger cheesecake (having a bit of a sweet craving at the moment due to the stress and this will help to keep it within limits), although I forgot to get some more mushrooms (hadn’t realised how many I’d used) so the vegetable mince and stuffed aubergines will have to wait until tomorrow when I go shopping.

I also cooked myself a ham, cheese and mushroom omelette for lunch – I was on a roll after all the rest of that cooking and was determined to have some proper food, not just picky bits for a change, although I did still have a chocolate mint protein shake for breakfast. With the leek bake and a slice of the cheesecake for dinner I’m feeling nicely full, and all cravings are currently sated.

My mood's a little better due mainly to my acceptance that I've done everything I can to avert the current crisis and it'll either work out or it won't. Obviously being almost full moon means it's more likely to go wrong, as this is always a bad time for me. But at the moment I'm stable enough to realise that I can't do any more than I've already done.

Back to the gym in the morning, where I really should have a go at the power plate. I’m not expecting great things for my weigh in tomorrow, but I guess staying the same would be okay.   

Today’s exercise:  cooking and cleaning

Carb's Eaten: 35.1

Exercising to: Wittertainment and the TV (Sherlock, Fringe and Merlin)

Weight Loss in 2012 = 2 pounds

Total Weight Loss = 2 stone 2 pounds

Inch Loss = 19.5 inches

Current Goal: To wear my M&S ‘magic’ dress (size 22) (hopefully by Easter)

Mood (according to Moodscope): 33%

6 January 2012

When I woke up this morning I had a stinking headache, caused partly by another rotten night’s sleep which was mainly due to stress. I couldn’t face going to the gym so instead went back to sleep for a few hours. It didn’t really help and I’ve had the headache nagging away all day even though I’ve drunk plenty of water.

Breakfast was some prosciutto and cheese with a banana protein shake for lunch. Protein shakes with a headache are a really bad idea as they have a tendency to make me feel sick, but I couldn’t face cooking anything. Dinner, when I finally forced myself to cook it, was creamy tarragon and lemon chicken with a salad.

Still rather stressed, I also had a glass of Glayva to calm me down – which it did remarkably well. However, I really don’t want to get back into drinking, apart from special occasions or when I go out with my friends, if for no other reason than it’s a lot of wasted carbs. On balance I think the drink was worth it though as it’s chilled me out a bit.

Today’s exercise:  work on the computer and a bit of housework

Carb's Eaten: 36.8

Exercising to: Wittertainment podcasts

Weight Loss in 2012 = 2 pounds

Total Weight Loss = 2 stone 2 pounds

Inch Loss = 19.5 inches

Current Goal: To wear my M&S ‘magic’ dress (size 22) (hopefully by Easter)

Mood (according to Moodscope): 21%

5 January 2012

I was back at the gym this morning. I wasn’t aching as much as yesterday, but I’m still having a bit of trouble getting going this week and didn’t get there until 7am. It was very quiet – not sure whether it was just the time, or whether people’s desire to exercise has already worn off.

I had quite a good workout but my knee was hurting by the time it came to swimming and I wasn’t really in the mood, so I just did ten lengths before heading for a double session in the Jacuzzi to try and soothe my aches.

Once home, I had a chocolate mint protein shake for breakfast with some cheese for a mid morning snack. Lunch was smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado roll ups with a very late dinner of bacon wrapped cheese and mustard stuffed chicken breasts with a salad.

Dinner was delayed by a rather stressful phone call which left me worrying and rather down and partially accounts for my low score today on Moodscope.

Funds are a bit tight after Christmas and I’m going to have to do some careful planning to make sure that I can continue with my way of eating for the rest of the month as it would be all too easy to resort to cheap bread and pasta meals. Unfortunately low carbing, and healthy eating in general, doesn’t use the cheapest ingredients, especially when you’re trying to go for quality over quantity. This is a job for the weekend as we all know I’m completely rubbish at planning anything properly and I really need to get cooking too, which I just can’t seem to get the enthusiasm for during the week.  

Today’s exercise:  bike = 10 mins; stretching = 10 mins; treadmill/weights = 10 mins; arm bike = 16 mins; cross trainer = 7 mins; bike = 10 mins; stretching = 10 mins; swimming = 10 lengths

Carb's Eaten: 20.6

Exercising to: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J K Rowling read by Stephen Fry (UK Edition)/Various swim tracks

Weight Loss in 2012 = 2 pounds

Total Weight Loss = 2 stone 2 pounds

Inch Loss = 19.5 inches

Current Goal: To wear my M&S ‘magic’ dress (size 22) (hopefully by Easter)

Mood (according to Moodscope): 20%

4 January 2012

Still had a backache this morning, along with a rotten headache from a bad night’s sleep which left me slow and running late. As I wasn’t with it I forgot to pick up my breakfast, although fortunately I did manage to take the lunch (which I’d left out overnight to defrost).

So breakfast was scrambled egg, bacon, sausage and a mushroom from the staff restaurant, with leek, ham and blue cheese pie for lunch. I also had a couple of mini salami’s for a snack. Tired from the long day I couldn’t face eating much this evening (or more accurately couldn't face cooking) so had some Greek yoghurt, prosciutto and some lovely mature cheddar along with a couple of litres of sparkling water, in a vain attempt to get rid of the still lingering headache.

No exercising today as I’m still feeling it in my muscles and I’ll be going to the gym tomorrow morning, so my only exercise has been walking to and from the bus stop. I did finally get round to measuring myself this evening though and have lost another seven inches in total since the last time I did it (which was apparently the 16 October 2011).  

Today’s exercise:  just the daily walking

Carb's Eaten: 35.1

Exercising to: Musica

Weight Loss in 2012 = 2 pounds

Total Weight Loss = 2 stone 2 pounds

Inch Loss = 19.5 inches (yay, finally got round to measuring myself)

Current Goal: To wear my M&S ‘magic’ dress (size 22) (hopefully by Easter)

Mood (according to Moodscope): 27%

3 January 2012

Back to the gym this morning where I did a truncated work out and then a session on the power plate. Having pulled just about every muscle in my body I missed out on the swim to instead rest in the steam room and jacuzzi in hopes that it would help.

Shopping followed so my fridge is now nicely filled with all sorts of goodies again. I also discovered that the gas refill for my Sodastream (which lasts between four to six weeks depending on use) costs about the same as a week’s worth of sparkling water (San Pellegrino obviously, not cheap generic supermarket stuff), so that was definitely a good purchase.

Unfortunately, as the day has gone on my body is seizing up – starting with a backache and gradually moving everywhere. This made taking down the Christmas tree and decorations a little difficult as I’m having a problem with stretching at the moment. I just hope that after a decent night’s sleep I’ll be a little recovered as I don’t envy a long work day and four odd hours of travelling with a bad back.

Food today was some yummy prosciutto and cheese for brunch with pork stroganoff and a large salad for tea. I also had some Greek yoghurt, which is the reason why my carbs are over the minimum level.

I’ve just got time to get the food sorted for tomorrow and then it’ll be time for bed. I’m feeling quite positive at the moment, which is shown in today’s Moodscope score which is the second highest it’s been.   

Today’s exercise:  Bike = 10 mins; Stretching = 10 mins; Treadmill/weights = 10 mins; Arm bike = 16 mins; Power Plate = 20 mins; Bike = 5 mins;

Carb's Eaten: 26.9G

Exercising to: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J K Rowling read by Stephen Fry (UK Edition)/Various swim tracks

Weight Loss in 2012 = 2 pounds

Total Weight Loss = 2 stone 2 pounds

Inch Loss = 12.5 inches (not sure why I’m bothering with this to be honest as I can never be bothered to do it!)

Current Goal: To wear my M&S ‘magic’ dress (size 22) (hopefully by Easter)

Mood (according to Moodscope): 41%

2 January 2012

I did manage to get to the gym this morning, although being honest it was about four hours later than I’d originally anticipated which meant that I didn’t have a chance to go shopping as I had a lunch engagement. Of course the gym was hugely busy – probably the busiest I’ve ever seen it and there were plenty of new recruits starting with their new year’s resolutions to get fit. I wonder how many of them will still be coming by Easter?

Imagine my excitement when standing on the scales to discover that not only did I not put on any weight over the last couple of weeks, but I had in fact lost another two pounds. This is amazing considering I haven’t stuck to the low carbing at all (as expected), although maybe not such a huge surprise that I didn’t gain weight, as whilst everything was carby, my portions weren’t massive (I even missed several meals) and with the exception of a hugely alcohol-fuelled New Years Eve I’ve not overdone either food or drink. Even chocolate was kept pretty much to a minimum (and I turned down the opportunity to bring home Christmas chocolates).

Although I did still (out of habit mainly) keep a note of everything I ate over the Christmas period I’m not worrying too hard about recording it on Fitday for the time being. I may put it on there eventually for completeness, but I’m not sure it’ll add anything except stress me out about the amount of carbs I actually consumed and it wouldn’t be accurate as portion sizes would all be guesswork – so pretty much useless for real comparison.

I did realise pretty quickly just how much better I feel without all the carbs. All those horrid body effects such as bloating, wind and indigestion that I’m pretty much free of whilst low carbing returned and it wasn’t pleasant. In fact there were a few days when I felt pretty rough which may have been caused by my diet, although obviously I can’t be sure of that.

And so today, although it is now the new year, I am still on holiday and, because I was eating with friends who had prepared a meal (containing carbs of course) I am not worrying about today’s food either. Tomorrow, which is still a leave day for me I will get up, go to the gym and then go shopping. The low carbing will then resume with a vengeance.

The one resolution I have made is that I’m not going to worry too hard about going just over the 30 gram carb limit. Whilst I obviously want to keep my carbs as low as possible I also want a nice variety of food and that will necessarily include the higher carb ingredients such as butternut squash and leeks and with a potentially difficult year ahead I don’t want to spend my time worrying about what extra carbs are going to do to my weight. I guess this means that weight loss could take a little more time, but with the amount I still have to lose I’m in it for the marathon, not the 100 metre dash and so a few extra weeks or months isn’t going to make much difference.  

Today’s exercise:  Bike = 10 mins; Treadmill/weights = 10 mins; Cross Trainer = 10 mins;  Arm bike = 16 mins; Bike = 10 mins; Swimming = 40 lengths

Carb's Eaten: No idea as I’m not counting today!

Exercising to: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J K Rowling read by Stephen Fry (UK Edition) – yep still! / Various swim tracks

Weight Loss in 2012 = 2 pounds

Total Weight Loss = 2 stone 2 pounds

Inch Loss = 12.5 inches (not sure why I’m bothering with this to be honest as I can never be bothered to do it!)

Current Goal: To wear my M&S ‘magic’ dress (size 22) (hopefully by Easter)

Mood (according to Moodscope): 39%

1 January 2012

So I'm back. 

I'll be doing my official weigh-in at the gym tomorrow morning followed by shopping for lots of good stuff ready for resumption of the IPD on Tuesday. Normal blog posts will resume tomorrow too.

Happy New Year everyone!