tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43876324729608986172024-03-13T13:01:16.625+00:00Cross My Heart and Hope to DietA confession from a 38 year old couch potato about to start a weight loss journey and you're invited along for the ride.Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-20705604394774513982009-07-17T10:01:00.001+01:002009-07-24T09:09:10.346+01:00Bad, Bad, Bad!<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Oh what a week and a bit it has been! I’ve been out for meals and had a takeaway and, boy, does it show on the scales! I’ve put on 4lbs. I obviously haven’t quite got to grips with this eating out malarkey and staying within my cals for the day! I suppose it doesn’t help when I have to go to London for a business meeting and I have a New York Cheesecake for pudding – really didn’t need it!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I’ve always had a bit of a </span></span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/logout/news_features/chocolate.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">sweet tooth</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> but, thought I had managed to get it under control recently. I was wrong! That said, since I can remember, my family has treated food as a social thing. Mealtimes were always a time for the family to gather and talk about their day. My favourite thing to do when I’m socialising is to go out for a meal. Good food, good company and good wine! I guess I just need to learn to make </span></span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/eating_out.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">healthy choices</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> instead of calorie laden ones when I am </span></span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/weight_loss/advice/eating_out.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">eating out</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> and maybe, a fruit salad if I need a pudding!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">And comfort eating??? Don’t talk to me about that! Had some sadness in the family this week and the crisps and chocolate have taken a battering. I need to build some strategies for that one. What do you guys do when the blues hit? I know everything in moderation is ok – it’s the moderation bit I seem to be having an issue with. But the biggest problem is the disappointment I have in myself when I stand on the scales!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I have hovered between 13 stone 4lbs and 13 stone 8lbs for what seems like months now. The silver lining is that I know it is down to me and where my head is at. </span></span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/weight_loss/losing_weight/cant_lose.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Get your head straight</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> and everything else will follow. I have always known that I am completely potty though so, no surprises there eh? :o)</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">What have you guys done to get your head straight? What was the catalyst for you to start on your weight loss journey? I still have those jeans from New York in my mind and I WILL get into them!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">See you next week,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Trudi x</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-62554137818685152852009-07-06T08:32:00.002+01:002009-07-06T08:41:44.399+01:00Not Much To Report<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1GXZlcR-25Q/SlGqhKHgH7I/AAAAAAAAABg/CIQDGOLgDtU/s1600-h/me+and+blokes+at+wedding.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1GXZlcR-25Q/SlGqXkamRtI/AAAAAAAAABY/qycuKqulEeU/s1600-h/me+at+wedding.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1GXZlcR-25Q/SlGqXkamRtI/AAAAAAAAABY/qycuKqulEeU/s320/me+at+wedding.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355248753809180370" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Hi Guys,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I know it’s been weeks since I last blogged but life has a habit of just getting so hectic that I don’t seem to have any time left at the end of the day!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Well, the wedding has been and gone and proved to be a beautiful day. I wore bright pink and bought the most gorgeous shoes that were hot pink silk! The dress was from an expensive department store that I wouldn’t normally be able to afford to shop in but, it was in the sale. And there’s another first, the label that I bought, I wouldn’t have fitted into this time last year!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I haven’t lost quite as much weight as I wanted to have done by now but, I can see the difference when I look in the mirror and that is helping me to keep the motivation up. I have actually lost a stone and a half – far better than I have done in the past so I am doing something right! But, in the last couple of months, my weight has yo-yoed up and down by about 5lbs. So, nose to the grindstone now – my next goal is to be able to wear a gold silk dress to the Christmas party and, for next year, to be able to finally don a bikini on the beach and not feel totally self conscious!!!!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">My next big expense is going to be to join the local gym so I can tone up as well as lose weight. I have been watching a programme on TV about 16 people going into a house for 8 weeks to lose weight and get fit and it has definitely inspired me to get moving on the exercise front. The walking that I do is good but . . .</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Anyway, I will be making a huge effort to make sure I blog weekly again so, watch this space and, don’t forget to let me know how you are getting on.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">See you soon,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Trudi</span></span></span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-52126189460430697192009-05-29T14:12:00.004+01:002009-05-29T14:22:45.942+01:00Reasons to be Slimmer - Part One<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Well, it’s been a couple of weeks since I last posted and for that, I must apologise but, to be fair, you haven’t missed much! I had maintained up to last Friday but, when I weighed myself this morning, I’ve had a 2lb loss! Go me!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />I must admit, I have been trying really hard this week. That wedding I was talking about is now only two weeks away and, at the moment, I need to have my dress taken out a little bit. If I keep going like this, hopefully I won’t! </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />It does look like Summer’s finally here this week but, I was hoping to have a bit more time to get my body closer to the shape it should be ready for the shorts and swimsuits to come out. Hey ho! Having lost around a stone and a half so far, I do look that little bit better in me denim cut-offs!<br /><br />That has to be the worst thing for me about being overweight – the clothing issue. I love clothes and would love to be wearing little summer dresses and maybe even a denim mini-skirt. But I can’t and won’t for the time being. I guess that is my main reason for wanting to be slimmer – shallow I know, but at least I’m honest! :o)<br /><br />What are your <a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/logout/news_features/sixreasons.htm">reasons for slimming</a> down? What motivates you to walk away from the fridge when it is calling your name?<br /><br />See you next week,<br />Trudi :o)</span><br /></span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-92110590253149201122009-05-08T14:38:00.002+01:002009-05-08T14:43:04.783+01:00Getting Fruity<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A better week this week but not amazing. I have gone down by 1lb. So I am now 13 stone 4lbs.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I am definitely going to step it up with the exercise. I walked to work on Thursday which is about 4½ miles and I intend to do that every Monday and Thursday. Plus walking with my friend and her dog at least three times a week.<br /><br />I have also increased the amount of fruit and veg me and my family eat in the vain attempt to get it up to the 5 a day that it should be. I thought that seeing as it is the <a href="http://www.wcrf-uk.org/fundraising/fundraising_campaigns/fruity_friday/what_is_fruity_friday.php">World Cancer Research Fund’s Fruity Friday</a> at the end of next week and <a href="http://www.vegsoc.org/nvw/index.html">National Vegetarian Week</a> from 18-24th May I should give it a go. Weight Loss Resources are also launching a fruity challenge next week to encourage people to get fruity and veg it up.<br /><br />I did do well at the weekend though. My family and I went to a barbeque at a friend’s house and, instead of taking a load of cakes and sweet things with us I bought strawberries, grapes, kiwi fruits, raspberries and pineapple for a lovely fruit salad. My friend had pre-empted me though and was already preparing one when we arrived so we had double helpings of fruit!<br /><br />I am keen to join a gym and start working out but, have to wait until I’m healed after my op. I’m hoping that it won’t be much longer as my friend goes to Body Combat and I quite fancy having a go at that. I do like the idea of being able to increase my calorie quota. As I am losing weight, my allowance is going down and I’m worried that I’ll start finding it too difficult. We’ll see.<br /><br />Which exercise do you guys find are best for burning calories? What tricks have you got to get more fruit and veg into your diet?<br /><br />Here’s wishing you all luck for the coming week.<br /><br />See you Friday,<br /><br />Trudi x</span><br /></span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-12926409150272983172009-05-01T10:08:00.004+01:002009-05-01T10:11:09.128+01:00Oh Dear, Oh Dear, Oh Dear!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Oh woe is me. A blooming 2lb gain for me this week! Not a happy bunny.</span> :o(<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />Of course, I do know why and the blame lies squarely at my own feet. I HAVEN’T been careful with my calories and I HAVEN’T been using my </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/logout/foodtab.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">food diary</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> and as far as exercise goes – yeah right! (Goodness, feels like I’m in Confession!) I know sticking to the right calories and exercising can only result in me shifting the weight and yet, Pizza Hut calls to me! </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />I guess I could have been more careful when we got there and had a salad. I think the new push from the Food Standards Agency </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/nutrition/information-restaurant-menu.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">asking restaurants to carry nutritional info on their menus</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> would be very helpful for me. Might make me chose more healthy dishes than garlic bread with cheese, pizza all finished off with Banoffee Pie. I did have diet coke though! Lol </span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />Exercise is definitely the way forward. It means I can add extra calories to my allowance every time I do anything. The </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/exercise.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Exercise Database</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> at Weight Loss Resources is great. It has a huge amount of different exercises and it tells you how many extra calories you can burn for each one. </span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />Did any of you watch the Marathon at the weekend? Or, did you actually enter it? I am in awe of the determination of people who do marathons and things like that. Weight Loss Resources has a list of </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/exercise/running/events_2005.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">local organised runs and events</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> if you would like to join in. Some of them are just for fun and some are for charity.</span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />Do any of you run marathons or half marathons? Is running the exercise you do and do you run on a </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/exercise/running/road-versus-treadmill.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">treadmill or on the road</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> or a mixture of the two? I’m still at walking pace at the moment but I will get there! :o) </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />Well, the sun is shining and the weather is looking ok-ish for the Bank Holiday weekend so just right for getting out and about and getting active. There’s loads of </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/exercise/summer_activities.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">fun activities</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> to get you moving without having to lock yourself away in the gym. And, including the kids or the OH can make it a family affair – perfect for a Bank Holiday! </span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />We’ve got my OH’s children and my niece this weekend so I think we are going to visit our local stately home for the huge craft fayre they have there every year. It’s normally massive so plenty of walking to be done. Then on Monday (if the weather holds out) a nice bike ride with the kiddles. :o)<br /><br />Have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend Guys,<br /><br />Trudi :o)</span><br /></span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-82551685768376987042009-04-24T10:25:00.003+01:002009-04-24T10:28:09.386+01:00Time to Get Serious!Not much to report in the weight loss stakes this week. I have maintained. But, at least I haven’t gained! I think a kick-start is definitely in order! (Or should that be a swift butt-kick???!!)<br /><br />It is time to get serious! Seven weeks to my niece’s wedding and I promised myself that I would be at least 2 stone lighter by then. Nose to the grindstone it is then.<br /><br />I’m back at work now and will be blogging every week again so, hopefully, that will give me the inspiration to really go for it weight loss wise. I’m not sure I chose the best week in the world to go back to work after my operation though. Not only has it been glorious sunshine since I got back but we also had some major projects with today as their deadline so everyone has been running round like headless chickens and we’ve been able to taste the stress in the atmosphere!! Lol<br /><br />That said, both projects look fab so it’ll be worth it in the end!<br /><br />I’m sure you have all seen the new diet pill available over the counter at pharmacists from this week – Alli. A lower dosage of the drug called <a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/slimming/pills_review/xenical_reductil.htm">Orlistat</a>, the new <a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/slimming/pills_review/alli-weight-loss-pill.htm">Alli weight loss pill</a> is being heralded as a ‘weight loss wonder drug’. Weight Loss Resources’ dietitian has investigated this ‘new’ drug and has put her findings in a report along with a review of the <a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/slimming/pills_review/alli-diet-pills-reviews.htm">Alli diet pill</a>. But what do you think? What pills and potions have you tried in the past? Would you give Alli a try or do you think you wouldn’t touch that kind of thing with a barge pole?<br /><br />Hopefully, next week I’ll be able to report a loss and be a few pounds lighter. I must admit that, for me, the fact I am getting there without drugs and doing it through adopting a healthier lifestyle only adds to the elation when I step on the scales and see the numbers going down.<br /><br />See you next week :o)<br />TrudiTrudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-46728411789453245252009-04-06T19:37:00.003+01:002009-04-24T09:43:34.254+01:00Easter Temptations<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Hi Guys,<br /><br />Sorry for the big gap between posts. Hospital visit went well and I’m on the mend now.<br /><br />Well, while I was in hospital I lost a whopping 4lbs!! Wahoo!<br /><br />Weight 13 stone 1lb<br /><br />Unfortunately, in the week that I’ve been home, I have put on 5lbs! Yah, boo sucks.<br /><br />Weight 13 stone 6lbs!<br /><br />That said, I am not able to move around much and I’m sooo bored so I guess eating seems to be taking over. So no surprise there really. Am determined to lose it all again and am back on the wagon this week. I’m able to get around a bit better too so am not quite so sedentary.<br /><br />It’s the boredom that is really getting to me. What do you guys do when there’s not much to do (or not much you can do) and the munchies are eating away at your resolve?<br /><br />To top it all, Easter is round the corner. Mmmmmm </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/healthy_eating/easter_chocolate.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">chocolate</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">! We have told our girls that we’re not doing </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/calorie_counter/easter_eggs.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Easter eggs</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> this year. They get so many from Grandparents that they really don’t need any extra from us. So, we’re going for a nice long, leisurely walk (weather permitting) and a picnic. Now all I need to do is make sure the picnic is nice and healthy and I will have headed temptation off at the pass!<br /><br />What I need is some inspiration to keep me on the straight and narrow. There’s some excellent ideas in a new article from Weight Loss Resources – <a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/weight_loss/weight_loss_tips/ways-to-feel-good.htm">20 Ways to Have a Brilliant Weight Loss Day</a>. I think I might see if I can arrange to go for a coffee with some friends to catch up on what’s been happening while I’ve been out of action and my face would definitely benefit from a lovely facial. Mmmm sounds like a plan :o)<br /><br />Anyway, I’m going to sign off now. I will be posting again on Friday, so watch this space. Here’s hoping that at least a few pounds will have come off!<br /><br />Take care,<br />Trudi</span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-85008608410900725962009-03-13T11:41:00.006+00:002009-03-13T11:47:02.838+00:00Goals and Results<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Yay! Have hit my first major milestone this week. I have lost a stone since I started. In fact, I have lost 1 stone and 2lbs!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Weight in: 13 stone 5lbs – Wahoo! :o)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">A <strong>very</strong> good week this week – 3lbs off.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">What I really find motivating is to check out my progress on my </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/logout/goalstab.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Goals and Results</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> chart in Weight Loss Resources. Seeing the line gradually making its way down to the bottom is really inspiring. :o)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Think I may take the advice on this week’s homepage at Weight Loss Resources and treat myself to a </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/weight_loss/weight_loss_tips/home-health-spa-treatments.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">home health spa day</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">How often do you get to the end of a bad week and think to yourself that you deserve a bottle of wine or a takeaway to commiserate? But, have you noticed if you have a good week you <strong>also</strong> deserve a bottle of wine and a takeaway to celebrate? Funny that isn’t it? I guess the trick is to find something that doesn’t revolve around food and drink that you can do to celebrate or commiserate.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">My favourite thing is a nice, long, hot bubble bath with candles, a good book and a cup of coffee. My friend, a regular gym attendee, treats herself to a sauna after a strenuous workout. What about you guys?<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Just to remind you there won’t be a blog next week cos I’ll be in hospital. Hopefully, I will still continue to lose for that week. Should at least be properly balanced and the </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/calorie_needs/portion_size.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">correct portion sizes</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> eh? Unfortunately, there is a Costa in the hospital and one of my biggest weaknesses is a large latte! So I’ll have to be careful there – the </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/logout/database.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Weight Loss Resources Food Database</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> tells me it’s 190 calories in one cup!!!!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">See you in two weeks guys. Take care.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Trudi x</span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-72939176574689137332009-03-06T10:16:00.004+00:002009-03-06T10:19:05.977+00:00Weight Loss and Walking<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Hi Guys,<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Apologies for not posting yesterday. I had an appointment at the hospital that was supposed to take 2 hours but ended up taking all day!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I did weigh in before I before I went and I have finally lost the extra 4lbs I had put on at the 21st birthday party!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">13 stone 8lbs. 1 more pound to go and I’ll have lost a pound (De ja vu or what?) Yay!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I have been walking this week in line with the </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/exercise/plans/walking_fitness.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">WLR Walk the Weight Off Challenge</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">. What has surprised me is the calories I can burn for an hour’s walking. I chose moderate walking for 60 minutes from the </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/exercise.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">WLR Exercise Database</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> and I can burn 320 calories. Pretty cool eh? And cheap. :o)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Have you guys joined in the </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/exercise/plans/walking_fitness.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">challenge</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> yet? It’s a good one to give your weight loss a boost or, if you feel you are struggling on your </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/logout/calorie_intake.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">daily calorie quota</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">, it adds a good amount to it for you.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I am changing the day that I post my blog to a Friday. I am due to go into hospital in a little over a week and will be in for a week so, there may be a blip there. But as soon as I can I will keep you all updated with my weigh ins.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I wonder how things will go with my weight while I’m in hospital and then at home recuperating. That’ll be interesting eh?<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Anyway guys, I’ll catch you next week – and don’t forget it will be the Friday.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Take care all,<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Trudi x</span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-76962103084716406212009-02-26T14:26:00.005+00:002009-02-26T14:31:39.572+00:00Arrrggghhh!!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Had a 21st birthday party to go to at the weekend and my willpower just danced off into the distance when they brought the buffet out!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I weighed myself on Monday to see how bad it was. A 4lb gain!!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I have actually managed to lose 3 of the guilty 4lbs but that means a total gain rather than a loss. I’m not a happy bunny! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I started walking this week though. If I’m not so weak willed this weekend, that will help in my quest to fit into my Calvin Klein jeans. I did an hour on Monday night with my friend Julie and her dog, Kavhe and 45 minutes last night. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Weight Loss Resources is launching their </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/exercise/plans/walking_fitness.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Walk the Weight Off 2009 Challenge</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> this weekend. Did you know that if you walk for half an hour at about 3mph you can burn 128 calories? More than enough for an extra Curly Wurly. And, if you go for it at 4mph for an hour you can burn an extra 368 calories! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I’m definitely going to give the challenge a go and walk my weight off! It’s free, easy and fun if you do it with a friend. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I also did 3 hours of ironing on Tuesday. Now anyone who knows me will be falling off their chair reading this ‘cos I don’t iron. I’ll even buy clothes depending on whether they are going to need ironing or not. Crinkle material is a favourite of mine! But, stood there with my iPod going I burned an extra 368 calories according to the </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/exercise.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Weight Loss Resources Exercise Database</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">. Think my iron might get an outing much more often! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">In fact, I’m off to do some more now – catch you all next week :o) </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Take care,<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Trudi</span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-26935822858554948962009-02-19T21:43:00.003+00:002009-02-19T21:50:52.961+00:00Dissolved Resolve<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Hi Guys,<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Well all I can say is that </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/calorie_counter/alcohol.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">alcohol</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> dissolves your resolve!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Valentine’s weekend proved to be a bit of a sticking block for me. OH had booked me in for a posh facial and back massage as my pressie on Saturday (bless him) so we agreed to go out on Friday – didn’t think I would really feel like getting dressed up after being pampered on Saturday!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">So we went for a </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/calorie_content.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">meal</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> and I tried to be good. I did have a starter but no pud and I had salad as an accompaniment to my main. But I had a Tia Maria and diet coke (120 cals). We then decided to meet up with some friends at our local and the alcohol continued to flow. (I’m sooooo naughty!) Then, the Landlady ordered pizza! I was better than I would have been though – I only had two thin slices :o) But, I so didn’t need them.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I have to say the weekend continued along a similar vein so, not great. Fajitas on Saturday night and a Chinese on Sunday evening! I did hop on the scales on Monday just to see how badly things had gone. A 2lb weight gain!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">That said, at my weigh in today, the 2lb gain has gone and I’m back to 13 stone 10lbs so not too bad. I have been </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/calorie_counting.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">calorie counting with Weight Loss Resources</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> for 6 weeks now and have lost a total of 11lbs. Not too shabby!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">But, I have got a wedding to go to in June so, I’m gonna get my nose to the grindstone and really go for it. With luck, determination and knowledge of the game I should be about a stone off my goal weight by then!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">How did you all do over the weekend?<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">See you next week,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Trudi :o)</span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-76068134947516676012009-02-12T14:55:00.009+00:002009-02-12T15:06:58.132+00:00The Camera Never Lies<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Hi Guys,<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">2nd Blog for this week and another weigh in.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">13stone 10lbs!!! Yay! 2lb loss<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Chest 42.5" (Huh? An inch on? Maybe it’s my bra.)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Waist 36" (Same as right at the beginning.)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Hips 39.5" (A total loss of 3½ inches! My bum’s getting smaller!!)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">So, all in all, not a bad result :o)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I have plucked up the courage to take some pics this week. One of the problems we have when we ask Weight Loss Resources members for their </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/logout/profiles/0profile.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">success stories</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> is that, while they are big, they don’t like having their photos taken. It’s only when they get to their goal weight that they become less camera shy. I confess, I am exactly the same. I spent 3 hours looking for photos of me last night and have decided that I definitely prefer to be behind the camera. The only pics I have are of my wedding last year!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">This is me at my wedding last year: </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1GXZlcR-25Q/SZQ5RT3Zm9I/AAAAAAAAAA4/ot8JhutCw7Y/s1600-h/wedding+door+way.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301925630875114450" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1GXZlcR-25Q/SZQ5RT3Zm9I/AAAAAAAAAA4/ot8JhutCw7Y/s320/wedding+door+way.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">This is me from the front this morning:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1GXZlcR-25Q/SZQ5nC5UNBI/AAAAAAAAABA/IA_NOiu60-M/s1600-h/Front-12022009.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301926004276868114" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1GXZlcR-25Q/SZQ5nC5UNBI/AAAAAAAAABA/IA_NOiu60-M/s320/Front-12022009.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">From the side: </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1GXZlcR-25Q/SZQ5vFNqKVI/AAAAAAAAABI/MFSnY6VLpWM/s1600-h/Left-Side-12022009.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301926142338017618" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1GXZlcR-25Q/SZQ5vFNqKVI/AAAAAAAAABI/MFSnY6VLpWM/s320/Left-Side-12022009.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">And from behind: </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1GXZlcR-25Q/SZQ521yfmuI/AAAAAAAAABQ/EVBcwTV8_Ok/s1600-h/Back-12022009.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301926275636501218" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1GXZlcR-25Q/SZQ521yfmuI/AAAAAAAAABQ/EVBcwTV8_Ok/s320/Back-12022009.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />I’m going to update these every couple of weeks so we can all see any differences :o) (I’m so brave!)<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Valentine’s Day is looming and my OH would normally take me out for a lovely meal and buy me some yummy posh chocolates. But what do I do this year? He knows not to get me any chocolate so that’s not a problem. I don’t want to go over my calorie quota but love eating out and having a few drinks.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I’ve looked at the </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/logout/foodtab.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">WLR Food Database</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> and my normal drink is 285 calories!! (Cheeky Vimto is my fave.) I do drink Tia Maria and diet coke and that’s only 120 so, maybe if I stick to that it won’t be too bad. And for dinner? Well, it depends where he decides to take me. :o) But, if I’m really good today, tomorrow and during the day on Saturday, then the way </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/logout/calorie_intake.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">calorie counting</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> works means that I can save calories and add them to my quota for dinner on Saturday. And if I have a little roll around on the bed with my OH, the </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/exercise.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">WLR Exercise Database</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> will tell me how many calories I’ve burned and add those to my daily quota!!! :o)<br />Sounds like a plan Stan :o)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">What are you guys doing for Valentine’s Day? Any hints and tips to stop me falling off the wagon?<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I’ll let you know next week how I got on! :o)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Take care,<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Trudi</span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-66347362951461390582009-02-09T10:30:00.003+00:002009-02-09T10:32:13.763+00:00Snow Days<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Firstly, apologies for not posting on Thursday. We were snowed in and unable to get into the offices where I normally weigh and measure myself. So this week, you’ll be getting two for the price of one!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I have always loved the snow, being a big kid at heart. We had a tiny flurry on Monday but, on Thursday morning woke to find the world covered in a white blanket of cotton wool. The school was closed, my office was closed, the world had come to a standstill. I think we managed to make it til 7.30am before my daughter, dressed up in her thick coat, hat, scarf, gloves and wellies, stood there and asked could she go outside to make a snowman!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Much chilly merriment was had for a few hours while all the children (and the men!) in our cul-de-sac built huge snowmen and igloos. We live at the bottom of a block-paved hill and there was no chance of anyone getting out in their cars so, we decided to take a walk and visit some friends. And our snow day continued on Friday. In fact, since the little flurry we had on Monday, snow has been the biggest topic of conversation!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">You would think, with all this extra activity – snowman building, making snow angels, snowball fights – that I would have done well in the weight loss fight. Well, I haven’t! I now weigh 13 stone 13lbs again! I don’t understand what is happening! :o(<br />OK, so maybe I do a little bit. Popping to the shop daily for my salad and stuff has been more or less impossible and warming, comforting food like cream of chicken soup and hot sausage rolls have snuck their way onto my menu.<br />My weight gain could completely dissolve my resolve to lose weight but, I’m not going to let it. I am even more determined to stay on the straight and narrow from now on.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">What do you guys do to keep your </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/weight_loss/weight_loss_tips/motivation.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">motivation</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> up? What hints and tips have you got that would help me keep my loss steady when it’s </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/healthy_eating/how-to-beat-winter-blues.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">cold outside</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> instead of bobbing up and down by a few pounds each week? Help!!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">See you all Thursday.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Trudi :o)</span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-25784169991797356442009-01-29T11:07:00.003+00:002009-01-29T13:03:30.786+00:00Inch by Inch<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">A much better week this week. Thank goodness! </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />Drum roll . . .<br /><br />Weigh In: 13 stone 12lbs – loss of 2lbs this week :o)<br />Chest: 41½" (total of ½" loss)<br />Waist: 36" (1" loss this week)<br />Hips: 41" (loss of a cool 2" this week!)<br /><br />Measuring myself and seeing the inch by inch loss has been a real motivator this week. I’m now thinking of waist size in terms of my goal as well as weight. So, to go with my target weight of 10 stone (my weight at 19) I want to be below a 28" waist. In fact, my sister bought me a pair of Calvin Klein jeans when she went on a shopping trip to New York (I’m the pauper of the family!) and I have never been able to wear them. That’s a goal to work towards isn’t it?<br /><br />I think drinking water is definitely having an effect. Until I started this I never drank </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/nutrition/foodfile/water.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">water</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> unless I was popping a pill. It was coffee all the way. Reading all the articles that Weight Loss Resources has on the site, I should be drinking at least </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/healthy_eating/too_much_water.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">5 glasses a day</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">! Now I’m up to an impressive 3 glasses a day and I’m adding an extra glass a week! </span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />I continue to be amazed by the </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/calorie_counter.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">calorie content</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> when I put food into the food database at Weight Loss Resources. One of my specialities is homemade spaghetti bolognaise. The amount that I used to make for my OH, my daughter and myself comes to 2508 calories and that’s without the pasta! </span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />I have, however, rediscovered the absolute delights of the good old Curly Wurly and, a childhood favourite, Finger of Fudge. When you need a choccie hit that’s not absolutely packed with calories, a Curly Wurly at 117 cals or a Finger of Fudge at 110 cals do it for me. Especially if you suck the chocolate off first! :o) Watching me eat a Curly Wurly, my OH told me I was a ‘clatty bird’! (He’s from Newcastle and that ‘apparently’ means messy woman.)<br /><br />It looks like my new healthy eating regime is helping him out too though. At 14 stone 9lbs and 6’2" he was a little over weight. He’s now lost 7lbs! Obviously, bringing down </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/calorie_needs/portion_size.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">portion sizes</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> is helping him out too! :o) </span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Don't forget to keep an eye out for Weight Loss Resources on ITV1 this Saturday at 5.50pm in a new program called </span><a href="http://www.itv.com/feelgoodfactor/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">The Feel Good Factor</span></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">with Eamonn Holmes.</span></p></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Am going to sign off now. See you next week.<br /><br />Trudi</span><br /><br /></span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-71219959319036106482009-01-22T14:22:00.006+00:002009-01-26T13:21:02.638+00:00A Bad Week :o(<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I’ve had a bad week this week.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />Ever heard of a thunderclap headache? No me neither – till I got one on Sunday. Instant pain like you’ve never felt before, lasts about 5 minutes then dulls to a constant headache which has lasted all week. So, I’ve been feeling sorry for myself and I haven’t been quite so careful. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />Well, the proof is definitely in the pudding! I have put on a pound and am back up to 14 stone. Yah boo sucks! Must do better. (Reminds me of being back at school!)<br /><br />My OH and I decided to crack out the children’s Wii Fit at the weekend and I have to say much merriment ensured!<br /><br />The hula hooping is really good fun especially watching my OH do it. I thought he actually had some rhythm – I was wrong! Lol. That said, I dread to think what I looked like from the sofa!<br /><br />One word of advice to all you guys out there though. Don’t do the jogging section while wearing pj bottoms with the slit at the front – need I say anymore?<br /><br />The Limbos challenge is complete. I ate a bag, as did a few of my colleagues and the general feeling was that they were ok. But it did spark the ‘ole Marmite’ discussion.<br /><br />What other low fat, diet, slimming foods are out there that need a 2nd opinion?<br /><br />See you next week,<br />Trudi :o)</span><br /></span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-31891342676018338432009-01-19T14:54:00.004+00:002009-01-19T14:57:10.923+00:00Five a Day Question<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Just a quick question.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Does Champagne count towards your five a day cos it's made from grapes?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Anyone know? :o)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Trudi</span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-38490797630134562582009-01-15T12:20:00.007+00:002009-01-15T12:27:33.292+00:00Drum Roll Required<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Weigh in today.<br /><br />Drum roll please! Duh duh dah!<br /><br />13 stone 13lbs! Yay me!<br /><br />Vital statistics:<br /><br />Chest 42”<br />Waist 37”<br />Hips 43”<br /><br />Yah boo sucks! Lost half an inch from my lady bumps. Not the place I want to lose inches from! My waist? Yes. Hips? Of course. But, please, not those!<br /><br />Well, this week has gone well. I have been filling in my food diary at </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/logout/foodtab.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Weight Loss Resources</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> every day and have come in under my calorie quota most days.<br /><br />I am being told off by my colleagues for weighing myself every day. You’re only supposed to do it once a week to allow for normal body fluctuations. But, I can’t help it. They are threatening to confiscate the scales. I guess I am a bit obsessed!<br /><br />Surprisingly, I’ve not found it too difficult to keep within my calories. I am not starving hungry the whole time and, even though a few of my colleagues keep tempting me with Creme Eggs, cookies and stuff, my resolve has seen me through. I even turned down a fried egg roll from the food van the other day in favour of a bowl of porridge. So unlike me.<br /><br />I have been playing with the </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/logout/database.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">food database</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> at Weight Loss Resources and found some real surprises.<br /><br />Chicken Kievs (the breaded kind from Tescos) are one of my favourite meals. I would normally have two of them with some new potatoes and garden peas for my dinner. They are, wait for it . . . . 309 calories each! Mind you, I did wonder if that takes into account the fact that all the filling leaks out onto the baking tray during cooking and welds itself there.<br /><br />I did some historic research on my food diary this week because I knew that I had filled it in for a few days when I first started working at WLR. I thought it would be helpful to compare what I am eating now to then. Now, that was a horror story! 2695 calories in one day and I thought I had been good eating hummus and pitta bread for my lunch. OK, so it wasn’t low calorie hummus and I did eat 5 pittas.<br /><br />This would go some way to explain how much weight I have lost so far. That and, in the first week most people lose a fair amount. It should settle down to about 1 or 2lbs a week. 8lbs in a little over a week is neither healthy nor sustainable.<br /><br />Note to self: Ryvita Minis – don’t ever buy them again. They taste like pieces of cardboard, dipped in cheese and onion flavouring and left on the windowsill in the sun to dry.<br /><br />Right, I’m off to eat my breakfast. Bowl of porridge and 100g of cherries :o)<br /><br />See you next week,<br /><br />Trudi</span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-27026575573884508382009-01-07T13:41:00.007+00:002009-01-09T15:57:32.314+00:00There's a First Time for Everything<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">5th January 2009 – First day back at work after Christmas <strong>and</strong> the first day of filling in my </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Weight Loss Resources</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> food diary!<br /><br />I’ve ‘had a go’ at loads of diets in the past but as soon as I go back to eating normally the weight creeps back on.<br /><br />Brainwave! Perhaps it’s the ‘eating normally’ that is the issue? Perhaps my idea of ‘eating normally’ is completely out of the ball park? I think, perhaps, yes!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />You know the Old El Paso fajita dinner kits? My OH and I would polish one of those off between us.<br /><br />Now, I wasn’t under any illusion that eating 4 fajitas in one sitting would help to bring my weight down but, I didn’t think it would be <strong>that</strong> bad. After all, it’s chicken – not too bad, onions and peppers – part of my 5 a day, guacamole – made from Superfood, Avocado and Salsa – another step towards my 5 a day.<br /><br />How wrong could I be? After researching it in the Weight Loss Resources food database I’ve discovered that, in one meal, I was eating more than what I should be eating calorie-wise, <strong>in one whole day</strong>! A <strong>massive 1940 calories</strong> and that is without the sour cream and guacamole that I normally smother mine in!<br /><br />Working for an online weight loss company, I have access to huge amounts of information by qualified dietitians and experts about what constitutes a healthy lifestyle, how to lose weight and how to keep it off. (Keeping it off being the operative phrase!)<br /><br />The main point I have gleaned from all this info is that going on a diet is <strong>not</strong> the answer but, slowly changing the sort of thing I eat and getting my body moving will produce the results I crave.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Weight Loss Resources</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> has helped men and women lose from </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/calorie_counting/success-story-dick.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">1 or 2 stones</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> to </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/success_story/donnyfan.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">over 5 stones</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> and right up to and past an amazing </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/success_story/runningrach.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">7 stone</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> with its tools, support network and experts so, here we go!<br /><br />See you next week,<br />Trudi</span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-90913568185525681812008-12-22T14:57:00.001+00:002009-01-07T14:03:36.342+00:00Drop and Give Me 20!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I know that I should exercise more and change the way I eat. Working at </span><a href="http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/lostart.htm"><span style="font-size:130%;">Weight Loss Resources</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> has meant I have the tools and resources staring me in the face and so here I am determined to change my lifestyle.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>British Military Fitness Classes</strong><br />Pat Wilson (WLR Director) asked me if I would be interested in researching a new fitness regime, </span><a href="http://www.britmilfit.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">British Military Fitness classes</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">, that may be of interest to WLR members and that could help me get fit and lose weight. Her request was met with a mixture of dread and anticipation. Wasn’t she throwing me in at the deep end??<br /><strong>Taking a Hit for the Team</strong></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">However, it was Pat asking, a colleague of mine would be joining me and I know I should be doing more exercise so, I agreed to ‘take a hit for the team’.<br />The fateful day arrived and, even though I had prayed so hard for rain, the weather was clear but cold. Dressed in the recommended trainers, tracky bottoms, t-shirt and jumper, we jumped in the car and headed for our nearest meeting in Cambridge.<br /><strong>Apprehension Sets In</strong></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">All day I had been worrying about what the class would have in store for me as, currently, I do no exercise at all. What would be expected of me? How would I cope? Will the instructors shout at me? Will I live to see the morning??<br />We arrived at the car park adjacent to the park where the class is held and met one of the instructors, Tim. A jockey in a previous life and now a Personal Trainer as well as a BMF instructor, Tim has also spent 7 years in the TA as a PTI.<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He gave me a form to fill in that told him how much exercise I currently do, whether there are any health problems like heart disease in my family and whether I had any injuries that would impair my ability to take part in the classes. I did notice that there wasn’t a space for me to confess to being a couch potato though!<br /><strong>3 Fitness Levels</strong></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I knew from the </span><a href="http://www.britmilfit.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">British Military Fitness</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> site that there would be 3 levels of members within the group depending on their individual fitness levels – blue, low level; red, medium level; green, high level. So, already had my blue bib on with my white number 2 on it. I was then referred to as Number Two throughout the session.<br /><strong>Being a Blue Bibber</strong></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tim was very friendly, and assured me that the fact I was completely unfit wasn’t an issue. He carried on asking questions as the other members of the class arrived who were very welcoming to a new ‘blue bibber’.<br /><strong>Messing About on the Meadow</strong></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Once all the members had assembled we lined up in twos and were told to start jogging on the spot. Tim asked if anyone had any recent injuries that he should know about. Once that was all sorted, we jogged onto the field to start the class.<br />There was a good mix of men and women and of all ages. I’m not sure if it was because it was dark (lovely November nights!) that I didn’t feel really conspicuous as I panted my way onto the field.<br /><strong>Warming Up</strong></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tim then instructed the Blues to run to the 2nd goal post and back, the Reds to the corner goal post and back and the Greens round all four goal posts and back to warm us all up.<br />I did find the running really difficult. I haven’t run since I was around 8 years old and had just missed the Ice Cream Van. But, I did manage to make it to the goal post and back so, felt quite good about myself.<br />We warmed up for a bit longer by running round Tim in a large circle while he called out direction changes to us. Some lunges were then incorporated into the warm up, followed by reverse lunges which took more co-ordination than I have! We continued jogging round in the circle for a while longer. At this point, I did have to stop and walk.<br /><strong>Encouragement</strong></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I was worried that the instructor wouldn’t be happy about this – after all, this was British Military Fitness classes! But, Tim was fine. After a few minutes of walking, he just gently encouraged me to begin jogging again.<br /><strong>And So It Begins</strong></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After the warm up we started to do exercises in pairs. These consisted of resistance, balance, sit ups, press ups etc., all with the encouragement of our partners.<br /><strong>Rolling Around in the Mud</strong></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One of my favourite exercises from the class was where you lay on the floor with your knees bent (yes, it was muddy!). Your partner kneels on the floor at your feet facing you and holding onto your ankles. You then do sit ups toward your partner. Tim then shouted out parts of the body that you had to touch on your partner such as the nose, left ear, back of the head etc. So, as you reached the sit up position you had to touch the right body part.<br />With each instruction, Tim got faster making it more difficult but, it did give the sit up a new spin and, although we were panting, we were laughing at the same time!<br />As the class progressed, I did find that I had to slow to a walk quite a bit or slow down on the exercises but, never once did Tim or the other members of the class make me feel uncomfortable doing so. Tim would let me get my breath back then gently encourage me to join back in.<br /><strong>Group Support</strong></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In fact, at one point, one of my fellow ‘Super Blues’ joined me to walk with me and encourage me along the way. Her name was Jane and she had been with the group for 2 years. She told me she enjoyed the classes immensely. She loved the fact that the classes were outside and that you got all muddy. She did recommend that gloves would be a good idea as the weather gets worse. She also told me that as well as meeting for the classes, the group had a social secretary, Jo – a green bib, who arranged social get togethers.<br /><strong>Team Work</strong></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We did team exercises, one of which we were in a line jogging and holding onto the person in front (conga-style). We were a ‘snake’ whose tail was trying to catch up with the head. We did individual exercises like push ups and sit ups but each fitness level had a different amount of reps to do. Blues did 3 reps, Reds did 6 and Greens did 9. Finally we jogged to the goal posts and back before we started our warm-down stretching.<br /><strong>Good, Clean Fun (Well kinda!)</strong></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The class was an hour long – it flew past in what seemed like half the time. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely do it again. This from a couch potato!!! In fact, I would prefer to do the BMF class for an hour than the machines in a gym! The instructor made it fun even though it was really hard work and the members helped encourage a sense of camaraderie.<br />Afterwards I was absolutely shattered but, I felt good. The exercises weren’t too complicated and judging by the giggles, interspersed by grunts of effort, they were enjoyed by most of the members.<br /><strong>Sign Me Up For Another</strong></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">As an overweight 38-year-old, a class like this could definitely encourage me to exercise and use my exercise diary – think of the calories burned even if my legs did feel they were going to drop off the next day!</span> </span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4387632472960898617.post-68217399663836099892008-12-18T10:44:00.000+00:002009-01-07T13:58:29.480+00:00The Weight Loss Confession<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hi and welcome one and all to my blog. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is the first of a weekly (maybe more) journal that will follow me as I go from a self-confessed couch potato with a massive BMI of 32.3 to a fit and healthy 38 year old wife and mother of one daughter and two step-daughters.</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This blog is intended to entertain, educate and generate discussion so, I look forward to hearing from you.<br />Here goes. My first confession. I ought to stand up for this bit.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My name is Trudi, I am 38 and weigh 14 stone 4 lbs.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Phew, glad that’s done!<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Over the years I have tried loads of diets. Some were successful in some ways cos I lost weight but, with all of them I didn’t manage to keep it off. I did Atkins for a while and managed to lose three stone. But, 2 years down the line all the fat was back on my waistline and it had brought some friends with it too! The Monday morning diet also had quite a few outings but by Tuesday or Wednesday, had fallen by the wayside.<br />I guess I have now come to the conclusion that quick fixes and faddy diets ain’t gonna get me to a decent weight and keep me there.<br />Skill, determination and knowledge of the game are what I need. Using anything and everything at my disposal to reach a more becoming weight!<br />With this blog, I am offering you a chance to come along for the ride. I will also be posting about current topics to do with weight and health and would love to hear opinions from anyone who has something to say. (Be nice!)<br />I’m going to sign off for now but, keep watching and reading.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">See you soon,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Trudi</span></span>Trudihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328504061948883073noreply@blogger.com0