Some of you will think all I do is spend my time trying out new 'diets' or going on courses...well yep you're about right. And it certainly looks that way for the past 4 weeks or so.
At the end of November I headed off to Swansea to have my head filled with more amazing information from Phil Richards. This time it was all about the 'Gut and Brain Connection'. It was a fascinating trip through the intestine and brain to learn how to help overcome depression, post-natal depression, dementia, alcoholism, ADD, ADHD...the list goes on.
I left there once again with a pretty long book list. Not as long as the chap next to me who was adding each reference mentioned into his i-pad -- his Amazon wishlist was about 50 books long by the end!
This weekend Vida and I have been to Richmond for an interview for the Institute of Optimum Nutrition 3 year Nutritional Therapist Course. I have wanted to do this course for 20 years, looks like 2011 might just be my year. I need to do a Science access course first to get my science basics upto scratch before I start proper. But I think from January onwards I am going to be Mrs Nose-in-Book.
And just to round it all off for the year, the two of us are off to Islington next Saturday for an Elimination Diet information day at Dax Moy's pad, well studio...but with about 45 fitness instructors heading in the same direction it is feeling like it will be another really interesting day.
I think I am going to work out how much I have invested in my training and development this year. It's good to learn!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Results at end of week 2...
Weight 11.13 (down a lb this week) could be 12stone again tomorrow so not bothered by this.
Chest 94 cm (down 2cms)
Waist 82 cm (down 5 cms)
Belly 87 cm (down 3cms)
Hips 100 cm (down 3cms)
Legs say the same
Feel and look leaner. Need to get to bed earlier this week though and get some of my own training in.
Made onion bhajis yesterday. Lovely (no wheat before you ask, Gram flour)
Made soaked then roasted almond butter today (lovely)
Got a stash of hummous to keep us going through the week.
Report back next week for week 3 results!
Chest 94 cm (down 2cms)
Waist 82 cm (down 5 cms)
Belly 87 cm (down 3cms)
Hips 100 cm (down 3cms)
Legs say the same
Feel and look leaner. Need to get to bed earlier this week though and get some of my own training in.
Made onion bhajis yesterday. Lovely (no wheat before you ask, Gram flour)
Made soaked then roasted almond butter today (lovely)
Got a stash of hummous to keep us going through the week.
Report back next week for week 3 results!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Week 2 - half way through
Well I am almost 2 weeks through. I thought I'd round up the week today and then do my weighing and measuring tomorrow (Sunday) as Fit Camp kicks off again on Monday and the early starts get in the way of such things.
The week has been good. I weighed and measured on Monday and it was all the 3's.
Weight loss - 3lbs
Waist - down 3 cm
Belly - down 3cms
Hips - down 3cms
Chest and legs the same.
Energy levels and hunger have been much more level this week. Sleeping has been OK although getting to bed earlier would be preferred. Have had 2 meals out this week and just managed to stay within the level 3 boundaries. I did have to leave tomato and pepper on the plate after having a salad at a pub on Thursday with Vida. That's was annoying. I don't like wasting food really, but I do want to see how 30 days of the ED proper feels.
Last night we had a guest over and so went to Milton's in Wokingham. The food was lovely but it was incredibly difficult to chose anything that fitted the diet plan. Ended up with 2 starters, a soup and a salad. Damn the sun-dried tomato bread looked inviting!
On Monday this week Dax Moy, the creator of this Elimination Diet, had a tele-seminar to give a bit more information about the plan and also for people to ask questions. It was very interesting and was good to hear that lots of people were getting some great weight and inch loss results with it.
I've eaten a fair few eggs this week, a hell of a lot of spinach and I have developed a new soaked nut butter which has been very popular with the family. As we're not eating grains nut butter is being eaten on apples, celery, raspberries! You name a food vehicle; we can get nut butter on it.
I am also giving up with organic avocados. They are always rotten inside, I have thrown 5 out of 6 away this week, it is very annoying.
Dale went to the market (near the end of the day is good, because Mr Stall-Holder wants rid of stock) and bought back a shed load of veg for the week. All for 20 quid. The same quantity in one of our large supermarkets would have been easily double the price. Best of all through is the 36 free range eggs from the market for £3.50. You can't get a dozen free range eggs in Sainsburys for that!
The reason for the money talk...its the one downside to this plan. For us, it is more expensive than before. So if I can buy more veg locally it will save us money to Mr Tesco or Sainsbury.
Incidentally also did my normal work classes, a 50 minute run and a Boot Camp session in the garden this week. I don't expect the scales to have changed, but the fact that I did the extra exercise is a huge improvement. I am usually not willing at all. Energy levels are up!
Results tomorrow.
The week has been good. I weighed and measured on Monday and it was all the 3's.
Weight loss - 3lbs
Waist - down 3 cm
Belly - down 3cms
Hips - down 3cms
Chest and legs the same.
Energy levels and hunger have been much more level this week. Sleeping has been OK although getting to bed earlier would be preferred. Have had 2 meals out this week and just managed to stay within the level 3 boundaries. I did have to leave tomato and pepper on the plate after having a salad at a pub on Thursday with Vida. That's was annoying. I don't like wasting food really, but I do want to see how 30 days of the ED proper feels.
Last night we had a guest over and so went to Milton's in Wokingham. The food was lovely but it was incredibly difficult to chose anything that fitted the diet plan. Ended up with 2 starters, a soup and a salad. Damn the sun-dried tomato bread looked inviting!
On Monday this week Dax Moy, the creator of this Elimination Diet, had a tele-seminar to give a bit more information about the plan and also for people to ask questions. It was very interesting and was good to hear that lots of people were getting some great weight and inch loss results with it.
I've eaten a fair few eggs this week, a hell of a lot of spinach and I have developed a new soaked nut butter which has been very popular with the family. As we're not eating grains nut butter is being eaten on apples, celery, raspberries! You name a food vehicle; we can get nut butter on it.
I am also giving up with organic avocados. They are always rotten inside, I have thrown 5 out of 6 away this week, it is very annoying.
Dale went to the market (near the end of the day is good, because Mr Stall-Holder wants rid of stock) and bought back a shed load of veg for the week. All for 20 quid. The same quantity in one of our large supermarkets would have been easily double the price. Best of all through is the 36 free range eggs from the market for £3.50. You can't get a dozen free range eggs in Sainsburys for that!
The reason for the money talk...its the one downside to this plan. For us, it is more expensive than before. So if I can buy more veg locally it will save us money to Mr Tesco or Sainsbury.
Incidentally also did my normal work classes, a 50 minute run and a Boot Camp session in the garden this week. I don't expect the scales to have changed, but the fact that I did the extra exercise is a huge improvement. I am usually not willing at all. Energy levels are up!
Results tomorrow.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Week 1 round up.
It's been a great week. The Elimination Diet has been really good for me, I accept it won't suit everyone, but I'm doing well on it. I am not a keen weigher and so the 3lb loss is nice, but not a decider on this plan. The reduced bulk around my middle and especially the belly is noticeable. I'll measure properly tomorrow when I am 7 days through.
Vida and I went to London yesterday to do some Fit Camp training, it was very interesting and useful. Campers beware!
I am not missing eating grains. Of course walking through Liverpool Street Station yesterday with the smells from Costa (love the smell of coffee) and pastries wafting out at you is nice and I do think 'ooh, I miss those'. But I do think that once the 30 days is over I would be much happier to stay grain free if I can reintroduce the tomatoes, aubergines, peppers, squashes etc. My plate looks very samey each meal.
A few other noticeable changes. Despite drinking more water than I normally would (I'm up to 3+ litres a day) I now drink because I am thirsty. I've increased my veg and fruit and water and now feel more thirsty than ever!
Waking up better. I am not an early bird as our Early Risers know too well, but I am certainly a bit more sprightly in the morning. Even today (Sunday) I was awake at 7, breakfast, showered and ready to go by 7.45. Unheard of normally.
Digestion much improved. Skin condition improved. Leveling out of blood sugar. Daughter 2 is feeling lighter but no difference on the scales, and daughter 1 has lost bloatedness, some weight and is sleeping better.
So, we're a quarter of the way through. Here's to week 2.
Today's menu:
B: Red grapefruit & handful of grapes followed by blueberry omelette in coconut oil -- damn that's good.
L: Chicken salad
D: Cauliflower and lentil curry in coconut milk with curried okra.
Snacks, homemade hummous, veggies, fruit, soaked nuts (not all of these, but this is what I chose from)
ooh! PS. Dale bought some fruits from the market which we had no idea what they were. We didn't know if you ate the skin or not, so I did. Have since discovered it was a Sharon fruit, very nice. Got two more of those to nibble on too.
Vida and I went to London yesterday to do some Fit Camp training, it was very interesting and useful. Campers beware!
I am not missing eating grains. Of course walking through Liverpool Street Station yesterday with the smells from Costa (love the smell of coffee) and pastries wafting out at you is nice and I do think 'ooh, I miss those'. But I do think that once the 30 days is over I would be much happier to stay grain free if I can reintroduce the tomatoes, aubergines, peppers, squashes etc. My plate looks very samey each meal.
A few other noticeable changes. Despite drinking more water than I normally would (I'm up to 3+ litres a day) I now drink because I am thirsty. I've increased my veg and fruit and water and now feel more thirsty than ever!
Waking up better. I am not an early bird as our Early Risers know too well, but I am certainly a bit more sprightly in the morning. Even today (Sunday) I was awake at 7, breakfast, showered and ready to go by 7.45. Unheard of normally.
Digestion much improved. Skin condition improved. Leveling out of blood sugar. Daughter 2 is feeling lighter but no difference on the scales, and daughter 1 has lost bloatedness, some weight and is sleeping better.
So, we're a quarter of the way through. Here's to week 2.
Today's menu:
B: Red grapefruit & handful of grapes followed by blueberry omelette in coconut oil -- damn that's good.
L: Chicken salad
D: Cauliflower and lentil curry in coconut milk with curried okra.
Snacks, homemade hummous, veggies, fruit, soaked nuts (not all of these, but this is what I chose from)
ooh! PS. Dale bought some fruits from the market which we had no idea what they were. We didn't know if you ate the skin or not, so I did. Have since discovered it was a Sharon fruit, very nice. Got two more of those to nibble on too.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Day 3 on ED 3.0
People have been commenting on Dax Moy's community web page that they are struggling for breakfast meals because they are always the same. I'm not going to generalise too much here, but in my experience people are more than happy to have the same cereal, toast, marmalade and coffee each day without any question. As soon as what is regarded as traditional breakfast is removed all means of making an informed decision are gone! I am now very much of the opinion that its just a meal. I'll eat fish, omelette, salad, soup I really don't care. It's a meal, I eat it, I feel better!
So my breakfast was an orange, followed by a 3 egg omelette, with onion, courgette, celery, coriander and chinese leaf all cooked in coconut oil (love the smell of that stuff!)
Hot water in Sainsburys cafe with an old friend I bumped into whilst I was buying yet more green leaves. She too only drinks hot water, they charged us 5p each!
Nibbled on some raw coconut and half a punnet of raspberries.
Tried a few of the soaked brazil nuts. They are a different texture, but now quite tasteless....
Lunch was going to be soup until I realised I had no ED friendly stock type seasoning, so I made a green Thai curry soup with lots of veggies and a damn hot little red chili.
Finished the rest of the raspberries, with some grapes and a fresh fig.
Snacked and pottered most of the day. Coconut, apple and hummous. Not hungry just rebellious as I want to see if eating a ton load of food really will change my shape!
Dinner was salmon and stir fry veggies (mushrooms, mange tout, onion, garlic, customary red chilli, cabbage) and then a huge portion of fruit salad which has left me bloated. Should have had my fruit first...
So my breakfast was an orange, followed by a 3 egg omelette, with onion, courgette, celery, coriander and chinese leaf all cooked in coconut oil (love the smell of that stuff!)
Hot water in Sainsburys cafe with an old friend I bumped into whilst I was buying yet more green leaves. She too only drinks hot water, they charged us 5p each!
Nibbled on some raw coconut and half a punnet of raspberries.
Tried a few of the soaked brazil nuts. They are a different texture, but now quite tasteless....
Lunch was going to be soup until I realised I had no ED friendly stock type seasoning, so I made a green Thai curry soup with lots of veggies and a damn hot little red chili.
Finished the rest of the raspberries, with some grapes and a fresh fig.
Snacked and pottered most of the day. Coconut, apple and hummous. Not hungry just rebellious as I want to see if eating a ton load of food really will change my shape!
Dinner was salmon and stir fry veggies (mushrooms, mange tout, onion, garlic, customary red chilli, cabbage) and then a huge portion of fruit salad which has left me bloated. Should have had my fruit first...
ED 3.0 - Day 2
So day two: Breakfast started with an orange, then I had a 3 egg omelette with onion, garlic, courgette, pak choi. Followed by a ginger and lemon tea.
Went to teach 2 classes then had 2 apples and a pear between 11:00 and 13:00.
Lunch started off as an avocado salad, but cut into the avocado to be presented with half a mangy side. I hate it when that happens! So, just ate what I could, thought 'that's not enough' and prepared a stir fry (in coconut oil) with broccoli, red onion, garlic, greens of some sort and some duck breast slivers. Finished that off with blueberries.
Thought I should soak some Brazil nuts in preparation for snacking on, so left those in water.
Not really hungry but got rebellious and thought I'm going to eat something anyway and had some homemade hummous and apple.
Went off to teach two more classes in the evening, one bouncing about and the other more like standing around and shouting!
Dinner was veggies in green Thai curry sauce with a few chunks of chicken thigh on top.
Not a bad day in all. Don't really feel any different yet, but I was very tired again today.
Managed about 3 litres of water today. Measured myself this morning too, so I have a gauge on the success.
Went to teach 2 classes then had 2 apples and a pear between 11:00 and 13:00.
Lunch started off as an avocado salad, but cut into the avocado to be presented with half a mangy side. I hate it when that happens! So, just ate what I could, thought 'that's not enough' and prepared a stir fry (in coconut oil) with broccoli, red onion, garlic, greens of some sort and some duck breast slivers. Finished that off with blueberries.
Thought I should soak some Brazil nuts in preparation for snacking on, so left those in water.
Not really hungry but got rebellious and thought I'm going to eat something anyway and had some homemade hummous and apple.
Went off to teach two more classes in the evening, one bouncing about and the other more like standing around and shouting!
Dinner was veggies in green Thai curry sauce with a few chunks of chicken thigh on top.
Not a bad day in all. Don't really feel any different yet, but I was very tired again today.
Managed about 3 litres of water today. Measured myself this morning too, so I have a gauge on the success.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Dax Moy and Elimiation Diet 3.0 - DAY 1
I am undertaking a 30 day Elimination Diet from Dax Moy. It starts today. After answering some questions on symptoms of health/illness you determine which level of this new revised diet from Dax you undertake. I am level 3. Those pesky answers weren't linked to weight loss, but energy levels and health gains. Let's see what we can make of this then....
I need to cut quite a few of my favourites out, things like tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, sweet spuds, spuds, squash, carrots...
Up at 5.20 -- weighed in at 12stone 3lbs. Had alkalising salts in tumbler of water. Off to teach Fit Camp.
07:00 breakfast today I've had a 3 egg omelette with onion and the hottest little red chilli (thank you Jo Bell) a pak choi and broccoli spears, cooked in coconut oil. Followed by 2 satsumas.
So far so good. I do need to make sure I get 3+ liters of water in each day, we'll see how that goes. I tend to find that bit tricky.
Had to go food shopping today, spent a ruddy fortune. Have a feeling it won't last the week. Snacked on coconut.
Went to teach a class came home and had a very large green salad with cucumber and celery, steamed brocolli and artichoke hearts, olives and avocado. Apple for pud.
Snacked on fruit in the afternoon and made some hummous for dire emergencies (not allowed too many pulses).
Dinner was late. But we had salmon on a bed of asparagus, red onions, leeks, pak choi and Laura and I had half a pineapple for dessert.
Bed now. Really tired.
I need to cut quite a few of my favourites out, things like tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, sweet spuds, spuds, squash, carrots...
Up at 5.20 -- weighed in at 12stone 3lbs. Had alkalising salts in tumbler of water. Off to teach Fit Camp.
07:00 breakfast today I've had a 3 egg omelette with onion and the hottest little red chilli (thank you Jo Bell) a pak choi and broccoli spears, cooked in coconut oil. Followed by 2 satsumas.
So far so good. I do need to make sure I get 3+ liters of water in each day, we'll see how that goes. I tend to find that bit tricky.
Had to go food shopping today, spent a ruddy fortune. Have a feeling it won't last the week. Snacked on coconut.
Went to teach a class came home and had a very large green salad with cucumber and celery, steamed brocolli and artichoke hearts, olives and avocado. Apple for pud.
Snacked on fruit in the afternoon and made some hummous for dire emergencies (not allowed too many pulses).
Dinner was late. But we had salmon on a bed of asparagus, red onions, leeks, pak choi and Laura and I had half a pineapple for dessert.
Bed now. Really tired.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Ah well...
It was good while it lasted. My University days are over!
Yesterday was day one of a three day enrolment process at UoW. It was an opportunity to get to meet the lecturers and other students and get more information on the course ahead. I should say at this point that I had been trying to contact the University for several days before day 1 of enrolement as I had some questions about being a part-time student and how the timetable might look. I got no reply each time I tried.
Anyhoo, turned up yesterday. Gravitated towards one side of the room and met a very lovely lady who was a nurse who was on the part-time course too and had cut her honeymoon short to get to day 1 as the University had not told her when she needed to be there. Another lady turned up a bit later and sat next to me, she too was going part-time and had traveled up from Brighton. She had also tried to get information prior to day one and hadn't been successful (spot a pattern here?) All three of us we really keen, I mean dead keen, as in we NEEDED TO KNOW, what sort of timetable we were going to have to follow. We all had jobs that we were going to keep working at as we studied and wanted to see how we were able to fit in.
The day was quite stretched out really, I am sure we could have covered it all in 3 hours rather than the 7 that it took. And all along the 3 of us just wanted to make sure we could fit the part time study into our working commitments. At about 4 o'clock we had our chance and were allocated a lecturer who was going to show us how to break down the 3 year course into 5. Well, in theory I guess it's great, but if you're working it just isn't practical.
There were some modules on the course that had to be completed before you could do other sections, there were modules that meant 3 half day visits into London a week (not cheap or time efficient) and to break it down into more manageable chunks meant dragging the course out for 8 years. Now I was already balking at 5, but to go to 8! I was 40 this year, I'll be nearly 50 by the time I finish it. No thanks.
So, I left feeling pretty frustrated. If I'd have known in advance I wouldn't have applied. My two new friends seemed despondent too and whilst I thought nurse Gilly might have managed it, I got a text from her last night to say she too couldn't make it work with her working commitments. She is a very gently spoken lady and she made it sound all a little bit annoying, I however am not gently spoken and I was pissed off.
So what with that and the fact that time-keeping after the way too long breaks were too lax for my liking. If you say have a 20 minute break, its 20 minutes alright? Not 30. If you want us to look professional for the job we're about to undertake then I think you should too. And whilst these University staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, and I expect very knowledgeable (and this makes me sound bloody awful) they just didn't look like people who role-modeled what they taught. This is a personal thing. I wouldn't go to a hairdresser whose hair was a mess. I wouldn't ask someone to help develop my business if theirs was failing and just as I didn't 12 years ago, I wouldn't take weight management advice from a GP who was enormous.
So, I'm no longer a student. Not for this course anyway. Nurse Gilly and I decided to see what else we could find to study...that's my next job!
Yesterday was day one of a three day enrolment process at UoW. It was an opportunity to get to meet the lecturers and other students and get more information on the course ahead. I should say at this point that I had been trying to contact the University for several days before day 1 of enrolement as I had some questions about being a part-time student and how the timetable might look. I got no reply each time I tried.
Anyhoo, turned up yesterday. Gravitated towards one side of the room and met a very lovely lady who was a nurse who was on the part-time course too and had cut her honeymoon short to get to day 1 as the University had not told her when she needed to be there. Another lady turned up a bit later and sat next to me, she too was going part-time and had traveled up from Brighton. She had also tried to get information prior to day one and hadn't been successful (spot a pattern here?) All three of us we really keen, I mean dead keen, as in we NEEDED TO KNOW, what sort of timetable we were going to have to follow. We all had jobs that we were going to keep working at as we studied and wanted to see how we were able to fit in.
The day was quite stretched out really, I am sure we could have covered it all in 3 hours rather than the 7 that it took. And all along the 3 of us just wanted to make sure we could fit the part time study into our working commitments. At about 4 o'clock we had our chance and were allocated a lecturer who was going to show us how to break down the 3 year course into 5. Well, in theory I guess it's great, but if you're working it just isn't practical.
There were some modules on the course that had to be completed before you could do other sections, there were modules that meant 3 half day visits into London a week (not cheap or time efficient) and to break it down into more manageable chunks meant dragging the course out for 8 years. Now I was already balking at 5, but to go to 8! I was 40 this year, I'll be nearly 50 by the time I finish it. No thanks.
So, I left feeling pretty frustrated. If I'd have known in advance I wouldn't have applied. My two new friends seemed despondent too and whilst I thought nurse Gilly might have managed it, I got a text from her last night to say she too couldn't make it work with her working commitments. She is a very gently spoken lady and she made it sound all a little bit annoying, I however am not gently spoken and I was pissed off.
So what with that and the fact that time-keeping after the way too long breaks were too lax for my liking. If you say have a 20 minute break, its 20 minutes alright? Not 30. If you want us to look professional for the job we're about to undertake then I think you should too. And whilst these University staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, and I expect very knowledgeable (and this makes me sound bloody awful) they just didn't look like people who role-modeled what they taught. This is a personal thing. I wouldn't go to a hairdresser whose hair was a mess. I wouldn't ask someone to help develop my business if theirs was failing and just as I didn't 12 years ago, I wouldn't take weight management advice from a GP who was enormous.
So, I'm no longer a student. Not for this course anyway. Nurse Gilly and I decided to see what else we could find to study...that's my next job!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Five years and counting...
Well, I thought I would restart my blog on something other than what I've eaten. Not very interesting for most of you I'm sure.
I have for many years been interested in diet, nutrition, healthy eating. Call it what you will. Even before I got into fitness as a profession I had been considering doing a Diploma in Nutrition, but needed Science A levels and as I didn't have those it stopped there. Any possibility was thwarted even more as two babies appeared in pretty quick succession too!
As time has gone by, I have become more aware of food as a medicine for good health and disease prevention and also frustrated by the medical and pharmaceutical companies pushing medication for business sake. Whilst on holiday this year, having read two very interesting nutrition books, (no chick-lit for me!) my husband said the ominous words, "so what are you going to do with all this knowledge?". Hmm, I'd not thought of that, so on the spur of the moment decided to research Naturopathy courses.
The one that got my attention was a degree course being run by the University of Westminster. Yep, I still needed A' levels and yes I needed Science ones at that, but experience from working in the industry was considered. So I applied on August 29th, thinking it was quite late to apply for a September start.
Last week I got confirmation that I'd been accepted. Yippee! Now I had to decide if I could manage 5 years of part-time study alongside working long days and unsociable hours. Eek! I decided I could. I enrolled on-line last week and apart from paying the fees I'm on!
So enrolment is tomorrow at the University of Westminster (UoW from now on) so I'm off to see what I've let myself in for.
For someone who never had any interest in going to University when I was 18, I am now pretty damn excited about the whole prospect of learning something that I can really get my teeth into, on a subject that I am passionate about. My one concern is not knowing how the timetable will pan out as I would love it to fit into my topsy-turvey week. However all will be revealed tomorrow.
I am going to keep a post on my progress, tell you what I've learned and how it's going.
Now, the big question is...how many other 40 year olds are going to be signing up to University with me tomorrow?!
I have for many years been interested in diet, nutrition, healthy eating. Call it what you will. Even before I got into fitness as a profession I had been considering doing a Diploma in Nutrition, but needed Science A levels and as I didn't have those it stopped there. Any possibility was thwarted even more as two babies appeared in pretty quick succession too!
As time has gone by, I have become more aware of food as a medicine for good health and disease prevention and also frustrated by the medical and pharmaceutical companies pushing medication for business sake. Whilst on holiday this year, having read two very interesting nutrition books, (no chick-lit for me!) my husband said the ominous words, "so what are you going to do with all this knowledge?". Hmm, I'd not thought of that, so on the spur of the moment decided to research Naturopathy courses.
The one that got my attention was a degree course being run by the University of Westminster. Yep, I still needed A' levels and yes I needed Science ones at that, but experience from working in the industry was considered. So I applied on August 29th, thinking it was quite late to apply for a September start.
Last week I got confirmation that I'd been accepted. Yippee! Now I had to decide if I could manage 5 years of part-time study alongside working long days and unsociable hours. Eek! I decided I could. I enrolled on-line last week and apart from paying the fees I'm on!
So enrolment is tomorrow at the University of Westminster (UoW from now on) so I'm off to see what I've let myself in for.
For someone who never had any interest in going to University when I was 18, I am now pretty damn excited about the whole prospect of learning something that I can really get my teeth into, on a subject that I am passionate about. My one concern is not knowing how the timetable will pan out as I would love it to fit into my topsy-turvey week. However all will be revealed tomorrow.
I am going to keep a post on my progress, tell you what I've learned and how it's going.
Now, the big question is...how many other 40 year olds are going to be signing up to University with me tomorrow?!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
French Fancy Anyone?
So we've been and gone to France. It was lovely. The weather, the food, the company, the accommodation, it was all super. FastTrack is going European!
The problem with being in an environment like that is that you tend to forget how you normally live and quite frankly all previous diets and elimination regimes went out the window (apart from dairy, I really can't face that now). We ate very well over two full days of doing absolutely nothing! French bread by the baguette full, wine by the carafe full, it was all very decadent.! What was noticeable was how damn hungry both Vida and I were from a whole lot of inactivity. We'd have eaten a substantial lunch and then an hour later be whispering to each other "is it wrong to be hungry?"
Anyway, we're back on English turf now to start our summer Fit Camps and return to our regular classes and also return ourselves to a more clean way of eating. Vida is going vegan to sort her poisoned little body out, see her own blog to see why, and I am going caffeine free (again). I've not had a drop since a minute cup at Bordeaux airport on Thursday night. So far so good!
Despite a blip at a very good friends wedding yesterday when the cupcake wedding cake looked too good to miss, its business as usual on the eating front. Veggies, fruit and salads mainly. No wheat, dairy, sugar or alcohol. It makes for a good way to live for me, so am happy to carry on with it.
Camps start tomorrow morning, we've our largest number of campers at a 06:00 camp. I can't wait to meet them and see how we can transform them in 4 weeks!
The problem with being in an environment like that is that you tend to forget how you normally live and quite frankly all previous diets and elimination regimes went out the window (apart from dairy, I really can't face that now). We ate very well over two full days of doing absolutely nothing! French bread by the baguette full, wine by the carafe full, it was all very decadent.! What was noticeable was how damn hungry both Vida and I were from a whole lot of inactivity. We'd have eaten a substantial lunch and then an hour later be whispering to each other "is it wrong to be hungry?"
Anyway, we're back on English turf now to start our summer Fit Camps and return to our regular classes and also return ourselves to a more clean way of eating. Vida is going vegan to sort her poisoned little body out, see her own blog to see why, and I am going caffeine free (again). I've not had a drop since a minute cup at Bordeaux airport on Thursday night. So far so good!
Despite a blip at a very good friends wedding yesterday when the cupcake wedding cake looked too good to miss, its business as usual on the eating front. Veggies, fruit and salads mainly. No wheat, dairy, sugar or alcohol. It makes for a good way to live for me, so am happy to carry on with it.
Camps start tomorrow morning, we've our largest number of campers at a 06:00 camp. I can't wait to meet them and see how we can transform them in 4 weeks!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Perception
Had a funny old day today. Felt OK when I got up, just normal but have been told by three different people (all who see me fairly regularly) that I look (1) much better than last week (that was from my 85 year old client) (2) tired (that was from a good instructor friend) (c) really fantastic, your shape has changed, you've lost weight, your legs, your arms look so different... (that was from a class participant). I'm not really sure which one to go with, but I thought it amusing nonetheless that in the space of 4 hours I could be all three!
The press up challenge is coming along well'ish. The 5 sets are increasing in number at a fairly rapid rate and the last set which has a minimum number you need to attain but improve on it if you can, gets significantly higher each time. I was interrupted by a charity cold call at the door between the final two sets, so had a longer rest. But managed to eek out 38 press ups in my final set. Week 5 looks horrid, but I need to do an exhaustion test first to establish the next starting level. Want to know more? Go to http://hundredpushups.com/ for more info.
Sophie has decided to go vegan for the week. As a result the rest of us are eating the same for dinner, I don't have time to faff about with making 2 different meals. She's away next week, we can empty the freezer then!
Fit Camp bookings are taking off for August and Vida and I are getting ready to make our way to France next week to discuss the extremely exciting possibility of running the residential boot camps there. The possibilities appear to be huge, ranging from an outdoor pool to an indoor barn with punch bags and boxing ring, hot tub and jacuzzi, plus beautiful surroundings. Oh la la!
Off now, got a busy day tomorrow meeting with a beauty therapist who wants to do a reciprocal deal with Fit Camp in Swallowfield. Also going to follow up with a camper who is after boot camp style exercise for the ladies hockey team in Wokingham. Gonna be a good one!
The press up challenge is coming along well'ish. The 5 sets are increasing in number at a fairly rapid rate and the last set which has a minimum number you need to attain but improve on it if you can, gets significantly higher each time. I was interrupted by a charity cold call at the door between the final two sets, so had a longer rest. But managed to eek out 38 press ups in my final set. Week 5 looks horrid, but I need to do an exhaustion test first to establish the next starting level. Want to know more? Go to http://hundredpushups.com/ for more info.
Sophie has decided to go vegan for the week. As a result the rest of us are eating the same for dinner, I don't have time to faff about with making 2 different meals. She's away next week, we can empty the freezer then!
Fit Camp bookings are taking off for August and Vida and I are getting ready to make our way to France next week to discuss the extremely exciting possibility of running the residential boot camps there. The possibilities appear to be huge, ranging from an outdoor pool to an indoor barn with punch bags and boxing ring, hot tub and jacuzzi, plus beautiful surroundings. Oh la la!
Off now, got a busy day tomorrow meeting with a beauty therapist who wants to do a reciprocal deal with Fit Camp in Swallowfield. Also going to follow up with a camper who is after boot camp style exercise for the ladies hockey team in Wokingham. Gonna be a good one!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Motivated Monday
I woke up feeling pretty damn good today. Perhaps it was that I slept longer (no fit camps this week) or perhaps it was because Sunday had been so nice. I hadn't worked through it, or slogged through my chores at home, but chilled with good company at the barbeque. Either way, the day was bright and I felt gooood!
I've decided that my breakfast salads are too big! I love them so much but really no one needs that much food for breakfast, so I reduced my amount to: various leaves (lettuce, lambs lettuce, rocket, frisee, the red stuff - I can't spell it!) baby tomatoes, carrot, cucumber, yellow pepper, radish or 3. No avocado today they aren't ripe, so I had cashews and brazil nuts and mixed seeds, blueberries and strawberries and hemp oil. Hmmm, it still sounds a lot, but I can assure you that it was reduced by about a third!
Went and covered Balance and Pump for Auntie V and sweated my way through that, but managed both classes on my salad quite easily without any problems.
Lunch was on the run as I was inbetween places. I had a few handfuls of lettuce, cherry toms and and 3 rice cakes and hummous. It was salt and cracked black pepper flavour from Tesco. Not having that again, pretty boring really. 2 rice cakes and sugar free jam. Then off to Balance in Henley.
The afternoon saw Sophie and I traipse around Reading in the heat. I wouldn't have told you that apart from the fact that there were flying ants all over the place. There were loads of them, all through the town centre and as far out as Cemetry Junction, then nothing! In the town centre they were flying into the shops and scaring the shop girls, most humorous!
We did a vegan dinner tonight in honour of Vida who will soon be taking this path. Stuffed peppers and salad. Nuts and raisins for a dessert of sorts.
It's been a good day.
I've decided that my breakfast salads are too big! I love them so much but really no one needs that much food for breakfast, so I reduced my amount to: various leaves (lettuce, lambs lettuce, rocket, frisee, the red stuff - I can't spell it!) baby tomatoes, carrot, cucumber, yellow pepper, radish or 3. No avocado today they aren't ripe, so I had cashews and brazil nuts and mixed seeds, blueberries and strawberries and hemp oil. Hmmm, it still sounds a lot, but I can assure you that it was reduced by about a third!
Went and covered Balance and Pump for Auntie V and sweated my way through that, but managed both classes on my salad quite easily without any problems.
Lunch was on the run as I was inbetween places. I had a few handfuls of lettuce, cherry toms and and 3 rice cakes and hummous. It was salt and cracked black pepper flavour from Tesco. Not having that again, pretty boring really. 2 rice cakes and sugar free jam. Then off to Balance in Henley.
The afternoon saw Sophie and I traipse around Reading in the heat. I wouldn't have told you that apart from the fact that there were flying ants all over the place. There were loads of them, all through the town centre and as far out as Cemetry Junction, then nothing! In the town centre they were flying into the shops and scaring the shop girls, most humorous!
We did a vegan dinner tonight in honour of Vida who will soon be taking this path. Stuffed peppers and salad. Nuts and raisins for a dessert of sorts.
It's been a good day.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Time for an update
It's been an exciting and busy week. It was the last week of the current run of Fit Camp. The results have been coming in and they are tremendous. Harald has lost a stone a camp so far and is now 2 stone lighter than he was 9 weeks ago. Paul has lost 17lbs in 4 weeks...our best ever and inches have been melting off the girls too. More results as we get them. Even those campers who physical measurements have been small have made fantastic gains in their ability to complete sets of work with really good form, improved their stamina overall and proved to themselves that they can push themselves hard enough when they thought they'd need to give up.
On Thursday this week Phil Richards came to Wokingham/Bracknell to do 1-2-1 blood analysis consultations with some of our campers and also very kindly offered his services to present a health, well-being and nutritional seminar for us. It was extremely well attended with 60 people ready to hear how to improve their health. Some, I think, were probably a bit shocked by the information they heard that night, but he left the audience in no uncertain terms that there is another side to what we are led to believe is true with regards to vaccines, mercury fillings, skin care products, sun exposure, dairy consumption and cures for disease to name but a few.
He left Berkshire on Friday after doing more 1-2-1 bloods. The people who had the personal consultations all found it fascinating, enlightening and useful.
Sunday morning and it's time for Laura, Sophie and I to do the Race for Life in Reading. Laura has been signed off running by the osteopath so we were on the power walk option, but Sophie wanted to run all the way, and did! She completed the race in 34 minutes and was dead chuffed with her efforts. Laura crossed the line in 45 minutes which was cracking too. The atmosphere at these events is quite amazing. A sea of pink t-shirts, ra-ra skirts, grass skirts, cowboy hats all walking around the park. The messages written on their backs as to who they are walking for is very emotional and you could end up walking around crying your eyes out. On the back of one young teenager one simply read 'For Mummy - I miss you'.
Having been listening earlier in the week to Phil who was telling us about cancer and how to avoid and survive it, I found it doubly emotional because I wondered how many of these relatives could have been helped with some different information, some alternative nutritional views that may have prolonged their lives.
Later that afternoon Vida and I hosted our first campers BBQ. We had the most amazing afternoon in Swallowfield relaxing under the shade of the trees whilst campers ate, drank and chatted. There wasn't a burpee in sight or a press up to be executed. It was a really lovely afternoon.
I however, as though the Race for Life wasn't enough, came home and did the next stage of my 100 press up challenge. It's got scarily tough now...completing 105 press ups in 5 sets and my shoulders certainly felt it.
My business buddy goes on holiday now, so I'll be on Fit Camp week off on my own this week, but next week it all gets exciting again when we start our venture into FastTrack France...va va vrooom!
On Thursday this week Phil Richards came to Wokingham/Bracknell to do 1-2-1 blood analysis consultations with some of our campers and also very kindly offered his services to present a health, well-being and nutritional seminar for us. It was extremely well attended with 60 people ready to hear how to improve their health. Some, I think, were probably a bit shocked by the information they heard that night, but he left the audience in no uncertain terms that there is another side to what we are led to believe is true with regards to vaccines, mercury fillings, skin care products, sun exposure, dairy consumption and cures for disease to name but a few.
He left Berkshire on Friday after doing more 1-2-1 bloods. The people who had the personal consultations all found it fascinating, enlightening and useful.
Sunday morning and it's time for Laura, Sophie and I to do the Race for Life in Reading. Laura has been signed off running by the osteopath so we were on the power walk option, but Sophie wanted to run all the way, and did! She completed the race in 34 minutes and was dead chuffed with her efforts. Laura crossed the line in 45 minutes which was cracking too. The atmosphere at these events is quite amazing. A sea of pink t-shirts, ra-ra skirts, grass skirts, cowboy hats all walking around the park. The messages written on their backs as to who they are walking for is very emotional and you could end up walking around crying your eyes out. On the back of one young teenager one simply read 'For Mummy - I miss you'.
Having been listening earlier in the week to Phil who was telling us about cancer and how to avoid and survive it, I found it doubly emotional because I wondered how many of these relatives could have been helped with some different information, some alternative nutritional views that may have prolonged their lives.
Later that afternoon Vida and I hosted our first campers BBQ. We had the most amazing afternoon in Swallowfield relaxing under the shade of the trees whilst campers ate, drank and chatted. There wasn't a burpee in sight or a press up to be executed. It was a really lovely afternoon.
I however, as though the Race for Life wasn't enough, came home and did the next stage of my 100 press up challenge. It's got scarily tough now...completing 105 press ups in 5 sets and my shoulders certainly felt it.
My business buddy goes on holiday now, so I'll be on Fit Camp week off on my own this week, but next week it all gets exciting again when we start our venture into FastTrack France...va va vrooom!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Fit Camp results
Fit Camp is currently at the start of week 3 of our current session. We asked our campers to go away and record their measurements again so we could make sure they were on track for losing a clothes size in 4 weeks.
We've had some great results. Over in Bracknell we're hearing about Paul who has shifted 10.5lbs in 2 weeks. 5 inches for Sarah and 2 inches for Jo.
In Heathlands we've got a very exemplary camper who each week reports in for us, Claire has lost inches from all over and over 5lbs in weight.
At our Early Riser class Jo has just informed us she has lost 3.5 inches from chest, hips and tum so a whopping 10.5 inches in total. Happy? You bet she is. And Noel, who despite the sheer look of hate he gives us each morning, is losing inches and gaining strength rapidly.
However its not all about these visual results. Both Vida and I really notice at this stage in the month the huge improvements in fitness in our campers. People like the lovely Julia, who in week 1, could barely do 2 jump-jacks before stopping and going to a lower level now completes all 3 sets of 30 seconds with a smile on her face still (just!)
Suba, who performs the best push ups I've ever seen her do well into the session when she would normally have dropped to her knees.
Jo C whose sheer determination and competitiveness to keep on striving hard until the end of each round is inspiring.
Not forgetting our Winnersh ladies who work out extremely hard in the sun. Sukhi who can always find the humour in a situation no matter how many burpees she's done. And to Andrea who hates every minute of it, but loves us in a strange, warped way!
These great results are their own work, they come to sessions and work incredibly hard. They may not shift weight, but their shape changes. They may not lose inches, but their muscles tone up. They may not like the session at the time, but their technique and fitness is improving before our eyes. They love the results.
What a way to earn a living. ..we love it.
We've had some great results. Over in Bracknell we're hearing about Paul who has shifted 10.5lbs in 2 weeks. 5 inches for Sarah and 2 inches for Jo.
In Heathlands we've got a very exemplary camper who each week reports in for us, Claire has lost inches from all over and over 5lbs in weight.
At our Early Riser class Jo has just informed us she has lost 3.5 inches from chest, hips and tum so a whopping 10.5 inches in total. Happy? You bet she is. And Noel, who despite the sheer look of hate he gives us each morning, is losing inches and gaining strength rapidly.
However its not all about these visual results. Both Vida and I really notice at this stage in the month the huge improvements in fitness in our campers. People like the lovely Julia, who in week 1, could barely do 2 jump-jacks before stopping and going to a lower level now completes all 3 sets of 30 seconds with a smile on her face still (just!)
Suba, who performs the best push ups I've ever seen her do well into the session when she would normally have dropped to her knees.
Jo C whose sheer determination and competitiveness to keep on striving hard until the end of each round is inspiring.
Not forgetting our Winnersh ladies who work out extremely hard in the sun. Sukhi who can always find the humour in a situation no matter how many burpees she's done. And to Andrea who hates every minute of it, but loves us in a strange, warped way!
These great results are their own work, they come to sessions and work incredibly hard. They may not shift weight, but their shape changes. They may not lose inches, but their muscles tone up. They may not like the session at the time, but their technique and fitness is improving before our eyes. They love the results.
What a way to earn a living. ..we love it.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Fit Camps, food and France
So, we're into week 3 of our current Fit Camp session. It's been our biggest turn out by far and we are getting some great results.
Karen and her tribe in Bracknell are losing inches and pounds by the day almost and seem to be highly motivated.
Our camps in Wokingham, Swallowfield and Winnersh have really worked hard too and it is great to see some lovely results for people.
Each week though we do find ourselves having to talk to our campers about why weight isn't the issue. Why body fat percentages and how the clothes fit and bodies look are much more important.
Weighing yourself can be a mug's game. You can work like stink in the gym, at camp, on the track, on the bike, in a class and expect to lose pounds. It is depressing when nothing changes. But by using clothes, photos and feedback all provide a much clearer picture as to where the efforts are being realised.
Dale has now lost about 8/9 lbs in weight. Not a great deal really, but his clothes are now hanging off him. His belt is on the last notch, he shirts are too baggy and most weekends he finds himself able to wear clothes which haven't fitted him for years. His weight is much the same, but his shape is completely different.
Food is key to weight loss. Doh! I hear you say. But excellent food. Not crap food. Excellent nutrition not 'good enough' nutrition will determine whether you lose body fat fast or slow. You can eat a lot of excellent food choices. You can fill your plate high. But drink one lucozade sport after half an hour on the treadmill and you will be compromising your long term health and short term weight loss results.
Finally, it's all got a bit exciting at Fit Camp towers. It looks like we are going European! We have the opportunity to run a week long residential course in France for people wanting a fitness holiday. Vida and I are off to take a little look later this month. How cool is that Del boy?
Karen and her tribe in Bracknell are losing inches and pounds by the day almost and seem to be highly motivated.
Our camps in Wokingham, Swallowfield and Winnersh have really worked hard too and it is great to see some lovely results for people.
Each week though we do find ourselves having to talk to our campers about why weight isn't the issue. Why body fat percentages and how the clothes fit and bodies look are much more important.
Weighing yourself can be a mug's game. You can work like stink in the gym, at camp, on the track, on the bike, in a class and expect to lose pounds. It is depressing when nothing changes. But by using clothes, photos and feedback all provide a much clearer picture as to where the efforts are being realised.
Dale has now lost about 8/9 lbs in weight. Not a great deal really, but his clothes are now hanging off him. His belt is on the last notch, he shirts are too baggy and most weekends he finds himself able to wear clothes which haven't fitted him for years. His weight is much the same, but his shape is completely different.
Food is key to weight loss. Doh! I hear you say. But excellent food. Not crap food. Excellent nutrition not 'good enough' nutrition will determine whether you lose body fat fast or slow. You can eat a lot of excellent food choices. You can fill your plate high. But drink one lucozade sport after half an hour on the treadmill and you will be compromising your long term health and short term weight loss results.
Finally, it's all got a bit exciting at Fit Camp towers. It looks like we are going European! We have the opportunity to run a week long residential course in France for people wanting a fitness holiday. Vida and I are off to take a little look later this month. How cool is that Del boy?
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Emotional Health vs Physical Health
When I was in Swansea a couple of weeks ago for the Phil Richards Nutrition for Health course, the very first thing he said to us was that you can eat as healthily as you like, but if your emotional state is fragile or out of balance then you simply won't get the full benefits of your efforts. The body is hampered by the stress and cannot gain its full potential whether its strength, stamina, speed or just fat loss.
He said that 'emotions are the foundation of disease' and that people who are constantly sad, angry, cynical or hostile are double the risk of disease than those who have a more balanced life. In fact did you know that cancer cells can't exist without stress?
This was not news to me as I have seen clients and colleagues with a poor or negative approach to life suffer more than others.
I however am particularly bad at applying it to myself. I can counsel and suggest all manner of wonderful ideas to clients struggling with a tricky situation or managing an overloaded schedule. However when it comes to putting what I preach into practice I forget my own wisdom.
This came as a bit of shock to me though this week. I have for several weeks now been eating a much improved diet. I was already eating healthily by most people's standards, but have been implementing Phil's guidelines for sometime now. It involves a lot of leaves. Rocket, iceberg lettuce, Cos, spinach, watercress. You name a green leaf and I've been buying it. I have cut right back on my animal protein consumption. Hardly any meat, some fish, no dairy and am eating lots of avocado, nuts, seeds, pulses, healthy oils, fruits and raw natural foods. All good stuff and I really do rather enjoy it. I am not under eating, dieting or being faddy. I am just eating as naturally as I can, drinking lots of water and eliminating toxins.
I was feeling constantly tired though. This was making me miserable and I started to question why all the effort of eating natural ( I do like leaves, but Sainsbury's only have so many varieties!) was not making the jot of difference to my energy levels.
And before you all say. 'well you silly moo, what do you expect eating like a rabbit?'. There's no need to be rude! :-) But Phil knows his stuff. He has trained professional sports teams and men to their ultimate best and has done it primarily by changing their diet and their emotional health before making them brutally brilliant in their field.
It dawned on me as I was rushing from one job to the next, to one missed phone call to the next, to one late email to the next that I have been overwhelmed with 'jobs to do'. None of the 'jobs to do' were getting done particularly well and that was making me even more frustrated as I like to complete each job as well as I can.
This isn't a cry for help. It's a warning to all of you. We aren't superhuman. We need to take a rest, to have some fun and occasionally, to just do nothing. And you know what? You might not expect me to say this, but sometimes exercise isn't always the best answer. Exercise is a stressor, it will aggravate an already highly stressed system. We need to calm the system, do something like getting outside, take a walk or a gentle jog, have a massage, read a book, do something which promotes feeling good not feeling guilty or angry.
One of Phil's quotes that day was from a very highly regarded coach he mentored with called Charlie Francis. He said 'don't train if you can't gain'. Some sound advice to all sports people, amateur sportsmen, hobby exercisers and people wanting to shift the pounds.
Calm the brain and the physical health will follow.
That's my next 'job to do'.
He said that 'emotions are the foundation of disease' and that people who are constantly sad, angry, cynical or hostile are double the risk of disease than those who have a more balanced life. In fact did you know that cancer cells can't exist without stress?
This was not news to me as I have seen clients and colleagues with a poor or negative approach to life suffer more than others.
I however am particularly bad at applying it to myself. I can counsel and suggest all manner of wonderful ideas to clients struggling with a tricky situation or managing an overloaded schedule. However when it comes to putting what I preach into practice I forget my own wisdom.
This came as a bit of shock to me though this week. I have for several weeks now been eating a much improved diet. I was already eating healthily by most people's standards, but have been implementing Phil's guidelines for sometime now. It involves a lot of leaves. Rocket, iceberg lettuce, Cos, spinach, watercress. You name a green leaf and I've been buying it. I have cut right back on my animal protein consumption. Hardly any meat, some fish, no dairy and am eating lots of avocado, nuts, seeds, pulses, healthy oils, fruits and raw natural foods. All good stuff and I really do rather enjoy it. I am not under eating, dieting or being faddy. I am just eating as naturally as I can, drinking lots of water and eliminating toxins.
I was feeling constantly tired though. This was making me miserable and I started to question why all the effort of eating natural ( I do like leaves, but Sainsbury's only have so many varieties!) was not making the jot of difference to my energy levels.
And before you all say. 'well you silly moo, what do you expect eating like a rabbit?'. There's no need to be rude! :-) But Phil knows his stuff. He has trained professional sports teams and men to their ultimate best and has done it primarily by changing their diet and their emotional health before making them brutally brilliant in their field.
It dawned on me as I was rushing from one job to the next, to one missed phone call to the next, to one late email to the next that I have been overwhelmed with 'jobs to do'. None of the 'jobs to do' were getting done particularly well and that was making me even more frustrated as I like to complete each job as well as I can.
This isn't a cry for help. It's a warning to all of you. We aren't superhuman. We need to take a rest, to have some fun and occasionally, to just do nothing. And you know what? You might not expect me to say this, but sometimes exercise isn't always the best answer. Exercise is a stressor, it will aggravate an already highly stressed system. We need to calm the system, do something like getting outside, take a walk or a gentle jog, have a massage, read a book, do something which promotes feeling good not feeling guilty or angry.
One of Phil's quotes that day was from a very highly regarded coach he mentored with called Charlie Francis. He said 'don't train if you can't gain'. Some sound advice to all sports people, amateur sportsmen, hobby exercisers and people wanting to shift the pounds.
Calm the brain and the physical health will follow.
That's my next 'job to do'.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Week 1 post Swansea update
Well I seem to have survived rather well. It's been a strange week training wise as I've had classes covered and not done my normal level of workouts but felt pretty good and alert all week.
I have become a bit addicted to my breakfast salad. I've discovered that adding prunes to avocado salad is lovely and is strawberries or blueberries. Drizzled with oil , it sets me up for the whole morning.
In fact Dale and I were only saying yesterday how food is no longer important any more. I used to love to bake cakes and biscuits at the weekend and, whilst I am sure the odd occasion will arise when I will again, they are no longer a staple of our diet. My appetite is definitely under control now and I don't long for foods to stick to my ribs and make me feel full.
I ordered two books last week following the course. Both of these are on dairy products and why we shouldn't eat them. The first one arrived today 'Don't Drink Your Milk' by Frank A. Oski. That's my first read then. We haven't had dairy for a while now, but as keen to get more background information so clients and campers can benefit too.
My last Pump and Balance at Nuffield tonight, off to learn a farewell release.
I have become a bit addicted to my breakfast salad. I've discovered that adding prunes to avocado salad is lovely and is strawberries or blueberries. Drizzled with oil , it sets me up for the whole morning.
In fact Dale and I were only saying yesterday how food is no longer important any more. I used to love to bake cakes and biscuits at the weekend and, whilst I am sure the odd occasion will arise when I will again, they are no longer a staple of our diet. My appetite is definitely under control now and I don't long for foods to stick to my ribs and make me feel full.
I ordered two books last week following the course. Both of these are on dairy products and why we shouldn't eat them. The first one arrived today 'Don't Drink Your Milk' by Frank A. Oski. That's my first read then. We haven't had dairy for a while now, but as keen to get more background information so clients and campers can benefit too.
My last Pump and Balance at Nuffield tonight, off to learn a farewell release.
Friday, June 11, 2010
End of week 1 post Swansea
Here I am at the end of week 1 post Phil Richards course and at the end of week 4 for Fit Camp's may sessions. We've had some great results with our campers really pleased with what they have achieved in 4 weeks.
Lesley who lost 3 1/2 inches from her chest, Sarah who lost 6 inches all over (not height either!), Tom (who was not at all overweight) lost 7lbs and gained such upper body and core strength in such a relatively short space of time. Fab! I love it. I love hearing their results, I love it when they're so pleased with what they have achieved. It really makes my job so worthwhile.
I've dropped animal protein to one meal a day now, have aimed for 2 raw meals a day but not always maintained that as time and supplies have interferred with my plans. I've been taking my supplements (mainly), massaging magnesium oil in (usually) and feeding apricot kernels to my family daily.
Dale has looked into getting his silver fillings replaced and everyone has upped their vitamin C.
Gotta get this house in order before I go large on the public!
Lesley who lost 3 1/2 inches from her chest, Sarah who lost 6 inches all over (not height either!), Tom (who was not at all overweight) lost 7lbs and gained such upper body and core strength in such a relatively short space of time. Fab! I love it. I love hearing their results, I love it when they're so pleased with what they have achieved. It really makes my job so worthwhile.
I've dropped animal protein to one meal a day now, have aimed for 2 raw meals a day but not always maintained that as time and supplies have interferred with my plans. I've been taking my supplements (mainly), massaging magnesium oil in (usually) and feeding apricot kernels to my family daily.
Dale has looked into getting his silver fillings replaced and everyone has upped their vitamin C.
Gotta get this house in order before I go large on the public!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Tuesday ponderings post Swansea
So, I've been putting my own alkalising into practice since the weekend and do feel better for doing so. I don't feel hungry despite what most people would classify as rabbit food as being my main food stuffs, I feel less heavy around the belly and less tired during the day.
I have been deciding how best to implement what I learned and collate it into some useful information for campers and clients. There was a lot of information and I don't want to overwhelm people with science.
I have ordered a couple of books to get me started on the evils of milk and dairy foods and am also going to start reading up about the beauty of vitamin C which is quite simply necessary for us to function. Did you know we are one of the few mammals that don't produce it naturally? This means we simply must consume it otherwise we will quite quickly get deficient and the body will start to decline.
So, I am vitamin-c'd up at the mo, I've been taking mixed ascorbates, salads and fruit. No chance of scurvy or atherosclerosis or colds here... :-)
Right, off to read through my notes again!
I have been deciding how best to implement what I learned and collate it into some useful information for campers and clients. There was a lot of information and I don't want to overwhelm people with science.
I have ordered a couple of books to get me started on the evils of milk and dairy foods and am also going to start reading up about the beauty of vitamin C which is quite simply necessary for us to function. Did you know we are one of the few mammals that don't produce it naturally? This means we simply must consume it otherwise we will quite quickly get deficient and the body will start to decline.
So, I am vitamin-c'd up at the mo, I've been taking mixed ascorbates, salads and fruit. No chance of scurvy or atherosclerosis or colds here... :-)
Right, off to read through my notes again!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Swansea - Part II
So, despite the course making me think I had to cure the world and realising I couldn't I did have a great time!
I wondered how much money had been spent over those three days on fruit and veg to feed the 20 of us. Everyone was popping strawberry punnets, blueberry packets and prepared fruit salads along with bags of lettuce, nuts and hummus by the barrel load!
Kevin was often found gnawing on a courgette or leek in the breaks! Sainsburys and Tesco in Swansea will have full shelves today!
And so what with Phil's one liners, the huge array of information he gave us, videos to refer to and books to read it was a fantastic weekend. I had wondered originally how he could fill three days, now I'm wondering how he managed to condense it into such a short space of time!
Food today:
Alkalising salts on waking
- Fit Camp
Ascorbics in pint of water
Avocado salad with cashews, seeds and hemp oil
Hot lemon water
- Fit Camp
2 carrots and hummus and spelt crackers (2)
1 litre water and salts
-Admin
2 more carrots and hummus and a bag of lambs lettuce on the way to Balance
1 liter water and salts
- Balance
Home now for lunch (part 2)....
Good 'ere init?!!
I wondered how much money had been spent over those three days on fruit and veg to feed the 20 of us. Everyone was popping strawberry punnets, blueberry packets and prepared fruit salads along with bags of lettuce, nuts and hummus by the barrel load!
Kevin was often found gnawing on a courgette or leek in the breaks! Sainsburys and Tesco in Swansea will have full shelves today!
And so what with Phil's one liners, the huge array of information he gave us, videos to refer to and books to read it was a fantastic weekend. I had wondered originally how he could fill three days, now I'm wondering how he managed to condense it into such a short space of time!
Food today:
Alkalising salts on waking
- Fit Camp
Ascorbics in pint of water
Avocado salad with cashews, seeds and hemp oil
Hot lemon water
- Fit Camp
2 carrots and hummus and spelt crackers (2)
1 litre water and salts
-Admin
2 more carrots and hummus and a bag of lambs lettuce on the way to Balance
1 liter water and salts
- Balance
Home now for lunch (part 2)....
Good 'ere init?!!
Weekend Review - Swansea Nutrition Course
I had been waiting a long time for a course like this. A course which is run by someone who has tried and tested what he talks about. A course which is controversial in most of its claims, knows it and doesn't care and a course which gave me the information that I knew I could use with family, clients and friends to help them get and feel healthy or help them prevent or recover from disease.
Phil Richards has trained Olympians, World Champions and National Sporting stars. He knows his stuff. He has made mistakes along the way, he told us so often enough, but realises that especially with nutrition it is a constant journey finding the best ways to tweak the diet for optimum health and performance.
Day one was depressing. He showed us how we are very slowly poisoning ourselves, with how we eat, the water we drink, vaccinate, fill teeth and prescribe medications and how this is aiding the huge increase in life threatening diseases. He also said that for every nay-sayer there will be two, three or four counter arguments and we need to take responsibility for finding out ourselves about our health.
On a lighter note this is the man of wonderful one liners! I started to write them down as they just come out of nowhere! (You have to say this in a Welsh accent)
"We're not meant to be meat eaters, we've got gay little teeth that couldn't bite the arse of an elephant"
Day two was supposed to be uplifting and positive, but at times I felt even more duped by the media, the medical profession and the corporates for selling us a lie. Now I know what some of you are thinking...'ah she'd been brain washed, she's an easy target for this fluffy -hippy nonsense', well you know what? I am not going to divulge one ounce of what I've learned yet before I make my own research subject by subject so I can make my own decision and then clearly and happily use it in conversation. But enough of a seed has been sown that I will go and search it out for myself.
"I'd never make a power lifter a vegan, he'd have the strength of a pregnant goldfish"
Day three was still a bit of a downer, but I did however meet the most incredible lady. She was on our course, she was there for her own knowledge rather than being in the fitness profession. I am not sure of the exact timings but 18 months ago she was 5 stone heavier and diagnosed with cancer. She was told she wasn't going to make it and that she should tell her kids and prepare for her death. She wasn't prepared to put up with this and started to research how to get better naturally. So she took action. She researched natural cures, persisited in doing the very best she could for herself and believed she would succeed. So, as a result she lost all the excess weight, if she was a size 10 now I'd be surprised. She looks glowing and full of health, in better health than the rest of us from the fitness industry who were at the course and when she had her bloods checked by Phil on Sunday (4 weeks since the last test) showed the best blood results he had ever seen in anyone. The change was remarkable. This lady is a living, walking testament to what you can do to preserve yourself through good, positive thoughts, clean eating and drinking and natural supplementation. I'm so glad I met her.
"the RDA for Vitamin C is so low it's not enough to give a hamster a hard on"
I had a wonderful weekend. The news was grim at times, however we were left in no uncertain terms that what we'd been taught was controversial, but that the news was good. That we would be opening ourselves up to some derogatory comments from some, but find new relationships with others who felt the same way. And that if we applied the principles to us first. Felt the beenfits, saw the difference and did the research then those who want to listen will appear.
I'm off now to Google and Amazon and You Tube.....
Phil Richards has trained Olympians, World Champions and National Sporting stars. He knows his stuff. He has made mistakes along the way, he told us so often enough, but realises that especially with nutrition it is a constant journey finding the best ways to tweak the diet for optimum health and performance.
Day one was depressing. He showed us how we are very slowly poisoning ourselves, with how we eat, the water we drink, vaccinate, fill teeth and prescribe medications and how this is aiding the huge increase in life threatening diseases. He also said that for every nay-sayer there will be two, three or four counter arguments and we need to take responsibility for finding out ourselves about our health.
On a lighter note this is the man of wonderful one liners! I started to write them down as they just come out of nowhere! (You have to say this in a Welsh accent)
"We're not meant to be meat eaters, we've got gay little teeth that couldn't bite the arse of an elephant"
Day two was supposed to be uplifting and positive, but at times I felt even more duped by the media, the medical profession and the corporates for selling us a lie. Now I know what some of you are thinking...'ah she'd been brain washed, she's an easy target for this fluffy -hippy nonsense', well you know what? I am not going to divulge one ounce of what I've learned yet before I make my own research subject by subject so I can make my own decision and then clearly and happily use it in conversation. But enough of a seed has been sown that I will go and search it out for myself.
"I'd never make a power lifter a vegan, he'd have the strength of a pregnant goldfish"
Day three was still a bit of a downer, but I did however meet the most incredible lady. She was on our course, she was there for her own knowledge rather than being in the fitness profession. I am not sure of the exact timings but 18 months ago she was 5 stone heavier and diagnosed with cancer. She was told she wasn't going to make it and that she should tell her kids and prepare for her death. She wasn't prepared to put up with this and started to research how to get better naturally. So she took action. She researched natural cures, persisited in doing the very best she could for herself and believed she would succeed. So, as a result she lost all the excess weight, if she was a size 10 now I'd be surprised. She looks glowing and full of health, in better health than the rest of us from the fitness industry who were at the course and when she had her bloods checked by Phil on Sunday (4 weeks since the last test) showed the best blood results he had ever seen in anyone. The change was remarkable. This lady is a living, walking testament to what you can do to preserve yourself through good, positive thoughts, clean eating and drinking and natural supplementation. I'm so glad I met her.
"the RDA for Vitamin C is so low it's not enough to give a hamster a hard on"
I had a wonderful weekend. The news was grim at times, however we were left in no uncertain terms that what we'd been taught was controversial, but that the news was good. That we would be opening ourselves up to some derogatory comments from some, but find new relationships with others who felt the same way. And that if we applied the principles to us first. Felt the beenfits, saw the difference and did the research then those who want to listen will appear.
I'm off now to Google and Amazon and You Tube.....
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Back on the wagon...
Well I've had a food holiday and whilst it was great at the time I feel it now. I've had the great excuse of my birthday and then just 2 weeks later, my husband's birthday and I like baking and we had to have a cake! However the consequences of such laziness are being felt.
I have found that my stomach is now heavy and bloated. I am out of breath during my classes where before I was fit and coping easily, I am tired again. You know what? It's worth putting the effort into eating well.
I had avocado and goats cheese salad for breakfast today, I did have a coffee, but I am cutting right down on that again too. Not too much and not every day. I am going to be increasing my water intake again, I've been sluggish and tired. I'm going to eat way more veg and salads and cut back on my (lovely) spelt bread.
I'll keep you posted. I've got Phil Richards nutrition course this weekend, that will reignite me!
I have found that my stomach is now heavy and bloated. I am out of breath during my classes where before I was fit and coping easily, I am tired again. You know what? It's worth putting the effort into eating well.
I had avocado and goats cheese salad for breakfast today, I did have a coffee, but I am cutting right down on that again too. Not too much and not every day. I am going to be increasing my water intake again, I've been sluggish and tired. I'm going to eat way more veg and salads and cut back on my (lovely) spelt bread.
I'll keep you posted. I've got Phil Richards nutrition course this weekend, that will reignite me!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Birthday Week!
Well, as the title suggests I've managed to make my birthday last all week (and it aint over yet!).
Not done anything at all proper this week. Been drinking coffee, eating cheese, chocolate, almond croissants (why are they so damn nice?) apple cream doughnuts (but Vida bought that it was NOTHING to do with me), Chinese takeaway, birthday cake and wine...a lot of wine. Ah well you are only 40 once. However I won't get to 41 at this rate!
Party tomorrow night, finish off the bad foods on Sunday, back on track for 2 whole weeks from Monday so I can go to Phil Richards nutrition course with a clean conscience.
In terms of how I feel eating off track --- crap. Mouth has a bad taste in it, more tired (and that isn't just the Early Risers Camp taking its toll), sluggish and heavy eyes. I definitely felt better getting rid of that stuff from my diet, but by gawd its addictive once you get back on it!
Had a lovely week birthday wise, the sun even came out. Made me realise I'd like more time off though, am working on that!
Not done anything at all proper this week. Been drinking coffee, eating cheese, chocolate, almond croissants (why are they so damn nice?) apple cream doughnuts (but Vida bought that it was NOTHING to do with me), Chinese takeaway, birthday cake and wine...a lot of wine. Ah well you are only 40 once. However I won't get to 41 at this rate!
Party tomorrow night, finish off the bad foods on Sunday, back on track for 2 whole weeks from Monday so I can go to Phil Richards nutrition course with a clean conscience.
In terms of how I feel eating off track --- crap. Mouth has a bad taste in it, more tired (and that isn't just the Early Risers Camp taking its toll), sluggish and heavy eyes. I definitely felt better getting rid of that stuff from my diet, but by gawd its addictive once you get back on it!
Had a lovely week birthday wise, the sun even came out. Made me realise I'd like more time off though, am working on that!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Tuesday, Wednesday update
It's very interesting this...I've found this transition much harder to make than the original Elimination Diet. Tuesday I woke up and thought 'I can't face another salad, or vegetable'. Whilst I didn't go completely off the rails on Tuesday I did eat a LOT of dried fruit...bad news if you then drink a load of water. It just swells inside you! A lot of rice cakes too and the odd coffee. I did quite a few classes on Tuesday and had a late night with a massage client so didn't get home until 10.30pm. It was a weird day and thinking about food was a step too far.
Woke up Wednesday and felt ready to tackle the avocado salad for breakfast again. Had a good day all around. Did all my water and supplements and ate off the sheet pretty well. Whilst I had cold roast chicken with my salad for dinner its been a pretty vegetarian diet this one and it will be interesting to see how my body fat, weight and measurements have been affected by if after two weeks. Will have a weights and measures session on Sunday.
Vida and I offered to the Fit Camp ether the possibility of running an Early Risers Camp every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 0615-0700. We were really amazed at how many were really keen to join in, as a result the new camp starts next week. Well done you! Get up, get busy, burn fat all day. Job done! Can't wait to see what results they turn out.
Woke up Wednesday and felt ready to tackle the avocado salad for breakfast again. Had a good day all around. Did all my water and supplements and ate off the sheet pretty well. Whilst I had cold roast chicken with my salad for dinner its been a pretty vegetarian diet this one and it will be interesting to see how my body fat, weight and measurements have been affected by if after two weeks. Will have a weights and measures session on Sunday.
Vida and I offered to the Fit Camp ether the possibility of running an Early Risers Camp every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 0615-0700. We were really amazed at how many were really keen to join in, as a result the new camp starts next week. Well done you! Get up, get busy, burn fat all day. Job done! Can't wait to see what results they turn out.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Manic Monday
Right then, it would appear I am in a growth spurt. I haven't stopped eating! That's what mums say isn't it when their kids are hungry all the time?
Breakfast - avocado salad.
Went to teach Balance and Pump came home and had veggie curry on coconut rice and raw spinach.
Went to teach Balance.
Came home and just grazed all afternoon, apple,cashews (lots of cashews) nut butter on rice cakes, olives, it went on and on....
Went to teach Pump and Balance and got in at 21.30.
Dinner was veggie curry on rice and spinach again (it was late, I was tired)
Yoghurt, raspberries and nut butter. Then more nuts, I went nut mad yesterday.
Chatted on line with Vida, went to bed tired and crabby.
Breakfast - avocado salad.
Went to teach Balance and Pump came home and had veggie curry on coconut rice and raw spinach.
Went to teach Balance.
Came home and just grazed all afternoon, apple,cashews (lots of cashews) nut butter on rice cakes, olives, it went on and on....
Went to teach Pump and Balance and got in at 21.30.
Dinner was veggie curry on rice and spinach again (it was late, I was tired)
Yoghurt, raspberries and nut butter. Then more nuts, I went nut mad yesterday.
Chatted on line with Vida, went to bed tired and crabby.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Snacky Sunday
It would appear that being at home all day isn't very good for me. I just seem to eat all the time...
Breakfast: Feta salad and hemp oil.
Snack: Whole bag of dried mango, pineapple and coconut with added cashews.
Lunch: Olives, stir fry veg with quinoa.
Snack: coffee (allowed in moderation) more olives, handful of cashews.
Dinner: veggie and chickpea curry, coconut rice. Greek yoghurt, seeds and raspberries.
And in addition throughout the day 3 litres of water with bits dropped, poured or sprinkled in, all as per the protocol from Phil.
Been an admin day today, trying to catch my tail on Fit Camp bits, domestic chores and a to do list that still has more things uncrossed than crossed.
OOH! and for those of you who may have been following for a while, you will be relieved to hear that I passed my course that I was cramming for a few weeks ago. The project was marked and although I don't have the mark yet I do know I don't need to resubmit. That really is such a relief!
Staying on the wagon tomorrow. It will be a good test as I have 5 classes tomorrow, lets see how my strength holds up on all these leaves!
Breakfast: Feta salad and hemp oil.
Snack: Whole bag of dried mango, pineapple and coconut with added cashews.
Lunch: Olives, stir fry veg with quinoa.
Snack: coffee (allowed in moderation) more olives, handful of cashews.
Dinner: veggie and chickpea curry, coconut rice. Greek yoghurt, seeds and raspberries.
And in addition throughout the day 3 litres of water with bits dropped, poured or sprinkled in, all as per the protocol from Phil.
Been an admin day today, trying to catch my tail on Fit Camp bits, domestic chores and a to do list that still has more things uncrossed than crossed.
OOH! and for those of you who may have been following for a while, you will be relieved to hear that I passed my course that I was cramming for a few weeks ago. The project was marked and although I don't have the mark yet I do know I don't need to resubmit. That really is such a relief!
Staying on the wagon tomorrow. It will be a good test as I have 5 classes tomorrow, lets see how my strength holds up on all these leaves!
Friday / Saturday catch up
It's been a shaky start to Phil Richards plan. Perhaps it is because I went straight from the Elimination diet to this one, or perhaps because the change is quite dramatic compared to before. Anyhoo, Friday was pretty much a good Phil Richards day.
Avocado salad, soup and unyeasted spelt bread for lunch, goats cheese and spinach omelette and salad for dinner.
Woke up Saturday morning and had to have toast. It was lovely. Spelt bread toast, goats butter and sugar free marmalade, two coffees (going straight back to old habits there!)
Went and taught Pump, came home and had another coffee and then after running Laura to work went to teach Balance.
I think we can safely say it all went downhill from there! The rest of the day became a day off. Culminating in 2 glasses of red wine and a banoffee muffin Dale bought home from his day out!
I have three weeks before I go on Phil's course, so back on the wagon properly tomorrow to see how his regime changes me!
Avocado salad, soup and unyeasted spelt bread for lunch, goats cheese and spinach omelette and salad for dinner.
Woke up Saturday morning and had to have toast. It was lovely. Spelt bread toast, goats butter and sugar free marmalade, two coffees (going straight back to old habits there!)
Went and taught Pump, came home and had another coffee and then after running Laura to work went to teach Balance.
I think we can safely say it all went downhill from there! The rest of the day became a day off. Culminating in 2 glasses of red wine and a banoffee muffin Dale bought home from his day out!
I have three weeks before I go on Phil's course, so back on the wagon properly tomorrow to see how his regime changes me!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Feeling good - Thursday
Am all bouyed up and keen to get on with the actions from the Social Media course from yesterday, but before I can do that I have the small matter of earning a living.
Get up at 5.50 for early Pump class. Decide to change how I manage some of the water I need to drink on this new regime. Have the first water of the day with alkalising salts and then take next pint of water with me (with extra bits) to Pump.
Come home and have avocado salad for breakfast. Feel happier with that.
Do some admin then off to teach Vive for 11.30. Go and visit my friend Angela on the way home and ignore the plain chocolate digestives she plops in front of me!
Lunch -- ohh can't remember, think it involved rice cakes.
Massage late afternoon and then dinner was homemade burgers, spicy chickpeas in tomato sauce and salad. Its not completely on the prescribed plan, but I need to take it easy as I was a bit weak and feeble today after yesterdays lack of food.
Yoghurt and raisins later in evening.
Felt better today, just weak in Pump.
Watched Election stuff, got depressed with it all and went to bed!
Get up at 5.50 for early Pump class. Decide to change how I manage some of the water I need to drink on this new regime. Have the first water of the day with alkalising salts and then take next pint of water with me (with extra bits) to Pump.
Come home and have avocado salad for breakfast. Feel happier with that.
Do some admin then off to teach Vive for 11.30. Go and visit my friend Angela on the way home and ignore the plain chocolate digestives she plops in front of me!
Lunch -- ohh can't remember, think it involved rice cakes.
Massage late afternoon and then dinner was homemade burgers, spicy chickpeas in tomato sauce and salad. Its not completely on the prescribed plan, but I need to take it easy as I was a bit weak and feeble today after yesterdays lack of food.
Yoghurt and raisins later in evening.
Felt better today, just weak in Pump.
Watched Election stuff, got depressed with it all and went to bed!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Weak and wobbly Wednesday
Hmm, not good at all yesterday. Partly because part of the regime is quite a lot of water first thing in the morning before breakfast and I felt very sloshy whilst I was making my breakfast and also the thought of having to drink litres of salty water again made me feel queasy.
Had carrot and coconut soup for breakfast.
Was on a great course all day at Heathrow. All about Social Media Marketing and how to get a piece of the Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn action. However I was lacking in enough food and felt quite rough through the morning. Lunch was provided, it was sarnies and fruit and so I ate a whole bunch of fruit, which was better than nothing but not enough. By about 3 I was eating myself from the inside so had a coffee and a flapjack. I don't care...it was enough to get me through the rest of the course and the drive home.
Had grilled lamb steak and roasted veg for dinner. Went to do a massage.
Came home went out for our second Race For Life Run and then needed to eat again so had yoghurt and raisins and coconut.
Bed at 11, but buzzing with all the info from the day.
Had carrot and coconut soup for breakfast.
Was on a great course all day at Heathrow. All about Social Media Marketing and how to get a piece of the Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn action. However I was lacking in enough food and felt quite rough through the morning. Lunch was provided, it was sarnies and fruit and so I ate a whole bunch of fruit, which was better than nothing but not enough. By about 3 I was eating myself from the inside so had a coffee and a flapjack. I don't care...it was enough to get me through the rest of the course and the drive home.
Had grilled lamb steak and roasted veg for dinner. Went to do a massage.
Came home went out for our second Race For Life Run and then needed to eat again so had yoghurt and raisins and coconut.
Bed at 11, but buzzing with all the info from the day.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Day 1 - Next regime for a healthier me
So I am now following Phil Richards nutritional guidelines for the next four weeks. Why four weeks? Well I am off on one of his courses at the beginning of June so can let him know how it worked out for me. Its quite a lot different to the Elimination Diet and I won't bore you with the supplements I am taking each day, I'll just tell you how I feel.
The big ones to avoid still are sugar, alcohol, most dairy, wheat, and caffeine although in very small amounts most of these are still allowed.
Covered early Pump for Vida so had an early start and a concoction of water and various powders.
Breakfast was stir fry veg with cashews and seeds. Banana. (supplements)
Went to a massage client. Went to teach 2 classes.
Lunch: salad with quinoa and nuts and seeds. (supplements)
Went to a massage client, walked away with 2 mini-chocolate rolls and a bag of fudge. Pop those in the bag for another life. Went to next client and walked away with a bottle of white wine...put that somewhere safe for a months time!
Snack: I was ravenous, so had 5 rice cakes and a skim of butter.
Went to teach Vive.
Dinner: Grilled fish, salad and broccoli. Pineapple and raisins. (supplements)
Have drunk 3 litres of water today each one with carefully measured additions. Its early days, the first week of the elimination diet was tough, its just transition time!
Off on a course tomorrow, lunch is provided...might be tricky.
The big ones to avoid still are sugar, alcohol, most dairy, wheat, and caffeine although in very small amounts most of these are still allowed.
Covered early Pump for Vida so had an early start and a concoction of water and various powders.
Breakfast was stir fry veg with cashews and seeds. Banana. (supplements)
Went to a massage client. Went to teach 2 classes.
Lunch: salad with quinoa and nuts and seeds. (supplements)
Went to a massage client, walked away with 2 mini-chocolate rolls and a bag of fudge. Pop those in the bag for another life. Went to next client and walked away with a bottle of white wine...put that somewhere safe for a months time!
Snack: I was ravenous, so had 5 rice cakes and a skim of butter.
Went to teach Vive.
Dinner: Grilled fish, salad and broccoli. Pineapple and raisins. (supplements)
Have drunk 3 litres of water today each one with carefully measured additions. Its early days, the first week of the elimination diet was tough, its just transition time!
Off on a course tomorrow, lunch is provided...might be tricky.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Cheat Day - Monday
Well, I've had a whale of a time today! Coffee, wine, sugar...cheese! Although I do have to say that coffee gives me the jitters. I was extremely edgy this afternoon and I reckon it was the caffeine kicking in. Didn't like that very much. I've enjoyed my little break from the regime, but back on to a new track tomorrow.
Laura declared today she wanted to do the Race For Life. Not one to miss an opportunity to get her active and motivated I signed all three of us up to do the Reading race in July. You can sponsor us here we will run it all, no stopping! We went for our first run this afternoon, Laura already deciding it was a bad idea, but glad she made it once we'd finished!
Meals today:
Breakfast: 2 slices spelt flour toast, and no sugar jam. Coffee.
Lunch: choosing meal, bread, olives, sunblush tomatoes, stilton, ham, salad. Coffee!
Snack: olives
Dinner: soy sauce marinated duck breasts (bloody lovely - if you want the recipe let me know), ginger potatoes and broccoli. Apple crumble and dairy free ice cream...oh yeah and red wine!
Its been nice not to worry but I am looking forward to the next 4 weeks. Should be interesting!
Laura declared today she wanted to do the Race For Life. Not one to miss an opportunity to get her active and motivated I signed all three of us up to do the Reading race in July. You can sponsor us here we will run it all, no stopping! We went for our first run this afternoon, Laura already deciding it was a bad idea, but glad she made it once we'd finished!
Meals today:
Breakfast: 2 slices spelt flour toast, and no sugar jam. Coffee.
Lunch: choosing meal, bread, olives, sunblush tomatoes, stilton, ham, salad. Coffee!
Snack: olives
Dinner: soy sauce marinated duck breasts (bloody lovely - if you want the recipe let me know), ginger potatoes and broccoli. Apple crumble and dairy free ice cream...oh yeah and red wine!
Its been nice not to worry but I am looking forward to the next 4 weeks. Should be interesting!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Success! It's Sunday
So, here we are a day short of the 4 weeks. I am finishing the official Elimination Diet today and having what's known in the trade as a 'cheat meal' tomorrow. I don't like the phrase, it sounds devious. There is nothing devious about this I am declaring it here and now. Tomorrow I eat what I want!
There are two reasons for this. 1. I do think that if you allow yourself to stray from the plan for a meal a week you are much more likely to stay on track and in the long term be healthy and 2. From Tuesday I start my next phase into improved health and well being, I am starting Phil Richards' plan. This will be a more radical approach than the past 4 weeks and I know I want to stick to that as well as I can until June when I am going to Swansea on his nutritional course. One day off won't hurt! I shall be doing a more detailed analysis of progress on that one, as I think there will be some more changes!
Work today 1 x Balance for Auntie Vida who was on a train heading to Amsterdam.
Meals:
Breakfast: Avocado salad, seeds, hemp oil. 2 x slices rye bread with no sugar jam. Hot water with lime.
Lunch: Carrot and coconut soup (homemade, used coconut milk to make it creamier) not too bad at all. 3 x slices rye bread, snacked on olives whilst I was making it and a slice of ham. Greek yoghurt and something can't remember what.
Snack: Dried cranberries, strawberries and cashew nuts.
Dinner: snacked on a few olives whilst making, we had roast chicken, quick stir-fried potatoes, broccoli, red onions, chilli, peas and tomatoes. Greek yoghurt with mango and raisins. Hot water.
There are two reasons for this. 1. I do think that if you allow yourself to stray from the plan for a meal a week you are much more likely to stay on track and in the long term be healthy and 2. From Tuesday I start my next phase into improved health and well being, I am starting Phil Richards' plan. This will be a more radical approach than the past 4 weeks and I know I want to stick to that as well as I can until June when I am going to Swansea on his nutritional course. One day off won't hurt! I shall be doing a more detailed analysis of progress on that one, as I think there will be some more changes!
Work today 1 x Balance for Auntie Vida who was on a train heading to Amsterdam.
Meals:
Breakfast: Avocado salad, seeds, hemp oil. 2 x slices rye bread with no sugar jam. Hot water with lime.
Lunch: Carrot and coconut soup (homemade, used coconut milk to make it creamier) not too bad at all. 3 x slices rye bread, snacked on olives whilst I was making it and a slice of ham. Greek yoghurt and something can't remember what.
Snack: Dried cranberries, strawberries and cashew nuts.
Dinner: snacked on a few olives whilst making, we had roast chicken, quick stir-fried potatoes, broccoli, red onions, chilli, peas and tomatoes. Greek yoghurt with mango and raisins. Hot water.
May 1st - Saturday
I had a bit of a lie in today as there was no Pump this morning due to another event at the club, so got up and had my avocado salad, seeds and hemp oil. My husband accused me of being a rabbit, I did suggest that perhaps muesli everyday was bird food. I think we're even.
Did some household chores and admin before going to Balance for 11.30, had a banana on the way.
Lunch was a Spanish omelette with salad. Hot water and lemon.
More admin until it was time to go to our last Fit Camp of the session. Did the particularly nasty Accumaladder with them and they all survived it despite them thinking originally they weren't going to be able to. Well done to everyone, especially our trial people who came along to see what we did.
Once home snacked on olives and some rather tasty crisp alternatives from Tesco, the brand is Humdinger and we had pea snacks. They were a bit like chip sticks, rather nice. But ooh how I could have had a coffee right then. Just when I think all my cravings are gone I get one like that. Ah well they are definitely less than they were.
Dinner was tuna and veggie sauce with (brown rice) pasta. Yoghurt and banana.
Shared another packef of Humdinger snacks later in the evening, they were black bean crackers. Lovely, go try them!
Did some household chores and admin before going to Balance for 11.30, had a banana on the way.
Lunch was a Spanish omelette with salad. Hot water and lemon.
More admin until it was time to go to our last Fit Camp of the session. Did the particularly nasty Accumaladder with them and they all survived it despite them thinking originally they weren't going to be able to. Well done to everyone, especially our trial people who came along to see what we did.
Once home snacked on olives and some rather tasty crisp alternatives from Tesco, the brand is Humdinger and we had pea snacks. They were a bit like chip sticks, rather nice. But ooh how I could have had a coffee right then. Just when I think all my cravings are gone I get one like that. Ah well they are definitely less than they were.
Dinner was tuna and veggie sauce with (brown rice) pasta. Yoghurt and banana.
Shared another packef of Humdinger snacks later in the evening, they were black bean crackers. Lovely, go try them!
Friday, April 30, 2010
So close...Friday wk 4
Woke up ravenous. Had my avocado salad, seeds and hemp oil. That wasn't enough so had yoghurt, raisins and coconut too. So had dinner and pudding for breakfast!
Went to hot 'n' sweaty aqua, then Vive. Came home for brisk lunch of ryvita (I know I said no more rye, but going to start that when Elimination Diet finishes) tuna, hummous and salad.
Went to visit my Dad in hospital and then home to do domestic errands with kids. Got in and before dinner had pikcy stuff like an apple, handful of pine nuts, raisins and cold lamb (not all together I add, throughout the afternoon) had dinner which was stuff from the freezer fish and chick pea curry and brown rice, then yoghurt and coconut and dried fruit.
Went shopping to buy my provisions for the next phase of the new me. Tuesday sees me start Phil Richards nutritional guidelines. I've got all my supplements and weeks food plan and lots and lots and lots of different lettuce and green veg.
Hot water and whole bag of Kettle Veggie Chips...excessive but just what I needed.
3 days to go.
Went to hot 'n' sweaty aqua, then Vive. Came home for brisk lunch of ryvita (I know I said no more rye, but going to start that when Elimination Diet finishes) tuna, hummous and salad.
Went to visit my Dad in hospital and then home to do domestic errands with kids. Got in and before dinner had pikcy stuff like an apple, handful of pine nuts, raisins and cold lamb (not all together I add, throughout the afternoon) had dinner which was stuff from the freezer fish and chick pea curry and brown rice, then yoghurt and coconut and dried fruit.
Went shopping to buy my provisions for the next phase of the new me. Tuesday sees me start Phil Richards nutritional guidelines. I've got all my supplements and weeks food plan and lots and lots and lots of different lettuce and green veg.
Hot water and whole bag of Kettle Veggie Chips...excessive but just what I needed.
3 days to go.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
'Thinner Thursday'
Well, it's official. I now look like I've lost inches, people are commenting. I didn't start this plan to lose weight, but I have and it works and despite being ravenous in the first week, my appetite is now much more regulated.
Early Pump this morning, a nice bunch of bods turned out. I tried to turn them over to being BRILLIANT, but they weren't so keen as the pumpers last night! Anyway before I went to that class I had 3 rice cakes and jam and hot water.
Breakfast was my avocado salad -- but damn I forgot the seeds, oh well, I'll add extra tomorrow. Hot lime water.
Went to day camp in Hurst. It was their last one, I was nasty and evil and did an Accumoladder...you had to be there! Had an apple.
Went to teach Vive and nope they weren't into becoming brilliant either... I will get there, its my new mission. Had an apple.
Went to see the FigureBack girls and wow they work hard! It was their last day and there were some great results. Lisa's lost 7lbs and inches, Caroline lost inches too. Their fitness is markedly improved. Well done girls!
Went to see my Dad in hospital, he has had his knee replaced and its not moving yet so he is a bit frustrated. He's a camper, he likes to be active and he's stuck in bed. Get well soon Dad!
Have you noticed I've not had lunch yet? Back into my old habits, I had some ryvita and hummous at 4.30pm. Much too late but I had a spot of bother with my car, I managed to trap the handle to the bag for our camp mats in the lock and couldn't open it. Not good, Vida needed them, so had to go to the lovely men at Freeborne Garage for them to fix it for me. Thank you!
Dinner was lamb steak, red onions, tomatoe, saute potatoes (in hemp oil of course) peas.
Went to Morrisons for supplies, left my purse at home, had to leave Sophie at Morrisons as a 'deposit', go home, drive back and pay! What a pillock. About half an hour later shared a bag of cashews with Dale.
Went to teach Balance -- got told I looked slimmer and asked what I'd been doing, had long chat with my Thursday night Balance ladies and told them WHEAT, its nasty, it will bloat you and make you look fatter than you are. They thought that was ok, but were with Vida on having avocado salad for breakfast...
Early Pump this morning, a nice bunch of bods turned out. I tried to turn them over to being BRILLIANT, but they weren't so keen as the pumpers last night! Anyway before I went to that class I had 3 rice cakes and jam and hot water.
Breakfast was my avocado salad -- but damn I forgot the seeds, oh well, I'll add extra tomorrow. Hot lime water.
Went to day camp in Hurst. It was their last one, I was nasty and evil and did an Accumoladder...you had to be there! Had an apple.
Went to teach Vive and nope they weren't into becoming brilliant either... I will get there, its my new mission. Had an apple.
Went to see the FigureBack girls and wow they work hard! It was their last day and there were some great results. Lisa's lost 7lbs and inches, Caroline lost inches too. Their fitness is markedly improved. Well done girls!
Went to see my Dad in hospital, he has had his knee replaced and its not moving yet so he is a bit frustrated. He's a camper, he likes to be active and he's stuck in bed. Get well soon Dad!
Have you noticed I've not had lunch yet? Back into my old habits, I had some ryvita and hummous at 4.30pm. Much too late but I had a spot of bother with my car, I managed to trap the handle to the bag for our camp mats in the lock and couldn't open it. Not good, Vida needed them, so had to go to the lovely men at Freeborne Garage for them to fix it for me. Thank you!
Dinner was lamb steak, red onions, tomatoe, saute potatoes (in hemp oil of course) peas.
Went to Morrisons for supplies, left my purse at home, had to leave Sophie at Morrisons as a 'deposit', go home, drive back and pay! What a pillock. About half an hour later shared a bag of cashews with Dale.
Went to teach Balance -- got told I looked slimmer and asked what I'd been doing, had long chat with my Thursday night Balance ladies and told them WHEAT, its nasty, it will bloat you and make you look fatter than you are. They thought that was ok, but were with Vida on having avocado salad for breakfast...
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Brilliant Wednesday! Part II
I got my written nutritional report from Phil Richards today. Now I know what to eat to maximise my health, boost my blood and feel BRILLIANT!
Great news: Spelt flour = good, coffee = ok in small amounts,
Bad news: no peanuts, NO RYE (eek, Ryvita will go out of business now) no mushrooms (boo)
Watch this face and watch it return to youth and vitality!
H :-)
Great news: Spelt flour = good, coffee = ok in small amounts,
Bad news: no peanuts, NO RYE (eek, Ryvita will go out of business now) no mushrooms (boo)
Watch this face and watch it return to youth and vitality!
H :-)
Wicked Wednesday Week 4
Breakfast -- my new usual - avocado salad, seeds and hemp oil. I know you think I'm a little bit bonkers, but its lovely, keeps me full until lunchtime and doesn't leave me tired. Hot water and half a squeezed lime.
Went to teach aqua and then did a massage on my delightful, but very tired and weary 95 year old client, before coming home for lunch. Managed to eat about 6 corn thins, with spicy mackerel. Then a couple of ryvita and the sugar free/no sugar added jam we like here. Decided that was not enough and had yogurt, banana and seeds. More hot water and lime.
Whipped over to Vida's for a business pow-wow. Had lemon tea and saw the new lemon-squeezing-gizmo she's invested in. Whoop whoop for more juice in your tea!
Went to BodyPump and hit them with being BRILLIANT! We got there in the end!
Dinner was risotto with bacon and mange tout before going to Fit Camp. It's bring a friend week and we had some new faces who worked really hard to keep up with our campers who are burning calories as I type. Well done to all of you.
Once in, had 2 ryvita and sf/nsa jam and hot water.
Feeling just fine now, no desires to eat dairy, or drink tea (maybe a little coffee, but even that's waning), even my sugar urges are limited these days. I do believe this has been worth it. Ooh! and another half inch of my tum. :-)
Went to teach aqua and then did a massage on my delightful, but very tired and weary 95 year old client, before coming home for lunch. Managed to eat about 6 corn thins, with spicy mackerel. Then a couple of ryvita and the sugar free/no sugar added jam we like here. Decided that was not enough and had yogurt, banana and seeds. More hot water and lime.
Whipped over to Vida's for a business pow-wow. Had lemon tea and saw the new lemon-squeezing-gizmo she's invested in. Whoop whoop for more juice in your tea!
Went to BodyPump and hit them with being BRILLIANT! We got there in the end!
Dinner was risotto with bacon and mange tout before going to Fit Camp. It's bring a friend week and we had some new faces who worked really hard to keep up with our campers who are burning calories as I type. Well done to all of you.
Once in, had 2 ryvita and sf/nsa jam and hot water.
Feeling just fine now, no desires to eat dairy, or drink tea (maybe a little coffee, but even that's waning), even my sugar urges are limited these days. I do believe this has been worth it. Ooh! and another half inch of my tum. :-)
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
There's the door - week four
Tuesday. I got up and weighed myself, another pound lost, that's six in all now. Measure tomorrow.
Breakfast was another avocado salad. I filled my dinner plate with leaves, tomatoes, cucumber, seeds, avocado and hemp oil. I really did enjoy it, and I'm not just saying that, it was great. Hot water and lemon.
Went to teach Vive and Aqua before whizzing (new energy you see) to do two massage clients before coming home again to snack/lunch on corn crackers and hummous.
The evening got a bit stressy with college coaches messing one daughter around and the other one needing a lift, however in the end I managed to get to my next Vive class on time and then to Fit Camp to start our final week with the current campers. There was some grunting a groaning tonight, but great results so far. Josie has lost so many inches she is now a bit too small for her bridesmaids dress - WELL DONE JOSIE! Jim managed to go straight into wicket keeper at cricket and not walk like the wounded today because his legs have got stronger from camp, BRILLIANT WORK JIM! Maxine continues to gain her waist and Jenny, well Jenny she is going from strength to brilliant strength. Well done all of you!
Dinner was way too late. We had gluten free sausages, corn pasta and salad. Yoghurt coconut and raisins. Hot water.
Blog. Bed.
Breakfast was another avocado salad. I filled my dinner plate with leaves, tomatoes, cucumber, seeds, avocado and hemp oil. I really did enjoy it, and I'm not just saying that, it was great. Hot water and lemon.
Went to teach Vive and Aqua before whizzing (new energy you see) to do two massage clients before coming home again to snack/lunch on corn crackers and hummous.
The evening got a bit stressy with college coaches messing one daughter around and the other one needing a lift, however in the end I managed to get to my next Vive class on time and then to Fit Camp to start our final week with the current campers. There was some grunting a groaning tonight, but great results so far. Josie has lost so many inches she is now a bit too small for her bridesmaids dress - WELL DONE JOSIE! Jim managed to go straight into wicket keeper at cricket and not walk like the wounded today because his legs have got stronger from camp, BRILLIANT WORK JIM! Maxine continues to gain her waist and Jenny, well Jenny she is going from strength to brilliant strength. Well done all of you!
Dinner was way too late. We had gluten free sausages, corn pasta and salad. Yoghurt coconut and raisins. Hot water.
Blog. Bed.
Monday Madness
So, one of the things Phil Richards told me was to ditch the porridge and have salad for breakfast. Specifically avocado salad, with seeds and oil.
So I did. Felt a bit weird, but it was very nice and kept me full until lunchtime. Did daytime camp, they worked tremendously, well done!
Lunch was 2 slices of rye toast with hummous and cherry toms and cucumber. Went and taught Balance in Henley.
I almost certainly had a snack mid afternoon can't remember for the life of me what it was, but for dinner had roast chicken, stir fired veg and new potatoes. Yoghurt and seeds
Taught Pump and Balance in the evening. Hot water.
So I did. Felt a bit weird, but it was very nice and kept me full until lunchtime. Did daytime camp, they worked tremendously, well done!
Lunch was 2 slices of rye toast with hummous and cherry toms and cucumber. Went and taught Balance in Henley.
I almost certainly had a snack mid afternoon can't remember for the life of me what it was, but for dinner had roast chicken, stir fired veg and new potatoes. Yoghurt and seeds
Taught Pump and Balance in the evening. Hot water.
Weekend catch up
Friday, seems a long time ago now. I had my normal porridgey breakfast with bits and hot water. Whizzed to teach my 2 classes before whizzing to Morrisons to get picnic food I could feed Vida and I on our way to Nottingham. I am a seasoned long distance front seat passenger (we go to Scotland a lot) and so I was well prepared to feed Vida as she was driving.
I got ham (cut into chunks), olives, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, grapes, Mrs Crimbles corny crispy bics, bananas, cashews, mixed nuts and raisins, hummous pots. Ooh it was lovely, luckily for Vida I didn't need to feed her as we were stationary most of the time (or so it seemed)
Made it to Nottingham for the Fitness Entrepreneurs Bootcamp and after checking in (and moving to another as the room was smokey) we headed off to a nutritional consultation I had booked in advance. Phil Richards is a very successful sports coach and has trained Amir Khan to name but one of his many hall of fame names. He does a live blood test and then a dried blood test.
In short, cos its a long tale, I have rough hands (he couldn't get blood easily), tired blood, a sweet tooth!, mineral deficiencies, endocrine issues and food intolerance. I shouldn't be eating my lovely, newly discovered porridge for breakfast and I should stop drinking the 'stinking water'. I am awaiting my personal report...
Dinner of bugger, I ordered pork and noodles and forgot to check the noodles, they were wheat. Ho hum, we got a free pud and laughed when the waiter told us that the hot dessert of the day was rhubarb crumble, but 'I wouldn't have it if I were you!' Brilliant!
Saturday: crappy hotel breakfast, I had tinned grapefruits, orange and prunes....say no more.
Lunch was left overs from Friday's picnic.
Dinner was steak and chips and salad. A glass of wine, I know, but that was it...
Sunday: breakfast, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes and potatoes. I was literally hungry within 30 minutes. Shocking.
Lunch: Tesco petrol station specials. I had sushi and 2 tubs of prepared pineapple, I had been munching my way through nuts and raisins all morning though.
Dinner: when we got in was haggis, mashed potatoes, carrots and brocolli. Lovely.
Fab weekend in Nottingham. Met some damn amazing people. People who have just gone out and DONE IT, made themselves successful. They were very inspiring. It was a great event, albeit a bit long for sitting on yer bum.
I got ham (cut into chunks), olives, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, grapes, Mrs Crimbles corny crispy bics, bananas, cashews, mixed nuts and raisins, hummous pots. Ooh it was lovely, luckily for Vida I didn't need to feed her as we were stationary most of the time (or so it seemed)
Made it to Nottingham for the Fitness Entrepreneurs Bootcamp and after checking in (and moving to another as the room was smokey) we headed off to a nutritional consultation I had booked in advance. Phil Richards is a very successful sports coach and has trained Amir Khan to name but one of his many hall of fame names. He does a live blood test and then a dried blood test.
In short, cos its a long tale, I have rough hands (he couldn't get blood easily), tired blood, a sweet tooth!, mineral deficiencies, endocrine issues and food intolerance. I shouldn't be eating my lovely, newly discovered porridge for breakfast and I should stop drinking the 'stinking water'. I am awaiting my personal report...
Dinner of bugger, I ordered pork and noodles and forgot to check the noodles, they were wheat. Ho hum, we got a free pud and laughed when the waiter told us that the hot dessert of the day was rhubarb crumble, but 'I wouldn't have it if I were you!' Brilliant!
Saturday: crappy hotel breakfast, I had tinned grapefruits, orange and prunes....say no more.
Lunch was left overs from Friday's picnic.
Dinner was steak and chips and salad. A glass of wine, I know, but that was it...
Sunday: breakfast, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes and potatoes. I was literally hungry within 30 minutes. Shocking.
Lunch: Tesco petrol station specials. I had sushi and 2 tubs of prepared pineapple, I had been munching my way through nuts and raisins all morning though.
Dinner: when we got in was haggis, mashed potatoes, carrots and brocolli. Lovely.
Fab weekend in Nottingham. Met some damn amazing people. People who have just gone out and DONE IT, made themselves successful. They were very inspiring. It was a great event, albeit a bit long for sitting on yer bum.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Thinner Thursday
Well something is happening, people are telling me I look like I've lost weight. My lycra shorts were baggy today, this is not a good look.
Early rise and shine for Pump at 0630. Had 3 ryvita and peanut butter and a hot water before I went. Came home and had my new porridge discovery of oats, rice milk, (eek no banana) figs and coconut. Very nice. If you are interested cook it all together don't add at the end apart from the cinnamon.
Fit Camp in Hurst. They are doing brilliantly, one week to go and good results already. Went to massage Karen who is running the London Marathon on Sunday. The woman is a superhero, she has 3 children under 6 and teaches classes and trains for a marathon and will run it blimmin' fast...gave her her massage for free for being so damn organised.
Went to teach Vive and had very small class today, then back to Hurst for the post natal campers and their babes. Then very civilised lunch in the garden with Vida. More Ryvita (Can I get shares in them please?) olives, tomatoes, ham and her new zingy tea mix.
Got home about 1500 and wait for it...DA DAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! The kitchen is finished, there was no van in front of the house. It's done, it's workable, I'm away all weekend, brilliant. New kitchen - can't use it!
Had snacks on things, bit of ham, pumpernickel bread and jam, apple, nuts, hot water.
Went to massage another client, shoulder trouble and got home about 1815. Had gammon, baked spud and salad. Hot water.
Popped out to Balance at 2045 (still not got a new release for them, eek, sorry, sorry, sorry) and had greek yoghurt, seeds and banana when I got in.
A bit tired now. Better get ready as Vida and I are off to Nottingham tomorrow on a course for the weekend.
Early rise and shine for Pump at 0630. Had 3 ryvita and peanut butter and a hot water before I went. Came home and had my new porridge discovery of oats, rice milk, (eek no banana) figs and coconut. Very nice. If you are interested cook it all together don't add at the end apart from the cinnamon.
Fit Camp in Hurst. They are doing brilliantly, one week to go and good results already. Went to massage Karen who is running the London Marathon on Sunday. The woman is a superhero, she has 3 children under 6 and teaches classes and trains for a marathon and will run it blimmin' fast...gave her her massage for free for being so damn organised.
Went to teach Vive and had very small class today, then back to Hurst for the post natal campers and their babes. Then very civilised lunch in the garden with Vida. More Ryvita (Can I get shares in them please?) olives, tomatoes, ham and her new zingy tea mix.
Got home about 1500 and wait for it...DA DAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! The kitchen is finished, there was no van in front of the house. It's done, it's workable, I'm away all weekend, brilliant. New kitchen - can't use it!
Had snacks on things, bit of ham, pumpernickel bread and jam, apple, nuts, hot water.
Went to massage another client, shoulder trouble and got home about 1815. Had gammon, baked spud and salad. Hot water.
Popped out to Balance at 2045 (still not got a new release for them, eek, sorry, sorry, sorry) and had greek yoghurt, seeds and banana when I got in.
A bit tired now. Better get ready as Vida and I are off to Nottingham tomorrow on a course for the weekend.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
All aboard - Week 3...
Woke tired today, didn't sleep very well and felt a bit weary this morning.
But wait! I had a new porridge today, I knew you'd be pleased, as all the raisins have gone I cut some dried figs into the oats and rice milk with my banana and by crikey that was good. That really is the best combo yet. Hot water to drink.
Today was the day of the massage couch. Some weeks I may do two or three all week, today I did four. First of all I went to see Maria who ran the Brighton marathon on Sunday. What a girl! In all the heat and with all the 'undulating' hills she managed it in a very credible 4.53. So I treated her to a leg massage to make her feel light and nimble again.
Whipped from hers to Crowthorne to teach aqua where the air temperature was stiffling. It really is the week of the hot rooms. I sweated my way through that hour before going to massage number 2, ate a couple of handfuls of cashew nuts along the way. This is my regular visit to one of my older clients, she is 84 and I massage her legs and back for her. She is so funny, we have a laugh each week. However she does think I need feeding up, and each week gives me a kit kat or something sweet to take away. I've given up saying no, its what she likes to do. However kit kats as we know don't fit in the no dairy, no sugar or no wheat category. That's OK, today she gave me a packet of Caramel Snack a Jacks and a bag of Thornton's Butter Fudge...that's just mean!
Next massage back to Crowthorne, bad planning I know, but to my oldest client of all. She's 95 and a delight. No sweets there thankfully but a good telling off for carrying such a heavy bag. She tells me each week.
By now I'm really rather hungry, but came out completely unprepared and so drove to Bagshot cursing the van in front of me advertising fresh baked goods. There were pictures of almond croissants, custard danish and pecan twists all over this bloody van...
Massage in Bagshot done, drive home. Need food. Its 15.30, I've not eaten since breakfast. I eat half a packet of Ryvita, this is not a joke. I couldn't stop , my arm was like a piston. I had prawns on them. It worked, I was hungry. Had hot water to drink.
BodyPump at 1815. Nice to see everyone and Lali from Fit Camp was there, hello Lali! I was however away with the fairies tonight and during one track completely forgot where I was and what I was doing. Brain fart is too kind a phrase, dappy bint is more like it.
Dinner was a thrown together affair. Huge pile of green salad leaves, mini tomatoes, 3 chicken satay sticks, a ham end or two, carrots, olives, antipasto, hummous. No yoghurt left so had a hot water and 5 squares of my non-chocolate chocolate. Its not any better but its all I've got!
Still tired, got an early Pump class in the morning. Here's hoping I wake up a bit before then. Must eat more often tomorrow. Don't need to lose any more weight...
But wait! I had a new porridge today, I knew you'd be pleased, as all the raisins have gone I cut some dried figs into the oats and rice milk with my banana and by crikey that was good. That really is the best combo yet. Hot water to drink.
Today was the day of the massage couch. Some weeks I may do two or three all week, today I did four. First of all I went to see Maria who ran the Brighton marathon on Sunday. What a girl! In all the heat and with all the 'undulating' hills she managed it in a very credible 4.53. So I treated her to a leg massage to make her feel light and nimble again.
Whipped from hers to Crowthorne to teach aqua where the air temperature was stiffling. It really is the week of the hot rooms. I sweated my way through that hour before going to massage number 2, ate a couple of handfuls of cashew nuts along the way. This is my regular visit to one of my older clients, she is 84 and I massage her legs and back for her. She is so funny, we have a laugh each week. However she does think I need feeding up, and each week gives me a kit kat or something sweet to take away. I've given up saying no, its what she likes to do. However kit kats as we know don't fit in the no dairy, no sugar or no wheat category. That's OK, today she gave me a packet of Caramel Snack a Jacks and a bag of Thornton's Butter Fudge...that's just mean!
Next massage back to Crowthorne, bad planning I know, but to my oldest client of all. She's 95 and a delight. No sweets there thankfully but a good telling off for carrying such a heavy bag. She tells me each week.
By now I'm really rather hungry, but came out completely unprepared and so drove to Bagshot cursing the van in front of me advertising fresh baked goods. There were pictures of almond croissants, custard danish and pecan twists all over this bloody van...
Massage in Bagshot done, drive home. Need food. Its 15.30, I've not eaten since breakfast. I eat half a packet of Ryvita, this is not a joke. I couldn't stop , my arm was like a piston. I had prawns on them. It worked, I was hungry. Had hot water to drink.
BodyPump at 1815. Nice to see everyone and Lali from Fit Camp was there, hello Lali! I was however away with the fairies tonight and during one track completely forgot where I was and what I was doing. Brain fart is too kind a phrase, dappy bint is more like it.
Dinner was a thrown together affair. Huge pile of green salad leaves, mini tomatoes, 3 chicken satay sticks, a ham end or two, carrots, olives, antipasto, hummous. No yoghurt left so had a hot water and 5 squares of my non-chocolate chocolate. Its not any better but its all I've got!
Still tired, got an early Pump class in the morning. Here's hoping I wake up a bit before then. Must eat more often tomorrow. Don't need to lose any more weight...
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Half Way Mark - Tuesday
Weights and measures: Lost 3 lbs this week and a bit more on the measurements, its written down downstairs and I can't be bothered to go and look! The weight loss is interesting. It could be dehydration from yesterday's poor water day, but I do feel like I have lost weight. I've not tried to, in fact this week I've eaten quite a lot.
Porridge with banana and raisins today. Hot water.
It's my mum's birthday today so I went and spent the day with her. It involved lots of meandering around shops she can't get to easily, but along the way I had:
Elevnses: hot water
Lunch: Seared salmon salad and soda water.
Afternoon tea: Hot water and apple
I was famished on the way home so ate quite a few cashews ( I know I don't eat nuts, but I love 'em and so far peanut butter hasn't affected me). Got in still hungry so had one of those eating sessions where you try lots of different things but never really land on what you want. It was something like, 3 olives, 2 prunes, a few raisins, oh I know I'll have yoghurt and fruit. Still wasn't right but thought I should stop.
Dinner was late after Fit Camp. They worked damn hard in the Accumulator and now we have an evil plan for the last camp! Dinner was chicken and rice with brocolli and mushrooms. Yoghurt, coconut and raisins. Hot water.
Kitchen is imminent, should be cooking soon, so very soon....
Porridge with banana and raisins today. Hot water.
It's my mum's birthday today so I went and spent the day with her. It involved lots of meandering around shops she can't get to easily, but along the way I had:
Elevnses: hot water
Lunch: Seared salmon salad and soda water.
Afternoon tea: Hot water and apple
I was famished on the way home so ate quite a few cashews ( I know I don't eat nuts, but I love 'em and so far peanut butter hasn't affected me). Got in still hungry so had one of those eating sessions where you try lots of different things but never really land on what you want. It was something like, 3 olives, 2 prunes, a few raisins, oh I know I'll have yoghurt and fruit. Still wasn't right but thought I should stop.
Dinner was late after Fit Camp. They worked damn hard in the Accumulator and now we have an evil plan for the last camp! Dinner was chicken and rice with brocolli and mushrooms. Yoghurt, coconut and raisins. Hot water.
Kitchen is imminent, should be cooking soon, so very soon....
Monday, April 19, 2010
Muggy Monday
Da-daaaa! Another week of ED nearly finished. Will be interested to see my weight and measurements tomorrow. But before then I need to have my everso regular but probably very boring for you porridge, rice milk, banana and raisins. And hot water.
Left the house at 8am as I had a massage client in Wokingham, I actually do both the husband and wife with a quick pop out to Fit Camp inbetween. However today there was excitement in the house as my lady client had been asked to go along and run with Rosie Swale Pope who is 'running' 26 marathons in 26 days. She ran the Brighton marathon yesterday and this morning appeared in Wokingham to run the half marathon route twice. My client, who is a runner, was asked to accompany her. Apparently its not really a run (unless you're going up hill then she always runs) otherwise it is more of a scouts pace, walk, jog, stop. For more info on her challenge visit http://www.rosies26marathonsin26days.co.uk/index.html ).
So I did one client, whizzed to Hurst for day camp. It was warm and they worked hard on the Accumalator, damn hard in fact, and left feeling very proud of themselves. Then went back to my clients to complete the set and heard about the half marathon experience.
I got home about 12.15 and was ravenous and thirsty. Had a very quick lunch of leftover curry from last night with a few oatcakes and then yoghurt and banana and peanut butter. Hot water.
I then needed to take my mum to John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford and that was the rest of the day really. Had a hot water at the hospital, the look on the WVRS lady's face was a picture "you sure you only want hot water?"
We then shopped on our way home as Mum was feeding me before I went to my evening classes. We had the now regular easiest meal in the world. Hot chicken from Sainsburys and salad and oatcakes, oh yes and another hot water.
Whizzed to work (do you notice I always whizz?!). Taught Pump (no air conditioning, no beefy stereo system and no mic-- great class!) and then Balance. I struggled, it was mainly down to the heat and lack of hydration I worked out mid class how little I'd had all day and made a note to myself to drink more tomorrow.
Came home pretty knackered to find the kitchen almost ready....YIPEE! And had 3 prunes and the rest of the apology for a chocolate bar the vegan people make. Ah yes and water both cold and hot.
Apart from feeling completely wiped out today, it was a late night last night. I feel craving free. Just wish I felt more energetic and that my grey hair stopped peeping through reminding me of my impending big birthday!
Left the house at 8am as I had a massage client in Wokingham, I actually do both the husband and wife with a quick pop out to Fit Camp inbetween. However today there was excitement in the house as my lady client had been asked to go along and run with Rosie Swale Pope who is 'running' 26 marathons in 26 days. She ran the Brighton marathon yesterday and this morning appeared in Wokingham to run the half marathon route twice. My client, who is a runner, was asked to accompany her. Apparently its not really a run (unless you're going up hill then she always runs) otherwise it is more of a scouts pace, walk, jog, stop. For more info on her challenge visit http://www.
So I did one client, whizzed to Hurst for day camp. It was warm and they worked hard on the Accumalator, damn hard in fact, and left feeling very proud of themselves. Then went back to my clients to complete the set and heard about the half marathon experience.
I got home about 12.15 and was ravenous and thirsty. Had a very quick lunch of leftover curry from last night with a few oatcakes and then yoghurt and banana and peanut butter. Hot water.
I then needed to take my mum to John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford and that was the rest of the day really. Had a hot water at the hospital, the look on the WVRS lady's face was a picture "you sure you only want hot water?"
We then shopped on our way home as Mum was feeding me before I went to my evening classes. We had the now regular easiest meal in the world. Hot chicken from Sainsburys and salad and oatcakes, oh yes and another hot water.
Whizzed to work (do you notice I always whizz?!). Taught Pump (no air conditioning, no beefy stereo system and no mic-- great class!) and then Balance. I struggled, it was mainly down to the heat and lack of hydration I worked out mid class how little I'd had all day and made a note to myself to drink more tomorrow.
Came home pretty knackered to find the kitchen almost ready....YIPEE! And had 3 prunes and the rest of the apology for a chocolate bar the vegan people make. Ah yes and water both cold and hot.
Apart from feeling completely wiped out today, it was a late night last night. I feel craving free. Just wish I felt more energetic and that my grey hair stopped peeping through reminding me of my impending big birthday!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Summery Solo Sunday
What a glorious day. I woke up feeling grog-free (the opposite to groggy) and not at all sicky like I was last night. It was definitely motion sickness, what a fluffy reaction to a film. I'm getting cheaper and cheaper by the day, first I only drink water and now no need to take me to 3d movies.
Breakfast was the now traditional porridge, rice milk and pear, plus a few raisins. Hot water to drink.
I then went into Mum's taxi mode and took Laura to work at Loddon Valley and then Sophie to Wokingham and Bracknell to see a friend. Got home about 11am absolutely famished. Tried to sort this out with a slice of rye bread and jam, no chance it needed a newly purchased Finn Crisp (as recommended by Queen V) and more no added sugar jam. The Finn Crisps have become an isse actually. Sophie thinks they are hers. She 'loves' them. Its a battle...
Went to work on and ultimately finish my project but got distracted by hunger. I didn't want to stop to make lunch to tried to pacify with a few olives and some raisins (not together, but probably too close for it to be tasty) and persevered. It was useless, I was too hungry so made my way downstairs for lunch.
When you're one your own its easy to be lazy so had 2 slices of rye bread, peeled slices of parma ham out of the packet as I needed them, scooped hummus out of the pot as I wanted it and picked at lettuce leaves from the pack. Classy. It may not surprise you but that wasn't enough so I had greek yoghurt, raisins and coconut.
Now I could continue with project, I did and I finished it. Hoo-bleedin'-ray!
Sat down with nice cup of hot water, and some of the non-chocoalte chocolate. Its not really a good enough substitute. Only to realise back on Mum's taxi duty.
Dinner this evening was a homemade but microwave cooked fish curry, it worked out ok really. With brown rice that I'd cooked when I had a cooker and frozen. More yoghurt and coconut and a banana.
That will be it today. Apart from fancying a nice glass of red earlier today, no more cravings for sugar or bread or even cheese. Its taken 2 weeks, but really the first 3 days were the worst.
Breakfast was the now traditional porridge, rice milk and pear, plus a few raisins. Hot water to drink.
I then went into Mum's taxi mode and took Laura to work at Loddon Valley and then Sophie to Wokingham and Bracknell to see a friend. Got home about 11am absolutely famished. Tried to sort this out with a slice of rye bread and jam, no chance it needed a newly purchased Finn Crisp (as recommended by Queen V) and more no added sugar jam. The Finn Crisps have become an isse actually. Sophie thinks they are hers. She 'loves' them. Its a battle...
Went to work on and ultimately finish my project but got distracted by hunger. I didn't want to stop to make lunch to tried to pacify with a few olives and some raisins (not together, but probably too close for it to be tasty) and persevered. It was useless, I was too hungry so made my way downstairs for lunch.
When you're one your own its easy to be lazy so had 2 slices of rye bread, peeled slices of parma ham out of the packet as I needed them, scooped hummus out of the pot as I wanted it and picked at lettuce leaves from the pack. Classy. It may not surprise you but that wasn't enough so I had greek yoghurt, raisins and coconut.
Now I could continue with project, I did and I finished it. Hoo-bleedin'-ray!
Sat down with nice cup of hot water, and some of the non-chocoalte chocolate. Its not really a good enough substitute. Only to realise back on Mum's taxi duty.
Dinner this evening was a homemade but microwave cooked fish curry, it worked out ok really. With brown rice that I'd cooked when I had a cooker and frozen. More yoghurt and coconut and a banana.
That will be it today. Apart from fancying a nice glass of red earlier today, no more cravings for sugar or bread or even cheese. Its taken 2 weeks, but really the first 3 days were the worst.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Sicky Saturday
It started oh so well. Up nice and prompt, not so sluggish and had my porridge before I went and taught Pump at 9. Quite quiet today, but a jolly bunch and told them my story about my massage enquiry from a man who asked (very soberly) whether I did 'naturist massage'. I told him, quite calmly, no I didn't. I then wondered who was supposed to be the naturist, him or me (or both?) anyway the answer was no. This however is only 3 weeks after I had another person call me and after several meandering questions (where my radar where already whizzing) asked me if the massage came with 'a happy ending'. Good grief, do these people have no manners?!
Did well at Pump felt quite strong, must have eaten enough. Came home quite hungry and had pumpernickel bread and no sugar jam. I'd already got my Balance class covered today (bleedin' project still not handed in) so worked on that until hunger took over and we had what we call a 'choosing meal' basically you bung it all on the table and help yourself. So we had salad, pumpernickel, olives, cold meats. I had greek yoghurt, raisins and coconut to round it off.
Did usual boring stuff like admin, project and laundry and then we all embarked to Fit Camp where our campers sweated their little socks off today. It was hot and they worked damn hard. We especially liked our version of clock patience, I don't think they did.
Dinner was at the Toby Carvery. It was good value and for a family with no functional kitchen and no interest in preparing a meal in the space the size of a spoon roast meat and veg all round for £5.25 a head was a bargain. Sparkling water for me...wahay I know how to live.
Now here is where is goes freaky. We came home and watched Cloverfield on DVD. If you've not seen it, it is made like Blair Witch Project where the film is someone who is running around with a camcorder. This means when he is running you are jogging about all over the place. It made me feel nauseous. It was just like when we watched Avatar in 3D I thought I was going to have leave to be sick. I felt so ill watching the DVD tonight I thought it was the meal and I had food poisoning. No one else felt bad just me, must have been motion sickness. What a wuss!
Anyway, feel a bit better now apart from plain knackered. Which is interesting because I am 4 classes down on what I normally teach in a week...oh dear...need to toughen up a bit!
Got the day to myself tomorrow, I will finish the project, I will.
Did well at Pump felt quite strong, must have eaten enough. Came home quite hungry and had pumpernickel bread and no sugar jam. I'd already got my Balance class covered today (bleedin' project still not handed in) so worked on that until hunger took over and we had what we call a 'choosing meal' basically you bung it all on the table and help yourself. So we had salad, pumpernickel, olives, cold meats. I had greek yoghurt, raisins and coconut to round it off.
Did usual boring stuff like admin, project and laundry and then we all embarked to Fit Camp where our campers sweated their little socks off today. It was hot and they worked damn hard. We especially liked our version of clock patience, I don't think they did.
Dinner was at the Toby Carvery. It was good value and for a family with no functional kitchen and no interest in preparing a meal in the space the size of a spoon roast meat and veg all round for £5.25 a head was a bargain. Sparkling water for me...wahay I know how to live.
Now here is where is goes freaky. We came home and watched Cloverfield on DVD. If you've not seen it, it is made like Blair Witch Project where the film is someone who is running around with a camcorder. This means when he is running you are jogging about all over the place. It made me feel nauseous. It was just like when we watched Avatar in 3D I thought I was going to have leave to be sick. I felt so ill watching the DVD tonight I thought it was the meal and I had food poisoning. No one else felt bad just me, must have been motion sickness. What a wuss!
Anyway, feel a bit better now apart from plain knackered. Which is interesting because I am 4 classes down on what I normally teach in a week...oh dear...need to toughen up a bit!
Got the day to myself tomorrow, I will finish the project, I will.
Freaky Friday
Woke up a bit tired, but I do seem to be waking up more quickly I've noticed. Not groggy for the first 20 minutes of the day.
Had porridge and pear with the usual rice milk. Still tastes good you know!
Whizzed to a massage client for 8.30 and pummeled her shoulders until they saw sense and headed off to my two classes in Knowl Hill. I taught aqua (it was very quiet today, down by half at least) and afterwards felt pretty peckish. Nothing within the Elimination Diet at the cafe apart from a frozen smoothie, that was very nice. Had something like pineapple, banana and mango in and apple juice. Filled a little hole and kept me going through my new BodyVive routine which is is pop-tastic 80s fans!
Came home for lunch and as there wasn't a huge amount in had some cold brown rice, a chopped tomatoe, some cucumber and pepper and 3 cooked rashers of bacon all mixed in together. Drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I finished off some of the vegan chocolate I bought Vida and I. To call it chocolate is probably a trading standards issue, as it is dairy free, sugar free and Cadbury free. However it is sort of passes as a treat if you don't try to think of it as a Cadburys Milk Bar.
Spent time doing admin and project work in the afternoon before taking Laura to work in the evening. Dale and I went to collect a table football table from an ebayer in West Berkshire (long story won't bore you) and had dinner at the very lovely 'The Angel' in Woolhampton. I had smoked salmon and salad garnish to start with, Dale had baby fried camembert (damn, dairy and wheat there!), for main I went fishy again and had blackened sea bass on a bed of potatoes and salad garnish. For garnish read full salad! It was huge, didn't really need the asparagus we ordered too. Dale had lamb shanks and garlic mash. It was a lovely meal, just spoiled by the loud mouthed-centre of attention-tiddly woman next to us...
I regret to inform you though campers that after a poodle around Sainsburys for a few basics I was then blimmin' hungry and came home and had 3 dried figs and a hot water.
I've been trying to think if I feel any different eating this way. So far I have come up with that I am much more aware of being hungry when ordinarilly I would only eat because it was meal time. I think I am waking up more quickly in the morning but I am still tired during the day (must get to bed earlier), I have lost the urge to eat things from the banned list although the gorgeous bread rolls they bought out at the restaurant last night looked lovely. I wouldn't say I have boundless energy or look any less drawn, but I do feel more like normal even if it sometimes feels a bit restricting.
Had porridge and pear with the usual rice milk. Still tastes good you know!
Whizzed to a massage client for 8.30 and pummeled her shoulders until they saw sense and headed off to my two classes in Knowl Hill. I taught aqua (it was very quiet today, down by half at least) and afterwards felt pretty peckish. Nothing within the Elimination Diet at the cafe apart from a frozen smoothie, that was very nice. Had something like pineapple, banana and mango in and apple juice. Filled a little hole and kept me going through my new BodyVive routine which is is pop-tastic 80s fans!
Came home for lunch and as there wasn't a huge amount in had some cold brown rice, a chopped tomatoe, some cucumber and pepper and 3 cooked rashers of bacon all mixed in together. Drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I finished off some of the vegan chocolate I bought Vida and I. To call it chocolate is probably a trading standards issue, as it is dairy free, sugar free and Cadbury free. However it is sort of passes as a treat if you don't try to think of it as a Cadburys Milk Bar.
Spent time doing admin and project work in the afternoon before taking Laura to work in the evening. Dale and I went to collect a table football table from an ebayer in West Berkshire (long story won't bore you) and had dinner at the very lovely 'The Angel' in Woolhampton. I had smoked salmon and salad garnish to start with, Dale had baby fried camembert (damn, dairy and wheat there!), for main I went fishy again and had blackened sea bass on a bed of potatoes and salad garnish. For garnish read full salad! It was huge, didn't really need the asparagus we ordered too. Dale had lamb shanks and garlic mash. It was a lovely meal, just spoiled by the loud mouthed-centre of attention-tiddly woman next to us...
I regret to inform you though campers that after a poodle around Sainsburys for a few basics I was then blimmin' hungry and came home and had 3 dried figs and a hot water.
I've been trying to think if I feel any different eating this way. So far I have come up with that I am much more aware of being hungry when ordinarilly I would only eat because it was meal time. I think I am waking up more quickly in the morning but I am still tired during the day (must get to bed earlier), I have lost the urge to eat things from the banned list although the gorgeous bread rolls they bought out at the restaurant last night looked lovely. I wouldn't say I have boundless energy or look any less drawn, but I do feel more like normal even if it sometimes feels a bit restricting.
Week 2 - Thursday
Today is my long day, up for early Pump at 05.50 and finish after Balance at 22.00. However now its light in the morning getting up then isn't so bad and I did make sure I got to bed before 23.00 on Wednesday.
Had 3 oatcakes and peanut butter and hot water before going to Pump. They were on good form today and once again 3 new people decided to try something new before most people have even chosen which breakfast cereal to have.
Came home and had my second breakfast, I like Thursdays! Porridge (of course) with pear and banana. I realised the other day I am supposed to eat 'a variety of foods' hmm, not really ticking that box yet.
Went and did day camp (well done you lot) they were aching from the previous exercises earlier in the week, but I gave them something else to forget about that! And they left pink and smiling.
I then went to my next job, a class in Knowl Hill. So drove there had some time to kill so listened to my music so I could rerun the choreography in my head as it was the first time I had taught it live.
Vive was a blast and they loved it, I then whizzed to Hurst to meet Vida and the post natal campers who worked damn hard (its a little bit competitive! - we like that) and then had lovely soup made by Vida and I ate twice as many oatcakes as she did. Don't know how the poor woman survives!
Dinner became contenscious. We are still in limbo with regards to the cooking facilities and all the family had different activities on that night. So I am sorry gang, but we had a takeaway. I had singapore fried noodes (rice noodles of course). It probably isn't strictly Elimination Diet friendly but at 22.00 at night when we've all got in and you've got no kitchen, you just don't care.
Bed. Tired now.
Had 3 oatcakes and peanut butter and hot water before going to Pump. They were on good form today and once again 3 new people decided to try something new before most people have even chosen which breakfast cereal to have.
Came home and had my second breakfast, I like Thursdays! Porridge (of course) with pear and banana. I realised the other day I am supposed to eat 'a variety of foods' hmm, not really ticking that box yet.
Went and did day camp (well done you lot) they were aching from the previous exercises earlier in the week, but I gave them something else to forget about that! And they left pink and smiling.
I then went to my next job, a class in Knowl Hill. So drove there had some time to kill so listened to my music so I could rerun the choreography in my head as it was the first time I had taught it live.
Vive was a blast and they loved it, I then whizzed to Hurst to meet Vida and the post natal campers who worked damn hard (its a little bit competitive! - we like that) and then had lovely soup made by Vida and I ate twice as many oatcakes as she did. Don't know how the poor woman survives!
Dinner became contenscious. We are still in limbo with regards to the cooking facilities and all the family had different activities on that night. So I am sorry gang, but we had a takeaway. I had singapore fried noodes (rice noodles of course). It probably isn't strictly Elimination Diet friendly but at 22.00 at night when we've all got in and you've got no kitchen, you just don't care.
Bed. Tired now.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Week 2 Wednesday
Woke up early to take Laura to work and then came home and had usual breakkie. I've got some pears again so sliced one into my porridge before I cooked it to sweeten it. Still a really good side sticking breakkie that one.
I was pootering on my project in the morning and then whizzed to Crowthorne to teach aqua and then whizzed home again to do some more project. It is certainly taking shape, but it aint finished yet.
Decided I needed some more protein in my meals and so started snacking (as you do) on the ham ends I'd bought from Sainsburys. Normally I'd use them in salads or risottos, but this time, still no cooker, just ate them like apples!
After wandering up and down stairs mid paragraph of the project I thought that if I just ate lunch it would sort my fidgeting out. So I had 2 small jacket spuds with salad and goats butter as I'd eaten all the ham by then.
Yoghurt and strawberries and peanut butter, mmm-blimmin'-mmm!
Food supplies are really dwindling now and as everything is in boxes its tricky to see what we do and don't have. So snacking and picking is limited.
Went to teach Pump at 6pm and left the girls to make a salad to go with a rotisserie chicken from Sainsburys again, so we had that and then yoghurt with extras for afters.
That was it for me.
I don't feel so achingly hungry anymore, but I did really want a coffee at about 5pm yesterday. However held strong and had hot water, you've gotta admit I am now a really cheap date!
In terms of health and energy levels I feel the same pre-elimination. I could always do with getting more sleep, and I could drink more water but actually now I am not caffeine fueled I guess I am drinking more but it tends to be hot rather than cold. Not sure I am meeting my 3 litres a day though.
Ah well, its not half way through yet. I could suddenly blossom into an energetic being in the last 2 weeks. Must go...project deadline looming.
I was pootering on my project in the morning and then whizzed to Crowthorne to teach aqua and then whizzed home again to do some more project. It is certainly taking shape, but it aint finished yet.
Decided I needed some more protein in my meals and so started snacking (as you do) on the ham ends I'd bought from Sainsburys. Normally I'd use them in salads or risottos, but this time, still no cooker, just ate them like apples!
After wandering up and down stairs mid paragraph of the project I thought that if I just ate lunch it would sort my fidgeting out. So I had 2 small jacket spuds with salad and goats butter as I'd eaten all the ham by then.
Yoghurt and strawberries and peanut butter, mmm-blimmin'-mmm!
Food supplies are really dwindling now and as everything is in boxes its tricky to see what we do and don't have. So snacking and picking is limited.
Went to teach Pump at 6pm and left the girls to make a salad to go with a rotisserie chicken from Sainsburys again, so we had that and then yoghurt with extras for afters.
That was it for me.
I don't feel so achingly hungry anymore, but I did really want a coffee at about 5pm yesterday. However held strong and had hot water, you've gotta admit I am now a really cheap date!
In terms of health and energy levels I feel the same pre-elimination. I could always do with getting more sleep, and I could drink more water but actually now I am not caffeine fueled I guess I am drinking more but it tends to be hot rather than cold. Not sure I am meeting my 3 litres a day though.
Ah well, its not half way through yet. I could suddenly blossom into an energetic being in the last 2 weeks. Must go...project deadline looming.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Week 2, ding ding
Weighed myself: Lost 2lb
Measured myself: Lost an inch from waist and hips.
I feel I should say at this point I don't know how my weight & measurements normally fluctuate as I don't normally do this. The next few weeks will tell.
Breakfast: porridge, banana, apricots, rice milk.
Snack: apple, chunk of ham
Lunch: ready made by fresh and no crappy ingredients chick pea soup. I hate to buy stuff I can make, but just a few more days... oat cakes. Chunk of ham and olives.
Snack: oat cakes and peanut butter
Snack: more soup
Dinner: Vida is going to love this - Haggis and salad.
Had a pretty lazy day today in terms of exercise. Got my 2 morning classes covered so I could do my project work, had a massage client at lunchtime , then attempted to learn half of BodyVive this afternoon. Managed that (just about) and delivered it this evening. We had the start of week 2 of FitCamp this evening, managed to spend the whole evening and not speak to my friend, she'll think I don't like her anymore. It's OK I have ordered some very special Elimination Diet friendly chocolate for us both. She'll soften up then.
Really fancied a coffee today. Not had one for 3 weeks now, still get the urge. Not quite so hungry today.
Measured myself: Lost an inch from waist and hips.
I feel I should say at this point I don't know how my weight & measurements normally fluctuate as I don't normally do this. The next few weeks will tell.
Breakfast: porridge, banana, apricots, rice milk.
Snack: apple, chunk of ham
Lunch: ready made by fresh and no crappy ingredients chick pea soup. I hate to buy stuff I can make, but just a few more days... oat cakes. Chunk of ham and olives.
Snack: oat cakes and peanut butter
Snack: more soup
Dinner: Vida is going to love this - Haggis and salad.
Had a pretty lazy day today in terms of exercise. Got my 2 morning classes covered so I could do my project work, had a massage client at lunchtime , then attempted to learn half of BodyVive this afternoon. Managed that (just about) and delivered it this evening. We had the start of week 2 of FitCamp this evening, managed to spend the whole evening and not speak to my friend, she'll think I don't like her anymore. It's OK I have ordered some very special Elimination Diet friendly chocolate for us both. She'll soften up then.
Really fancied a coffee today. Not had one for 3 weeks now, still get the urge. Not quite so hungry today.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Week 1 done, Monday
So, a couple of things. Even though I wasn't hungry all day today (thank goodness) I'm not eating enough. I felt weak and weedy in BodyPump tonight and my weights were the same as usual and I've not done anything else today. Sat on my bum and typed up a soon to be due (but might not be ready) report for a course I have done...
Secondly, I feel no different. Well a tad bloated like my mate, it may well be too much dried fruit in my case. That's never a great plan. But other than that, just the same. No more energy, no less. Not growing younger by the day in fact more people than ever this week have commented on how tired I look! Hmm, need to rethink for week 2.
Breakfast: Rice milk and porridge with banana and dried apricots and cinnamon. Damn good, best thing about this project so far. I won't go back to dairy milk porridge again.
Snack: apple, hot water
Lunch: 4 ryvita, parma ham, carrot, cucumber chunk. Natural yoghurt, peanut butter and raspberries. (that'll be an 'euww' from Vida I expect!)
Dinner: Hot roast chicken from Sainsburys (you know why... no means to cook) salad.
After Pump I came home and had natural yoghurt and raspberries.
Looking at that it looks not much, no wonder I was a wimp tonight.
Weighing and measuring tomorrow.
Edit: had banana before bed, pretty hungry and remember had an orange at some point during the day
Secondly, I feel no different. Well a tad bloated like my mate, it may well be too much dried fruit in my case. That's never a great plan. But other than that, just the same. No more energy, no less. Not growing younger by the day in fact more people than ever this week have commented on how tired I look! Hmm, need to rethink for week 2.
Breakfast: Rice milk and porridge with banana and dried apricots and cinnamon. Damn good, best thing about this project so far. I won't go back to dairy milk porridge again.
Snack: apple, hot water
Lunch: 4 ryvita, parma ham, carrot, cucumber chunk. Natural yoghurt, peanut butter and raspberries. (that'll be an 'euww' from Vida I expect!)
Dinner: Hot roast chicken from Sainsburys (you know why... no means to cook) salad.
After Pump I came home and had natural yoghurt and raspberries.
Looking at that it looks not much, no wonder I was a wimp tonight.
Weighing and measuring tomorrow.
Edit: had banana before bed, pretty hungry and remember had an orange at some point during the day
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Unsatisfactory Sunday
So, in short I've been a hungry grump all day. This is going to be short and sweet (no sugar of course)
Sunday, no work.
Porridge with rice milk, pear and raisins. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Tasty.
Hungry 1.5 hours later. Why? How? I've done nothing today apart from get my vitamin D by hanging the washing out.
Snacked on various elimination diet approved things like peanut butter on oatcakes. I know I said I don't eat nuts, but just sometimes I do...consequences later.
Lunch was some leftovers from yesterday and a slice of rye bread and sugar free jam stuff.
Snacked randomly all afternoon, can't tell you what it was endless.
Dinner. No food, no kitchen. Chinese hot and sour soup (should be good apart from MSG) and noodles (rice ones). Not ideal but still no wheat, alcohol or sugar.
Hurumph...
Sunday, no work.
Porridge with rice milk, pear and raisins. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Tasty.
Hungry 1.5 hours later. Why? How? I've done nothing today apart from get my vitamin D by hanging the washing out.
Snacked on various elimination diet approved things like peanut butter on oatcakes. I know I said I don't eat nuts, but just sometimes I do...consequences later.
Lunch was some leftovers from yesterday and a slice of rye bread and sugar free jam stuff.
Snacked randomly all afternoon, can't tell you what it was endless.
Dinner. No food, no kitchen. Chinese hot and sour soup (should be good apart from MSG) and noodles (rice ones). Not ideal but still no wheat, alcohol or sugar.
Hurumph...
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Day 5 - Summery Saturday
Woke up tired and achy in my back, but nothing new there. I don't think elimination diet is going to sort that out, I think I need Vida to sort out getting onto her bio-mechanics course and use me as her guinea pig...come on girl!
I think I've got it sorted! Porridge made with rice milk, add pear and raisins and cook them altogether. Add some sunflower seeds and cinnamon and tuck right in. Gorgeous. Hot water and half a squeezed lemon, also blimmin' nice. Only took 5 days, now I can just get on with eating it!
BodyPump at 9.00. Its an early start to a Saturday morning but St Crispin's members are a keen bunch and they worked and sung hard today.
Hungry on my way home (really? after all that porridge?) 2 slices of rye bread (the cardboard stuff, that looks like flattened malt loaf) with newly purchased no added sugar or pretend sugar jam. And more lemon water.
Toddled off to BodyBalance to tell them not learned new release. Seemed to get away with it!
Lunch was salad and olives and cold meat and more cardboard bread, getting to like it.
Hubby and I went to Fit Camp this afternoon. What a super session, excellent work from all, but especially some of our longer term campers whose technique and improvement is really staggering. I left feeling really proud of what they've achieved in a relatively short space of time.
Spag bol for dins. Its all that's left in the freezer. I do hope I am going to have a kitchen to work in soon! Live yoghurt and rasperberries for pud. Sorted.
I think I have generally got over the hankering for something from the forbidden list. However today was such a lovely day that I really could have had a beer after all the work was over. It was a beer sort of day...
I think I've got it sorted! Porridge made with rice milk, add pear and raisins and cook them altogether. Add some sunflower seeds and cinnamon and tuck right in. Gorgeous. Hot water and half a squeezed lemon, also blimmin' nice. Only took 5 days, now I can just get on with eating it!
BodyPump at 9.00. Its an early start to a Saturday morning but St Crispin's members are a keen bunch and they worked and sung hard today.
Hungry on my way home (really? after all that porridge?) 2 slices of rye bread (the cardboard stuff, that looks like flattened malt loaf) with newly purchased no added sugar or pretend sugar jam. And more lemon water.
Toddled off to BodyBalance to tell them not learned new release. Seemed to get away with it!
Lunch was salad and olives and cold meat and more cardboard bread, getting to like it.
Hubby and I went to Fit Camp this afternoon. What a super session, excellent work from all, but especially some of our longer term campers whose technique and improvement is really staggering. I left feeling really proud of what they've achieved in a relatively short space of time.
Spag bol for dins. Its all that's left in the freezer. I do hope I am going to have a kitchen to work in soon! Live yoghurt and rasperberries for pud. Sorted.
I think I have generally got over the hankering for something from the forbidden list. However today was such a lovely day that I really could have had a beer after all the work was over. It was a beer sort of day...
Friday with Heidi
Still working on the porridge. Oats, soya milk, pear and raisins (cooked with oats so they sweeten it as it cooks) and sunflower seeds. Better, not quite there yet. Sophie tells me its nice with rice milk will try that tomorrow.
Leave house at 07.45, got two massage clients at 8am. Run Sophie around Wokingham to a friends and literally whizz to teach aqua (yep, hot and sweaty and shouty, well remembered) and Vive. It's a glorious day and not many turn up to Vive, but we sing along to 'Man I Feel Like a Woman' with gusto.
Feel just like normal, no better no worse. That's OK. I've got over the 'thinking about food all the time' stage. Just a bit more hungry than I am used to feeling through the day which is probably good as I never really felt hungry before, just ate because I felt I should (or was bored).
Home. Think that Laura will be in soon, so I'll wait for her for lunch. She doesn't appear, so eat a couple of ryvita and marmite and then an avocado, then an apple. Not really planned or balanced, but it did a job. Drink fruit tea throughtout the afternoon.
Wanted to learn new BodyBalance routine but no power in the house, so another day tomorrow of apologising to my class... :-(
No food, no means by which to cook it. Go out for dinner and have olives to start with, steak, peas and potatoes (changed chips to new potatoes) and no dessert. Have the now habitual orange about 22.30.
Knackered. Bed.
Leave house at 07.45, got two massage clients at 8am. Run Sophie around Wokingham to a friends and literally whizz to teach aqua (yep, hot and sweaty and shouty, well remembered) and Vive. It's a glorious day and not many turn up to Vive, but we sing along to 'Man I Feel Like a Woman' with gusto.
Feel just like normal, no better no worse. That's OK. I've got over the 'thinking about food all the time' stage. Just a bit more hungry than I am used to feeling through the day which is probably good as I never really felt hungry before, just ate because I felt I should (or was bored).
Home. Think that Laura will be in soon, so I'll wait for her for lunch. She doesn't appear, so eat a couple of ryvita and marmite and then an avocado, then an apple. Not really planned or balanced, but it did a job. Drink fruit tea throughtout the afternoon.
Wanted to learn new BodyBalance routine but no power in the house, so another day tomorrow of apologising to my class... :-(
No food, no means by which to cook it. Go out for dinner and have olives to start with, steak, peas and potatoes (changed chips to new potatoes) and no dessert. Have the now habitual orange about 22.30.
Knackered. Bed.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Day 3 and still sugar free...
Early start today. Pump class at 06.30 so up at 05.50 for a fruit tea and some raisins and sunflower seeds. Not entirely sure if they were going to do the job, but I was so distracted by 5, yes 5, new people starting today that I forgot if I was hungry or not.
Quick aside: it always strikes me as odd that someone would start a new type of class that starts at 06.30. That is some kind of self motivation! Well done to my 5 new ladies at Pulse8 today, they did well.
Breakfast at 08.00. Still working on perfecting my porridge. So had it made with soya milk (passable), raisins and a pear. The pear helped a lot in getting my sweet need satisfied.
It all goes downhill from there as I was so busy, food and even water barely got a look in. Drove to Wokingham, then to Hurst for Fit Camp (well done all, it was a beautiful day and you all worked very hard), drove back to Wokingham then to Lower Earley, then to Knowl Hill for 2 classes. Did BodyVive (really need a drink now...you'll be pleased to know I did get one) and then aqua, more shouting and bouncing in a hot space. More sweat, need more water. I did get some and then back to Lower Earley and back home for 14.00.
Made lunch for Vida. It was tricky, kitchen out of action and no cooking facility as such, but managed to muster a jacket spud, tuna and salad. By then I was pretty ravenous, managed loads of salad my tin of mackerel and the rest of Vida's tin of tuna.
Feel much less in need of sugar today, it could be that I am more busy or just that it's subsiding, but snacked on oat cakes this afternoon and that's all.
Dinner was Shepherds Pie topped with mashed celeriac (well, why not?) and peas. Last scraping of Greek yoghurt, raisins and sunflower seeds to finish off.
Off to a client at 20.00 and then to teach Balance at 20.45. Home by 22.00. No need for an orange tonight, just water.
I do feel less fixated on what I can eat now I'm in day 3, but I'm not suggesting it will remain this way from now on.
Porridge perfection tomorrow?
Quick aside: it always strikes me as odd that someone would start a new type of class that starts at 06.30. That is some kind of self motivation! Well done to my 5 new ladies at Pulse8 today, they did well.
Breakfast at 08.00. Still working on perfecting my porridge. So had it made with soya milk (passable), raisins and a pear. The pear helped a lot in getting my sweet need satisfied.
It all goes downhill from there as I was so busy, food and even water barely got a look in. Drove to Wokingham, then to Hurst for Fit Camp (well done all, it was a beautiful day and you all worked very hard), drove back to Wokingham then to Lower Earley, then to Knowl Hill for 2 classes. Did BodyVive (really need a drink now...you'll be pleased to know I did get one) and then aqua, more shouting and bouncing in a hot space. More sweat, need more water. I did get some and then back to Lower Earley and back home for 14.00.
Made lunch for Vida. It was tricky, kitchen out of action and no cooking facility as such, but managed to muster a jacket spud, tuna and salad. By then I was pretty ravenous, managed loads of salad my tin of mackerel and the rest of Vida's tin of tuna.
Feel much less in need of sugar today, it could be that I am more busy or just that it's subsiding, but snacked on oat cakes this afternoon and that's all.
Dinner was Shepherds Pie topped with mashed celeriac (well, why not?) and peas. Last scraping of Greek yoghurt, raisins and sunflower seeds to finish off.
Off to a client at 20.00 and then to teach Balance at 20.45. Home by 22.00. No need for an orange tonight, just water.
I do feel less fixated on what I can eat now I'm in day 3, but I'm not suggesting it will remain this way from now on.
Porridge perfection tomorrow?
Day 2 - getting to grips with it...
Right then, I thought that I would try a different breakfast today. Porridge, made with water with added raisins for sweetness. They didn't work, so I added a banana. That didn't work and so now had a huge bowl of tastleless porridge to chow my way through. Don't worry campers, I made it!
No side effects here, but don't feel any different either.
First class at 1030, already I know I haven't got enough water to last me the day, not going to get my 3 litres in at this rate.
Teach aqua, lordy that is a hot job. Bouncing around and shouting on the pool side sweating beautifully, whilst my ladies are all in the pool, cool!
Whizz home, need food and water. Eat 3 ryvitas with marmite and boiled egg. Now I know you are all going 'ugh' but its blimmin' nice if you need a salt kick. That wasn't enough, so had 2 more and another egg. That'll have to do I've got a class to get to.
Drive to Henley to teach a corporate class. No one turns up. Damn! Turn around and come home again.
Snack on an avocado.
Out at 6pm for BodyPump. Feel quite ready and fit to go, but feel it in my legs sooner than normal and feel a bit 'empty' of fuel. Had a good class though and sweated a good load of my 2 litres out.
Back home for dinner. Chili and brown rice. I eat 2 tomatoes whilst waiting for it to heat up and then dive straight in. I've been so hungry, I guess this is my side effect, I realise I eat quite a lot heavy foods. Foods that fill you up. I'm not feeling it the sam way and I feel unsatisfied quite a lot of the time.
Back out again, I've a massage client to go to and this will make it a late night. Get home 10.25pm and eat an orange.
Summary for today. No more hard boiled eggs or pulses...I feel bloated.
In bed by 11pm. Got to be up at 6am for a class.
No side effects here, but don't feel any different either.
First class at 1030, already I know I haven't got enough water to last me the day, not going to get my 3 litres in at this rate.
Teach aqua, lordy that is a hot job. Bouncing around and shouting on the pool side sweating beautifully, whilst my ladies are all in the pool, cool!
Whizz home, need food and water. Eat 3 ryvitas with marmite and boiled egg. Now I know you are all going 'ugh' but its blimmin' nice if you need a salt kick. That wasn't enough, so had 2 more and another egg. That'll have to do I've got a class to get to.
Drive to Henley to teach a corporate class. No one turns up. Damn! Turn around and come home again.
Snack on an avocado.
Out at 6pm for BodyPump. Feel quite ready and fit to go, but feel it in my legs sooner than normal and feel a bit 'empty' of fuel. Had a good class though and sweated a good load of my 2 litres out.
Back home for dinner. Chili and brown rice. I eat 2 tomatoes whilst waiting for it to heat up and then dive straight in. I've been so hungry, I guess this is my side effect, I realise I eat quite a lot heavy foods. Foods that fill you up. I'm not feeling it the sam way and I feel unsatisfied quite a lot of the time.
Back out again, I've a massage client to go to and this will make it a late night. Get home 10.25pm and eat an orange.
Summary for today. No more hard boiled eggs or pulses...I feel bloated.
In bed by 11pm. Got to be up at 6am for a class.
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