You know things are working when...-.4lbs

Yes yes yes, put on a tshirt that quite honestly three weeks ago I would have been uncomfortable in and found its fitting a lot better again! That is a happy moment.

No real new meals recently due to hubby's bday. He asked for beef, hot sausage rigatoni and that is what he got:). I actually did a better job this time IMHO and things were a lot smoother as I picked up sausage meat instead of sausages. I will confess we use mild sausage but I'm thinking of upping the anti and going hot.

Recently my two lovely ladies have taken to eating everything put in front of them. This is huge, soups were always a challenge, veggies hit or miss but lately there has been very little left on plates. I really don't care if they don't like something but I do want them to always try it. This last week we have been really enjoying peppers, mushrooms, broccoli. A tomato vodka soup was devoured. The best part we eat something different every day so we never get bored.

James had a lovely card and drawings from the girls. It's wonderful as they are really starting to be able to print letters.

Last week I struggled hands down it beat me. I ate things I shouldn't have we had dinner out and we had all those bad for you nibbles Monday night. However I still managed a loss. This week I am aiming for closer to a lb although two would be awesome. I just have to take one day at a time. If I screw up a day I cannot let myself go back and slip into bad habits again.

New possibilities

For anyone that doesn't know I've started a new business the link is at the top of the page.  Why you ask yourself?  I want to meet new people is my first response and I want to have fun doing it what better way than to help help a host run a chocolate party and to introduce people to wonderful products, but ultimately I want to have fun.  But wait I hear you say aren't you on a diet?  Yes I am and I'm actively trying to watch what I eat but at the same time I love food and I've always always had a soft spot for chocolate and tasting is about tasting not pigging out because I feel deprived.  The last week I've been dreaming in chocolate, thinking about the endless possibilities, one of my instant ideas is to take it and pair it with bacon.  Not a new idea I know but something that just sounds fun and maybe introducing the idea at a party.  I seriously cannot wait for my supplies to arrive and I may have to experiment a little before then.  I strongly urge you to contact me about setting up your own party.  No really other than just a few things that can be dipped in chocolate and the possibility of getting some great discounts or even some items what do you have to loose?  Nothing, and you get to have a wonderful evening with friends!

I'm also going to be hosting my own party in a couple of weeks.  I've got so many ideas floating around my head it's not even funny.  Another brainwave I had was the possibility of pairing up chocolate with wine and beer (you heard me beer!).  Now wine and chocolate is a no brainer and I know certain recipes work with a fabulous raspberry beer so I'm wondering what else I can pair up.  I'm just so excited by the possibilities, almost to the point of not having enough space to rave about it.

Now onto other things, weight and diet all things in moderation I have to repeat this mantra over and over and over to remind myself that I really want to loose this weight to feel and look good.  I no longer want to be hiding away from the camera and dreading looking at myself.  I am planning on getting a full length mirror at some point for the hall so I can actually see all of me (not to mention hiding up an untidy spot).  I am also constantly reminding myself of the nightmare of flying when you are overweight.  Lets face it flying isn't that much fun, and it's even less fun if you are squeezing yourself into a seat.  Now because we have two girls and two adults we can take up a row and spill over into their seats without disturbing anyone or taking up their space, but trust me the seats are no luxury and there is nothing like the side digging into your hip to keep you awake on a 10 hour flight.

I'm not beating myself up when I don't manage to fit in exercise but I am trying to keep moving more than I have been.  I count a trip to the store as some kind of exercise both in patience and walking and lifting of weights.  I count every trip to the grocery store where I come out with what is on my list and not indulging in extras that will add to the bill or the lbs a success.  I try so hard to stick to my list, I know what I'm doing meal wise for a whole week and it helps, I know how much most items cost at the store and I get pretty good in the estimates for the week.  Now the weight this week hasn't been melting away as much as I would like it to so I guess I will need to start working a bit harder to get the lbs off.  I need to increase the exercise a little bit and just try to do something every day.

I want to thank everyone who has been giving me support.  I know I cannot do this alone, for now I'm doing ok, I have my evenings last night I wanted more food when I was watching tv, so I tried to go for left over broccoli from dinner rather than the crackers.  I'm trying to use smaller plates and eat smaller portions.  I'm loving celery with a few blue cheese crumbles!  At least I keep reminding myself that's what I want hehe.

I'm thinking about planning my business and trying to set some energy into that and what I can do to try and get it up and running so instead of not doing anything of an evening I can be doing something fun that I hope I will enjoy to no end.

I also want to share with you a couple of the most amazing recipes from this week...first off was last nights chicken fingers with curried ketchup.  I can honestly say dinner was ready within 30 minutes and most of that was waiting on the chicken to finish cooking!  My chicken looks fantastic and the dipping sauce was really tasty.  If you were really stuck on time you could just make the ketchup and cook store bought fingers.

Another fabulous dinner was Lime-in-the-coconut drumsticks, yum.  I'm just about trying new things!  This coming week I'm making a Tom Yum Goong Soup, I'll let you know.  Along with the chocolate I've been craving and dreaming about thai and asian cuisine along with indian so I'm looking at trying to incorporate them into the menus over the next few weeks.  I'm also yearning lamb too so we shall see it's always a challenge to balance the menus and cravings and budgets, for example this week I wanted desperately to have a salmon dish, however as it's the hubbys bday he got to choose a meal, and I had to work around that and jiggle a few things

-3.6 lbs

That's more like it! Still a little high but I'm not gonna complain. This makes a total of 14.2 lbs lost so far. My mini goals are 10lbs so I wanna start seeing the 230's on the scale instead of the 240s and if it takes me a month so be it I'm in no real rush. I am counting housework and walks as exercise as its not sitting on my backside twiddling my thumbs.

I'm getting some of the prep done during the day for tonight's feast having done so well I'm happy to splurge a little but I will be keeping an eye on those all important portion sizes. Then again when I consider my breakfast and lunch I've got plenty of calories left for my daily intake. I'm by no means starving myself I get hungry I try to nibble on veg or fruit. And I have to say on demand rocks for not having go out to the gym in this stinky weather!

Oh and I've been back to stitching again! Admittedly I've got some unpicking to do but a little bit at a time and I will figure it out, it's been far to long since I've completed a large piece.

I've been reading and just generally trying to distract myself. I've also been taking better care of my skin and making sure I follow a better routine. Now all I need is an haircut and I should look more human again lol.

Culinary exploration Singapore!

Ok confession I was excited when this one came up. I love Asian food especially Thai influenced rather than Chinese. I was doubly excited when realizing that it's not a stretch to run to Ranch 99 where I can obtain most ingredients for a fraction of the cost of eating out. I'm even contemplating getting myself a bamboo steamer and I've certainly been toying with the idea of purchasing a bamboo mat to make sushi rolls. The other bonus is ultra fresh fish at a decent price and a great selection to boot.

So we did our shopping foray Friday. Now I did my usual Internet research and it discovered one of the signature dishes is chili crab. Anyone living in the bay area should be aware that right now is crab season and if you weren't you are now. A couple of weeks ago we were given live crabs which as squeamish as I felt about the prospect of cooking them I decided to challenge my fears. That experiment involved cooking four live crabs! We survived more than I can say for the crabs. I also made some of the best crab cakes I've ever tasted!

So we do our shopping. Lesson number 1 check out the fish counter first as they will steam and prepare any live fish for you. We left it to the end of the trip and then had to twiddle our thumbs for 15 minutes while they steamed our crab. Lesson number 2 the fish is fresh, my crab was a lively dude before they steamed him believe me he was moving around a lot! Next time I might consider bringing a cool box or something to transport the live crab home instead. But having done my reading on crabs I'm a bit wary of making sure these things are still alive when you cook em and we weren't prepared enough to take home a live specimen. You want plenty of ice for transportation.

Today is Sunday, the menu is going to include fried rice, which traditionally you use left over rice. My problem I have no left over rice! So instead I'm going to make some today so I can use it tomorrow not really living up to the ideas of using it up hehe. I've also picked up some spring rolls and pot stickers, now neither of these are traditional to Singapore. However I'm aware that as this is a dish I've never cooked before I need a back up plan invade its either indelible or that we may have picky eaters. Dessert is easy and something I think everyone will eat and if they don't tough!

I will post up pictures of this feast tomorrow before we annihilate everything. Oh and tonight we get beef stroganoff! That involves heating left overs from last week and cooking pasta.

So proud of tonights dinner

This one is an absolute keeper, roasted pork tenderloin with peppers and avocado mash. This is the second time I've done this one and it's pretty guilt free. There is no sign of pasta, rice or potatoes which is great. I did mess up with the peppers and bought only red instead of a mix of colors but if you are gonna get that bit wrong red is better than all green lol.

I managed to get the perfect sear on the meat and removed it from the oven at the perfect temperature! No dried out pork tenderloin tonight!

The minimal amount of left over topping I've put aside for nibbling later in the man cave on date night! I've got my water setup too.

Last night I was in chocolate heaven. It was hard to resist I confess :( I snacked a little too much on things I shouldn't have but I figured I've done so well the last week it would be ok and I have no plans to repeat in the foreseeable future. As long as its not every day and I should be ok. Oh but am I dreaming of the chocolate martini. I have a dream that by summer I'm back in my swimsuit from two years ago and I can ditch last years cossie. I have a dream that by the time we go to the uk I will be fitting nicely into my seat and not feeling the pinch on the sides of the seat.

I skipped one day where I did not work out this week but after 4 hours of shopping I think I made up for it. Thanks to everyone for their support. It means the world.

-10.6 lbs

Lol last week my hubby gave me $10 guess that's going into the donation fund. I should find a good jar or something to keep my donations in. Weekly donations will be a bit less painful on the wallet :)

I really don't think I've lost that much weight to be honest tho and if it goes down that much again next week I'd be worried and will actually try to eat a bit more if I do.

So next goal now il officially under 260 is to get under 250! It's not that far off right? At most two weeks away. Must make sure I don't whimp out on the exercise tho. My trouble is I'm struggling a bit to get the routine done without the girls going nuts on me. The Pilates isn't a big deal but I have yet to get through a cardio routine without drama.

I'd be pushing my luck to do it before the girls get up and I'm in no mood at bedtime so I'm torn. I'm doing what I can and trying to keep moving during the rest of the day to try to burn up some of those calories. I am however feeling the effects with gentle reminders from various muscles that I'm trying to abuse them. Oh little do they know!

Anyways tonight's dinner burgers..yeah not very figure friendly but I wanted to splurge a little. I did however buy small buns and plan on making smaller sized burgers and only having one while there should be enough for other people to have seconds.

I'm also going to do some lighter sides, a salad and baked zucchini sticks along with sweet potato fries. I'm gonna skip the fries.

I'm still surprised at my kids asking for more yesterday! Shame it wasn't my hubby's favorite meal, but it got the kids eating a whole lotta stuff I've been struggling to get them to eat. So he's just gonna have to put up with the dish now and then. I also like the deconstructed taco idea. So much easier for a three year old to eat to be honest.

Hmm I wonder if I can drop 20lbs maybe I should think about a treat of some kind. Not a food one but something else, maybe some skin care products I've been craving. Or maybe a ordure or manicure. Lol then again it might have to be some new pants that fit me.

Weigh in tomorrow

Alright tomorrow is the day to see if I have been good or bad. I'm hoping for some results. I'm so hoping for summer I can be back into my old swimsuit I skipped wearing it last year because I had packed on a few pounds and bought a new one.

Thank you guys for your support I need it. Gentle reminders when I'm out eating with you no offerings of seconds unless it's salad lol or just a gentle reminder helps. I am notorious for ypto dieting, first few pounds are easy I go a month or so then I slip. I just need reminders and encouragement to get back to what I know I should be doing.

Actually some of the worst times are if I have an injury or I'm sick I get lazy then I slip and it tumbles away. All the resolutions all the work and invariably back comes the weight and more. It sucks! Over the years I've lost gained lost gained I can't keep doing that.

So last night I cheated with some baked beans. Now maybe I should abstain from watching RR but I love her show but maybe I should and just stick to her magazines then at least I won't have as much temptation. I'm trying to read more and I should work on the stitching again.

Oh last nights dinner was the bomb. I made a lightened up beef stroganoff and to make sure I didn't over eat I used a smaller plate. I'm actually very tempted to look for a set of smaller plates for dinner just so I can limit my portion sizes. I have to confess my current set is huge!

Indulgences...

Ok I like my date night, I like my beer and snacks and I don't want to give it up. So how do I balance this? Maybe if we stick to once a week or maybe every other week am I really cheating too much? Now I know I'm probably undoing two days work with these nights but I'm not sure I want to give it up. I'm switching to smaller glasses, maybe keeping water out in the mancave might be a solution too. Say for every beer I drink a glass of water to balance it out? That way instead of three beers I'm only having two. Hmm not a bad idea I think to myself! Will make that change. Also if I think ahead I can do a mix platter of snacks including a veggie platter instead of the salt snacks. I think this week after a couple of weeks of being under the weather hubby and I really didn't care much last night.

We struggled a bit in some spots with some of our games, lol next time we should take an iPad with us for tips and ideas lol.

Now some of my meals I'm indulging a little. Last nights dinner used far too much butter for my comfort level but I stuck to it for now. Next time I'm subbing out EVOO. But my hubby gave the meal five stars so I'll just have to lighten it up.

Day three will power

I do fine most of the time during the day but some evenings kill me. The worst nights for temptation are those James is at work. There is the oh no one will ever notice except my figure right? Watching Rachael Ray probably doesn't help as her food always looks so good! I'm also too tired at this point in the day to think about exercising.

I am having to learn restraint and really thinking about making good choices. Tonight's choice was an apple and cup of tea. I will make sure I have good options available, and keep it to just one thing. Instead of going to the kitchen I'm writing my blog.

My biggest complaint right now nothing on TV which is a shame. Hate taking baths late at night they tend to wake me up and I have this desire for a glass of wine. And man I need to find something better to watch!

Day two

Well yesterday went well I'm a little sore and I feel I behaved. Today I woke up with a plan to continue as I have started. So breakfast, 1 scrambled egg, 1 slice of toast with spread (not butter). Lunch a repeat of yesterday. Trying to watch how much tea I have. Now I've always drunk milk tea with just a bare splash of milk and for the most part I use fat free milk so I've never really worried about it. But I am going to endeavor to drink more green and herbal teas.

I did pay myself on the back for doing a 20 min cardio core routine I skipped 5 min it was kicking my butt! I'll try again tomorrow and I'll do another an routine later today to make up for that small failure. I can honestly say balance is not my strongest forte but I'm looking for things to help improve that.

I have not enjoyed cleaning up two accidents today from one of my daughters, one of which ended up with me on my knees scrubbing at the sofa for half an hour. On the bright side the sofa should look better and a bit cleaner when it dries. The downside...I have nowhere to sit.

Dinner will be a quick veggie chili that takes no time to prepare. It's one of my goto veggie meals and always gives me left overs.

I'm also trying to eat a bit more frequently by adding in some healthy snacks here and there to try to boosting metabolism up.

Monday Weigh In 263 lbs

The lost pounds over Xmas are back, although that's not surprising with New Years and a cold I've been eating and not moving much. However that is about to change. Breakfast was 2 poached eggs over toast at least they weren't fried. I should go get some oatmeal I think for the cooler mornings tho.

I did do a 10 minute pilates session and a 20 minute cardio burn so At least I did some exercise! I will be doing housework as well today so that will help burn some more calories.

Remember every 1lb I loose I'm going to donate a dollar to cancer research.

Now tonight's dinner isn't the most healthiest of choices so I will really need to watch my portions and make sure I do not touch my girls left overs. But the rest of the week shouldn't be too bad. Tonight I'm doing lasagna and a bread pudding. I think I'll skip dessert or at least just have a small spoonful.