Breaking the Plateau

Hello!

It has been a while since I've had anything to say, but I can quite happily say that I think I have broken through the plateau!!

Thank goodness!!

My last post here was on the 30th January, and my graph was distinctly flatlining. It wasn't a terrible thing, I can honestly say that I am quite happy with my body the shape that it is now (apart from the bewbs, but that's a post for another day).  

I do want to be able to get to a healthy BMI though, so I decided to mix things up a little bit to see if I could bust through.

So! Using myfitnesspal.com settings I reset all my goals to change the way that I eat!!!

I've boosted the amount of protein I eat in a day and lowered my carbohydrates (note, I am still eating Carbs. Just not quite as many as before).  I'm still eating around 1750 calories (net) per day - a 250 calorie deficit - just in a different way!

So, I've been doing that for about a month now - some days more successful than others! (Protein is kinda hard to eat without being totally across every mouthful of food you eat all day - I really don't want to think about my food that much. Also I don't want to have to resort to bars and protein powder shakes). And it seems to be going ok!!

Before I give you the weighins though I also want to say that I've shaken my exercise routine up a little as well.

I had a week in the middle of February where I was so ill. I mean really, a flu the likes of which I hope I will not see again for a very long time.  Myself and dearly beloved were totally floored and in bed for 3 whole days (and not in a good way). When we finally emerged at the other end of it I can honestly say that my body felt as weak as a kitten. It's amazing how quickly you can lose your stamina if you don't stay on top of everything.  Having said that, I have been pleased at my recovery time, I think I am back on form now! I need to continue with my swimming endurance, but that is a post for another day too!


Anyhoo, to get myself back on track, I have finally given in and am having a go at Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.  So many people have told me (on forums) how great this DVD is and after hearing a friend of mine tell me how good and convenient it is for a working person, plus how you really feel it even though you're only doing a 27 minute workout a day.  Well, let me tell you.  You really *really* feel it!  

There are 3 levels that you do for 10 days at a time. I'm on day 8 today of level 1. 

I upped the weight that I use for my bicep curls last night.  Ouch.

Anyhoo, I'm doing that on days that I'm at work (as long as dearly beloved doesn't mind doing the cooking - he's a wonderful man really, no matter what anyone says about him ;) )  and continuing with my swimming on days that I am off. 

TO THE WEIGHINS!!

• 30th January - 12 Stone 12.5 Pounds -   180.25lbs

• 6th February - 12 Stone 11.75 Pounds - 179.75lbs

• 13th February - 12 Stone 6.5 Pounds -   174.5lbs

• 20th February - 12 Stone 9 Pounds  -   177lbs

• 27th February - 12 Stone 8.75 Pounds - 176.75lbs

• 5th March - 12 Stone 7.75 Pounds -      175.5lbs

Aren't they lovely numbers? :)


So glad to be down around the 175/next half stone level! That 9 stone barrier is well and truly trampled! 

So for my next mini target, I'm hoping to get below and stay below 12 stone 7 by the start of April!


Looking forward to seeing the results of this 30 Day Shred DVD!

Eating chicken and keeping a lid on the bucket

Friday night, Dad has invited me to their house for my most favourite thing.


Kentucky Fried Chicken.


I have not eaten Kentucky Fried Chicken for a year and a half.


I was actually terrified! The one thing that my mum and dad are not good at, is limiting the amount of food available. (hello 21 stone me!)


So, I took decisive action. I went to the swimming pool and I worked hard for just over a half an hour - building up some stamina still!!


I felt really strong.


So I went, I asked for 3 pieces of chicken (a wing, a thigh and a leg) and some fries with gravy.


I ate it, and it was delicious. I could quite easily have carried on. I made sure that I didn't.


I was so proud of myself.


I don't think I'll go near it again for a few months, but it's nice to not be afraid of any food anymore.

That full feeling

Have just made and eaten the following recipe:


http://www.cookveg.co.uk/vegetarian-recipes/recipe/chickpea-and-flageolet-bean-burgers/

Have to say, it was pretty darn tasty.  Served it with some roasted red peppers and some garlic mayonnaise as well as the warm pitta bread.


Didn't bother with the relish thing though, not too fussed on that.


Anyway, this isn't cooking school, it's my weightloss blog, and I'm wanting to talk about my food.


I ate too much for dinner. I was shovelling (yes, shovelling) those bean burgers into my face at a rate so fast it would have made a dog embarrassed.  It was something delicious that I have never had before, so that explains why.


I knew however that if i stopped when I got half way through that I would be full, and happily full. I didn't though. I kept going. I could feel my lizard brain pumping out seratonin into my system as I chewed and I didn't want to stop.


It's as simple as that, I need to make sure that the things I have available to me are weighed and measured and will not put me over my daily calorie goals.


Sadly today I had a scotch egg in a bap for lunch. That was bad. But oh so good.....

Late Shifts and Feeling Better

As you know, I have had a few weeks off from being as good as I could be with regards my food and my exercise. 

To try to make up for it a little I did my DVD today before I headed into work today - almost made myself late! 

I feel really quite bad, because I found the DVD quite difficult!!! It has not been *that* long since I've done it really, but it seems like it  :D

Anyway, I did it, and I did it without taking a break inbetween the different sections. So that was nice.

I'm on one of my late late shifts in work tonight, which I find quite difficult these days cause it ends up throwing my internal body clock completely out of whack.  It's currently 1.30am BST and i'm bloody starving!

I had a ready meal for my dinner tonight for the first time in ages.  Tesco Macaroni and Cheese - 410 calories.. Wasn't awful.  Would have preferred something cooked for me by my boyfriend, but at a pinch and when i'm being far too lazy to do it for myself then it will do nicely :D