Songs from my childhood - Happy memories

My dad used to tell us bedtime stories whenever his shifts meant he was home to put us to bed, along with the stories he also sang songs to the delight of me and my brother.  These are two I remember and found on youtube, listening to them makes me smile, every so often I get him to sing them for me, he still knows the words off by heart. If I remember any others I will add them, these are some of my happiest memories and I thought I would share them in case you want to sing them to your kids. 

Romance will come your way soon.

I don't hold much by the hocus pocus of fortune telling and other future predictors, lets face it they are usually so vague you could believe anything fitted if you wanted to.  However I don't usually laugh out loud at the irony of a prediction, but when I opened the fortune cookie from the Chinese this evening that was exactly my reaction.  My other half looked a bit hurt when I told him what it said 'Romance will come your way soon', he got over it pretty quickly and came back with 'I don't know, but a cup of tea WILL be coming your way soon.'

We may not have romance, but we have humour!

The word 'romance' has me thinking about those singles adverts you used to see in the newspaper, the would like to meet type, where a man or woman seeks a mate for friendship or 'romance'. From what I remember the adverts generally involved a search for someone within a specific age bracket, with similar interests and most importantly a GSOH (good sense of humour).  Maybe not surprisingly, considering the publication, they never said anything about knock your socks of sex, or a shared liking for leather and metalwork, for example.

But was does 'romance mean' I figure if there is the slightest chance of some actually coming my way I need to recognise it.. hey it has been a while.

So according to thefreedictionary.com the first definitions are:


1.

a. A love affair.
b. Ardent emotional attachment or involvement between people; love:
c. A strong, sometimes short-lived attachment, fascination, or enthusiasm for something: 

2.

A mysterious or fascinating quality or appeal, as of something adventurous, heroic, or strangely beautiful: "These fine old guns often have a romance clinging to them" (Richard Jeffries). 

3. 

a. A long medieval narrative in prose or verse that tells of the adventures and heroic exploits of chivalric heroes: an Arthurian romance.
b. A long fictitious tale of heroes and extraordinary or mysterious events, usually set in a distant time or place.
c. The class of literature constituted by such tales.

4.
a. An artistic work, such as a novel, story, or film, that deals with sexual love, especially in an idealized form.
b. The class or style of such works.

5. A fictitiously embellished account or explanation: We have been given speculation and romance instead of the facts.

6. Music A lyrical, tender, usually sentimental song or short instrumental piece.

7. Romance The Romance languages.
adj.
Romance Of, relating to, or being any of the languages that developed from Latin, including Italian, French, Portuguese, Romanian, and Spanish.
v. (r-mns) ro·manced, ro·manc·ing, ro·manc·es
v.intr.
1. To invent, write, or tell romances.
2. To think or behave in a romantic manner.
v.tr. Informal
1. To make love to; court or woo.
2. To have a love affair with.

Well that explains it then, ignore the obvious relationship based explanation and any of the following could apply... I will be developing a new obsession, reading a book, listening to some slush or most likely being lied to... I take it back that sounds like a normal day in my life so maybe 'romance is coming my way'. 

Broken Ankle Update

A Surprise

I went upstairs with Doris today, came back down again then I needed to go to the toilet again and went to find out where I had propped her this time; looked at the bottom of the steps, propped against the sofa, under the sofa, in the fridge (well you never know). I couldn't find her anywhere, by now I am desperate for the loo, so I think I will have to go up without her and work out how to get back down again once I have relived the pressure.

totally unrelated picture - but I do love it, one day I am getting one

I get upstairs close the bathroom door, and what should I see, yup you guessed it, Doris! I had somehow managed to walk down stairs without her and hadn't even realised.  This may seem a small thing but it is the first time I have been down stairs without a stick or crutch in 5 months and I didn't even think about it.

Ankle Classes


I have been going to 3 physio classes a week for a couple of weeks now, 2 in the gym and 1 aqua.  They vary in intensity but the gym classes are basically a simple circuit training routine, something normal people would manage without any problem but for us cripples can be quite hard.

Typical Equipment includes: 

Wobble Boards
Wobble Cushions
Rocker Boards
Trampets
leather medicine balls
ropes
beanbags
cones

The exercises are mostly balancing on one or both feet, squatting, walking heel in front of toe, side stepping, stepping up and down off steps.

But is it working?


I know I am walking better but there are still days when it hurts and I feel like I have done something to hurt myself.  The process is so slow, I am getting impatient with it.  This morning I was running late for my class and as the hospital car park is really busy I parked up the road, a good 5 minute walk away at a normal pace. I was trying so hard to walk quickly but it hurt so much, I just had to slow down, it took me 10 minutes and I was late.

Breaking something really does slow you down, you have to be much more organised, you have to know if you are walking far before you set off and if there are steps or not.  I might have made it down the steps on my own at home today but I still wouldn't manage to climb any without a handrail and anything more adventurous than one flight terrifies me; this means that the stick still comes out with me on a regular basis, I usually leave her in the car if I am going somewhere flat like hospital or the supermarket, but a trip to the seaside for example is a definite Doris day.

The look of leg

Swelling is intermittent, on bad days it can be like a ball above my foot but if I sleep with it raised then it goes down again.  I still haven't got all my muscle tone back in the left leg but it is getting more shape, lucky me I will have two huge calves again!

Pain relief

I am trying to avoid painkillers unless I am in agony, I have only had Tramadol twice since I have been back home.  The first time I threw up, despite weeks of taking it everyday it didn't agree with me after not taking it for a while.  The second time  I had so much pain in my leg that even the Tramadol didn't touch it: I had been aching all day at work and then because it was tired I didn't lift my foot high enough as I walked and I wobbled my ankle on a stone in the car park, I caught myself on a car bonnet (good thing the owner wasn't in it) and stopped myself rolling it further, still the pain travelled up my leg and I honestly felt like I had broken it again, I was in agony all  evening. It is fine now but I am still so scared that I am going to do it again!!

Well it had to be mentioned...

You might have noticed romance has been in the air today, two people not much younger than myself tied the knot in a rather lavish ceremony in London today.  I hadn't expected to be bothered about the Royal Wedding, I have no problem with the Royal family but considering how raw I am about the subject of weddings I had planned to ignore it.

As it happened I decided to sit and watch it, after all there in no excuse like a wedding for a good cry, so while I watched William look adoringly at Catherine and whisper how beautiful she looked, I balled my eyes out.  Luckily I was on my own, the other half was at work, probably a good thing it would have been a rather uncomfortable moment explaining why seeing someone else get married a week after my own cancelled wedding  might just be a little bit upsetting.  Having said that Kate looked stunning as did Pippa and the whole red and gold theme was positively radiant, makes you proud to be British.I just wish I could make someone look at me like that - hmm maybe if I loose about 6 stone and have plastic surgery I will have more luck!!

Good luck Will and Kate the future of romance is riding on you making a go of it x x

In a parallel universe

In a parallel universe where things actually turn out how you plan today would have been my wedding day.  As days go it would have been quite nice, a mild sunny morning a thunderstorm that lasted just long enough for the church service to take place and a warm, dry afternoon with a cool breeze.  I figure it has been pretty much how I imagined it, well without the white dress, church, guests, reception and I do bits.

Tomorrow it will be another day, the wedding that never was will be the past and I will move on.  Saying that, there is no denying the impact someone no longer wanting to marry you has on your life; it leaves a mark on your soul and a dent in your heart.  Realising the life you though you had wasn't real, that things you thought you shared were only in your mind takes some getting your head around, but you manage, you find new things to believe in; yourself and your ability to be who you want without relying on anyone else.

New Slimming World Blog - losingitwithslimmingworld.blogspot.com/

I realised that I was blogging more and more on Slimming World, what with food being such a big part of my life.  This however seemed to be taking me away from the original purpose of the Living My 30th Year, which was to experience more in my life and record it for the world to see.  I don't want to stop talking about Slimming World, it has become a passion - maybe an obsesssion so I have created a new blog and from now on I will usually only be posting Slimming World stuff on the new site. 

So if you are a fellow Slimming World Groupie or just curious what it is all about why not follow my Slimming World Journey at http://losingitwithslimmingworld.blogspot.com/

Slimming World Weigh Day - Results of Challenge Week 7

Another week has passed,  despite a bit of an iffy weekend, I have lost another 1lb.  I am pleased, but this next award is still evading me. The diary challenge ends next Thursday so it would be nice to get my stone and a half as a fitting reward for completing it.   

I am wondering what my next challenge should be, it has definitely helped writing a food diary so I will probably keep it up; this time though I think I need a more definite goal rather than just a pledge to stick to it.  Assuming I get my goal for next week the next award would be for club 10 (for losing 10% of your starting weigh) which is only an additional couple of pounds, whilst at this rate it would probably take me until next year to get there it isn't exactly aiming high.  I could aim for my 2 stone award - realistically at my current weight loss rate that would take another 7 to 8 weeks.  I think that I should aim for doing it in 7 weeks, which would take me to 9 June.  So my next goal starting 28 April is to get my 2 stone award by 9 June 2011.

I went shopping today (Tesco has 25% off all clothing - it would be rude not to), I picked up 5 items in a size 16 without trying them on, got them home and they all fit.  So happy, I haven't worn a size 16 in about 5 years it is the first time since I have been on this diet attempt that I have had to go out and buy a smaller size; I still had size 18's in my wardrobe that I was squishing into when I was really a size 20 so the change between those sizes wasn't really noticable.  Despite the small losses the fact that I could buy clothes in a smaller size means that I am feeling really motivated again, the ounces may be slow to fall but the inches are definitely disappearing.

Results of Slimming World Lent Challenge Week 6

There are good weeks and there are bad ones; unfortunately two weeks of flexible syns have resulted in my first gain, 0.5lbs.  I am disappointed, I didn't go that far over my syns and it isn't like I have lost much for weeks.  I need to think how I can speed up my weight loss. To make it worse; I have been invited out for tea on Saturday, I can't imagine it is going to be low in syns and as flexible syns are not working for me at the moment, so that is another challenge.

Somedays it all seems so hard, having to worry about everything that passes your lips, constantly thinking about food.  Why can't I have been born with a fast metabolism, why did I put on all this weight again, why doesn't everything go the way you plan.

I am slipping into a bad mood so I am going to leave it at that, wish me luck!

30 Day Song Challenge Day 7 a song that reminds you of a certain event and Day 8 a song you know all the words to.

I am a bit rubbish at this, I am keeping to the one a day on Facebook but haven't managed to find enough time to come on here and share. 

Back in May 2004 when I was a size 8/10 I went on holiday with my other half as 'just friends' to attend his best friends wedding (it is a long story, maybe another time). 

The day after we arrived was overcast with a strong breeze that could almost have been classed as windy;  ocassionally the sun would pop out for a minute but mostly it was pretty dull, but we were british and on holiday so what to do but go to the pool area, relax and catch a few of those rare rays. As I layed back to read my book (Jackie Collins, nothing else does it on holiday for me) and listen to Evanesence on my personal CD player I felt my cares drift away.

I must have dozed off because two hours later I woke up feeling hot, tight and sticky. I looked at my other half and noticed he was asleep and very very red - I woke him up and pointed out the damage in return he pointed and laughed at me.  Back inside the apartment I saw the extent of the damage, every bit of exposed skin was bright red, unfortunately I was wearing a cropped bikini top and shorts so I was left with definite stripes.  The other half was even worse being topless and having rolled up his shorts, he had a terrible case of sun stroke and wasn't able to leave the room until late afternoon for another two days. I peeled  like a snake huge strips of skin floated off in the bath and I was covered in blisters. We were lucky the wedding wasn't for another 10 days, by which time we were both a much better shade.

This song takes me right back to those early days...



The second song takes me back much further, as a child I was a huge Carpenters fan, I listened to their album over and over again.  My favourite song was 'rainy days and mondays' even as a child I could relate to the lyrics, and I knew them off by heart.  I can still sing along now.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 4 and 5 - A song that makes you sad and a song that reminds you of someone.

Song 4 is the easiest so far.  I can't help but well up when I hear this song, any Green Day song makes me feel wistful but this one, it seems to talk to me, reflects how I feel about myself, especially when I think about the time I was ill. I love Green Day but this song makes me sad.

Song 5 this one took some thinking about, lots of songs remind me of people, so I am choosing one that reminds me of a friend I lost, someone really great but unfortunately really messed up.  Not sure he would approve of the choice but when I hear it I think of him... so this is for you Danny.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 3 A Song That Makes You Happy- Reef 'Place Your Hands'

Happy memories, being young, jumping around like a loon.  Love it, love it, love it.

My slimming story - results of challenge week 5.

Another week and another 1lb loss. I have lost for 5 weeks in a row now, a miracle for me.  I have a long history when it comes to my weight losses and gains, so if you are sitting comfortably I thought I might take a moment to share my story.

I wasn't a fat child, but I was tall for my age, I towered above my friends; I started puberty at 8 had to wear a bra at middle school,  this made me hate doing sport in front of people. When the underarm hair started sprouting at age 9 I would do anything to get out of going swimming, I hated being different, I remember once being picked on by some teenagers because I played with babies, I didn't, they were friends from my class.

The lack of exercise combined with comfort eating meant that I started to gain weight in high school, by then other kids were catching up with me, in height and bra size, but the damage to my self esteem had already been done.  I never felt I fitted in and used to spend every summer dreaming that I would lose weight, my spots would miraculously disappear and I would go back to school thin, pretty and popular.  I started my first diet at 13, well it was more a case of only eating one meal a day.  I started calorie counting the year after, I lost a bit of weight but was totally overshadowed in my great unveil by a girl who came back half the size, with a whole new look and bags of confidence.  Despite the diets I was pretty much constantly a size 14 I felt fat and uncomfortable especially when my legs would rub together when I walked (I would give my right arm to be that size now, even with the sore legs).

I met my first serious boyfriend when I was 17, we both lived at home with our parents and soon we were eating takeaways two or three times a week, going to the pub on a weekend and generally living as unhealthily as possible, a year later I was a size 16.  Not long after that I went through a pretty dark period in my life, to be honest after years of self hatred I finally flipped.  I don't have much memory of my eighteenth year, I went from one anti depressant to another and spent most of my time in bed. I turned down all the offers I had for university and avoided thinking about the future.  I finally found some medication which let me function, albeit in a flat emotionless way but I was out of bed and could make plans. I made it through my A-levels by some miracle and decided to go an study an art foundation course at another local college, by then I was a large size 16.

I started making some changes to my life during that year, I had art therapy and gradually stopped taking medication as I learnt to deal with my emotions and some of the issues I had been carrying around for years.  I also joined a slimming club one with a restrictive calorie controlled diet. I applied to study Art and English at university and for the first time in my life I was happy. I lost weight and by the time I started university I was a size 12.  University life is notoriously unhealthy and without sticking to the diet 100% it was no surprise that by the end of the second year I was squeezing into size 16 trousers. I realised I would have to do something about it, in another year I would be graduating and that meant photos, photos that parents would want to put up on the wall,  and I was determined not to look fat in them.

I joined Slimming World the first time in May 2002 and I weighed just under 14 stone. The diet was a revelation, I could eat loads and still lose weight. I worked out how to save syns for nights out and new what I could have at the Indian takeaway.  The best thing was that I finally realised my dream of coming back visibly thinner from a summer break. By the time I returned for autumn term I had lost 1 stone 9lb's and was getting loads of compliments.  By the time I left university I was back down to a size 12, by May 2004 I was at my target weight of 10 stone 2lbs and a size 8/10.

Since then I have gradually gained all the weight back again plus a few more stone, I have rejoined slimming world numerous times, lost half a stone and then quit again, gone back another stone heavier each time.  I have been a member at my current group since October 2009 when I rejoined I was 15stone 13, I messed about at it for over a year, but this time I didn't quit and now, I hope, I am finally moving towards my goal again; this time I am only aiming for 11 stone 3lb, that was the weight I was happiest at and one I hope is maintainable.

I am excited to see how the story develops and I hope like all the best stories, that it has a happy ending

30 Day Song Challenge: Day 2 your least favourite song

This one was really hard, there were a lot of contenders.  But just because a song is rubbish doesn't mean it deserves to be given the status of least favourite. 

I considered adding something that made me feel miserable, which takes a lot because I like sad songs.  the Verve 'The Drugs Don't Work' however takes it a bit too far for me. Having said that I can't deny that it is well written and sort of haunting beautiful, no that wasn't the song for today.

I did think about a song that I could associate with a bad memory, I once got so mad at an Ex for saying he fancied the girl out of Aqua when 'Dr Jones' was playing that I through the tape out of the window as we drove down the motorway.  That was his brain, and my jealousy at fault, not the song so it wouldn't be right to add that.

Something, well anything by Celine Dion would have been a good choice; I hate her sickly sweet love songs. But then it struck me, there was a song that I can't even listen to all the way through, that sets my teeth on edge.  A song that other people love, which makes it even more irritating that I don't get it.  Even the video is awful.  I am sure lots of people will disagree but thats OK each to there own, nothing like variety and all that.

So here goes ...

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 1

I noticed a few people were doing this in cyber space so I thought I would too (nowt like jumping on the bandwagon) 

Day 01: Your Favourite Song

Blink 182 - I Miss You (I know I have already posted it on here but needs must). Honestly this is a close one with Crowded House's Distant Sun coming in second, but I listen to this one much more often, and it reminds me of a really great time in my life, always makes me smile.

Anyone else who is new to this challenge here is the rest of the list.  You place one song on each day, in the order below.

day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event
day 08 - a song that you know all the words to
day 09 - a song that you can dance to
day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep
day 11 - a song from your favorite band
day 12 - a song from a band you hate
day 13 - a song that is a guilty pleasure
day 14 - a song that no one would expect you to love
day 15 - a song that describes you
day 16 - a song that you used to love but now hate
day 17 - a song that you hear often on the radio
day 18 - a song that you wish you heard on the radio
day 19 - a song from your favorite album
day 20 - a song that you listen to when you’re angry
day 21 - a song that you listen to when you’re happy
day 22 - a song that you listen to when you’re sad
day 23 - a song that you want to play at your wedding
day 24 - a song that you want to play at your funeral
day 25 - a song that makes you laugh
day 26 - a song that you can play on an instrument
day 27 - a song that you wish you could play
day 28 - a song that makes you feel guilty
day 29 - a song from your childhood
day 30 - your favorite song at this time last year

Hydrotherapy Ankle Class Session 3

Another week has passed on my journey to recovery.  I have walked lots this week, I'm not talking marathons,but I have been out shopping and when we went out for tea I walked from the car to the restaurant.  Yesterday I drove to the supermarket, it was the first time I had been out in the car on my own for 18 weeks, I was scared but I had to do it, not least because I hadn't got my mum anything for Mother's Day (I am such a bad daughter)!

I am definitely moving more fluidly than I was before I started 'Aqua for Cripples', The limping is only apparent if I try to walk too quickly or if I have been at it for a while.  Regarding pain I have good and bad days but definitely more good than bad now.  I am still using Doris but only because I can't go downstairs without her, I am getting better at it but, I still feel like I am swinging down instead of stepping. I can at least get up stairs with just the rail now .

I have set myself a target to move home on 15 April, this coincidentally happens to be the same day that my other half's parents are planning on returning to France after taking over my house for what will be three months.  I love them and all but I want to move back to experience normality not to feel like an intruder in my own home.

So back to today's class, today's exercises were;

Warm Up

Walk or swim up and down the pool.

Exercise 1

A). At the edge of the pool rise up onto the toes and down (repeat 10 times)
B). At the edge of the pool rise up onto the toes and down and onto the heels (repeat 10 times)

Exercise 2
A).Stand on one leg, cross your other leg over the first leg and touch the pool floor with the outer edge of your foot, repeat with the other leg (repeat 10 times).
B).Stand with your feet slightly apart and shift your weight from one foot to the other putting your weight as far over on your foot as you can do comfortably.

Circuit Training

1). Square kick Float

A).Place float under foot and step to the front with second foot, back to the centre and then behind.
B). Step to the side with one foot then the other.
C).Repeat with opposite foot.
(Repeat for 2 - 5 mins)

2). Small inflatable ring

Place your injured foot in the hole of a small inflatable hoop, push it down in the water and then lift it up using your leg. (Repeat for 2 - 5 minutes)






3). Penny floater/foam football

Put the ball between your legs and rise onto your toes, return to your flat feet and then sqaut down. (Repeat for 2-5 minutes)

4). Flipper

Put a flipper on your injured foot and standing at the edge of the pool slowly lift your leg up and then down in the water, lift your leg as high as you can comfortably before returning.

5). Woggle or Noodle

Sit on the Noodle and float in the pool using your legs like you are cycling.
(continue for 2 - 5 minutes)





6). Move a none floating ball around the bottom pool with your good foot while standing on your injured foot, try to keep control of the ball.

Flexible Syns - because this week I need them!

I went out last night, I tried to be good but on totalling up the syns I seemed to have gone totally off the rails - oops! So for the first time ever (well in the 10 years I have been playing at Slimming World) I am going to give this flexible syn thing a go.

The theory is that every so often we need more than our allotted 105 syns a week, no amount of saving up or cutting down is going to give you enough flexibility for this particular week.  So you set yourself a goal of how many syns you are planning on having in one day, say an extra 30 above your normal allowance, you count them, if it isn't enough you just count some more.  You get to the end of the day write them all down and draw a line under them.  The next day you go back to having your regular allowance of 15 syns of whatever you usually have.

Yesterday I went out to Loch Fyne, I chose really well I thought - a sharing platter which was pretty much all fish.  Moules Provençal, which is mussels with a tomato sauce, and I left most of the sauce. I had one small slice of wholemeal bread and two tiny pieces of white French bread.  Then there was the wine 3 x 175ml glasses hmm 18 syns there; worse still there was the dessert, oh dear chocolate cheesecake with lemon sorbet and a spicy pineapple compote.  OK it was lovely but at approx 21 syns that really pushed up my count.  So adding it all up I had a total of 60.5 syns yesterday.

Best case scenario
I had already had 21 syns so that is 81.5 syns.  I usually have about 30 on a Saturday so I could count 30.5 as flexible syns.  That means I had eaten 51 non flexible syns. I had 29 non flexible syns today so that means I have had 80 non flexible syns and should have 25 non flexible syns left for the rest of the week.

Worse case scenario
I count all 60.5 as flexible syns so I only had 21 non flexible syns plus 29 non flexible syns today which gives me a total of 50 none flexible syns.  leaving me with 55 non flexible syns for the rest of the week.

The idea is not to feel deprived so I suppose it depends how the week goes I can choose to have between 25 and 55 syns and still remain in control.  I will obviously try for the lower amount, but will try not to throw the teddy out if I go closer to the upper amount.

To summarise I either have 105 (plus 30.5 flexible syns) or 105 (plus 60.5 flexible syns) or somewhere in the middle.  Do flexible syns work? We will see on Thursday.

Lovely meal at Loch Fyne and Eating Oysters

Oysters

Finally something ticked off the list.

Fish Sharing Platter

Chocolate Cheesecake, Lemon Sorbet and Spicy Pineapple Compote

So yummy ... all gone!!!

A 30th First - My First Pop Star Crush

I know it is unbelievable but I have never actually had a crush on a famous person before.  Sure I think some are better looking than others and I told my other half that I fancy Will Smith (you know those early conversations about the people on your 'list' well as I don't do crushes I had to add someone), but other than admiring his physique and acting talent I can't really say I fantasise about him.  I just figured that the fact someone was famous was enough to prevent me having adolescent fantasies about dating, kissing and being madly in love with a pop star or actor.  I mean how completely deluded do you have to be to think that someone like that would ever give you the time of day, and anyway I figured that any famous man would probably have an ego to match his paycheck

However at the grand old age of 30 I have popped the fantasy cherry and have developed a mega crush on Pat Monahan from Train.  Now to be fair there is a passing resemblance between Pat and my boyfriend which may have something to do with my new found fascination.  But I think I finally get what the crush thing is all about, I can imagine that Pat is the great guy he acts out in his videos (that's not to say he is horrible in real life) the sort of perfect boyfriend who sings love songs, wants to marry me, thinks I am great, and as he happens to looks a bit like my other half I can also pretend that they are one and the same ... and well you can see where this is leading. 

I think there is something to be said for fantasies, they make you feel good, for a few moments you can forget that you are fat, fed up and frustrated and believe instead that you are the perfect woman to go with your dream man.  And in fantasies you get exactly what you want, how you want it without any recrimination. I would like to say that my fantasies were downright dirty but to be honest I am a romantic at heart and its more a meeting of minds coupled with his obvious burning desire for me that keeps me up from the land of Nod.

I think you are probably more open to fantasies when real life lets you down, when you believed in something and it didn't turn out how you planned.  I think if real love starts to feel like a fantasy then you might as well believe in fairies and middle aged rockers.

I wonder if I would be having fantasies about random pop stars if I wasn't still living at my parents (it's a long story starting with a broken ankle and ending, hopefully, with a couple of parent type people vacating my home and returning to theirs in France).  If I was at home would my needs be being met, would I be receiving the love I crave or would I still need to find solace in an imaginary relationship.  I guess only time will tell.

Anyway I am off now I have a date with Pat after all...

Slimming World Challenge Week 4 Results

Another small loss, another 1lb down.  I am now back to where I was before the horrible 7lb in 2 weeks that kick started this challenge.  I can't believe it has taken twice as long to lose it as to gain it, I best keep that in mind when I think about falling from the wagon. 

Now that I am starting to get more mobile with my ankle (I drove mum and me to slimming today - yippee for me), I am going to have to start upping up my exercise, I am not talking anything overly active but I think I could manage to do something everyday maybe go for a walk or swimming. 

I really want a 2lb loss next week, I dread writing that as when I set a target I usually go off track, but I want my stone and a half award. 

Check out my food diary here: Slimming World Challenge.

Hydrotherapy Session 2

The second session in the pool took place on Monday.  The exercises different, the result was that my ankle started to hurt during and definitely ached afterwards, I had some pain in my calves on the evening but my thighs this time were fine. 

In addition to walking in the various ways mentioned in my previous entry, we also did some smaller more focussed exercises:

Warm up

Walk up and down the pool, or swim.
At side of pool rise onto your toes and down again.
At the side of the pool, feet together and squat down.

Exercise 1

Stand in the pool with the float under both feet
step forward with your bad foot to the pool floor just in front of the float, return to both feet on the float
Put your bad foot to the side of the float, return to centre
Put your foot behind the float. return to centre
Repeat with bad leg on float and good leg moving forward, to the centre, to the side, to the centre, and then to the back.
Repeat on both feet 10 times.

Exercise 2

With the float on the floor beneath your feet shuffle to the front edge of the float so that your toes are on the pool floor and heels on the float,move around the edges of the float in this position.
Repeat 5 times (change direction on each turn to prevent you going dizzy).

Exercise 3

With the float beneath your feet shuffle to the back of the float so that your heels are on the pool floor and toes on the float, move around the edges of the float in this position
Repeat 5 times (change direction on each turn to prevent you going dizzy).

Exercise 4

Walk up and down the pool as if walking on a tightrope, putting the heel of one foot directly in front of the toes on the other.

Exercise 5

Stand in the pool, make a small step to the side with your bad foot, return to the centre, make a slightly bigger side step, to the centre, repeat until you are stepping as wide as you can.  Repeat 10 times from the start.

Cool Down

Walk down the pool, with each step lift your foot and move it in a small circle.
Continue the small turns stood at the end of the pool.

Disclaimer
I am not a trained physiotherapist, if you choose to do these exercises you do so at your own risk, I am not responsible for any harm you do to yourself, there is no substitute for professional help, and if at all possible you should contact a trained physiotherapist to help you with your rehabilitation.

The Diet Struggle Continues !

I am having a bad diet week, I am still within the weekly syns but am struggling to maintain focus.  I can't work out why I get like this.  Is it boredom or a sense of why try so hard for such a small loss? I seem to get to week 4 and lose motivation. Keeping the diary is the only thing that is keeping me on plan at all, I nearly stopped at the weekend when I was eating everything in sight, but I wrote it all down on a scrap of paper and sat down while the kids were watching Karate Kid and worked out the syns.

I very nearly ate a McDonald's on Sunday, I checked the syns before we set off and decided that there was no way I was wasting that many on junk food; so while he and the not so little dears stuffed their faces, I had a coffee and a free bag of fruit (from an instant win on the monopoly game) instead.  OK I admit it... I stole a single chip, a small bite of a cheeseburger (well we won that too - so it was free), and a sip of banana milkshake - but they are all counted and in the diary, I figure I showed real restraint not giving in and eating the second free cheeseburger.

I made the smash pizza on Saturday, but I forgot to take a photo - I will take one next time I make one.  It was very filling, I think I made the base a bit too dry and I didn't roll it thin enough but other than that it was pretty good.  I didn't feel too deprived when they were eating the proper stuff.  I followed the Smash pizza recipe on Jess Collings' wonderful blog;  although I had mozzarella, olives, pepperoni and roast chicken on mine.

I also made some chickpea snacks thanks to a helpful hint from someone in my SW group.  I drained a can of chickpeas, laid them out on a baking tray, sprayed with fry light and sprinkled with season all and cooked for 15 minutes.  I ate them still warm, was a bit like those hot peanuts you get in bars - quite yummy.



 

Slimming World Challenge Week 3 Results

Tonight I lost 1lb, not exactly jumping for joy but that is three losses in a row.  I didn't feel like I had lost much so it wasn't a surprise but I would like to see at least 2lb next week.  The kids are staying this weekend which is always difficult, they are really fussy eaters and it isn't worth the arguments making them eat slimming world too.  I am going to try Slimming World pizza on Saturday night then they can have regular pizza without tempting me.

I will share my results later.

I find the variation in weight loss frustrating, 1lb, 4lb then 1lb again.  Why when we stick to the plan does the amount we lose vary so much?

My other half thinks that I am always a week behind on my weight loss, so the 4lb loss was a result of the first week on the challenge, and this weeks was the result of the 80 odd syns I had on week 2.  This week was just over 70 syns so hopefully that should be somewhere between the two.

There is always the issue of hormones, If we throw them into the mix,  last week was also star week and I always lose more then.  Then there is how much you eat and drink on weigh day, I never eat exactly the same so if I haven't digested the food then it might weight heavier some weeks than others.  There is also fluid retention as a result of exercise, hormones or medication.  Then there is the clothes, I don't always wear the same thing so that can add or lose a lb. When you think about it, there is no surprise that sometimes you have an unexpected gain or lose more than you thought you would.

I was feeling a bit down about the size of the loss before I started this post, but when you put it all in perspective like that, it doesn't seem too bad.

Click here for my full food diary for the Slimming World Food Diary Lent Challenge.

Slimming World Internet Recipe Trials

Mum and I decided to experiment with some Slimming World recipes we had seen online for tea tonight.  We had both independently come across recipes for Diet Coke Chicken, and were intrigued to try it.

The basic recipe was

4 skinless chicken breasts
2 onions
1 can diet coke
1 tsp worcestershire suace
3 tbsp pasatta

Basically you fry off the chicken and onion until the chicken is starting to colour then add the other three ingredients and cook off until the sauce has thickened.  We tested the sauce and decided it was a bit bland for our tastes so added the following

1 tsp chilli powder (ideally this would have been fried off with the meat at the start)
1 tsp chicken bovril
another tbsp pasatta

We cooked off the extra ingredients and served it with boiled rice.

The added heat from the chilli and the salt from the stock definitely gave it a more rounded flavour.

I think I was impatient to get eating as it is still a bit steamy - oopps!

The second experiment came courtesy of a fellow blogger at Slimming World Recipes, she has some interesting recipes and this one caught my eye, well who wouldn't say no to syn free crisps.

I was very impressed by how like crisps they were, so moreish and dead easy to do.  I have a horrible feeling the slimming world mafia may not approve, they can be awful funny about things like this.  But assuming I don't gain weight this week, I will definitely try these again.

Hydrotherapy - OMG I ache all over!

Today was my first session in the hydrotherapy pool, me and 3 blokes all with poorly ankles were put through our paces by 'Alexander the Great' sorry that should be Alex the physiotherapist (his bloody minded determination for us to push ourselves is very reminiscent of the famous military leader).

I figure we walked about a mile up and down that pool today, forwards, backwards, side steps, knees up, jogging, with float under bad foot, with float under good foot in all three directions.  It was actually really good fun, I forgot how much I enjoy exercises classes, it has been so long since I have been to one.  However my thighs think they have been set on fire and I am having to force myself not to limp as the evening draws in and I realise how out of shape I am.

I was warned by one of my fellow privates in the army of Alex, that it will hurt and I will probably wonder what on earth was wrong with me.  This bloke was blatantly in a lot better shape than me to start with so I imagine my pain will only be getting worse, if he felt it there is no hope for me.

I would like to say just how great the new Pinderfields' hospital is in Wakefield, it seems to be getting a bit of stick in the papers but my experience has been really positive.  The hydro pool is fantastic, although showers in the changing rooms instead of the pool side would have been a good idea.   The place is bright and airy seems to be kept really clean and is generally very welcoming.

On a side note I once read that old people don't become more angry when they get older the angry ones were always like that.  If that is true then the old lady behind me at the rehab reception today must have had a lot of tantrums as a child.  We were only waiting a minute before she had a total rant about how it was just not good enough that there was no-one on reception, I admit it is a bit odd that there are three people at the desk but only the relevant one will help you, surely they could cover for each other.  Anyway the poor receptionist, who wasn't covering physio, didn't know what to do with herself as the woman started what was likely to be a full blown assault if the actual receptionist hadn't turned up to cut her short.  Blimey some people are just scary!!!

I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce you to my best pal Doris, she is a real support to me, keeps me up when I feel like falling down, holds my hand through the bad times and takes whatever I throw at her.

Don't she look pretty in her new bow! 

Slimming World Black Forest Roulade





8.5 syns for the whole roulade





Yummy and less than 1.5 syns per portion

Serves 6

3 large eggs
8 tbsp artificial sweetener
2-3 drops vanilla essence
2 level tbsp plain flour
1 level tbsp cocoa
1 tbsp hot water
8oz fresh cherries (stoned fresh or desfrosted frozen)
255g quark








1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees C/Gas 6. Put the eggs, sweetener and vanilla essence in a bowl and whisk until light and thick. Fold in flour and cocoa powder and add the hot water. Spoon into a 29.5 x 23cm/13 x 8 inch swiss roll tin lined with greaseproof paper.
Bake for 8-10 mins.

2.Turn out onto a piece of grease proof paper, peel away the backing paper and trim the edges. Roll up and leave to cool.

3.Reserve a few cherries for decoration. Unroll the sponge and spread with the quark (add sweetner and vanilla essence to taste, set some aside for the topping) leave a 4cm/1.5 inch border. Reroll and decorate with reserved quark mixture and cherries.

4. Cut into 6 slices and serve.

8.5 syns for the whole roulade, less than 1.5 syns per slice.

Do we ever really grow up?

I had a tantrum yesterday, 30 years old and I threw a magazine at me dad and stormed out of the room.  Well I attempted to storm out of the room, went much quicker than my foot would let me and ended up on the hall floor crying like a petulant child.  It comes to something when you can't have a successful strop any more!

The tantrum was triggered by my dad calling my mum 'stupid woman', this is my dad's favourite insult and he has used it on all of us since we were kids, it isn't like it is a particularly inventive or cruel phrase but something about the way he says it winds me off the clock.  My mum wasn't even bothered and would have ignored him and carried on as if he hadn't said it.  But me, being the emotionally unstable human that I am, I had to go and over react.

It was an entirely childish reaction, and unfortunately one I just can't seem to grow out of, if someone upsets me, says something mean or hurts my feelings, I just snap.  One minute I can be having a perfectly civilised conversation,  the next I am slamming a door as I leave the room in tears.  I admit I do this a lot less than when I was a child but far too often for a grown woman.

I think I am more prone to this kind of reaction when I am with my parents, and lets face it I have spent the last 3 months living with them; it seems that something about that relationship you have with them never changes, no matter how old you are when you are, with them you still feel like a child.

The whole incident is now just something to recall and laugh at and no harm has been done, except maybe to the readers digest which took a beating against my dad's shoe when I threw it, we will carry on as normal until the day I inevitably do it again, next time though I will hopefully make it further than the hall floor.

Slimming World Challenge Week 2

Hip hip hooray, I lost 4lb's, and even better I am Slimmer of the Week.  I am really pleased, but considering that last time I had a good loss it was followed by two huge gains I am a little apprehensive about overdoing the celebration.

So far however, the challenge seems to be  going well, a total loss of 5lb in two weeks.  I have 6 weeks go to the end of the challenge, it will be interesting to see where I am by then.  I would really like my 2 stone award, which is 9 lbs away.

I know it is possible as long as I stay motivated, I feel more passionate about sticking to the diet than I have in years, I actually want to stick to it, for me.  Maybe that is it, the missing link - all this time I have wanted to be thinner because of what other people might think, I have wanted to be someone else.  For the first time in ages, I just want to be me, I want to lose weight to make me happy not anyone else.

If you would like to see my food diaries I am writing them up on the Slimming World Lent Food Diary Challenge page.

Mug or Meanie - Getting it right in relationships

I have had another nice day with my other half, on days like today you wonder why you ever fall out, all those disagreements fall away and you start feeling like it is all worth it.  So I got thinking about relationships again - be aware more babble ahead...

I sometimes think that the secret to a good relationship is compromise.  But it is how much to give in, how much you let them take that seems to be the sticking point.

I have friends who are much further down the relationship journey than I am, they are married and have children, and they are unhappy.  They complain about their other halves constantly;  he never listens to me; he only wants to talk when he know's I am watching TV; we never have a conversation; he is so tight, he goes out with his friends all the time, he cares more about football than me ... the list is endless and all too familiar for most women.

The thing is  I only ever hear one side of these situations, I don't know what the husbands and partners have to say in their defence.  However, I am willing to break the laws of sisterhood (while covering my head with my arms and crouching behind the sofa for fear of being attacked by burning bras and the broken chains of female oppression) and will openly admit that sometimes, and I certainly don't mean all the time; when I gripe about my relationship, I can be petty, I do overreact and I am probably occasionally ever so slightly unfair. 

I can hear the voices of women in my head saying: Don't accept his behaviour, grow a backbone, fight back, don't be a mug.  But I am tuning them out as I consider whether we should pick our battles.  Afterall why do we let little things annoy us, causing us to constantly gripe and nag at him.  All it serves to do is make him think we are unreasonable, and when something more than a mere irritation comes along, something we need to discuss and resolve, the impact of our telling them is diluted.  I suppose it is like being the little girl that cried monster when she didn't want to go to bed; we complain when we don't get our own way over the small things, so when something really scary threatens our relationship, they no longer listen to us.

So where do you draw the line between Mug or Meanie? Can you find an acceptable level where you can let the little irritations go (not just stock them up for the next big argument)? Or are there times when you know he is more likely to wind you up, when it might be better to keep out of his way and avoid having conversations about trigger topics ? 

Every relationship is different as is each person in it, I suppose we all have to find our own way of staying 'in' love with the significant other in our lives, and I think sometimes we need to remember that it isn't all their fault, we can make compromises without being a doormat. 

Any men out there, I know you say you don't gossip, but maybe this might also be something you too could consider.  When she isn't always looking her best, if she snaps at you for no reason, when she uses your razer without asking, or she slags off your mum, or begs you to watch something girly on TV is it really necessary to complain about it or hold it against them in the future?  Could you let it go for the sake of continued happiness, could you accept that you don't always have to be right. It won't make you less of a man, I promise, and you might even find you enjoy life together just a bit more.

Shopping, shoes and a swollen foot

I have a new laptop, I am very excited.  It is a tomato red Acer Aspire 5742, I collected it from PC World this AM. 

Next stop on my trip was shoe shopping, the biggest problem I have had with recovering from a broken ankle is that my foot is so swollen none of my normal shoes fit,  I have been living in trainers for weeks. 

In order that I could dress in something other than jeans and tracky bottoms I decided to invest in some really comfortable shoes, unfortunatley this meant a trip to a 'granny' shoe shop; you know the ones I mean, you expect comfort over fashion, usually full of old ladies with bunions and replacement hips. 

The shop I visited was a small independant store in Wakefield called Earnshaws, yes there was limited choice of shoes that a self respecting 30 year old would wear, but the staff were young and friendly, they were really attentive and actually helped to properly fit the shoes on my feet.  There was a real difference in the customer service compared with some of the bigger more mainstream shops, it was a refreshing change.

In the end I bought a pair of  Hotter shoes in the sale and a pair of Rieker shoes at full price.  The Hotter shoes have removable insoles meaning that the swollen foot would fit in the same size as my other reguarly wide foot.  The Reiker ones are a wide fitting anyway and I managed to get both feet in quite comfortably, I may need to add an insole to the normal foot to make it a snugger fit but they generally looked pretty good.

I had my third physiotherapy session this week, I am now down to a stick. Can't say that carrying a stick does much for the street cred, I feel like an old lady, what with the comfy shoes and a stick I just need a blue rinse to complete the look.  The stick is a lot less supportive than a crutch, I can't imagine going up and down steps is going to be easy and I don't fancy long distance walks.  I know it is all about confidence - but the thought of falling again... it doesn't bear thinking about.

The physio manipulated my ankle today, no idea if it helped but it really, really hurt. She was pressing it, twisting it and moving it back and forth, at times it felt like it was going to break again which was really scary and wierd.  

Additional exercise this week were:

1.)Step up and down with the bad foot on the bottom step of the staircase. (repeat 10 times)

2.)Make a small squat movement (bend your knees so they extend over your toes hold and return to standing).You can use a worktop for support. (repeat 10 times)

3.)Balance on your bad leg holding the pose for as long as possible.  (repeat 10 times)

4.)Put you bad leg on the bottom step keep your good leg behind you and lunge forward, repeat on the other leg.  Intensify the movement by using the second step again.  (repeat 10 times)

Happy Day

I have had a lovely day!  I say that so rarely I felt it deserved a post all of it's own.  I spent the day with my other half, and it was really nice.  We didn't argue, we talked, we had coffee and browsed shops, it felt like the old days when we were younger and more in love.  Despite my happy mood, I do feel rather philosophical  so prepare for a babble.

Being 'in' love is an interesting concept, all too often it seems we confuse that early passion, the unfamiliarity of a new'ish' relationship with being 'in' love.  It is easy to feel all gooey eyed and in adoration of your other half when there annoying habits are just cute character traits, when you don't have a mortgage, when you still go out every time you see each other, assuming you don't spend  the entire day together in bed!

It is still pretty simple to be 'in' love when you make those first commitment steps; like moving in together with all the cute coupley shopping trips for furnishings and kitchen utensils. You are still sharing smug glances when you invite your equally coupled up friends around to your new pad.  And the proceed to test drive every room in the house once they have gone.

You still feel 'in' love when you get to the comfortable stage.  All those cosy nights in with a movie and a bottle of wine; summer days in the garden and package holidays to cheap and cheery sunny spots abroad.  You still smile and laugh when you share a private joke or remember something from your early days.

But 6/7 years on; the cute characteristic's become irritating habits, the cosy nights are boring, the holiday's stop happening as money gets tighter.  Houses need repairs, washing machines break down and bills have to be paid.  You start wanting different things, you miss the care free days of your youth  and you start wishing you had more time for yourself. 

Then the passion that had gradually ebbed over the years becomes but a mere flutter you feel after one too many drinks.  The bedroom activity is less Olympian and more sack race, once you have mastered the movement you just go until it's done, there is no room for manouevre in the sack. 

If I paint a picture of a bad relationship, I don't mean to.  It isn't that you no longer love each other but you wonder if you are actually 'in' love.

The worst time for this to happen is when you are considering a major change in your circumstances:  A wedding for example, or maybe having a child, it could even be moving house. Whatever it is,  anything that makes you question your future, only serves to heighten what is seemingly missing from your relationship.

I wonder if every couple reaches this stage, and if they do, is it possible to recover?
Are long term relationships, the until the day I die type, full of people who have given up on being 'in' love?  Or can you come out of the other end, find that spark that was ignited when you met, and with a shielding hand can you carry it with you, lighting fires as you go to keep the relationship hot, or at least pretty warm?

Physiotherapy for Ankle Rehabilitation Session 2

I apologise for my previous entry I realise I never finished adding the exercises  so I am attaching the full list at the bottom of the post.

I attended my second physiotherapy session today.  It was a learning curve and felt quite productive.  Firstly, I was advised that I could walk better if I took larger steps with my good foot; as I was taking little ones so I spent less time on the bad leg.  Then I was also told to stop looking at my feet and look forward when I walked, as looking down makes you stick your bum out.   See this proves that confident people look thinner because they draw less attention to their bottom.

I had a go at  using steps with alternate feet.  By far the hardest thing so far, don't think I will be doing this much for a while, I was definitely swinging down the steps as opposed to walking, my shoulder is really hurting now (not sure if that is related or not but thought I would throw it in for sympathy).

Other than feeling quite stupid that I don't know how to walk correctly I am pleased with the help I am receiving, I can't urge anyone in the same position enough, get yourself some physiotherapy - I feel so much more capable now than I did a week ago, I have more confidence because I know I am doing the right things.

Disclaimer

I am happy to share the exercises I have been given, but I won't take any responsibility for what happens or doesn't happen if you try them. I am not a trained physio and what is prescribed for me, may not be right for you.  There is no substitute for a professional watching you and advising where you are going wrong so get in touch with one if at all possible!!!

Physio Session One

1.

• Lying on your back or sitting.
• Bend and straighten your ankles briskly.  If you can keep your knees straight during the exercise you will stretch your calf muscles.
• Repeat 10 times

2.

• Sitting with your feet on the floor
• Alternatively raise the inner boarder of your foot (big toe) and then the outer border (little toe). 
• Repeat 10 times 

NB I find doing the exercise with both feet at the same time helps you to compare what normal range of movement should be so you know how far you can push yourself.

3.

• Lying on you back with a cushion under your back (or sitting on a stable chair). 
• Put a towel under the ball of your foot and hold an end with each hand. 
• Bend and straighten your leg slowly.
• Repeat 10 times

4.

• Standing with the bad leg behind the other leg, in front of a table or wall.  
• Bend the front leg, and press the heel of the bad foot down to stretch the achilles tendon.
• Hold for 5 second
• Repeat 10 times

Physiotherapy Session Two

1.

• Sit so you can have your legs up (on a bed or sofa). 
• Place a towel around the bad foot.  Take the one end of the towel in each hand.  Keep this start position for the next 3 exercises. 

a) Push your toes up as far as you can towards your body.  With the towel pull your foot a little further until you feel a stretch.  Hold for 2 and release.

b) Raise the inner boarder of your foot (big toe) as far as you can then with the alternate hand to the foot (my left foot was injured so I use the right hand) pull the towel against the foot to stretch it further in the same motion. Hold for 2 and release.

c) Raise the outer border (little toe) as far as you can then with the corresponding hand to the foot (my left foot was injured so I use the left hand) pull the towel against the foot to stretch it further in the same motion. Hold for 2 and release.

2. 

• Sit so you can have your legs up (on a bed or sofa). 
• Place a theraband or exercise band around the bad foot.  Take the one end of the band in each hand
• Pull the band with both hands up towards your body against the foot. Push against the band with your foot pointing you toes away from the body as far as you can.  If it is too easy, next time pull the band closer to your body before you start the stretch. 

Standing exercises

1. 

• Stand against the kitchen worktop or other table (use the table or worktop for support throughout).  
• Find your centre of gravity.
• Lift up onto your toes with both feet, go only as far as you can on the bad leg.
• Repeat 10 times

2. 

• Stand against the kitchen worktop or other table (use the table or worktop for support throughout).
• Roll back onto your heels lifting the balls of your feet off the floor, go only as far as you can on the bad leg. 
• Repeat 10 times

3. 

• Stand against the kitchen worktop or other table (use the table or worktop for support throughout).  
• Walk on the spot, lifting each leg as high as you can before lowering and repeating with the other leg. 
• Repeat 10 times

Slimming World Food Diary

I am still reeling from shock, I have gained 7lb, in just two weeks! Half a stone - I feel so annoyed, I won't make excuses, but I will say I didn't expect that size of gain.

The shock has made me determined to stick 100% to the diet this week. I really hope that the result will be a large loss, I am so disappointed I really wanted my two stone award by now, but I am back up at a total loss of less than a stone after this recent disaster.

I feel that there are some clear reasons for losing weight and I want to write them here for the world to see, that way I can't hide from them.

Reason 1: I want a sex life! How is that for brutally honest I think I may be finding my virginity again it really has been that long. I know I am unattractive and I have lost confidence in that department, but I miss feeling sexy and desirable; I don't expect to look like a page three model; just vaguely attractive.

Reason 2: I am reliably informed the PCOS symptoms will reduce if I lose weight down to a healthy level.

Reason 3: I hope losing weight will increase my fertility and my chances of conceiving (see reason 1)

Reason 4; I have little control or clue how to deal with anything else in my life, I think concentrating on weight loss as my primary goal for a while might lead me to resolving some of the other issues I am avoiding dealing with.

I promise to be good from now on, in fact for lent I am giving up cheating on slimming world! I am starting early so here is my food intake for the last 3 days.

Thursday Eve

Spaghetti with Quark, tinned tomatoes, 1 tbsp pesto (4 syns) and Quorn fillets.

1 Banana muller light and 1 plum.

Daily total 4 syns

Friday

Scrambled egg, fatless bacon, and tinned tomatoes.

Butternut squash and red pepper soup.

Pork loin and bovril on 4 ryvitas (HE).

Rhubarb muller light

Fresh Fig

Steak, SW chips, salad and 1 tspHelmans XL mayo (1/2 syn).

1 Hi Fi delux bar (6 syns).

Daily total 6.5 syns

Saturday

Bacon, dry fried egg, wholemeal bread (HE and 2.5 syns)

Butternut squash soup

SW lamb rogan josh, sw chicken balti, rice

4 x SW vegetable samosas (4 syns)

1 x Weight Watchers naan bread (5.5 syns)

2 x Coors Light beers (9 syns)

1 tsp lime pickle (0.5 syns)

1 x galaxy ripple (9 syns)

Daily Total 30.5 syns

Sunday

Bacon, scrambled egg, baked beans, 2 x weight watchers sausages (1 syn).

Plum

Roast chicken, dry roast potatoes, mashed potato, spring cabbage, carrots, leeks, yorkshire pudding (7 syns) and Gravy (4.5 syns)

2 x Alpen light (HE)

Daily Total 12.5 syns

Total so far this week 53.5 syns

The weekend is always the hardest part so I am pleased with how I have done so far, just got to keep it up.

Update will be posted tomorrow.

For the full food diary for this week and the whole of lent please see the Slimming World Food Diary Lent Challenge.