Just had a run in with some members of the travelling community. Pleased to say I won, but still feeling shook up, intimidated and apprehensive about going to work tomorrow and leaving the house empty...
Our landlord has a large area of land behind our house. We don't rent the land, the grazing is rented to someone else....but because of my agric background its an unspoken agreement that I keep an eye on things and the cattle when they are here. We have lots of hares...and rolling hills of grassland...hare heaven. Because of this we get lots of people looking to course the hares with their lurchers and greyhounds...this is where i have trouble. This past time *IS* still legal over here, but there are specific seasons...to course outside of the season is an offence...if you could get a Guard to care enough. [this post is not going to turn into a discussion on the right or wrongs of this activity, pro or anti arguments etc! I'm just giving this info for background] Obviously you also need permission to course on someone else's land...and I know our landlord doesn't give this permission to anyone....so I can be reasonably confident that anyone attempting to course on this land, whether in season or not, is doing it without permission...so I don my pit bull terrier disguise and march out to confront them. Normally I get curt apologies, explanations that they were just looking for somewhere to exercise their dogs (yeah right!), out hunting foxes (with a greyhound? and still out of season?)...or that the hare numbers were crap here anyway (did it ever occur to this particular genius that this was because of the out-of-season coursing...if they want lots of hares they have to allow them to breed, duh!) But everytime without fail, and without a fight as such they turn around and leave the property....well today, this charming guy wasn't going to do that.
Would I just let him cut across the track so he could take his three boys (too very young) home to their mammy, accompanied by two enormous lurchers. NO
But I just need to get across there. Well I've just there [just there is actually a pig farm, and no other dwellings - I know for a fact he's not from the pig farm] No, this isn't a public right of way.
But I've come a long way, and its two miles back around the roads No, this is private land and there's cattle everywhere, including two bulls.
But the roads (a quiet country lane) are too dangerous for the boys What the road you've clearly just come along? No, you're not coming across this land.
The young'uns will be kil't in the roads They're more likely to be run down by the bullocks, believe me! Even if you had permission to cross this land it wouldn't be safe to do so...especially with two small children. You're not coming across.
God will judge you for this, you nasty b*tch Unlikely, I'm not really religious
Can we just no
But... NO
I've come a long way already and its two miles on the roads You really should have thought of that
Do you own this land No, it belongs to my landlord (no point lying, this info is easily found)
So its not your land then? No
So you don't have a say then? Actually yes, no one comes on this land except me, the cattle owner and the land owner...that is fact. You're not coming across this land.
How will you stop me I could let my dogs out on you...and I WILL call the gardai. they can be here is less than 3 minutes...you'll never cross the land in that time.
But its not your land We've discussed that already
can't I just No
what if I go down this field [the other side of the house, belongs to another farmer] then out the bottom You still have to cross this land, and you may not do that
no i don't Um, yes you do...unless you can fly
why can't I come across the land because I said so. because its not safe with the bullocks out there. Because you've no permission, shall I go on?
Do you have a problem with me. No I have a problem with people who can't stay off private property. I don't come trotting across your garden, so don't come trotting across here. I'm fed up with people with your sort of dog coming on here illegally, chasing the livestock, damaging fences, and illegally coursing for hares.
[he deliberately mis-hears me here]
Oh..so its all down to 'my sort' is it now? That's not what I said and you know it. Kindly don't twist my words. [for what its worth I actually have J on the phone, listening to every word...which I hope won't be handy - he'd phoned me about lunch just before these people turned up]
You said 'my sort' I said your sort of dog.
What do you mean by that lurchers, long dogs, greyhounds etc
Oh...and I suppose you think only certain types of people own those types of dog not at all, I haven't mentioned any type of people, you did. Do you have a problem with certain types of people?
I have a problem with people who run me off their land and expect me to take two small boys on the road, shame on you how did you get out here [we're in the middle of nowhere] and what are you doing out here anyway?
Then followed a barrage of curses and insults, and threats on me, my house and my dogs (who were barking behind me) and finally they left with the aprting words "well f*** you, and watch your back!"
3 minutes later J turns up and we go into the house to start lunch, but I can't...I'm too jumpy. I spot the horses in the field next door (NOT my landlord's land) and notice that they are all looking in the same direction ,ears pricked and very interested. I go out of the house, to find my 'friends' tiptoeing across the field, trying to duck down behind long grass. I shout 'Oi!' at them and come inside to look out of the kitchen window...Just in time to see them cut through the hedge on to 'my' [landlords] land...at which point the cattle in the first field spot them...and charge over. Well the man and his children run for their lives (literally) down the hedge line, duck under the electric fence wire and cross into the next field. They need to be heading to the right across the field, but so far they're stuck on the left-hand hedgeline. The cattle in the next fields spot them and charge over too. The man and children run some more. They can't cross back through the hedge now...the hedge sits on a stone wall at this point and its impossible. On they go into the third field. J is asking me to ignore them and come inside...but I can't now. Not because I want to see them fail, but because I wasn't lying when I mentioned the bull, and the fact that the cattle will happily run them down...they're in the farthest field now, they are in HIS domain, and I NEVER go in there unless I'm IN a vehicle, NEVER on foot...I'm now watching so that I can call an ambulance should I need to, all smug self-righteousness is firmly in check. Can I get inside and grab my collie (who's pretty brave with cattle) in time to help them if they get into trouble...even if I could they're too far away for me to get there quick enough...all I can do is watch. With all the luck in the world they get out just in time, and retrace their steps up the hedgeline...they've spotted me watching them and start shouting some more abuse...but I stay silent this time. Even the kids are shouting at me now. As if its MY fault that the cattle chased them off...yes of course, cattle training is the next big thing don'cha know! They really should have listened, and not tried to get one over on me...when I said the cattle were dangerous they should have listened. He crosses back through the neighbours field...shouts some more, and waves the smallest child at me (hard to describe, even more bizarre to watch) as if it is a ragdoll...as if to emphasize that he just ran the gauntlet with the bull with his youngest child...um...I did try and stop you, you idiot! He threw out some more threats then headed off...I've locked my front door...and keep checking out of my windows front and back...tempted to pull a sickie tomorrow, can't imagine life without my dogs, and they would be their principle target. They are all microchipped...but still
On the diet front, I'm too worried to be hungry...going to force some soup down in a while, when I feel confident enough to stop watching through this window right by the pc...I'm scared if I miss them through this window they'd be in before I knew it...they'd meet my two biggest dogs head on, but would that be enough?
No time for exercising yet...to busy arguing with travellers...sorry. maybe I'll have a good walk around the [empty] field this evening instead....and while I'm there I may as well check my boundaries
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Too Fat To Shop
Is it just me this happens to?
Motivated by my great weight loss this week I dug out an old exercise video I bought in the cheap bins at Woolworth's last Christmas...I scanned through it to note down timings of the different workouts for future use, then prepared myself to jump around like a loon...find sensible clothes, debate footwear and shut the dogs away...they only ever want to jump about and join in, generally barking and frequently ending up in a 5-dog fight...not fun, so away they went.
Back to the footwear issue...hmmm...here's the problem...I'm not a shoesy girl...in fact I truly don't understand the fascination with shoes that other members of my sex can have...I like my shoes to be functional for what I need, and I like to be prepared should a shirehorse tread on me, or a bus run over my foot... For every day I have comfy steel toe cap boots. For work I have the same comfy steel toe cap boots. For going out to the pub etc,at the bottom of my jeans you'll find the same pair of steel toe cap boots. For going out to posh places I have one smart pair of navy blue court shoes...they are all I have in this category, so I use my imagination when wearing them with things they don't match. They are a size too small, and have me crippled with pain within an hour of wearing them...coming home from formal functions will *ALWAYS* find me bare foot and in agony. For slopping around the house, when I don't have my steel toe caps on I've got an ancient pair of Guinness slippers...and for hot days I have a functional pair of flip flops...none of these shoes/boots are very practical for leaping around to an exercise video...so I picked up my purse and bravely headed into town, wearing my favourite steelies and looking all feminine *LOL*.
I walked into my local sport shop (a large national if not international chain) and promptly got ignored. After all...look at the size of me, I surely can't be in there to actually BUY anything, so why bother to serve me? I found a couple of styles of trainer that I liked, picked them up and looked around me for a sales person....they all suddenly looked really busy (I was the only customer in there). I waited patiently for one of them to finish counting laces...and then finally I walked up to one of them. "May I try on these in sizes 7 and 8 (technically I'm a UK7 but I have very wide feet, so size 7 often doesn't fit...and in 'narrow' Ladies styles, forget it...go for the 8 to 9). Anyway, the staff member I spoke to pointed out that they had sold out of both sizes in one of the styles I'd chosen, and only had an 8 in the other...at this point, she turned away from me and resumed inspecting her fingernails...very busy work for a girl. I turned towards one of the lads working there, and to be fair to him he chose instead to attend to a customer who literally walked in the door at that point. I took a deep breath, forced a smile on my face and approached the third and final member of staff...I held out the second pair towards him and politely demanded the UK8 in that style. He couldn't really back out of that, and duly brought a pair of trainers out of the stock room for me, whereupon he put them down on the bench seat, said "there you are" and walked off, to straighten the t-shirt rail no doubt. Feeling a little humiliated at this point I sat down on the bench and put them on. I wasn't quite sure how they should fit, I wasn't quite sure on the laces arrangement..I haven't owned a pair of runners since I was about 12...I looked around for one the staff to help me, they seemed frightfully busy in the till area discussing last night's television offerings. I collared the same lad to help me...but he looked a bit displeased at being taken away from his riveting conversation. He begrudgingly advised me on fit, and how tight to have the laces etc...and so I bought them. But I don't think I'll buy form there again...the sniggering form the other staff as he asked me how strenuous I was planning to work out was almost too much to bear...I knew if I lost it with them I'd lose it big time...and so it was much more dignified (I think) to just swallow it down, pay up and walk out...
Motivated by my great weight loss this week I dug out an old exercise video I bought in the cheap bins at Woolworth's last Christmas...I scanned through it to note down timings of the different workouts for future use, then prepared myself to jump around like a loon...find sensible clothes, debate footwear and shut the dogs away...they only ever want to jump about and join in, generally barking and frequently ending up in a 5-dog fight...not fun, so away they went.
Back to the footwear issue...hmmm...here's the problem...I'm not a shoesy girl...in fact I truly don't understand the fascination with shoes that other members of my sex can have...I like my shoes to be functional for what I need, and I like to be prepared should a shirehorse tread on me, or a bus run over my foot... For every day I have comfy steel toe cap boots. For work I have the same comfy steel toe cap boots. For going out to the pub etc,at the bottom of my jeans you'll find the same pair of steel toe cap boots. For going out to posh places I have one smart pair of navy blue court shoes...they are all I have in this category, so I use my imagination when wearing them with things they don't match. They are a size too small, and have me crippled with pain within an hour of wearing them...coming home from formal functions will *ALWAYS* find me bare foot and in agony. For slopping around the house, when I don't have my steel toe caps on I've got an ancient pair of Guinness slippers...and for hot days I have a functional pair of flip flops...none of these shoes/boots are very practical for leaping around to an exercise video...so I picked up my purse and bravely headed into town, wearing my favourite steelies and looking all feminine *LOL*.
I walked into my local sport shop (a large national if not international chain) and promptly got ignored. After all...look at the size of me, I surely can't be in there to actually BUY anything, so why bother to serve me? I found a couple of styles of trainer that I liked, picked them up and looked around me for a sales person....they all suddenly looked really busy (I was the only customer in there). I waited patiently for one of them to finish counting laces...and then finally I walked up to one of them. "May I try on these in sizes 7 and 8 (technically I'm a UK7 but I have very wide feet, so size 7 often doesn't fit...and in 'narrow' Ladies styles, forget it...go for the 8 to 9). Anyway, the staff member I spoke to pointed out that they had sold out of both sizes in one of the styles I'd chosen, and only had an 8 in the other...at this point, she turned away from me and resumed inspecting her fingernails...very busy work for a girl. I turned towards one of the lads working there, and to be fair to him he chose instead to attend to a customer who literally walked in the door at that point. I took a deep breath, forced a smile on my face and approached the third and final member of staff...I held out the second pair towards him and politely demanded the UK8 in that style. He couldn't really back out of that, and duly brought a pair of trainers out of the stock room for me, whereupon he put them down on the bench seat, said "there you are" and walked off, to straighten the t-shirt rail no doubt. Feeling a little humiliated at this point I sat down on the bench and put them on. I wasn't quite sure how they should fit, I wasn't quite sure on the laces arrangement..I haven't owned a pair of runners since I was about 12...I looked around for one the staff to help me, they seemed frightfully busy in the till area discussing last night's television offerings. I collared the same lad to help me...but he looked a bit displeased at being taken away from his riveting conversation. He begrudgingly advised me on fit, and how tight to have the laces etc...and so I bought them. But I don't think I'll buy form there again...the sniggering form the other staff as he asked me how strenuous I was planning to work out was almost too much to bear...I knew if I lost it with them I'd lose it big time...and so it was much more dignified (I think) to just swallow it down, pay up and walk out...
Monday, July 31, 2006
Weigh Day 3 - 309.5 (149.5 lbs to lose)
Weighed in at:22 stone 10½ lbs = 309½ lbs
10% goal = 20 stone 8 lbs (loss required 21½ lbs)
long term goal BMI of 25 at 11 stone 6 lbs =160 lbs (loss required 149½ lbs)
Yes, blink, rub your eyes, refresh the page, turn your pc off and reboot it...it won't change a thing! In fact K the clerk was so surprised when she read the screen by the scales that she hesitated, mumbled to herself, asked me to step off and step on again, and then beamed the widest smile as she confirmed to me what I could read on the screen for myself...a whole 10½ pounds down this week! Woo Fucking Hoo!!!!! How mad is that...and I was so apprehensive in going to the meeting tonight, after eating so badly yesterday...ending the day with a 10" pizza all to myself...but, boy am I glad I went! I was floating on air all the way through the meeting and all the way home...in fact I'm still floating on air now...I feel so incredibly motivated and thrilled, especially after putting a brave face on things last week and pretending I wasn't sad about not losing...well, just WOW couldn't wait to show my leader M my weigh-in card after she'd finished her coffee break...and she was just so genuinely pleased for me...she's a real rock of support and encouragement. rightly pointed out to me that not only have I earned my first Silver Seven sticker, for losing 7lbs, I'm also half way towards my next Silver Seven, which will also be my first stone loss...mind boggling!
I don't like to set weekly goals for myself, as I feel you're just setting yourself up for disappointment half the time...and that is more damaging in the long run than any small victories are encouraging....but it'd be magical to knock 3½ more pounds off to reach my first stone next Monday...not a goal, but just a dream to work for...does that make sense?
10% goal = 20 stone 8 lbs (loss required 21½ lbs)
long term goal BMI of 25 at 11 stone 6 lbs =160 lbs (loss required 149½ lbs)
Yes, blink, rub your eyes, refresh the page, turn your pc off and reboot it...it won't change a thing! In fact K the clerk was so surprised when she read the screen by the scales that she hesitated, mumbled to herself, asked me to step off and step on again, and then beamed the widest smile as she confirmed to me what I could read on the screen for myself...a whole 10½ pounds down this week! Woo Fucking Hoo!!!!! How mad is that...and I was so apprehensive in going to the meeting tonight, after eating so badly yesterday...ending the day with a 10" pizza all to myself...but, boy am I glad I went! I was floating on air all the way through the meeting and all the way home...in fact I'm still floating on air now...I feel so incredibly motivated and thrilled, especially after putting a brave face on things last week and pretending I wasn't sad about not losing...well, just WOW couldn't wait to show my leader M my weigh-in card after she'd finished her coffee break...and she was just so genuinely pleased for me...she's a real rock of support and encouragement. rightly pointed out to me that not only have I earned my first Silver Seven sticker, for losing 7lbs, I'm also half way towards my next Silver Seven, which will also be my first stone loss...mind boggling!
I don't like to set weekly goals for myself, as I feel you're just setting yourself up for disappointment half the time...and that is more damaging in the long run than any small victories are encouraging....but it'd be magical to knock 3½ more pounds off to reach my first stone next Monday...not a goal, but just a dream to work for...does that make sense?
Friday, July 28, 2006
A little...
Heard this the other day, and it tickled me...
A little bit of this, and little bit of that...all ends up in a big bit of fat
So, next time you think you'll just try a little bit, it won't hurt...think of this
A little bit of this, and little bit of that...all ends up in a big bit of fat
So, next time you think you'll just try a little bit, it won't hurt...think of this
Too busy to blog...
Had a busy couple of days
Helped put the gearbox back into my camper, after replacing the vital missing bearing. Guiltily enjoyed the buttered ham sandwiches fed me by my hosts. Marveled at the improvment in driving my beloved vehicle all the way home. Did smell hot oil a few times...but dismissed it as spilled oil burning off my engine block. Got home to discover my rocker cover gasket, which should have been replaced a while ago but wasn't, had finally given up the ghost and as such engine oil had been spraying all around my engine bay during the drive home. My previously white tailgate, now has black measles...and next time I smell hot engine oil, remind me to bloody well stop!
Worked yesterday. Surprised to find *all* the critters totally out of water (again)...they were either very thirsty over night or didn't have their waters topped up the day before. I know which I'd put my money on...
Didn't do much very exciting. Cleaned out the gerbils, found some day old baby gerbils...so we clearly have to sex that group again, unless one's a hermaphrodite (unlikely). Cleaned out the largest group of hamsters too...I don't think cleaning out gets done as often as it should either. Made a conscious decision to clean them out myself once a week...so at least I know they've been done.
On Tues the diet was a little difficult with being fed by my hosts...its rude, whingey and irritating to refuse and moan about the food that's been prepared for you...so just tried to cut down the volume ingested instead...whilst mentally totting up the points for thick spread butter *LOL*. At work its not so difficult as I can pack a HUGE lunchbox and graze on point-friendly goodies all day. I prefer to do that.
Came up with a small business idea whilst chatting with my chauffeur last weekend...rang up a couple of relevant wholesalers yesterday, so should have some catalogues and price lists winging my way...now need to find some more suppliers of specific things these wholesalers are unlikely to have...
Helped put the gearbox back into my camper, after replacing the vital missing bearing. Guiltily enjoyed the buttered ham sandwiches fed me by my hosts. Marveled at the improvment in driving my beloved vehicle all the way home. Did smell hot oil a few times...but dismissed it as spilled oil burning off my engine block. Got home to discover my rocker cover gasket, which should have been replaced a while ago but wasn't, had finally given up the ghost and as such engine oil had been spraying all around my engine bay during the drive home. My previously white tailgate, now has black measles...and next time I smell hot engine oil, remind me to bloody well stop!
Worked yesterday. Surprised to find *all* the critters totally out of water (again)...they were either very thirsty over night or didn't have their waters topped up the day before. I know which I'd put my money on...
Didn't do much very exciting. Cleaned out the gerbils, found some day old baby gerbils...so we clearly have to sex that group again, unless one's a hermaphrodite (unlikely). Cleaned out the largest group of hamsters too...I don't think cleaning out gets done as often as it should either. Made a conscious decision to clean them out myself once a week...so at least I know they've been done.
On Tues the diet was a little difficult with being fed by my hosts...its rude, whingey and irritating to refuse and moan about the food that's been prepared for you...so just tried to cut down the volume ingested instead...whilst mentally totting up the points for thick spread butter *LOL*. At work its not so difficult as I can pack a HUGE lunchbox and graze on point-friendly goodies all day. I prefer to do that.
Came up with a small business idea whilst chatting with my chauffeur last weekend...rang up a couple of relevant wholesalers yesterday, so should have some catalogues and price lists winging my way...now need to find some more suppliers of specific things these wholesalers are unlikely to have...
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Weigh Day 2 - 320 lbs (160 lbs to lose)
Weighed in at:22 stone 12 lbs = 320 lbs
10% goal = 20 stone 8 lbs (loss required 32 lbs)
long term goal BMI of 25 at 11 stone 6 lbs =160 lbs (loss required 160 lbs)
Better than it looks, or so I'm told...only time to post a quick one right now, as off out to help rebuild my gearbox.
Considering my lack of control with the menu whilst cmaping, and water retention from 'time of the month' (TOTM) my leader M said I should be very pleased with myself...I had every right to a gain this week, and instead I held my own.
Got to go, will come back and edit/add to this post later
[returned to Edit as promised]
The meeting this week was all about making friends with complex carbs...how they fill you up and keep you feeling full for longer than other type of carbohydrate.
M discussed keeping sweet foods and alcohol to just 14 points worth a week. I've found no mention of this anywhere else though, no in the book or online...so may ask her to clarify this next week.
J took me to the meeting as my camper was still without its gearbox. As a thank you to him we stayed on at the hotel where the meetings are held, andI bought him a beer. I was quite shocked at the price of a 330ml bottle of Bulmers Light (1 point)...€4.50!!! The full pint of Guinness was only €3.70...what a total rip off!
See ya x
10% goal = 20 stone 8 lbs (loss required 32 lbs)
long term goal BMI of 25 at 11 stone 6 lbs =160 lbs (loss required 160 lbs)
Better than it looks, or so I'm told...only time to post a quick one right now, as off out to help rebuild my gearbox.
Considering my lack of control with the menu whilst cmaping, and water retention from 'time of the month' (TOTM) my leader M said I should be very pleased with myself...I had every right to a gain this week, and instead I held my own.
Got to go, will come back and edit/add to this post later
[returned to Edit as promised]
The meeting this week was all about making friends with complex carbs...how they fill you up and keep you feeling full for longer than other type of carbohydrate.
M discussed keeping sweet foods and alcohol to just 14 points worth a week. I've found no mention of this anywhere else though, no in the book or online...so may ask her to clarify this next week.
J took me to the meeting as my camper was still without its gearbox. As a thank you to him we stayed on at the hotel where the meetings are held, andI bought him a beer. I was quite shocked at the price of a 330ml bottle of Bulmers Light (1 point)...€4.50!!! The full pint of Guinness was only €3.70...what a total rip off!
See ya x
Monday, July 24, 2006
awnings, gypsies and BBQs - wot diet?
Had a glorious weekend end away with friends, albeit without my beloved camper. In the end I didn't even need to pitch my tent, as I was offered sleeping space in a friend's awning...perfect!
It was a weekend to just get away from everything, and just enjoy good company. The weather wasn't as good as it might have been, but it didn't change my plans in any way.
Saturday night was a little edgy as a group of travellers spent the day trying to gain access to the campsite. The campsite owner was vigilant all day, and the Gardai cruised past in unmarked carts very regularly to check on us all. In the end the travellers parked up on some public land just above the campsite, and were given 24 hours grace. I did feel a little worried not be sleeping in the relative safety of my lockable camper that night. But the campsite owner pulled a 24 hour shift, and with the help of his family and friends he had the campsite under supervision all night long. The only slight agro were some of the younger lads trying to kick things off and living up to their stereotypes, but the older ones were little or no bother at all. There was a bit of noise and fuss at around 4am, but I wasn't brave enough to pull up the zip and have a look around, I just pulled up my sleeping bag and went back to sleep....and on the dot of 11am the next morning they were all on their way. As a group we were all parked close together, and as such felt much more safe and secure. I don't think I'd have slept so well if I'd been on my own, or even if it had just been J and I...
As for the diet...well, it kind of went out of the window... My lift had agreed that we would shop for grub on the way up, so I didn't pack any food other than a couple of small single-serving cereal boxes for brekkie. Well I was fed royally all weekend by everyone...but I wasn't brave enough to count points (YIKES!) Its weigh-in day today, and I'm swallowing down all the water, fruit and veg that I can...I'm hoping that all my good food behaviour all week will make up for a weekend of beer and BBQ debauchery...I'm looking forward to stepping on the scales this evening with a kind of curious anticipation...its a need to know
It was a weekend to just get away from everything, and just enjoy good company. The weather wasn't as good as it might have been, but it didn't change my plans in any way.
Saturday night was a little edgy as a group of travellers spent the day trying to gain access to the campsite. The campsite owner was vigilant all day, and the Gardai cruised past in unmarked carts very regularly to check on us all. In the end the travellers parked up on some public land just above the campsite, and were given 24 hours grace. I did feel a little worried not be sleeping in the relative safety of my lockable camper that night. But the campsite owner pulled a 24 hour shift, and with the help of his family and friends he had the campsite under supervision all night long. The only slight agro were some of the younger lads trying to kick things off and living up to their stereotypes, but the older ones were little or no bother at all. There was a bit of noise and fuss at around 4am, but I wasn't brave enough to pull up the zip and have a look around, I just pulled up my sleeping bag and went back to sleep....and on the dot of 11am the next morning they were all on their way. As a group we were all parked close together, and as such felt much more safe and secure. I don't think I'd have slept so well if I'd been on my own, or even if it had just been J and I...
As for the diet...well, it kind of went out of the window... My lift had agreed that we would shop for grub on the way up, so I didn't pack any food other than a couple of small single-serving cereal boxes for brekkie. Well I was fed royally all weekend by everyone...but I wasn't brave enough to count points (YIKES!) Its weigh-in day today, and I'm swallowing down all the water, fruit and veg that I can...I'm hoping that all my good food behaviour all week will make up for a weekend of beer and BBQ debauchery
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Poorly van...change of plan
Took my beloved camper van to hospital today to drop the gearbox out, replace the clutch and look at some leaking seal between the engine and the gearbox...seems whoever did the engine conversion left out a vital bearing associated with the gearbox, so its a miracle my van has been driven about at all...let alone the however many thousands of miles I've done in it.
Ordered a replacement bearing, which should arrive Monday...but it means I have no camper for camping in this weekend...and no transport to get me there (my camper doubles up as a large car...its just a large car with a bed and a cooker *LOL*). Fortunately a friend will be passing my way, on his way to the same camping event...and so I have dug my old tent out of the cobwebby depths, and tried to remember how to camp with a tent, primus stove, air bed, air pump, no fridge, no cupboards, no electrics and no seats...bring it on!
Oh yes...the diet...well my host today put butter in our lunchtime sandwiches, which was ultra yummy, but a little naughty, however I certainly wasn't complaining, the fresh bread was truly to die for!....I didn't eat at all during the day, other than lunch. Ate loads of crap on the way home (hour and half journey) because I was hungry [amazing how quick your body gets used to eating small amounts every few hours or so] and J and I indulged in sausage butties when we got home famished...but counted up points and I'm only 3 over my daily allowance...I can easily make that up...or sweat it off tomorrow
Might or might not get chance to post on here tomorrow..if not, catch up with you all on Monday...have fun kids
Ordered a replacement bearing, which should arrive Monday...but it means I have no camper for camping in this weekend...and no transport to get me there (my camper doubles up as a large car...its just a large car with a bed and a cooker *LOL*). Fortunately a friend will be passing my way, on his way to the same camping event...and so I have dug my old tent out of the cobwebby depths, and tried to remember how to camp with a tent, primus stove, air bed, air pump, no fridge
Oh yes...the diet...well my host today put butter in our lunchtime sandwiches, which was ultra yummy, but a little naughty, however I certainly wasn't complaining, the fresh bread was truly to die for!
Might or might not get chance to post on here tomorrow..if not, catch up with you all on Monday...have fun kids
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Yoghurts and Mirrors...
and the importance of checking your appearance in one after eating the other...
I packed a huge lunch box to take to work with me today...full of loads of low point and zero point goodies so I could graze all day. All this was carefully planned last night once I remembered that when at work, during the (very numerous) quiet periods I tend to eat...not because I'm hungry, but because there's nothing to do and I'm bored...in the past I'd have lit a cigarette, but since I've given up (oct 05) I don't even think about this option any more...instead I usually reach for the bag of snacks I've picked up at the garage on my way in to work in the morning (See, even when over eating it was all planned out!). So back to my enormous packed lunch...low fat yoghurt, one ultra tasty muller light vanilla yog, carrot sticks, celery sticks, lots of pieces of fruit, a ww choc crisp snack, crispbreads I could go on and on...all good stuff, and perfect for all-day grazing. Now I LOVE those Muller Lights...if I mention them enough times do you think they'll send me some freebies? So, out of undying love, I decided to leave the MULLER LIGHT yoghurt until last. About an hour before going home time I smugly took out my MULLER LIGHT yoghurt, and went to open it...whereupon, having warmed up by being out of the fridge all day, it splurted as I pealed the foil back. I looked with a little dismay at the small blobs of vanilla yoghurt on my t-shirt, removed a bit that had splashed on my lip, took out the spoon and took my time in getting on the outside of it, simply scrummy...with perfect timing my next customer waited until it was totally finished and disposed of...what the next customer chose not to point out, oh, and the next 5 or 6 customers too, was the big dollop of yellow yoghurt slowly drying on my nose...tomorrow I'm going to go all girly and buy a handmirror for my handbag! My mum will be so proud
Slight trauma with the food journal this evening, in that I threw away the packaging yesterday for the haddock we've eaten this evening...so need to be suspicious in the supermarket while I check out kcals and sat.fats in the freezer department tomorrow. I remember checking it all last night and being surprised at how low they were...but I can't remember what points they were...so finally point count for today will have to wait...but other stuff I ate today include:
Tea milk - 1½
30g Special K & ¼ pint semi-skimmed cow juice - 2½
Apple - ½
Ryvita x 6 - 3
Laughing Cow Extra Light triangles x 3 - 1½
Cucumber - 0
Carrots - 0
Celery - 0
WW Choc Crispy snack - 1½
WW Citrus Yoghurt - ½
Banana - 1½
Muller Light vanilla yoghurt - 1½ [actually I should reduce that, since I wore most of it! *LOL* ]
1½ haddock fillets - ?
peas - 1
sweetcorn - ½
boiled spuds - 2
mayonnaise - 2
tartare sauce - 1½
So...without counting the haddock, I'm up to 21 points...but without knowing the points value of the haddock I'll stop there for today
Thanks to Janey for posting a comment today...this is still a very new blog, but it gave me the warm and fuzzies when I checked my emails this evening and saw your post. Welcome to my humble blog!
I packed a huge lunch box to take to work with me today...full of loads of low point and zero point goodies so I could graze all day. All this was carefully planned last night once I remembered that when at work, during the (very numerous) quiet periods I tend to eat...not because I'm hungry, but because there's nothing to do and I'm bored...in the past I'd have lit a cigarette, but since I've given up (oct 05) I don't even think about this option any more...instead I usually reach for the bag of snacks I've picked up at the garage on my way in to work in the morning (See, even when over eating it was all planned out!). So back to my enormous packed lunch...low fat yoghurt, one ultra tasty muller light vanilla yog, carrot sticks, celery sticks, lots of pieces of fruit, a ww choc crisp snack, crispbreads I could go on and on...all good stuff, and perfect for all-day grazing. Now I LOVE those Muller Lights...if I mention them enough times do you think they'll send me some freebies? So, out of undying love, I decided to leave the MULLER LIGHT yoghurt until last. About an hour before going home time I smugly took out my MULLER LIGHT yoghurt, and went to open it...whereupon, having warmed up by being out of the fridge all day, it splurted as I pealed the foil back. I looked with a little dismay at the small blobs of vanilla yoghurt on my t-shirt, removed a bit that had splashed on my lip, took out the spoon and took my time in getting on the outside of it, simply scrummy...with perfect timing my next customer waited until it was totally finished and disposed of...what the next customer chose not to point out, oh, and the next 5 or 6 customers too, was the big dollop of yellow yoghurt slowly drying on my nose...tomorrow I'm going to go all girly and buy a handmirror for my handbag! My mum will be so proud
Slight trauma with the food journal this evening, in that I threw away the packaging yesterday for the haddock we've eaten this evening...so need to be suspicious in the supermarket while I check out kcals and sat.fats in the freezer department tomorrow. I remember checking it all last night and being surprised at how low they were...but I can't remember what points they were...so finally point count for today will have to wait...but other stuff I ate today include:
Tea milk - 1½
30g Special K & ¼ pint semi-skimmed cow juice - 2½
Apple - ½
Ryvita x 6 - 3
Laughing Cow Extra Light triangles x 3 - 1½
Cucumber - 0
Carrots - 0
Celery - 0
WW Choc Crispy snack - 1½
WW Citrus Yoghurt - ½
Banana - 1½
Muller Light vanilla yoghurt - 1½ [actually I should reduce that, since I wore most of it! *LOL* ]
1½ haddock fillets - ?
peas - 1
sweetcorn - ½
boiled spuds - 2
mayonnaise - 2
tartare sauce - 1½
So...without counting the haddock, I'm up to 21 points...but without knowing the points value of the haddock I'll stop there for today
Thanks to Janey for posting a comment today...this is still a very new blog, but it gave me the warm and fuzzies when I checked my emails this evening and saw your post. Welcome to my humble blog!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Food Journal - 18Jul06
Milk (for tea) - 4
Lunch:
sandwiches for lunch (white bread, ham, mayo, marg & cheese) - 7½
prawn cocktail crisps - 3
galaxy caramel - 2½
Supper:
Pork chops, potatoes, french beans, dab of flora, and a dab of mayo - 11½
Snacks:
Yoghurt - 1½
2 apples - 1
Total Points = 31
Lunch:
sandwiches for lunch (white bread, ham, mayo, marg & cheese) - 7½
prawn cocktail crisps - 3
galaxy caramel - 2½
Supper:
Pork chops, potatoes, french beans, dab of flora, and a dab of mayo - 11½
Snacks:
Yoghurt - 1½
2 apples - 1
Total Points = 31
Sun Sun Sun...and solitary camping
Still extremely hot...on breakfast news this morning they were speculating whether tomorrow might break any existing records for high temperatures...not looking forward to it.
Faffed around a little on here, tweaking little bits here and there.
Eaten an apple so far today, I'm really not a breakfasty person. Starting to get a bit hungry now though. J will be home for lunch soon, so will have a look at what scrummy sandwiches I can whip together...and then the fun of working out the points.
Came up with a plan for getting more water in to me. I'm a tea queen, and whilst working on my ps I'll drink gallons of the stuff...so, with a little self discipline I can drink a small glass of water while I wait for the kettle to boil each time. Easy as that!
Meant to be off camping this weekend, but struggling to find the motivation at the moment. We can't get kennelling for the dogs [left it too late to book], so J will have to stay at home. We've too many dogs to happily camp with all of them in attendance. So camping on my own is not something I'm looking forward to, I like to share the experiences...but as I have organised the weekend for a club I'm kind of duty bound to attend. Next time volunteers are sought for things like this I will ask J to strap my arms to my sides...
Faffed around a little on here, tweaking little bits here and there.
Eaten an apple so far today, I'm really not a breakfasty person. Starting to get a bit hungry now though. J will be home for lunch soon, so will have a look at what scrummy sandwiches I can whip together...and then the fun of working out the points.
Came up with a plan for getting more water in to me. I'm a tea queen, and whilst working on my ps I'll drink gallons of the stuff...so, with a little self discipline I can drink a small glass of water while I wait for the kettle to boil each time. Easy as that!
Meant to be off camping this weekend, but struggling to find the motivation at the moment. We can't get kennelling for the dogs [left it too late to book], so J will have to stay at home. We've too many dogs to happily camp with all of them in attendance. So camping on my own is not something I'm looking forward to, I like to share the experiences...but as I have organised the weekend for a club I'm kind of duty bound to attend. Next time volunteers are sought for things like this I will ask J to strap my arms to my sides...
Monday, July 17, 2006
Know what you want
Please...do me a favour! If you come in to the shop where I occasionally work could you kindly do me the service of actually knowing what you want. Telling me you want John Ganfey's dog nuts isn't helpful...we stock over 30 different brands of dog food, and serve many, many customers - not all of them share their names with us! So, please, if your neighbour, friend, lover or mother asks you to shop on his behalf make sure you know what you're buying, and don't expect the shop staff to be on first name terms with someone who might visit the shop all of once a month...
That is today's rant over and I thank you!
Today's weather was hot hot hot...too hot to function, really need to look into emigrating to Alaska. I'm serious!
Other News: Mum phoned and seemed concerned about finding her house on an estate agent's website! Seems her landlord has forgotten to mention this minor thing!!! I implored her to seek advice...but I don't think she will. Dad is still same old same old, and the care he is receiving leaves a lot to be desired...at some point the hospital stopped being a hospital with doctors and diagnosis equipment etc, and seems to have turned into a bogstandard nursing home instead. The nurses don't seem to nurse anymore, and the doctors don't appear to exist. He's currently in hospital due to complications with the various cancers he has...he's been there 9 weeks or so now, it's not looking good...he's complaining of pain the last few days and no doctor has been near him. Mum has addressed this to various nurses and the ward sister, and she just gets pacified, meanwhile my dad is in pain! I don't live in the same country as them...and at times like this that sux!
That is today's rant over and I thank you!
Today's weather was hot hot hot...too hot to function, really need to look into emigrating to Alaska. I'm serious!
Other News: Mum phoned and seemed concerned about finding her house on an estate agent's website! Seems her landlord has forgotten to mention this minor thing!!! I implored her to seek advice...but I don't think she will. Dad is still same old same old, and the care he is receiving leaves a lot to be desired...at some point the hospital stopped being a hospital with doctors and diagnosis equipment etc, and seems to have turned into a bogstandard nursing home instead. The nurses don't seem to nurse anymore, and the doctors don't appear to exist. He's currently in hospital due to complications with the various cancers he has...he's been there 9 weeks or so now, it's not looking good...he's complaining of pain the last few days and no doctor has been near him. Mum has addressed this to various nurses and the ward sister, and she just gets pacified, meanwhile my dad is in pain! I don't live in the same country as them...and at times like this that sux!
Weigh Day 1 - 320 lbs (160 lbs to lose)
Weighed in at:
22 stone 12 lbs = 320 lbs
10% goal = 20 stone 8 lbs (loss required 32 lbs)
long term goal BMI of 25 at 11 stone 6 lbs =160 lbs (loss required 160 lbs)
Bitter sweet experience going back. Slightly ashamed to finally discover my *actual* weight and embarrassed to be there in some ways...but delightful to greet my former leader M and her clerk K again. she was so welcoming and friendly, and seemed genuinely pleased to see me having a second go at it.
This evenings talk was based around camels, and their fat storage, and why they store it. There's a method to this madness, honestly! We discussed reasons why some feel impelled to clear their plates, despite already feeling full and M impressed upon us not to go without food for longer than 4 hours at a time during our waking hours.
She talked me through the two current programs, and we agreed initially to start on the points-based method as I was happy and familiar with this from my last attempt at WW. I would like to settle into this psychologically first before I explore the non counting method. Eating with little or no restrictions seems a little daunting for now, so we start with counting points.
22 stone 12 lbs = 320 lbs
10% goal = 20 stone 8 lbs (loss required 32 lbs)
long term goal BMI of 25 at 11 stone 6 lbs =160 lbs (loss required 160 lbs)
Bitter sweet experience going back. Slightly ashamed to finally discover my *actual* weight and embarrassed to be there in some ways...but delightful to greet my former leader M and her clerk K again. she was so welcoming and friendly, and seemed genuinely pleased to see me having a second go at it.
This evenings talk was based around camels, and their fat storage, and why they store it. There's a method to this madness, honestly! We discussed reasons why some feel impelled to clear their plates, despite already feeling full and M impressed upon us not to go without food for longer than 4 hours at a time during our waking hours.
She talked me through the two current programs, and we agreed initially to start on the points-based method as I was happy and familiar with this from my last attempt at WW. I would like to settle into this psychologically first before I explore the non counting method. Eating with little or no restrictions seems a little daunting for now, so we start with counting points.
Stats
I want to try and keep up with my stats on a weekly basis (on weigh day), and measurements done the first week of each month. Measurements given today just as a first day record.
Age: 32
Height: 5'7"
Start Weight: 320 lbs
10% Goal Weight: 288 lbs
Overall Goal Weight: 160 lbs
Total Loss: 0 lbs
Left to Lose (overall): 160 lbs
Left to Lose (10%): 32 lbs
Starting BMI: 50.2
Current BMI: 50.2
BMI Lost: 0
Measurements: Bust 52½" / Waist 47½" / Hips 59"
My points allocation for this week is 31
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Who's amazing
The Who of course! Saw them live last weekend as they headlined the Oxegen Festival on the Saturday. For J it was a life's ambition realised, and for me it was a new dawn...truly awesome and in a class of their own. Made other main stage bands look pretty inferior.
Got to start somewhere
...Well, hello there...thanks for stopping by.
This is my first entry here, and will serve as my intro I guess...
I'm double the size I should be, and living half the life I want to. I aim to slim down to half the size I currently am, and live twice the life.
A recent weekend away, and the subsequent publishing of photos of me and J [partner] on a website forum by someone else has made me face facts and decide enough is enough. I don't want to ask P to remove the photos...I'd be too embarrassed to have to explain why, so i'll let the photos stay, and force myself to look at them online to remind myself why I'm doing this.
Quick Biography:
I'm female, born in 1974. I'm 5'7 and approximately 21 stones (294 lbs)! Eeek! I'm currently unemployed, but looking for exciting ways to be self-employed and work from home. If you have any ideas I'd be thrilled to hear them. I help out in a pet shop occasionally.
I tried Weight Watchers a few years ago, and it was working well, I lost my first stone easily and happily. No hunger, no hardship...just lots of yummy food, and the joys of the successful weekly weigh-ins. The Points scheme was VERY easy to follow...but then I was made redundant, and by a quirk of this government's legislation I am not entitled to any state unemployment benefits...therefore with no income whatsoever I had to stop going to Weight Watchers...and I'm sad to say with out the support of the weekly meetings and talks my motivation went away and I stopped living the WW way...the weight went back on, and has plateauxed (spelling?) at 294. I've been at 294 for over a year now, and in a state of self denial over my physical size...I can often be heard asking J, "Do I look as big as that?, I don't look as big as that, do I?, Surely not?". I honestly seem to have this idea in my head that I'm NOT as big as I am...which is why photos seem so shocking to me I suppose...
OK< so I'm not sure where I'm going to go with all this current motivation buzzing through me...signing up for this is done me a lot of good...just getting some stuff out in the open has been very therapeutic for me already...
I'm going back to Weight Watchers tomorrow evening, head hanging low and praying I don't recognise anyone...I'll be back here to post my stats, and work out where I go from there
I might get J to take some photos either this evening or tomorrow...so you can see how I currently look from the neck down.If I'm going to bare my soul on here, and feel able to discuss my deepest worries, fears and problems...then I need the reassurance of anonimity...I hope you understand. When I can jump on the scales at 140lbs (hell, I'd be happy enough at 168 lbs!)...then I may reconsider the 'anonymous' thing...I'll want to shout it from the rooftops that day!
So, if you're up for the ride, you can join me on my journey...who knows where we'll end up...just hold on tight!
This is my first entry here, and will serve as my intro I guess...
I'm double the size I should be, and living half the life I want to. I aim to slim down to half the size I currently am, and live twice the life.
A recent weekend away, and the subsequent publishing of photos of me and J [partner] on a website forum by someone else has made me face facts and decide enough is enough. I don't want to ask P to remove the photos...I'd be too embarrassed to have to explain why, so i'll let the photos stay, and force myself to look at them online to remind myself why I'm doing this.
Quick Biography:
I'm female, born in 1974. I'm 5'7 and approximately 21 stones (294 lbs)! Eeek! I'm currently unemployed, but looking for exciting ways to be self-employed and work from home. If you have any ideas I'd be thrilled to hear them. I help out in a pet shop occasionally.
I tried Weight Watchers a few years ago, and it was working well, I lost my first stone easily and happily. No hunger, no hardship...just lots of yummy food, and the joys of the successful weekly weigh-ins. The Points scheme was VERY easy to follow...but then I was made redundant, and by a quirk of this government's legislation I am not entitled to any state unemployment benefits...therefore with no income whatsoever I had to stop going to Weight Watchers...and I'm sad to say with out the support of the weekly meetings and talks my motivation went away and I stopped living the WW way...the weight went back on, and has plateauxed (spelling?) at 294. I've been at 294 for over a year now, and in a state of self denial over my physical size...I can often be heard asking J, "Do I look as big as that?, I don't look as big as that, do I?, Surely not?". I honestly seem to have this idea in my head that I'm NOT as big as I am...which is why photos seem so shocking to me I suppose...
OK< so I'm not sure where I'm going to go with all this current motivation buzzing through me...signing up for this is done me a lot of good...just getting some stuff out in the open has been very therapeutic for me already...
I'm going back to Weight Watchers tomorrow evening, head hanging low and praying I don't recognise anyone...I'll be back here to post my stats, and work out where I go from there
I might get J to take some photos either this evening or tomorrow...so you can see how I currently look from the neck down.If I'm going to bare my soul on here, and feel able to discuss my deepest worries, fears and problems...then I need the reassurance of anonimity...I hope you understand. When I can jump on the scales at 140lbs (hell, I'd be happy enough at 168 lbs!)...then I may reconsider the 'anonymous' thing...I'll want to shout it from the rooftops that day!
So, if you're up for the ride, you can join me on my journey...who knows where we'll end up...just hold on tight!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
