23:30

I'm Baaack, baby!

For a while there, I considered not blogging again, but then I started missing it - and having a little bit of accountability with my weight loss journey.  I feel that I have gone round in circles the last couple of years.  Losing a bit, gaining it back with a little bit extra each time and feeling very down, defeated and that I will never lose this weight again.

I rejoined WW back in the middle of October!  I love my meetings, counting my PP's and feeling better about myself for staying on track for most of the time!

I had lost a total of 9.5lbs but this week I gained a pound :-(  This time, I am NOT giving up.  I have nine months until my wedding!!  I need to look fantastic!!

I will make this a short and sweet post but wanted to mention a few great things that happened over the last few weeks!!


  • I met Toby Keith!  He is so tall and gorgeous!  We took the train through to Edinburgh and had a quick bite to eat at Hard Rock Cafe!  I had a bit of a headache so I barely ate anything :-(  I think I was too nervous about meeting Toby! Ha!




  • A Whole Foods Market opened up right here in GLASGOW and the only one in the whole of SCOTLAND!!!


















Isn't it awesome!!!  My life will truly be complete when Krispy Kreme opens up here in Scotland......

  • I lost 9.5lbs following Weight Watchers!
  • The jeans I bought to wear when meeting Toby Keith are already waaay to big to wear again!!
  • I had an awesome bike ride today - it was cold and sunny when I set out but even colder, rainy and windy on my way back home - but it felt amazing to be out and moving my body!
  • I am thinking of running a Rock n Roll Half Marathon!  I couldn't believe it when I found out it was coming to Europe, and it's first leg is Edinburgh!!  I will let you know when I book my place. I'm talking Kenny into joining me - I don't want to run it on my own.  I've never really run before, so this would be a great event to train for and get me running!!
  • I am starting Couch to 5K - again - tomorrow.  I think I will start in week 2 or 3 though - I can comfortably run for more than 2 minutes......
I'm sure I had more to blog about but I can't think of anything else at the moment!  Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving (for those that celebrate it!) and are getting ready for the Christmas season!! 

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10:49

I'm going to meet someone amazing!!!

I just couldn't stay away from Blogger!  Hi guys, did you  miss me??!! lol

So I started WW again almost 2 weeks ago.  My first WW weigh in was bad.  I weighed in at 14st 10.5lbs, which is 206.5lbs.  My first week I lost 1.5lbs.  I was pretty bummed about that, but I couldn't really complain because I had stopped tracking on Sunday and was WAAAY over my points =(  This week though, has been stellar!  I have been sticking to my PP's and getting in way more fruit and veg on a daily  basis.  My weigh in is tomorrow so I'm hoping for a good result.  I just need to ease back into exercise again and get my butt to the gym!  Last night I had the weirdest dream I ran a half marathon in those toning flip flops!  I did great in the dream - I ran in it in 1 hour and 20 minutes! lol  Then I said to someone now I know why all these people on the blogs enter races and stuff - it's just so exciting!  Maybe that's my subconscious telling me something?!

Anyway, I have fabulous news also!!  We are going to see Toby Keith this Sunday in Edinburgh and I actually won a Meet and Greet!!

I'M GOING TO MEET TOBY KEITH!!!  

I may die on the spot!  And then he'll have to resuscitate me - how cool would that be?!  Yeah I know I'm totally crazy!!
 

I will be back tomorrow or Thursday with a Weigh in Result!!

Catch ya later dudes!
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21:16

Should I come back to Blogger....?!

Hey guys!  Been a long time since I've blogged here - or over at my other blog for that matter!  I feel lonely over at WordPress - I don't know why!  I like Blogger because I can follow all my fave blogs right from the Dashboard and follow people easy through blogger.

I may actually come back to blogger.  I left blogger last year to try Word Press and ended up coming back to Blogger again.  And I feel I may be back here soooon!

I'm rejoining Weight Watchers (for the trillionth time!) some time this week and I hope to start blogging about that again!

I need to get my butt in gear - I only have 11 months until I get married!  Yikes - that isn't that far away really.  I want to get to a decent weight by March/April next year so that I can start shopping for a dress - I don't really want to go shopping the way I look just now.  I have been way to bad for too long - it's time to get serious!

Hope to be back again sooon!



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10:53

A NEW BLOG!!

Hey everybody.  Just wanted to let you know I've moved over to Wordpress.

I needed to wipe the slate clean and just start afresh with a new look, a new blog and a new plan!!

Will you join me over there?!?!  I hope so!!  See you there!!

Weighing Less for the Dress!!!    <--------------- CLICK HERE:  YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!!



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13:22

Instagram!

So, I finally found the app that transforms your photos into fabulous and retro looking amazingness….. I know that’s not even a word, but whatevs! :-)  I still can’t figure out how to get smiley faces on my blog…………….  how do you do that??

 

Anyway, here are some photos I thought I would share with you!

 

IMG_1519 IMG_1521 IMG_1527 IMG_1529

 

Aren’t they fab??  I’m going to use this app. ALL. THE. TIME. :-)  You have been warned….

 

On to other health related news……I finally dragged my butt to the gym on Thursday!  I burned over 400 calories in just over 40 mins!   Man it was tough, but I did manage 18 minutes on the cross trainer and 25 minutes on the treadmill.  I did a walk/run combo on the treadmill.  I started off walking for one minute, and then running for one minute.  It did feel easy at first but after 15 minutes I started to feel how out of shape I am.  Not to worry, I pushed myself, but didn’t go to the extreme like I normally do.  When I do that, I end of thinking it’s way to hard and don’t work out again for weeks on end!  In fact, the last time I was at the gym was in June……or was it May…???  Well, whenever it was, it was a LOOOONG time ago! 

 

I had missed my WW class last Wednesday because of a bad migraine.  I had had it since Tuesday morning of that week.  It really was bad.  I went to my class just Wednesday there and I was half a pound heavier than when I started – but….. not to worry.  I have to just own it and move on and do the best I can to start following a healthier lifestyle!  I saw my doctor on Thursday about my migraines and she gave me a new tablet called “Clotam”.  I unfortunately had to take one  yesterday as I felt another migraine coming on and it did the trick!  It was like a miracle.  It just disappeared and I felt fine the rest of the day. 

 

We are hoping to go to the gym later tonight, or failing that I will do my Tae Bo DVD workout!  I love Tae Bo – Billy Blanks just makes you feel awesome!!  Go try it and see for yourself!!

 

Well I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!!  I’m off to get ready to go for lunch with my dad =)

7 comments
23:14

Testing Live Writer!

This is just a test…………..

Sunset

This Live Writer is amazing!  Too bad I can’t get this on my iMac :-( 

 

I think I will start using my laptop again for blogging….it seems so much easier with this Windows Live Writer!!

2 comments
19:39

New Facebook Page!!

I thought it would be fun to add a Time to Make a Change Facebook page!!  I have never ever done this before, so it's all quite new!  Someone please "like" me!  Ha ha ha!  Just click on the pink button on the left side!!  Or go here.........  Facebook - Time to Make a Change!

Hopefully it can be a quick way to update what's happening with me.  I didn't want to use my personal facebook page because everyone gets really annoyed at workouts and what I'm eating or going to eat!  I need proper support and encouragement!

Please bear with me if it looks a little bare at the moment - I hope to update it frequently with food posts, weigh in, measurements and hopefully some advice and insight (eventually!)

I hope it takes off!

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23:12

Aphrodite's Advice

I was clearing out a drawer the other day, and I came across a small note pad.  It has a cute little guinea pig on the front and underneath it says "Aphrodite's Advice".  Now inside this little note pad was a world I used to live in - a world where I exercised consistently.

Basically it's a record of a lot of my workouts from July 2004!

Here are a few excerpts of my little book of fitness!!
Thursday 1 July 2004 - 25 mins treadmill - 3.15km - 151 cals.

Sunday 4 July 2004 - 55 mins treadmill - 7.68km 441 cals
 Chest press 30kg - 2 sets of 10
 Hip abducter 23kg - 2 sets of 15 (I hated this machine - totally pointless!)
 Ab exercises and stretches.

Thursday 15 July 2004 - 55 mins Cross Trainer - Level 12 (wow!) 632 cals burned!
Saturday 17 July 2004 - Tae Bo Advanced - 1 HOUR!  (Wow - I must have been really fit back in the day - I can't even do the basic tae bo nowadays without nearly dying!)

There is also a weight entry from Monday 19 July 2004 - I weighed 120lbs!!
Today I weigh 195lbs........


On to August 2004 - I was leg pressing 190lbs!!

Basically, I exercised nearly every day - doing a mix of high cardio, weight training and stretching!

Maybe I should just use my own advice and follow the workouts in this note pad - It worked then - and it can work again.  I just need to get my ass off the couch and do it......

3 comments
23:30

Wednesday Weigh In Results, recipes and dessert.

Starting Weight:   199lbs
Last Week's Weight: 195lbs
This Week's Weight: 194.5lbs
Total Loss: 4.5lbs

So this week's weigh in was entirely expected.  I had way to many Pro points yesterday - I stopped tracking at 42 pro points but I still had some activity points left over from my long walk on Sunday!  But it's really not the best idea to eat almost 50 pro points the day before weigh in.......... I'm just glad I lost.  

I thought I would also include a couple of "recipes" and tips for some who are looking for healthier alternatives to their favorite foods!

First of all is PIZZA!  I love pizza.  A few years ago, I was totally addicted to Pizza Hut and for almost 2 months I was having Pizza Hut pizza 4 times a week.  Now I can't stand it - it tastes phoney, yucky cheese and not like pizza AT ALL!  This was my dinner tonight - it's only 7 points, but you can add or subtract from it what you like.  My pizza consisted of: (I weigh EVERYTHING!!):
Pizza and Salad - the healthy way!

1 Warburton Square Wrap (or any wrap you like!)  - 4 pro points
20g Caramelised Onion Chutney - 1 pro point
40g Weight Watchers Reduced Fat Grated Cheddar Cheese - 2 pro points
1 Large Sliced tomato - 0 pro points

Just slather the chutney over the wrap, evenly distribute the cheese, add tomato and anything else you like and just bake on a pizza tray or baking tray for about 15-20 at about 150 degrees.

Doesn't it look delicious? It really is a blank canvas - add more veggies like roasted peppers, mushrooms, a bit of pineapple and ham, the only limit is your imagination.  Unfortunately, I didn't have anything else in the house I could use on my pizza.  I served it with a simple side salad, baby corn and 10g of onion chutney.  

The other "recipe" is a dessert, which is totally yummy, includes 1 of your 5 a day and is a lovely sweet treat to look forward to at night after dinner.  

1 Med/Large Banana
1 Curly Wurly (or any low calorie choc/toffee bar)

Peel the banana and cut lengthways but don't go all the way through or to the ends of the banana.
Break up your desired choccy bar and stuff into the banana
Wrap in foil, pop in the oven for about 20 mins at about 120 degrees and VOILA!

Gorgeous yummy dessert for only 3 pro points*
(based on pro points for Curly Wurly)


I wish I had a photo of this, but sadly I always end up eating it before I remember to take a photo!

That's all I got for today!

Ciao =)



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21:44

Walking, Lattes and Staying on Track!

Last night I thought it would be a good idea to go for a long walk on Sunday, but I wasn't sure where to or how far I would walk.  When I got up this morning I thought I would walk for half an hour and then just turn back.  I changed into my exercise gear, leashed up Molly and hit the pavement!  

I walked, and then I walked, and then I walked some more!  When I first set out, I felt lethargic, and my legs felt really heavy.  It was hot out today (for a change!) and the sun was shining so I just kept thinking to myself "just put one foot in front of the other".  

I ended up walking almost 6 miles to Partick, which is in the West End of Glasgow.  Partick has a great mix of pubs, cafes, second hand shops and restaurants!  I kept walking until I reached a lovely little cafe and decided to sit outside (well I had to since I had Molly with me!) and enjoy a well earned Latte!  The cafe was on the shady side of the street, which I think was just as well since we had walked for well over an hour in the blazing sun.  I did stop a few times before this to let Molly drink some water, her tongue was hanging out!




Molly is thinking something...... not quite sure what....!


As I sat here enjoying my Latte, I looked at the road up ahead to see probably one of the steepest hills in Glasgow!  And I thought to myself  "I'm going to walk up that hill!"

After I finished my Latte, I went inside to pay for it.  I managed to catch my bag on the corner of one of the chairs inside the cafe and it crashed to the floor!  Oooops!  I was slightly embarrassed at first and then I thought "hey, sh*t happens!'

I headed out to tackle this hill that loomed towards me.  

OMG!  That hill was a bastard!  I am not even kidding - I felt like I was climbing a vertical street!  I would even say this street rivals those in San Francisco!  I love SF!!  One of my fave places in the world!  Well, that and Orlando......


I hope they turned their wheels to the kerb!

Can you tell how steep this street is from this picture?!?  It looks tame here!!

I walked back down the hill, and headed home again.  A few points along the way I really wanted to phone Kenny to come get me, but I kept going.  My legs were sore, my hips were sore, but I kept going!
Poor wee Molly's legs were wiped too - she has been sleeping ever since we got back home =)

All in all, I had a fabulous workout!  I burned almost 1200 calories and walked almost 12 miles, and earned 15 WW activity points!!  

I hope to have a great weigh in on Wednesday - I'll see y'all back here then!  

Until then, have a happy and safe July 4th!!!!!  


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19:20

Wednesday Weigh In

Last week, I rejoined another WW class, after being so disappointed by the one I had previously joined two weeks ago.  This class could not be better!  Not only is the class bright, lively and informative, but it also has one of the highest weight loss results throughout some of the other Glasgow classes since January.  Also the leader is a Diamond Award leader, which I can only take as a good thing! Ha ha ha!

So, basically, I restarted (AGAIN!!) last Wednesday.  My weight had gone up 1lb since I started the week before that but I wasn't worried.  In my head I knew I was going to restart over in this new class so I didn't track all week.

Tonight, I weighed in and was so pleased to have lost.....dun, dun, duuuun!!

FOUR POUNDS!!!

Yay!  I am so over the moon happy, I can't even begin to tell you!  I have even been "struggling" with eating all my ProPoints all week.  Until last night, when I went over by 9 :-(   Now in the past I would have let that de-rail my whole effort but no - I continued to track it all.  There is no point in lying to myself about this anymore.  It's not going to get any better if I don't track and just pretend it didn't happen.

I find that when I am following WW, I challenge myself to eat more fruit and veg and yesterday just wasn't one of those days - i just felt snacky all day.

I am going to step up my activity this week also and hopefully that will give me another great result next week!

I hope you're all having a great week too!!

See ya later, Alligator!

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22:29

First Weight Watcher Weigh In, Before Pics and Measurements!

Tonight, I finally made it to a WW meeting.  I had had plans to go all week, but kept running into problems so I ended up going back to the class I used to go to!  There is a new leader taking the meeting now - she was really positive, upbeat and I instantly liked her.  The only snag is I don't really care for the meeting.  Don't get me wrong, the ladies and helpers in the class are really nice, but not very inspiring.  All everyone really seems to talk about is how "bad" they were during the week and how they had put on weight.  The leader at the end spoke to all the new members that had joined that night and basically said that this class was "hard work"!   I know that a lot of people have bad days, weeks, whatever, but to listen to that every time you go to a WW class is kind of crappy.  I want to go to a class to be inspired by other, to listen to successful losers tips and tricks and to overall feel upbeat about being there!  Anyway, I will go again next week, but I may have to find the other classes the leader runs and go there - apparently they are "very successful!".

Anyway, on to more pressing matters!  Ha ha...........this was my new start weight:


198 lbs.....


I almost fell off the scale.  Obviously this weight includes my clothes, and all the food and drink I have consumed in the day, but it's only a kick in the arse away from 200lbs!!  Not good!  It can only get better..........haven't I said that here somewhere before?!  

Today, I have stuck religiously to my Propoints, and I still have 5 daily PP's left for today and my 49 for the week.  My treat tonight, after I finish blogging, will be a Skinny Cow Caramel Shortcake Lolly for only 2pp's!!  What a lovely treat for so little propoints.  

Without further ado, here are my measurements........  I did a whole load of measurements, including neck, wrists etc, but I will just post the biggies.....lol


Weight:         198 lbs  (14stone 2 lbs)
Waist:           37 inch
Hips:            49 inch (HELL NOOOO!) moment on the lips, lifetime on the hips.....!
Chest:          42 inch
L Thigh:      27 inch (my waist used to be smaller than that 6 years ago!)
R Thigh:      27 inch
L Arm:        14 inch
R Arm:        14 inch

And here are a couple of photos I took on Monday before heading out for work.  I am embarrassed by these, but hopefully will be good to look at a few months down the line.

I hate my arms here...and double chin and everything


I thought I would post a couple of photos that were taken almost 6 years ago in the Happiest Place on Earth - I look at the photos now and think, "WOW!"  My arms were amazing!  I used to love working my upper body back then.  When I was doing Body for Life workouts, upper body days were my favorite!  I loved my back, shoulders and arms.  I hated working my lower body, because that is my obviously me weak area........ that being said, I now love full body workouts using kettlebells and medicine balls.  I'm hoping to get my ass back in the gym soon.  I really  need to sort out my sleep schedule and stop sleeping in and getting to work at 11am!  Because I can do flexi-hours, I find that I sleep later, and later, which means I end up having to work til 6pm, with no lunch break.  I really struggle with getting up in the morning when I know I don't have to.  I feel like I'm sleeping my life away!!  Anyway, enough of my rambling -


Florida 2005!  I got into trouble for just wearing my bikini top to WDW, so I had to throw this black racer  back top on!

Florida 2005!! And wearing pink shorts!!  You can't really see them here though....


Thanks again to you all for the warm welcome back comments in my last post.  You are all fantastico!

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21:22

A step in the right direction

After a few weeks of being off the wagon and basically eating everything and anything that I wanted, I am now back in that place where I feel ready to start a healthy diet plan, exercise and generally taking care of myself.  I want to thank everyone of you that left me a comment on my last post.  It really meant the world to me that you understand what I'm going through and that you continue to support me through the good times and bad!  I feel that the last few weeks have been all bad, which is when I stop blogging.  But I need to realise that blogging through the bad times will be good for me - even if some people hate blogs with people that moan all the time!  I like to read about positivity and success also, but it also helps me to read some of your blogs where you are having a hard time too.  We are all in this together!!

On that note, I have decided to go back to Weight Watchers.  I have poured over all different diets, jumping from The Dukan Diet one minute, to Slimming World and every other diet out there!!  The problem with most of the other diets out there is that it restricts one food group or another and that just sets me up for failure.  I can go a few weeks on a diet, eating low-carb, and the BAM, I feel like I deserve a treat and before you know it, I've been on a month long binge with no end in sight!!

So, tomorrow, I'm joining a class not far from home.  This time, I am going to a few classes and see what one I feel most comfortable in.  I think that a good leader is key for Weight Watchers!  You want someone who you want to make proud each week and someone that will motivate you to do better when you fall down.


Over the last few days, I have been getting in some activity - at long last!  I went for a 9 mile cycle on Friday after work - it was a really nice afternoon, which has been very rare in Scotland this summer!  I've also been walking about 5 miles every day with Molly, and just enjoying being out in the fresh air, whether it's raining or not!  In fact, I quite like walking in the rain - it's generally quiet outside and I like that feeling of solitude sometimes!  Here are a couple of photos from the past few days!



Glasgow Harbour with Govan Shipbuilders on the right

Looking over towards Govan, Southside of Glasgow

Can you spot Scooby???
This is an old classic car advertising a scrap yard for cars!

Not a place you would want to sunbathe!

A nice secluded road - no traffic - I was worried I could get murdered here and no-one would find me!! lol

Some pretty weeds!!

And last but not least....wee Molly!!  Do you like her pink collar?? 

I have also been taking better care of myself the last week or so.  I have treated myself to a month of spray tans and I went for my second one tonight.  It's the VersaSpa, and so easy and much less embarrassing than getting someone to do it for you!  Yikes!  

Tomorrow, I will post my official WW weigh in - and just use those weigh ins each week!  Oh, and hopefully I will be able to post some "before" photos and measurements.

I am starting over, and feeling great about it!!!

Thank you all once again for your support - you are all awesome!!!!



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16:15

I fell off the wagon...

....and still off.  I seem to have lost my mojo, motivations.....everything!  I was doing great for 5 weeks, and then I decided that I would give myself a little leeway in my diet.  It started off innocently enough, but before I knew it, I was right back to eating the way I did before.  And again, everyday I say that I'm going to get right back up and dust myself off, but then the cravings take over again and I give in.

When I am eating bad, I don't have any will or energy to work out.  I don't have energy to do anything to be honest!  I haven't been to the gym in over a week and a half!  The last time I was there, I saw my trainer and she gave me a cool new workout programme to follow for 4 weeks.  It was such a motivating, fun routine and I felt for sure that this was it.  Then I felt a  bit off last week.  I was even off work for 2 days with flu symptoms and the worse headache I have had in quite a few years!  Even when I was feeling better, I still didn't feel like working out.   I need to break out of this cycle!!

The only "upside" to all of this nonsense is that I have only gained 2 pounds while eating like a complete and utter pig.  I know it will end up catching up with me again if I don't reign this in.  I wish I could just get to a place where I don't obsess about every little thing I eat.  So what if I eat one chocolate?  Does that mean I have to then eat the whole lot so I can "begin" my diet again the next day???  Because that's what goes on in my mind.  It's crazy!

Soooo.......I'm going to make a concerted effort to just eat healthily.  With the odd treat here and there.  I don't need to eat a whole pack of cookies at once.  Because it never just ends with that!

Tomorrow, I am hitting up the gym again.  Hopefully, going to the gym will give me the incentive to put healthier foods into my body.  I need to start looking after myself again.........

I will be back again soon!!!

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