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A dry January

No I’m not talking about the weather. That would just be silly.

I’m talking about abstaining from the glorious nectar that is alcohol. Any form. Wine, beer, vodka, Jack Daniels, Bailey’s, pretty much anything that I had on tap over Christmas.

In favour of my “eat less, do more” lifestyle that I am learning to adapt to (with aching muscles to prove it) I thought it would be sensible (afterthought - stupid) to give up alcohol on weekdays. Not easily done, but I conquered the good stuff. But then I had to get all competitive with myself and decide to give up until my birthday - 25th January for those who wish to worship and adore.

So I am one week down with around two more to go.

Fab.

All in all, this lifestyle change does seem to be working. Have made acquaintances with the gym again, which is no easy feat when I have to battle with my boobs if I so much as decide to skip, let alone run. Thankfully I am not in black-eye stages as of yet, though the male glances (admiring or horrified, unsure which) are a little disconcerting. Thankfully with the aid of one’s bright pink iPod, I can pretend I’m Beyonce, Katy Perry or similar. Unfortunately, have habit of forgetting where I am and can be known to sing. “I kissed a girl and I liked iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!” doesn’t quite have the right affect when surrounded by sweaty individuals with their game face on.

When I am not at the gym, which is pretty much most of the time, because I am, by no means, a gym bunny, (gym bear perhaps?) I have resorted to dancing around the living room in form of hog gazelle, elegantly completing Clare from Steps’ fitness video. I have become very talented at this and have only banged into the sofa once or twice. Even have personal trainer, in form of Jack Russell, who for all his enthusiasm, prefers sit-ups or Canine Cardiovascular Activity, which he has wittily shortened to Walkies. Either way, progress is progress.

Food-wise, while the fat girl inside me screams for mashed potato, I am favouring forcing myself to eat the delectable nourishment that is soup, soup or water, switching only for a balanced meal in the evenings. Boring isn’t it?

Have now resorted to opening my Naughty Cupboard and staring lustfully, drool optional. Have also developed stalker tendencies and tend to frequent the chocolate aisle far too often at Sainsbury’s. Sure that Cadbury’s will take out a restraining order against me at some point, either that or enrol into some form of protection programme, while I rub Fruit & Nut all over my face while screaming…

I digress.

Yeah, so diet is going well then.

Diet drama…

So, the week off kind of ruined my diet.

I ate waaaaaaaaaay too much food and drank waaaaaaaaay too much alcohol. But you know what? I had fun. The food was yum, the alcohol had the desired effect and I am still in control.

Back on top of it this week. Hello Cup-A-Soups, how I have despised missed you!

This looks equally as srcummy and probably half the cals.
Jamie’s Scrummy Warm Rocket Salad.
Can we all say “nom?”

This looks equally as srcummy and probably half the cals.

Jamie’s Scrummy Warm Rocket Salad.

Can we all say “nom?”

Want. For. Dinner.
Jamie Oliver’s Farfalle with Carbonara and Spring Peas.
Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom, nom. DIET. Fuck. Sneaky treat?

Want. For. Dinner.

Jamie Oliver’s Farfalle with Carbonara and Spring Peas.

Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom, nom. DIET. Fuck. Sneaky treat?

It’s working?

Getting to the point where my diet seems like a second nature. I think I hit my brick wall and then stormed right through it. I don’t know how I managed that but I’m not going to complain.

I do worry myself a little as I have got into the routine of just drinking all day, mostly water and coffee (semi-skimmed with one sweetener) and it does keep me going, but I know that is dangerous.

I just really want this to work. I have lost weight. I can feel it. Particularly on my stomach and legs. Which is brilliant as that means I am not losing my boobs, which I love.

I still have a long way to go.

If anyone has any advice, do share? I could do with a little inspiration!

Diet :(

Now I’ve finsihed that 30 Day Blog Challenge thing I haven’t been on here as much. Work is super-busy and I didn’t really know what to write.

Anyway, you probably know, due to my excessive whinging updates, that I am on a diet.

I have been for about 2 weeks now and it is going quite well. So much so, that my parents, who hadn’t seen me for 2 weeks, noted that I had lost weight. I am starting to like myself a bit now. So much so that I have been wearing dresses and pencil skirts, with my actual legs on show! I know, amazing isn’t it?

Anyway, I’ve been eating next to nothing during the day, usually Slim Fast followed by another Slim Fast if I need to feel full, or a single Cup-A-Soup and lots of water if I am feeling inspired. It has worked though and I have lost 5 pounds so far, which makes me feel special. I just need to keep it up.

Today, I allowed myself a treat, after 3 cups of coffee (semi-skimmed milk, 1 sweetener) and lots of water. I had sushi! Vegetarian of course, because it was lower in cals and fat and because I don’t eat seafood. It was only 229 calories and I feel so full. It’s a nice feeling.

The best part about this diet is that I have managed to shrink my stomach, both internally and externally (thank God). Now I don’t need as much food to feel full and I have noticed that water is my saviour, I just guzzle a bottle of that and I feel full again.

Tonight I will have whatever me and the boyfriend decide to make. Only with extra vegetables and less fat. But before that - gym.

I think I can do this…

Current: Size 16. Aim: Size 12.

Possible?

Day Twenty-One - A Recipe

I LOVE to cook. Like, seriously. I love it SO much.

The sole reason I consented to my household getting Virgin TV was so that I could watch the Good Food channel. I’m obsessed.

BUT…

Unfortunately this little piggy is on a diet, so I have been trying to find inspiration for some sexy, summer salads that make me feel like I am actually eating nice food.

For those of you who know me, I love Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson. They are my favourite chefs, purely because they cook with passion and they act like human beings. Jamie spoke to me TWICE on Twitter and I nearly died. It was a memorable moment.

I have two of Jamie’s recipe books and I am on the hunt for one of Nigella’s.

Anyway, Jamie’s salad recipe below looks yummy and I am going to try it one night this week!

Caprese Salad with Grilled Peppers

Serves 4 as Starter, 2 as a Main Meal

Ingredients:

• 2 red peppers
• 4 balls of good-quality mozzarella cheese
• 400g ripe cherry tomatoes, halved
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• extra virgin olive oil
• a bunch of fresh basil, leaves picked

Method:

Place the peppers directly on to a naked gas flame or under a very hot grill and let them blacken and blister.

Turn now and then with a pair of metal kitchen tongs. When blackened all over, pop them into a bowl and cover with cling film.

Leave the peppers to steam for about 10 minutes, then remove the cling film and leave them to cool.

When they are cool enough to handle, rub off the blackened skin and brush away the seeds from the inside.

Tear the mozzarella balls into chunks and divide between four plates. Then tear the peppers into strips and divide over the plates of mozzarella. Scatter the tomato halves over the top.

Season well with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Tear the basil leaves up and sprinkle them over the salad before serving.

Tip: Always use fresh basil and the best mozzarella you can find.

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/salad-recipes/caprese-salad-with-grilled-peppers

 

:(

I am actually forcing down my breakfast shake this morning. Why can’t bacon be, like, one calorie or something.

Sad face.

Rumbly tummy.

Two words: Nom. Nom.

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