Cake Regret - Weight Loss Journey Week 50 - Day 3

Week 50
Day 3 - Friday
2/01/2014

Cake Regret 

Gotta love smoothies for a quick breakfast

Breakfast: Oh shit! I have no time for breakfast and I'll just throw this together smoothie (Banana, cacao, honey and almond milk)

I had an earlier start today and I almost didn't have breakfast but I decided to throw this together at the last minute and have it on the go.  I'm so glad that I did, I think it's really important to make sure you at least have something for breakfast.  On the days that I skip breakfast I REALLY notice the difference.  I find that I get hungrier at night and I'm bound to eat all the things I shouldn't. 

Love my Coffee :)

 Morning Snack: Coffee with Almond Milk and Paleo "Rum" Balls (Recipe here)

I visited my sister and nephew today and she was nice enough to make me a coffee made on almond milk, thanks sis! :)  

Mmm balls :)

For morning tea everyone else was having mud cake, so I decided to have some Paleo Balls instead.  Early on in my weightlosss journey I used to be envious when other people were eating cake, pizza etc etc while I'm over here with my carrot! LOL But I no longer feel like that anymore.  Something has shifted and I don't feel like I'm missing out.  I'm not sure what it is, I think it's just from making healthy choices everyday, wherever possible.  

But seriously, how good is cake? ;)

You never regret the cake you don't eat, remember that. ;)

A Paleo Nightmare 

Lunch: Ham, Cheese, Tomato and Avocado Roll

I know, there is dairy, grains and processed ingredients in that roll.  Two big Paleo no nos!  But I've learnt to be more lenient with my  diet eating.  I realise that the world will not implode and I will not die if I have something that is not Paleo.  

When you're on eating plans that exclude certain foods, it is easy to become a little obsessive about what you're eating and what ingredients are included.  I know at the start I was guilty of this too.  If there wasn't anything around to eat that wasn't Paleo, I wouldn't eat and wait until I got home.  That really isn't a healthy attitude to have at all.  At the time I was being monitored by specialists and I had to see if my diet was the culprit for my nasty symptoms, so I guess it was a little different then too.

I think it's important to have some boundaries and guidelines, however, I think that you have to learn to be flexible sometimes.  To me, it's not a fad or a diet, it's a lifestyle change.  I plan to eat as healthy as I can for the rest of my life, even after weightloss.  So I always think that if you aren't flexible sometimes and it can't fit into your lifestyle, it's not going to work long term. 

Lite n' Easy - Chicken Enchilada

Dinner: 117 Chicken Enchilada

Today was a horrible day for me health wise.  Before lunch I got a horrible migraine and my lunch didn't last in my stomach long.  It continued to get worse, even with my usual Aspro Clear and I was in so much pain.  On the way home my whole body ached and it was so uncomfortable I was crying and I wanted nothing more than to leave my body just for a moment.  These are the bad days.  These are the days that I remember when I have a good day and try to remember to enjoy those good days as much as possible.  

As you can imagine, I really didn't have the energy to prepare anything for dinner.  I had my very last Lite n' Easy meal left in the freezer so I decided to have that.  I will miss the convenience of the Lite n' Easy meals, especially on my bad days.    

I think I'll just have to be more prepared and orgnaised and have meals in the freezer for times like these.  

Glasses of water: 5

Do any of you have any tips?  What do you do on your off days?

Peanut Butter Double Chocolate Cake - Lite n' Easy Weight Loss Journey Week 27 - Day 4

Week: 27
Day 4 - Saturday
19/07/2014

Peanut Butter Double Chocolate Cake

Why have one when you can have both?

Breakfast:  Almond Toasted Muesli

Soy & Linseed Toast with Butter and Vegemite

*Addition: Soy & Linseed Toast

Mayver’s Dark Chocolate Super Spread

Blessed & Lucky Maple Bliss Spread

There was just no way that I was having Vegemite, so I had two different spreads I love because why not have the best of both worlds? ;)

Missing Muffin - Lite n' Easy Weight Loss Journey Week 27 - Day 3

Week: 27
Day 3 - Friday
18/07/2014

Missing Muffin

Funny looking muffins

Breakfast:  Egg and Smokehouse Ham on a toasted Multigrain Muffin

*Addition: Egg, Ciabatta Toast (2)

I accidently had my Multigrain Muffin another morning! Oops!  I thought it was a spare one. I must have removed it out one morning, put it in my left over Lite n’ Easy food and not moved it back.   So in one of my spare lunches I found two pieces of Ciabatta Toast and had that instead.

The seeds that are in the Ciabatta Toast have a strong taste and don’t really go with the Eggs and Bacon unfortunately. 

What Motivates Me? - How I Stay Motivated To Lose Weight

I know that I should be writing my food for the day yesterday and plenty of other posts that I need to write, but I feel really strongly about this subject so I feel I should write it now.  I have been asked before how I stay motivated and what motivates me.  So I’m going to tell you but I need you to understand that what motivates me, may not motivate you.  We are all different people with different lives and all have different reasons for losing weight.

This is why it’s important not to compare your weightloss to anyone else’s.  Please try not to compare yourself to others as you are only setting yourself up for failure.  Not just with weightloss but throughout all areas of life.  Sure, it’s hard not to think “why can’t I do that” or “why can’t I have what they have” but it just takes you away from your goals and what you could be achieving.  Concentrate on your own goals, what works for you and what drives you and try to think “I’m going to do this” or “I’m going to work to achieve this”.  It’s really hard to win against someone who never gives up, so be that person who never does.

Naughty Melted Cheesiness - Lite n' Easy Weight Loss Journey Week 26 - Day 4

Week 26

Day 4 - Saturday
12/07/2014
Naughty Melted Cheesiness

Yum Yum Yum

Breakfast: Bacon and Egg Mayo on a toasted Bagel

This is always delicious but it’s over too quick ha ha.  I think I would prefer to cook my own Egg and have the Mayo separate though.

#Tip: The Bagel is sliced thinly and is easy to burn in the toaster so make sure you keep an eye on it.  The Egg & Mayo Mix contains cooked Egg, so if you heat it in the container provided, it will explode.  I put it into a separate container with a lid so it doesn’t go everywhere in the microwave, I learnt that the hard way!

I Can Has Chocolate Bar? - Lite n' Easy Weight Loss Journey Week 26 - Day 3

Day 3 - Friday
11/07/2014
I Can Has Chocolate Bar?

Look at that egg! :)

Breakfast: Egg and Smokehouse Ham on a toasted Multigrain Muffin

*Addition: Egg

Look how high that Egg is stacked! Ha ha I added an extra egg and cooked it the same way I usually do, see tip below, but I added an extra tablespoon of water and an extra minute on the cooking time.

#Tip: I cook the Egg in the microwave and it only takes 1 minute.  Crack the Egg into a microwave safe mug, add 1 Tablespoon of water, whisk (I usually wish for about 1 minute to get as much air as possible) and nuke for 1 minute (1200 watt) done!  Scoop out the Egg with a Fork or a Spoon and layer between the Ham.  I also heat the Ham in the microwave, I open one corner of the bag it comes in and heat for 1 minute, and it’s then warm and shrinks down to the perfect size for the Muffin!

My Butt Won't Quit - Lite n' Easy Weight Loss Journey Week 25 Day 5

Week: 25
Day 4 - Sunday
6/07/2014
My Butt Won’t Quit

Sunday Breakfast mmmm 

Breakfast: Eggs Benedict (Egg, Bacon, Baby Spinach and Hollandaise Sauce

on Ciabatta Toast)

*Addition: An extra Egg and Ciabatta Toast

Homemade Coffee (low fat milk, no sugar)

I woke up feeling refreshed and in a great mood with loads of energy, even before the coffee.  What is better than Eggs Benedict on a Sunday morning? TWO Eggs Benedict on a Sunday morning! Yep, I added an extra Egg and Toast with a little Pepper and I was in pure bliss for the whole 30 seconds it lasted. ;)

Lite n' Easy Weight Loss Journey Week 15 - A New Chapter

Week 15

A Week In Review
23/04/2014 - 29/04/2014

A New Chapter

I apologise for my absence, but I needed some time.  I was hurt and betrayed in the worst possible way imaginable by the closest person to me of seven years.  I've been through many emotions and been trying to piece my life together.

But something I did not expect was the relief, clarity, positiveness and excitement about the future. I surprised myself with how strong I am and I know that I can do anything.   I know that my decision to improve myself and my weight loss has helped me greatly.  Because it's about more than kilos, it's about self respect and self love.  Something that I haven't really had much of for a long time, if at all.  It's amazing the doors that close and open when you change your life in positive ways.

I want to start by thanking everyone for their kind wishes and concern, it's nice to be missed.  Thank you to all my lovely supporters, you have helped me in more ways than you will ever know.  I'm lucky to have so many amazing people in my life.

Week 15 - Day 1

Wednesday 23/04/2014

So rather than write a weeks worth of individual posts, I'm going to combine them together, I hope you don't mind. 

This day I was pretty busy and was out for most of the day, I had my lunch pretty late in the afternoon.  I have to stop doing that!  I also didn't really have all the snacks I was supposed to.  Got to break these habits!  

I still have the sore throat and sinus but it hasn't eventuated. 

Week 15 - Day 2

Thursday 24/04/2014

I met up with a friend for brunch today, it was a little later and I wasn't totally sure of the calories so I didn't have my morning snack.  I did have a coffee before I left, then a coffee with brunch and then a coke zero.  Don't judge me! ha ha  

So with all of this coffee running around in my system I decided to burn some of it off and cleaned the house while I danced around to some music.  It makes it so much more fun that way.  I had an additional popcorn as an extra snack as I was hungry from burning off all those calories.  I was well under my calorie limit for today though.  

I didn't go under 1200, but I left some excess calories as I knew I didn't count them over Easter and I was hoping this would even it out a bit.

Week 15 - Day 3

Friday 25/04/2014

It was a pretty delicious food day today.  I swapped things around a bit and had the breakfast I was supposed to have yesterday, it's Bacon and Eggs, how could I not?  I had a really great day and I thought things were looking up.  I was in denial and didn't want to face what was really happening. 

Week 15 - Day 4

Saturday 26/04/2014 

Right after breakfast the truth was revealed.  I was so sick I didn't want to eat.  I had to force everything down, well maybe except for the ice cream ;) (Skinny Cow Double Chocolate Sundae)  I knew that if I didn't eat I would feel worse.

I wasn't really tempted to eat anything bad at all.  If anything I was more determined to stay strong, I wasn't going to let someone else's mistakes ruin all my hard work and determination.

I also knew that if I made it through when times are bad, I could do anything.

Week 15 - Day 5

Sunday 27/04/2014

I felt I did a little better today in regards to food.  I ate all my snacks even though I was sick to my stomach.  I also leaned today that anti nausea medication doesn't work when it's caused by stress.  I tried to keep my water levels up this week as much as possible.

Week 15 - Day 6

Monday 28/04/2014

I had more clarity today and was feeling a little better.  I did have a migraine which didn't help things, so I still had to force down my afternoon snack and the dinner, but I got there.  

Week 15 - Day 7

Tuesday 29/04/2014

Finally some space to myself to think.  Today was easier and even though I wasn't starving, I was definitely looking forward to dinner.  I really enjoyed it and didn't have any nausea today thankfully.  

I wasn't going to share this experience or the food for this week but someone close to me reminded me how strong I've been through all of this and that it may inspire others.  No matter what, you can remain strong and get through anything if you put your mind to it.  If you think you can, you can and if you think you can't, you can't.

You just have to know that it is what you need to do and it's what is best for you.  I think that eating crap would have only made me feel worse in the long run.  I'm so proud of myself for remaining strong, not being tempted and being so positive.

I hope this inspires some of you to keep going because you can get through this.  No matter how hard things get or what life throws at you, you can handle it.  Just breathe, take one day at a time and put down that Chocolate Bar! 

Love you all and thank you for all your support.

Mel xxoxx

Lite n' Easy Weight Loss Journey Week 14 Day 7 - Mashed Potato² = Happiness

Week 14

Day 7 - Tuesday
23/04/2014
Mashed Potato² = Happiness

I  almost don't have enough time to take the photo because I just want to eat it

Breakfast: Smokehouse Ham and Egg on a toasted Multigrain Muffin

Homemade Coffee (low fat milk, no sugar)

Deliciousness surrounded by a Muffin.  Better than Yoghurt and Muesli any day. :)

I feel like I've been getting these a lot lately

Morning Snack: Dried Apricots

Not a terribly exciting food day today

Lunch: Cheese, Tomato and Caramelised Onion Multigrain Sandwich
Orange

I swapped the Kiwi Fruit for an Orange because the Kiwi Fruit was a little soft and I didn't need anymore justification than that. ;)

Afternoon Snack: Popcorn

I haven't been sleeping the greatest and have had some pretty bad migraines of late.  Today was no exception and in the afternoon I got pretty sick, I get really bad nausea from the migraines so I really didn't feel like having my afternoon snack.

Yay more Mashed Potato

Dinner: 04 Corned Beef

I really enjoyed this dinner, I love the fact that I get two lots of Mashed Potato in this.  The Corned Beef mixed with the white sauce and Mashed Potato just go so well together.

Glasses of water: 7

Exercise: None

I was pretty busy today and I really wanted to knock out a workout earlier in the day but I didn't get time.  By the afternoon I was so sick I knew it wasn't going to happen today.  

Lite n' Easy Weight Loss Journey Week 14 Day 6 - You Had Me At Bacon

Week 14

Day 6 - Monday
21/04/2014 

You Had Me At Bacon

Swapping breakfast because I'm such a rebel

Breakfast: Honey Muesli Flakes Soy & Linseed Toast with Strawberry Jam

 Homemade Coffee (low fat milk, no sugar)

I didn't really feel like Fruit Toast and Yoghurt for breakfast so I had this instead.  Much more filling and I love the Honey Muesli Flakes. 

New Packaging? New Pears?

Morning Snack: Pear Fruit Cup

Lite n' Easy seem to have changed the packaging on these.  They are bigger in size too.  

Why is NEW never IMPROVED?

They taste different and they aren't as good, the old version was sweeter and I think, tasted nicer.

You had me at BACON

Lunch: Smokey Bacon & Tomato Pasta

Red Apple

One of my favourite lunches, I love this one.  Bacon + Tomato + Pasta + Cheese = YES PLEASE! ;)

Please let me know if this happens to you 

Lite n' Easy Problems: Does this happen to anyone else?  I have so much trouble opening the lids sometimes and the paper comes away from the plastic.  I usually end up having to use a knife to open it.  I'm really just asking to settle a dispute because a certain someone doesn't have this issue when opening meals.  Comment below and let me know! :)

Choc + Hazelnut = Awesome

Afternoon Snack: Choc Hazelnut Fruit Mix

Why are Chocolate and Hazelnuts so good together?

Not my favourite pie

Dinner: 180 Shepherd's Pie

This is not the best Shepherd's Pie I've had but it is nice when it's getting colder at night.

Glasses of water: 7

  

Exercise: None

I think I did enough last night! ;)  Today was pretty much a recovery day.  I stayed in and watched TV all day and pretty much spent the whole day on the couch.  Wasted day? I think not ;)

I hope you enjoyed your long weekend if you were lucky enough to have it off.

Lite n' Easy Weight Loss Journey Week 14 Day 5 - Happy Easter :)

Week 14

Day 5 - Sunday
20/04/2014

Happy Easter :)

Best Easter breakfast ever

Breakfast: Honey Muesli Flakes Soy & Linseed Toast with Strawberry Jam

Toasted Hot Cross Bun with Peanut Butter & Co Dark Chocolate Dreams

I was deciding if I wanted to have a Hot Cross Bun or not, but then I decided to stop obsessing about it and just have one, because it's Easter!  Thought I'd get some of my Chocolate fix with this Peanut Butter too.  Verdict? Absolutely delicious!  Great way to start Easter Sunday :)

Easter is so tasty

What I used to have for Easter were two toasted Chocolate Hot Cross buns and then I would get those Cadbury Solid Eggs and melt them over the Hot Cross Bun and have that for breakfast.  I can't believe I did that!

Morning Snack: Red Apple

I think by the time I got around to having breakfast, lunch was pretty much just around the corner, so I didn't have a morning snack.

I think the Moroccan Chicken Salad has some competition

Lunch: Pumpkin Soup with Ciabatta ToastPear Fruit Cup

BBQ - Nando's Lemon & Herb Maronaited Chicken Breast Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing.

I certainly made up for it with lunch though, yes I ate that whole plate and no I don't regret it at all!  We decided on a BBQ lunch but I didn't want to have Sausages, Bacon, Coleslaw etc etc. so I decided on Chicken Salad.

So good!

The salad was a Beetroot salad mix from Coles and I threw away the dressing sachet and decided to make my own.  I threw together some Soy Sauce, Mustard, Honey and Light Mayonnaise, sounds gross, but it was delicious.  I cut up some Cherry Tomatoes and added some Mushrooms.  This salad was so yummy!

Spread em ;)

Afternoon Snack: Roasted Almonds

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bite (recipe here)

2 x Rice Cakes with Blessed & Lucky Maple Bliss and Peanut Butter & Co Dark Chocolate Dreams Peanut Butters.

I know, this is my go to snack lately, I have to stop.  I'm glad I had something more substantial than Roasted Almonds though as I was going out later.

I had to have one of these on Easter Sunday! ;)

Dinner: 01 Spaghetti Bolognaise

I didn't have dinner, I know it's bad!  I went over to a friends place in the afternoon and time got away from me.  I did take over the Lite n' Easy meal but I didn't get to it.  I had few chunks of some bread so I guess that was my dinner?  I had two Rekorderlig ciders and a few drinks while I was out.  I went clubbing and danced for about three hours straight.  I ran out of energy by the end, no surprise there! 

I got home about 4 am (don't judge me) and I didn't want to go to bed on an empty stomach and feel awful the next day, so I had some Brown Rice Crackers.  Horrible weight loss day yes but it could have been a lot worse and it's a journey, it would be boring if it was the same everyday.  ;) 

I enjoyed today and regretted nothing... well maybe not having dinner! 

Glasses of water: 8

Exercise: Dancing 3 hours

How much do you think I would have burned?  I did want to take my heart rate monitor out with me but I didn't want to lose it so I decided not to.

I think I would have burned about 2500 calories!  

Hope you all had a very Happy Easter :)

Mel xxoxx

Lite n' Easy Weight Loss Journey Week 14 Day 4 - Yoghurt Again?

Week 14

Day 4 - Saturday
19/04/2014  

Yoghurt Again?

A yummy breakfast, but a little too light for me

Breakfast: Strawberry Yoghurt Crunch

Homemade Coffee (low fat milk, no sugar)

Love this breakfast, it's really yummy and no preparation required! 

Morning Snack: Orange

 Coke Zero 600 ml

I actually went out shopping today and didn't have time for my morning snack.  I few errands to run and then did a solid three hours of shopping.  We did stop for lunch at Guzman Y Gomez and I thought they would be fairly healthy but a quick look on My Fitness Pal changed my mind.   Who knew Beans and Rice would be 800 - 1000 calories! 

You appreciate food so much more when you're hungry

Lunch: Chicken Teriyaki

Red Apple

So after deciding not have lunch out shopping, I arrived home about 2:30 pm absolutely starving and weak.  I had been walking around three hours on Yoghurt alone.  I didn't plan on doing this, it just turned out this way.

Yoghurt again?

Afternoon Snack: Passionfruit Yoghurt

 2 x Rice Cakes with Blessed & Lucky Maple Bliss Peanut Butter and Raisins

Way better than Yoghurt ;)

I thought Lite n' Easy was a little too light on the food today.  Yoghurt for breakfast, fruit for snacks and Yoghurt again for the afternoon snack?  I added an additional snack in the afternoon as I was still hungry and didn't want to go out to dinner too hungry. 

Eating Out at a Restaurant - Vegetarian Fettuccine 

Dinner: Vegetarian Fettuccine 

(Fettuccine with Char-Grilled Vegetables, Napolitana sauce, Baby Spinach and Bocconcini)

 Side of Vegetables (Without Butter or Salt)

We decided it would be nice to go out to dinner, after perusing the menu, I decided this was one of the healthiest options.  There really weren't many healthy choices at all.  I'm sure that there was quite a bit of oil in this but it's far better than fried food.   I also added a side of vegetables, had to ask for them without Butter or Salt, so I would fill up on them instead of the Pasta.

I ate the Vegetables first and then ate just under half the serving.  It was okay, but a little strange because the Char-Grilled Vegetables tasted like they came from a jar and still had that Vinegar taste.   So that mixed with the Napolitana was pretty strange.

Love Skinny Cow Ice Cream

While the rest had their full fat desserts, I opted for this Skinny Cow Double Chocolate Sundae.  I love these and they don't taste like low fat Ice Cream at all. 

Glasses of water: 6

  

Exercise: Incidental - Shopping

I'm not sure how many calories I burned off today, I was pretty much on my feet for most of the three hours.  I'm not too concerned today as I'm not logging it in My Fitness Pal for this week.