-
Weekly menu plans
I've just been persuading my husband the benefits of weekly meal planning, and the past week has gone really well. So I thought I'd record ours here - would love to see others too! Sunday - shopping day. Lamb steaks, cauliflower cheese, "bubble'n'squeak" potato cakes. Monday - Fast day for me - ready meal chicken arabiata…
-
5k parkruns
I know this group seems to have fizzled out, but just in case there are still some active members.... Any parkrunners? Where do you usually run?
-
Low fat supernoodles question
I'm not a fan of supernoodles. But I have some in the cupboard that need using up. Now, I noticed that the regular ones are about 450 claories for teh packet, whereas the low-fat ones are about 300 calories per pack. Is that a change in the actual noodles? Or is this difference in the flavouring sachet? If I discard the…
-
Foot in a plaster cast - what can I do?
I slipped on loose stones while running at the weekend, and have cracked my ankle bone. Which is now in a plaster cast, and I'm using crutches to get around! What exercises can I do over the next few weeks?
-
Sunday walk
Got to take big dog Max out today for what used to be our regular Sunday morning walk in Drumkeeragh forest. (A whole variety of things including the awful weather have got us out of the habit) Wow, we had such a good time! It's a pretty remote place, takes me 20 mins to drive there, but its remoteness is its attraction.…
-
How can I track my speed?
I use MapMyRun to monitor my distance. speed etc. But I can only check that after the run is done. I want to try to improve my ParkRun times. I was one second off a best time last week, and if I'd known that during the run I could have found an extra second or 2. The run consists of one small lap and 3 big laps of the…
-
Expensive mistake!
I was trying out a new Jamie Oliver 15 minute meal last night - chorizo and squid served over couscous which had some blitzed spring onion and spinach added to it. When I went to fluff up the couscous and add a squeeze of lemon, I realised something was wrong. My jaw dropped as I worked out I'd used sesame seeds instead of…
-
Doggy fun park
We discovered a fantastic place this weekend - a doggy fun park! A secure paddock safely split into 4 different zones (so that any dogs who dont get on well with others can still find a place to play) with lots of agility equipment, balls to throw, plenty of water available, and free tea and coffee for the owners! Max and…
-
Week 4
Thursday 22 November - Day 1 of week 4. Back to some of my least liked exercises - burpees and renegade rows. And the cardio seems quite high impact - I may keep that at the lower intensity level as I have a weak ankle.
-
Ooooh a wee cruise!
My husband is such a darling - and he finds it impossible to pass by a bargain. So we are going on a cruise in December! Woohoo! It's mostly the canary islands, with one stop in Morocco. So....how can I trim off a few pounds in 8 weeks, and what items should I pack!
-
Hiatus Hernia
Hmmm, just been diagnosed with a hiatus hernia last week, so I'm experimenting a bit with different foods to see what triggers it. Mint! Who knew? And there I was always drinking mint tea for my digestion, lol. Chocolate will be tough to give up, but I'm happy with the odd square of dark once or twice a week. Giving up…
-
Suggestions for friends night?
Typically on a Monday night we have a couple of girl friends who call round to watch a TV show (Breaking Bad, if you must know!) I usually cook something for us to eat - so far we've had a Spanish tapas night (tortilla, parma ham, cheese, and a spicy aubergine thing I created) Next week we did a Moroccan lamb tagine in the…
-
Renting in London
Does anyone have any advice on renting in London? My daughter is heading to uni there in September. She's looking at houses in the Lewisham/ Lee area. She'll be sharing with her boyfriend and one other fellow dance student. many thanks!
-
confronting a secret smoker
Ok, my husband is supposed to have stopped smoking - he had a heart operation in January so it's really important that he stays off them. I noticed the smell of smoke yesterday, and when I investigated I found a hidden pack of 10, a box of matches, and I can see where he's putting the butts. Do I: 1. Ask him? (He may deny,…
-
Training for a marathon relay leg
OK, I seem to have been persuaded to take part in my gym's relay team for the Belfast Marathon on 7 May. So that's 5 weeks I have, to train up for it. The length will be between 3.5 - 7 miles, I dont know which I'll be doing so let's aim for the 7 mile one. Whilst I'm generally fit, I'm not that experienced at running. So,…
-
NSV-NYDJ
There was a little boutique I'd been longing to visit all week - it looked like it had a mixture of old and new, eclectic fun items for sale. I tried to get in on Wednesday morning - but it was closed. I called again today, when it was supposed to open at 11 - but it was shut till 1. I went back....and boy was my…
-
What to do with a fruit basket?
My husband is due home today after heart surgery (yay!), but he has a huge fruit basket left-over. What can I make with 4 bananas 4 eating apples (1 green, 1 yellow, 2 red) 2 kiwi 2 plums 2 pears I'll not worry too much about the sugar count, but something heart-healthy would be a bonus. Thanks in advance :smile:
-
Kinesiology/ muscle tape
My shoulder had been giving e problems for some time - not a restriction in movement, but pain particularly in lateral raises or hooks. I eventually agreed to see a sports therapist today. As well as exercises and massages, he has now taped up my shoulder muscle with fetching bright blue muscle tape! This apparently raises…
-
A girl at the gym asked me...
...Have you lost weight? She went on to say she'd been watching me in yesterday's Body Combat class, but not in a stalking way or anything, and the change in my shape was really noticeable. I explained I'd lost a stone and a hlaf since Christmas, largely thanks to the gym, lifting heavy, but also cutting down on carbs. And…
-
warm puy lentil salad
Just made this for lunch and it was fabulous! Sautee some shallots and garlic in a little olive oil. Add in some cooked puy lentils (I used a 400g tin, drained and rinsed) Stir to keep warm, season with black pepper and a little sea salt. In a large bowl mix some cherry tomatoes (i used 3 red, 3 yellow), some goats cheese…
-
samphire suggestions?
I bought some samphire this morning at a market - any suggestions as to what to do with it?
-
Best protein to calorie value?
I'm trying to keep my protein intake high - aiming for 100g a day though I rarely reach that much. Last night I was going to the gym so I thought I'd try a special protein bar to give a little extra. I was horrified to find that it came in at over 200 calories, for only 10g protein! By comparison, 40g of cottage cheese for…
-
Store-cupboard squid/prawn bouillabiase
So I fancied something high protein tonight, but didn't have anything specific planned. First I looked in my freezer. Man, I love frozen squid and frozen prawns! Defrosted in minutes, and easy to use. I checked a few squid recipes, but didn't really want any fried type "salt and chilli" dishes. Looked at a few…
-
my draggin jeans! Wah!
So, Easter is here, the sun is shining, time to get back on a motorbike! I dug out my bike gear to try it on. My Aerostich suit (one piece coverall that goes on over clothes) is fine - it used to be awkward zipping it over the thighs, but now no problem. And it has lots of velcro adjusters so I can pull it in at the sides.…
-
Body Combat 47
Just attended the launch of the latest Les Mills Body Combat class today - wow, some tough moves in there, especially the abs track! Any other fans?
-
NSV and bargain of the week!
You know that feeling when you look in the wardrobe and nothing fits right any more? Yes its great that you're losing weight, but what are you going to wear to work! And you dont want to invest in a whole lot of new clothes JUST yet, cos you've a bit to go. I'd bought one pair of trousers (UK size 12, on the sale rail at…
-
NSV: "You HAVE to buy that dress!"
Had a lovely afternoon of girly shopping with my daughter, - I have a wedding and a few other outings coming up, and she's singing at a cabaret do next weekend and needed something suitably glamorous. We went to TK Maxx and tried on oodles of dresses. I was delighted that a UK size 12 fitted with ease, and in some cases…
-
NSV - Scottish Dancing
Was feeling a bit down today, so I was glad I made the effort to go to my usual Scottish dancing class - dancing always makes me feel good. First, I wore my HRM, which almost unbelievably tells me that 2 hours of dancing burned over 800 calories! Wow! Secondly, a friend who'd been ill for a while, and therefore who hasn't…
-
reduce body fat
I'm pretty happy with the gradual reduction in the scale numbers, and in the way my body is shaping up. But my body fat % seems really high at 32%. Is there any changes I should make to the carbs/ fat/ protein ratio that would help me bring this down? Or can this be helped with exercise type?
-
NSV loose trousers
I was heading for the gym for a 7 am class today (go me!), and I'd put some work clothes into a bag to change into afterwards, as I was heading straight to the office. The trousers I'd put in are waaaay to big! I'm currently fiddling round with paperclips trying to pull in the waist somehow - might go raid the stationery…
