Monday 19 March 2007

Right. That's it. This time is going to be different...

I've had an interesting morning. It started in the gym with the thought that maybe I should do a "Lose a stone in 10 days" crash to get me started. So despite being a little late out of bed, I did some gym stuff (couldn't afford the 3 hours but then who can?)

Arriving at work, I had breakfast - the bacon and egg sarnie but without the bread. I guessed I could just forego those calories.
I then set out to do a spreadsheet, as is my wont. I looked up the Nutrition Data website (free calorie and nutrition info - highly recommended) to remind myself what my daily calorific needs are and to calculate the extra calories my morning exertions had bought me.

And my conclusion is this - Losing a stone in 10 days is impossible and/or extremely unhealthy.
I guess I knew that anyway. The reality is that I'd have to eat 5,700 calories less than my normal daily allowance of 3,100 every day. This can be reduced by exercise of course. I was in the gym for just over half an hour and burned 500 calories. Let's assume you could do 2 and a half hours of exercise - that'd be 2,500 calories. If you ate ABSOLUTELY NOTHING by my reckoning I would then have minus 100 calories left each day to gorge myself on. How many negative calories do tissues have?

So instead I have resolved to try and lose 2 stone (well actually 13kg) by my birthday. Since it's my 40th I thought it would be good to try and lose it before I'm too old!!! (I know it's possible if you're older but don't tell me that - it'll take away the incentive to do it now.)

I have 9 weeks. That allows me 1,200 calories a day PLUS any I burn through exercise - so today's allowance is 2,100 calories (I went back to the gym for a swim this evening - another 400 cals burned). The protein content of my breakfast (plus a few more coffees and some fruit juice) kept me pretty full until much later when I had soup for lunch. I nibbled on some chicken after the swim and then had my aparagus and rocket spaghetti tonight (very reduced amount of spaghetti and hardly any parmesan). A total of 1,600 calories and 500 towards the target. Theoretically that's about 60 grams of weight loss. Theoretically.

I may even bore you guys every day with my progress - some form of public accountability might just help. I promise to summarize a lot more in future!

So can I please ask that all virtual snacking on the blog remains healthy and low calorie. Celery, crudites, soup etc are all allowed. We can then have a big virtual splurge on my birthday to celebrate. Although, if we continue to follow the 20th of the month rule for OAMCs, it might just have to be a real splurge!

And now an invitation...would anyone care to join me with a target and public accountability?
I reckon we could all encourage and help each other to actually do it this time...

(with apologies to those of you that just don't need to join in...)

57 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just had to hang about a little longer before going to bed!

Today was the day for me - and the start of yet another healthy eating (and drinking!) plan. Did well during the day. Made a superb low-cal, low-fat pasta tonight. Then got the munchies - packet of plain crisps - but Dom God had a couple - so I didn't have a full packet and was therefore entitled to another packet. But crisps are savoury and savoury has to be followed by sweet. Bring on the kit-kat - but only two fingers so that then qualifies me for two chocolates out the box. And of course a half bottle of Rose.

Moose - I am ready to commit publicly. Bring it on. For me - ONE STONE IN ONE MONTH - one step at a time coz there will be more to go after that. When do we start?

EG

Anonymous said...

Oooo ... now I'm desperately looking at my diary to see what the chances are of us getting to London (with a babysitter!) for a splurge in 9 weeks time!!! Soooo ... is that May 20th, then?!

Hubby and I are constantly battling with our weight (must be the age we have all reached! He's 43, I'm 38!). Hubby lost a stone and a half on the horrific cabbage soup diet .... but it didn't last! He cycles to work every day, plays football, and walks, but it seems to make little difference.

I'm praying I'll lose weight when Charis stops nursing ... the bedtime routine is going so well, that it could be in a few weeks time. But I'm wracking my brains to think of an exercise I'll enjoy. I was a size 8 when I moved here 12 years ago, and addicted to free weights. Now I'm a 14 and the only exercise I get is running after madam!

You had me laughing aloud (again) at the thought of having to eat 5,700 calories less than your normal daily allowance of 3,100 every day!!! My brother thought I was losing it!

Soooo ..... I'm up for it, though I'm no good at calorie counting so we'll stick to our Weight Watcher's diet! I guess that means I have to go weigh myself?! And I have to really get my butt in gear and get exercising!

Perhaps this is the push I need - I'm going to ask Andrew if he'll give me a couple of hours twice a week to go to the gym, and get Ann and Ali to take Charis during the day too. I'll go to the gym tomorrow to see how much it is to join.

Excellent! Thanks Moose!!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, heck .... that means I have to cut down on the wine too!

EG Step away from those crisps!!! No more biscuits in the house (we haven't bought biscuits for years ... it's hard, but you can do it!). You have half a stone to lose by the SOAMC!

I think I'm around 12 stone, so I would like to lose ONE STONE IN ONE MONTH, too. I'd like to lose more, but I'm being realistic!

Dogwithnobrain said...

Oh good god. No.

Yes I need to loose about 3 stone in one month. But unfortunately I love eating.

However, in the spirit of Bloglife, I will attend to my body as well as my own energy fields. Bring it on....

Green tea and sugarless rice krispies for breakfast.....

DWNB

jollygit said...

Moose - you have my absolute support and, because I've been faffing around on my Slimming World diet and have got stuck at only a half stone loss, I'm also ready to go for the push and lose a stone in a month.

We can do it and I for one promise to bring only healthy and 'allowed' foodstuffs to our virtual get-togethers.

Susan S - didn't get the chance to answer you yesterday, but my brother is something big in advertising and he had a few contacts in NZ before he started enquiring about emigrating. That said, he had to go out there for 3 months at a time, twice, before he found himself a job. He started work in Nov 2005, when his newest baby was only 3 weeks old and he didn't see her or the others again until I went over with my sis-in-law in the January. It was tough for everyone but it was worth it when you see how happy and relaxed they all are. I wish I could send you some photos - how could I do that?

jollygit xx

jollygit said...

Susan S - there is a website for the restaurant I mentioned near Covent Garden (and its sister restaurant close by). It's sarastro-restaurant.com - it's definitely worth a look, although if you've got wee ones with you it might be better to visit the sister restaurant called Papagenos, and you can get to it via the link.

I'm taking 'im indoors there for lunch on Saturday. We're off to London to see We Will Rock You, although it's a surprise for 'im indoors and he has absolutely no idea!

jollygit xx

Anonymous said...

Good morning one and all! What's the weather like with you today? Out our front windows (the kitchen), facing east is beautifully bright and sunny, yet out the back window (living room) there is a nasty looking black cloud over Craig Phadraig Hill.

I'm totally, utterly knackered! Hubby didn't even say 'goodbye' to me this morning, probably cos I was so crabby! But I did point out to him that I didn't blame him for the fact that I was up for 1 1/2 hours through the night with the lass, then she's up at 7.30am! Insomnia ruled last night, so I've had 2 hours sleep!

And I have way too much to do! I need to shower, then I'm visiting my pal (the one who was dumped), then I'm visiting an elderly friend, then I've to pick up my sister, than I have Little Fishes! I'm just going to put kettle on for a really strong filter coffee!!!!!! That doesn't have any calories, does it?! I guess I have to leave the sugar out?

And I guess that means skimmed milk from now on too, instead of full fat?

Man, I'm depressed! Someone, please cheer me up!

DWNB - does this mean that we have to eat low fat at the SOAMC?!

Jollygit - That must have been tough for them! You could email the pics? romans1v16@talk21.com

Huggles all round, Susan <><

Anonymous said...

All

I stopped smoking just over a year ago (I never smoked much, just of an evening with drinks) and I reckon a few pounds have crept on in that time. I used to have a glass of wine and then pop out into the garden for a fag, maybe 3 or 4 times an evening. Now, I have a glass of wine and then reach for a handful of salty snacks. Having said that, I have kept my exercise going pretty solidly, so I still weigh around 10 1/2 stone.

The only thing I would say is try and get a routine going for exercise and try and avoid the temptation to even bring the bad foods into the house. If you buy it and stick it in the kitchen, you'll eat it.

Jollygit. We went to see We Will Rock You in January. It was a work do and I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not, but it was brilliant. You'll both love it.

Later

MfR.

Anonymous said...

I am an ideal weight for my height. However, I too would be up for joining in with this. I am trying with the booze, as this seems to be why I've put some extra on lately (well since November, my birthday...Christmas dos, Christmas, New Year, Mater's birthday, boy's birthday, three, no FOUR friends birthdays setra setra setra...Way too much for any body's body to bear, even without the usual winter hibernation stash!

Anyway, as I said, I am up for this.

Next time though Moose, could you not bring on quite so many figures...(sic!)

love
hazel
x

ps I am 7'4 in case you were wondering.

Anonymous said...

MfR - You weigh less than I do! Rght, that's it! I'm going to enroll at the gym today! Thanks for the advice and the kick up the bum, honey!

Hazel love - LOL I'm 5'6", and 12 stone!!!!

'What you laughing at, Mummy?'

'Something Hazel said, honey.'

'Funny lady, Mummy?'

'Very, honey!'

'That bit there, Mummy?' points to screen

I have to get her on video saying that one day!

Anonymous said...

Morning all, well i think this is a much better support network than i ever found Slimming world/weightwatchers to be. Always felt guilty there that i was human and sometimes slipped up!

If its ok with you lot though, i am not going to join in the official dieting thing. I am working really hard to deal with my food issues which include me stopping denying myself anything, remembering to only eat when hungry, and not weighing myself constantly. I want to accept my size as i am, and then, when i have, and i dont feel guilty or ashamed about it - maybe i can do something then. Besides, i remember looking at the picture i sent for Lyndyloos pal and thinking that i didnt look that bad. I have never felt like that before so something is working (and i happen to have lost about half a stone since the change in approach)

Having said all that, i am behind you all the way and have therefore rustled up my lentil salsa, steamed salmon with a dash of low fat creme fraiche. Its delish and a great one for your lunch. I have to dash out again so wont be around but hope you enjoy it.

For those who wished me well, the job interview went brilliantly and i was offered the post last night. I am thrilled and looking forward to starting when my current contracts finish in May.

Have a nice day all.
xx

Anonymous said...

Jollygit - Thanks for your lovely comment on my site! It was an honour to do such a small thing with a BIG hand from our lovely blogging pals! What a lovely idea, planting a rose in her memory!

Citril said...

Anna - Congratulations, honey! Well done you! The time will fly by til you are in your new post! So chuffed for you! And, by the way, you looked gorgeous in your photo, so you certainly don't need to worry about joining us! But I'd love the recipe for lentil salsa!

Huggles, Susan <><

T said...

Count me in! I have been trying to shift at least a stone since xmas as it does not seem to be working. Every week in the gym I go thorough the humiliation of weighing myself to find out I am exactly the same.
I have resided myself to the fact that perhaps I need to wait for the summer and focus on eating more salad and fruit but at the moment its just too cold to contemplate!

I do have to say that from past experience and previous efforts the only ever successful weight loss that has worked for me is weight watchers, but at the moment I cannot think about points, totals etc – is there not a easier option!

Anyway, I am just about to start munching my daily intake or nuts and seeds.

Thank you for welcome back messages. I have decided that even though work is busy I have the right to blog! Unfortunately I have no photos of Canada – my week was spent from hotel, office, bar, restaurant, & hotel again – I did not stop until the flight home – not that I am complaining as the food and wine was extremely good.

In catching up I see it’s the OAMC today – sorry, but unfortunately I have amore pressing engagement with the dentist!

T

Anonymous said...

Well I'm up for it. Don't need to lose a huge amount of weight but I really do need to be more active - exercise is against my instincts!

The added incentive is that my sister (always the more generously proportioned of us) has lost 22lbs at Slimmers World and now weighs considerably less than I do.

So - a public pronouncement ... I need to lose 10lbs. (Yes - I currently weigh more than MfR but, like Hazel, I'm VERY tall!).

Jo said...

Morning everybody

I would love to lose a bit of weight but whatever I do I can't stop the expanding of my waistline!

Maybe I could just pledge that I will endeavor to keep active (through dog walks and bike rides) and to eat more fruit and veg and not rely on Sanatogen for my daily intake of vits and mins!

Also I will try not too eat so much crap (ie chips, pork pie (that will be hard!) and sweets).

It's not that easy when all my friends are telling me to go for it as the baby is obviously needing crap stuff!

:o) Jo (eating a mini pack of opal fruits - failed already, sorry!)

Anonymous said...

just dropped by whilst getting coffee for ms G. (she much smaller than i thought)

Lentil salsa - gorgeous and filling....

A tin of green lentils (rinse first)
As many tomatoes (peeled) as you like - i like half and half lentils and tomatoes. (put them in hot water to make the skin peel easily)
A splash of lemon juice (or lime) to taste
Red oinion cut into small pieces
a small chilli diced in to very small pieces

I am from the Moose school of chuck it all in and keep tasting till its right so no official qty suggestions. Promise it takes 5 mins max to do and will taste gorgeous!

enjoy.

late, skimmed milk and sweetner please.
xx

Anonymous said...

There once was a fella called Moose
Who wanted his clothes to hang loose
So he went to the gym
To get ready to slim
And bought trainers that fitted his hoofs

Moose said...

Morning all,

Right, we're going to need some rules then...

Moose's Fat Fighters Rules.

1. Starting weight to be determined today. Then, no weigh-ins allowed for the first 2 weeks (after tonight, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO STEP ON ANY SCALES UNTIL Monday 2nd April) They will be weekly after that on Tuesday evenings, ideally between 6pm and 8pm and before eating your evening meal. Same scales to be used for all weigh-ins. Underwear only (or naked if you prefer) - just because I like the idea of me and my harem all getting (nearly) naked together! Seriously, you need to avoid any thoughts in your mind that your clothes are heavy etc as excuses or even false positives... Your actual weight can be kept secret to you if you want, but you must be brutally honest about the weight loss when we start doing weigh-ins.

2. Count calories obsessively - it's the only thing that counts. Use NutritionData.com - it's free and pretty easy to use. E-mail me if you need any help, I'm now a practised user! You must publicly declare yesterday's calorie balance versus your target every day. Make sure you leave enough calories in your allowance for a good amount of low fat yogurt or milk to be taken with/after meals.

3. If you want to, calculate your daily needs on ND and send me one number (likely between 2,500 and 3,000 calories - I get a few more as I'm so big!) I'll work out your daily calorie allowance for the challenge you've set yourself. You can also calculate exercise calories. On top of the basic allowance, you'll be allowed to eat as many calories as you burn. If you'd prefer, I can calculate it all but then you'd have to confess your age, height and weight to me.

4. I don't think I need to say this, but any discouraging or negative comments on the blog will be deleted by me. Sharing of great low calorie recipes is to be encouraged but is not compulsory (By the way, my asparagus and rocket counts for this..if you are careful with the pasta and the parmesan). Do not try and make other major changes at the same time eg giving up coffee, stopping smoking. Keep focussed on this one goal for 9 weeks...after that you can worry about the other stuff.

5. Eat what you like. Do not obsess about what you can and what you can't eat. Drink wine if you want, eat Kit Kats if you want. Just make sure you count the calories in them obsessively (see Rule 2). You do not have to justify any foods (or drinks) to anyone else. Total calorie balance is the only important thing (see Rule 2). As an example, I had bacon and eggs, parmesan on my pasta and a glass of wine yesterday and still had less than 1,700 total calories, well below my target.

6. Eat slowly (starting to recognize this?) chewing each mouthful slowly and enjoying it like a gourmet.

7. Only eat when you are hungry. If you want something to eat ask yourself THREE TIMES if you are really hungry before going ahead. Try drinking a glass of water and waiting 5 minutes to see if you still feel hungry. Once you do decide you are hungry and you eat, do it without guilt, without fear (and see Rule 6). And remember that protein and soup will keep you feeling fuller for longer.

8. Stop eating when you are no longer hungry. Not when the plate is licked clean. Not when others stop eating. Not when the buffet table has been picked clean. Not when the cupboard of chocolates and biscuits is empty.

9. If you have it, listen to the Paul McKenna CD twice a week (minimum). If you don't, don't worry about it.

10. Enjoy it. It's only a month/9 weeks. If we all enjoy losing it together, we'll all enjoy being thinner and fitter together after May 20th.

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Everyone!

Moose, you've done it again! I feel quite motivated!

I saw photographs of myself from Miss 16's party last week and truly, truly, I am ENORMOUS. Biggest I've ever been. I've put on a stack of weight since Christmas. I am 5' 2" and size 18. Think that says it all.

I have battled with my weight all my adult life. I have been every size from 12-18. And now I'm 50 and fat! I have just allowed things to slide too far.

Right, I will try to get my head round this. Weight Watchers is probably the answer for me. The gym? No chance! Honestly, I could afford a holiday home in Barbados from what I've spent on gym fees! However, I could walk more, take the stairs instead of the lift, etc.

So, if it's o.k., I am up for it, but not in an obsessive way. My days of weighing myself every morning, counting frozen peas and feeling panic stricken that I've eaten a packet of Salt & Vinegar are long past. But I could say no more often to ANOTHER glass of wine and I would have to say goodbye to my friend, the chip!

I will be honest and anyway, the SOAMC is going to see the real me!

I think my starting point is to try to lose 7lbs and then I'll take it from there.

Will report weekly!

Moose, thanks again and good luck to one and all!

C xx

Jo said...

Moose - I Like your rules, can I do an added weight instead as I've a feeling that by 9 weeks time I will be the size of a small country. I will try to make sure it's only baby weight though and not junk food!

:o) Jo

PS does the site calculate your basal metabolic rate and stuff as well? Remember that by doing nothing you're still burning calories (albeit not very many!)

Moose said...

Jo - you are of course excused!

Anonymous said...

Had to come back to say a couple of things!

Anna - very well done!

Susan S - Yes, I was a child bride, married the month after my 19th birthday. In 1976 if you wanted to sleep with your boyfriend, you married him! How crazy is that?!

EG - I chose the day Sunday because we did all the same things in America on a Sunday that we did here. Church, cook, read the papers, contact family. I thought somehow that Sunday would be glamorous in New Jersey, but it turned out not to be!

Jo - your expanding waistline is my old friend Mother Nature taking care of business! Absolutely no trying to diet or any of that nonsense until long after Baby Day! Ironically, and this is true, I hardly gained any weight in pregnancy - 11lbs in the whole 9 months! Now what is THAT all about?!

Moose, your rules are well thought out. I will be sticking to the points system at WW, but it's just the same. Think it's excellent advice to hold off weighing ourselves for a sensible period of time!

C xx

Jo said...

I promise it wasn't me - although it is in my neck of the woods!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/
england/west_midlands/6469489.stm

jollygit said...

Moose - I'm already paid up with S/World for the next 3 months so I'll be sticking with that as it works for me but as I really need the motivation and other people's hints, tips and recipes, I'll be joining in and supporting along with everyone else, if that's OK?

I've got a mini trampoline and now that I'm a lady of leisure I'll be jumping up and down on it for all I'm worth, taking care not to hit me head on the lampshade! I've also had Paul McKenna's CD for ages but haven't listened to it yet, so shame-facedly I'll be listening to it today.

We're going to be just gawjus in a few weeks' time and hopefully I'll knock 'em dead at any future interviews.

Good luck everyone xxxx

jollygit

Jo said...

Jollygit, you'll knock em dead anyway regardless of any pending weight loss. Just be careful you don't lose so much you're trousers fall down and you flash them your pants.... although it could also work in your favour depending on the type of job you go for!

:o) Jo

jollygit said...

Jo - thanks me lovely xx I'm not sure I'd ever lose that much weight, and me hip bones would probably keep me trousies up anyway, but it's a great image to conjure up if and when I get an interview!!!!

Whenever I've said to my mum that I'm on a diet, or that I've actually lost some weight, her stock answer is "ooh, you're not going to get anorexic are you dear?". Given that I'm 5' 4" and a size 16, it's hardly likely, but that's coming from someone who's 5'2" and a size 8 when dripping wet! She does make me larf, bless her ....

I'm sure you look absolutely gorgeous Jo - are you at the 'blooming' stage yet?

jollygit xx

Jo said...

Not fully blooming yet, although I might be getting there as I'm managing to stay awake past 9 o clock these days.

Hopefully it will happen soon and all the cravings for sweets will disappear!

:o) Jo

PS My face it blooming with spots if that counts!

Anonymous said...

Everyone,

I know that tonight is the proposed OAMC - I hope it will be a great success!

Can I ask, how many on this blog have told their partners about it? I haven't mentioned it at all to my husband and I wonder what he will think.

If he told me he was contributing to a blog, I would probably tell him to be very wary of meeting the people on it, and divulging any personal details.

However, after speaking to everyone here for so long, I really do feel I want to meet up (it would be terrific if we could ALL meet up at the same time) but I wonder how to go about telling Mr S? Will he think I am a nutter? Will he think it's a bad idea? Will he be at the China Buffet King before me, on 3rd April?!

Hope you don't mind me bringing this up. I have wanted to say all this for a wee while now, but there is never a good moment!

Please let me know what you think.

C xx

Anonymous said...

Chrissie S - I've had exactly the same thoughts. I haven't mentioned the blog to my husband but I know that if I did and mentioned meeting up with you lovely people he'd give me a stern lecture about "stranger danger" (that's what it was called when I was a kid). However, the likelihood of me ever making it to an OAMC is pretty slim, so the question hasn't really arisen. Don't know what I'll say if it does! Don't suppose that's much help to you is it??

And Moose - I've been checking out the Nutrition Data web site and I must be doing something wrong as apparently I ate 163 calories less than I needed yesterday. Am I on the way to a size zero already???

Moose said...

Annalog - could be you are spot on. 163 calories is spot on if you ask me. The 18g of weight loss this would equate to is, well...18g...

If your needs and your actuals were between 2,000 and 3,000 it'll be right.

lyndyloo said...

Hi peeps!

I'm with you on the whole idea, though I'm not good at numbers so the counting bit is not for me.

Anyone wanting a copy of McKennas CD give me a shout and I'll send you a copy.

EAT WHEN YOURE HUNGRY
EAT WHAT YOU WANT AND ENJOY EVERY MUTHFUL, TAKE YOUR TIME
STOP ONCE YOU START TO FEEL FULL

And enjoy yourself. Dance when you feel happy, walk a bit more, speed up the pace of your walking. And visualise yourself as the person you want to be (that you know you are).

Here endeth the lyndyloo eat yourself thin thoughts as taught by Mr McK

Luv
Lyndyloo
-x-x-x-

Anonymous said...

Well moose what have you started?

I am BigUn my name and BigUn by nature… I am 6’3” and truly huge! I do know exactly how much I weigh and as far as I can tell my weight remains constantly the same as every time I step on the scales it always indicates the same message “ERR”!! So no problem then ;-))

To be honest I have wanted to loose some of my bulk for a long time only I do have a problem with motivation and another slight what I would call a dependency to eating. Mrs B has done very well with Slimmer’s World over the last 4 months and is looking good again. I paid for a gym membership for her and my youngest daughter and they do go quite regularly. I on the other hand spend all, and I mean all of my time at my desk for way too many hours to be healthy for me. I eat too much of the wrong things (which I do enjoy… I think!) I do however eat a lot of fruit.

I have always been on the larger side of life even when I played rugby at a good standard I was around 17 stone. I kept my weight under control until I had an operation on my back which left me unable to play rugby.

The biggest problem I had was a bout of clinical depression around 8 years ago brought on by a series of incidents. I do not want to bore you with them but these incidents were closely followed by my first diagnosis with cancer. Things have simply never been the same.

Maybe this will work for me as your support would mean so much. Moose I have read the rules and am willing to give it a go if that is OK.

Sorry for being so late to contribute, I did start to write this around 11:30 this morning except that four letter word “Work” just keeps taking over. ;-(

Keep smiling ;-))

Keith
xx

P.S. Scientists have discovered a food that diminishes a woman's sex drive by 90%.

It's called a Wedding Cake.

Anonymous said...

I knew I would miss something I wanted to say congratulations Anna on the job news ;-)

Keith
x

Anonymous said...

Hi

For those of you going to the OAMC, have a good one :o)

Jo - hope you and the baby are doing well. When my friend at work fell pregnant during her first three months she ate food I have never seen her eat before. Cakes, biscuits, sweets, fizzy drinks etc she told me quite early on because she knew I would spot the change in her eating habits. She was just past the 12 week stage and all her cravings for the sweet food stopped! She was quite poorly with morning sickness (which lasted all day most days) but now thats gone too. I find it all fascinating! I won't get to experience it for myself but I enjoy hearing about others.

Moose - I am also up for joining your programme, I'm to embarassed to say how much I've got to lose!! For my height of 5'2" I'm huge! I find the WW points system easy to follow so I will use that system.
Patience is my problem, I want to lose it all yesterday!

Thanks for the motivation Moose!

Chrissie - I don't have a partner to tell,but if I did then I would tell him but only because of the meet. I guess looking at it from their point if it was him I would want to know where he was going and who he was with. What I like about the blog is it's escapism from being judged by family and friends. The friends we have on here have no expectations of us and accept us for who we are. For that reason I haven't told anyone about it because I don't know how I would feel if they wanted to become part of it also. So for once I'm glad I'm single :o)

I'm really looking forward to our wee night out.

Susan I will reply to your email as soon as I've posted this.

Lindyloo - Could I have a copy of the Paul McKenna CD please? Very kind of you to offer.

Bye for now
Mary xx

Anonymous said...

Anna - Congratulations on the new job!

Mary xx

Anonymous said...

Annalog and Mary,

Thank you for your replies! It's quite different when you are too far away/a free agent - see what I mean?!

I just wonder how everyone else is dealing with attending an OAMC on the quiet!

Keith - you are sounding in great form and just like the rest of us ready to follow Moose, you will do your best! You have had a lot to contend with - that's not a "get out" clause - it's just a fact.

Incidentally Keith, if you get the chance to read my earlier posting today, you will find that my sex drive actually STARTED with a wedding cake!

C xx

Anonymous said...

Good afternoon all!

I don't have a scales, but I do have a pair of lovely wool trousers which, about 16-17 months ago, used to have room, and now they don't. I will be using inches and these trousers to monitor any loss.

I don't have scales because I used to weigh myself every day, and never got anywhere.

So, it'll be the trousers (Donald) and I shall measure myself this evening (clad or not, shall decide later if chilly. If wet - in village hall) and I shall keep track of this.

It will also take me a while to master the Pantry thingie too, so bear with me on that.

One more tip...I once read that to help the digestive process...you should try to chew each mouthful 35 times before you swallow. (I was going to put masticate, but I might've got BP'd...) It may sound excessive, but you get used to it really quickly, and you can even do it with crisps/dunked biccies/cucumber setra setra

ANNA!!!!!! congrats on the job babe! All good. Our jollygit will be happy again soon too! (at work I mean...xxxxx)

Moose - did you like your pome?

...my colleague has left for the dentist...

and spit
love
hazel
x

ps jollygit, have you not checked your email in between busy times today?

Anonymous said...

I'm just quickly popping in as I'm knackered beyond words and going for a snooze (haven't done that in a year!).

Chrissie, I know what you mean about sharing that you have met a bunch of crazies on 'tinternet and want to go for a Chinese with them! It took me ages to divulge to my hubby and family that I felt I had become part of a community, first on CLP's blog, then more so here on Moose's. By the time it came round to arranging the SOAMC, they were all bored with me going on about our virtual lunches and chats, though many a serious discussion has arisen from chats started here.

I felt I had to tell Andrew and my folks, as we are all in Glasgow together at the time of the April SOAMC. Hubby has been very understanding and supportive, though is slightly miffed that I'm sending him away to babysit Charis! He has always known I am slightly off the wall!

My Mum thinks I'm stark raving bonkers, can't understand the attraction of blogging, can't fathom what on earth we talk about, but has come around to the idea that I'm meeting a group of 'strangers' in Glasgow!

I'm in the fortunate position that I have already 'done' this before! I 'met' 3 other Mums-to-Be on the 'net ... then discovered that one lived in Inverness, 1 lived 45 minutes away, and 1 lived in Shetland but came down every month! So, we arranged a get together and have kept in touch ever since, still meeting up when time allows!

I think you can get a jist of whether you have met like-minded people, even on the web. The beauty of what we have here is that most of us have blog sites and have shared emails, photos and on the blogs, so it is like we know each other already.

Perhaps it might help if you shared some of our sites with your hubby, Chrissie? Hmmm .... then again ..... :)

It's a hard one, cos unless you have actually built up a relationship over the 'tinternet, you are going to be wary and assume that the worst may happen. Hope you find a way round it!

Now .... where's that axe, it needs sharpening!

Anonymous said...

ps The boy knows about the blog/s. He has little or no idea about what they are about, but is of the opinion that anything which gives me an interest outside the usual has got to be good.

We also have the deal that if either of us goes somewhere without the other, we text every 1 1/2 hours to let the other know we are ok, and they in turn do it the other way. This way we are in touch every 45 mins or so, and know where we are...

I do think though, that it can depend on the relationship you have with your partner, whether you are comfortable discussing it, but it's possible that the bigger issue you make out of it, the bigger they will think it is...

I hope some or all of the above makes some sense, but I was a bit of a loner when younger, so I'm used to finding my around on my own, and I don't think my mum saw it as a particular issue in 'those days' (creaking of walking stick and smacking of gums sfx here...) however, I ain't stupid, and would try to be as safe as I could...

Most of it is common sense, and like I said, the bigger you make it the bigger it may seem to other people...

I feel like I'm trying to teach you how to suck eggs - I hope you know me well enough by now to appreciate my sentiment in the way it is offered!

shutting up now
love
hazel
x

Anonymous said...

Oh, and before I snooze, I second what Mary says. This is mine, all mine! MWAHAHA ... on saying that, I have occasionally thought about letting Andrew have a nose round the door, but I also like the fact that I can come here, share as much or as little as I want and have the freedom to do so without my family judging me for it! Does that make sense? I just want a wee corner of the universe for me!

Oh, Lyndyloo ... I'd love a copy too!!

Will get back to emails and blogs this evening! Huggles!

ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ......

Anonymous said...

Susan S and Hazel,

Thank you for replying, too! I want you to know that in no way am I embarrassed by being on this blog or anything like that. Also, I do not fear from my safety in any way. (China Buffet King is a mere five minutes away from Queen Street train station and relative safety!). It's just that it feels weird that I have never mentioned this to my husband and I just wonder what he will say.

I will be able to tell you tomorrow! Yes, "bull by the horns" time and I will report back!

Thanks for being such good (virtual) friends and listening to what I have to say.

Should be an interesting evening Chez S!

C xx

lyndyloo said...

Mary- If you can send your address to me via my blog (just click on my name) and I'll be happy to send one out

Moose said...

Hazel - loved the pome - thank you.
Anna - well done.

I haven't told Mrs Moose about blogging in general and therefore not about meeting up specifically. I didn't lie about tonight but I didn't exactly tell her who I was supposed to be meeting either. I did the same when I met Dr B and Joseph in Cambridge.

It's actually going to be harder given that it's off tonight...don't need to go into detail, just to say that the potential attendees have come to a mutually agreed deferment...
On the other hand, it will give me a chance to tell her about blogging in general and ease into the meeting up bit after that, before we actually meet up.

I am going to the gym now to add to my burned calories total before doing some TV delivery and set-up later on at the church.
I shall raise a glass to everyone tonight (I've held enough calorie allowance back!) and drink to those who were due to attend and now have a mixed feeling in their stomachs of:
- a certain understandable level of disappointment
- slight guilt that I hadn't told Mrs Moose the whole truth
- a deep down knowledge that deferring was the right thing to do and
- anticipation for a simple, no big deal April meet of a group of blogging friends

Well, that's the feeling I've got. Or I might just be hungry. Am I hungry? Am I really hungry? Am I absolutely sure that I'm hungry? Now where's that bottle of water...

jollygit said...

Hazel Love - I've had an email from you today and replied - have you emailed again since and I've lost/missed it?

Feeling at a bit of a loose end today, although there are 101 things I could and should be doing! Must be tiredness and stress of the last week or so, plus an exhausting weekend, which is making me feel achey and tired ...

Have been filling in job app forms which I'm finding boring, but I'm trying to stay positive.

jollygit xx

T said...

My hubby is part of a online forum for photography – he does not use the word blog but I suspect it’s the same. Anyway, sometime last year (or maybe the year before) he announced that he was off to meet them all. I have to agree I was a bit nervous initially and worried for his safety, but now all is OK and they meet up a regular basis – we have even been invited to one of their weddings! So when I do tell him in more detail about the bolg and the OAMC, if I do make it then I am sure he will understand as I can relate it back to his experiences.

On a positive I think the wedding invite goes to show how good it can be in meeting people and establishing friendships!

Off to the dentist now

Goodnight all
T

Anonymous said...

Moose,

Enjoy your evening! (To all the future OAMC-ers in London - you WILL meet up soon!).

The thing is, there is nothing to feel bad about not having told Mrs Moose. It's just a little strange to say it out loud!

As I have not yet started on my WW programme, I may have a glass of something cool this evening while chatting with Mr S!

Have a good evening, all.

C xx

Anonymous said...

Man

What a day.

Firstly, I must apologise for not confirming my attendance/non attendance. The way things have been the past couple of weeks I knew it would be touch and go, as things were, I had such a crap today I completely forgot.

Sorry.

I got your email Moose, here goes for April.

On the upside, I've just had a sauna with CLP. Suffice to say he is well and enjoying his break. I wish I could tell you more but he'd kill me.

Love to all. Don't forget LoM.

MfR

Anonymous said...

Ooh. That doesn't read well, does it?

Of course, I meant 'such a crap DAY today'.

My movements are my business.

MfR

Anonymous said...

If I disappear after the weekend, I have been kidnapped or worse by this lot!!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/scottishmeetup/

Have never met any of them!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm now off to the gym to find out how much it is to join, induction, etc! Wish me luck!

Oh, we had a Weight Watchers recipe tonight .... pasta with asparagus and parma ham in a cream cheese, shallott, garlic sauce! So simple to make and soooooo yummy!

Anonymous said...

Moose,

You CAN do it. Men lose weight faster than women once they start with a healthier lifestyle - sorry ladies, but it's a well known fact.

As a member of Fatfighters, since Nov 2005, I have slowly, but surely lost 4.5 stone. I still have a little way to go to get to my target, but I will get there.

The last four weeks however have been somewhat of a challenge, since I have GAINED 6.5lbs! I know exactly why - let me share:

1. I stopped drinking 2 litres of water each day

2. I didn't eat my 5 fruit and veg each day

3. I stopped doing a 'proper' shop at the supermarket, so didn't know what I would eat each day, until I'd bought it.

4. I stopped taking my lunches to work, so have had to make do with cafeteria food, which isn't bad, but difficult to work out what's what.

Unfortunately, due to mother of all headaches, I wasn't up to going to the weigh in tonight, but hopefully, I would have lost weight. I will try to go to another meeting this week instead.

A 'healthy' weight loss is about 2lbs per week for the ladies, more for gents, so whatever you all do, make sure your targets are realistic ones - don't set yourselves up to fail!

MFR - so right about the bad foods! I buy very few and the ones I do buy (for the kids!) are not ones I like!

Sorry guys, but the pooter screen is hurting my head, so am going to log off now, but hopefully will catch up tomorrow night. Am in Essex tomorrow!!!

Good luck reducing virtual friends!

S xx.

Anonymous said...

On the 'secret blog or not front', I've always been open with Mrs MfR for two reasons.

1. We like to do most things together anyway.

2. If I didn't she'd find out and suspect the worst and probably kill me.

We have a very understanding relationship.

Top tip. Swim. Alot. Best exercise. I run and gym and stuff, but I never feel better (or feel I look better) than after a long swim. If you can learn to 'tumble turn', even better. That is terrific for your abs (mine are currently incredibly well toned but hiding under my winter hibernation blubber).

MfR

Anonymous said...

Right - can't get my induction to the gym until April 10th, so will have to set my mind to some other exercise before then! Swimming bores me to death, but may have to resort to that!

Can anyone help me understand this depressing information?

Age 37

Weight 12st 2lb (77.2kg)

Height 5' 6" (1.68m)

Body Mass Index 27.4

Body fat % - 37.9%

Body fat mass - 29.2kg

I'm guessing it basically means I'm well overweight?!

Moose said...

Great tips from everyone.
Sammie - you are an inspiration to us all.

Apologies for not giving more specific credit to Paul McKenna.

My gym session to replace the OAMC was a good one. An hour and a quarter of cardio followed by sauna, steam and jacuzzi. Just got in and eaten, half a glass of wine by my side.

Will now log on to ND and calculate my calorie balance for today.

Matt - I think I might need you to teach me to tumble turn. Have always wanted to be able to do it.

Moose said...

Susan,
Don't panic.
First off, BMI can be incredibly inaccurate. I've measured fat % before and if I went down to the UPPER limit of weight that my BMI suggests, I'd need to lose every kg of fat that I have AND another 10kg of "other". My leg, an arm, ...other appendages? No thank you.
So ignore that to start with.

The most important thing is how you feel and whether you feel overweight or not. Set yourself your first goal that you know you need to lose (from memory this was 1 st.) Lose it, then take time to reassess how you feel and set a new goal. Then just keep going like that. One step at a time.

Anonymous said...

It all started so well ........ but in constant meetings from 0845am today and eventually sat down at my desk at 4pm. Looked at e-mails - got the munchies and hit the snack machine - one packet plain crisps plus packet of minstrals (yeah you know already .... other stuff available ....). Also team member back from hols - big box of Heros ..... you know the rest. Late finishing work so stop at Tesco for microwave meal on a plate. Conveinence 10/10 - nutritional value NIL. Half bottle of Rose.

Fresh start tomorrow. Mid-term target - half stone by SOAMC.

Not had time to read Moose rules - will do so now.

EG