Day. [insert generic come back title here] - The return.

Hello 2011. Hello blog. 

I've been off plan for the last few weeks due to massive busy festive blah blah bollocks. Excuses. I ate lots of lovely stuff and it was most definitely worth it. I've put on about 5lbs but I'm really not that phased, I don't feel like I've failed. I'm somewhat proud that it wasn't more despite all the rubbish I've been eating over Christmas. The major positive is that throughout the holidays I was actually looking forward to restarting the diet. Anyway, moaning will get me nowhere so it's all smiles and happy thoughts from here on!

I've been bought some life lines, in the form of Christmas presents, that I think will really help me make this year 'the year' I shift the chub. The three things are as follows:

1. A Nintendo Wii Fit Plus.

2. A make-your-own Scrapbook kit.
3. An amazing dress that's a size too small.

The Wii Fit was the biggest suprise this Christmas, I had no idea whatsoever that I was getting it so it was a really lovely gesture from Liam. I'm a very lucky girl! I set up my profile last night and watched my BMI go swiftly into the big red 'OBESE' zone. I then got told by a cartoon I'm super fat. Good times. Although, for some reason by fitness age is 23?? Madness. Especially when Liam (who has an envious BMI of 19.3 and cycles 10 miles a day) got age 52! Shocker. Anywho, it's all good. I've done 20 minutes so far today and I'm looking forward to another round tonight.

Now, with the scrapbooking kit I shall create a week by week food plan for myself and have a hands on flick book to keep me motivated for the year. I'm planning all my meals again, now too strictly. I'll also write down some thoughts etc, random ideas for things. I might have a page for things I'd like to do when I hit target. Every little helps!

The dress, as you can imagine, is just a nice little goal for the short term. Short term goals are majorly important. Don't push yourself too hard to do too much - you'll give up so much easier. The feeling of completing a smaller challenge is just as rewarding. Baby steps!

I've also got about a million recipes I need to get on and post - watch this space.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year.

E x

Syn Free! Steak with Mushroom Sauce - Tasty times.

Today I thought I'd try and make a nice meal that was tasty, filling and something a little bit special. I had some sirloin steaks in the fridge so here is what I made! It doesn't look quite as appetising as it did in front of me but I assure you - it tasted uhmazing. Best of all, completely guilt free! This is how I did it:

Syn Free! Steak with Mushroom Sauce - Syn Count - 0
Serves 2

What I used:

3/4 pint of vegetable stock made with 2 stock cubes (other flavours can be used)

3 cloves of Garlic

A whole load of Mushrooms

1 slice of Lean Bacon

1 Red Onion

1 Tbs Quark (this can be replaced with Low Fat Yogurt or Fromage Frais)

Salt & Pepper

2 Sirloin Steaks

Frylight

1.Dice mushrooms, garlic, onions and bacon. Spray some frylight in a non-stick frying pan and begin to fry.

2. Once cooked, add stock and a lid and turn the heat down. Leave to simmer until reduced down.

3. When reduced down, add a tablespoon of Quark to give it a creamy texture. You might need to turn the heat back up so it melts in properly. You can also use low fat natural yogurt or fromage frais if you dislike quark!

4. Add some seasoning to taste and you have completed your syn free mushroom sauce!

5. Season your steaks and add to a preheated grill pan sprayed with frylight. I do about 4 minutes on each side.

There you have it. Guilt free, quality food! I served this on a bed of stir fried cabbage and peppers with some slimming world friendly potatoes. Very successful!

Hope you enjoy!

E

Syn Free! Easy Chips & Curry Sauce.

Thought I'd rustle up something a bit fiery for my lunch today. I figured I'm going to attempt a curry this week, might as well try making a dipping sauce!

Chips & Curry Sauce - Syn count - 0
Serves: 2-4

For the sauce:

1 Red Onion

1 tbs Curry Powder

1 Thin Chilli (optional)

Pinch of Turmeric

Tinned Tomatoes

1 Clove of Garlic

Boiling water or chicken stock

Fry Light

Super Low Fat Natural Yogurt

1. Dice the red onion and garlic (and chilli if using) and fry using fry light.

2. Add the curry powder and turmeric.

3. Add a few spoons of tinned tomatoes and fry down.

4. Once it begins to reduce, heat up some water or chicken stock (to taste - any stock can be used!) andstir in. Keep repeating this until you are happy with the consistency.
5. Before serving, stir in some natural yogurt to give a slighty creamy texture.

For the chips:

2 Large Baking Potatoes

Fry Light

1. Peel and slice the baking potatoes and par-boil. Add a pinch of salt to taste.

2. Drain until dry and shake in the colander. Place in a pre-heated oven on a high temperature until browned and looking tasty!

Yum! I really enjoyed this, it was really filling and the heat in the curry left me with a nice taste in my mouth which stopped me craving anything sweet. Good times.

E

Day 1. The challenge begins.

And so we begin.

My name is Emily, I've been alive for 22 years and I currently live inbetween Bristol and Bath with my amazingly supportive boyfriend Liam. I'm a graphic designer, musician, film fanatic, fashion enthusiast and self proclaimed chubster. I'm 4'11 and currently weigh 16st7lbs. Shocking.

Last week I had as what could only be described as somewhat of a monumental life changing moment. Returning to my hometown to visit my family, I went with the intentions of visiting some of my old college friends I've not see for a few years. This didn't happen, reason being that I was too embarrassed about all the weight I'd put on to even go out. Now I've always been a bit of on the larger side of life, but my weight has never held me back before. I feel like I'm missing out on what should be some of the best times of my adult life. So, after a bit of a moan and a tearful conversation with my mother I've decided to take some action. I'm the only person that can change my life, and I'm in a lucky enough position to have all the support around me I need. Thusfore, from this day onwards I shall no longer be 'Emily of Little Confidence' but instead 'Emily of Little Waist'. Each day from this moment I shall be a tiny bit smaller, oh yes, I shall conquer the overall battle with giantness and become a healthy, confident individual who looks fabulous and more importantly, feels amazing. And how do I plan on doing this?

Slimming world.

Current weight: 16st7lbs

Target weight: 9st7lbs

Weight to lose: 7st

One thing I've always been passionate about is cooking, experimenting, and as I get older I find recipes more and more fun to test out. My mum has been doing SW for however long or so and lost an amazing 4 and a half stone so far. I'm so proud of her, if not a little a jealous. Now it's my turn. She's given me the books, magazines, tips and advice and hopefully, using this blog, I can keep up with weight loss as well as sharing my own recipes and experience. I've joined facebook groups, I've done my research, I've invested in magazine subscriptions, I've got my own Muller Light shelf in the fridge. It's looking positive!

I've also taken a load of pictures of how I look now, which I haven't seen. I'll take photos every week until I reach my target weight.

Wish me luck!

E