Mrs Badcrumble's Diary

Ah yes Mrs Badcrumble has donned her Supergran rollerskates and headed over the water to Edinburgh.  Writing tonight from Fi's gaff as I am getting the train to Newcastle tomorrow to go shopping with Niki.

Had a hellish few days which, although not much to write about, went something like this....

Wednesday - woke up feeling suspiciously like death warmed up.  Had a sore throat to rival all pain ever known to man EVER.  EVER!!! (and the 2007 Oscar for best drama queen goes to.....).  Had serious problems getting out of bed but did in the end and took Alister to nursery.  Decided very boldly that I would feel better if I went for a swim.  Did 32 lengths in 45 minutes which, although still quite slow, is a 6 length improvement on the day before.  Throat was feeling loads better.  Popped into town, had a cup of tea and a scone in M&S (Mrs Badcrumble lives!), had a stroll round the shops then met up with Aunty Moyra for lunch.  Had a couple of juices and a bowl of soup in Somewhere Else.  Headed home about 12.45pm *STOP PRESS* WAH!!  Just watching Big Brother and found out why Carol wears her hair up in that awful bun type thing! When she has it down it looks like Medusa's barnet!! SCARY!  Anyway, by the time I got home from lunch I was feeling awful.  Shivering, sweating, throat felt like i had a big spiky ball lodged in it.  Boo hoo!!!  So I spent all afternoon shivering and sleeping and dragged by ass out to pick Al up at 5ish.  Went to bed at 8 and woke up every hour with the pain in my throat and feeling very pathetic. 

Thursday - went to the nursery who informed me I had tonsilitis and "lots of white pus on my tonsils".  Some things you can live without knowing.  So, picked up my antibiotics and headed home.  Spent the whole day sleeping on the sofa or in bed and Alister amused himself admirably.  He also brought me ice lollies and checked my temperature and fetched me pillows.  Wee darling!!

Friday - had to haul my ass out of bed to take money to nursery for their trip to the safari park.  Bumped into the manager from Alister's old nursery and had a good bitch about the owner of it.  Shame she didn't do anything about the shit way my kid and others were being looked after when I was paying for it.  Just made me even more aware of how much his new nursery does for him. Nice thought.... So we did that, went to asda, Al had his lunch then we got the bus to Auld Reekie.  I dozed on the sofa some more, Al watched CBeebies, he is now in bed and I am now sitting with Fi wataching BB and eating giant chocolate buttons (which we have decided should be called Slightly Larger Than Average Sized Chocolate Buttons.  Giant ones should be sort of side plate size.)

Feeling lots better than I was apart from the odd shooting pain in my ear and head and a tickly cough.  So I am off to the Toon in the morning.  Really looking forward to seeing Niki but gutted I cant have a nice relaxing Saturday lunch with a glass of wine since i'm on antibiotics.  For now though I will amuse myself with the BB freakshow (do ANY of you know anyone who has been on BB?????)

Sorry that this blog is a big old pathetic Jill whinge about my sore throat (which really is the worst sore throat anyone has ever known.  EVER!)

Big love to you all,
Jill
xxxxx

I write with a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart today.  Just checked out pics and vid clips of Bon Jovi opening the O2 Arena in London at the weekend and Richie Sambora looked and sounded amazing.  Those in the know will be aware that I WILL be with him one day!  I've waited 18 years for god's sake, it must be my turn soon!???  He's had a year pretty much on a par with mine, minus the evil boss trying to fire him, and I really hope he is on the mend.  If by some strange lining up of the stars etc you happen to read this Richie then Yes, I will marry you.  Mwah! xxx

Right, on to today..... dropeed Alister off at nursery and went for a swim.  Didn't realise it was ladies morning at the pool today so had to weave in and out between all the old dears bobbing around yapping.  But I did another 650m so I am now 1.9km into my Channel swim and most pleased with myself.  Have built up loads of extra calories for this weekend so I can have some wine and not stress about it.  Went into Monsson today and bought a top on the way home from the pool.  £38 blown in one massive attack of "OH F*CK IT!".  I have lost half a stone, i deserve it!  It's very nice, grey, short sleeves...oh look at it yourself if you like!... http://www.monsoon.co.uk/invt/13200500

Came home, did a bit of housework then went to Asda.  Kirsty J Holmes (http://www.banthewasp.com) is coming for tea tonight and I am making Baked Risotto with Tuna.  Looks very tasty but still healthy, got it from the UKTV Food website.

Oh I was just about to say nothing much happened today but I just remembered I got my essay on Religious Studies back from my tutor.  OH. MY. GOD.  absolutely no pun intended but WHAT a shocker!  This course has been especially tricky cos up until the last essay I was playing catch up.  I fell behind loads when my dad died so I'm really just getting into it now.  However.... the essays I belted out under pressure with about a week to study each block I got between 69% - 79% and I was sooo chuffed.  This one....... 59%!!!  WAAAAHHHH!  I obviously work much better under pressure and will now leave all of them til the last minute!  *mutters* 59% indeed....rubbish.... Ah well it's still a pass.  Will bring my average down a bit but still on course to pass overall.  Wont stress about it.

Also sent a tenner, in a very amusing card of old ladies doing aerobics in their scone shoes, to my mum who is doing the Race for Life on Sunday in Perth.  Go on Ma Blair, you can do it!

Right, very exciting stuff, going to tidy the kitchen up and bring the washing in before I go and pick up Alister.

HUUUUUGE love,
Mrs Richie Sambora
xxxxx

Good morning All! Just been for a swim so am all perky and chirpy!  Also lost another 2lbs this week.  It could be 4 lbs but my scales were doing their possessed thing which is a pain.  At one point i lost 4lbs in about 3 seconds.  brilliant!  I only really want to lose 2lbs a week so quite happy with that.

So - had a cracking night out on saturday, went swimming on sunday morning as Alister was staying with my cousin Nicola in Dundee.  Swimming is also a top hangover cure it would seem.  Then toddled off to Abbot House in torrential rain to have a sunday school meeting.  i am now the proud owner of Class 2, theres only 4 kids but it will ease me in gently.

Then drove up to Dundee to get the boy wonder and got the bus home.  Didnt do much yesterday at all.  Took Alister to nursery this morning, went swimming and got a 30 day pass for £10.30, bargain!  i reckon i only have to go swimming 7 times before I'm getting it for free and i've been going a few times a week.  Oh I just remembered I also took some measurements when i started changing my diet and excercise regime 2 weeks ago.  In only a fortnight I have lost 2.5 cms from my waist and 1 cm from my thighs.  not bad in 2 weeks!

Now, about this 'see you in france' thing.  I'm not actually going to France, more's the pity.  I am, however, swimming the Channel.  Virtually!  The English Channel is a 34km swim and so far this month I have swum 1.25 km. There is a Swimmers forum on the WLR members area (http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk) and they have 3 swims that I will try and do by about the time i'm 60 i reckon!  There's the Dover-Calais chanel swim, also round Manhattan Island which is 46km and the length of Loch Ness which is 36km. Will take a while but I'm really enjoying swimming.  Got a good pair of goggles and a nose clip and my stroke is much better.  Just need to start working on building up my muscles so i can swim faster now.

Still on the topic of the WLR site, there was a small problem just now with what they call trolls.  basically some daft kids with nothing better to do but sign up for the 3 day free trial and post abusive messages on the forums.  The help team had them all cleared out and booted off in a matter of about 15 minutes, absolutely brilliant.  People on that site need the help and encouragement and support of everyone else there, not to have some snotty nosed kids posting about them being sad fat losers etc etc.  I can only hope Alister never thinks doing that would be funny.  Right that's todays sermon over with!  Getting into practice for Sunday School already!

Big love
Jill
xxxxx

well one of alisters (hmmm, questionable...) fish died today.  Ming Ming was sunk to the bottom and i fished her our and flushed her whilst the boy was talking to me and he still hasnt noticed.   Typical flippin kids!

Busy day today, got up, had brekkie then went into town.  bought some new wee shampoo and conditioners and body lotion for my swimming bag then toddled off to the pool.  loving Fife council's Fifestyle card (do ya see what they did there?!  pretty clever stuff eh??) that I qualify for since we are sooooooooooo poor.  i get 50% off the fees at the leisure centre so got my swim and an hour in the creche for Al all for £2.65!  bargain!

I was much braver today and got up to my nose in the water so i dont have a sore neck and back this time.  Increased from 12 lengths to 16 lengths so was pretty proud of myself.  Once I start to get a bit stronger in the water I'll start thinking about trying to increase it each time, just not a very strong swimmer at the moment.  Popped into asda on the way home for some bits and bobs, gave Al his lunch then jumped on the bus to Dundee.  Met my mum and Nicola in town, got a few bits and bobs then got dropped off at Gran K's.  We ahve nicked her car for a couple of days.  Actually I wont have time to update this tomorrow so will give all the gory details today.

Going into town tomorrow morning to see if Clarks have the shoes Al liked today in Dundee.  wee skate shoes reduced to a tenner, very cool.  then we are going to see Shrek the Third at 2.30pm.  After that we will go up to Dundee tomorrow cos Alister is staying with Nicola tomorrow night, think they are going swimming Sunday morning.  I am coming back top Dunfermline tomorrow after that to grab a bite to eat then going out in Dunfy with a couple of the girls from Fife Gingerbread. Will try very hard to stick to wine and soda or JD and diet coke!

Then on sundfay am planning to get to the pool early, say about 9ish and have a swim befor going to my sunday school meeting at 10.  HA HA!!  still feels strange saying that!  they cant let me loose on young kids religious education!

Anyway thats about it.  Have just had a nice tea and a couple of small wine and sodas watching the freakshow that is Big Brother.  Seany got booted out tonight.  Probably just as well, his face looks as though whatever plastic surgery he had before going in has started to melt.  could be nasty....

Big love and hugs!
Jill
xxxxx

Grrrrrr been doing battle with an OU essay all bloody day!  1200 words now completed and sent off on the topic of Religion.  what a flaming trauma that was!

Thats all i've done all day.  the Tesco man came this morning so the house is bursting with fruit and veg again.  The postie stopped for a chat today.  The social work department sent me a letter to number 4 instead of nmber 48 yesterday but becasue i wasnt in he had to deliver it to #4.  Knew it was about a job interview but the thing is the old lad at #4 has just died so nobody in that place to get it back from. AGH!  I popped a ote through the door cos the postie thought there were sometime speople going in and out (i love my postie!) and right enough someone brought it round later in the day.  However, when they said ni the job ad the vacancy was in Dunfermline they actually meant it was in Arndean.  no, I've never heard of it either.  Niki might have cos apparently it is near Dollar and what with her having gone to the Academy there and all that (it's ok, she's FAR from being your typical private school girl!).  Anyway, without my own transport theres no way I could get there and back if i got the job so i emailed them to withdraw my application.  bummer.

Oh, had a gorgeous tea tonight.  Because I had been studying and writing all day I hadn't eaten much so had loads of calories left over.  Chopped up a courgette, a couple of tomatoes and some mushrooms (i can hear Fi doing puking noises as I write!), sprayed them with spray oil and sprinkled a big handful of parmesan over them. Baked them in the oven and mixed them with tagliatelle and a spoonful of wild rocket pesto - GORGEOUS!

Anyway, it's 10.45pm (and not dark yet, cool!) and I have submitted my essay and was planning to have a cheeky wee white wine and soda to celebrate but wont bother now.  Going out on Saturday night with some of the girls from Gingerbread, the lone parent organisation. Will save my cals for a fair few vinos that night.

I wanted to go swimming today but decided to crack on and get my essay done instead.  Now i can go swimming tomorrow morning and still have the whole day with Alister - grand.

For now though I am signing off to find something mind numbing to watch to wind down the old grey matter after all that swotting!

Big love!

Jill
xxxxx

p.s. just had to add this in so i dont forget to ask him about it tomorrow - Alister was having a dream and was speaking and mumbling then just fell through to my room and sat on my knee.  i took him back to bed and he said he wanted to come and see the fishies jumping (????).  crazy dream boy.....

Yeah i forgot that your muscles hurt more the day after excercise...

Dropped Alister of at nursery in torrential rain today.  Grey, wet, freezing cold.  Then got the bus to Edinburgh.  Met a couple of people at Reed recruitment who are trying to get me into work.  Said I would temp full time until I get a part time permanent job.  Came back from Edinburgh at about 11 by which time it was a baking hot summers day.  Its now black and wet and miserable again.  Welcome to Scotland!

Got an eency weency bit of studying done (assessment due on Friday, havent even started it yet.....), then went for Alister to take him for his immunisation jags. There had been some trauma earlier apparently with the health visitors and they were running about 45 minutes behind schedule.  So we sat in a waiting room full of bored 4 year olds for that long.  Pure hell.  But Ally was a wee star, he didnt flinch or cry or complain about any of it, just sat on my knee and the 2 HVs went in on a 2 pronged attack, 1 arm each. I would have cried!  Oh and they dont give the polio stuff orally anymore so scrap my whinge yesterday about no sugar lump!

As a treat for being so brave I took the boy to the Pancake Place where he had pancakes with ice cream and chocolate sauce.  Happy days.

Back home now and he is not hungry enough for dinnerbut managed 2 slices of toast & peanut butter.  Ah well, it's not like he has crap for tea any other day!

Ordered myself goggles and a nose clip on ebay today.  The advice fellow WLR people on the Swimmers forum gave me was that swimming with my head under water wll improve my posture and my stroke andhelp me burn more calories.  All good.  Think I will put Al in the leisure centre creche tomorrow and have another swim. i really enjoyed the peacefulness of it last time.  God help me when the schools break up in a couple of weeks and the pool is full of spotty teenagers showing off in front of their mates.  Yuk...

Laters...
Jill
xxxxx

Well what a productive day i've had.  Spurred on by my 5 lb weight loss I am all motivated and smiley (remind me of that in a couple of months!), and 2 people sponsored me today and I havent even sent out the email to people yet.  My wee bruv Ross was my first sponsored swiftly followed by Hilary who also uses the WLR website - how nice!??

Anyway today went like this - Took Alister to nursery and went for a meeting with the employment law lady at Citizens Advice.  She agrees that I have a good case for unfair dismissal and sex discrimination.  She was very impressed with all the work Niki has done for me in writing the letters and the tribunal claim.  She gave me the name of a solicitor to get in touch with in Edinburgh should it come to needing one, think i'll wait until after my next appeal hearing to go there.

So that was nice.  came home, had my brekkie checked my email to find my 2 sponsors.  Sooooo chuffed, thanks guys!  Then chased up a guy at Reed recruitment in Edinburgh and am meeting him tomorrow to talk about getting work. I need something fast before I go mad.

After that I settled down to some studying.  It's religion just now and much more interesting than my tutor made it out to be.  each to their own Willie.... oh Wille's my tutor's name, i dont mean each to their own willie as in boy bits! About 2pm I decided that whilst I am not working, on the days Al is at nursery I will try and go swimming for a bit before I pick him up.  so today i went swimming for the first time in years! Hence the Ouch in the title....

I am a big woose and hate water in my eyes and nose so stuck my ehad up out of the water but it's given me a sore back swimming like that.  Will invest in goggles and nose clip before i go again!  But feel chuffed that I actually did it.  Half an hour and probably about 12 lengths but not bad for starters.  Oh and a wee tip for anyone as well endowed in the booby department as me (although I dont know anyone who is!), if you do front crawl even for half a length it's a distinct possibility that at least 1 boob will pop out!  Wont be trying that again!  Looks like it's breast stroke for me all the way.  How apt...

So tomorrow should be interesting.  Apart from meeting this agency bloke Alister has a doctors appointment at 3.20 to get his immunisations up to date.  2 injections and a spoonful of something quite horrible i should imagine.  Remember when we got polio medicine on a sugar cube?  Much nicer, alright not great for teeth but really it's not like he sits and munches on raw sugar all day every day.  I'm sure 1 sugar lump to make it taste a bit nicer wouldnt kill the kids of today!  Anyway, when he had his jags as a baby he was fine but these days he goes into full on drama queen mode if i even try to put a plaster on him.  Not looking forward to it.  Promised I would take him to see Shrek the Third at the weekend if he is very brave. 

Anyway, i've chased about jobs, i've studied, i've eaten well, i've excercised, i've got my first sponsors, i've updated my food for the day on WLR and i've written today's blog.  Like I said, a very productive day!

I think I will have a long soak in the bath tonight and just chill a bit.  Lovely

Bye for now,
Jill
xxxxx

Hi All.  Was in Dundee for a couple of days then just a bit busy studying and ummm signing up to be a Sunday School teacher!  WAH!  what am i doing????  Will update you on that one when I find out more.  before I witter on about what we got up to.... I lost 5lbs this week.  so chuffed with myself!

Since I am tracking my calorie intake on the WLR website now I wont list everything on here so you wont have the agony of reading my every meal!

Sooo...... Thursday Alister and I got the bus to Dundee with a box of sarnies for a bus picnic.  Gran Keir met us off the bus and we went for a cuppa at the Botanic Gardens.  had a plain scone and jam but it was so huge I only ate half of it.  Played in the back garden a bit then went to tesco to get stuff for tea.  Came home and made mince, potatoes, carrots and brocolli for us all then took Alister and Josh the dog to the park for a bit of a runaround.  Popped in to see Uncle Alan on the way home then got a bit of studying done when Ally went to bed.

Friday - went to the cemetery early..  hadnt been for a while and got really upset.  went to Alan & Camilla's in the morning for a coffee and to use the PC.  Applied for another job and Alister and Alan made beautiful music with the accordian.  Until the RSPCA turned up to see who was strangling a cat...  Picked up Gran Murray and dropped her and Gran keir off for their Friday lunch.  alister and i picked up some lunch and went to Gran Blairs for a couple of hours.  Picked up Gran M and Gran K again then Alister and I went to broughty Ferry.  took him for an ice cream in Vissochi's then went to the park for a bit btu it was freezing.  Tried to get trainers for him on the way home but his feet are an inbetweeny size just now and all shoes were either too wee or too big.  Popped in to the chippy on the way home to get the boy his smoked sausage supper which he shared with Gran Keir.  i had salmon, potatoes and veg then went to Alan & Camilla's and had a bottle of red wine and the best part of a big bag of Walkers Sensations - OOPS!  But i did power walk over there and back to gran Keirs so not all bad!

Saturday - went to tesco to get flowers to take to the cemetery for Fathers Day.  Alister came with me and helped me make it all look nice.  Mum came home from Nice about 11.  Alister and I headed back to the Ferry and got him new trainers in a nice wee shoe shop called This Little Piggy.  He conned me into buying him Ralph Lauren trainers, I'm still not sure what happened!!!
Gran K took us to the bus station after lunch and we went into Asda before getting home.  Lynne was coming at night so had a bit of a tidy up and prepared all the stuff for a stir fry so I could chuck it all together quickly.  Only drank white wine with lots of soda.  Had light pringles, reduced fat dips and raw veg for nibbles. major brownie points!!

Sunday - had scrambled eggs and toast for brekkie, fab!  went to church and put myself forward to be a sunday school teacher.  the kids were singing in church today and the mention of fathers day got me a few times.  Had a lazy day, just didnt feel up to doing anything.

And here we are at Monday night.  Weighed in this morning and was dead chuffed to lose 5 lbs.  Took Al to nursery, went to M&S to get flowers for Moyra from my mum then had a good vigorous uphill walk to Moyras to deliver them.  Got the washing and ironing done and a bit fo studying so all in all a productive good day!

But now it's 11pm and I have an appointment with Citizens Advice tomorrow about my tribunal stuff.  Sick of it already!  But not backing down, not a chance.  Stubborn cow...

Good Night all.
Jill
xxxxx

Just a quick note to all my family and friends supporting me on my sponsored slim.

I am very well organised (verging on anal!) and a hell of a planner with this project. I know how many calories I should be eating each day/week, I have a planner that I use to make sure I stay within that. If you see me eating a biscuit or having a few chips or a couple of glasses of wine or a bit of cake please please PLEASE dont start with any "oh are you allowed that?" stuff.

It's so humiliating and makes me feel really small (not in a weight loss sort of way!). I know I am publicly asking for your support (and cash!) but I hope you are all sensitive enough to realise that it doesn't give anyone the right to question what I am eating.

I am not banning any foods from my life. i am not on a madcapped diet. I am simply eating a balanced diet and making better food choices. If I decide to have a biscuit with a cup of tea, or have a latte whilst out shopping then it's up to me to balance that out with what I eat for the rest of the day or do some extra excercise in the week to cancel it out.

I need to hear words of encouragement, not be judged for having the odd treat. Apologies if this sounds narky, its not meant to but i've heard it from people before. As soon as you say you are trying to lose weight everyone thinks they can question what you eat. It's as bizarre as when strangers think they can come up and touch your stomach when you are pregnant! (FYI - If this ever happens to you grab their tits and have a feel! Not being sexist, it really is only women who do this to pregnant chicks)

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Jill
xxxxx

Just realised I wont be able to write in here again til Saturday or Sunday as we are away to Dundee til Saturday then Lynne is coming at night. Ah well, it will be less for you all to catch up on!

I said yesterday I wasn't going to sign up for any weight loss webistes etc but have U-turned on that! Going to use http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk , have used it before and it's pretty good.  No points, no syns, no counting ticks or green days and red days.  It is basically a tool that allows you to track your weight and measurements but most importantly for me it has a huge database of calorie values of foods and works out how many calories i should be eating.  It also calculates how many extra calories I can choose to consume based on what exercise I have done that day.  All good.  We are walking EVERYWHERE now.  Poor Alister!  On the days he is at nursery I walk into town and back twice which is only 20 mins but equals 130 calories!  fabulous!

Besides that, I have had a disgustingly lazy day and even fell asleep on the sofa at one point.  shocking!  Niki sent me my 2nd appeal letter to send to BNY so I have just finished putting a few dates and names in and will email it to them tonight.  Another hurdle jumped but it's the biggest hurdles still left to go... Nicola Sewell you are an absolute godsend!!  thank goodness you finally remembered me all those years ago in Carnegies!

Food today is this:

Brekkie - porridge with sweetener
Lunch - wholemeal pitta, turkey ham, cherry tomatoes, mozarella, basil leaves (top lunch!!), fresh orange juice
Snack - cup of tea, go ahead yogurty biscuity thing
Dinner - stir fry turkey in soy sauce and lemon juice with garlic, ginger, rice noodles, pak choi, baby corn, mange tout, brocolli and mushrooms
(1228 calories)

hmmmm need to have some fruit tonight.  And need to drink lots more water every day.  And need to get some more structured excercise on the go.  booooo

Just been watching the final of The Apprentice. What on earth am i going to watch on telly now??  The Apprentice and 24 have both finished.  boooo.

Said I would take Al to see Shrek the Third when we are in Dundee at the weekend so that should be good.  he got all his smiley faces at nursery this week, he is just such a little star!  He has sussed that when he plays with Sebastian he gets into trouble so he has started walking away when things start getting silly.  I think he might be 4 going on 67.  I'm a very proud mummy though.

Right i am off for a few glasses of water and some pineapple.  mmmmmm... who needs a cup of tea and a biccie!??

Love ya!
Jill
xxxxx

Well, I am still motivated on Day 2 so that's a bonus!

I was woken this morning by Alister asking me what I ate for my dinner last night!  Nothing like a pushy 4 year old to keep you in check.  I think I might rent him out to Weight Watchers.  As i left him at nursery he reminded me not to eat biscuits or my tummy won't get smaller.  Oooooh if he wasn't so damn cute...I reminded him that we have some biscuits in the house that don't make your tummy quite as fat as some other biscuits so he said i can have a couple with my afternoon cuppa.  Jolly decent of him.

Breakfast and lunch were the same as yesterday.  Needed to use the rest of the prawns. Think I will have cereal or porridge for breakfast during the week and have eggs or grilled bacon or something at the weekend for a wee treat.

Brekkie - fruit & fibre, raspberries, strawberries and a glass of orange & carrot juice (it's my fave brekkie just now but must look for new ones.)
Lunch - wholemeal pitta, prawns, salad, fresh fruit afterwards
snack - cup of tea, 1 go ahead yogurty biccie sort of thing.
snack -  a couple of bites of yukky rye bread and jam. bleurgh!  was peckish so nicked one of Al's frankfurters out the fridge.
dinner - spaghetti with roasted cherry tomatoes, basil, feta cheese and balsamic vinegar.  yum!
(1339 calories)

Had a good clear out of the kitchen cupboards today.  Am left with only reduced fat digestives and some go ahead biccies if i feel like snacking.  All good...

When i get home from nursery with Alister I am usually hungry but not hungry enough to eat my evening meal.  Today in Asda I bought rye bread cos someone told me it is lower in calories and fat. they didnt tell me it tastes like rancid milk.  Actually i'd rather have rancid milk.  I toasted a slice and put some raspberry jam on it.  VILE!!!  honestly it's disgusting and I like most foods!

Was thinking today I need to find out how many calories I should be consuming to lose weight, and start working out how many calories I am actually consuming the way I am doing things just now.  I grudge paying a diet class a fiver a week or a tenner a month online.  They are only going to tell me what I already know so I am going it alone. Which is why I really REALLY need to be able to count on the support of everyone. 

First hurdle - Lynne is coming round on Saturday night.  Usually that involves a gigantic pizza, wine, followed by JD.  I sent her a text today to ask if I could cook us something healthier.  it killed me to send it! I LOVE PIZZA!!!  And I will try my very best to drink white wine and soda rather than a bottle of red wine followed by JD and diet coke!

Next things is I am staying at my gran's on thursday and friday night.  She will probably be expecting me to want a chippy like we usually do but I will offer to cook both nights.  I enjoy cooking anyway.  Will just have to think what I can cook that she will like.  Chips followed by a banana sandwich it is then...

Byeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Jill
xxxxx

Well it's June 11, 2007. A gloriously sunny day here in Dunfermline. Alister went off to nursery, I came home, had breakfast, put a couple of loads of washing on and hung it all out (WHERE does it all come from???).

Dodgy George  from upstairs popped in to say the Cash Generator shop in town had a Dell laptop for £70 and he knew I was looking for one. So off i toddled back into town, just about keeling over as I got to the top of the New Row (localites will be aware of the steepness of the hike!) and was appalled at how unfit I had become.  Been doing a whole lot of comfort eating recently...

Anyway, the bleedin thing had been sold when i got there so popped into Primark and got a few bits for Alister.  Noted nothing fits me in there.  Felt yukky and fat again.  Came home, had lunch, did a bit of housework, applied for yet another job.  Was thinking about a charity Ross had told me about: http://www.heartuk.org.uk .  Had a look on their website and was really impressed with their downloadable stuff like recipes and nutrition charts and felt a pang of motivation.  Looked at Ross's justgiving page, must sponsor him soon, http://www.justgiving.com/rossblair , and an idea crept into my fuzzy wee head.  What better motivation to lose weight than to do it publicly, with my friends and family sponsoring me to lose weight and also raise money for a charity that was so closely linked to the memory of my Dad??  Perhaps not the most psychologically sound reason for losing weight but as well as that I am doing it for myself and also for Alister.  I don't ever want him to go through losing a parent suddenly like we have all been through.  If watching what I eat and getting off my bum a bit more means he will be spared that pain then it has to be worthwhile.

So today I set up my own justgiving page at http://www.justgiving.com/jillblair .  I have weighed myself today and in 2 weeks time I will have another weigh in before I send out scrounging emails to everyone I know asking them to sponsor me.  I'd like to have made some progress before I ask them to part with any hard earned cash. 

I think i'll use this blog to record my food intake so will start with today:

Brekkie - fruit & fibre, rasperries, strawberries and a glass of orange & carrot juice
Lunch - Wholemeal pitta bread, prawns, low fat mayo, salad leaves, tomato
Snack - 2 reduced fat digestives, cup of tea
Another snack - fresh pineapple & papaya
Dinner - Steak, sweet potato mash, carrots, remains of Cookie Dough ice cream (call it a Last Supper treat!)
(1435 calories)

Been on here for a bit so havent snacked tonight. Evenings are my worst time for snacking so will try to update my blog every night instead of munching.

Thank you to anyone reading this who sponsors me.  Even if you can't afford to sponsor me, your support and encouragement are just as appreciated by me.

Love you all
Jill xxxxx