The 8 week challenge

LB has spent the last five weeks shedding 5kgs. I'm impressed to say the least. And it has made me envious. I have about 5kg to go to get to my ultimate WW goal, yet have hovered at the same weight for months now, with no motivation to really try and achieve what I set out to do.

So - introducing the 8 Week Challenge.

I'm joining LB on his quest to shed a further 5kg. I've given myself eight weeks - which will bring us to 19 April 2011 (with weigh in being every Tuesday). I plan on following the WW plan to the tee during these eight weeks - and showing my forgotten face at the gym to really kick things along.

Looking back over my weight chart on the WW online tools, I can't believe how many months have passed with zero movement. Back in May of 2010 I was three kilos lighter - I need to get back there and then lose a few more.

Having LB by my side will sure help. He has been unwavering in his quest to lighten up to lower his cholesterol. I'm so proud of him - and he's looking super sexy! Hopefully this is something we can achieve together - and be all the healthier for!

Stay tuned for week 1 results next Tuesday!

image via here

Saying no to the french pastries...

That time of the week again - Diminishing Lucy's Fat to Fit blog hop! Oh, I wish I had stories of greatness to report! But after a weekend of over indulgence with my parents in town things aren't looking the best.

And I'm about to go into damage control: EUROPE HOLIDAY!

How does a girl survive 7 weeks touring Europe - with the most amazing of food cultures - and not put weight on? I know I'll be doing heaps of walking, but how do I avoid the amazing pastries in France or churros in Spain!?!

Some advice from the handy team at Weight Watchers below!

How to keep healthy on holiday

1. Keep it simple
For starters, instead of aiming to lose weight on holiday simply focus on not gaining instead.

2. Beware the breakfast buffet
If you're staying somewhere that offers breakfast, remember you don't have to eat everything on the buffet. Go for wholegrain breads over pastries; boiled or scrambled eggs instead of cheeses and meats; and take advantage of seasonal fruits and low-fat yoghurt. As long as you make smart choices, you can still enjoy a filling, healthy breakfast.

3. Keep moving
Regular exercise can actually be easier when you're away from the constrictions of everyday life. Many resorts have an on-site gym and/or swimming pool, perfect for an early morning workout.
If it's a beach holiday, take advantage of the ocean. Go for a swim or a brisk walk along the sand - both are great ways to get your heart-rate up.

4. Get around on foot
Rather than taking taxis or public transport, do as much walking as you can. Plot a map of the sites and attractions you want to see each day and walk to the furthest, then work your way back to the hotel. You'll experience more of the local culture and probably discover things that aren't even on the map! Remember to pack good walking shoes.

5. Eat out
Don't avoid lovely restaurants but do dine out creatively. Instead of a giant main, have two starters or a starter and a salad. Also, ask that dressings and sauces are served on the side.

6. Drink and snack wisely
Skip the false economy of a bargain-basement carafe. Order a great wine by the glass and savour it. Avoid creamy cocktails if you can.

If snacking before dinner, opt for fresh produce (in small doses) over chips and salted nuts. It's a great way to taste the local delicacies and experience new flavours.

And finally...
Don't stress if you have an ice-cream by the pool or an extra glass of wine. Just don't overdo it and try to keep track of what you've eaten throughout the day. Most important of all, have a wonderful time!

image via here.

when motivation crosses my path

Well I'll be jiggered. For the last week I have been trying my hardest to follow the WW plan. I've tracked all my food intake for a full seven days for the first time in months. And you WILL believe it - it WORKED!

This morning's weigh in showed a whopping 1.5kg loss!

BooYeah!

I haven't felt this good in months, I finally feel like I'm getting back on track - thanks to the support of my WW girls (and my decision to forgo the parma at the pub last night - a first for me!). I've also started (on and off) walking the 6km home after work again, which was my secret to success over summer. A lot harder in the winter!

So here's to keeping motivation tucked neatly away in my pocket for the coming few weeks. And to TRACK TRACK TRACKING!

image via we heart it

Tuesday's bite

As mentioned, I'm part of a fat fighting group of marvellous women who subscribe to the weight watchers lifestyle. I started WW in September and soon found the support of this great bunch of ladies and have not looked back since! Well, from time to time the motivation has wavered, but the girls have been there to pull me back on course whenever it's needed.

While it may be taking me a little longer than planned to reach my goal, I do enjoy the WW way, being able to eat what I want, when I want - so long as I account for it within my set points.

One of the greatest aspects of being part of the group is sharing yummy yummy recipes! A few years ago if you had told me I'd be eating tofu or lentils - and loving them - I'd have scoffed a laugh! But when one of the girls suggested this WW recipe I decided to give it go, and boy is it good! It's a great dish to cook a big batch of and freeze to have for lunch throughout the week - keeping you full all afternoon long!

But let me get off my soapbox and share the recipe with you, it's a cracker!

RED LENTIL AND TOFU CURRY

Adapted slightly :) from www.weightwatchers.com.au

Points value: 4.5

Servings: 4

Preparation Time: 20 min

Cooking Time: 50 min

Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Ingredients

2 tsp (s) vegetable oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 clove garlic, crushed

2 tbs (s) curry paste, (tikka curry paste)

1 tbs (s) ground cumin

400 g canned chopped tomatoes

3 whole stock cube, dissolved in 3 cups (750ml) hot water

1/2 cup (s) dry lentils, (red), rinsed, drained

175 g fresh green beans, ends trimmed

300 g cauliflower, trimmed, cut into florets

300g brocolli, trimmed, cut into florets

2 carrots, chopped

200 g Tofu, cut into 1.5cm cubes

3/4 cup (s) raw white rice, (basmati)

Instructions

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion. Cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes or until very soft and golden brown. Add garlic, curry paste and cumin. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.

Stir in tomatoes, stock and lentils. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid lentils catching on the bottom of the pan.

Add beans and cauliflower, and cook for 5 minutes. Add tofu and cook for a further 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and tofu is heated through.

Meanwhile, cook rice according to packet instructions. Serve curry on rice :)

Notes

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. This curry is best reheated in the microwave.

when emotions = wasted energy intake

So a rough few weeks personally and a rough few weeks weight-wise.

It would appear that I'm a text book emotional eater. When things get tough, I turn to food for comfort. Sad? let's eat ice cream. Happy? heck, let's eat ice cream! Either way, the more my emotions run wild the more kilojoules I consume, and usually - the less exercise I do to counteract it all. I've been on a path of indulgence that needs to stop.

Thursday may be Fat2Fit day - but it's also WI day for my WW challenge (big love to the girls in my challenge - keeping me honest, always). Which is good, because boy do I need a fresh week.

I'm ready to get this circus back on track.

Images via here.

Another perfect morning...

This morning has been ace! I rocked on out of bed nice and early (for me anyway!) and farewelled LB who is off for a boys' golf weekend. Which means a weekend of pampering and relaxing for me!

First off, I checked into my first WW meeting at 9! The ladies were really lovely, and I was surprised to see I'm only 3.6kg away from my goal weight! Yahoo!! That's nothing and I'm determined to be there by Europe!

Then off to the hairdresser I went! As mentioned yesterday, I haven't been to my hair salon for a little over 6 months. Disgraceful - but i've been trying very hard to grow out my locks so I haven't wanted to chop them off! Now, I have dead straight fine hair, and every time I visit my hair dresser, John at the wonderful Rokk Ebony in South Yarra, he knows I won't be satisfied unless I leave with BODY! So today, he stuck to my wishes and trimmed just the tiniest amount - then curled it all up!! When I left the salon it was about twice as big - but after a morning walking along Chapel St shopping and doing my groceries at the market it has flattened a little...the end result:

(A tad more girlie than my boyish 'bloggers without makeup day' post!!!

Off to make some pumpkin soup, enjoy your weekend!

fat fighting!

Like my fat fighting friend Adalita over at Fatty Finn to Skinny Minnie I've decided to join Diminishing Lucy in her fat to fight blog hop!

My desire to shed the outer layers of my booty took a bit of a hammering last week. Being my b'day week I well and truly let myself go. Waking up to the fact that I'd stacked on a full kilo in a week made me realise how quickly those scales can rise!

SO back into action this week! I've had a fairly good week (well, since Monday), need to crank up the exercise as always! I wish I could learn to love exercise. Any thoughts out there on how I can do this? People talk about getting to stage where they feel gross/dirty if they don't exercise. I wish I did! My lazy butt wouldn't give two hoots if it didn't make it out for a walk every now and then!

Weigh-in today proved that sticking to the WW plan (and, importantly, saying no to the booze!) really does work. A whole 1.1kg gone.

I love to see those scales head south!!

...the latest 6 week challenge: Mayday Mayday!

As I've mentioned, I belong to a group of fat fighting, inspirational women who take part in 6 week challenges to motivate one another towards reaching our fitness goals.

Our last challenge was the 'Hot X Buns' challenge - out to get hot and sexy buns by easter! With Easter having passed, the group begins its next challenge tomorrow: the Mayday Mayday! challenge - counting down till mid May. This works perfectly for me, as I also have my 25th birthday falling on 7 May which I'd love to be well on my way to goal for.

I'm really looking forward to this challenge! I've bought a pump set from Rebel Sport and my darling LB has downloaded some Les Mills Pump DVDs. I've also started walking home from work again. This whole year I have found it difficult to stick to the plan that I was acing up until Christmas. Hopefully now that Easter is out of the way and my impending 25th rapidly approaches I will reaquaint myself with my friend Motivation!

...blogging!

Well well well, look what we have here!

During my five month affair with fellow fat shrinking machines (AKA weight watchers), I have read many inspiring and motivational blogs which have really helped propel my own desire to fight the fat. Every day I log into my weight watchers account and spill my beans on the message boards – and boy does it feel good!

So much so, that today I decided to take it one step further and begin my own foray into total online accountability...BLOGGING.

Far from simply a blog about tracking my weight loss success (or lack thereof from time to time!), Foxy falls for... will be my shameless self-soothing platform for rambling on about all the weird and wonderful things in my life.

2010 is shaping up to be another sensational year – with exciting travel plans on the horizon. What better way to explore the world and report on my findings than to blog all the things I fall in love with along the way. Chocolate croissants in la ville d’amour...watch this space...

What will foxy fall for tomorrow?!