challenge / last day

I'm blogging early, lots of things to do today, like getting myself and the house ready for a new year.
I weighed myself this morning: - 3 lbs. That's the best  I've been able to do in almost 10 weeks and that is not a great result.
On the positive side, my waistline has gone down 1 1/2 cm, and for fitting into clothes more important than the weight loss. Very happy about that.
I was looking at my scales and waist measurement notebook and last year, between 21st Dec. and 2nd Jan. I gained 6.6 lbs !!! and 3 cm around my waist. Awful. It took me until June to lose 2.2 lbs and hardly anything from around my waist. So I was pretty desperate when I started the Map challenge.
I don't like doing workouts, or not eating bread and cheese for lunch, but it got results.
Now I have the tools, the nutrition know how (more or less) and workouts that are effective, so my goal for 2011 is to work with these tools and get a fitter, stronger and leaner body.
I aim to lose another 6.6 lbs before the end of February and another 4.4 lbs by the end of the summer.
Want my weight to be down to 59 kg, or in dax moyspeak: I AM 59 kg by the end of summer.

But before I get started realizing these goals I'm going to enjoy some parties with guiltless eating and drinking. The champagne is getting cold in the fridge, and I'll be spending the evening with friends, having dinner, playing some games, dancing and toasting to a HAPPY and WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!
Just knowing I have a ticket for my trip to Australia makes 2011 a special year. And there's a photo project next year that I'm looking forward to, and will try to make every day a satisfying one.

Sue, I declare you the winner (unless you've gained 2 pounds overnight?). It was fun reading your blogs, hope you will continue next year? keep each other challenged!
Have a wonderful weekend and
HAPPY 2011 - hug Leoni

challenge week 9 / halfway

Is this our final week Sue? the 31st seems like the perfect day to end this. No way have I lost those 7 lbs.
It's been an ongoing down and up again 3 lbs. Today down another pound, so that makes 2.
I know it's because I keep sabotaging my efforts with wrong food choices. I will really need to address this in the coming weeks, if I want to reach my - new - goal at the end of February.
I read somewhere that if you want to eat something sweet, you should rinse your mouth with mouthwash. I will have to start carrying a big bottle in my bag to work, as that's where I tend to snack the most.
Yesterday I took dinner to work, chicken & vegetable salad, but then couldn't resist the tiramisu dessert I saw in the restaurant. Thankfully I walked a lot yesterday and managed 2 10-minute workouts, so dropped a pound instead of gaining it. But I'm really getting fed up with these cravings.

Today will mostly be a copy of yesterday, cleaning the house a bit, making a shopping list for tomorrow, walking to work and hopefully fit in some 10 minute workouts again.

Have a good day!

challenge week 9 / wednesday

Yesterday I enjoyed another non working day. There's lots of stuff I could do, and planned to do.

Even for an hour a day keeping up with photography. But as there is no deadline assignment work I can decide my own pace and it seems I'm in the mood for a week of laziness.

Not entirely of course, as I have to go to my receptionist job today and tomorrow, but the weekend will be mine! To do as I please.

I have been doing some short 10 minute cardio workouts yesterday (4 in total!!), and eating ED. I made a nice lentil soup for lunch and I'm going to make a chicken salad to take to work.

A boring day today, a bit like the weather outside, greyish.

I might decide to take a detour to work and go to the library first, return the DVD series I enjoyed watching, or do it after work. That will be my workout for the day I guess. The scales are steady at 141.9 lbs.

challenge week 9 / final week

Last week of the challenge, and not making much progress.
But thankfully, didn't gain any weight this Christmas. It was a working weekend for me, but enjoyed the Christmas dinners they served, with dessert and chocolate!
Before going to work I made sure to do at least 20 minutes of cardio + walking through the snow. And not eating much before dinner.
Today and tomorrow I'm free from work, so there's time to do some workouts. Part of me wants to take some time off from working out, but with the New Year parties to look forward to, the food and the champagne, that would be asking for trouble.
So, giving myself a kick up the butt, and ready for some action!

challenge week 8 / day 60

What a wonderful lazy day I've had!
Read a book from start to finish, watched some DVD's - the Mentalist, a good series for relaxation, had a smoothie for breakfast and a salad for lunch and some slices of wholegrain nutbread with almond spice inside for dinner, that will add a pound I guess, but today I'm beyond caring.
There's a harsh wind blowing around my house, and it's so nice to be warm and comfortable inside.
Tomorrow is a working day, there's an end to all good things obviously.

Almost Christmas, so I won't be posting the next few days.

HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS, ENJOY AND RELAX!!!

challenge week 8 / lazy days

It's really wonderful to have a few days doing nothing much of anything.
Yesterday I ventured out to the library, ploughing through the snow, it was like walking in the sand on the beach. Great workout.
Today I'm staying closer to home, shopping for the weekend, will be a great arm and shoulder workout.
And that's all I have to report really, just being lazy and lazing about.
Wonderful!!!!

challenge week 8 / week 8?

This challenge doesn't seem to be going anywhere, I'm up 2 pounds again, so after 8 weeks the result is -1!!! Bad result!! And it won't get better the next 2 weeks I presume. My waistline has gone down though, so that's great.
I'm trying to fit in some workouts this week. Managed 1 yesterday and 2 today, need to keep that up.
Downloaded some 4 minute workouts (free), only watched the first one... pull ups! As if.....
The next two days are no-working days!!! Jippee, will do some more Christmas shopping, it's lovely to spend money, although I'm supposed to be saving for my trip. Just some little things then, and will TRY to refrain from buying Mad Men season 3. The first 2 seasons were great, got them from the library, but I doubt they have this one.
Can I curb my desires?

challenge week 7 / now really getting off track!

I walked through the snow yesterday, hardly any cars on the roads, amazing - and very nice.
Bought a load of books, and on the way stopped to have lunch. Was going to have a healthy soup, but they had a lovely spaghetti, couldn't resist.
And on the way home I bought chocolate and had that as an evening meal. A total rubbish meal day.
So the next 6 days will have to be ED all the way, or I won't be allowed to have any Christmas desserts!
And doing at least one workout a day, slipping there as well.
The day is still young, no work planned, so no excuses!

challenge week 7 / TICKET TO AUSTRALIA!

I'be bought my ticket to Australia!!! I am over the moon! I'm so looking forward to this. A big part of the fun is the anticipation, it gives me motive and a goal to keep Dax Moyning as well. 

My goal is to weigh 61 kg when I get on the plane, so apart from day dreaming I will also have to break out in a sweat a lot. Dax will be pleased! And stick to ED most days, I will have to post my goal everywhere - maybe get a tattoo on my arm? 

Meanwhile, back on earth.... the snow and ice have created chaos and havoc in the city, it was fun walking through the snowstorm and watching the snow covering everything in thick layers, I can't remember when we had this much snow here in Amsterdam.

That was yesterday...

it's grey and cold now, and I would really like to go to a bookstore and cash in my book coupon gift, so I have new books to read during the Christmas week, but it's a 30 minute walk and not sure about the state of the footpaths. First, let's have breakfast and then decide....

Have a warm weekend!

week 7 / weekend (almost)

So happy to be home right now. The start of my 3 days without the part-time job, so I can relax and enjoy the weekend.
Spent all morning glued to the computer and forgot about lunch (a good thing?), forgot about workouts, forgot to make dinner to take to work, and forgot my to-do list. Uploaded photos to Facebook and invited a bunch of people to be my friends - please - don't need to go out and see them anymore, can just follow their lives here.
Weird really, but also nice to connect to people I haven't seen in years.
Thankfully didn't forget to go to work, through the pouring rain and wet snow. A nice and busy afternoon because people came in for the Christmas party, I was working so no funtime for me. But a mostly ED evening as I didn't get to drink the wine or eat the party food.
And now I'm back home!!! Wonderful!

Hope everybody else has a nice relaxing weekend too!

challenge week 7 / a mini fast

I got on the scales this morning and seem to have lost 2 pounds! and 1 cm off my waistline!! It must be the combination of the non ED dinner and drinks on Monday and then an almost fast yesterday, that's got my body shedding weight. It's happened before, I think the combination of high calories on one day and then one or 2 days low calories works for me.
Don't know about longer term, but just in time for Christmas.
So I'm back to losing 3 pounds total since starting this challenge. Can I get to 4 pounds by next Monday?

challenge week 7 / what a (mon)day!

The day started relaxed, it seemed I would easily finish what I had planned for my photoproject, with time to do 2 workouts and make lunch and then go to a party.
But half way through the morning I realised the project still needed lots of hours, so became totally engrossed in that. Forgot to eat and finally stopped to do an interval session and eat some food.
Back to the computer for more work, stopped to relieve my aching shoulders with a little cardiodancing session around the room. Downloaded a you tube video and did something stupid, so I lost my assess to itunes.
It took me 2 hours of trying to get it working again, total irritation of course, and finally had to delete it and download the program again. Then I couldn't find my music, finally got everything working again, but late for everything by then.
Rushed to the party, that's the good thing about being irritated, I walked twice as fast, thankfully just in time to listen to the speeches and snatch a glass of champagne. Really needed that.
The party was fun, with nice non ED food and 2 glasses of red wine.

Another long list of to do's tomorrow, and hope for no unexpected interruptions!

challenge week 7 / coldfront approaching

It's getting colder again, and very soon lots of snow apparently. I'm so not looking forward to that, the snow is nice, but the icy sidewalks are totally annoying. Will be staying indoors a lot, and just have to do some extra workouts instead of walks. And no Christmas shopping this week.
Or maybe it's the perfect time to go shopping, I was in town yesterday, the weather was nice and it seemed everybody was taking the opportunity to head to the shops. It was overcrowded everywhere, I just hate that.

I'm planning on a week with lots of Reboot workouts anyway and low-carb food after tomorrow - going to a party on Monday and will enjoy whatever food is on offer.
Good intentions......

challenge week 7 / temptation strikes again

There was apple pie at my work today, and couldn't say no! Tasted very nice, but fed up with sugar cravings. Tomorrow I'm going to start taking a chrome supplement that suppressed this. I hope.
Walking home through the main street near where I live I saw a new shop, they used to sell second hand clothes there, but it's renovated and now they sell ..... candie! The shop was still open, and I had a quick look around: liquorice, sweets, chocolate and more chocolate. I couldn't believe my eyes. I just hope the shop doesn't always stay open till 10pm. Imagine walking past that store several times a week after work....
The whole street is a gourmet paradise. It used to be pretty rundown, until about 10 years ago. Now it's a great place for food shopping, there's a store that sells Spanish food, another one Portugese food - know those lovely little tarts, filled with vanilla cream? hmmm. And a shop that sells olive oils from all over Europe, another one sells wild salmon and real kaviar, you can buy Italian delicatessen, high quality cookware, there's a bookshop that only sells cookbooks, another one designer plates and cups and tablecloths.
And 2 shops that specialise in chocolate, 2 shops that sell ice cream and now there are 2! shops that sell candie.
Like I said, a gourmet heaven!
It's a good thing I'm always going for fast paced walks to lose some calories.... no time to stop and shop...

challenge week 7 / working weekend

Another full weekend, image processing in the mornings and then parttime job the next 3 days. It never ends....

Could not bring myself to do a workout last night, didn't feel good about that, but better today. Power circuit and interval cardio + walking to and from work. I'm taking salads to work, and hope there are no temptations around. Hard to resist at the moment, and my scales are showing the hard truth about that!
I've decided my goal for this month is to lose 2 pounds until Christmas, so if it comes back on - as it surely will - it won't be a total disaster. Bit of a weak option, but really, really! don't want to end up weighing as much as before MAP.

challenge week 7 / I'm aching

I was way too enthousiastic yesterday. My legs and inner thighs hurt! And it will be worse tomorrow.
I so do not like this feeling. It means I worked out well I suppose, but so far have postponed doing any workouts today. I really need to do something, before or after dinner.
It's a shame it's thawing outside, people would just assume I'm walking carefully with ice on the sidewalks, now my duckwalk will just seem weird.

First I'm going to relax with a nice cup of herb tea, and then see if I can find the courage to do a meltdown. Forget about workouts 2 and 3, will have to put them on my list of extras next week. That list is overflowing!

challenge week 7 / an indoors day

Stayed indoors the whole day, no idea what the temperature outside was like. In here it was nice and warm, but not too warm, as I wanted to do some workouts. Back to doing Reboot 3 and managed both workouts + 2 extra power circuits. Started with low reps, so not really phenomenal, but still... hope to achieve the same tomorrow. Also got a lot of work done, good meals, no cravings.... a golden day!!!
I'll have to hit the streets tomorrow, need to stock up on food and shampoo! Glad it's cold, I can hide my hair under a furry hat.

challenge week 7 !

Had a very relaxed weekend. My sister came to visit. A challenging trainride from the south of Holland and she was greeted by a swirling snow storm in Amsterdam, but that made walking a bit easier, no icy sidewalks.
I made a ratatouille and planned on watching that movie while we were having dinner, but I got the week wrong, so we had to miss that. We stayed inside and cocooned the whole weekend. Very nice.
But now it's back to work and workouts, I'm starting Reboot 3 - again.
Slow start yesterday, only 1 workout and food was a disaster, today I'm having a slight stomach upset and will give the workouts a miss. Tomorrow will have to be better!
Meanwhile I'm enjoying the view from my windows: a real picture postcard, everything is white and very misty, it looks lovely. I hope I'll enjoy it as much when I walk to work this afternoon.

challenge week 6 / a cancelled dinner

Guess what, my dinner was chicken with salad! My dinner party got cancelled because of illness - not mine thankfully, so I got to stay indoors and make do with what was left in the fridge.
Really need to go shopping tomorrow, but so far I'm happy with only 2 meals a day and some light cardio. Just can't make myself drink water at the moment, I need to buy lemons, so I'll at least drink 2 glasses of hot water with lemon juice (and a splash of honey maybe).
Just looking out is great at the moment, everything is covered with a coat of white, there are no cars allowed around where I live, so it stays white longer. Haven't seen any snowmen built yet, I guess it's too cold even for the kids.
Tomorrow will be a copy of today I guess, unless I feel adventurous and head into town, but with everybody shopping for Sinterklaas I don't think so.....

challenge week 6 / freezing cold

It's freezing cold in Amsterdam as well. Went out this morning for a quick walk to the supermarket and couldn't believe how cold it was... The tiny bits of my face that were uncovered actually hurt! A quick spurt back home, and kept warm till it was time to walk to work. Thankfully, the wind wasn't blowing as hard, and not much ice left on the sidewalks, so not as bad as I imagined.
I keep forgetting to buy those spikes for under my shoes, so it's easier to walk in this kind of situation. They were sold out last year, probably missed my chance to buy them this year.

I had my breakfast smoothie for lunch today and a chicken salad for dinner, I'm hoping that will compensate for the non ED dinner I'll be having tomorrow. But that's just guessing, maybe I'll get served a chicken salad...?
Just keeping my fingers crossed the trains will be in working condition tomorrow, I'm going to a place called Soest.

challenge week 6 / no matter the weather?

I was so looking forward to a week of walking, even if it was very cold... I would just bundle up and not let the icy wind get in my way. But I didn't count on ice-layered footpaths, which have me, and everybody else, slippin' and slidin' to wherever we need to go!
Forget those fastpaced walks, no way I'm going to risk a sprained ankle or worse.
So now I'm dancing around my house to the sounds of my favourite tracks.I'm calling it light cardiodancing. And it's fun, but still, it's indoors.
I'll just have to dance my way to another pound of weightloss, as the weather forecast doesn't get better any time soon.

challenge week 6 / more snow

Now there's some real snow, everything is covered in white, not yet a picture postcard, but nice.
I'm going to the movies later, but first a salad dinner at the cafe on the corner, probably with one glass of wine.
This is my deload week, so no Dax Moy workouts, just 2 short walks in the cold this morning and some light cardio this afternoon.
Of course this week will flash by, and I'll be back to grunting and sweating again, but in the meantime.... taking it easy! Yeah!

challenge week 5 / another week gone

Already 5 weeks into this challenge, only 2 pounds down (gained 1 pound again this weekend), but 1 1/2 cm off my waistline. Achieved a little, still a long way from my goal.
Today I tried to finish Reboot 2 with the 2 workouts left to do, but I decided to just stop. Maybe if I didn't have to leave to go to work I might have finished one, but I'm so looking forward to a deload week and that seems to block me from finishing. I'm not going to feel guilty over this.
I'll probably do a little something at work, around 8 pm when everybody's gone and it's quiet enough to do some squats and lunges without interruption.
I'm having a soup and some salad for lunch and then hurry to work..... I'm looking forward to getting back home already!!!

challenge week 5 / snow!

I got up late this morning, and it was snowing! But it's all gone now, just the cold hasn't vanished along with it.
I tried to do a workout, but couldn't get up the energy. Went to work on some images instead and am happy with what I got done.
And now it's time again to put on my coat, hat and gloves and walk to work.
Feels like a boring day!

challenge week 5 / alumni lunch

Getting up early is great for getting heaps done. Worked a bit, did an EDT workout, cleaned the house a bit (one of my least favourite things in life) and then dressed warmly for a bycicle ride. Because the cold front has now hit Amsterdam. Although with the sun shining it was actually a very nice ride, and took the longer scenic route along the zoo.
I was invited to an alumni lunch for former art academy students. I imagined a big room with tables and benches and  very non ED food, with wine. Instead it was a much smaller room with couches, food on a side table.
Bit of a let down, but it was nice meeting people I hadn't seen in a while (or even 20 years!). And could make sensible food choices, although I did have a nice piece of cake. But no coffee, no white sandwiches, no soda.
Then off to work - another working weekend - and without the sun it wasn't very nice any more. Cold!

challenge week 5 / a cold winter?

I went to some shops this afternoon, I have a long list of "to do" stuff , so I can strike a few things off.
(It seems that when you strike 1 thing off, 2 new things need to be added.) In one of the shops people were talking about the cold and someone said the prediction for this winter was: the coldest since 1000 years!!!!!
Not 10, not 100, but 1000 years!!
Where do people hear these things? And they believe it? It's a joke, right?
I'm still hoping the temperatures are rising and palm trees will grow along our beaches - been very disappointed thus far - but now obviously we are heading towards a new ice age? Brrrr, I hope it's not a repeat of last year .... or worse.
So, a quick trip to the shops and the rest of the day indoors. 2 Workouts done and mainly  ED food (tossed some noodles in the stir-fry). I'm feeling energetic en getting lots done, the last week especially. Although it was nice yesterday to just relax during a long train ride and read half a book.

For me, tomorrow is the start of another 3 days working 2 jobs and already longing for Monday.....

challenge week 5 / over the moon!

I'm totally surprised and VERY pleased! Just stepped on the scales - what would those 2 glasses of wine do to me? - and lost another pound. Wow, that's 3.3 lbs in 3 days! 3 workouts a day, thank you!
And also another 1/2 cm from my waistline, even better..... this means I reached my first goal, wanted to lose this much before meeting up with my sister.
I'm so over the moon with this result I could do another workout right this minute! Well no, need to jump under the shower and then catch a train.

challenge week 5 / tuesday

So pleased this morning that I lost those d...... 2 pounds again. A working day at home, no deadlines, no pressure, my favourite kind of day!
Also managed a workout, ED lunch and then went out to meet some colleagues, and had 2 glasses of wine. I really enjoyed that, but again dreading what the scales will say.
More days of temptation to come....

challenge week 5 (!) / went nuts

Monday was a perfect day.
Got all my work done ahead of time,  2 workouts before 3 pm, prepared a nice ED lunch, took a prepared ED dinner to work, no snacks and at the end of the day I felt very satisfied with myself.
But just before going to bed I felt the urge to eat something and finished off all the nuts I could find! Disaster!!
Felt very deflated, and was sure that the 1 pound loss would be gone.
Why do it? Rationally, it makes sense I guess. Having dinner at 6.30 pm and not eating anything else till 11.30 pm, is a long time to go without food.
So, either I should go to bed earlier, which means coming home from work and then immediately jumping into bed. Don't like that. Or I should eat a little snack around 9.30pm and hope that avoids the hunger pangs.

The good news: LOST another pound! Amazing, it must be all those workouts I did in the weekend, and an almost fast on Sunday. Now I have to try and keep that weight down.
First obstacle: I'm going for a celebration drink around 4 this afternoon and I already know what that means..... wine, nuts and snacks.

challenge week 4 / weekend!

3 long days working at home, got heaps done AND promised myself 3 workouts each day as I was lagging behind.
Got it all done, especially 5 alive, tortured myself with that one every day. Managed to improve the divebomber somewhat, so an accomplishment there.
I was planning a fast day today, but after the first workout this morning I started to feel nauseous, so had a little carb snack, and then later in the day 2 boiled eggs. Ate a low carb dinner with organic chicken, courgette & chickpeas, I wonder if I lost any weight? Will weigh in tomorrow morning, it would be sooooo nice to see just a little improvement.
I looked at my foodbook I kept during MAP and was amazed at how quickly I started losing weight then. Not happening now though.....
Just glad it's winter and I can wear thick sweaters.

challenge week 4 / day 25

Got lots done today! Working at home is so much nicer. No distractions, just me and the computer.
Happy with the amount of photowork done, also managed 3 workouts. I needed to catch up and managed everything before dinner. Probably because food was easy, not a lot to prepare
Breakfast was a yoghurt/banana/omega-3 seeds smoothie. And for lunch a pumpkin, apple and ginger soup from my favourite health store. All organic, nothing added. Love the hot spicy ginger taste. + 1/2 sandwich with houmous.
My workouts are easier with carbs, although not so good for weightloss.
I still have a whole evening to do as I please, so I'll probably do something boring like clean the house a bit, and watch a DVD, and might even take on some more work. Nothing exiciting for me tonight!

challenge week 4 / tuesday

Not always easy to come up with a catchy title. My mind is a bit foggy, I had a little nap, the photoshoot today  went on longer than planned, but it went great and I've got some good images to work with.
But... it interfered with my planned lunch, as it was already after 2pm when I got back home, and hungry, so instead of my lentil coconut cream soup I went to the shop and bought some bread and hummus and devoured that!
Then needed to do lots of work before 6pm, no break for a workout, got to the mailbox just in time - last weeks' assignment finished, and can start work on the next one.
Took a little break, didn't feel like cooking dinner, am I doing a fast? or just no dinner tonight? Or wake up hungry at 3am and eat some more bread?
This seems a lot like the days before ED, when food got in the way of work and I would just eat anything at any time of the day or night.
Felt exhausted just thinking about doing a workout, so went to bed instead. Now just energetic enough for 2 hours work behind the computer, and will call it a day.
Have to do better tomorrow.....

challenge week 3 / a rainy Friday

More windgusts and pelting rain today. It's really nice to stay inside! Which didn't happen, walking through the rain to work and back again.
I ate more carbs, don't think a long period of low-carbs agrees with me. So had a yoghurt-fruit smoothie, always add seeds and/or almond paste. Lunch was shrimps with spinach and green salad. Dinner: omelette filled with some vegetables, carrots and salad , added some rice and mixed it with the salad.
Managed to do the magic 100, but took me 25 minutes, I'm getting slower.
Drinking water has really become a habit, over 2 litres today. Just the getting to bed on time... just before midnight.

challenge week 3 / a stormy Thursday

Lots of wind and rain today and tomorrow, not great days for a run. I will have to do cardio inside again, don't really like that.
My workouts are hard to do, and it might be because I'm only eating vegetables and protein the last few days.
Also a bit constipated, not normal for me, so I'm having yoghurt and fruit for breakfast tomorrow and probably Saturday as well. Might eat some hard boiled eggs as a snack.
Woke up early this morning and got lots of work done, before going to my part-time job.
Breakfast was scrambled eggs with spinach and mushrooms, lunch vegetable soup and an advocado, and for dinner I made chicken and a vegetable stir-fry. Also had some soaked almonds as a snack.
No coffee, that's a miracle really, 6 days without. It helps not to buy ricemilk, so there's no temptation.
My workout for today was 5 alive, still terrible form and had to take breaks between the sets, but got it done.
At work I managed 50 lunges, 50 squats and 50 ... whatever... from the power circuit that's part of the magic 100.
So, another good day for me!

challenge week 3 / 2 pounds down!

Finally, the weight shifted downwards a bit! Doing level 3 seems to help.
+ I'm finally taking the supplements Dax recommends. Managed to find Ashwaganda liquid, although it has more ingredients. Might try something else next time. AND preparing my food with coconut oil.
So, I will see what these improvements bring.
Also managed my 2 workouts today. That won't happen the rest of the week as I have my part-time job as well.
Cooked my dinner for tomorrow, have some soup left for lunch, will make an omelette with spinach and mushrooms (same as today). A small snack: fruit with some yoghurt.
I also listened to the telebroadcast while photoshopping, very interesting, and I'm changing my water routine after hearing what Dax had to say about that. No more plastic bottles, will have to find a semi-glass one. More shopping!
Had a very productive day, got lots of photos done and still some time to relax and visit a friend for a while. Turned down the glass of wine I was offered. Give me water, please!

challenge week 3 / day 16

It's been another busy day and went to bed early! 10 pm, with a book, but only read about 5 pages and turned of the light.
Food was Level 3 again today. After reading how other people are losing so much weight, and mostly on level 3, I thought I ought to try that. Did eat some yoghurt in the morning with apple and omega-3 seeds. Lunch was vegetable soup and for dinner I had some beef and a vegetable stir-fry. Meat and vegetables with coconut oil instead of my usual olive oil. And ate smaller portions.
No snacks between meals, just not hungry.
No workouts, will have to consider this my restday and catch up on Sunday.
Working at home all day Wednesday, so no excuses ....

week 3 / a topnotch Monday

My Monday was perfect. All ED food and Reboot workouts. No cravings and was around  non ED-foods and drinks for a few hours in the evening - chips, apple pie, cake, sweets, and large bottles of coca cola, but nothing for me thanks. I had a glass of water!
I had an exciting photoshoot on location, portraits of 30 troubled youths in a very short time, all done in 2-3 hours (but in a very safe environment) and it went great, lots of fun. They enjoyed it, I enjoyed it and and I have some great shots. Lots of hours photoshopping ahead of me, but looking forward to it.
This afternoon another photoshoot in the studio, so that gives me time to do 1 workout in the morning and 1 workout before dinner. And have to remember to shop for food, because I tend to forget to eat when I'm working like this and then I get hungry and will grab anything. Although there's not a lot to grab at the moment....

Week 3/ new challenges

Sunday was a bit of a mixed day, did one workout - EDT - no problems there, walked a bit, had a dinner planned, but didn't feel like making it, ate out instead. A chicken and vegetable stirfry with some noodles.

Got on the scales this morning, no weightloss. No weight gain, either, which was a relief.

I need to be 100% ED this week if I want to reach my goal, so will try harder. Although it will be a challege as it is another week with lots of work. A photoshoot this evening, I won't be home until late and will probably be loaded with adrenaline! Might take a nap in the afternoon....

challenge day 13/ Saturday

A killing me workout! The 5 alive is just so frustrating... I'm getting nowhere with this one. Grrrrrr!
Apart from that, not a bad day. The weather is still nice and pleasant, it would have been a great day if I hadn't been stuck behind the computer all day. But ahead of schedule, so hopefully tomorrow I can have another long walk.
Haven't felt hungry at all today. Late breakfast was oats with raspberries, arond 11. Then 2-egg omelette with some rye bread, and for dinner I will have the second half of my ovenbaked fish with tomato sauce and aspargus.
Also still need to do my 2nd workout, will be around 9pm. And water, only 1 litre so far, will try to make that two.
No weight loss, in fact I'm feeling fatter and fatter these days!

Challenge day 12/ a very satisfying Friday

It's been a good day on all fronts, working at home today, got a lot done, have been eating all ED AND managed 2 workouts: isomatrix and magic 100, and especially pleased because I tried to do everything with correct form. So no holding onto chairs with lunges and pushups all the way on toes. It took me a little longer (also drinking water during workout), but made my day!
Tomorrow I'm going to tackle the 5 alive again, will make me weep I guess.
Saturday and Sunday working at home (all work and no play for me this weekend), have my meals half planned, and 2 workouts both days. So if I'm not 1 lbs lighter after the weekend, I will have to follow your example Sue!
Our challenge won't be over any time soon it seems...
Have a lovely time in London!

challenge/wednesday

Just a quick summery of yesterday....
Got up early, because still on a deadline to get some photowork done. Managed it all, and had some time to make lunch - a pumpkin soup and venison steak - and a large salad to take to work. My stomach is a bit upset, hope I didn't catch a bug, to much work to do to get sick.
Only one workout - the legs and abs exercise.
Then off to work and the walking to and back from has to be my cardio for the day.
Not much room in my head to be thinking about food for tomorrow, there should still be enough in the fridge to get me through the day. And... no matter what, 5 alive is waiting for me!

a day for walking Monday

Finished a photo-assignment early in the day, and instead of putting it in the mail, I decided to have a long walk and deliver it in person. So about 1 1/2 hours through the centre of Amsterdam, steady pace, no window shopping, only a stop at my favourite health store to buy groceries. Bought lamb and venison, all organic + vegetables, so I'm good for the next two days.
Have worked out as well, day 1 Reboot 2, a revisit, as I didn't manage well the first time. Magic 100 + isomatix (5 reps). Short and doable, except those holding lunges, auch! But got through it all.
So a good day!
Tomorrow another photoshoot, and the rest of the day working at home. Always easier cooking and working out on a day like that.

Food diary:
9am:1 cup of tea (herbal)
10am: a 2-egg omelette with smoked salmon
12.30pm: 1 apple with almond paste and cinnamon
3.13 pm: a small lentil salad
6pm: handfull of nuts
7.30 pm: chicken with green beans

Water: almost 2 litres, but with an hour before bed, should manage the whole 2, maby 2 1/2 litres.

challenge/ one whole week

No workouts today, I decided to have a rest day (apart from walking a lot). Busy with work. And I've decided to revisit reboot 2 this month. When I did it the first time I didn't like the workouts, and did less and less of them, but I will try harder this month.
It was a workday for me, and again the foodplanning didn't go well. That really needs improvement.
No sugar today though, no temptations, although I did have some cravings.....

Food diary:
8am: tea
9.30am: yoghurt smoothie with lots of fruit and omega-3 seeds
1pm: 1 apple with cinnamon
2.30pm: sushi
4pm: handful of nuts
6pm: omelette with salad, beans and some baked potatoes
8.30pm: small handful of nuts

Water: 1 1/2 litres

wintertime

Made a big mistake this morning, thought my mobile would show summertime and I'd get up early and win an hour. Forgot all the neat tricks the new digital world has for us: it sets itself to the right time.
So didn't get up till 9.30 am. That sucks... wanted to do so much before heading off to work this afternoon. Oh well... feel very rested.
Back to yesterday, my day was pretty busy, did find the time to cook a meal to take to work, and... quickly read through the new ED3. Which took me quite a while, so no workout.
Managed to do something at work, it was quiet after 8pm, so I spent 15+ minutes doing all kind of stuff, squats and lunges and cossack lunges and push ups from the wall etc. So that should count for something. Plus the walking.
Foodwise it went well, except for that one little sweet cake that somebody left for me. Wanted to put it in the bin, but then, oops... I put it in my mouth instead! Oh, those sugar cravings. That's certainly not the path to a little black dress!!
I'm still aiming for 2.2 lbs this week, but 1 pound seems more realistic.

Food diary:
8am: 1 cup of tea
9.30am: yoghurt smoothie with lots of fruit and omega-3 seeds
2.20pm: bit of the chicken in coconut cream (dax moy recipe) + salad
4pm: little sweet cake
6pm: chicken in coconut cream with green beans, sugar snaps and small green salad
8.15pm: handful of nuts

Water: 1 litre (with a squeeze of lemon)

challenge/thursday

Really disappointed that I gained the 1 pound loss back. So, as this was another working at home day, I decided to do another fast, after my morning coffee, which counts as a drink I'm hoping.
Haven't done these since MAP, and this week it seems pretty easy. Saves tons of time and money.
Had a banana at 4.30 pm, and dinner at 7.15 pm. Pretty good.
I did a meltdown, a power circuit and an interval cardio at home, with lots of jumping jacks and stationary running.
What will I be able to do tomorrow? An early morning appointment, some photowork and receptionist job in the afternoon. Hoping to do 1 workout!

Food diary:
9am: coffee (!)
4.30 pm: 1 banana
7.15 pm: large vegetable salad, with cauliflower and shrimp heated in olive oil, with some garlic and spicy hot          chili.
22pm: 1 boiled egg + 1 theaspoon almondpaste
Water: 2 1/2 litres (I'm making progress here!)

challenge/wednesday

Didn't eat dinner last night and got punished for it. Woke around 2 am and really hungry, so I ate 2 pieces of nutbread I still had lying around with almond paste. Of course, after that I new how stupid that was. Carbs at night with fat, so I didn't get on the scales in the morning. Would be too upset if the 1 pound I lost was back again.
I had a working day at home. Wanted to go for and interval run, but the rain wouldn't stop, so I did a 15 minute sort-of  interval cardio at home + meltdown.
Foodwise I'm out of skelter, not hungry in the morning.... because I ate during the night of course. Threw out the rest of the nutbread, so as not to get tempted again. Started with an apple, then had my breakfast for lunch and a regular dinner. This week is going to be cheap if I keep eating like this.
Went to the supermarket and couldn't resist: bought a weightcare bar. Big minus point for me.
So, what are my cravings? Bread and sugar.

Food diary:
9 am: 1 cup of tea
10 am: 1 apple with lots of cinnamon
1.30 pm: 2 scrambled eggs with smoked salmon (miss a piece of bread with that)
7 pm: baked fish with salad, advocado and lots of broccoli
9.30 pm: a weightcare bar

Water: 1 1/2 litres  (hopefully another glass or two before bed)

It seems the ED3 has arrived in my mailbox, but not going to read it right now, will mean spending lots of time behind the computer, and I've done enough of that for the day.

Tomorrow another day at home. Will try to do 3 workouts.

challenge/tuesday

Got up a bit late this morning - no coffee! so had a cup of tea and a late breakfast. Then had to leave for a photoshoot, got back way later than planned, so my lunch was not a selfmade vegetable soup, but some yoghurt with fruit, almond paste and omega-3 seeds. I was hungry!
But then, around dinnertime, not hungry at all, so only ate some tomato, cucumber and hummus. Will maybe have hungerpangs tonight?

The big news? My weight is down 1.1 lbs!!!!! Must be the fast. Very pleased.
On the downside, I didn't do any workouts today, because hectic and lots to do and this evening didn't feel like it.
Will definitely have to do more tomorrow. I will be working from home, so no excuses!

Food diary:
10am: 1 cup of tea and 2 scrambled eggs with tomato & onion
3.15 pm: yogurt with apple and prunes, almond paste and omega 3 seeds
8 pm: some tomato, cucumber, 1/2 bell pepper & hummus
Water: not even 1 litre, will have to fix that before going to bed.

challenge/monday

Got up at 8 and enjoyed a lovely cup of coffee (with ricemilk, don't like the taste of cow's milk anymore). It's the one thing I can't give up, but didn't buy any milk today, so won't be tempted tomorrow morning.
Had an early morning appointment and didn't have time for breakfast until around 11, so out of the blue decided to do a fast! Wow, could I really do that?
Yes, actually, didn't eat anything until dinner at 6 pm.
Then, around 7 a serious sugar craving, had the last 2 of my dried figs.
Managed 2 workouts today, 60/60 (those cossack lunges again) and a power circuit.
Walked to work = 20 min., and took a longer route back = 30 min.
So, happy with this first day on the challenge.
Glad we didn't wait for the new ED, because nothing in our post box so far!

Weight this morning: 65 kg / 143 lbs
Waistline:  30 1/2 inches - around navel 33 inches

Food diary:
8.30 am: 1 cup of coffe with ricemilk
6 pm: dinner: green salad with stuffed chicken breast
7 pm: 2 dried figs
Water: a little over 2 litres

....and go!

Today was a bit of a relaxing day. A lot of housecleaning and some shopping. Enough for tomorrow, will have to make sure I organise my days so I can fit in 2 workouts every day and have time to cook my meals. While doing 2 jobs and everything else that gets thrown my way this week.
But that's part of my challenge. And I'm really looking forward to it.
So Sue, I'm ready if you are!
Will post my weight and waist measurement tomorrow morning (and every day this week)

a beautiful sunday morning

Finally! Had a good nights' rest. Got up late, feel refreshed.
I managed to do another workout last night - at 11 pm!: the magic 100. It's not on reboot 3, but feel the need to do this one every so often. A full 20 minute workout, ended my day feeling better.
I'm going shopping today, with or without Dax's new ED program, I'm in the mood for a challenge!

another sleep deprived day

Went to bed around 1.30 pm last night, and woke up at 6 am because my downstairs neighbours were banging around in their kitchen. Presumably planes or trains to catch, - school holiday . Totally annoying, I got up at 7, barely awake and in a foul mood.
After a short workout and breakfast I hopped back in bed and from there the day went downhill. Stormy, rainy weather, no chance for an interval cardio session. Another short workout (10 minutes) and a quick walk around the block. Didn't feel like doing much of anything today.
I hope to finally have a good nights' sleep tonight. Tomorrow preparation time: foods to buy and recipes to find -   low-carb, so I'm finishing off what's in the fridge tomorrow.
Can't imagine Dax's new elimination diet will be very different than what we already know, so I'm assuming it will be foods we've been allowed on MAP.

sleepy friday

Went to bed early on Thursday, but woke up at 3 am and couldn't get back to sleep for hours, got up at 7.30 feeling a little dazed. Planned to do 2 workouts as this was a non-working day. But after spending too much time walking around town and shopping for essentials, I came home exhausted. Decided to have a little nap and woke up 3 hours later!
So this day was a lazy day in bed. I guess the walking counts for something.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner were mostly ED. Not enough water though.
And now I'm still wide awake at 1 am.
Hope tomorrow will be more energetic. Have a whole weekend free from work!

gala dinner

A very busy morning, also transverting from wordpress to blogspot, only managed a very short cardio interval circuit.
Had the rest of my quinoa salad with extra green beans for lunch and then had to rush to work.
And was treated to a gala dinner, everything was a feast for my tastebuds, not really ED, but I left out the bread, no alcohol, felt it was going well until presented with dessert. Utterly tempting and utterly delicious, very wicked but this is now my 2nd cheat meal of the week. The scales will punish me for this tomorrow.
At least Sue, you don't have to worry, no headstart for me!!

new blog

I'm starting a new blog here, to see if this is more compatable with the Dax Moy network!