"Sweat is your fat crying!"

This is my new favorite quote which I was introduced to by my friend Fifi (provider of wonderful, Jo-friendly recipes).

I appreciate that it's been a while since I blogged and one of the reasons for this is because I've got a life!!  Hahaha....na, just jokin - but I have been busy because I've taken up exercising!!  Oh yeah, that's right, not just exercise but regular exercise!!  Basically, I've been sponsored!!!  A very good friend of mine said 'Jo, I want to help and I know money is tight so I've bought you a 3 month gym membership!!'  Bowled over?  Understatement of the year!!!  Of course it came with conditions, which is fair enough.

1. I have to go to the gym 5 times a week.  3 hard sessions and 2 taking it a little easier.
2. I have to follow rule number 1.
3. I'm allowed 3 strikes (which I won't need!!)

My friend (I haven't asked if I may name that person which is why I'm not) said that they realise that my fear of letting them down will drive me a lot harder than if I was paying myself....which is true.  And so I've entered, with full gustso, the 2nd phase of my challenge to lose the equivalent of 25 x 1kg bags of sugar.  I've lost my first 5...just 20 to go!!

Of course I hurt - all over & all of the time, but it's all good and strangely I'm rather enjoying it and of course it gives me something to moan about :)  Got to keep topics worthy-of-a-moan fresh!

I'm in my final week (week 4) of Phase One of my elimination diet, phase two starts on Monday (reintroducing foods).  So far so good, I'm feeling a lot better.  I've been told that I look a lot brighter....wonder if it's my new toothpaste!? 

Did you know that it's VERY difficult to find a toothpaste that doesn't have sweetener in it??  I've had to go all natural and found a toothpaste in my local health food shop http://www.grampianhealthstore.co.uk/store/ (brilliant shop by the way, has made my life a LOT easier having it close by).  The one I chose to go with tastes of Sambuca (didn't know that until I got it home) not so unusual going to bed with that flavor in my mouth but waking up and starting my day....slightly strange! 

I do have to admit that I'm enjoying my restricted diet, which is down largely to the help and support of my wonderful friends.  Of course I miss chocolate, meat, sugar etc, but that's becoming less and less an issue.  I actually am getting to the point where I think I'll continue with this once the two months are over.  It has got a lot easier to deal with now that I'm used to it and I have also found a couple of great restaurants that have been wonderful in allowing me to order off menu.  And because I've been bowled over by their friendly service and wonderful food, I'm going to give them a mention in my soon-to-be-famous blog.

First up, one of my fav places in town http://www.sopranohotels.co.uk/bistro/  I love the atmosphere in this place and it's close to where I live.  The food is great and they let me order off menu!!

My new favorite hangout also happens to serve wicked food http://www.theathenaeumaberdeen.co.uk/
The kitchen 'Beetroot', in particular the cute chef, are getting extra brownie points.  I've not had a bad meal there yet and everytime I meantion I've got intolerances the chef comes out and has a chat.  He asks what I can and cannot eat and he goes off and designs a meal for me - and boy is he good!  I really recommend this place to those of you who have any difficulties with food.  Also I like the shabby-chic interior and friendly staff.  It's becoming a busy wee place so booking is recommended.  Hell listen to me, I'm sounding like I'm being sponsored by them!  Hmmmm....business opportunity?? hahaha

I also received a recommendation for the restaurant at Woodend Barn (Banchory), Buchanans.  http://www.buchananfood.com/barn.html  This place is great, lovely location, friendly staff and a very inventive and lovingly created menu.  And the bonus for me was that they had 3 dishes on the menu that were suitable for me!!  I almost felt like a normal person....well as normal as I get. 

So three great places to eat if you've got eating issues but also great if you just happen to love food!

I would like to take a moment to mention the injuries I've substained since taking up this exercise milarky.  First of all I'm pretty sure that I broke my right buttock, that hurt!  Then yesterday after my boxercise class my right arm was shaking so much that I couldn't type!  It was crazy...did make me giggle though - yes, whilst sitting on my tod (on my own), in my flat....ach better than crying.

But I do have a news flash.  Apparently I'm a bit of a natural with the old boxing!  The instructor told everyone to watch me cause my technique was perfect!  Hahahaha....of course you know what happened the minute he said that, don't you? :D

Death by healthy eating...possible no?!

5 days ago I began an 'elimination diet' which is something I did for the first time a year and a half ago.  It's a way to find out what foods are causing me issues.  4 weeks of cutting out all known foods which can be an irritant then the next 4 reintroducing them one by one.  Last time I did this it left no room for doubt that wheat, yeast & I are not friends.  Unfortunately there is something else, and I need to find out what.

So, this 'diet' works in well with my goal to lose 4 stone this year...HOWEVER my tummy, oh my poor tummy!!  Overload with veg, fruit, beans, lentils....ahhhhh, not fun!  I've genuinely got to the point where I think that a bit of chocolate or a blue steak would have medicinal benefits, but I'm not going to.  I will manage the full 8 weeks, but there is a really good chance that I'm going to moan a LOT!

On the flip side I've been introduced to some amazing recipes by my friends.  My friend Fifi has been an absolute star and has emailed me some absolutely cracking recipes that are divine!

The run up to this week was interesting because I am keeping a food diary.  I started it just over 3 weeks ago.  It turns out that I'm one of those people who lives in denial.  When I go to the dentist or the doctor and they ask me what my average alcohol consumption is in a week, I always say 2-3units!  Oh dear lord...slightly out.  It's more like 2-3 units an hour!  This is an actual extract from my diary...
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Time:  6pm-midnight                    

Fluids:  I have no idea how much I drank between these hours, a LOT of vodka & fresh orange and a LOT of Jack & Ginger (Ale).  I know there was a cuppa tea and a glass of water in amongst all that...

Reaction:  Drunk

Situation:  One hell of a night out!
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Time:  Midnight - 4am

Fluids:  More vodka & fresh orange and Jack & Ginger

Reaction:  Drunker

Situation: Oh oh...this is Thursday isn't it?  Ooopssss
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Time:  4am - 9am

Fluids:  lots of water!

Reaction:  Still drunk but easing off..

Situation:  Em....
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And this was on a WEDNESDAY spilling onto the Thursday!!  Uhuh...

OR there was the time I was first sitting down with the lovely Lisa (http://www.dietitianscotland.co.uk) to discuss my first couple of weeks.  She had my diary IN FRONT OF HER...and I proceeded to tell her that I'd had a bar of chocolate which I decided not to eat and that I put it in the fridge and was going to put an extra £1, every day that I don't eat the chocolate, into my savings fund for my fabulous new pair of jeans that I'll buy when I've lost 4 stone (56lbs).
It transpires that that had been my intention but I hadn't actually done that.  No, no....I fell back on the 'if-i-eat-it-all-in-one-go-it-will-be-gone-and-can-do-no-further-damage' method.  But I had truly convinced myself that I had gone along the former route...so much so that I was sitting there all proud of myself!!  Hurrrumph!!

However I am proud of myself.  I've lost my first half stone (7lbs) and I've got through the first 5 days which basically is cold turkey for caffeine, sugar and alcohol ALL IN ONE GO!  I'm hoping that things will get a little easier from here on in and that the headaches & shakes will ease (hahaha...ok, I'm being a little dramatic, but seriously it's quite an effort coming off of all three at one time).

So here's to the next 7 weeks and 2 days....