Awesome April

[Octopus37]

Thought I would start a new thread. Hoping that April will be a better month for all of us, especially with places opening up again and hopefully continued better weather.

Weighed in at 9st4 this morning. I'm not setting a weight goal this month, instead I'll be focusing on trying to improve my fitness and general well being. Hoping that a bit of weight loss might follow.

I love new leggings. Am toying with rejoining a gym when I retire (May half term). But might stick with outdoor cycling till the autumn.

Oh wear them with aplomb Honeybadger, you are super heading g to the gym. I have 2 sweaty Bettys ready to order for the warmer weather. We deserve it! Also 2 nice summer trousers.

They're quite disappointing they're supposed to be high waisted and supper good at staying up etc but just roll down when I sit down. I feel colossal currently. I also seem to have no loose t-shirts or vest tops. I've been more focussed on work clothes plus it's been winter. Sorry quick 'I hate being fat' moan.

I have Bam leggings which are pretty good at staying up, though just for yoga TBH.

Ah I'm sorry you're feeling like that you deserve a boost. I got decent loose sports tshirts in primary, lots of colours. What make are the leggings? I've just ordered another pair of sweaty Bettys, high waist power gym leggings.

Fabletics and not fab at all. They're also picking up fluff and cat hair already - not the fabric I was expecting.

Send them back for sure so.

I need them to be honest and sending things back is a hell of a hassle from here. They'll 'do' and they should be 'ok' when I've lost a bit more weight.

Your 'so' there just made me here an Irish accent

yes that and an annoyance for you too! I get you on the hassle. I hope my morning's purchases will suit!!

Know what you mean about sending stuff back seeming like a massive hassle. Does anyone else buy the Lucy Locket leggings. I only buy the casuals, not the active ones, but they've got loads of fun ones.

Just eating a sweet chilli chicken noodle salad from Asda. Only 268 calories and its really nice

Sounds good Octopus. Back from gym with very nice numbers on my fitbit and a sense of achievement.

I have swedish meatballs that need using today (not my thing really but I'm still deliberately buying and cooking different foods to capitalise on, and enjoy, ds's willingness to try and enjoy things now after a decade of pickiness). Just having them in a tomato sauce and I think I'll probably do ds pasta with his and I'll just have a plateful of shredded cabbage with mine. I actually love cabbage so this is not a hardship.

After feeling rough all of yesterday I at least slept better last night. I bought some of that soluble iron supplement, bought some fruit, trying to throw anything I can at my body to help it perk up a bit! Plan to eat lightly today, go for a nice walk along the canal and to make a giant batch of lovely minestrone soup for lunch the rest of the week. Yum.

Glad you got some more sleep @NutellaEllaElla. Sounds as if you have a good plan for today. Didn't do amazingly yesterday, a bit carb heavy, steps 9,677, weighed in at 9st4.25 this morning. Cooking a roast later, but will try and be sensible and do well with steps and water. Also out tomorrow night,, but will again go for damage limitation.

I wish I could learn some damage limitation for when I eat out. I just give up and eat until it hurts and I regret it!

Scales still up a bit today but not as much as yesterday. I was knackered after the gym yesterday and did very little however if I hadn't been to the gym I'd probably still done very little so gym is definitely a good thing.

Swedish meatballs were lovely but the calories were insane so won't be doing that again.

What is everyone favourite everyday dinner meal?
I just really enjoyed Chicken Cacciatore, really big, substantial portions. Plenty of potato, chicken and mushrooms for a smidge under 500 cals.
It's been a while since I made my greek yoghurt pizza which I love but is hit and miss.

Yum Nutella, I'd love the recipe please! I love my nutty broccoli rice or any chicken dish. Logging for today.
Easily did 10k steps, water 2L
B: berries and Greek yoghurt
L: chicken Caesar no croutons
D: small portion chicken curry and rice
S: flapjack, packet of crisps.
Done for the day. Crazy week ahead followed by another crazy week next week. Grant me the resolve to have early nights and low sugar intake to get through it all!!

Here it is, sorry it's really vague. I made enough to serve 6 to use the veg I was delivered. So I used 1kg chicken, 1kg potatoes, 400g carrots which really helped bulk it out, 2 tins chopped tomatoes and nearer 1pint water.

Chicken Cacciatore Serves 2/3
Cooking Time: 1.5 hrs

Ingredients:
Onion
Garlic
Chicken
Balsamic Vinegar (2 tbsp)
Chicken stock cube
Mushrooms
Potatoes
Basil
Parsley
½ pint boiling water
1 tin tomatoes
Bag of shredded or a ball of light Mozzarella

Method:
Fry onion and garlic.
Add the chicken and fry until brown.
Add Balsamic Vinegar and chicken stock cube.
Add mushrooms, basil, parsley, ½ tin chopped tomatoes and ½ pint boiling water.
Simmer
Put in oven on 200c, for 45 mins
Sprinkle mozzarella and return to oven for 15 mins.

We have frozen battered fish once a week or so with which I do rice (microwave) and veg. I give the bulk of the rice to ds and just have a little bit and tons of veg. It is my go to mid week, knackered, quick meal and if we haven't had it for a while ds will crave it. 2 pieces of fish have about 550cals but the smidge of rice and green veg has very little and it tends to be my one full meal of the day.

Currently I like having steak and veg once a week. I never used to really eat red meat but I love it lately. I like making tortilla as it's filling and relatively low cal and it doesn't matter if it goes cold ie. if ds is still out and I want to eat now it's a good fit.

Lots of stews. Sometimes I don't make a proper dinner and ds fends for himself and I might just have vegetable soup with some halloumi crumbled in or cheese and crackers or a jacket potato with mackerel.

Used to make more pasta bakes and risotto but haven't in a while because of calories and just not feeling that carby anymore. Ds still loves my fried rice so if he's desperate for that I'll make it and just have a teeny portion.

Really not much of a cook and not that bothered about food. Often depends what's on offer or what in the fridge and needs using up. Remember we used to have mussels and flatbreads a lot or smoked salmon and eggs (as dinner rather than breakfast).

There are just the two of us obviously so roasts and big meals don't work - we have sunday lunch at my parents sometimes. I do need to mix it up more. I have a nice, small gammon joint that needs using tomorrow. Will do roast potatoes and use the leftovers for tortilla or a bubble and squeak type affair.

Some good ideas for inspiration there though, thank you!

Yes, its always good to get inspiration. I used to like cooking once upon a time, but hate it now due to fussy boys and not having enough time. Those microwave rice pouches are great, I'm also a fan of frozen battered fish. @NutellaEllaElla that chicken dish sounds lovely, I'm tempted to try and make it but I'm not sure if my boys would eat it cause they hate cheese. 9st4.75 this morning, As ever, no idea where I am period wise. Aiming to eat lightly today and do well with my water cause I'm going out tonight, woohhooo. Happy Monday all

Happy Monday. I'm not weighing until the end of the week. It's supposed to be a beautiful day so i'm really looking forward to our walk later.

Enjoy octopus and thanks for inspiration honey on meals. Water, no after 7pm snacking and lights out by 10.30, skin and teeth are my goals today. Aware v little on actual food there but all those things help funnily enough!!