Day 21: 24th June, Monday

24th June, Monday

Weather: Overcast with some sun coming through
Feeling: Tired

I know it's been a few days, but I've been extremely busy with some personal things the last few days.  I had work on Friday lunch and night and Saturday night, which went well after having my toes done, but i did drop a few things on my feet which wasn't good and made them a bit painful.  I also had a long day yesterday, having to drive out to Bristol (about 200 odd miles away from me).  

I've decided to change my diet to one which my mum had some luck on, it's the Slimming World diet, and yesterday was really good.  I was able to eat a cooked breakfast, with some leftover pasta salad for lunch and a homemade chicken kiev for dinner.  I didn't feel the need to eat much else because the meals were filling and yummy too. 

I also bought a new plate for myself in the hope that I eat less, it actually works.  It was only £1.50 so I'm very happy with the outcome.  I've noticed myself eating both less and slower and I've also noticed a difference in the way I look already, after only a week.  It isn't a huge difference but its noticeable at least.

Anyway, I will be keeping an eye on how well it's going and keep you all up to date with progress.  If you have any suggestions as to what you have tried and tested of if there's anything you want me to try out then let me know.  Leave me a comment, or email me at the usual (sandra.spencelayh.92@gmail.com).  Have fun!

Day 18: 21st June, Friday

21st June, Friday

Weather: Overall sunny, with some cloud and rain at times
Feeling: Overwhelmed

Hi guys, I know its been a few days since my last post but I've been feeling really unwell.  It was back to work for me today though, felt like I couldn't let my boss down as I've been away for over a week now because of my toes and I thought I should go back.  After managing to drop loads of things on my feet, I think they have now become numb to everything I drop on them.  Fingers crossed I don't make them worse.  I had the lunchtime shift at the shop and I also have to close up too, so going in for a couple of hours at 8:30 to close.  I don't think it's going to be hugely busy (I think I more hope than think its not going to be busy).  We'll see.  Anyway, I thought I'd do the blog today earlier than usual because I have work and will get back about 11:30 and a) I won't want to write a blog then, b) I'm still not feeling 100% so will just want to come home and go straight to bed, and c) I'll have to get up early tomorrow to go shopping with my mum (she likes to beat the queues so tries to get to the shop for about 8/8:30 am).

Anyway, today has been quite lazy.  I woke up at 8:30 and drove to Eastleigh (which is about 12 miles away from where I live) for my sister to pick up an application form and drop off a photocopy of her passport to a place I think she's going to be working.  I then came home, had breakfast and went into work at 11am.  Work was really quiet at lunch today, managed to get everything done (it was double delivery day today) and we even closed 10 minutes early.  I then came home, had some lunch (I'm pleased to say I didn't have chips for lunch, although I brought them home from the shop, I offered them to my sister who gladly accepted and I didn't eat one single chip!  Instead I had egg noodles with spring onion, mushrooms, tomatoes and a small salad.) and got on with clearing the house a bit, while watching secret eaters that my mum recorded for me.  I'm just about to go and have dinner and then it'll be off to work for me.

Losing Weight:

Breakfast: 1 slice of granary toast, with 1/4 tin of baked beans.

Lunch: Egg noodles, with spring onion, mushrooms, tomatoes and a side salad

Dinner: Jacket potato with 2 tbsp of pork mince chilli.

Overall I think I've done (will do) very well today.  My portion sizes have been smaller and I haven't wanted to snack as I've tried to occupy myself throughout the day.  I've also made myself drink lots of water (which wasn't difficult as it was very hot in the shop at lunch).

In keeping with number 13 on my summer list here is the picture of the day:

Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts on my blog, if there's anything you want me to write about, or if you just want to tell me what you think then leave me a comment or email me at the usual (sandra.spencelayh.92@gmail.com).  Thanks for all your support guys, it means so much to me.  Have fun!

Day 17: 19th June, Wednesday

19th June, Wednesday

Weather: Hot
Feeling: Unwell

Today has been so hot.  I got up this morning and went to the tip with my sister to get rid of some of the garden waste we have from my mum clearing up the back garden.  I then came home and helped my dad clear up his room before having a shower and soaking my feet.  I then cleared my room a bit more, putting more clothes out for charity (yes I have a lot!).  After lunch I had a nap because I really wasn't feeling well.  I still felt rough after a sleep but I got on with cleaning the bathroom.  

Losing Weight:

Breakfast: 1 Juicy Tangerine, 1 Banana

Lunch: Noodles, 2 tbsp baked beans, spices

Dinner: Pork mince shepherd's pie, with swede mash, carrots and broccoli.  For dessert: homemade lemon tart with a tbsp of vanilla ice-cream.

Overall my portions today were small and I think that there isn't much that I could change for healthier meals.  To make it even better I could have forgone the lemon tart and ice cream, but I fancied something sweet.  

In keeping with number 13 on my summer list, here is my picture for today, my hair seems to be really curly today, I think that's because when I washed my hair this morning I put it up in a bun to keep it out my face while sorting and cleaning and it just dried while in the bun.

Overall, I think today went very well, if I'd have felt a little better then I would have done a bit more but my head is really hurting today and I'm not sure why. Ah well, tomorrow is a new day.

As always I'd love to hear your plans for the summer or anything you'd like to read in my blog.  Leave me a comment below or send me an email at the usual (sandra.spencelayh.92@gmail.com).  Have fun!

Day 16: 18th June, Tuesday

18th June, Tuesday

Weather: Sunny
Feeling: Full

Today has been an awesome day! As I'm writing this the sun is out and shining and the birds are beautifully singing outside my window.  I didn't really do a lot this morning apart from go through my clothes in my drawers and wardrobe so I can give to charity, which could come under help someone in need, but I'm also going to try and help someone in need in a more involved way.  This afternoon I again went shopping with my sister but for food for dinner this time.  I made homemade guacamole to go with fajitas.

The picture below really doesn't do the colours in it justice.  It was fantastic!  I got the recipe from Benjimantv 0n YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP2LKHRb3w0)  I didn't use the Sriracha because it's so expensive to get it here in the UK, and I didn't think of it in time to make the guacamole, but as suggested in the video I just added some extra chillies.  

I also arranged the pictures on my laptop and uploaded all my pictures onto facebook of my 21st birthday.  It was such a good day.

Losing weight:

Breakfast: 2x Juicy Tangerines

Lunch: 1x dried noodles with 1/4 tin of baked beans.

Dinner: 2x flour tortillas with turkey, sweetcorn, green beans, mushrooms, homemade guacamole and some sour cream dip with salad.

The meals I had today weren't over-sized at all and they were all healthy.  I could have used wholemeal flour tortillas but we only had white in the cupboard.

 In keeping with number 13 on my summer list, here is picture number 14 for today:

Overall, today has been great. I think tomorrow I'm going to sort out the shelves in my room so my sister can put some of her books on them to get the stuff out the lounge so my parents might feel a bit happier.  

As usual, I'd love to know what you think of the blog as well as anything you've got planned for the summer.  So leave me a comment below or send me an email at the usual address (sandra.spencelayh.92@gmail.com).  Have fun!

Day 15: 17th June, Monday

17th June, Monday

Weather: Overcast mostly, with some sunny spells
Feeling: Happy

Ok, so today I had to go to my Nan's because her cleaner was ill so she couldn't put her rubbish out, so I went down there to help around the house a bit.  I arrived at her house at 9:45 and didn't get home until just gone 12 noon.  I then had lunch and relaxed for a bit because my toes were a little sore having been on my feet all morning.  Then my sister asked if I wanted to go into Southampton with her to go shopping, which I needed to get some stuff so I accepted, but it meant more walking.  We didn't have to walk too far in the end but I got some really nice tops and I even bought my sister a top/dress she really liked, but didn't want to pay the £20 for it, so I thought I'd buy it for her because she's going to Bilbao this weekend.  When we got home, it was a bit of a lazy evening with having dinner, chatting and watching TV.

Losing Weight:

Breakfast: 2 Juicy Tangerines

Lunch: Chicken and Noodle Soup

Dinner: Chunky Chilli and rice with a Fruit pastille lolly for dessert

I think I did well today; I didn't eat large portions and I spent a lot of the day on my feet or walking around.  

In keeping with number 13 on my summer list, here is picture number 13 for today:

I have had a good day today but my feet were a little sore by the time I sat down for an evening of relaxation.  

As always I'd love to hear from you, with what you have planned for the summer, so leave me a comment or email me at the usual (sandra.spencelayh.92@gmail.com).  Hope you're having a fantastic and relaxing summer break. Have fun!

Day 14: 16th June, Sunday

16th June, Sunday

Weather: A little overcast

Feeling: Happy

Hi guys,

As you may probably already know, it's Father's Day, and I want to wish all the father's out there a

I got up early this morning to make my dad a cooked breakfast.  My sister came down just as I was plating up his food.  Lucky for her right... For Father's Day, I bought my dad some books, but a few days ago he asked me if we'd got anything for him, to which I told him I had but it wasn't huge, so what did he want.  My dad asked for socks...! Being the youngest at 21 years old, we've got this system at our house for Christmas, birthdays and Father's Day, that generally my dad buys his present and then my sister and I pay him back.  It's common knowledge in our house that my dad doesn't like surprises because he's not great at hiding his disgust if we get something he doesn't like.  So to save on money, time and the probability of getting him something he doesn't like, we tell him to get it himself and we either pay him back for it or give him money towards it.

Either way, I won't be writing much today.  But in keeping with number 13 on my summer list, here is picture number 12 for today:

I'd love to hear what you've given your dad for Father's Day, so leave me a comment or email me at the usual (sandra.spencelayh.92@gmail.com).  Have a great day!

Day 13: 15th June, Saturday

First of all, I have to apologise for not writing yesterday I really wasn't feeling well.  I went to the hospital with my Nan in the morning and because I had to run back to the car, my feet were hurting after the surgery on them.  So i stayed with my feet up for the rest of the afternoon, but felt dizzy and just unwell in general.  I did take a picture yesterday, but I apologise for looking rubbish.  I've also added the picture from Thursday into today's post because my sister was using my lead and I couldn't get the picture on my laptop.  Anyway, yesterday is over, I'm feeling a little better today, so here is today's post:

15th June, Saturday

Weather: Mostly sunny, but with showers

Feeling: In pain but feeling slightly accomplished

Ok, so today I got up and decided not to go shopping early with my mum, but got up a little later thinking that she'd already gone.  Apparently not, I went downstairs to find my mum on her hands and knees in the utility room because there was water all over it.  We still don't know what caused the water being all over the floor, it was either the washing machine or the dishwasher but no clue which one.  Either way I then got roped into helping my dad cut down the tree in the front garden. I ended up falling over a lot because I couldn't balance with my toes being uncomfortable, my mum found it highly amusing when she saw me, but she was kind enough to help me finish picking up the leaves.  I then spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and taking time to myself.  It was lovely. 

Losing Weight:

Breakfast: None

Lunch: Tomato Soup with a handful of cooked macaroni pasta

Dinner: Homemade chicken curry, with rice, poppadom  and mango chutney.

Overall I think today went really well, I don't think I've gone overboard with the eating.  I should have had breakfast but i still didn't feel 100% but other than that, I think I did ok.

In keeping with number 13 on my summer list, here is picture number 9, from Thursday (13th June):

Here is picture number 10, from yesterday:

And here is picture number 11 for today:

Anyway, that's all for today guys :) Hope you're having an amazing summer break, and as always I'd love to hear from you.  Either leave me a comment or email me at the usual (sandra.spencelayh.92@gmail.com) Have fun!