Onwards & Downwards March 2016

[AB Editor]

Hi! Where did we get to?

Me: I'm down to 86.5 - so the "being hungry and doing exercise" thing seems to be continuing to work. Another 4KG and I'll reassess my goals.

Things I have learnt during this period of, er, decline:

* There is such a thing as a cheese hangover. I've never felt so bad as when I made a tartiflette - which was lovely - the next day it was like I'd had a bottle of whisky.
* The same goes for excessive carbs through bread - deadly. I didn't know I could dry myself out!
* Stopping drinking, for any amount of time, is bad for your future drinking habits. Avoid competitions!
* I bloodly love salads, do you want some recipes?

Right, your turn(s)!

[AB Editor]

Old thread here: http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Weight-Loss-and-Dieting/Question1473534.html

[xstitcher]

Thanks Ed. I'd love to get some new salad ideas. I have them twice a day. At the moment it's shredded spring green salad with a dressing of lemon juice and soya sauce and dry fried sesame seeds as a topper..

[Old_Geezer]

Ta.

[Old_Geezer]

Oh a piece of advice, although I doubt anyone would be as daft as me anyway.

If you spot a box of microwave popcorn at the supermarket and see it says 91 calories on the box; don't think that, that sounds the sort of snack that won't break the diet.

What you will find is that it has 3 bags inside the box and you'll think that's good, three portions, eh. But after you try one and look closer you will find they have snuck what they call a portion, three to a bag; not one as implied.

So instead of a light snack you may as well have had a full meal.

Plus you are left with a further 2 portions, oh sorry of course I should say 6 portions, left to eat in the future.

[AB Editor]

Ha! That's how they get you O_G!

I've certainly been there. Eating a whole thing (thinking I was suddenly winning at being able to eat a massive amount for a handful of calories)... and then realising it was 4 portions and was probably intended as a family meal! :)

Good advice though - beware of the label!

[AB Editor]

86.2KG by the way - for all that minor fluctuations count!

I'll write up a salad now....

[AB Editor]

Beef & Grape Salad:

This is great salad for feeling full - and it's wonderfully balanced. It might be a bit warm for some, so you will have to edit the recipe for your own tastes.

Ingredients:

* Nice bit of steak, usually a good quality lump of rump
* rocket/baby leaf salad of some kind.
* lemongrass (skinny, not woody)
* chilli
* fish sauce
* mint!
* lots of limes!
* lots of black grapes
* brown sugar

Method:

1. Enlist someone to wash, pick, and slice each grape in half. If you have to do it yourself, try not to fall asleep in the process. Chuck into a serving bowl
2. Create the sauce by grinding in a pestle/mortar: chilli, sugar. Add lime juices and fish sauce. You'll know when it tastes right for you, and you can always re-balance it with lime, sugar, fish suace and chilli.
3. Cut lemongrass into rings, avoiding the woody parts (remove outer tough parts and just use the tender purple-ish parts) chuck in with the grapes.
4. Rip up some mint and chuck it on top too
5. Cook your steak. I would always suggest it should be pink in the middle at least. Once ready, take it out, rest for a moment before slicing into strips.
6. Throw this in with the grapes etc, with an juices you might have, and toss the salad together.
7. Pour the sauce over. Toss again.
8. Leafy salad goes on the plate/bowl, and then dish up the salad as you wish.
9. Eat.

I think I've got that right from memory!

[xstitcher]

This sounds absolutly delish and will give it a go.

[xstitcher]

I weighed myself this morning and despite my smaller portions and the right foods have gained. Hmmmmm. Perhaps I'm paying for past sins....popcorn being one of them, and yes eaten with all innocence.

[AB Editor]

Ha! I always feel your body is a few weeks behind in terms of ups and downs on the scales :)

[Islay]

I have now lost 12 kilos since December 24th.

[xstitcher]

Well done you. Will you tell us how you did it and how many sizes you've gone down? What is your goal?

[Islay]

too date I have gone down 2 sizes and I am not eating any fat at all due to gall stones.

[sandyRoe]

Weighed in this morning at 11st 6lbs. Still moving in the right direction but the pace of the weight loss has slowed considerably. The target of 10st 12lbs is still in my sights and when I eventually reach it I'll try and keep it under the 11st mrk.

[AB Editor]

I'm gunning for 82KG, as we're exchanging target weights.

Islay, I don't fancy your solution! I find I can't really deal with fat as well these days anyway, so that puts me off having it at all.

[Islay]

Lol @ Ed - the gallstones? Hah they are so easy to deal with!! Apparently an attack is equal to giving birth!! In that case I know have sympathy for all the mothers out there!

[AB Editor]

Giving birth is also a popular way of losing weight quickly. Again, not sure I fancy it :)

[Marijn]

It's only just dawned on me that on days when I'm less active, I should eat smaller portions. Don't know why it's taken so long for the penny to drop :-(

[AB Editor]

Marijn - you won't be the last to work it out :)

There's lots who know it, but ignore it!

I'm up massively from a weekend of shovelling food. Will hold off on reporting until midweek in case I can get it back under control.

[wendilla]

Completely forgot to weigh due to putting my household bin out on the wrong day . They don't get emptied till tomorrow . Muppet .probably still,stayed the same and only had a few of Mother's Day chocs at the weekend as a treat . Soon be salad for a few days .