Tomorrow we go to Edinburgh for the day to protest at our parliament. We'll be transported by a couple of coaches. It's at least a 2 to 2.5 hour journey there. The coach will return in the evening but hubby and I have decided we'd just spend the night in Edinburgh and come back on our own by bus/train Friday. Found a good deal on a hotel. This means I will need to practice restraint and avoid temptations. Also will be missing my workouts.
Workout cardio:
45 mins Tae Bo (aerobic) & jump rope routine
Workout upper body:
12 routines usings dumbbells - 4 x 12
Menu:
B: porridge/dried fruit/cinnamon/almond milk
L: low fat cheddar wrap, banana, apple, yogurt
D: Thai curry with noodles/bok choy/spring onions/courgette/ginger/beansprouts/coconut, salad
Cals: Not good at estimating a curry with noodles, so about 1300, maybe 1350
Progress as of today: 18.2 lbs lost so far, only 11.8 lbs to go!
innerpeace on 10/05/2016:
Be careful protesting! I hope they don't get out of hand, like they do in places here.
grannyannie on 10/05/2016:
I don't think we'll be carrying signs. It's been arranged we'll be there and we will meet with some of the MSPs. It's about a large ferry being taken away from us 3 years ago and being replaced with a tiny ferry that is often cancelled in bad weather. We want the big ferry back.
puddles on 10/05/2016:
Definitely be careful but enjoy your time away Annie.
grannyannie on 10/05/2016:
Thanks! There won't be any problems with our protest. My biggest fear is I'll eat too much, the wrong foods, or drink too much beer! LOL.
hollybelle on 10/05/2016:
Good for you with the protest! Good luck. Remember - restraint!
Horn_Of_Plenty on 10/05/2016:
But you'll be active walking around at the protest! Good idea to spend the night...less traffic coming back surely the next day! Let us know how it goes!!! maybe some photos....?
grannyannie on 10/05/2016:
Our protest is organised. Meetings with the right people. And we get to see our First Minister speak (like a PM for Scotland). No need to worry about traffic - coach on the way there and buses/train on the way home. Yes, will take photos.
Last night after dinner I felt like I was starving! So I had a cashew/date bar (143 cals) and then had a second one, the last in the cupboard. So calories went from less than 1200 to 1471.
1200 calories 4 days a week is proving to be too low for the amount of exercise I get. So I'm going to allow 1300 a day, maybe 1400 one day, and then a 1700 calorie day once a week.
My high calorie day this week will be Thursday as we have been booked to go to Edinburgh to parliament to protest the ferry service where we live. This will entail eating out for lunch and dinner and maybe a beer or two.
Workout lower:
squats w/dumbbells using step - 4 x 10
lunges w/dumbbells - 4 x 10
side lunges w/dumbbells using step - 4 x 10
thighs/glutes with ankle weights - 4 x 10 - 5 routines
planks - 4
abs-4 routines x 4
bridge (for glutes, core, thighs) - 12 x 10 seconds
calf lifts w/dumbbell - 4 x 10
Workout cardio:
bike ride - 14 miles (husband and I had appt to get flu jabs so we rode our bikes)
Horn_of_plenty on 10/04/2016:
1200 is too low for you i think also. You can probably lose good weight on even 1500 per day. I love the tonic water & i'm going to buy it again today! Thanks for getting me into it.
grannyannie on 10/04/2016:
Might go between 1300 and 1400. I think 1500 would be too slow a loss and I've got 8 weeks. Are you drinking the elderflower tonic? Love it.
hollybelle on 10/04/2016:
Yes, sometimes I have been getting very hungry in the middle of the night. I knew I wasn't eating enough. I can go low for a few days, but them it catches up with me. Good move to allow a bit more.
hollybelle on 10/04/2016:
OK - I missed the elderflower tonic stuff - what is it and what does it do?
grannyannie on 10/04/2016:
I drink Schweppes low cal Elderflower tonic water with dinner. Only about 10 cals for a huge glass and I put some lime slices in it. Nice. A bit on the tart side - even better with gin in it!
horn_of_plenty on 10/04/2016:
I don't think we have elderflower only regular diet tonic ...
grannyannie on 10/05/2016:
We've got plain, lemon, and elderflower. Surprised you don't have it. I know you get Schweppes in the US.
grannyannie on 10/05/2016:
Took a quick peek and it looks like it is only sold here.
I just booked the rental car for our return to Thailand this winter and also a taxi to pick us up at the airport. Leaving 8 weeks from tomorrow! I think I'll get my bikinis out and start trying them on to keep me motivated! As usual I'll start packing 2 weeks before we go. LOL.
Workout upper body:
12 routines usings dumbbells - 4 x 12
Workout cardio:
45 mins Tae Bo (aerobic) & jump rope routine
Menu:
B: porridge/dried fruit/cinnamon/almond milk
L: fried egg in a wrap, grapes, clementine, yogurt
Progress as of today: 18.2 lbs lost so far, only 11.8 lbs to go!
puddles on 10/03/2016:
Such a beautiful picture nice to wake up to such a view Annie you are lucky. My trip is often on my mind also as the weather is starting to turn to the cooler side. I have to admit I am having a hard time putting my sandals away and digging out my shoes and boots out. Have a great day you are doing real good on your plan.
grannyannie on 10/03/2016:
Thanks. We can see this out our bedroom window which is why we have a long, leisurely breakfast in bed every morning.
I'm ready to start packing my sandals for Thailand!
hollybelle on 10/03/2016:
Wow! What a great day for you! Good job! Beautiful sunrise!
grannyannie on 10/03/2016:
Thanks! This 6 days a week workout is getting tougher.
hollybelle on 10/03/2016:
I heard that! I have been trying to do the walking (3-5 miles) 5 days a week and light weights every other day. Ha! I am not doing badly, but it's hard. I keep telling myself it will get better - and it is!
grannyannie on 10/04/2016:
This is very different from the gym, and feels harder. I do love it when I go to the heavier dumbbell because something is getting too easy! Mine are 3-7kg (6.6 - 15.4 lbs).
Yesterday I went on a 16 mile very hilly bike ride. Much more enjoyable workout than my exercise bike. It was chilly but I bundled up and the very steep hills made me sweat.
I have a GoPro camera I attach to my helmet. Here is one of the videos I took:
http://youtu.be/qerE3GbPXmY
Progress as of today: 18.2 lbs lost so far, only 11.8 lbs to go!
puddles on 10/02/2016:
Great bike ride. Love the video it is almost like being there thanks for that. So today is a low calorie day for you I usually average about the same but seriously thinking of switching it up. Have a great day Annie.
grannyannie on 10/02/2016:
Thanks. Enjoyed the ride. I do 1200 calories on M, Tu, Th, and Fri. So today is just a wee bit more. W 1400 and Sat 1700.
Weigh in: Down nearly 3 lbs from last Saturday.! And last Sunday was dinner at friends' house.
Woohoo. Up to 1700 calories today! LOL. And all healthy additions.
Workout lower:
squats w/dumbbells using step - 4 x 10
lunges w/dumbbells - 4 x 10
side lunges w/dumbbells using step - 4 x 10
thighs/glutes with ankle weights - 4 x 10 - 5 routines
planks - 4
abs-4 routines x 4
bridge (for glutes, core, thighs) - 12 x 10 seconds
calf lifts w/dumbbell - 4 x 10
Workout cardio:
exercise bike - 45 mins (or might go out on my real bike this afternoon) - did 18 very hilly miles. Will post a video link that Idid while riding with a GoPro on top of my helmet.
jump rope - 25 x 4
Menu:
B: porridge/dried fruit/cinnamon/almond milk
S: toast and jam
L: organic unsweetened pb & j on a thick slice of my homemade seeded wholegrain toasted bread (mmmm), banana, apple, yogurt
I like this alternating calories routine. Having only 1200 calories 4 days a week is easier to do when I know I can look forward to a higher calorie day.
I am very bad about my weight fluctuating so much - travel - gain, home - lose, yo yo. Bad for health and also results in loose skin that can't be tightened any more no matter how much muscle I build. My goal should always be to stay under 140 as I feel best in the 130's.
Progress as of today: 17.4 lbs lost so far, only 12.6 lbs to go!
puddles on 09/30/2016:
I know what you mean about loose skin and yes it is impossible to get it back to what it was the older we get. YoYo is the worst you would not think that 15 or 20 pound would make that much of a difference for me it has always been in excess of 50 pounds so my skin has had it. Age also is one of the big problems with that. Have a great day Annie you are doing good.
grannyannie on 09/30/2016:
As much muscle as I have the loose skin is mainly the batwings - even with a lot of triceps muscle, and skin that hangs over my bra and bikini tops - under arms, etc. Skin just doesn't 'snap back' like when I was young. Of course all that is about vanity, not health.
Horn_Of_Plenty on 09/30/2016:
Hi Annie, I’ve got to tell you – what you talk about with your weight fluctuating – I cannot even put up with it like you do. It would drive me mad, almost literally. … I was talking to someone at the gym about it actually. For the both of us, at the gym, we both generally prefer to keep our weights more stable than larger fluctuations like we notice other people are ok with. For me, it’s way too difficult to gain & lose. If I’m going to gain, I generally gain way too much & cannot stop the cycle. This is why I’m trying SO HARD this only second time around to keep the weight down. I say it’s only my second time around because I have only had two instances where I dropped the weight to exactly what I wanted it to be. – 110lbs to 115lbs. And the only reason that I had such a hard time finally getting back to the lower weight so many years later is – LIFE CHANGES and LIFESTYLE. Having this job has probably helped me so much – in terms of routine. I am sure if I were traveling…I’d have to come up with another solution which would probably be ordering tons of vegetables in general – and probably if I didn’t have access to bars and drinks, I’d have a lot of seltzer…just tried diet tonic…it’s SO GOOD!
grannyannie on 09/30/2016:
I'm not happy that I let myself gain so much when we travel. I always get in that holiday mode of indulging. I know it's bad. And we travel more than 4 months of the year. And the more you gain and lose the harder it gets to lose. There are reasons why less than 5% of people who lose are able to maintain the loss for more than 2 years. Most people gain back what they lost and then some. And it gets even tougher when you get to my age - I'm nearly 65.
Not a weigh in day but I wanted to take a peek at the scale. Now in the 140's, although barely! Changing my goal weight to 137 as it's more realistic. I do feel I'm building muscle as well, especially since making all routines 4 sets instead of 3.
Workout lower:
squats w/dumbbells using step - 4 x 10
lunges w/dumbbells - 4 x 10
side lunges w/dumbbells using step - 4 x 10
thighs/glutes with ankle weights - 4 x 10 - 5 routines
planks - 4
abs-4 routines x 4
bridge (for glutes, core, thighs) - 12 x 10 seconds
Progress as of today: 17.4 lbs lost so far, only 12.6 lbs to go!
hollybelle on 09/29/2016:
Good going on the muscle. I am starting to do some little weights - only for upper body right now. Muscle at rest burns more calories. What a great day you had - 140's, increase in sets, great cardio and calorie!
grannyannie on 09/29/2016:
I spend at least half my workouts on muscle work. I'm looking forward to a massive 1700 calories on Saturday! LOL.
Horn_Of_Plenty on 09/29/2016:
You are smart with the 4 sets instead of 3...i'm going to work on adding to my leg routine. Finally i am able to do more squats & I am FINALLY seeing definite small changes in my butt! i see it looking better :) i am still working on just mastering the squats & def do not add any extra weights in...just so happy that my legs and butt are getting stronger. it pays off. As you lose weight, it's becoming a big motivation for me...
as well as a trip i have planned for end of October...gonna make the right choices until then :)
grannyannie on 09/29/2016:
Since I'm not able to use the gym resistance equipment for upper body, I figure an extra set is good. Extra lower body is for bikini! LOL. I love all the muscle I can get. Harder to get at my age so I have to do extra.
puddles on 09/29/2016:
Congrats on hitting the 140s it is encouraging. Wow your exercise always makes me feel that I am so lazy.... lol maybe that is why I will never be able to wear a bikini.... lol Keep at it Annie you are getting closer to your goal.
grannyannie on 09/29/2016:
Thanks! When I get serious, I get serious! I'll never have a flat belly again, but that's okay.
Progress as of today: 15.4 lbs lost so far, only 16.6 lbs to go!
hollybelle on 09/28/2016:
Yay for you! Good day! I only have 24 days til short vacation in Florida. Trying to make the most of it!
grannyannie on 09/28/2016:
Thanks, Holly! Florida sounds great!
puddles on 09/28/2016:
I am also looking forward to seeing how your playing with alternating calories is working. I also do that sometimes when I hit a plateau it is sticking around way too long. Have a great day Annie.
grannyannie on 09/28/2016:
It worked before a few years ago, so hoping it works now! Plateaus drive me nuts.
Horn_Of_Plenty on 09/28/2016:
You are doing a great job with calories & exercise.
grannyannie on 09/28/2016:
Thanks! I keep reminding myself how much time I have and how much better it is for my clothes to fit better.
Horn_Of_Plenty on 09/28/2016:
You are doing a great job with calories & exercise.
Change of plans today. Should have worked out this morning. But since I'm in the UK I couldn't watch the debate last night so watched this morning. I'm sure I burned quite a lot of calories just watching that!!
Then had to go grocery shopping. So instead of Sunday being my rest day, I will work out then.
Progress as of today: 15.4 lbs lost so far, only 16.6 lbs to go!
Horn_Of_Plenty on 09/27/2016:
I did laugh a few times...Hillary was at least composed.!...she gets my vote bc she backs the Unions and middle class.
Also, Donald Trump doesn't have a well-rounded English vocabulary...he talks like a kid...using the words "good" and "bad" constantly....she at least expresses herself!
my opinions only ;)
grannyannie on 09/27/2016:
Hillary was cool and calm and made sense. Trump was just...well his usual obnoxious lying self.
puddles on 09/27/2016:
I thoroughly enjoy the political comedy show always seems to be the best comedy production every 4 years. It is definitely an expensive production to put on for both candidates. God help you guys with either one of them. Good plan for your exercise to move it over to Sunday since you are away have a great day.
grannyannie on 09/27/2016:
This was like no other since there's never been a candidate like Trump. I don't live there any more but my family does and my granddaughters do so I'm concerned they don't that man for prez.
grannyannie on 09/27/2016:
Forgot you were Canadian. I'm in the UK but am American.
hollybelle on 09/27/2016:
I hear you on the debate - You know from FB where I stand. Great calories!
grannyannie on 09/28/2016:
Yep! And feel like I'm 'shrinking'.
Dinner last night at friends' house was not their usual. Starter was garlic bread, main was casserole with potatotes/ham/onions in a white sauce with skimmed milk (they didn't do a cheese sauce knowing I was dieting), homemade banana bread for dessert. I did not drink any wine.
Alternating calories: planning as close to 1200 calories as I can get on Mon and Tues, 1400 on Weds, 1200 on Thurs and Fri, 1700 on Sat, 1300 on Sunday. Of course if we eat out or go to friends I'll recalculate.
Happy with my workouts. Feel like I'm doing the max.
Progress as of today: 15.4 lbs lost so far, only 16.6 lbs to go!
puddles on 09/26/2016:
You did well Annie keep it up.
grannyannie on 09/26/2016:
Was pleased with what they served. They asked when I arrived if I'd like just one glass of wine and I replied that 1 would turn into 6! So no thanks.
Horn_Of_Plenty on 09/26/2016:
please update us on how the alternating goes with the up and down days!!!!!! i am interested!
grannyannie on 09/26/2016:
I'll see how Saturday's weigh in goes. When I get extra calories I'm going to try to make it healthy additions, not junk.
Be careful protesting! I hope they don't get out of hand, like they do in places here.
I don't think we'll be carrying signs. It's been arranged we'll be there and we will meet with some of the MSPs. It's about a large ferry being taken away from us 3 years ago and being replaced with a tiny ferry that is often cancelled in bad weather. We want the big ferry back.
puddles on 10/05/2016:
Definitely be careful but enjoy your time away Annie.
Thanks! There won't be any problems with our protest. My biggest fear is I'll eat too much, the wrong foods, or drink too much beer! LOL.
hollybelle on 10/05/2016:
Good for you with the protest! Good luck. Remember - restraint!
Thanks, Holly!
Horn_Of_Plenty on 10/05/2016:
But you'll be active walking around at the protest! Good idea to spend the night...less traffic coming back surely the next day! Let us know how it goes!!! maybe some photos....?
Our protest is organised. Meetings with the right people. And we get to see our First Minister speak (like a PM for Scotland). No need to worry about traffic - coach on the way there and buses/train on the way home. Yes, will take photos.