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It's Christmas...





Hey Dolls...
A busy run up to the festive season... I hope like me you enjoyed part two of  Mr. Qs journey with weightloss .. For the last post before Christmas, I thought I'd post the lists of Christmas goodies and their PP values..  and the drinkies!!! It might just save you face planting another mince pie!!! Its all temptation out there...




Worth remembering that a tin of roses is 111 PPs!!! You read it right!!!

Enjoy every second with your family and friends and remember those who are no longer with us...
Have a happy, healthy and safe Christmas...


Doll x

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

Part two -





A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
@quinlivan

If you’ve read Part 1 >> (Am I my own worst enemy?) you’ll know I’ve had a long term (often long distance) relationship with Weight Watchers. It has been in my life for the past ten years and like a wave on a shoreline, it has crashed in and flooded around me with great enthusiasm and then ebb back out of my life without even noticing it slip out from under my feet.

On Tuesday, August 28th 2012… I rejoined Weight Watchers. It was one of the easiest yet most difficult decision I’d made in a long time. It was easy with respect to the fact I knew I had to do something about my weight. It was easy because I knew Weight Watchers had worked for me in the past. It was easy because I knew I would be around people who were trying to get their weight (whatever their size) under control.

The difficult part was in the actual execution of my decision, making it a reality, my reality. Looking at my options, Weight Watchers in Galway [on Eglington Street] run a Men Only Class at 8pm on a Monday evening – this was always the one I had gone to before. Joining this class meant I knew when I finish work at 6pm I would either have go home and back into town again or hang around work/town until the class started. A quick google informed me of a class in Oranmore at 6.15pm every Tuesday evening.

I live in Oranmore and pass the class on my way home anyway. I could be home by 7pm which still gave me the evening to myself and not waiting to be weighed in. My only reservation was that it was a mixed class. I didn’t think I would have any problem attending a class with men and women, but as I sat in work on that Tuesday evening thinking about heading to class, I started to get cold feet for some reason.

What if I knew some of the women in the class? What if my next door neighbour was there? What if my friends mum was there? What if the girl who makes my hot chicken baguette in Spar was there? That’s when it dawned on me… More than likely, they don’t want ME to know they are there either and would probably be as embarrassed as I was that we knew each others ‘dirty little secret’. With that in mind, I decided to still go to the Oranmore class straight after work.

As I stood in the queue, I became aware very quickly that I was the only male in attendance. I thought “Feic it, I’m in the queue I may as well stay for tonight – if I don’t like it, I can go back to the Men Only Class in Galway from next week”. This was the only time since re-joining Weight Watchers that I have thought about my gender. I can’t stress that enough! Ladies, don’t be shy – we don’t bite or anything, so be nice to us if you see us in your class.

Phil (The Oranmore Leader) was fantastic - She welcomed me with open arms and told me she was delighted to see another man at class. She also told me not to worry that there are other men who attend the class, they were just gone AWOL this evening. Standing up on the scales and seeing the giant 19st 02lbs grounded me right back down.


Everyone is here for the same reason – everyone here is conscious of their weight – everyone here has bad eating habits, eat the wrong foods or are making wrong food choices. Everyone here is or has gone through what I am going through right now.

Regardless of what your goal/ideal weight is, everyone attending a Weight Watchers class already have one up on those not attending… We’ve taken the first step! Irrespective of age, gender or current body size, all of us should take pride in the fact we have done something to tackle our weight.

The road ahead may be long and bumpy, the end may seem impossible to get to, and yes we may fall off the beaten track somewhere down the line, but let’s not look forward just yet – look at NOW… at least we have had the balls to turn up at the start line.

Forget about losing weight!!! Week 9!



You heard me! Forget it!

If Christmas is daunting and you're thinking about just jumping ship.. then don't put any pressure on yourself.. aim to maintain! Don't panic if you put on a pound or two! Its Christmas... and food is all part and parcel of the holiday! You can swing this three ways... either decline every party invite and eat sprouts for the week and be miserable and drag everyone else with you or give yourself free reign until January, eat a full tin of roses and gain 10lbs and head back to the wagon on Jan 3rd (sound familiar!)... or have some fun but don't go crazy and stay the same or gain a couple of pounds that won't take all year to lose! 

Plan! That's your word for the next few weeks... be strategic and plan! Every social event is a battle and you need to work out how you can enjoy it without face planting the buffet! That food will be there? What temptations will you find? How will you deal with them? No ones saying you have to be Norma no mates.. but you can have fun without over indulging and undoing all your good work! There's no need to write off 2012 because 2013 is going to be "the" year! (again familiar?!?!) 

Here's some tips I got from my leader and other members for the silly season, some of them might ring a bell with you... Some of them are great!!!

Eat a huge bowl of porridge for breakfast to line the stomach, sets you up for the day!
Bring Zero Point soup for lunch/late afternoon so you'll feel full before you go... 
Check if there's a menu and go for the veggie option!
Alternate Boozy drinks with water!
If you're tempted with more food.. get up and dance!!! 
Volunteer to be the designated driver...
Practice saying.. that was delish but I'll pass on seconds thanks... 
At a family lunch - get out for a walk.. bring dogs, kids and grandad!
Exercise as a family! Do the Turkey Trot! 
At the buffet fill your plate once!
Tighten your belt a notch! The discomfort will make you not want to eat till you burst!
Don't eat to please others... you're not obliged to eat Auntie Marys Fruit cake!
Stay hydrated! A pint of water before the party will give you that 'full' feeling! 
       (and help the hangover!)
Recycle tins of sweets and biscuits that you get... don't open them!!
Don't over stock! There's not a nuclear war planned.. its one day! 
Shops will be open on the 27th! If you buy them early.. you'll eat them early!
Meet people at your house.. that way you control the food and portions!
Send leftovers home with your guests!
Play with the children and they're new toys! Its all exercise...
Ask for Sporty pressies! New trainers... a bike.. workout DVD.. I've just got Strictlys!!! 
       (cha cha cha!)
Swap crisps and peanuts for breadsticks!
Remove the marzipan and icing from your slice of Christmas cake.. 
If you have pushy friends... develop an allergy!
Use low fat hummus and creme fraiche with garlic as dips...
Buy low fat versions of food.. hide the packets and they'll never know!



But remember.. Christmas is meant to be enjoyed and a happy time to spend with friends and family.. part of that includes food so there's no need to deny yourself.. all yourself some indulgent days... The key is balance and having a 'bad' day can be balanced out with some 'good' days... December is a dangerous time so give yourself, Christmas eve and Christmas day, New Years eve and maybe you're work party day to just enjoy .. and the other days.. be more mindful of what you eat...  Doll xxx



Beat the buffet! Week 8!

Apologies for the delay... but christmas has come down from the attic and I'm all a bling!




Only a few weeks left! To be honest those few weeks can be 3lbs that you lose in order to gain it back on Christmas day.. so don't lose focus.. We eat approx 21 meals a week.. not all of them have to be blow outs.. keep up the healthy breakfasts and lunches.. and have the extra roastie with your dinner.. and you'll still be on track to stay the same!

This post.. Buffets.. the word fills me with dread.. especially at Christmas!!! The choice.. and you just want a little bit of everything.. when you NEVER would allow a Vol-au-vent through the front door .. there they are calling your name.. all chickeny and mushroomy with cream and yumminess... sigh.. but heres a few tips that might help!

1. EAT BEFORE YOU GET THERE
Have a bowl of Zero PP soup ... toast with peanut butter will fill you up and stop you stage diving into the goodies head on! If you arrive starving.. its all going to go wrong.. so a little planning ahead.. will save you.. PLUS.. save your points for the drinkies!


2. MOVE ALONG!
Don't hover at the table!!!! You know exactly what I mean! Your little paws will be busier than ever if you'll mulling about... Get what you want IN ONE TRIP and move on! Its a not a contest to see who can try everything on the table!


3. CHOOSE WISELY
If you want to keep the halo straight.. then be a little be sensible! Avoid the battered prawns, garlic bread, anything that's covered in mayonnaise or cream... go for the smoked salmon.. chicken skewers.. the cold meats.. breadsticks... salsa... hummus...  you all know its for the best..


4. HANDS OFF
When the waiters bring around those trays of gorgeousness... keep your hands full.. have a camera, napkin, phone and wine glass.. all will keep both hands occupied so you can grab the tray and leg it!


5. CHEESED OFF
If you're a cheeseboard kinda gal.. *raises hand*  then be a bit savvie.. Brie, Camembert and Edam are better than cheddar, Stilton and Roule... Best choice is you're a fan is goats cheese!


No one is saying you're can't enjoy the fun.. but a few wise choices will make you and the scales happier in the long run!

More Chirstmas tips incoming!! Great losses!!!  And fantastic feedback from Mr. Q and his post.. he's officially a regular around here!

This weeks post will be on time! eek!

Doll x





Let's hear it for the boy...

Laydeez.. and gents.. yes gents.. you're out there.. all your emails and tweets asking about ProPoints and recipes .. I know you're there!!! Well just for the boys and maybe the boyfriends and husbands and hell all the rest of us that need a little inspiring.. my boy pal who's also on the weight loss journey... Mr. Q.. will be posting monthly.. telling his story.. giving tips... and here to ask questions for those thinking this was just for the girls.. he's lost and gained and is on the road to success now... so he knows the highs and lows of weight watchers... x





Am I my own worst enemy?
@quinlivan
  
You always hear of people getting these ‘a-ha’ moments, moments of complete clarity where everything seems to click in place which change their lives for the better. Looking back over the past ten years, my ‘a-ha’ moments only seen to have come in relation to 
my weight!

I think my brain is extremely clever at lying to itself. Let’s examine the evidence I appear to have overlooked: I know I’m overweight, I know my BMI is in the Obese range, I know I’m getting bigger as fewer and fewer clothes fit me, the most recent suit trousers I bought are the next waist size up. Yet my brain can’t seem to put 2 + 2 together! I’m very good at ignoring the obvious.



Over the past 12 years my weight has yo-yoed up and down. I first joined Weight Watchers in September 2003 - I was 16st 7lbs at the time. I lost 21lbs before my birthday (in November) and another 26lbs in the coming months. I remember I was 2lbs off my 50lbs Certificate when I stopped going to the weigh-ins. WHY? I don’t know, one day I just stopped going.

Was I was sabotaging myself? Maybe it was because I’d met someone and was happy emotionally (and also physically following my recent weight-loss)? Or maybe because I was over-confident that I had the system off and I knew what I was doing?

Fast-forward to 2007 and I was back up at 16st 7lbs! FML… That just crept back up without me noticing. I went back to Weight Watchers and dropped around 20lbs before I stopped going again. Yet again the weight crept back on and in January 2010, I re-joined Weight Watchers – this time weighing in at 18st! That was a dark dark day in my life. I remember sitting in the car for half an hour after coming out of the meeting feeling so sorry for myself - I had a little cry.

I lost about a stone before I stopped going (again!) and I put that stone back on as quick as it came off! I was telling myself 18st must be my plateau weight (lies). The people around me could never believe I was 18st when I told them (or so they told me!). In September 2010, I took a career break and went off globe- trotting for 3 months. I remember weighing myself the day before I flew out of Ireland and I was 18 ½ st.

I returned to Ireland during the “Bad Winter of 2010” 3st lighter! I’ve since put that down to the backpacker lifestyle: a combination of living off beans on toast and being more active. From climbing glaciers in New Zealand to Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, Trekking around Vietnam and living out of a capsule in Japan, the travelling had transformed my body!

Unfortunately, my lifestyle while I was backpacking couldn’t have been further from my reality. I’m a computer programmer by trade so spend 8.30-6.00 sitting at a computer desk. I drive to and from work and in general… I’m a lazy person – I have no problem admitting that!

Fast-forward to Saturday, August 25th 2012 and I was helping friends move house. We were doing one final sweep of the upstairs to make sure everything was cleared and I found a weighing scales in their bathroom. I don’t own a weighing scales (probably out of denial) and I stood on it. That Autumn afternoon in my friends empty bathroom, I watched the needle on the scale fly past NINETEEN STONE (19st 2lbs) and I had yet another ‘A-ha’ moment in relation to my weight!

I have never been 19st in my life! How did I let myself get into this state? Looking back, 
I can see how I tricked myself into this state…

-   I would buy new clothes (ignoring the XXL size tag).
-   I would self-edit my Facebook pictures. All of my friends will be familiar with my
    trademark ‘Aerial’ photos – trick I picked up somewhere (Tip: Hold the camera above 
    your eye line and point it downward on the subject, you will have no neck and 
    a skinnier looking face!).
-   I never weighed myself – ever!
-   I would take my friends compliments and never thought they were only just saying 
    what is socially acceptable e.g: No you look great! I never would have said you were 
    THAT weight!

Looking further back, I can see all of the ‘a-ha’ moments which have pushed me to weight watchers and every single one of them are listed below…

- Shame

That Saturday afternoon in my friends’ empty house, I stood looking down at the weighing scale and I felt so much shame… I am the only person to blame for my own size. Not one person has ever force-fed me, prevented me from taking a walk/exercise class/joining a gym, made me choose a take-away over something fresh and homemade. I am my own worst enemy in terms of my weight!

On Tuesday, August 28th 2012… I rejoined Weight Watchers!

I'm starting on Monday! Week 7!




How many times have you said those words?!?! Just you wait..Monday! I'm on it!!! This is the LAST time.. sigh.. we've all been there... I've put off starting more times that I'd ever want to admit! Sadly the starting day never seemed right for a variety of reasons! There was a holiday on the horizon... Someones birthday was soon and ALL relatives counted..I was tired of trying.. I liked the bad foods too much.. I hated setting myself apart from other people.. I was meeting pals and I'd have to be the odd one out..  You see for a long time it was always tomorrow for me... but tomorrow never comes.. there's always going to be some excuse.. aren't you worth it? Don't you deserve to be healthy and fit? Don't you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to be the best you can be? Don't you want to hang around on the planet for as long as you can? well then.. start today.. now this minute.. Christmas is ONE day! Next week is a blog all about parties and munchies and drinkies!!! There's 5 weeks left.. 2lbs a week is one dress size or a pant size for the boys... There's no point in throwing the 'wait till I really start in January' about the place ... you're only giving yourself permission to go crazy for the net six weeks and UNDO all the hard work you've done this year... take a look at last Christmas.. and my personal step is AMAZING!! I was looking at some pics from the parties last year and there's a noticeable difference with 4st gone.. and I know there's still a lot left to go but boy am I happy about the journey so far.. the gains, and there have been many... the losses some accepted with grace some snarled at the scales.. "ONLY' half a pound sure I might as well not bother.. but I did.. and birthdays, holidays, anniversaries will come along all the time.. don't' use them as an excuse to derail... the final slug for that Christmas dress and New years glam!!! C'mon!!! 


'Q'

International man of mystery.. Mr. Bond.. dontchylove'im! I've seen all the bonds and Sean is still my fav.. perhaps its because my mum swooned at him all those years or the fact that the scottish accent drives me wild!!! Hubba Hubba! Even asking for directions makes me weak at the knees!



Apologies tangent.. Next week sees the very first guest blog post on Skinny Doll!!! Much excitement... as its someone who has struggled with weight loss and loves life to the full.. so he has a fantastic attitude to losing weight as well as being successful.. its our very own Mr.Q! Who, even though he's just had his 'big' birthday is still down this week! Now that's dedication.. he's an unbelievably charming and funny guy who constantly lights up my twitter timeline.. when every one else is getting upset and fighting about god know what issues/sport/crisis.. he'll be posting up the latest girls aloud tune with the dance moves.. he's awesome... so stay tuned for it... it'll be fab!





Into every life.. a little 'Q' must fall!!! 


Weigh ins tomorrow.. Christmas is getting close and all those parties/lunches/drinkies are incoming.. behave now and you'll sparkle!!!

Doll x

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