Monday Motivation - Getting Back On Track

I'm feeling more like myself today. The sun is shining, my kids are back at school and university, I've sorted out my financial issues for this month at least and for once it doesn't seem so bad that it's Monday morning.

I've also felt a bit of improvement in my tendon. I took my daughter to an athletics meet yesterday and was able to walk around with it unstrapped. I must make sure though not to push it too much and just accept its a slow progress.

So motivation is a big aim this week. If I can stay in a good place mentally then it will be easier to keep on track. I have upper body workouts planned and I'm going shopping today so I can do some meal prep.

Here are some of the images that are motivating me today

My final motivating image is my youngest daughter in her race yesterday. She has only just started track racing. She has overcome hyper mobility in most of her joints, motor skills issues and struggles every day with severe dyslexia. Her positive nature is inspiring. She came 6th yesterday and the first thing she said to me after finishing was "I wasn't last!" She motivates me as does her older sister who is doing so well at university! 

Have a great start to the week. Speak to you soon

Love Erica xxx

Raspberry Muffins

I love baking, it really cheers me up and I find it quite therapeutic. I also wanted to make sure I had healthy snacks available this week so this is what I came up with.

Raspberry Muffins

100g raspberries

1 egg

300g Wholemeal flour

1 tbsp baking powder

75g margarine

150ml almond milk

80g honey

1. Beat the egg

2. Add the margarine and honey. Stir until combined

3. Add the almond milk and mix

4. Add the flour and baking powder. Stir gently until a mixture is formed

5. Fold in the raspberries and stir until distributed through the mixture. Don't worry if the raspberries come apart when doing this.

7. Place a heaped tablespoon of the mixture into each muffin case.

8. Cook in a preheated oven at 175 degrees for about 20 minutes or until golden on top.

This was a great chance to try out my brand new oven 😊

These are really delicious muffins. The recipe makes 12 muffins which are only 5 Weightwatchers Smartpoints each.

These will be perfect for a snack during the day. They can also be sliced in half and spread with margarine if you prefer.

Let me know if you try making them. Speak to you soon

Love Erica xxx

Depression and Overeating

If you have read my blog then you will know that I have been very honest about the fact that I am an emotional overeater. I know that mentally I do not feel that I am in a good place at the moment and this is having an impact on my healthy eating. I have been reading around the subject and basically trying to draw up strategies to help myself.

Overeating can be a vicious cycle. I feel miserable so I eat something bad for me that temporarily makes me feel better. Then I feel worse for giving into temptation and will want to eat again to try and feel better.

I suffer from situational depression. Basically it means that if things go wrong or get too much for me then I don't cope very well. I think it's the fact that things are often out of my control and overeating, although it is the wrong decision, is something that I can control. I'm also very good at putting on a mask and covering up the fact that I feel crap but this does put added pressure on me. 

I was thinking about what may have triggered my current low moods. Injuring my tendon is an obvious one. I can't control how quickly that heals plus I am missing working out as that always helps my moods. My hormones are fluctuating wildly at the moment too and I feel like I have PMS constantly. Add to that ongoing financial worries, including whether my ex husband will be able to continue to pay my mortgage next year, plus the strain of being a single parent 24/7 and it's probably no wonder that I feel so low.

So how can I deal with this? I've tried to draw up a little plan.

1. Keep taking St John's Wort. I'm a great believer in this and it definitely helps me

2. Keep taking Evening Primrose

3. Start doing yoga again. I used to do this on a regular basis. It's great for calming you down plus it does you good!

4. Plan little non food related treats through the week even if it's something just as simple as a bubble bath, spending an hour reading a book or painting my toenails.

5. Focus and remember why I started. I don't want to end up back where I was. I just need to keep that in the forefront of my mind.

6. Seriously plan workouts that I can do while my tendon heals.

Therapy is always recommended as a treatment for depression but I can't afford to pay for that so I just have to try and heal myself. I just need to point myself in the right direction.

Hopefully this will help me get back into a better mindset. I'll keep you posted. Speak to you soon

Love Erica xxx

Wednesday Weigh In - Week 14 - Not Good And Not Surprised But Could Have Been Worse

So for the first time since starting this, I've gained weight this week. Only half a pound but still a gain 😟

To be honest, I knew it was coming and I thought it might actually be worse! It's not just not being able to exercise, my mindset has been completely wrong this week and really for the last few weeks too.

I was getting into the habit of thinking well it doesn't matter if I cheat a little bit today as I've worked out so that will burn it off. Eventually it catches up with you and now I can't easily exercise to burn it off so I have to stop. 

I've already talked on this blog about the fact that I am an emotional overeater and this is my other main issue at the moment. I don't feel in a good place, to be honest. I have terrible financial problems and this month is particularly bad. I need to go back on the St John's Wort and evening primrose oil to try and balance me out again.

I always knew this wouldn't be easy. It's a long road to get to where I want to be and I need to treat this week as just a bump in the road that has temporarily slowed me down.

As I said, it's not easy but nothing worthwhile ever is so I'm refocusing and trying to sort myself out. If I get my mindset right then the rest will fall into place. Speak to you soon

Love Erica xxx

Sweet and Sour Pork with NoodleSlim Rice

I love taking recipes and trying to make them healthier. If I get the chance to include one of my favourite NoodleSlim products too then it's even better. This one was really easy to make

Sweet & Sour Pork with NoodleSlim Rice

250g low fat pork medallions

2 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp white wine vinegar

200g fresh pineapple

Half a red pepper

3 - 4 spring onions 

1 portion of NoodleSlim rice

Sauce

1 tbsp caster sugar

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp tomato ketchup

1 tbsp white wine vinegar

2 tbsp water

1. Mix all the ingredients for the sauce together in a small bowl until the sugar has dissolved. Keep to one side.

2. Cut the pork medallions into small chunks

3. Using low fat cooking spray fry the pork in a pan stirring constantly until it starts to brown.

4. Add the soy sauce and vinegar. Stir so that the pork is thoroughly coated. Fry to about another 3 minutes.

5. Slice the spring onions and red pepper. Add to the pan, stir and fry for another 2-3 minutes.

6. Prepare the pineapple and cut it into chunks. Add to the pan, stir and continue frying for 2 minutes.

7. Add the sauce to the pan and stir until everything is covered. 

8. Reduce the heat and cook for another 4 - 5 minutes.

9. Prepare the NoodleSlim rice and add it to the pan about 2 minutes before the dish will be ready. Stir thoroughly so that the rice is completely coated with the sauce.

10. Serve and enjoy.

This makes such a tasty dinner and by using the NoodleSlim rice and low fat pork, it is only 9 Weightwatchers points. It was so good that I even had to stop my daughter from trying eat off my plate when she'd already had her dinner!

If you haven't tried the NoodleSlim range yet then I thoroughly recommend them! They do not require cooking and are a great replacement for carbs!

Speak to you soon

Love Erica xxx

Monday Motivation - Believe!

My motivation for this week is basically to believe in myself. I can stick to my healthy eating, even though I can't exercise properly, I know my tendon is healing and I can still work on my overall fitness. 

I saw this sign in a shop window near Covent Garden in London last week and it really motivated me

It's very easy to stick to what is familiar and comfortable. Maybe we all need to break out a little. I don't mean be completely reckless but just try something out of the ordinary and different. That's definitely going to be my motivation for the week ahead.

A quick update on my Achilles' tendon. Walking is a lot easier and I'm now only strapping my ankle up when I go out. I can also flex my foot with less pain. I've been reading about something called eccentric heel drops which aim to strength and stretch the tendon. I can't start them yet but I will tell you more about them when I do. Speak to you soon

Love Erica xxx

My Top 10 Tips For Losing Weight

I've been thinking about things that are helping me to lose weight and I thought I would share them with you. So here is my top 10 tips in no particular order. Some are actually things to do and some are more about motivation.

1. Do it for you

I've tried to lose weight lots of times and I think one of the reasons that I didn't manage to keep the weight off was that I wasn't doing it for the right reasons. Even doing it for my kids wasn't enough motivation. Losing weight can be hard and doing it for you can give you the motivation to succeed. Focus on what it means to you and what you will gain by succeeding.

2. Make it a lifestyle change not a diet

Embarking on a restrictive diet to lose weight quickly might give you the initial result that you are looking for but what happens when you end the diet? Sadly, if you haven't changed your habits, you will probably just put all the weight back on again. This is my reason for following Weightwatchers as it does set out to change your eating habits.

3. All exercise will help

If you have a lot of weight to lose then exercise may initially be hard for you. Try and do simple things like increasing the amount that you walk. I started off by walking around my local park every morning after dropping my daughter to school. Your fitness levels will improve.

4. Drink more water

This really does help. It flushes through your system and can help you feel fuller. It's great for your general health too.

5. Chart your progress 

If you read my blog then you will know I'm a great believer in this. Never rely just on your scales, use photos and take your measurements on a regular basis. It will all help to keep you motivated.

6. Get cooking

Don't rely on ready meals and processed foods. The additives and amounts of sugar in some of them is truly frightening. It doesn't take long to cook a stir fry or make an omelette but you will taste the difference as well as feel the benefit.

7. Try something new

It can be very easy to get stuck in the dieting rut. You know what you will eat every evening and you know how and when you will exercise every week. Mix it up a bit. There are so many different sports and exercises you can try. As for food, invest in a good cookbook if you haven't got one. I'd recommend Ella Woodward's or Jamie Oliver's books. Don't be frightened either to tinker with the recipes. I often do this to reduce the fat content. Experimenting can be fun!

8. If you slip up then don't panic!

Losing a lot of weight is hard and it's a long term process. If you slip up and blow your diet one day then don't give up! Just refocus and start again the next day. We are only human! I comfort ate a doughnut this week!

9. Treat yourself

Find some way of marking those milestones. If you've lost a stone then buy yourself a little present, preferably not food!

10. Eat more fruit and veg

My last tip is probably the one that most people are familiar with. Try to be imaginative in the way you do this and it will be easier. Make smoothies, add veg to stir fried and soups. There is an endless list of possibilities.

Hope you have found some of these helpful whether you are currently trying to lose weight or are just starting out. Speak to you soon

Love Erica xxx