Tits and things

Its awhile since I posted and to be honest I'm just not inspired to post at the moment, think all us bloggers have periods like this.

Anyway just to keep any readers up to date here are a few things.

Better start with the "Tits" part of the post, well I'm really pleased it looks like a family of Blue Tits are nesting in my bird box, first time for 6 or 7 years so really pleased. On top of that there are a family of robins nesting somewhere close its actually quite nice watching them all feed and go through their daily activities.

So on to me and I've been busy in the garden last couple of weeks and even though i say it myself its looking good, spring flowers are about finished now but have put in loads of summer plants and it'll be a sea of colour.

I'm back on a weight loss campaign, its planned between holidays. I've put a little on since I stopped working on it and of course the Italy holiday didn't help.
My next trip is to Crete and I started 2 weeks ago just cutting Bread & Sweet stuff out of my diet for now.
Been at it 2 weeks and although not weighed am starting to feel the difference so am sure its working. My intention is to keep it going until i go to Crete then will decide future plans after that.
I'd already cut back significantly on m beer intake and only drink on special occasions (even stopped on Pool match nights, actually go in car now so only have soft drinks). Did go out last Friday to a local Italian for our Table Tennis Clubend of season meal, about 20 of us went. Was really nice had the homemade soup for a starter followed by fillet steak, no pudding though, stayed strong.

Have a couple of things coming up where I'll have a drink, meeting a friend for lunch on friday to catch up then early June another lunch with someone from my holiday who is in he area so gonna meet up. Yes its a lady but don't read anything into that just a friend i met on holiday, one of a group of us that got on well.

Talking holidays I've really enjoyed these organised group trips and have another touring holiday planned for sept/oct but I'm getting the feeling I want to do something solo again, maybe a city break where i've to find my own way around. Fancy either Berlin or Madrid so watch this space, probably its the adventurer in me.

I actually like planning these trips myself, not same someone doing it all for you (although made some great friends), probably a mix of holidays is the way to go.

One thing I want to do is plan a big fly/drive in America, got a couple of ideas but wouldn't do it totally solo, need to talk one or two people into joining me on that one.

1982

Yes 1982 is my average calories per day this week so happy i'm again uder the 2,000cal target i've set myself.
And even better is I've lost another 2lb so now weigh in at 201lb.

Cheap Shopping

When I go shopping I'm always on the look out for bargains especially among such things as Frozen Food, Tinned stuff, Cleaning products, etc. These things keep so why not.
The thing is my cupboards & freezer are very well stocked up so my plan for the next 3 or 4 weeks is to live off the stuff i've got in.
The only shopping I intend to get is fresh stuff such as Milk, Bread, Vegetables & Fruit, its going to be a cheap shopping month.

Onto weight loss and I'm pleased to report another 2lb lost this week and I made my 2,000 calorie average per day target, despite only been below that total on two days.

Here is the results :-
Daily record :-
Monday - 2096 cals
Tuesday - 2003 cals
Wednesday - 1945 cals
Thursday - 2026 cals
Friday - 1860 cals
Saturday - 2033 cals
Sunday - 2018 cals

Average - 1997 cals.

2,000 calories

I've set myself a target of averaging 2,000 calories per day, thought it could be tough and it was. In fact I just failed as my daily average came out a mere 4 calories above at 2,004. A little dissapointed but know i can do it this week.

The good news is I'm 2lb down at 205lb so happy with that.

Daily record :-
Monday - 2050 cals
Tuesday - 1977 cals
Wednesday - 1892 cals
Thursday - 1920 cals
Friday - 2048 cals
Saturday - 2043 cals
Sunday - 2096 cals

Average - 2004 cals.

Sunday was my highest day which put me over, can be sort of explain by the fact i was away all day playing table tennis and worked up a appetite, was starving when i got home and ate a bit more than planned. Got similar situation this week so see if i can control better.

Here we go again

Today I've started my new weight loss plan with a aim of keeping to an average of no more than 2,000 calories per day. Its going to be tough especially coming on top of a Chistmas/New Year vacation where I certainly didn't go careful on food and drink.

I put on 9lb during the break so now weigh in at 207lb, plan is to weigh in and report my calorie count every Monday.

On some special occasions out of my normal routine (weekends away, holidays, partys, etc) i'll relax my calorie intake and not count them occasions. Got to live aswell without taking my eye off the big picture. Saying that nothing really planned until February so a good start is the plan.

So here we go.

Thats the lot for this year

Just made my 2,100 cals per day target for this week and with the holiday season almost upon us I'm putting weight loss plans on hold while the new year.

For the record here are my daily totals -
Monday - 2167cals
Tuesday - 2050cals
Wednesday - 2268cals
Thursday - 1992cals
Friday - 2135cals
Saturday - 2046cals
Sunday - 2031cals

Daily Average - 2098cals.

Did weigh myself at 195lbs this morning so its basically a 8lb loss over the 7 weeks of this weekly calorie cutting challenge. I'm sure I'll put a few pounds back during the festive period but plan to jump straight back into action in 2013.
Need to push on in January and have considered keeping the 2100 calorie target but am so determined have decided to drop that another 100 cals to 2,000per day (at least for a month or so). Have highlighted areas i believe i can cut back so why not.

Well it is nearly Christmas

Got to report I just failed to reach my calorie target this week, I averaged 2156cals when aiming for 2150 (ok only 6 cals per day above my target). Still I'll be dropping my target to 2100cals per day this week.

For the record here are my daily totals -
Monday - 2118cals
Tuesday - 2140cals
Wednesday - 2083cals
Thursday - 2249cals
Friday - 2461cals
Saturday - 1935cals
Sunday - 2106cals

Average - 2156cals.

As you can see I was actually below target on 5 of the days and I can explain the others, basically my worst day Friday was because I was at a Christmas dinner and of course I consummed too much. Maybe as it was a one off shouldn't count that day, suppose its wrong time of year for the diet to be too strict.

Thursday afternoon went for a drink with a good friend in York, just catching up and a good chat, something we do occasionally.

Was playing British League table tennis at weekend and it was a unbelievable, we started the weekend 2nd bottom of the table and thinking about how we could avoid relegation. Never known anything like it, 3 wins and a draw was a fantastic achievement for us but it got better and better as other results turned the table on its head and we finished top of the table. Its amazing with just one point separating the top 5 teams.
Two more weekends (6 matches to go), we are now thinking about winning it, considering our squads individual rankings think unbelievable is the right word.

Day Off

Actually had a day off from my weight loss plan this week, Saturday a few of us from my Pool team took out our ex landlord who as retired from running the pub. Was good fun but with a bit of beer flowing, out for a meal, etc it was silly to do my calorie counting.

So the other 6 days I was on my plan and over them days I averaged 2189 cals per day which of course was below the 2200cal target.

For the record here are my daily totals -
Monday - 2208cals
Tuesday - 2189cals
Wednesday - 2243cals
Thursday - 2162cals
Friday - 2166cals
Saturday - day off
Sunday - 2165cals

Average - 2189cals (6 days).

So for this week I drop my target to 2150cals, could be tough because a look at last week shows i didn't have a single day below that level so going to have to work at it, still confident though.

Couldn't Resist

My current experiment of counting calories and reducing my intake each week without actually weighing as been going well.

However a month without jumping on the scales finally got to my resistance so i took a peep this morning. Well I'm happy to say that I'm down to 196lb, was 203lb at start of this challenge so got to be happy with the 7lb loss. Another 4 weeks to Chrimmy so hopfully I should lose more.


On another note I've got someone coming tomoz to test my windows and see if the double glazing is energy efficient. Apparently you can get government subsidies to change any that are not efficient. I've got two large windows/doors leading to the patio that are quite old so suspect i lose a lot of heat there.
Will have to do a few calculations to see how much i'll save off my heating bill against what it'll cost to replace. Maybe it'll save me a bit of money, I usually work on a 5 year pay back.

Just did it

Just managed to get inside my target of having a daily average of under 2,300 calories this week (my average was 2,288). What I also did this week was increase the amount of physical exercise and must admit I felt hungry at times but managed to stay on track.

For the record here are my daily totals -
Monday - 2386cals
Tuesday - 2261cals
Wednesday - 2329cals
Thursday - 2163cals
Friday - 2195cals
Saturday - 2189cals
Sunday - 2495cals

Average - 2288cals.

As you can see Sunday is the highest day but can be explained by the fact I was playing in a TT competition so packed up sandwichs and things that would add up higher than my normal lunch.

So the target now drops to 2,250 cals per day average for this week and I'm not going to pretend it'll be easy as I'm going to have to think much harder what i can eat, although next Monday I hope to report another succesfull week.
Hows my weight going ? I don't know as have not yet been tempted to jump on the scales since I started this experiment. What I can say is I believe I've lost a little just by the way I feel in my clothes.

Calorie Counting

As those who read my blog will know the latest weight loss challenge is based on calorie counting. Each week upto christmas I'm aiming to reduce my average daily intake by 50cals, two weeks ago target was 2,400cals so simple deduction my target last week was 2,350cals.

I've actually developed my own spreadsheet which calculates this from the food and drink that goes into my mouth, its ever developing if i add new foods to my diet. And last week I can happily report I was well in target with a daily average of 2278cals. In fact if I do the same this week it will be within this weeks target of 2,300cals so should be easy in theory.

For the record here are my daily totals -
Monday - 2051cals
Tuesday - 2064cals
Wednesday - 2355cals
Thursday - 2461cals
Friday - 2311cals
Saturday - 2278cals
Sunday - 2426cals

Average - 2278cals.

Looking at a calorie calculator website for my height and current weight I need 2,561cals per day to maintain my current weight but thats without exercise, 30 mins hard exercise per day I can add around 300 cals to that number (60mins, 600cals).

Anyway it doesn't take brain surgery to work out that if I eat lower than that number even without exercise (i intend to exercise) I will lose weight. Apparently to lose 1lb per week you need to eat 500cals under the maintain weight figure.

My aim is to find a calorie level I'm comfortable with up to christmas then take that into the new year, maintain a good exercise level and hopfully the weight will keep coming off.

Hope all that makes sense.

Last Week

Up to Friday the eating was on target, was maintaining a average of less than 2,400 calories per day but think with been away i blew it somewhat over the weekend.
Still back on course today and hope to achieve my target of 2,350 per day average this week, very confident I'll do it.

The weekend went well, we didn't have a strong team out and i really thought we would be stuck at the bottom of the division. However we got stuck in and are 3rd bottom, out of the relegation zone which really is a good achievement looking at the other teams rankings. I managed to win 5 of my 10 matches which was pleasing but can be better because 3 of my losses were in deciding 5th sets.
Did manage to upset one of my opponents enough for him to call me a choice name, some people are just bad losers, lol.

Just played Pool tonight was 1st round of the town championships and managed to win 2-0 so happy with that.

Had a date last week, was actually a 2nd date with this person, was nice but still not sure we are compatable or its what i'm after. Usually make my mind up early but am unsure, still will probably be having a 3rd date within the next week.

Back Home to weight loss plans and dating

Well I'm back from holiday and must admit with all the travelling and living out of a suitcase it was very tiring. Still doing Route 66 as been a ambition for a long time and i saw some interesting places and met some crazy people.
Hopfully get some photos downloaded soon.

Did weigh in on my return and the scales showed 203lb so a increase of 12lb although hopfully getting back to normal meals and not partying every night will soon get me back on track.
So starting next week (Monday) for 8 weeks i plan to calorie count and reduce my average each week upto Christmas.
Next week I'll be aiming for a average of 2,400 cals per day, then each week that total will drop by 50cals (eg week 2 daily average 2,350, week 3 2,300, etc.).
Apparently to maintain my weight i need 2,500cals per day for a average lifestyle but i also aim to increase how much exercise i do so will see where the plan takes me.
So at this stage no weight targets will just see what happens.

A little early so not counting my chickens but i had some first dates (from a online site) before my hol, just meal or coffee meet ups. Some went well and one in particular i got on really well with and she feels the same so we are hopfully doing a 2nd date next week, will see what happens but at this stage keeping my options open.

Weight Loss Wednesday - Failure

Bit of a failure today, weighed in at same as last week 191lb which was a little dissapointing because I've failed to reach my target by a lousy 2lb. Actually thought I would do it, thought I'd eaten ok but it was not to be.
So its a break from weigh ins for 3 weeks, see where I am then start my next challenge.

On a positive note went to a wedding reception last week, getting dressed to go and put my trousers on to find I wasn't happy in them, they were too baggy so changed into a different pair. Despite having to buy a new pair I'm happy because always believe how clothes fit is a far better guide to weight loss than just looking at the scales, definately gives you a boost.

Living in the real world

Been giving a lot of thought to the fact many of us spend a good part of our lives living in a virtual world nowadays. Everything thing revolves around the internet, and with recent bad weather and my knee problems of the last year I'm becoming as guilty as most.
Ok I've not succombed to an iphone or ipad, i don't take my laptop out with me, in fact the only time i go on the net is when at home.
However I will admit to spending a lot of time online many times just for the sake, I've a lot of online friends like many of us do, which its nice to exchange iews with. I've been lucky enough to meet some so they have become real.
Don't get me wrong the internet is fantastic but is it really a replacement for the real world, of course it isn't.

Anyway I've made a decision that I'm going to limit my time online and get out and do more. Suppose I'm lucky I've got a decent garden I can spend time in, I can go for walks, I'm involved with sport, its really just about motivation to do these things.

Yes I will still keep blogging, as I said I'll come online to do what I want to, just cut down on the meaningless hours trawling various sites just for the sake.

While I'm here I'll just report that my average daily calories consumed last week was 2314 which is 52 per day less than the previous week. At the moment its experimental and my weight loss action plan will start at end of October. May actually maintain a similar calorie intake (maybe cut slightly) but undertake a increaed amount of physical activity, certainly less time on the computor will help that plan.

I'm been positive about the physical stuff because I feel my joint issues (mainly knee) are almost fully recovered, actually feeling quite good and strong. Hope I arn't tempting fate but best they have been for a very long time, even stopped taking pain killers and anti-inflammetrys.

Got to go now, don't want to be on here too long.

Weigh in Wednesday - Ex Girlfriends & holidays

We'll start with the weight loss and I'm pleased to report a 3lb loss this week which now brings me to 193lb, pleased about that because I'm still on target for 189lb before i go on my American trip (2 weeks to go).
I know on this holiday I'll possibly gain a significant amount and am already planning my weight loss campaign for when I get back. A few years ago (2007) I did a stringent calorie counting system which did me good, at that time I came down a lot and eventually got down to coincidently exactly where I am now 193lb. Couldn't believe that but have checked my old records, obviously a lot as happend since then and i've had bad times wheresome of the weight as gone back on.
I designed a spread sheet that I fill in on a daily basis everything i eat and drink and it calculates my daily calories (each day and average), i'll be aiming for under 2,000 per day which should bring the weight off slowly.

Yesterday was ex girlfriend day, first of all sadly it would have been Janes 49th birthday so she was definately in my thoughts. Phoned her Mum in the morning and had a good chat which was nice, think they are always pleased to hear from me. I'm actually going to visit them (take to lunch) the day before I fly to America as I'm staying over at a airport hotel so will take the opportunity to visit Janes grave again.
And last night actually went out for a drink and chat with Paula which was nice. I know we split awhile ago but it was more to do with circumstance and lifestyles, we never fell out and always remained good friends. Before anyone asks we are not planning to get back together, we've both moved on its just friends going out for a drink. Whether we do it again, well don't see why not if we both fancy a drink, we had a good laugh last night.

As for holidays I've taken the plunge about Christmas, think been home alone would have depressed me so booked a singles holiday to the Costa Brava, in fact its 12 nights so Christmas and New Year will be partying in sunny Barcelona.
Bit overspending this year with holidays and home improvements but was helped with the christmas decision with a nice tax rebate, apparently they calculated my tax wrong in 2008 and I got a nice little sum that paid for half my holiday.

Weigh in Wednesday - Slow going

Another week another pound, thats all folks just a solitary pound lost so down to 196lb this morning and my target of 189lb before my Route 66 trip is looking a bit of a distance away, 7lb in 3 weeks is not going to be easy, think this is a big week.

Think the damage was done saturday with the lads trip to the races, took my finger off the pulse as the beer flowed and the food intake wasn't too calorie friendly, still life is for living and i lost a pound.
It was a good day out, had a real good laugh but sadly I didn't back any winners so it was my wallet that came back lighter.

Can't make my mind up whether to go away at Christmas again but need to decide soon. Its not a great time to be at home alone and to be honest think I would get emotional if by myself. Think the events of the last few years still effect me, i've changed a lot and have a lot of ups and downs, find the downs are when i'm on my own.
I've got a large distant family (cousins, etc) but very few really keep in touch especially since my parents died, there are just 2 or 3 I talk to ut they got their own families. Same with friends Christmas is a family time so can't expect to see much of them either.
Need to make my mind up soon, the "singles" hols are selling real quick.

Weigh in Wednesday - Need a good week

Only a solitary 1lb lost this week so a touch dissapointed as i would have liked a bit more as I'm still above my pre-Austria weight (by 1lb). So currently I weigh in at 197lb and still have 8lb to go before my America trip, only 4 more weigh ins to go. Suppose that makes it an easy formula, 2lb per week.

Think the main reason that i didn't lose what I hoped was been away playing TT involved 2 nights in an hotel and eating out (wrong foods) plus a few drinks. Still back eating my usual stuff now so will see what happens.

Am actually off for a day out Saturday with some of the lads from the local pub, we're off to the Horse Racing at Thirsk so don't think that will be a healthy eating/drinking day. Still got to enjoy life, we only get one chance.

Weigh in Wednesday -

As i reached my goal last week for me its not weight loss challenge now its just a weekly weigh in. Sure I rewarded myself with a couple of treats this week and haven't been quite as strict with myself but also not taken my foot off the ball either.

The good news is I've still managed to keep the downward trend going although just a solitary pound lost this week, so its now 198lb.

Next wednesday will be my last weigh in before I go to Austria and thinking it would be great if I could dip below 14stone (196lb), something I wouldn't have thought possible 10 weeks ago when I was at 222lb.

Weight Loss Challenge - Week 8

Knew I'd been good this week (diet and exercise) and am pleased to report another 3lb gone, thats now 20lb in 8 weeks and I'm now only 2lb short of my target with 3 weeks to go. Not that I'm taking my foot off the gas as I've said previously this is a lifestyle change and this is only my first target.

I've been looking at the bigger picture and giving a lot of thought and have got in my head that I eventually want to get under 12stone ((168lb), think last time I was at that weight I was at school, lol.

But I'm not silly and will do it in stages setting targets as I go, sort of stepping stones. Experience tells me that I'll put some weight back on when I go on holiday in August, well thats fine but I wont go stupid but will treat myself. The Wednesday after my return I'll check the damage and set a new target based on that, slowly I'll keep going down and down.

As  yo-yo dieter in recent years the biggest thing to me is my new found motivation but not only that the ease at which I've significantly cut things from my diet and replaced them with more healthy options.
To be honest beer as always been a problem, I still have a pint but very rarely, in fact even when out I'm drinking low sugar soft drinks most of the time when I would have had a beer.
Of course its not just the drink Ive changed what I eat, think I've found a diet that works for me and am actually enjoying because its quite varied but does include quite a bit of fruit.

Mick - start weight 222lb - todays weight - 202lb - target loss 22lb - loss this week 3lb (14%) - total loss 20lb ( 91%).

Reg - start weight 131lb - todays weight - 127.5lb - target loss 6lb - loss this week 0lb (0%) - total loss so far - 3.5lblb (58%)

I trained at table tennis last week because I had a tournament saturday,it was a ranking event and i had to play a group of 7 (all play all) of similar standard. I was rated to finish 5th and admit i lost to one of the two players ranked below me but to counter that beat two above me including a win against the top ranked man who was 28 places above me in the national list. So pleased in the end but will own up to one more thing, did have a couple of chocolate bars while competing (for energy of course).
Spent most of Sunday in the garden, digging up a overgrown area (which was a good work out), feel I'm just about getting on top of things now, its looking good.

Did go for a practice Monday but was a little stiff and sore from the weekend so cut it short, am going to play a local club tournament tonight, not that hard but will get me moving.

As I was posting this I just had a phone call with more bad news, another of my cousins has passed away. It wasn't unexpected as he had been dignosed with brain cancer last week and they had told the family there was no hope.