Weigh in 2: Another 3lb off.

I am pleased. How can I possibly complain about a 3lb loss after 9lb last week? It is excellent. I stuck to the plan apart from one angry popcorn moment. That is 12'lb lost in a fortnight. My jeans are loose.
I am unhappy though, because I feel like I want a binge. Since last night, I have been craving all sorts of nonsense. Thick cheese rolls, crisps, chocolate biscuits, wine, beer,pastry, sweeties. You name it. I have no points left at all to indulge in any of this and I'm not keen on the idea of breaking into my weeklies when I'm not hungry and its a destructive behaviour. I do not think my weeklies are about this.
I don't think I will do it, I do not believe that I will really give in and start eating rubbish. Not tonight in any case. But I am frustrated that I could be doing so well at this, and yet still have periods where I am driven mad by the desire to stuff my face with shit. Like.. someone desperate for a drink, I know it will only do me harm, and it's not for the taste even. I know that I want mouthfeel, and maybe fatty/salty but I never seem to land on a specific flavour. If, for instance, I knew it was about -say- a kitkat and a packet of crisps then that would be easy, I would just do it and work it into my ProPoints. But it's never that. I could eat it and I'd still be chasing around for something else.. Its just something for flavour and to fill my tummy. Fill my already full tummy.
Well, I'm not doing it. Tonight at least, as much as I want to, I'm not going to do it. I know it could change tomorrow and I could drown myself in food. But not tonight.I'm going to stomp off to bed and listen to a relaxation programme instead.

Angry Overeating

There. I just ate a huge packet of sweet and salty popcorn when I wasn't hungry and didn't want it. Which turned a really great week into one which has a giant blot on it. I ate something I didn't want, that was  bad for me, that made me feel a bit sick because I was angry with my boyfriend. And now I'm angry with myself. And I want a cheese roll and some chocolate digestives.

I need to go to bed and listen to a relaxation tape before I carry on eating stuff. Goddammit.

End of Week 2 + Easter

Well, on balance, it hasn't been a bad week at all. I've stuck to points, with just two dips into weeklies for special meals. It is Easter after all. I've cooked some new healthy recipes, and I've managed to rationally and without any wailing or gnashing of teeth, eat very controlled portions of slightly less than healthy dinners. I've made over 25 activity points just by getting out and about, walking my puppy and going out with my son. Who am I kidding? It's been a really fantastic week!

A couple of negatives though, although they are small. I've been pretty terrible about planning my meals to include enough points - the other night I found myself with 18 ProPoints left AFTER DINNER, with nothing I really wanted to make up the shortfall. I ended up just snacking and graxing on rubbish all night, when I wasn;t hungry at all. I didn't even want half the stuff I ate. Also, I've spent 38 points this week on booze. Which.. isn't the end of the world. but when you've had more points on lager than you hav on breakfast, maybe there is work to do?

All in all though, I'm proud of myself. I've never tried WeightWatchers before and it seems like a fairly easy way to go about a healthy eating plan. I don't notice I am on a weightloss regime most of the time, but I think maybe that has something to do with my willingness to experiment with recipes to get the most bang for my buck, points wise. My clothes are feeling looser, and although I'm not expecting a huge loss tomorrow (who can after a 9lb loss, realistically?) I'm confident that things are working out.

I didn't have an easter egg this year, deciding instead to get a large bar of my favourite chocolate, which I have portioned out into 3 point servings. After a fairly light roast dinner, I feel almost virtuous. Still, time for a nap. Happy Easter.

Spinach and Paneer Curry Recipe: 6 ProPoints

Eat moar veg!

Ok, this is fairly high in points for a veg curry because of the delicious paneer, which states on the label it is a FULL FAT cheese. There is a method of making low fat paneer at home, which I could someday try - apparently making paneer is very easy - but I like the full fat version at the moment, and 6 propoints for a curry recipe is certainly alright for me until my points reduce.
This curry is really quick and easy, and apart from a bit of chopping, is not labour intensive at all.
As I cook for a small boy at home, my curries tend to be rather mild - this is no exception. Converted from Anjum Anand.
Serves 4:

• 750g spinach leaves or frozen spinach
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• tablespoon grated ginger (I use ginger paste, from a jar)
• 1 chilli, left whole
• 2 tsp coriander
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 225g packet paneer, cut into big chunks
• tsp garam masala
• large splash of milk

 So firstly, cook the spinach as per packet instruction. Wait until cooled slightly and ensure that as much water as possibly comes out of the spinach by draining in a colander and givimg it a quick squeeze. Chop roughly; you may want to do this in a couple of batches.
Next, heat your oil in a large pan over a low heat, and throw in your cumin seeds. When they become fragrant and start to pop, put in your onions. You want to cook this over a very low heat until it softens, and then add your chilli, ginger and garlic. Add the spinach and coriander. If it is dry, you can add water. Boil for 3 minutes and then bring the heat right back down and add the paneer, garam masala and milk. Stir, and cook until paneer heated though. Serve.I like chappatis.

This shouldn't be too difficult, right?

I can only have one of these and stay within my ProPoints for the day. What do you reckon?

Edit: TOTAL FAIL. Time to start assuming I can never just have one. *kicks wall*

Chilli Tacos Recipe : 4 ProPoints + (4/6 for shells)

This is a basic chilli recipe, which comes in at 4 pro points a serving. You can just serve it with rice of you would prefer of course, but I think tacos (2 propoints per shell) not only make a change but having them really encourages me to add salad and have a lighter portion of meat and starch all round. I do have grated cheddar on my tacos, but I have the points spare to use. You should have enough chilli each to fill three taco shells.
 Serves 4.

400g extra lean beef mince
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic finely chopped
 red chilli, deseeded (or not, if you prefer), finely chopped
1 tsp olive oil
half teaspoon paprika
scant teaspoon cumin seeds
1 thing of beef stock
1 can chopped tomatoes
salt and pepper
1 red pepper, chopped
180g mushrooms, chopped

So my method is to sweat the onions off with the olive oil until soft. Adding salt stops them burning in the pan because it draws the water out of them. I then add the chilli and the garlic, the paprika and the cumin seeds and cook, stirring occasionally over a low heat until they're softened too. I then turn the pan up a bit and add my meat, cooking until browned all over. Then peppers, and then mushrooms. When all combined, and the veg has began to soften, add the stock and the tomatoes and about a can's worth of water. Bring to the boil and then simmer over a low heat for an hour or so. You want this to be quite a dry chilli, as you want the chilli to stay in the tacos while you eat them, if possible.

In the meantime, make your salsa. For 4 people,
3 large juicy tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 red onion, finely chopped
handful of parsley, finely chopped - or coriander but I hate coriander
juice of lime
(chopped red chilli if you like it hot)
salt and pepper

Combine in bowl. Refrigerate until ready to eat.
Warm tacos as per packet instructions, (3 or 4 minutes)
Grate cheese if eating
Serve with some half fat sour cream if you like.
Assemble.

Weigh In 1: 9lb down!

Well, I was not expecting to lose 9lb. In fact, had it not been for the fact they were scales in Boots this morning, I would have assumed my scales were off. I mean, I've stuck to the plan well so I expected to lose something, but 9lb was beyond my wildest dreams. I know that the majority of that loss will be water weight, but as I noted yesterday, a good start is a good psychological boost.

I have decided to buy my own scales though. I took my son in on the bus today because of the easter holidays and it was £5.50 return for both of us, plus 50p to weigh.I could have gone to a meeting for that with change! Plus, next week will be Easter Monday and I don't think they will be open. I can't believe I will like the scales as much as I do the Boots ones, but at least they will be convenient and I won't have to go in the snow.

So, anyway, I'm really happy and off to celebrate with some chicken and vegetable soup! With 2 points less a day