Great book

I am reading a great book at the moment - Skinny Bitch. They seem to share alot of my philosophies, some of which I took from Anthony Robbins, and they do acknowledge him. So they have similar opinions about our over consumption of protein, and the evils of dairy consumption. It's a great book, (what I have read so far). I am also reading The Spend Less Handbook and waiting for The Amazing Adventures of Diet Girl to arrive.

Liska x

Today, Thursday 8th January 2009

Exercise today:
Nia class. WOW it was truly amazing. I have blogged in the past about my experience of the workshop at the Yoga Show. Even though that was months ago, I today kept my promise to myself to find a class and try a class. I booked it in my diary before Xmas, and invited some colleagues. I told them I would shout them to the class as their Xmas present (I didn't do much Xmas shopping this year). Anyway, we went tonight and it was SUCH good exercise. Really gentle (i.e. you don't jump up and down like 1980s aerobics) but wow, you use those deep muscles, and you use your core muscles, and you feel so graceful and so feminine, you don't even realise you are working so hard. And the movements are so mindful, you concentrate so hard, that you feel like you are in a meditation, and breathing correctly feels more important than looking at a colleague. I think it was 20 mins into the class before I looked over at anyone.

Meditation:
None

Meals today:
Breakfast again was Hot Granola from Pret a Manger.
Lunch was at Boots (for those not in UK, it is a chemist), where I got a browm bread sandwich with tofu, rocket etc... in it plus a small packet of vegetarian sushi.
After Nia one of my colleagues wanted to chat about something so we went to a Tapas bar. I ordered tapas and a pineapple juice, as the one thing I really have stuck to this week is no alcohol, as well as no coffee. THEN her sangria arrived and I have never seen anything like it. The minute I saw it I said I am having one of those. So as I knew I had so many deviations this week (even today, sandwich! I don't eat bread when on a true detox), I ordered the Sangria and enjoyed every delicious mouthful.
I was just posting this post and remembered, on the way to Nia, my 3 colleagues wanted to stop at a sweetshop and I got a bar of chocolate. I ate it and it gave me a headrush - NOT a nice feeling at all. That told me 2 things. (1) it will be easier to resist the next temptation of chocolate as I now (in NLP style) associate it with a BAD memory (good) and (2) it means my body is already a little cleaner as it is only when I am detoxing that chocolate gives me a headrush. That's probably the benefit of a few days without caffeine.

Weight today:
Didn't weight

Gratitude journal:
For the Nia. Was special and great exercise,

Fit Bug steps (in MBTs):
Lots of MBT steps but the Fit Bug still not set up.

Learning point:
That I will not beat myself up for doing this half and half this week. I will get there. I know I will.

Confirmation of nil consumption of latte or cappuccino:
Proudly I can confirm this. And feel better for it too. I actually feel tired when I should as I am NOT wired on caffeine.

Liska Life x

Wednesday 7th January 2009

The Daily Declaration

Exercise today:
None I am afraid

Meditation:
None

Meals today:
Porridge, take away, from a cafe near work again. (I know, I must start getting up early enough to make it at home).
Lunch (okay this WAS naughty). Me, our Bookkeeper and our Credit Controller went on a kind of team lunch, to celebrate something and we ended up in Wagamamas. BUT I had the vegetarian Katsu curry, and a raw juice (includes carrot juice etc...). So it wasn't the unhealthiest of lunches.
Then I promised hubby I would come straight home to have a lovely evening together, now that we have the flat to ourselves again. He has had Wednesday, since he was little as "chips day". His Mum's idea. SO he arrived home with chicken and chips for me and I ate it............
So I think I can safely say I am starting this detox properly next week.

It is funny, I have STUCK to the no lattes, just because of that picture I did on the blog of "my last latte" so between now and next Monday I need to publicly list on here what I am not allowed, so I feel some accountability to stick to it. Years ago, I was soooooooooo good at detoxing. One of the reasons I have put on so much weight, is because I haven't done a proper detox since Summer 2006.

Weight today:
Didn't weigh.

Gratitude journal:
The lovely lunch we had at Wagamamas. I am grateful for some wonderful colleagues :-)

Fit Bug steps (in MBTs):
I go everywhere in my MBTs but still haven't sorted out the Fit Bug.

Learning point:
That I will be up and running next week and that this week is a dry run.

Confirmation of nil consumption of latte or cappuccino:
With great delight I can confirm that I have stuck to this every day.

Byeee, Liska Life x

Tuesday 06th January 2009

The Daily Declaration.

Exercise today:
Walking to and from station on way to and from work. That's a total of 34 minutes walking, and in MBTs.
But the highlight is that Catherine and I went to AQUA AEROBICS in our lunch break. It was truly awesome and amazing. A 45 minute session in Virgin Active. We expected the regular aqua aerobics like I did in Malta, but this was full on. Our arms hurt, our bingo wings hurt, our legs hurt, tummy muscles hurt, AND we were out of breath. This was hardcore and I am aching today, which means tomorrow I will be more sore........ but we LOVED it, and aim to go again. It is so so so good and the instructor uses load of props including these foam dumbells that look like liquorice allsorts which is not good when you are trying to take your mind off food :-)


Meditation:
Again none :-(

Meals today:
I had a scone before I left the house - there was one left that my Mum did not eat - oooops.
I add the following sentence on 8th Jan: I have just remembered that when I got to work I bout hot Granola (with soya milk) from Pret a Manger.

Due to doing aqua aerobics in my lunch break, I did not have lunch. Lack of prep meant I did not have lunch with me (ooops). So at 4.40 I could not take it anymore and was so hungry I had to dash out to Pret a Manger. The only thing that had kept me going till then was a yoghurt from a colleague and a satsuma from another colleague - thanks mates. At Pret I was supposed to get a salad but hunger meant I fell off the wagon and got a swedish meatballs wrap. I knew I was so hungry it would not fill me up, so I also got popcorn. Now this was funny. I wanted crisps but thought NO! I am meant to be on a detox, so I told myself popcorn is healthier. I looked at the sweet one and thought sugar is more deadly than salt, so got the salt flavoured one and fair play to Pret it did not taste greasy at all so I would think it is very low in calories.

Then I met my husband and friend from University at 8.15 p.m. that night and we ended up in Momos (London, just off Regent Street). I always drink alot with that friend so I thought THIS is the true test. I could not find alcohol free cocktails on the menu, so tentatively asked the waitress. Yes, we do Virgin cocktails she said, and I was delighted. I had 2 and can't remember what they were called, but they looked as green as a Mohito, but weren't limey like that. Truly delicious and it meant I didn't look like the odd one out drinking water, orange juice or coke. BUT we had mezze, and it included little sausages and pitta bread, but I made sure I ordered falafel also. Anyway, I am normally hardcore when I am on a detox, but I have not done a decent one since 2006 and it SHOWS. I do not eat meat when on detoxes, so I am clearly not in the zone yet.......... Preparation is the key and I think that's been what has been lacking..... so I have to get rubbish out of my cupboards and get some good things IN.

Weight today: N/A as did not get near a scales.

Gratitude journal: Thankful for the aqua aerobics and Catherine's HUGE smile every time I looked over at her. We had so much fun. Oh and the instructor was thoughtful, helpful, fun and fab.

Fit Bug steps (in MBTs):
STILL haven't charged the FitBug yet - sorry.

Learning point:
That I clearly needed to build into this. Which is VERY ironic, given that I bought Holland & Barret's magazine Healthy on Saturday, and there was a bit about spending 2 weeks gradually giving up things in the build up to a full detox. I read it with arrogance and thought that's not me. I will start on Monday 5th Jan full steam ahead.......... hhhhhhhhmmmmmmm life is NOT always THAT straight forward :-)

To those reading, good luck. If you have found me, you are probably on the same journey.

Liska Life xxxxxx

Monday 5th Jan 2009

The Daily Declaration.
Exercise today:
Only walking to and from station to go to work I am afraid.

Meditation: None :-(

Meals today:
Got frozen on the way to work (a 40 minute journey took 2 hours - long story).

So, the minute I got to work I had to buy porridge as a breakfast to warm me from the inside out (so that put non-dairy out the window). All I had at home before I left was a half glass of cold water and lemon juice and a half mug of hot water and fresh lemon juice. That did revive me though.

Then lunch was a goat's cheese salad, with drink as carrot and apple juice.

Home for dinner was the problem. Hadn't been food shopping and prep is everything!
So I had to go to a kebab shop and buy salad in pitta bread!
Was delicious but did not fill me up.

So here are my honest sins:
I had 2 brioche rolls - they were winking at me, and left over from Xmas (Mum doesn't like them anymore).
I had 2 bags of these special wholewheat baked crisps (healthy but not really detox food).
That was it I think, but that felt naughty enough!

Weight today:
N/A as did not get near a scales.

Gratitude journal:
Thankful for the train friends who kept me company at the station while we waited IN THE SNOW on a cold platform for 1 hour 10 minutes waiting for a train.

Fit Bug steps (in MBTs):
Haven't charged the FitBug yet - sorry.

Learning point:
That it doesn't all happen 100% straight away as hard as you try.

Confirmation of nil consumption of latte or cappuccino:
YES! Top of the class :-) During the day at work I had 2 peppermint teas, and a green tea. Then at home that evening I had a further green tea.

Housework - now THAT'S exercise

Since arriving back home from the airport (my Mum flew back to Ireland today - sniff), I have done hours of housework.

Blogging has been my rest :-) Didn't realise I'd end up on the computer for 2 hours though :-( Was 8 p.m. when I got on and 10 p.m. now - how on earth did THAT happen.

Anyway, I have made up beds, ironed, hoovered etc....... and I can confirm it is bloody good exercise.

Must do all that a lot more often :-)

Last latte and Last Mince Pie

Well this is a picture of my last latte and my last mince pie - sniff.

RIP fattening, sugary, artery hardening food.

Better you RIP than I.

Let the detox commence. Count down.

Book on the way - The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl

The Amazing Adventures Of Dietgirl

For anyone in the UK, who has had the same trouble I have had getting hold of it, (out of stock in Amazon.co.uk and Waterstones branches)...

I have just managed to order it from:

www.dietandfitnessresources.co.uk



They do have it in stock, and I have just successfully received my order confirmation.

I will write a review on here once it arrives, and once I have read it.

I already know it'll be a good read:

1. The author even has read in her name, albeit spelled Reid
2. The title has the word "Amazing" in it... now that has to be a good omen.
3. You just can't hear enough good things about this book on Shauna's blog. If you want to have a read before you buy the book, there's lots of great stuff on the blog and a whole network of people, like a community, regularly commenting on there. Makes weight loss sooooooo much easier when I can feel there are other people up to the same thing.

I can't "weight" to add my photo to the gallery of readers once my book arrives and I put my feet up to read it.

Liska Life x

Santa's Army

Well, I already know that my problem will be self-discipline, when this detox commences on Monday 5th January. So it kept going round in my head, whose army will keep me on track, then tonight we were taking down "some" of the Xmas decorations, to take some of the pressure off tomorrow, and I noticed that I have 4 santas, so I put them all together posing behind our window lights to illuminate them, and now this is the army that'll keep me on track.

I will have nightmares :-) about an Amry of Santas chasing the fat Santa, so fast and so hard, that she RUNS, until she becomes that slim Santa from 2004 (see earlier posts to know what I mean)... Hee hee.

Cute image and it is not from Google like so many of the others - this one I took myself with a BlackBerry.

Bye for today, Liska Life x

Detox 2009 - the format

Dear all, I have decided that I need a consistent way of tracking my progress. Plus it keeps me on the straight and narrow if I have to be public every day.

So I have done the format below that will be a daily feature on my blog.

Plus it means I can at least put something on, on busy days when I don't have time to write. Last day at work was 23rd December and first day back is 5th January. I know full well I may not blog every day once back in the full flow of work, so like my new commitment to weight loss, I will have to commit to completing the below, like a daily journal.

I know I sleep better when I give up coffee so I am looking forward to that. In readiness, I bought Barley Cup in Holland & Barrett today.

Exercise today:
Meals today:
Weight today:
Gratitude journal:
Fit Bug steps (in MBTs):
Learning point:
Confirmation of nil consumption of latte or cappuccino:

So, the format above goes live as of Monday, 5th January 2009.

Bye for now.

The scales don't lie

Hips don't lie has to be one of my favourite songs, but today it is the scales that don't lie.
As you can see, I am currently 13.5 stone.

As I cannot manage to get my tickerfactory.com weight loss ticker to appear on my blog (tried everything) I have resorted to taking a photo of me on a weighing scales :-)

I simply can't "weight" until I can post a similar image, with a much lower result. I can plot the progress over time I suppose. Speaking of time, my Mum asked what my deadline is, and I said I don't know. (She must know about goals being S.M.A.R.T. eh!?!?).

I will see what I lose in first few weeks and then think of a healthy goal...
When I say goal I mean deadline, for the weight loss. As I already know my goal which is 10.5 stone - meaning a weight loss of 42 pounds!

Good luck to all those other weight loss folk out there. I know at least in January there are a lot of us on the same path, or the same treadmill :-)

Liska Life, Bye for now..........

Love is

I googled "Love is..." in Google Images and this was what I found.
Quite ironic as my intention was to say in 2009, Love is:

Honouring oneself and taking care of oneself to assure a more positive self image and weight loss.

Ironically, the image that came up is about taking an account of things, which is what I will be doing, with regards to monitoring exercise and food intake.



It is also a good one considering the current financial crisis and reduced credit, which means it is also a good idea to take account of expenditure.

Anyway, however you interpret it, it is cute. Let it speak to you in whatever way it must.

Last blog for 2008.

Liska Life over and out. x

Santa in the year 2004 - Xmas

This photo shows that there is another way - I just need to get back to where I was.

This was me - Santa - in Xmas 2004.

Get back to that in 2009 and I'll be sorted.

Let the vitality and detox commence.

Bye for now, Liska Life
x

Fat Santa and 2008

Well, to show I am serious, about the aforementioned blog and the New Year resolution for 2009, I attach a photo of me - the fat santa.

This is what I plan to leave behind in 2008.

So it is appropriate that I post the photo when there are only 2.5 hrs left of 2008.

This photo was taken on 25th December 2008.


Let the weight loss, vitality and detox of 2009 commence.

To anyone else out there in the same laden down boat as me, see you in 2009, as we become more slender, toned, fit and healthy. As the clock strokes midnight let's toast the new us, while we honour and forgive the current us. After all, all that food eaten was delicious and those lazy days, with no exercise, were ever so restful...

Here's to 2009 and all the exciting things it has in store for all of us.

Ignore what the news and the papers say :-)

Liska Life 2008

Over and Out.

New Year Resolutions 2009

Hi

I have just been on Google and checked out New Year Resolutions which took me to Wikipedia, and below are the ones that they list as the "most popular goals".

So on my list I have no.1 firmly in place, which of course includes no.6 and no.7 and given that alcohol is FULL of calories, it obvioulsy also encompasses no.9. Due to the whole cortisol and stress, weightloss around the middle link (that I have blogged about before), then it also includes no.11 (less stress). I am sure my Mum would appreciate it if I also gave some attention to no.14 - hee hee.

Wikipedia's top 14 "most popular goals" below:

1. Lose weight
2. Gain weight
3. Pay off debt
4. Save money
5. Get a better job
6. Get fit
   
7. Eat right
   
8. Get a better education
9. Drink less alcohol
10. Quit smoking
11. Reduce stress
12. Take a trip
13. Volunteer to help others
14. Be less grumpy

Just did a bit more "googling" and found out that the microwave was invented when someone walked passed a radar and their bar of chocolate melted - there's a reason not to have take-a-ways any more. I was once told microwaves are banned in Russia but don't know if it's true.

I am tempted to plot my progress losing weight online in the New Year, but I'd have to be very brave to do that - might do though.

AAhhhhhhhhhhhhh I am inspired to do it online now. Click here and read what I just have. That's certainly given me food for thought.

It's funny, I have recently been comparing myself to a type of 80s computer game. You know the ones. You pick up things that help you later in the game. You pick up a bomb, or medicine, or weapon, or food and you build up all these things and use them when appropriate. I was thinking of this analogy with regards to weightloss and I was brainstorming about the things I would have in there.

On the bottom of the screen I would obviously have the things I own already:

• MBTs (lots of them).
• A Fit bug (great pedometor that connects to the computer so you can plot your progress and see how many steps you do, even by the hour).
• A Vita Mix (best detox blender you could EVER own). It'll set you back £300 plus but it is the best money you will ever spend. Makes soup, smoothies etc... I have blogged about it once before.
• I have a set of Saladmaster saucepans. They make amazing dinners, without the need for water or oil. You can use ONE pan for loads of veg. I fill it with brocolli, cauliflower, carrots, parsnips etc... and they steam in a vacuum using their own juices. Healthy, nutricious cooking and much quicker than the traditional methods.
• I have a FAB pilates machine called "Ellen Croft's Supreme Pilates". Need to dust it down and use it again.
• I have a rebounder.
• I have all the famous January weight loss DVDs - yes I am a sucker.
• I have a water filter machine - a very special one.
• I have lots of Kundalini Yoga DVDs.
• I have Virgin Active gym membership.
• Lots of books about PH and green diets.
• Innerlight Super Greens.
  
• and the list goes on..................

On my want list that my computer character would pick up would be:

• bottles of Evian.
• Some self discipline!
• a decent health food shop near my house
• and I think that'd be it, as I am in a good position - if I can sort the self-discipline out!

Anyway, for me, New Year starts from the Winter Solstice, i.e. after 21st December. Only reason I can't adhere to that, is all the festive eating, which makes it easier to follow the crowd and start being healthy in January :-)

Wikipedia gives a brief explanation of Winter Solstice and says: "Worldwide, interpretation of the event [Winter Solstice] has varied from culture to culture, most cultures have held a recognition of rebirth".

So off I am to eat, drink and be merry, knowing that those days are numbered - soon: let the detox commence!

Liska Life,

Over and Out.

Xmas in Folkstone - 2008

This year Xmas was in Folkstone by the beach. Drove up there with Mum and hubby on Xmas morning.

Dinner was in the Metropole with Robert and family. Stayed one night in the Burlington.

Boxing day walked down to the beach, from the hotel with Mum, which was like being in a dream. To get from the hotel to the beach you have to go down quite a few steps which is fun and picturesque on the way down, but bloody good exercise on the way back up...

Then before going home, we strolled around Dover College (check out the photo of Mum outside the Headmaster's office - I thought that was quite appropriate given that Mum went to boarding school in Ireland and was always naughty while there).

We also walked around the White Cliffs of Dover. I will have to get those photos from Rob. Walking along the cliff edge was quite scary and windy but there were lots and lots of walkers there doing the same. With dogs and buggies. Mum and I had the added instability underfoot of MBTs :-)

Xmas by the beach was beautiful. Good healthy sea air, and amazing food & drink.
Thanks Rob.

Today I am having a day in PJs to relax after such a busy week. Mum watched "On Golden Pond" today and now she is watching "The Graduate".

xxx

Alexandra is the winner

Alexandra just sang Hallelujah again after she was announced the winner and it was so full of emotion it was simply beautiful.

Well done Alexandra. You have been my favourite to win for quite a few weeks now.

Xfactor and Hallelujah

Well, I am watching the final and it is a very close call. All week my money's been on MY favourite Alexandra BUT........... I am a massive fan of the song Hallelujah and I have to say JLS's version was better. Sorry Alexandra, you did it with soul and passion, but you are one voice, and they had a blend that was beautiful and Aston sung his little heart out.

There are now ALOT of people talking online, some of whom think Hallelujah is a Jeff Buckley song, but he himself also covered it, albeit very very very well. The song is originally by Leonard Cohen. To listen to Jeff Buckley's version go to You Tube, where, if you are hearing it for the first time, you will quite frankly be blown away, especially if you have only had the XFactor treatment so far.

The following is what Wikipedia has to say:

"Hallelujah" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen originally released on his 1984 studio album Various Positions. A live recording of the song from 1988, containing additional lyrics, appears on the 1994 album, Cohen Live. While "Suzanne" is his most covered work to date, "Hallelujah" has experienced great popularity more recently and has now been recorded more than 170 times for release and has been featured in the soundtracks of numerous movies and television shows.[1]

Qype: MBT Concept Store in London

London
Having been in Harrods since 2005, MBT has now opened a Concept Store (concession) on the 5th floor, which now brings the full range of MBT physiological footwear to Knightsbridge. So if you often have trouble finding the anti-shoe of your choice you now know where to go. MBT experts will be on hand to serve you, and fit you in the style of your choice. Don't miss out on that Introsession which will give you all those valuable walking tips.
Check out my review of MBT Concept Store - I am SatKirtanKaur - on Qype

Britney Fiasco at HEAVEN.............

My comments about Saturday night have been posted on Marie Claire's website. The comment I wrote on there is word for word below:

Dear All,
I was there, at Heaven and she did not perform. We were all incredibly disappointed and they acted for over an hour like she was coming on stage, so we all cramped into the main room, and stayed like that for far too long till they finally admitted that she was not coming on stage. But before that, they cleared the stage of audience members, and lots of high vis security patrolled the stage as if they were getting it ready for her... They teased us for over an hour...
Crowd control was a huge issue and it was NOT in any way safe. The crowd moved every now and again and you felt like you were going to lose your footing and get trampled. Two fights broke out and several people passed out. They had to start chucking bottles of water from the stage and eventually the Police were called.
Britney apparently refused to come on stage........
Very disappointing....... but they said she was in the building at the Island, wherever that is.......
Comment by Liska Life on December 01 21:13