Ok so I have signed up to the 12 week body transformation challenge. I needed something to give me a kick start, some motivation and accountability and some new inspiration. Technically the challenge starts in 3 weeks, but we're already been set some challenges and tasks to get started, as part of the 'warm up' and 'pre-season'. And to be fair some of it whilst being very basic, they are helpful.
Today was the 3rd preparation task to 'Gear up'... well as I already train I have this sorted. But I did find the previous task helpful- setting goals (1 month, 3 months, 6 months & 12 months).
The one before that was listing all the excuses you can or have made and writing them down and the solution... so next time you go to use it, the solution is there in print. So as you can imagine my fridge is becoming quite full!
The warm up challenges were basic changes, to get you focused and I guess so the challenge isn't such a shock to the system... as # 1 was make one small change. The others involved planning meals, writing down what you eat, exercising every day, cutting down on non water fluids... guess all the stuff we know we should be doing anyway.
So back to today. For lunch today I have left overs from the weekend BBQ feast! So thought I would share my walnut and fennel couscous recipe... as I love it!
Boil kettle, pour dried couscous into a mixing bowl. Add an equal amount of hot water (once boiled) and cover with lid, or cling film (glad wrap). Leave for at least 5 minutes.
Then in a hot pan heat through some cumin and fennel seeds, then break down in pestle and mortar and set aside.
Add tsp oil to pan, sauté 1 finely sliced fennel bulb, 2 celery sticks and an onion.
Once soft add 1 juice and rind of 1 lemon, bunch fresh parsley 75g walnuts to a blender and pulse. Then add olive oil, the sautéed vegetables and ground seeds. And pulse until mixed.
Uncover and separate couscous with a fork, mix through other ingredients.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Reintroducing myself and my new challenge
Its quite strange reading back over all the previous posts. I have now tried to re-label them into some kind of order. So I have listed by general subject at the top and for recipes, by category at the side. For many of my recipes I had already listed key ingredients so if you were to search those you should be able to find recipes too. So if you had cheese and eggs, you should be able to find some inspiration.
It's been quite some time since I blogged on here regularly. At the time it had been a year, since I had reached my goal weight. And we were living in suburbia attempting to grow our own. Proving what could be done. Since then we have actually moved onto a small acerage (almost 2 years now). And we are taking thsi lifestyle a little further. I have been blogging about this, and really enjoying the process www.maes-y-delyn.com it is part of the reason I am returning to this one.
Weight wise it has not all been plain sailing. My weight has fluctuated a bit. But I have been able to identify when I was losing control and address the issue. Moving house was actually a challenge. I think a combination of setting up new habits, change of routine (especially exercise) and alot of comfort eating (and drinking) lead to my weight once again creeping up.
So last year I set about regaining control, undertaking a 3 month fitness/ "diet" challenge along with my other half. It was pretty successful- Max's Muscle Challenge. The first 8 weeks seemed to be sensible eating and training, something I could easily follow. The latter stages I admith the "diet" became unsustainable and not something I finished. But the exercise component was interesting, and somethign we had kept up (more or less). I learned new training techniques, such as cross fit. And actually had some guidence with weight training. Weight training is something I usually get board with... I find it repetitive. But no longer being a member of a gym, as we are 'out of town' we had set up some equipment in the shed.
So following 6 weeks of Christmas visitors and a fwe injury niggles, I find myself once again a few kilos over goal. But with new goals and a new challenge ahead I fel it was time to start blogging again.
So 12wbt should be an experience. I do like challenges that offer group support, as well as training plans and new recipes. Whilst I enjoyed the training for the Maxx challenge. I felt the shakes were almost cheeting. Even though they were only supplementry to the food. I am hoping to get back on track. Guess weight loss will always be a permenant challenge for me. But the key is acknowledging when you need help.
So we have a few weeks til 'kick off'. But so far we have been given warm up and pre-seson challenges and advise. SO I chall share these as I go.
It's been quite some time since I blogged on here regularly. At the time it had been a year, since I had reached my goal weight. And we were living in suburbia attempting to grow our own. Proving what could be done. Since then we have actually moved onto a small acerage (almost 2 years now). And we are taking thsi lifestyle a little further. I have been blogging about this, and really enjoying the process www.maes-y-delyn.com it is part of the reason I am returning to this one.
Weight wise it has not all been plain sailing. My weight has fluctuated a bit. But I have been able to identify when I was losing control and address the issue. Moving house was actually a challenge. I think a combination of setting up new habits, change of routine (especially exercise) and alot of comfort eating (and drinking) lead to my weight once again creeping up.
So last year I set about regaining control, undertaking a 3 month fitness/ "diet" challenge along with my other half. It was pretty successful- Max's Muscle Challenge. The first 8 weeks seemed to be sensible eating and training, something I could easily follow. The latter stages I admith the "diet" became unsustainable and not something I finished. But the exercise component was interesting, and somethign we had kept up (more or less). I learned new training techniques, such as cross fit. And actually had some guidence with weight training. Weight training is something I usually get board with... I find it repetitive. But no longer being a member of a gym, as we are 'out of town' we had set up some equipment in the shed.
So following 6 weeks of Christmas visitors and a fwe injury niggles, I find myself once again a few kilos over goal. But with new goals and a new challenge ahead I fel it was time to start blogging again.
So 12wbt should be an experience. I do like challenges that offer group support, as well as training plans and new recipes. Whilst I enjoyed the training for the Maxx challenge. I felt the shakes were almost cheeting. Even though they were only supplementry to the food. I am hoping to get back on track. Guess weight loss will always be a permenant challenge for me. But the key is acknowledging when you need help.
So we have a few weeks til 'kick off'. But so far we have been given warm up and pre-seson challenges and advise. SO I chall share these as I go.
Being organised can and does save cash
Develop yoru own tick and flick-
Start by going through your cupbaords, fridge and freezer and listing what you have in categories. Not just food, general use items, toiletries etc too. Now I list the most used items on my tick sheet. This lives on my fridge, so the whole house can mark off when something is low or run out. I also use this to scour the weekly specials. I can then compare, on the spot and know where to buy what.
This may sound like an effort, but it can make a great amount of difference. Just because it has a sticker on it, does mean its the best price. These are common techniques used to lure customers into making uneccesary purchases. Items that we use regularly, like toilet roll or higher priced items- such as good coffee I buy in bulk or stock up when thier on special.
Go to your green grocer, local baker, farm shop/markets and butcher first. Cutting out the middle man can save you money and it will be a fresher product. As you know we do raise our own meat, but this is not always enough. Especially as we are getting started. And we do not have the room to rear all our own meat supply. So we still buy from different sources. Local producers (such as a piggery), local butcher- and you can usually buy in bulk or half a beast, if you have the storage space and are prepared to put in the work. This can be very cost effective.
If we do buy from supermarkets, we do try to buy free range- Chicken, Pork, eggs (not that I've bought any of those for some time). This is a conciencoius discission, I would personally rather eat less than buy factory farmed, but that's me. And I do take full advantage of reduced to clear meats, getting close to thier best before date. These only apply when its fresh, they will freeze and keep just as well as any other meat.
Start by going through your cupbaords, fridge and freezer and listing what you have in categories. Not just food, general use items, toiletries etc too. Now I list the most used items on my tick sheet. This lives on my fridge, so the whole house can mark off when something is low or run out. I also use this to scour the weekly specials. I can then compare, on the spot and know where to buy what.
This may sound like an effort, but it can make a great amount of difference. Just because it has a sticker on it, does mean its the best price. These are common techniques used to lure customers into making uneccesary purchases. Items that we use regularly, like toilet roll or higher priced items- such as good coffee I buy in bulk or stock up when thier on special.
Go to your green grocer, local baker, farm shop/markets and butcher first. Cutting out the middle man can save you money and it will be a fresher product. As you know we do raise our own meat, but this is not always enough. Especially as we are getting started. And we do not have the room to rear all our own meat supply. So we still buy from different sources. Local producers (such as a piggery), local butcher- and you can usually buy in bulk or half a beast, if you have the storage space and are prepared to put in the work. This can be very cost effective.
If we do buy from supermarkets, we do try to buy free range- Chicken, Pork, eggs (not that I've bought any of those for some time). This is a conciencoius discission, I would personally rather eat less than buy factory farmed, but that's me. And I do take full advantage of reduced to clear meats, getting close to thier best before date. These only apply when its fresh, they will freeze and keep just as well as any other meat.
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