Wednesday 24 December 2008

Happy Christmas!

*To the tune of Happy Birthday*

Happy Christmas to you
Happy Christmas to you
Happy Christmas to everyone
Happy Christmas to you

Hope everyone's all ready for Christmas. We are, except that we can't put presents under the tree because Rosie will eat them/play with them/unwrap them/generally destroy them. Apart from that, we're all ready. Ocado delivered Christmas lunch on Monday evening (where would I be without Ocado?? Probably still trying to find a parking space in Sainsbury's...).

Rana is back to normal, which is a relief because I was beginning to fear for my safety after her bout of leaping all the way in from the field.

Dawson is her usual laid back "bruiser cat" self (I call her Bruiser Cat because if she was a person, she'd be a bouncer!).

Rosie is her usual pesky self. She stole smoked trout off Glenn's plate last night. Ooops. She enjoyed it anyway.

I probably won't post for a while, as I don't tend to use the laptop at home.

So if I don't hear from you before, I shall say Happy New Year as well.

Have a good one
Kate x

Friday 19 December 2008

I did it!

Well, I managed it! Lost 1.5lbs last night, which was exactly what I needed to get my third stone. 3 stones lost since July. Best Christmas present ever!

Feeling very pleased with myself, and can now go off plan for just a few days without feeling guilty.

It was our anniversary on Wednesday, and Glenn sent me flowers and balloons to the office. It was a lovely surprise. I bought him a personalised bottle of champagne, with our names and the date on.

Cats are as mad as ever. They're off to Granny's today, for the weekend, while we're away. She's looking forward to having them there. She hasn't seen Rosie recently and has no idea of the havoc she's going to cause.

I have found a way of keeping her out of the Christmas tree though - the balloons! She's terrified of them.

Rana has been completely mental this week. She's moved to a different field, and has gone back out with her old friend who she hasn't seen for 3 months (friend was injured and on stable rest). It's all very exciting. Believe me, 500kg of horse leaping all around you while you're leading it in is just not funny. Fortunately she was a little calmer last night, so hopefully she's getting over the excitement of it all.

Helped a policeman with a loose horse this morning. Late for work, but at least horsey was safely back in his field.

In fact, best get on with some work....

If I don't blog before, have a great Christmas everyone, and all the best for 2009!

Kate x

Tuesday 16 December 2008

Last weeks WI

Sorry for not posting sooner, been a bit manic.

I lost 3lbs last week, so only another 1.5lbs to go to get my third stone. REALLY REALLY want to lose this before Christmas (so this week, as I don't WI again until after New Year). Fingers crossed please!

Also, am now wearing my sparkly jeans! Size 20. Haven't worn them for 3 years. That makes 3 dress sizes now. Boy do I feel good!

Kitten is as mad as ever. She's made it to the top of the tree now. 6 feet high. Oh well, it's still standing.

Dawson is still obsessed with the ivy mice, but hasn't caught one yet.

Rana moved fields this morning. That was fun - in the dark and the fog. She's going back out with her old friend Moon (who has sadly been injured for the past 3 months). They got on well before, but a new friend and a field move together is always a bit nervewracking. Can everyone keep fingers crossed that they're ok together.

Away this weekend, to the New Forest, for our 3rd anniversary. I'm looking forward to it. Lovely hotel, beautiful room (we've stayed there before). Far too much good food of course, but hey, it's Christmas time!

My plan for Christmas is:

Friday 19th - Sun 21st - forget WW, got Christmas lunch, then away for the weekend. Build up bonus points by walking in the New Forest
Mon 22nd - Tues 23rd - save 4 points each day
Wed 24th - be good all day, take away in the evening
Christmas day - eat what I like, but have only bought enough treats for the one day
Boxing day - Thurs 8th Jan - back on track and pointing again

I'm hoping for a small loss, or at least to maintain my loss over Christmas.

Hope you're all having a good WW week
Kate x

Wednesday 10 December 2008

Rana in the snow


Sleepy Rosie



Rosie in the tree

Christmas kitten update

One of the reindeers has been destroyed. She chewed its antlers and legs off.

One of the hearts has been destroyed. She chewed it to bits and ate parts of it. Then left it on the bed for me to see. Lovely.

She's pulled off 2 branches, 1 string of tinsel, and all the new felt decorations. She keeps hiding in the tree and bouncing poor Dawson as she walks past.

Now even Dawson is getting involved - playing with the felt decorations, throwing them around, and refusing to go out because indoors is too much fun.

What next???

Weigh in tomorrow and I'm feeling very nervous. I think I had a good week last week, but didn't make it to WI. This week has been a very bad week, but I'm hoping for at least an STS or small loss (I think I might just scrape 1lb off). Not looking good for my Christmas goal though!

Monday 8 December 2008

The Christmas Kitten

Well, the Christmas tree went up yesterday. A certain small fluffy kitten decided it wasn't a Christmas decoration, it was in fact a kitten activity centre.

She's been having great fun with it. Climbing in it, taking the decorations off etc. Thank God I bought some felt material decorations for the bottom branches! She keeps pulling them off and running around with them in her mouth. I found one in the bedroom this morning. I just hope she doesn't get the glass ones off!

Pics will follow.

Dawson's taking it all in her stride fortunately, as she's far too big to climb up the tree (big bruiser cat that she is).

Rana is a complete tart. She spent saturday morning running round her field because her boyfriend hadn't gone out to the field yet. She doesn't even share a field with him, but he is in the field next door. I think they're in love because they both get put in the field so early in the morning (6.30am-ish). Silly ponies.

Friday 5 December 2008

Missed WI

Well unfortunately I missed WI last night. Had to help a friend out (long story, best left off this blog!). Hopefully I'll have a really great loss to report next week.

Animals are as mad as ever.

Rana had an indoor day yesterday, as the weather was horrid. Driving rain, 20mph winds and only 1 degree above freezing. She wouldn't have appreciated being out in that. She was very pleased to get out again this morning though, and trotted off across the field to join Dudley (her morning boyfriend).

Dawson is hibernating. She spends most of her time asleep in Rosie's cat bed. She goes out for 10 minutes a day, just to check what the ivy mice are up to. Then it's back in, cuddle up to get warm, then off to bed. Lazy moggy.

Rosie is still mad. She keeps playing with the toilet roll, pulling wallpaper off the walls, getting receipts out of the basket on the shelf and playing with them. She can also now get onto the high windowsill in the bedroom, which is great for lining up a big jump right onto my face. Great way to wake up at 3am.

I love 'em really!!

Friday 28 November 2008

2lb loss

Had a good WI last night and lost 2lbs, taking my total to 37.5lbs. So only 2.5lbs to go for my 40lbs, and 4.5 for my 3rd stone. Can every one send me extra will power and cross fingers that I can do 4.5lbs before Christmas. I would love to get that 3rd stone before the end of the year! Only 3 more WI's for me though, so will need a couple of big losses to make it.

Didn't do anything different to last week, but I'm not complaining, just going to keep doing what I'm doing, it's working.

Cats mad as ever - Dawson is convinced the ivy mice are back, and is spending her days on the shed roof. Rosie is still tearing off wallpaper and playing with the toilet roll, plus sitting in the bathroom sink miaowing until you turn the tap on. She then drinks from it, plays with it, soaks you in water, purrs, and wanders off again. She does have fresh drinking water, so I don't know what the obsession is with the bathroom sink. The trouble is....we're planning to get the bathroom done soon (whole new suite etc), and we'd like mixer taps. Of course these go on and off with the flick of a paw....you can see where this is leading, can't you?

Had mad horse last night too. Her field mate had come in earlier than she did (unusual, as I'm often first to arrive). Rana wasn't a happy pony. She had to gallop round shouting at me for being late (I wasn't), and skidded to a halt 2 inches from the end of my toes. I'm so pleased she knows where her feet are, or I might be typing this from my hospital bed. I dread the day she mis-judges the slippery mud though. It could be painful.

Quiet day at work today, due to the stock take. It should have been done last night, ready for me to enter new data today. So I cleared all my other work so I could focus purely on the stock data. It hasn't been done, and is being done now. I leave work in 45 minutes. I don't think it's going to get done. Oh well, early start on Monday then!!

Thanks to everyone who's commented on my blog - sorry I don't always get a chance to reply.

Steak n Jackets tonight (see recipe on Spyfox's blog). Glenn's favourite, and mine too!!

Cat lovers - you will LOVE this link: http://icanhascheezburger.com/. If you can get past the stupid text spelling in babytalk (you'll see what I mean), this is really very funny. I am ashamed to say that I am now on page 76 and still giggling away....

Tuesday 25 November 2008

Will someone please tell me...

How to stop Rosie from scratching the wallpaper off the wall, and running off with it in her mouth? I give up.

She's also had 2 more Andrex Puppy moments.

Still, on the plus side, she's also being overly cute while it's cold. She likes to sleep under the duvet with us, in between us, with her head on the pillow. She came and snuggled under the blanket with us last night too, while we were watching TV.

Rana doesn't want to be in the field, she keeps standing at the gate and calling to everyone who walks past, to see if they'll bring her in. They won't, so now I feel like a mean mummy leaving her out there in the freezing cold (she's well rugged so don't worry about her!).

Dawson's refusing to go out, and leaves the house for a whole 30 seconds at a time. It's obviously far too cold for her, despite her thick winter coat. She's taken over Rosie's cat bed completely now, and walks up and bashes Rosie if she's in there. She was playing like a lunatic last night - chasing boot laces, stealing Rosie's ball, the pair of them chasing each other up and down the stairs. Nightmare.

Having a good WW week so far, so fingers crossed for a good loss this week. Finding some lovely recipes to do in both the "Cook" book, and the "Shop and Cook" book - both from WW. Glenn loved the pasta with creamy peppered steak I made last night. I've even found a low point toad in the hole recipe, so I'm trying that at the weekend!

Friday 21 November 2008

0.5lb off

Well I think my bad week last week has caught up with me. I only lost half a pound last night. I'm a bit disappointed, but at least it was a loss. I don't feel too bad about it.

So, plan of action - keep doing what I'm doing, get back to walking on a Sunday (I didn't last week as I felt so ill), get some scales to weigh my ingredients with when I'm cooking. Otherwise, just keep plodding on and see how next week's WI goes.

Also going to try on my size 22 jeans this weekend. I've only lost 7.5lbs since I bought them, so I'm really not sure they'll fit yet, but my 24's are getting big and baggy now, so I think it's worth a try at least.

Rana isn't enjoying these dark mornings, and has to be dragged to the field every day. Still, it has to be done. I tried to tie her up outside her stable while I cleaned her bed, but she ended up scrapping with the horse next door. Best not try that again!!

Dawson is being all cute and cuddly as it gets colder. She goes out for a while 5 minutes at a time. In fact, the other day, I timed it as 1 minute 30 seconds. Honestly!

Rosie is being mad. On Saturday, she climbed up the curtain. She got halfway up and realised she was stuck. She ended up hanging on by one claw, before plopping down onto the conveniently placed dining table. She's also developed a love for toilet roll. As in "Andrex puppy" moment. AARGH. With a brand new roll I'd just put on. Twice. Pics will follow *sigh*.

Keep forgetting to recommend a film we rented a couple of weeks ago. It's called "A complete history of my sexual failures" and it is hysterical! Not for the prudish, but if you're reasonably open minded it's very very funny.

Friday 14 November 2008

1lb off and photo overload!

Ok, so my bad week wasn't as bad as I thought it might have been. I lost 1lb this week, bringing my total loss up to 2 1/2 stone. I'm pleased with that!!

Going to be extra good this week though, in case it all catches up with me.

Some pics for you:

Me, ready to go out last weekend. 'Fraid I don't have a before pic for comparison (the pic on my profile is an old one from a couple of years ago).




Rosie, trying to steal water from Glenn's glass. For anyone who's worried about her, yes, she does have fresh water available from a cat bowl!



Dawson relaxing in Rosie's cat bed. It's a bit small for her really, but she likes to squash herself into it.

Wednesday 12 November 2008

A bad week

Well, I am really not having a good WW week....

Thurs and Fri - saved 3 points from each day for dinner out on Sat.

Sat - went to Pizza Express, ate far too much! Worked out points at approx 30, so 1 under my (saved) allowance.

Sun - went to Asda and got 2 new tops from George. In a size 22. I was pretty pleased with that, as it means I've dropped another dress size, at least off the top.

Later Sun - started feeling terrible (flu) and decided I needed a takeaway. Talked myself into having WW pizza instead. Then had a large bag of Blockbuster Popcorn. Could have been worse, was probably just within points (too ill to track).

Mon - couldn't resist the takeaway any longer, had Fish n Chips. Wish I hadn't.

Tues - wasn't too bad, but was slightly over points.

Today - being good! I should be within points, and at least I'm now feeling better and more able to resist temptation.

So, in my defence, I did walk up to Asda instead of driving, so probably earned 5 activity points.

Can everyone please cross their fingers for me to have an STS this week. I REALLY don't want a gain!!

Here's my line:

__________________________________________________

Starting afresh from tomorrow morning, with this week forgotten about.

Friday 7 November 2008

Lost again!

Well once again, I lost 3lbs. And once again, I am in total shock. Not that I'm complaining of course, long may it continue!

I ate nearly all my points - saved 3 over the week for emergencies (ie, a Galaxy Ripple mmmmm), but this is what I do every week. Thats 3lbs lost for 3 weeks in a row. That's nearly a stone in a month!

Anyway, I'd love to share some weird and wonderful weight loss wisdom with you all, but I have to say, just follow the plan. It works. It took a while to get started, but now it seems to be falling off me.

Good luck for a good WW week
Kate x

Monday 3 November 2008

New hair!

Well, it's been an eventful weekend.

Arrived at the yard on Saturday morning to find that we're moving to the winter fields (higher up so dryer, more grass). So much panicking and finding the yard owner to check which field I'm supposed to be using. Have to give Rana her anti-worming paste. Rana thinks I'm trying to kill her and tries to kill me instead. Eventually shove the syringe in her mouth, when she decides that my preferred method of "horse-icide" is poisoning, and refuses to accept any polo's as a reward.

Bring her out of her stable, where she bounces across the yard, skids on the concrete and stands there snorting. Lead her to the field in her best prancey trot. Try to avoid the flying feet when she realises she has plenty of grass to eat and new surroundings to check out. Avoid the flying feet, but not the flying head when she rears up while I'm trying to take her headcollar off. Cue rope burns. Ow.

Eventually get headcollar off without further injury, and beat a strategic retreat behind the closed gate, where I watch her gallop round for 20 minutes non stop, before giving up and sorting her stable out. Apparently she spent the entire day charging round like a 3 year old. I give up.

So then off to the hairdressers (after de-horsey-fying myself of course). Discuss my new hair cut, hair dresser does a great job, leave salon feeling great. Arrive home feeling great, loving new hair. Potter about a bit, feeling miffed that Glenn isn't there to see it.

Then off out in the rain to sort Rana out for the night. Within 10 minutes, my hair was wrecked! Hanging in sodden little strands, rather like a drowned rat. £50 on a hairstyle that lasted 2 hours!!!!! (Ok, I know the cut will last longer, but still...)

Drag Rana in from the rain, when a friend wanders round and asks if I'll help her get in another friends horse (don't ask) because she feels sorry for him. Go for a walk up to the field with her - now, 6 months ago, I did this exact walk, and was puffing from halfway up the hill. Now, I did the whole walk, there and back, without getting out of breath. I even went back up and got Rana's field friend in because she was on her own and fretting. Still not puffing. So that felt pretty good, even if it did mean I got even more drenched!!

Back home to get into my nice warm, dry, PJ's and order a (pointed) Domino's pizza online. Attempt to sort hair out.

Dragged Glenn into town to get some straighteners on Sunday. My hair just looks awful without straightening. And I made him walk too! I was so motivated by my fitness NSV on Saturday, that instead of driving to Pets at Home, then into town, I made Glenn leave the car at Pets at Home and walk into town. It isn't far, only about half a mile, but all uphill on the way there. I was just a little bit out of breath, but could still walk and talk without too much bother. I was pretty chuffed with that!!

Anyway, I've done my hair properly today and it looks fab! Pics will follow, probably at the weekend.

Rosie and Dawson are both fine, just their usual selves hence no real update on here. Rosie loves my new hair, and spent 5 minutes sitting on my shoulder sniffing and chewing my head this morning. Oh well, she'll grow out of it I suppose.

Having another clothes disaster at the moment, since my size 24 jeans no longer fit. I don't know exactly how I can outshrink them in a week, but there we are. I tried washing them (you know what jeans are like, wash them and they shrink back again), but no joy. I have a good inch spare around the waist. They stay up, but they're definitely baggy. Good job I bought the next size down! Sadly, my new tops are also getting a bit big, but with the belt, I can make them last a little longer.

More updates later in the week! Sorry for ultra long post....(and a cup of tea with a WW friendly biscuit to anyone who made it to the bottom!)

Friday 31 October 2008

WI result - still in shock

Well I was (as usual) worrying over nothing.

I stepped on the scales last night, not feeling very confident. So when the scales read 16.12, I thought I was dreaming! That's a 3lb loss. Even after my mis-pointed takeaway and lunch out.

I'm still not entirely sure how I lost 3lbs, but I'm happy with it!! And I'm really pleased to be back in the 16's for the first time in 2 years. Who would have thought that this time last year, I was considering weight loss surgery? So much easier (and less painful) to do WeightWatchers!

Unfortunately it does mean that I've now lost another daily point :o( Still, 25 is reasonably easy to stick to, it's only a problem if I want to save 4 points for a treat (like I am today). I'm starving!!!!

Rosie has been having great fun playing with the cotton wool pads over the past couple of days. Fortunately I manage to take them off her before she eats them. She stole Glenn's glasses last night, which was quite funny when he started looking for them lol.

Dawson has been out for a whole 10 minutes since yesterday morning. I even tried carrying her out with me this morning, but she scratched me and ran upstairs. I think she likes staying in and playing with Rosie - lots of rough and tumble as she's teaching Rosie to fight. I don't think Rosie needs much teaching....

Thursday 30 October 2008

Rosie has excelled herself....

this morning.

At 5.30am, I straightened her cuddle coil and wedged it back in it's normal place so she can whizz in and out of it like an idiot. By 7.30am, it was collapsed and under the stairs (about 10 feet away from where it should be). Honestly! It's 3 times the size of her. How on earth did she get it under the stairs??

She has also stolen 2 post it notes with phone numbers on, and hidden them somewhere, and brought my packet of sugar free mints down from my dressing table, to the dining room floor. Why??

Rosie and Dawson played Racetrack last night. This is a good game which involves chasing each other up and down the stairs and on and off the bed, giving the neighbours the impression that we have a herd of elephants living in the house.

Rana's been snuggled up in her heavy rugs for the last few days, as it's been so cold. She's even had her leg warmers on! Bless her, she doesn't like staying in the field all day any more - she wants to come in again by lunchtime, and I don't get there til 4pm. Still, at least I get a lovely greeting from her, with lots of neighing, and most days a bit of bouncing round and showing off to her field mate. I think she's secretly proud that she's the first one to get to the field, and the first one to come in again.

Fingers crossed for WI tonight. Sneak Preview on the home scales is showing a 2lb loss, but I'm just not convinced. I don't feel as though I've lost. Still, I'll wait and see what the WW scales say. Going to the 5.30 meeting today, as 7pm is a bit too late really. Hope it doesn't make a difference!!!

AAARGH, I've just made myself really nervous now. I'm going to WI an hour and a half earlier, so I might weigh differently. Gah! Oh well, I'll have to weight and see (sorry, couldn't resist that pun - terrible I know!).

Tuesday 28 October 2008

Monogamy....

....A hot affair....With your partner.

We bought this Adult board game, and I'd like to recommend it to anyone who wants to spice up their relationship.

The details don't belong here of course, but basically there are 3 levels and you go twice round the board at each level, picking up cards and landing on squares. On the 1st level, it's a bit like dating. You have to ask each other questions and if you land on a kiss square, you get a peck on the cheek. Then it builds up over the other levels til you get a full on snog when you land on a kiss square, and the questions become more....suggestive, let's say.

Anyway, I shan't elaborate any more. Suffice to say that we had a good giggle and I think relationship counsellors everywhere should give you this game to play!!

Monday 27 October 2008

Silly Glenn!

Well after having had a moan at Glenn about leaving empty hangers in the wardrobe (his response was that he has "special" hangers for certain clothes....hmmm...ok, but I hang them up and don't use the "special" hangers....), he came up with a great one the other night.

At our meeting on Thursday, we were asked to think about what fruit or veg we're most like. I decided I was most like a pear (cos I'm pear shaped). Glenn thought for a while, before announcing that he's like a coconut. "Oh", I said, "Round and hairy" (well I thought it was funny!). He replied "No! Because I'm tough on the outside but soft in the middle".

To demonstrate how much weight I've lost, I bought a pair of size 26 jeans, shortly after starting WW. They fitted reasonably comfortably, if slightly loose. Glenn decided to show me exactly how much I've lost, while I was wearing them. With me in my jeans, he added both his arms down 1 leg of them! I suppose you had to be there.

Animal update

More of the usual with the pets.

Over-ordered Rana's straw again, so she had a huge bed. She was perched precariously on the edge looking nervous, but acutally enjoyed being higher up and being able to see more from over the door (she has a high door to keep the draughts out). For any non-horsey people reading, don't worry, she wasn't in any danger of falling out of bed!

Rosie was frightened by the fireworks, but hid behind the washing machine until they'd stopped. Dawson couldn't care less of course!

Soggy Moggy Dawson had to be dried yesterday morning. I was out, so Glenn did the honours. He managed to dry her body, but wasn't brave enough to tackle the paws. So now I have to change the bed again after she dried them on the duvet cover. Lovely...

A good shopping trip

Well, I've booked my hair appointment for next Saturday. Going for a short bob which is short short at the back, but chin length at the front, so it still frames my face. Very modern, very funky, very texturised.

Also, Glenn took me shopping this weekend, as a reward for losing both 10% and 2 stone (he's also since admitted he snuck off to buy a new X-box game as his reward for losing 3 stone, so he felt guilty that I hadn't bought anything!).

I bought loads! 2 new pairs of jeans, which fit! (I've been in my baggy 26's for too long now) Wearing my size 24's at the moment, and also bought a pair of size 22's, which go on but leave bulges in odd places. They'll be ok in 7-10lbs though, and they were on offer.

Also, a sort of dark turquiose blue lightweight jumper (I'm sure there's a technical description of the colour!), and a silver and black satin-y blouse.

To finish off the outfit, a pair of ankle length brown leather boots - sort of a light brown leather (not tan), with a faux wooden heel. Very comfy, and not too high that I'm pottering round in them. And a matching belt, which I wear over my baggy tops to pull them in round my waist lol.

I look good, I feel good, what more to say?

Friday 24 October 2008

WI result and mad animals

Well, I managed to stick to Kickstart for the week, and it paid off! I lost 3lbs, which took me to my 10% award and my 2nd stone. I am so happy! I'm losing an average of 2lbs a week, which is a nice, steady, sustainable weightloss. I feel so much better, I've dropped a dress size, and I'm regaining my confidence.

28lbs gone forever!! So as a reward, I've booked a hair appointment for a complete restyle. So a week tomorrow, I'll have completely new hair - from long mop, to short, funky, bob. And Glenn's taking me shopping tomorrow so I can get a new outfit! Thank God for that small windfall we got this week!

Animals are as mad as ever.

Dawson was sitting on the shed roof this morning. In the rain. Looking miserable. Hoping the neighbours would call the RSPCA on me for being so cruel as to make her go outside (I didn't, she chose to!). Actually, I think she was waiting for the ivy mice to run into her mouth (I'm sure there are mice living in the ivy, but she catches them before I see them).

Rosie actually wanted cuddles this week - 3 mornings in a row, she's wanted to be picked up and cuddled. At least until the spaniel opposite came out for a run about, then she wanted to glare at him and wag her tail. I'm convinced she's a puppy cross kitten. She steals things - keys, phones, glasses, tissues, receipts. Anything she can get in her mouth, she runs off with and hides in her cuddle coil. Oh well, I suppose we know where to look....

Rana wrecked her light stable rug last week, so I had to go shopping for a new one. Somehow, she'd pulled it off her rug rail, stamped on it, made holes in it, and pooed on it. Delightful pony. Fortunately I managed to find a new one, same make, in last years colours, for only £15! Bargain. Pics will follow.

We've had Psycho Rana twice this week. Both times I've been "late" (by 15 minutes) and she's been the last one left in the field (no big deal, there are horses in the fields next door). She's been running round like an idiot, leaping all over the place, and generally acting like a 4 year old. Very silly, and she got told off for leaping too close to me. I know she's not vicious, but she's still 520kg of horse!

Off to nurse my sore neck now (yep, a Rana related injury from her spooking at a small boy going for a walk along the footpath with his father).

Sorry for ultra long post, I know I get carried away!

Kate x

Thursday 23 October 2008

"I Love Your Blog" Award


Thanks to Bryher at http://www.bryherhill.com/ for sending me this award. I was chuffed to bits when I read your comment!

Here are the rules:
  1. The nominated is allowed to put the picture on their blogs.
  2. Link to the person who awarded you.
  3. Nominate seven other people and link to them.
  4. Leave a message on those people's blog to make them aware that they're nominated.

Here are my nominations (in no particular order):

  1. Spyfox - http://spyfox1969.blogspot.com/
  2. Kate - http://skinnyfitkate.blogspot.com/
  3. Phil - http://phil-theincredibleshrinkingman.blogspot.com/
  4. Rachel - http://rachelsfatfightersclub.blogspot.com/
  5. Paul - http://fat4now.blogspot.com/
  6. Mel - http://shrinkingmel23.blogspot.com/
  7. Amy - http://catloverweightwatcher.blogspot.com/

I hope my links work...technology sometimes defeats me....

Kate x

Monday 20 October 2008

Sorry for ultra long post before...

Got a bit carried away with my NSV's there!

So, a quick animal update...

Rana is as nutty as ever and spent 10 minutes galloping round the field and fly bucking on Thursday night. I don't know why, but it's any excuse with Rana. Eventually she calmed down and let me catch her, then bounced all the way into the stable. Amazing how she can look like that on Thursday, but by Sunday look really old again. Still, as long as she's having her good days!

Dawson is still being silly about going out. She lost her name tag from her collar today. At least she didn't lose the whole collar this time, and she even left her name tag on the landing where I could find it. How she lost it I don't know!

Rosie is still alternating between purry purry cute cute and wanting fuss, and thinking I'm a mouse to be killed and eaten. My hands are very scratched again! She also keeps sitting on the window sill, looking out over the front garden and the close we live on. This isn't particularly unusual, but she keeps making chirruping noises. I don't really know how to describe them. It's not a miaow, it's not a purr, it's not even a cross between the two. It's just a little chirrup. Very cute, and she sits there for 10 minutes chatting away to nothing, then comes bouncing over for fuss. Strange kitten...

A wardrobe NSV! x2

Getting ready to go out for lunch on Saturday, I went to put on my usual size 26 jeans, and looked at them in sheer disgust. I no longer need to undo them to take them off/put them on. It's getting silly now. So I decided to try on my size 24's. See my earlier rant re. dress sizing! Shock, horror! They actually fit! They are a little bit tight, but comfy enough to wear for a few hours. Decided to investigate the wardrobe for something to go with them, and came across a size 26 shirt that I'd bought online and forgotten to return. It's one of those that's REALLY fitted, skin tight sort of fit, which is just not flattering on me. But I tried it on, and that fits too! It's tight, but only in the right places, if you see what I mean. So I went out feeling fab!

Following on from that, I decided to clear out my wardrobe this weekend, throwing away all the clothes that drown me.

I started WW at a size 26. I was throwing away some size 24 trousers!!!! They were so big I could get them on and off without undoing them lol.

Not only that, but....I tried on some of my smaller clothes.....and.....

I can get into (but not move in lol) my size 20 jeans. I threw away my 22 linen trousers, because they fit now and will drown me by next summer. I can get into my size 20 skirt.

But, the best of all....I can fit into my wedding outfit from 3 years ago!!!!! I am so happy!!!!! Admittedly it is a smidge tight and not very flattering, but at least it goes on and does up. It's a size 20 skirt and 22 top, from Monsoon. So I reckon in another stone or so, it'll fit perfectly and I'll be back to the weight I was when we got married.

I think that's a pretty good milestone :o) (if slightly depressing because I thought I was 14st when we got married and I was obviously heavier lol)

The trouble is, now I have no idea what size I am...24 jeans are a smidge too small (ok to wear for a couple of hours, too tight for a full day). 26 jeans are far too big. 24 top seems about right, depending on the cut/fit (22 if baggy, 26 if very fitted). But bottoms wise, who knows? Guess I'll have to stop shopping online and start trying on clothes in shops before I buy them :o)

Friday 17 October 2008

I did it!

Well, after all that agonising and stressing about WI last night, I lost 1.5lbs!! Seriously, I'm not too sure how, as I had a really bad week (within points, but still on the naughty side!).

So that's now 25lbs gone forever. I know it isn't a WW recognised mini goal, but it is for me. 25lbs gone, another 109 to go!

It also leaves me only 2lbs to go for my 10% award. I'm going to do Kickstart for a week, and hopefully get that next week. Fingers crossed please. I've got lunch out with my Gran this weekend, so I know I'm going to have 1 day over points. Not a good start is it?

Thanks everyone who's posted comments on my other posts :o)

Kate xx

Thursday 16 October 2008

WW 5+ Challenge

I have recently taken over one of the Christmas challenges (I can't remember what it was called, if it ever had a name!). I think because we've been communicating by email, it largely went unnoticed on the 5+ boards.

Anyway, I've taken over from Ursula, and if you'd like to join, just drop me an email with your name, the amount you'd like to lose by Christmas, and your WI day. I'll send out a weekly summary email/spreadsheet, and we can all keep each other motivated!

Good luck for WI's this week
Kate x

The animals have gone mad

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, been a bit busy at work (for a change!).

So, WI tonight, and I'm feeling a little nervous. I've had a very nibbly week and just feel as though I've put on. So I'll let you know tomorrow morning....

For some reason all of the animals have been a bit strange this week. I blame the weather.

Rana was very upset with me on Saturday, as I was 2 hours late! I usually get there at 6.20am, I arrived at 8.20am. How dare I want a weekend lie in? I then stopped to talk to someone on the way to the field. She was walking circles, pushing me, and scraping the ground (she NEVER does this!). When I let her go, she galloped and leapt round the field, snorting at horse eating monsters and looking like a fire breathing dragon. She was then equally upset this morning because someone had put the outside light on, which was shining on the gate to her field. As it's dark when I put her out, it was very noticeable and she was not happy about it. Much bouncing around snorting later, she was safely in the field and my nerves were shot to s***.

Dawson is refusing to go out this week. She's like the sabre tooth tiger from the Flintstones credits (remember that??). I push her out of the door with my toe (gently I must add!), she comes straight in the cat flap 30 seconds later. Honestly. You wouldn't think she was ever a farm cat! She's also been extra affectionate and wants cuddles with Glenn, then comes to me to sleep on my lap. It's cute, but she's a BIG cat and rather heavy when she's asleep like a dead weight.

Rosie has perhaps been the strangest. Having attacked me, drawing copious amounts of blood, she seems to have had a personality change. She's been asleep round my head most nights (cute but a bit hot). She also sat on my head and did a meerkat impression trying to attack a cobweb on the ceiling (*mental note - must remove cobweb*). This morning, she wanted cuddles. Actual be picked up and have fuss sort of cuddles. Very unusual for her, as most of the time she thinks I'm a mouse to be pounced on and killed. She's also been driving Glenn mad by drinking water out of his glass so he has to get himself a fresh drink. Personally I find it funny. I think Rosie is obsessed with water, as she also likes to sit in the bathroom sink, catching drips out of the tap and waiting for you to turn the tap on so she can play with the water. Mad kitten.

Oh well, best do some work. Please send good luck vibes for WI tonight....can feel butterflies in my tummy already...no, wait...It's lunchtime and I'm hungry!!

Kate x

Friday 10 October 2008

This week's weigh in

Well I went off to WI yesterday, feeling less than confident. I didn't think I'd lost anything at all.

So when I stepped on the scales to see a 1.5lb loss, I was happy!

Now I only have another 1.5lbs to go to get my 25lbs, and 3.5lb to get my 10% award. I can't wait! I'm hoping to get my 25lb next week, and my 10% the week after. Going to try really hard, point and track everything, and maybe cut down a couple of points a day (I have PCOS, and I don't lose if I use all my points every day).

So wish me luck for this week please!

Kate x

Monday 6 October 2008

Dress sizes - a mini rant

Sorry about the extra long post below - got a bit carried away. Strange, considering I haven't done much all weekend!

Anyway, I wanted to have a moan. Just a little one, promise.

When I started WW, I was in a comfortable size 26. My clothes fitted me, without being too tight. Now, they're falling off me (woohoo!).

I can now wear my size 24 trousers, my size 24 tops, and my size 26 knickers keep falling down inside my trousers lol.

But my size 26 jeans are now 4 inches too big, and I keep hoiking them up every time I walk around. I wear them for work as well as going out, so this is becoming a problem.

So here's the moan....why, why, WHY? can I not fit into the size 24 jeans I bought myself?!?! I refuse to take them back because I know they will fit soon, but I can't even get into them, let alone do them up. They're from the same shop (Evans), so you'd think the sizing would be comparable. But they just don't fit.

Ok, rant over. I know why really - my size 26 jeans are cut to fit at the waist. The size 24 jeans are cut to sit on the hips. I've lost most of my 22lbs from my waist, but still holding it all round my hips.

Best get shopping for some jeans with the same cut as my others lol. That might solve the problem.

Kate x

A good weekend....rain aside

Well, I was very good this weekend - for a change! I stayed within my points on both days, and avoided the weekend Munchies that I always suffer from.

Had a nice Saturday morning at the stables, changing Rana's bedding (she's back on straw due to the credit crunch, as I can't afford the more expensive shavings). She's now got a lovely cosy bed. Of course, she had to start eating it as soon as she went in, but that's Rana for you. Give her expensive hay to eat, she ignores it and eats the cheap straw! Horses, eh?

Spent some time chilling out in the afternoon, catching up on some household chores and watching old re-runs of Third Watch (my guilty secret lol).

Sent Glenn off in the evening, to get me the Sex and the City DVD which I've wanted for ages (and he secretly also wanted to watch lol). He came back with my fave WW dessert - Caramel Crunch mmmmmm. Fortunately I had some points saved for some evening snacking so I could "afford" it.

Sadly, Sunday was a wash out. I wanted to get in my garden and do some weeding, pruning, and feeding, in preparation for the winter. It rained all day! So once again, my garden didn't get done, and I got soaked looking after Rana.

We've also given in and put the heating on, so at least the house is lovely and warm. The cats are loving it!

We bought Rosie some new toys this weekend. A fabric ball with a pretend tail, which she played with for ages until Dawson stole it. Rosie nicked it back though, and they seem to be sharing it. We also got her a "cuddle coil" which is sort of like a closed tunnel. They're supposed to sleep in it. Well we knew Rosie wouldn't! She likes to take all her toys in there with her (it's better than behind the washing machine where her other "stash" is!), and hide at the back waiting for Dawson to walk past, so she can fly out and bash her one. Oh well, not it's intended purpose, but at least it's a hit with her!

More news soon
Kate x

Friday 3 October 2008

Weigh In result

Well, after a lovely week away with too much good food and far too much of Mum's Home Cooking, I was dreading Weigh In last night.

By some miracle though, I lost a pound!

Now, that may not seem like a lot, but given the fact we ate out 3 times, had large helpings of dinner, and had 3 take aways, I am pretty chuffed.

Looks like the 6 mile hike (including a cliff climb!) really helped.

So we rewarded ourselves with a Domino's last night (I know, it seems silly, but it's a weekly "tradition" now) and I'm well and truly back on track today.

Wish me luck for this week!
Kate x

Thursday 2 October 2008

Some pics

Thought some of you might like to see some piccies...not many of me I'm afraid, I avoid the camera! I will do some update pics soon though....

Our wedding day

Dawson, our older cat


Rosie the kitten (she's grown since, but no new pics on this computer)


Rana, my old girl


Hope this isn't too much of an overload!!

Kate x

My first blog

Well, firstly, welcome to my blog. I hope you'll be patient with me, as I have no idea what I'm doing!

So, a bit about me...My name is Kate, I'm 28 and live with my husband Glenn. We have 2 cats, Rosie and Dawson, and a horse, Rana. I love wildlife, all animals (but especially horses and cats), and enjoy gardening, reading, interior design, walking and have a love of food.

Which leads me on to why I'm here. I'm a WeightWatcher. I've set up this blog primarily so I can keep you all posted on my weightloss, and hopefully inspire other WeightWatchers during their journey too.

Of course there will also be the inevitable rambling about what the Mad Katz and the Madder Horse have been up to, which often makes amusing reading (perhaps later I'll recount the Tomato Soup Incident that Rosie had).

So...weightloss. Well, I've been overweight all my life, and have tried WW before - losing over 4 stones in 8-9 months. Unfortunately I put it all back on, and more! My heaviest was 19st 1lb. Eeek! That scared me.

So far, I've lost 21lbs, 1 1/2 stone. At least I had until I went on holiday last week. I weigh in tonight, so check back tomorrow to see what the damage is!!

Off to find some pics to put on here....

Kate x