Helene's Food & Fitness Diary

Ive moved!

2010-07-01T22:18:00.001+01:00

Here is my new blog with Wordpress

http://happyatthirty.wordpress.com/

The design of my blog is still really basic but I thought today was the good day to move so please keep following me!
See you there!

Im moving!

2010-06-30T22:51:00.002+01:00

Hi all,
After a month with Blogger, Ive decided to move to Wordpress.
The reason is that Im a bit annoyed at the way to write and edit the posts.
Ive now got a blog with Wordpress but it seems a bit complicated so for now, im gonna keep blogging here but I'll let you know when the new blog is all ready.

If you have any tips on how to use Wordpress (especially how to play with the layout and everything), you're more than welcome.

Ive just downloaded Windows live writer as Amy suggested and it seems really good to write my posts...thanks for that ;-)

Annoyed

2010-06-29T22:40:00.002+01:00

Me again!
Just wanted to talk about Blogspot: Im a bit annoyed at my blog and maybe if you also use Blogger, you can help me.

Everyday, I write my blog and then add the pictures. However, when uploading my pics, they appear on top of my post and change its format (ie lots of spaces between the lines).
Also, even if when writing my post I insert some lines between sentences, these spaces dont appear on the blog.

If you do understand what I mean (haha), i'd like to know if you experience the same thing as me and if you have some solution about it.

Me is poorly :-(

2010-06-29T20:22:00.005+01:00

Ahhhh, im not really good at blogging these days! I missed yesterday :(

Im quite busy at work and quite exhausted. Im really looking forward to my holiday. Im counting down...18 days!!!! im so excited to see my family.

So, what did I eat yesterday?

Breakfast was the same old thing. Same for AM break.

Lunch however was a piece of "Tortilla Patata" (not sure about the spelling ooops).

My Spanish colleague brought it at work as Spain won a match the other day.

For people who dont know, a Tortilla Patata is a Spanish omelette.

It was a thick omelette with inside some sliced potatoes and some onions. It was yummy.

Im really loving discovering all these european meals.

Besides my piece of omelette, I had a salad made of lettuce, tuna and tomatoes.

Pudding was a mini babybel light and a yogurt.

During the afternoon, I had some strawberries.

Dinner yesterday was chicken cury.

This is what I call *portion control* haha. Obviously the small one was for me and the big one for boyfriend. Oh, with my curry, I had 3 popadums (no clue how to write it).

Didnt go to the gym yesterday as I wasnt feeling well :(

Also, Ive decided to give up my monday night Pilates class. I think the class is too late for me. It finishes at 9pm. Then by the time I get home, make dinner (I cant eat before the gym; have to eat after), make my lunch for the next day...it's already stupid time. So im gonna study the gym timetable and find another class instead.

That's it for yesterday. Now today:

Morning food was the same.

Lunch was brought by my Dutch (well, he's actually Belgian) colleague. It's the second time he cooks and needs to make something else again as the Netherlands are doing pretty well at this world cup.

So today, he brought some "Tomates crevettes". It was some big tomatoes stuffed with prawns and a mayo like sauce. It was fantastic. Didnt take any pics as people would have thought im a bit Joey.

I might do it again at home as I think it's a perfect summer lunch with a side salad.

Besides the stuffed tomatoes, he brought some chips that we ate with mayo -> This was actually requested by the Boss.

As this was really nice and quite filling, I didnt eat the salad I brought so my carrot and lettuce salad is in the fridge, ready to be eaten tomorrow.

As much as my lunch was nice, since ive eaten it, im actually sick :-(

I had a nap when I came back from work but it didnt help so I had to cancel my zumba class :s well annoyed about that.

Ive just had dinner: pasta + tomato sauce and made myself a nice pudding: natural yogurt + strawberries + pineapple and Ive shredded some of my dark chocolate.

Now, im gonna go to bed with my pudding and watch Confessions of a shopaholic and hopefully after a good night sleep, I'll be ok.

Quick...really quick catch up

2010-06-28T19:05:00.007+01:00

Happy Monday People ;~)

Last week I had a few silent days so I need to do a quick catchup.

Wednesday:

The other day, as Denmark won a football match, my Danish friend brought a meal at work (remember what we're doing at work)...It was really nice. I cant remember how it's actually called but it's basically a potato salad and meatballs.

Thursday:

Boyfriend got me a little present: A recipe book...I loooove cook books. Ive got tons of them. I dont especially make the recipes from them but I love reading them and see the pictures...is that weird ?!?

Anyways, here is a book ;-) Has someone got it?

Saturday:

On saturday, we went shopping as I wanted to find something to go to the photoshoot. Didnt find anything for it but still bought some stuff haha.

As we arrived there just at lunctime, we decided to start with lunch...and there, I had something for the 1st time...you're gonna find it even weirder...a Jacket Potato!!!!!!

I can hear you saying...What, has she never had that before? where does she come from?????

Well yeah, it's the truth, saturday was my 1st one.

So, my impression on it -> it was really filling. I had one with baked beans. I would have had enough with half of it. Next time i'll order the kids meal ;-)

Sorry, ive had to rush my catch up as im realising boyfriend will be back soon and I havent started the dinner ooooops :s

See you later!

Oh oh oh, I forgot something important about saturday...here, saturday = weigh in day and the result is I lost another pound...Yeah!!!! I know it's not a big deal but still :-)

Wanna be on Top!

2010-06-27T21:59:00.007+01:00

Ive had a fantastic day!

A few months back, I went with my friend to the Vitality Show in London. There, we bought some tickets to go for a photoshoot and as you may guess, that's what we did today.

We went to London quite early this morning. As it was a sunday service, our train was at 7:30 :s

We got there, had some breakfast (bought a fruit salad in M&S) and went to the photoshoot place. The studio, which is called Studio 52 is located in Picadilly Circus. We got there, had a nice cold drink...it was so hot, even at 10 am. Then, we went for hair, makeup, nails.I asked to have my hair curly as last time I went for a photoshoot, it was straight and I wanted something different...and to be honest, I was really pleased with it ;-)

I brought my own nail varnish as I wanted it to match my toes ;)

Once ready, we went to the room where the pics were taken. It's amazing to see that in a small/medium room you can create so many backgrounds.

The photographer was a lady from Italy. She was really nice and made us feel really confortable.

We first took some shots with the 2 of us and then just my friend and just me.

I really felt like a model and posing came quite naturally to me haha.

After taking a few shots with each outfits (I brought 4 of them), the photographer asked us if we wanted to try something more....sexy.

We said Yes...after all you dont do that everyday ;-)

So, we were just wearing a pair of jeans and with a sexy pose, we were hiding our boobs. To be honest, those pics didnt come out really well as I still have some fatty bits :-s

After that, we had some pics taken on a bed with just a satin sheet on us...ohfor these pics, my friend and I were not together...it was just me and just her.

Those pics however didnt come out really well. I felt really sexy and I actually look quite slim on the pic...well, we can only see my legs and arms...everything else is hidden under the satin sheet hehe!

After taking the pics, we went to look at them...and that's were it started to hurt...the price was ££££££

After the 1st elimination, I kept 26 shots and then, the lady said: "so, if you go for that, it will be £210 per month for 10 months...is that ok?"

Dont need to tell you what my answer was hehe

After more elimination, I ended up with 3 pics of myself and 1 of the 2 of us and for information, that cost me £120, which is more afordable!

After this modelling morning, we were starving so went for lunch to Leon.

I recently bought the book and wanted to try their food. There, I had the lunch deal, consisting of a pork wrap, a homemade lemonade and a chocolate mousse. As they didnt have anymore mousse, I went for a brownie.

To be honest, I didnt go crazy about it. The wrap was too big for me and was filled with ingredients I'm not really used to. The lemonade was really good and the brownie was too heavy.

So overall, I was a bit disappointed. I think this food was actually too healthy for me :s

Sorry, didnt take any pics as my friend doesnt know about my blog and dint want to seem too weird haha.

After that, we went shopping as we couldnt go back home: we were told by our boyfriends to come back after the match ;-)

We went to Sweaty Betty and Puma, where I bought some gym tops.

Before jumping on the train, I went to Starbucks and got and iced latte...so refreshing!

When I got home, I wasnt really hungry and boyfriend couldnt bother to cook so once again, we went out for dinner. We went to Wetherspoon, where I had a panini and another lemonade.

Ive also just finished some strawberries and cream that I ate while watching The Hills and The City.

So that's it for today.

As Im sure you want to see the result of my photoshoot, here are 2 pics of me ;) ...no no, im not gonna put up the one where im on the bed ;)

I need a ho-li-day

2010-06-22T22:16:00.013+01:00

Awwww, Im so tired :s
Last night was a late night as we went to the gym till 9. Then by the time we get home, have dinner, get my lunch ready for today, write my blog...well, I went to bed quite late and this morning, I overslept....nooooo! Ok, it wasnt that bad (20 mins) but in the morning, that means a lot.

Anyway, I got to work on time so it was fine.

So, let's have a look at my food for today.

No need to tell you what I had for breakie and AM break -> same as usual :-(

Lunch was another salad: lettuce, onion, sweetcorn and beetroot. I also had a mini babybel light and a crunchy apple.

Dinner tonight was: a tuna salad: tuna, sweetcorn, rice and a bit of mayo.

For pudding I had some yogurt with apple sauce and a drizzle of agave.

Workout for today:

Zumba class...OMG it was so hot in the studio. I think Ive never sweated so much. My whole body was sweating -gross- but to be honest, I quite like it when Im all sweatty...means ive worked hard -gross again haha-

After my class, as boyfriend wanted to go to the sauna, steam, jacuzzi, I did some weight. I worked my arms and did a tiny bit of legs.

I feel really tired now. Just want to go to bed...but ive just bought 2 magazines so I think im gonna have a look at them before going to sleep.

Cant stay long tho as im planning another early morning workout tomorrow...well hopefully ;~)

Oh, I forgot...the other day we booked our flight to France...25 days and it's holiday!!!!!

And it's gonna be really special as boyfriend's parents are coming to stay at my parents for 2 days. They're gonna meet for the 1st time...oh dear, im a bit stressed (especially as they dont speak the same language haha).

Question of the day: what is your favourite fitness magazine?

Happy Monday!

2010-06-21T22:18:00.005+01:00

Food for today:
Breakie: All bran + milk and a glass fruit juice.
AM break: a slice of banana loaf made by my work colleague.
Lunch: salad (lettuce, yellow pepper, red onion, beetroot, carrot), a small pot of Dutch rice pudding* and a pear.

The picture doesnt really represent my lunch as I didnt eat the banana, the apple and the yogurt...didnt plan 2 people were gonna bring some food ;~)

Dinner: omelette (2 eggs) + really small portion of baked beans. Didnt take a pic as it was pretty boring and the food was in my mouth before I think about the pic :s
Im currently eating my pudding: fresh strawberries...yum yum

*The Dutch rice pudding was made by a male work colleague as Holland won a match the other day (remember what we're doing at work?). So, this guy made a rice pudding. I wouldnt say it was yummy but it was ok. It was all yellow due to the safran in it.

As Denmark won saturday night, my Danish friend is making something for wednesday. Hopefully it's gonna be nice as so far it hasnt been a great success :s

Anyway...what did I do as a workout???

As it's monday, I went to my aerobics class, which makes me sweat a lot! and after that, I went to my Pilates class. Today was a different teacher as the usual one is on holiday...lucky her.
I really enjoyed the class as we did lots of tummy execises...I hope im gonna be sore tomorrow haha.

So, it's time for me to catch up on some blogs and go to bed.
NightNight

Pancakes!

2010-06-20T20:45:00.009+01:00

Since Ive started my blog, it seems like I eat pancakes every wknds.

Before the blog, breakfast during the wknd was just my French stuff but now, it's pancakes...and I love it.

So, let's have a look at my sunday breakie

Pancakes with in between agave syrup. On top of if, a layer of apple sauce and some fresh strawberries. And of course, a coffee.

This breakfast was a winner! Boyfriend loved it too.

Lunch was a sunday roast with boyfriend's parents so no picture :s

I had some chicken, potatoes, brocoli, green beans and Yorkshire puds.

Didnt have any pudding as it was an apple struddel and I dont like that :s

Mid afternoon, I snacked on a slice of toast with Nutella...awwww, love it!

Dinner was as usual, muffin with tomatoes, cheese and Worcesterchire sauce (not sure about the spelling).

For pudding, I had 2 little pancakes (one with honey and the other one with lemon) and some Haagen Dazs smoothie. It was quite nice a bit too sweet.

So here I am, starting and finishing my day with pancakes.

Ok, Im off to watch The Hills and The City...see you later ;-)

Saturday = Weigh in day

2010-06-19T22:47:00.010+01:00

I was planning to go to the gym this morning (to an aerobics class) but I must have been so tired from a busy week that I slept late...and it was really nice!
Boyfriend woke me up at 8am I think to tell me my 9bar had arrived. The other day, I orderer a selection box to try them out. Ive now got 5 bars to try. Which one is your favorite?

A few minutes later, I fell back asleep till about 9:30
As boyfriend was sleeping again, I stayed in bed and read some blogs on my laptop. Also, I didnt really want to get up as it was the weigh in day.
Eventhough I had a really good week, I felt like the scale wasnt gonna show it off...but I was wrong!!!! I lost 1lb1/2 YEAH!!!!! Im now just under 10 stone, which is 63.1kg Happy Me!
Im going home in 4 weeks and by then, I would like to be just under 60kg (9st6lb)...shouldnt be to difficult (well hopefully).

As I was quite happy after my weigh in, boyfriend decided to take me out for breakfast.
I wore my new sandals for the 1st time. You like them???

We had breakfast at Wetherspoon's. There, I had a Pain au Chocolat (just because it's new on their menu) and 2 pieces of toast and a coffee.

After breakfast, we went shopping and I went to Waitrose to grab some Munchy Seeds (I like snacking on them at work).

Then, we got back home and wanted to get ready to go to the gym but fell asleep :s Must have been really really tired. Tonight's dinner was bbq :~)

I had a piece of beef from our local butcher...oh man, it was so gooood. With that, I had a packet of crisps (the only one this week...not bad for someone who was addicted to crisps) and a big side salad (lettuce, carrot, onion, tomatoes).

Hope you're having a nice weekend!

Weeeekend

2010-06-18T21:08:00.008+01:00

It's been a long week...but a good week!
Ive eaten quite healthily and worked out quite a lot...happy me :~)

Food for today was:
Breakie: All bran + milk ; glass fruit juice
AM break: banana
Lunch: salad made of lettuce (different leaves), chicken, tomatoes and ; parmesan.
I also had a mini babybel, a yogurt and a nectarine.

PM break: I tried a Nakd bar pecan pie but didnt like it. Then I tried the pure protein bar I got with the magazine Bodyfit but didnt like it either: it was to chewy/gummy and the chocolate wasnt really nice. It looked a lot nicer on the paper :s

After work, boyfriend picked me up and we went to Tesco's to get some food for tonight and then headed to the gym.

I did have a really good workout:
Cross trainer: 5 mins warm up
Shoulder and chest press
Wave machine: 5 mins intervals
Stepper: 5 mins intervals
Bike: 10 mins intervals
Plank on the powerplate: 2x1 min
Side plank on the powerplate: 2x30 sec on each side
Cross trainer: 25 min intervals

Then, we got home just in time to watch the football...well for boyfriend to watch it.
Dinner was some fresh pasta with veggies (courgettes, mushrooms, onions, peppers) and some tomato sauce...yumyum

For pudding, we had some strawberries and cream.

And to be honest, while I was reading the blogs earlier, I was snacking on my littles sweeties I got from my parents...naugthy me :s

Update on my evening

2010-06-17T21:54:00.009+01:00

# Well, France lost the game against Mexico so dont need to bring any food to work and Im still in the running to get some time off work...Yeah!

# I did make the protein cake but I think I cooked it for too long :s

Here is a picture of the preparation

and here is the result

It looks horrible but I have to say it was really nice! It was sweet just how I like it.

Next time, I'll try just 1 min in the microwave.

# Boyfriend requested a smoothie for when he was coming back from his French class. Instead of a smoothie, I made a sort of sorbet from rasp, straw, blue - berries + 1 passion fruit + pineapple and apple juice. It was really nice and loved the pinky color.

# Manicure/Pedicure: only had time to remove my old varnish. Still gonna shape my nails before going to bed and the color will be for tomorrow.

Hope you all had a nice evening!

Come on, just 1 day and it's the weekend!!!!!!

Is this week gonna end????

2010-06-17T18:59:00.007+01:00

Yesterday was the most tiring day ive ever had!

As I planned it, I went to the gym early in the morning (6:30). It's not that early ; it's just the time my gym opens.

It was my 1st early morning workout. I was surprised to see how busy the gym was.

There, I did 20 mins of cross trainer and a few mins on the powerplate.

I felt really energized after the workout and ready to brave the day.

I got ready at the gym and went back home to finish my makeup, make my breakie and pick up boyfriend.

I had my breakie at work. For once it wasnt my old boring All bran.

I made a delicious smoothie: Some frozen strawberries, a banana, some oat, milk, whey powder and milk. I poured (not sure it is the way to say it) it in a plastic bottle as I dont have a nice cup *note to myself: find a nice cup*

With the smoothie, I had 3 slices of my Pain d'epices = cool breakfast ;~)

AM break was a banana

Lunch: a sandwich filled with chicken and lettuce ; a mini babybel (light) ; a yogurt and an some nice strawberries.

In the afternoon, I was literally falling asleep in front of my computer so I had a mini apple to wake me up...and it did work ;)

Dinner was an attempt to a recipe found in my new magazine Bodyfit: "Simple salmon and creme fraiche pasta", from Tana Ramsay.

My dish didnt look quite like the picture on the mag but it was quite nice.

Today, back to normal and my boring food :s

Breakie: All bran + milk and a glass of fruit juice

AM break: a banana

Lunch: same as yesterday

PM break: 2 slices of pain d'epices

Dinner: the salmon & pasta leftover.

No workout today as it's my rest day.

Tonight, as Im alone (boyfriend's gone to his French class), im gonna make myself a Protein Cake, inspired by Laura and gonna do my nails, the Neenie's way.

Im also gonna keep an eye on the football as tonight France is playing Mexico. Not sure which team to support as if you remember, we're doing a sweepstake at work and I picked Mexico so if Mexico wins the group, I can get 2 hours off :-)

If France wins, I have to bring some French food to the office.

Anyway, to finish this post, I'd like to ask you (I know there are only a few people reading my blog but you are valuable readers) : How do you cope with early morning workouts? and how/what do you eat? I mean do you workout on an empty stomach, what do you eat before/after????

Thank You :~)

Sweepstake - Cheesecake

2010-06-15T22:22:00.004+01:00

Quick blog tonight as I want/need to go to bed asap.
Nothing really special today...still the same.

Breakie: All bran + milk ; glass of fruit juice
AM break: banana
Lunch: sandwich filled with lettuce, chicken and tomato sauce + carrot sticks + yogurt
PM break: a part of cheesecake*
Dinner: omelette (2 eggs) and pasta + strawberries.

Workout: Zumba class.

*lets come back on the "cheesecake case":

At work, we are mainly foreign people (I work for a market research company that covers all of Europe. No need to say that im in charge of the French market). Anyway, with all this World Cup thing going on, the boss's decided to organise a sweeptstake.
Basically, we bought some tickets (I picked Mexico and South Korea) and if your team goes on 1/4 finale, 1/2 finale...you get some time off (from 2 hours to a day 1/2...cool hein?)
If your home country wins a game, you need to bring some food from your country.
Still following??? Not sure it still makes sense as im tired and getting a bit confused :s

Anyway, Germany won the other day so one of the German girl brought a homemade german cheesecake.
To be honest, I didnt enjoy it. Eventhough the texture was like mousse, it was still really heavy and all the afternoon, I felt really fat :s

If France keeps playing as they did the other day, I dont need to worry about what to bring (haha) but if they win, Im not even sure what to bring :s
A friend suggested a cheese platter with baguette...sounds quite good.

What do you think??? What is your idea of a typical French snack????

Back on track!

2010-06-14T22:21:00.004+01:00

Knackered! Just got back from the gym. Did 2 classes tonight: Aerobics (in preparation to my challenge -> Dont forget to sponsor me!!!) and Pilates. I really enjoyed it.

Usually when I go to Pilates, I feel sluggish but today was really good. I think it's just because usually, I have my dinner before going to the class.

Foodwise, it was ok...but still boring :s

Breakie was my usual All bran + milk + kiwi + glass fruit juice

AM break was a banana

Lunch was a salad: mixed leaves + chicken tikka + dried onions + parmesan cheese ; some carrot and cherry tomatoes and then, a yogurt.

PM break, was a small apple.

When I got back from work, I had 5...yes 5 slices of my Pain d'Epices. I was starving!

Dinner was really late (9:45pm). Couldnt bother cooking so late after the gym so I just had some smoked salmon on French toasts + lemon and 1/2 toast with peanut butter.

That's it for today...bed time ;-)

I love Sundays too

2010-06-13T22:01:00.006+01:00

Another nice and relaxing sunday!

Last night, boyfriend requested some homemade bread so this morning, we woke up from the nice smell of it...really nice.

For breakie, I had a slice of it and a coffee.

Lunch was a chicken salad. The chicken was cooked on the bbq. Was ok but not that fantastic.

At the moment, Im reading Skinny Bitch and Ive just read the chapter called "You are what you eat". It's about animal treatment in the slaughterhouses. So when I was eating my chicken, I was thinking about it and it actually made me feel really uncomfortable :s

For pudding, I made a sort of ice cream: I blended the rest of my red fruit sauce from yesterday with an activia and hop, in the freezer.

To be honest, it wasnt really nice. I think I should have left it in the freezer for less longer.

In the afternoon, as I was catching up on some blogs and reading a new magazine: Bodyfit, I snacked on 4 sweeties: 4 little bottle of coke.

After that, I swapped the gym for a well needed nap.

Dinner was my pizza leftover from yesterday with a side salad and some low fat custard for pudding. Didnt enjoy the custard: was too sweet.

Now, Im gonna plan my weekly workouts. Was thinking about going to the gym tomorrow morning but not gonna go as I have 2 classes planned in the evening: aerobics and pilates so we'll see.

I love Saturdays!

2010-06-12T18:49:00.015+01:00

Today's been a really good day.

I woke up quite early...ok, really early (6:30) but stayed in bed and enjoyed it.

I got up at about 9 and went for my weekly wieigh in and the result is: Ive lost 2 pounds Yeah!

Im now dead on 10 stone. Im so pleased with myself.

Then, as I was well motivated, I made myself a fantastic breakfast: A bottle of Innocent smoothie and some pancakes, which were inspired by Laura. It was amazing!

The first layer is my red fruits sauce ; second layer is honey and on top, some more red sauce.

The sauce I made was: frozen blueberries, frozen raspberries and some pineapple juice.

After breakie, I wanted to go to an aerobics class but boyfriend decided to come with me to the gym and made me late for the class :s

I then had a general workout: Cross trainer: 5 mins warm up, 5 mins backwards and 15 mins intervals.

I also did a bit of weight training a bit of powerplate.

Couldnt do much as it was quite busy.

After that, I felt really good. I think Im gonna try to sqeeze in some early morning workouts next week.

After the gym, boyfriend took me to "Le Petit Cafe". It's a French cafe which was recommended by a lady from his French class. It was really nice. It was like an old fashion little place.

There, I had a Croque Monsieur

And a crepe for pudding. Sorry, no picture of the crepe as it was in my tummy before I thought about it ;-) It was acrepe with lemmon and honney. Was nice but still prefer the ones my Mummy makes!

Then we went to a fair in the same village and then went to the shops in town.

This evening, it's pizza and football. Ive got a small one with ham, tomatoes, mushroom and cheese.

BTW: Does anyone know where I can find some Agave Syrup?? Dont think Sainsburry's got it. Went to Tesco's and Asda but couldnt find it. Where abouts is it in the shop?

Thank You

Ive got a Belt

2010-06-11T19:03:00.002+01:00

Ive got a new belt...cool isnt it???
Well not really: this belt is not one you can buy in a shop ; it's one you get from your bad, really bad eating habits :s Not so glamour hein!!!

Ive always known I had a bit of a belly but since Ive been in England, my tummy's got bigger and bigger. And now, I havent got only a tummy...ive got a complete belt, meaning ive got fat -yeah, lets call it fat as that's what it is- all around my waist.

I really noticed it last tuesday when I went to Zumba as I always go at the front to be able to follow the instructor. But being at the front of the class, also mean being in front of the mirror so then I, as well as the whole class could see this belt Im constantly wearing.

I dont really know what to do about it :s I do eat pretty healthy food and do quite a lot of exercise.

So how? How to loose it??? any tip, advice????

No blog tonight as it's movie night!

2010-06-09T17:18:00.001+01:00

A good day !?!

2010-06-08T22:11:00.006+01:00

Im worn out! Just got back from the gym. As every tuesday, it was Zumba day!
I love it. Ive been doing it since february and really enjoy it. My instructor is really fun!

Today though, she wasn't there so we had someone taking over her and it was exhausting!!!!!

Even after the 1st track (which is actually the warm up) I was already all sweatty :-s

I really enjoyed it. I think it's good to change the instructor from time to time as we then dont get stuck in a routine.

So, done for my exercise part of the day. Now, let's have a look at what Ive been eating...

Breakie: the usual yellow pot of All bran + milk and an orange.

AM break: a banana

Lunch, Same as yesterday: roll + lettuce + chicken + a tiny bit of mayo. Yogurt and kiwi + grapes to finish my lunch off.

When I got back from work, I had 2 slices of "pain d'epices". Love it. It reminds me of when I was at primary school as that's what my mum gave us (my sister and I) for break. That and a mini babybel haha.

Pain d'epice is a mix of bread and cake and it's got cinamon in it.

Here is a picture of it

After the gym, I was actually too lazy to cook for myself (boyfriend had his dinner before the gym) so I went back to my "French Box" (that's where I keep all my nice stuff from France) and got this tin of macquerel...awwww, love that too.

So I had that and for "pudding", a slice of toast with peanut butter and a sliced banana.

Ive been quite good today...I think...Havent I?????

Oh, also, I wanted to say a special Thank You to Jo, from Thirty and Healthy for reading my blog and be the 1st one to leave me a comment!

Ive got a Challenge!!!!

2010-06-07T21:56:00.005+01:00

Here is what I ate today:

Breakie: All bran (yellow pot) + whole milk + orange

AM break: small banana + nakd bar (got this bar from my friend who bought it but doesnt like it).

Lunch: Roll (lettuce, chicken and a bit of mayo) + carrot + yogurt + pineapple

Dinner: Chicken tikka masala + popadum + onion baji.

I didnt enjoy my dinner and I now feel really bloated.

I tend to eat quite fast, especially today as I stayed late at work, then we had to go to the shop and I had to get ready on time for my Pilates class.

Now, let's talk about my challenge...

For 2010, I wanted to get a challenge ; something that gives me a really good workout and that is for a good cause.

A few month ago, I opted for a Race for Life but unfortunately, the friend I was supposed to do it with kind of let me down :-(

As Im not a good runner and didnt want to do it on my own, I gave up.

Then this weekend, I was reading and reading plenty of "healthy blogs" and thought I still should do something, doesnt matter if im doing it alone...after all, im doing it for myself and for the charity.

So I went back to my Women's Fitness magazine (they had a challenge issue a few months ago and since then, they've given training schedules) and I picked the Pink Aerobics!

Pink Aerobics is 3 hours of aerobics in London (Hyde Park), the 3rd October 2010.

The event is organised by LessBounce and is for the Breast cancer campaign.

He re is my foundraising page:

http://www.everydayhero.co.uk/helenedoespinkaerobics2010

I now need to plan my training and for that, Im gonna have a closer look at my magazine.

Ive also looked at the class timetable at my gym (Virgin ACtive) and there are 2 aerobics classes that I can attend.

Im so excited. It's my 1st challenge ever. Better be good. Dont want to disappoint people who are gonna sponsor me.

Nice and relaxing weekend

2010-06-06T16:53:00.006+01:00

I gave my blog a miss yesterday. The reason is I was actually quite busy reading some other people's blogs and found mine was really boring compare to the others.
I think I need to be more commited to it. After all, Im not doing it for other people but for myself.
I dont mind if anyone else read it. This blog is just a way for me to take a closer look at my Health & Fitness journey.

a Saturday:

So, what happened yesterday? It was my weigh in day. The result was so-so as I actually stayed the same as last week: 10.1.8 stone or 64.4 Kg.
Of course I would have loved to have lost a bit but if I look back at my week, I think it's ok. And at least, I didnt put any weight on!

Yesterday, my food was:
Breakfast: Coffee + whole milk + sweeteners ; 2 slices of my homemade bread (butter + nutella) ; yellow smoothie (frozen mangos, tinned pineapple, 2 fresh passion fruit ; orange juice)
Lunch: BBQ: 2 merguez + bread & ketchup ; chicken kebab & veggie brochette ; crisps
Dinner: Salad ; bread & butter ; natural yogurt + pineapple + honey

Looking at it, I ate quite a lot. At lunchtime, I felt full after the 2 merguez but still ate the chicken...not good. In French we've got the saying: "Avoir les yeux plus gros que le ventre" which translates to "To have the eyes bigger than the tummy"

I didnt go to the gym yesterday as I could hardly walk. My legs were still sore from Thursday BodyMax...crazy. I even still sore today. I looked up on the internet to find some ways to streche my thighs. I'll make sure I do it after my class on Thursday as Im fed up not being able to exercise or even walk properly for 3 days after it :@

a Sunday:

This morning, for breafast I had coffe + milk + sweetener and 2 pieces of baguette (butter & nutella)
Lunch was Greggs again: chicken tikka baguette and a cookie for pudding (it was my 1st one in months and months).
Tonight, we're having a BBQ: chicken kebab and maybe rice...not sure yet
Here are the pictures of my dinner: Chicken kebab + vegetables pilau rice (looks bigger on the plate than on the picture)

Pudding: Natural yogurt + strawberries + blueberries + honey

Finally, Friday has arrived

2010-06-04T23:23:00.004+01:00

I should actually have called my blog "Helene's boring food diary"

As usual, breakfast was my yellow pot of All Bran + whole milk and an orange.

AM break: banana

Lunch: Egg & Tomatoe bagette from Greggs (530 cals) + crisps (100 and something cals) = I still enjoyed my lunch

PM break: small apple + nakd bar

Dinner: smoked salmon on French toasts and a nice salad (chicken + lettuce + dried onions)

After work, we decided to go to the gym. wasnt really happy about it as im really sore from last night's BodyMax...and it'd getting worse :-(

My thigh are really sore, especially going up and down the stairs but well, I'll be fine. Just need to do more stretches on them.

So, about the gym, we actually didnt stay that long. I did a few exercises for the upper body and then, we just went for a nice and relaxing jacuzzi.

He doesnt know what he's talking about

2010-06-03T22:04:00.006+01:00

Different day, same food.

As usual, breakfast was my yellow pot of All bran + whole milk and an orange.

You may think it's boring but it's fine for me. Dont need to prepare anything and it keeps me going till AM break.

AM break, again as usual was a banana. At work, everyone has a banana at AM break. We call each other The Monkey Club haha.

Lunch was still my wrap filled with chicken, lettuce and salsa + yogurt.

PM break was kiwi + strawberries.

After work, I got back home, got changed and went to my BodyMax class...was hardcore! I actually felt sick. Im sure i'll be all achey tomorrow but it's woth it.

After the class, I was eating a Nakd bar and was chating to my trainer about how to loose the fat on the lower back :~(

Since Ive started the gym, it seems it's the only place where the fat is not gonna go away.

Anyway, he told me I might not be able to loose it, especially with what I was eating (nakd bar). What?????? it's pure goodness...isnt it???

According to him, I have to cut back on ALL sugary stuff!

Well, as much as I want that bikini body, im not sure im totally ready to give up on my Kinder, which have by the way all gone :~(

I know, really naughty me...but now, I dont have anymore tempting stuff in my room so it's fine!

So, when I got back home, I had my dinner: 2 eggs + wholemeal pasta.

As a pudding, I made a really nice smoothie from fresh strawberries, frozen blueberries and raspberries, natural yogurt, a bit of milk, some vanilla whey protein and a tiny bit of honey....was yummy. Perfect to finish my day!

To Do List

2010-06-02T23:26:00.004+01:00

Create some new workout playlists (V urgent)
Buy another sportsbra
Plan my monthly workout (should hurry up, June has already started)
Find myself a challenge (realistic & fun)
Find the perfect pair of jeans
Renew my subscription to my 2 favorite mag

What a boring day :-(

2010-06-02T22:45:00.004+01:00

As the title of my post may suggest, my day's been pretty boring...well foodwise anyway.
That's why there's no picture to illustrate it.

Breakfast was the same as yesterday: yellow pot of All Bran + whole milk and an orange.
AM break: banana
Lunch: wrap filled with chicken, lettuce and some of my salsa I made the other day.
PM break: kiwi + red grapes + munchy seeds
Oh, here is a picture of my seeds. Since ive been to the Vitality show, im addicted to them.

Dinner: Mexican food (Fajitas) which I think were quite healthy.Was eating them when I thought about taking a picture...well, too late!

Didnt go to the gym today as wednesday is my rest day.

Oh, I have to confess: when I came back home from work, I was in my little room and I didnt resist to go to my "French box". This is the parcel I got from my parents the other week. It is full of yuminess and I did have 4...omg 4 little bars of Kinder chocolate.

I dont know what's wrong with me. All day im being quite good and hop, as soon as I get home, I start picking food here and there...how annoying :@

The day had started so well...

2010-06-01T23:43:00.009+01:00

Today's breakfast was like every week day: a bowl of All Bran (the yellow pot from Rosemary Conley) + whole milk.

Instead of my fruit juice, I had a nice orange...was yummy!

AM break was a banana as usual.

Lunch, a wrap with inside some chicken tikka (from Morisson. Lovely and not too much fat in it) and some of the big box of salsa I made yesterday.

The box is big enough to go to the end of the week ;-)

Then, I had a yogurt and a small red apple.

PM break, I snacked of some fruits: Kiwi + Grapes, which I sprinled with some seeds.

So far, my day's been quite good...right?

Then, I got home and got ready for my Zumba class. I love it. It's really fun and Im telling you, I burn an amazing amount of calories!

After the class, I walked back home (about 15 mins) and now, that's where all my good efforts were vanished :-(

was starving and it was late (yeah yeah, give me some more excuses...) so I had a bowl of pasta bolognese and as a "pudding" if I can call it like that, I had the rest of my baguette with 3...yes 3 little bars of Kinder chocolate. Didnt even take a pic of my "pudding" as I was too ashamed :-(

Monday, let's get back on track!

2010-05-31T22:39:00.007+01:00

Today hasnt been too bad. I think that writing this blog makes me quite aware of what I eat which is good ;-)
For breakfast, as I was late for it (I deserved a good lie in), I only had my big cup of coffee + milk and 1 Dutch crispbake with butter.
Then, we went healthy food shopping. I bought plenty of fruits and veg and some other nice stuff I saw on different blogs.

For lunch, I had a piece of baguette (yeah, Im French) with a little bit of mayo, chicken tikka, lettuce, cucumber and tomato. Was really nice.

Then, we went out and late afternoon, we decided to go to the gym.

I did a general workout as my Pilates class wasnt on due to Bank Holiday monday.

Here is what I did:

Cross trainer: 5 mins warm up

Chest press: 5 kg ; 4x12 reps

Shoulder press: 2.5kg ; 2x12 reps

Plank on Powerplate: 1minx2

Side plank on Powerplate: 30 sec on each side

Bridge on Powerplate 1minx2

Crosstrainer interval: 20 mins (profile 6)

Then, we finished with a well deserved jacuzzi ;-)

When we got home, it was time for dinner: Nice salmon cooked in the oven, with some rice and some veggie brochettes...yumyum

Desert was a bit naughty: Strawberries with cream

Then, to end up this bank holiday wknd, while we were watching a movie, I had a nice Ricola hot drink and a tiny bit of dark chocolate.

Sunday = Rest day?

2010-05-30T23:04:00.008+01:00

Today hasnt been a fantastic day: Ive eaten more than I should have done and I didnt exercise at all.

For breakfast, I had a coffe and milk and a slice of my homemade bread. I cut the slice in half and on one half, there was Nutella (I love that so much) and on the other half, homemade jam from my Mummy.
I quite enjoyed my coffe and bread breakfast...after all, Im French ;-)

Lunch was the tradional sunday roast: chicken, veggies and gravy...boyfriend forgot the Yorkshire puds.
Didint really enjoy it. I find it quite boring to be honest.

In the afternoon, I couldnt get my head off the parcel I got from my parents last week and here is what I snacked on...I know, naughty...but nice!

While I was reading a lot of healthy food related blogs, boyfriend was washing the car and as it took longer than expected, we didnt go to the gym.
I didnt actually mind as Im still sore from all the workout ive done this week and on top, today ive hurt my wrist.

For tea, I had the usual: a muffin sliced in two, toasted, with some tomatoes, a bit of cheese and a tiny bit of Worcestershire sauce and hop, under the grill.
It's not really healthy but perfect for a lazy sunday evening.

The pudding was some made from yesterday recipe...really nice with some honey on top. Even boyfriend loved them: Success

Let's get started

2010-05-29T23:46:00.001+01:00

Today, Saturday is my weigh in day and the reseult is 10.1 stone (or 64.4Kg). Since last week, ive lost 1 1/2 pound which is ok. Better go slowly but surely. I knew I'd lost some weight as Ive been quite good foodwise and after my good work at the gym. I ususally go about 4 times a week: 3 classes (Pilates, Zumba and BodyMax) + 1 general workout.

Let's see what ive eaten today:

This morning, I decided to go with something different from my "French breakfast" (weekends I love taking my time for breakfast and eating all the good things i've brought back from France) and I made some really nice pancakes with apples an honey. The recipe was inspired by Laura . I had 2 small and 2 medium. It was delicious and I felt quite full afterwards.

As we went out shopping, lunch was a chicken Tikka baguette from Greggs. I quite like Greggs eventhough it's not really low fat food. Dont know what would be the best option there?!? In my bag, I also had a packet of salt and vinegar crisps (I have to admit im a bit addicted to them) that I didnt even eat!!!!!
During the afternoon, I snacked on a nakd bar and some water.
I got my first box of Natural Balance Food last week. I discovered them at the Vitality show a few months ago and I really like them.

After shopping, boyfriend decided to take me out for dinner. We went to Zizzi and I had a pizza Margarita + ham. I quite enjoyed it as I hadnt had a pizza in a really long time.

Knowing me, I would say the day wasnt too bad. Usually I do quite well during the week and the weekend it's just binge eating...but well, it's just saturday ;-)