Something extra ....

OMG 800 hits! Thank you for reading, but I really never thought my struggle would be of interest to anyone! Keep reading and keep spreading the love ... tough love as Corey would call it! Thanks for the reminder this evening, yes it was tough and you are tough. Right, is that enough abuse for today ; )!

I just tried on the faVe dress (not face dress....), ahead of the 1 February and my 25 count down. OMG for the 2nd time, it fits and nearly fits perfectly. In 25 days its going to be too big. I need to find a good and fast fingered tailor; I will need to have it taken in at this rate. OK the weight is still going down but I think OFC boot camp works on toning up the body too cos Ive lost a few kgs before in the past and that dress certainly was as far away from fitting as I am to having the body of Nicole Richie! Can anyone recommend a great tailor?

Thank you Corey and Zaid and LL and everyone for motivating me, despite the struggle and the fact I still feel useless Im seeing results I never thought possible. In a few weeks I will be off to raid the "skinny" wardrobe that has never left the zipup bag under my bed.

Good luck everyone who is taking steps like me, day by day, keep going, Im with you all the way ...........

31 January - One month done, 11 more to go!

Technically 3 weeks, but I will count it as a whole month, being optimistic and positive.

Being more reaisticl, I was weighed in at the new Drs today, lost 0.8kgs from last Monday, so now Im only using these scale, the scales with Dr Brenda at DHTC were 1kg lower last week than the new Drs. So keeping it real, I will keep constant with the new Drs. No cheating on these weigh-ins!

BP back on the increase but it was another dysfunctional day at work, I wont go into details but Im doing 2 peoples jobs and my job is worth 3 peoples - dramas keep arising, I wonder what they really did before. But I know the answer to that question - they didnt, the reason I am here in this mess today. If only they had done SOMETHING over the last few years, they might not be at risk of losing me - if my BP remains this high something has to change and if that means changing jobs I will do it! 139/91 and it better have decreased next week.

LL was nice to me after reading yesterdays blog as I was honest. I COULD have lied and made up some fake running times (would I have increased or decreased the timings ...?) but whats the point, Im only cheating myself. Honesty is the only way this is going to work.

Today was a better day for eating but I might not be eating enough or enough of the right foods. Today I had an apple and 500ml water (I needed to increase the water consumption), and then mid morning I had some pineapple with more water. Lunch was raw veg sticks and small labneh and more water, and afternoon snack was handful of grapes and nuts and lots more water. All emergency purchases from the garage, proof you CAN snack from the garages here in a healthy way, IF they have stock in! I drank over a litre before weigh in.

And I now know why Ive been so tired, Ive had a stomach upset. All I can say is the bathrooms at work and I are well acquainted and I didnt think I would last boot camp this evening, but I managed. Do I get extra pats on the back for clenching my buttocks the whole time, and all that running!!! That was tough with a capital F!

A few dizzy spells later, we were done, stood chatting in the car park to a co-bootcamper and someone who works for the same company (I work for a JV so we are connected by sponsorship). Seems I have the better company, hey it has to be, Im writing all the fabulous and generous employee favoured policies!

Tonight I didnt feel very sociable at bootcamp, I wanted to be left alone, I was annoyed I was still struggling when I was able to do the run at the weekend with better results. I was in a bad mood for the duration of the session, inner issues and arguments more than anything. I keep reminding myself about Zaids words to me in the first week - just keep rocking up, thats half the battle. So at the end of January, Im still rocking up, into February I will still be rocking up. 3.5kgs more, 1 more dress size, fit into my face dress for 25 Feb Ball, Im still rocking up!

Tomorrow, time to see Andrew Glaswegian Dietician and see who wins the bet. 4kgs in 1 week? Bring it on Andy-boy! At least I can attend his meetings every Tuesday at 830pm, realistic with my work schedule and do-able!

30 January - Im only human ...

OK so life isnt perfect. Tell me something I didnt know!

I havent had a good day in terms of health and fitness. Just goes to prove this is real and isn't made up!

Yesterday I didn't get prepared enough, I didn't do my big shop, only some bits from the Organic Shop. I presumed I could get a salad from the restaurant near my office - I was wrong. By the time I had time for lunch (after 3pm) there was hardly any food left. No salads, No brown bread. I settled for a small whitebread cheese salad sandwich. I know - white bread, but what else was I to do. I had nowhere to order from that would deliver to the middle of the desert where I work.

I did manage to have my breakfast of fruit, followed by nuts and grapes mid morning and late afternoon. I didnt drink enough water, not even a litre of water was consumed. I thought I could make up for it this evening. Again, I was wrong! I headed home to do my weekly run .....

I arrived home some time after 6pm, my sick kitty who is now recovering came to say Hi to me, the first time in weeks/months she has woken up and got off her favourite sleeping corner. She jumped up on the sofa beside me as I switched on the TV for news on Egypt. She curled up beside me, so I curled up next to her for a little while, still in my work clothes. Sent a few sms's, replied to some work emails, curled up some more with her. Next thing, I wake up, all snuggly warm, with 4 purring kitties cuddling me. Sounds lovely and relaxing until I realised it was 10pm!! Huge oops, now Im in trouble. Ive got stiff legs from lying in a weird position on the sofa, instead of stiff legs from running. And I hadnt even switched the TV on fully, no sound only picture!

Im not feeling too positive. Now Ive added up the food-oops and the running-oops, but tomorrow is only a few hours away. The old me would give up, sod the diet, sod the fitness and get back to my old ways. I now need to focus on changing that attitude and tomorrow make sure I have my healthy food and snacks prepared by my side and I drink lots of water. If I wake early I will at least walk around my home before work, but regardless of my few hours sleep this evening, its not likely I will be awake and ready for that in the morning. Im not a morning person, there are 2 different types of people - people like me and people who like early mornings!

Instead Im going to have to pull out all my energy for tomorrow evenings OFC Boot camp, and really push myself. Perhaps I can do a run and the level 2 30 Day Shred on Tuesday evening too. Then I do have 2 more OFC Boot camps Weds and Thurs and then there is the weekend to get sorted and into a routine.

This is hard, its easy to just give up and return to familiar comforting habits .... but I cant give up. Ive seen great results in 3 weeks, I have to focus on achieving the same in the next 3 weeks. I need to, I cant stop now.

LL dont worry, my punishment is a swollen left ankle - combination of alcohol last Friday and white bread today - I think its more the white bread so will be interesting when I get round to doing my food allergy blood test. Yuck needles. If I do this test and find out what Im allergic to it will be a good thing. I may as well do this now as Im changing my diet so drastically already, whats another level of change!!

And LL, remember this is hard, remember we are not all like you (still think you are an alien sometimes ....), we don't all think and behave the same and we all don't get motivated the same way. Thats why we are all different and you need to be tolerant with me for today........Ta muchly! You knew this would be a challenge, so did I. But Im still hanging in here.

Farewell Sod-it Sunday, Hello Marvelous Monday!

29 January - So close to a Lime Tree carrot cake ......

What a day!


A fight with the bank - whats new in this city but this is getting ridiculous!! Just do as I say not what you can grab out of a hat ......


A haircut with a granny styleee blow dry - thanks, all thats missing is the pink rinse. Bug%er, no time to head home to re-do. Sunglasses on, grin and bear it.


Met LL at the Organic Store in Dubai Mall, she didnt find the granny hairdo that amusing as partly it had reduced in size by the time we met, partly because she had been told 3 different directions by the Mall employees and still had to find her own way to meet me. Gotta love Dubai and directions!


AED480 later, with 1.5 bags of organic food, my purse was again lighter, but I had more than a weeks supply of organic salmon and froper (?!). Now I know a little more about portion size from Dr Brenda, 1 portion of their salmon is 2 -3 for me. Just the size of the palm of the hand! I also got some emergency "healthy" carbs for the months detox ahead. I need to get planning, organising and shopping so Im ready for next week. So much to do, so little time.


I was late to pick up MissA, but thankfully she eventually got my Christmas and Birthday pressies, better delayed than not at all but think I need to make a big effort to get next years to you on time. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Birthday ; ) xx


And we set off for the Weightloss Show at Hayya at Emirates Hills. 2hrs later and 4 wrong directions, we found the right road. Sadly for us we had JUST decided that if THIS wasnt the right road we were heading straight to Lime Tree Cafe (www.thelimetreecafe.com) for some of their amaaazing carrot cake. For me it was that and a burger. So thank god we got to the right Hayya. And its not in Emirates Hills!!!! And the "big" fountain needs to be switched on if you are giving that as a point of reference. And you need to get the map on the website next time!! 


We met a dietician. He was Glaswegian. He looked like my brother. He didnt look old enough or experienced enough to be giving advice about nutrition. About 20mins later and a witnessed handshake of a AED500 bet, Im signed up with MissA to attend his week 1 (of 8) Tuesday session for free, with the guarantee I would lose 4kgs in one week on his healthy eating plan. He even said he would prepare an eating plan specific for someone with high blood pressure. He has asked me to delay the detox for 1 week, attend the meeting on Tuesday, do the eating plan for 1 week and report back. Now how can I refuse such a bet. If I dont lose 4kgs in 1 week, I gain AED500. If I do lose 4kgs I also lose AED500 BUT that also means I have met my first target. Bring on the maid and get that ironing off my task list! Andrew, youre not getting a link recommendation yet, but help me lose a healthy 4kgs in 1 week with a changed attitude towards food, I will be attending your 8 week programme and recommending your services. Please keep it to Sundays, Tuesdays or Saturdays. Boot camp still remains my first commitment. OFC boys Corey and Zaid, Im in it for the long term!


Andrew was very passionate about his job, about passing on his knowledge and changing peoples lives. I liked him a lot, and being from my home town also helps persuade me. I liked his style, I liked his confidence. If he can offer me the nutritional balance to the OFC Boot camp exercises, I feel this is a good combination. With the help of Dr Brenda to gel it all together, I feel Im on a winning streak. I think February is going to be a good month. LL, he is a dietician/nutritionist mostly for sports people and may be of interest to you too.


I have to confess, I didnt exercise today. I didnt clean or iron either. I also havent been shopping but I have worked out I have enough for tomorrows 5 small meals, with a bought green salad from the restaurant close to work for lunch. Grapes and nuts are easy morning and afternoon snacks for me, this is time saving and easily eaten within my meeting and training schedule. Sorry LL, I will do double running tomorrow night to make up for it! And then shopping HAS to occur, I have to remember to plan ahead, buy only what I need, get organised and get prepared each day in advance. I will get there, Ive just had a blip in the plan for today, back in the saddle tomorrow.


Now 10pm bedtime so 630am alarm tomorrow doesnt feel so painful. Hello next week, hello February, hello 4kgs, hello new maid. Life is moving in the right direction. Now I just need to find some adult roller skates (NOT roller blades!) so I can skate myself around the jogging route, thats something now top of my wish list. LL fancy some shopping next Friday? The last time I roller-skated I was singing "Its my party and I'll cry if I want to .... you would cry too if it happened to you". Im planning on crying with happiness on 25 Feb when I fit into my fave dress that has never fitted me properly - standing up in it was bearable but sitting down split my belly No 2 into belly's No 2 and 3 and it really wasnt pretty .......................

28 January - How to survive a Dubai Friday Brunch

I didnt sleep til 2am, was wide awake, maybe it was the late night Pinkberry (www.pinkberry.com). Or maybe Im just excited its the weekend, no alarms and seeing my mates I havent seen for so long. Maybe it was the excitement that I bought a dress one size smaller for AED80 in the sale and it fitted me! Yay : ).


So, what have I learnt so far about weight loss and exercise? Actually tons of things, some old wives tales, some facts and some new ideas. Mostly, Ive learnt that I need to ensure that my metabolism works when Im no exercising so that I continue to burn and lose fat and therefore lose weight away from the boot camp and other exercises. So how did I survive the Dubai Friday Champagne Brunch? I exercised Friday morning BEFORE brunch. Thats just for starters....


I decided to run around my home, its a safe closed and huge community. I had run this route a few times before last year (about 3 times ..) and it took me over 20mins, was more a fast walk than a run, and I was struggling with the breathing. This time I am very proud to report I only stopped 2 times for less than 1 min each time, and completed the run in 18mins. Even more fabulous was that I didnt struggle with my breathing. Dont get my wrong, I wasnt trying to be Zola Budd, I just ran at a steady pace, and got my breathing into a rhythm that I could handle. Over time I will improve the speed and the rhythm but for now I was happy to have done so well and run for so long each time without stopping. Granted, its a flat surface with no sign of slopes, hills or mountains. I was blinded by the sun so need to get some shades I can wear that wont slip off my face. I cant risk my Raybans falling off and smashing ..... I sweated well and I think I heard someone applauding me at one point. Cheeky sarcastic git!!


Once home, I went straight to my 30 Day Shred DVD; Ive only completed level 1 twice before, but I thought, since Ive been doing boot camp for 3 weeks now, lets try level 2. And I did, and I did it better than I thought I would. I enjoyed the walking pushups, though I still struggled with the cardio, but level 2 was more enjoyable than level 1, so will stick with level 2 through February. If I feel crazy and brave I may try level 3 just to see - http://jillianmichaels.shop.sportstoday.com/Product.aspx?pc=JIAM13


Now Im ready to handle brunch. Spectrum on One at the Fairmont Hotel has a few options to choose from, I chose the AED550 champagne brunch. We were celebrating the gorgeous MissA's birthday and we were going to do it in styleee. I only ate a fraction of what I would normally have eaten, 2 plates of the thai/chinese food and only a small portion of carbs (white rice). I did have a few little puddings and some jelly sweets but I avoided the brunchie-excess by drinking at least 1 full glass of water every time they topped up my champagne glass. There is no way to keep a track of how much I drank but I know that was also a fraction of my previous consumption. I felt tired at 430pm and so went home.


We missed the sandstorm completely! http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/weather/sudden-storm-brings-life-to-a-halt-in-uae-1.753793


Once home, I wasnt tired any more. I was full of energy again. I didnt feel drunk at all, in fact I felt very sober. Glad to know my kidneys and liver are working well ...... so what did I do? Yep, I cleaned for 2 hours, and did all my laundry. I then had a lovely relaxing weekend with the sweet MrB, watching the news unfold in Egypt .... what a crazy time, and there is no short cut to end this revolution......


My personal revolution however continues, and similarly there is no short cut to my happy ending. Still day by day, but Im now moving into weeks and also the end of the first month. February is only around the corner and I plan to drop one more dress size and a min 3.5kgs again. Then I can get someone to do my ironing that continues to pile up, when will I find time to do it!?