Saturweigh

Last week I did lots and lots of walking as well as eating mainly fruit, salad, meat and vegetables. Even though I knew I had worked hard and was desperate for a good weigh in reading today I still wasn't prepared for what I read; I weighed in at 11:09!! The last weigh in was 11:12 so that means that I have lost three pounds in one week, awesome. I am so thrilled with this result.

On Saturday 10th July I set myself the challenge of losing 21 pounds in 21 weeks, ending on Saturday 4th December. My starting weight was 12 stone, today's reading was 11:09, I am so pleased that I have now lost the total of 5 pounds in 5 weeks. This means that I am back on track and in line with my challenge, that is absolutely amazing and the best results I have had for ages. Here's hoping that I can keep up the good work over the next week.

350 Paper Bun Cases for £1!

Today while shopping in my nearest town I was really pleased to find that I could purchase 350 paper bun cases in a plastic storage pot for just £1! At that price it works out that I get three and a half bun cases for each penny, wow! I am going to try them out first to make sure they are up to the job but if they are good then I am planning to dash back to the shop and get a few more packs. Perfect for baking chocolate chip buns or iced cup cakes.

Redeeming Loyalty Points

Trying to think of ways that I could cut back on my saving reminded me that I had loyalty points for 'Boots' our local chemist which I hadn't redeemed for ages. We were running out of nail varnish remover and cotton wool again, there are several teenage girls here :-)

I took my card to the store and walked out with my items without having to pay for them out of my account, that felt good! I have been informed that I still have several pounds left on my card which is good to know. I will keep these for other necessities as and when needed. It is so easy to just keep paying at the till and never think about cashing in the points due to you, I guess that's exactly what the stores want you to do.

Walking for Books

My young Son is seven years old and has learnt to read well. He has been reading whole books happily and so I decided he was ready for a trip to the library. We drove to the nearest village then parked up and walked on a safe path to the library in the next town. There he chose six books and joined the Summer reading scheme called 'Space Hop' where he will get rewarded with a certificate if he reads, records and judges all the books he has read. Then we walked back to our car. Our walk totalled 3 miles, not bad for a seven year old, he didn't even complain once!

Reducing Fuel Costs when Cooking

Usually I don't have to economise with cooking fuel as we normally have our Aga range on all the time but as it is Summer we let it out to save on oil costs. Yesterday I fancied cooking the family a roast but didn't want to put on the electric oven just to cook a chicken. So, I cooked two chickens and a large cake all at the same time! We ate our lovely hot roast for dinner last night and a cold chicken salad tonight with chocolate cake and custard for desert. There will be another meal of chocolate cake tomorrow so I am happy with the return on the cooking fuel.

Did I Really Start Running?

Today has been a sunny day with wind, perfect for drying the washing. Three lines full and an airer too, saving the dryer bill again.

Had to laugh this morning when my Son put down on his schoolwork that his Mum was an example of someone that was thrifty! I had to agree, it's been obvious to all the family lately, they can't miss it.

My Husband did something really frugal today. He has always been known to be good at fixing things but today my 16 year old Daughter brought her deodorant aerosol can to him to be fixed as it still had a lot left inside (she's thrifty too like her Mum). Off he went to his workshop, a few minutes later he was back and it was fixed again. How many people would have just tossed it in the bin. Anyway our Daughter was happy as she didn't want to have to buy another one.

I only did 200 steps on the LTT today as I am still feeling the effects on my muscles from yesterday. I served up a nice fresh healthy salad for dinner tonight and nobody complained which was good. There was plenty of different foods to choose from so everyone was happy.

This evening my Husband and I went for a quiet country walk, about two miles in total. I even did a spot of running, a miracle for me, even my Husband was surprised how far I ran without complaining afterwards - amazing! Lol.

Thigh Toning & Moving

Today I managed to do 400 steps on the Lateral Thigh Trainer (LTT). I did it in four sessions of 100 steps each time. This means that I burned up the total of 56 calories on the LTT alone! You can feel it in your thighs while working out and when you walk up the stairs afterwards, groan. I also walked for half an hour so my legs got a total workout today. I am also working hard at the healthy eating too.

Trying to spend less money on food by eating less and eating local is going to be a challenge but I think it is very possible. The results are certainly encouraging so far. With all this healthy British meat and veg as well as lots of fruit washed down with tons of water and cups of redbush my body should really respond positively. I am hoping for even healthier skin, nails and hair. Also to lose weight, 21 pounds in 21 weeks, to end by December 4th. I have lost 2 pounds in 4 weeks so far but this added fitness activity may help the weight to come off a little faster, if not at least I will be healthier and fitter. I still feel positive about this challenge. Looking forward to Saturweigh.