Mad Cow!!!!!!

Back in May, when I first took the steps to join them gym, I would walk in with my head down, practically clinging to the walls trying not to be noticed, not make eye contact, feel like I didn't belong, an imposter and certain everyone was laughing at me behind my back.
 
Today I walked in and realised my head was held high, I met peoples eyes, I smiled an awful lot and I strode over to the machines, I felt at home, I felt comfortable, and I felt like I belonged.

New people were joining today and I looked up as they entered in the same way as I had, and I didn't judge them, or laugh at them behind their back, I smiled broadly at them, and remembered how hard those first steps were, maybe if I had of held my head up back then, I would have seen people smiling at me too!  I admired them for taking those first steps, and knew how hard it would have been for them, and am sure everybody in that gym who happened to see me join that day, would have felt that way once too.

~BREAKFAST~
 

A liquid breakkie this morning, following on from the shake I had yesterday afternoon, inspired by my friend Jen, I added a banana today and made it thicker.

So it's almond milk, banana, frozen raspberries and chocolate protein powder, whizzed together.

I love it, was very refreshing and surprisingly very filling.

~MID MORNING SNACK~

 

 

Today was again just another handful of almonds and some dried apricots.  I keep a little pot on my desk at work as a standby by snack.

 

 

 

 

  

 

~LUNCH~

 

As it was a double day at the gym today I always try and leave work around 12ish if I can, which means I don't want anything really heavy before I leave.  So today the little pot of loveliness was changed into a big pot and eaten about 11.30, enough time for it provide the energy without sitting heavy in my tummy.  Added mango today, so good!

 

 

~AFTERNOON 'SNACK'~

 

I had to go shopping after the gym to restock the fridge etc for the weekend, and then I had to go and pick Matt up who finishes early on a Friday, so that only left me 1/2 hr.  Was no point going home, and nobody was at my work (I work next door to Matt), so I picked up another tub of crab and a small seeded wholemeal roll in Waitrose and took it back to my office to eat whilst I waited for Matt.

I had actually picked up a so called 'low calorie' sandwich first of all, and a prawn salad, and a packet of Mcoys crisps, cos I was hungry and just shopping with my eyes.  Half way round I changed my mind and put the sandwich and salad back ... and found the crab! .....Kept the crisps though!!! ;)

Crisps have always, always been my downfall.  Have never been able to have just one bag, so today was a big test for me as I have now just cut them out.  I can honestly say, I didn't enjoy them, I found them really really salty, so I left half of them.  Result!

 

~DINNER~
 

Rump steak was on offer in Waitrose today, and its Matt's fave, so I thought I would treat the boy!!!

 

Didn't bank on it being an actual cow though!!!

 

HUMONGOUS!!!!

 

Beef is the No.1 food source for protein, vitamin B12 and zinc.  Is also a good source of iron.  Great for after the workout I had today.

 

So I cubed some potatoes and sweet potatoes and cooked them in the actifry.  Made a little salad of spinach leaves, tomatoes, red onion and cucumber and drizzled it with a dressing of rapeseed oil, wholegrain mustard, dijon mustard, honey and white wine vinegar.

 

I then preheated the grill and grilled both the cows to our liking ..... still moo-ing!!
 

Finished with a grating of lemon zest over the steak and a dollop of good old English mustard, and served with a small glass of red wine ... a great Friday night dinner, although have to admit, I didn't eat all the steak ... decided I was mad enough!!

~EXERCISE~

 

So today was double whammy day, meaning an hour in the gym followed by an hour swimming.  I won't elaborate anymore on it today, suffice to say ... I was shattered, but buzzing!!l

 

Oh yeah, I know this is sad, but how about this for a sickeningly healthy fridge following today's shop:-

 

 

I love it .. looks very pretty.... we can't eat any of it, it's just for show ;)

It's Friday night and I feel I should be giving my husband some attention.
May not get a blog tomorrow as we are hoping to be out and about walking, but if the weather is pants, that may change, hope not!

So thanks again for reading
Jo
xx