A Hotel Manager's Diary To A Healthier Life! 11/42

[Trefoil]

Good Evening

I am Ruth, 23, a Hotel Manager originally from Harrogate but now living in Scarborough.

I have been around on Minimins for a few years and unfortunately fell into the trap of a serial yo yo dieter but after becoming unwell and Drs telling me I have pre diabetes enough is enough. I have messed around for long enough and should have done this ages ago. They are also worried about my age relating to this diagnosis.

I am taking this extremely slowly, I need to be at a healthy weight and lead a healthier lifestyle. I have an extremely active job so that isn't an issue however I don't eat enough and when I do eat its not the right things. I do have to be careful as I have quite serious IBS but my dietician has recommended SW.

I will be joining after the 15th when I get paid and will attend class when I can (shift depending) i will also weigh myself tomorrow morning as a start and go from there and see how I will do. I will be using tools such as mini alarms to eat and to drink plenty of fluids as this is what I lack.

I am also hoping that my mental health will improve as I have been extremely stressed out and as a result, unwell over the entire festive period.

Will have a think about some mini goals and what I think my challenges will be also. Think that's very important!

Good to be here- I must do this!

Ruth
xx

 

[Trefoil]

I went and weighed myself this morning and got 13.7 which is my lowest ever starting weight!

I will be following the Extra Easy Plan until I can get to a class- does anyone recommend not bothering with a start weight until you have been on the SW main scales as I remember scales can variate!

My Goals:

5 small meals a day including snacks- ie sugar free jelly, crudités, fruit salad etc.
At least 1 litre of water or still flavoured water per day. Carbonated only on special occasions!
Walk down to the South Bay at least twice a week to start with- one for relaxation and two to get out a bit more.
Make more informed choices in restaurants- stop being frightened of menus.
No more fasting for 2/3 days- it's making you ill.
Lose the weight slowly and don't feel like you are depriving yourself of things or it won't work!
Know what works for you what makes you poorly- stick to what you like and don't force it!
Weigh once a week at a pharmacy/boots otherwise I will just scale hop (until I can get to class)

Challenges:

London 05/02/14
Manchester 24/01/14
London 04/03/14
Center Parcs 17/03/14
France 24/08/14
The times where my mood isn't brilliant!!!!

Foods I do not eat:

Bread (as in like toast- will sometimes eat sandwiches)
Weetabix
Milk
Bananas- Allergic
Most Breakfast Cereals
Butter/Margarine/Spread
All Onions (except pickled)

Determined to slowly work some of those foods back into my diet!!

Ruth
xx

 

[Trefoil]

I am going to give the 7 day plan on the website a go- what I didn't realise and should have done, is that a lot of the Healthy Extras, mainly Bs don't suit me so well but I will just have to eat them in bits, although I suppose it may not work... Any thoughts on this?

I am also pretty short of money up until the 15th, and I am trying to use as much of what I can that's in the cupboard!!!
I have dairylea triangles in the fridge... they are full fat ones but are any of those a Healthy Extra A?




Ruth
xx

 

[Trefoil]

I am going to give the 7 day plan on the website a go- what I didn't realise and should have done, is that a lot of the Healthy Extras, mainly Bs don't suit me so well but I will just have to eat them in bits, although I suppose it may not work... Any thoughts on this?

I am also pretty short of money up until the 15th, and I am trying to use as much of what I can that's in the cupboard!!!
I have dairylea triangles in the fridge... they are full fat ones but are any of those a Healthy Extra A?




Ruth
xx

Already finding this difficult! Maybe I should eat healthily for this week and attempt SW when I actually know what I am doing... I don't dare guess! Also would anyone know whether if I jumped between groups (I have like 7/8 near me) due to my shifts would this be an issue?

Ruth
xx

 

[Mini]

There is no issue between changing groups...it is whatever suits you.

Work away with what you have in the house and syn it as you go so that you will have some idea of what you have been eating and you just might surprise yourself and lose weight weight...a bit of fat in cheese is not going to do any harm.

When you start a diet it takes time to get into the swing of it and it can at times be more beneficial to ease into it rather than giving your body the shock treatment and above all don't let it stress you.

Here are a couple of links below that are worth reading...

Happy New Year:new_year:



http://www.minimins.com/slimming-wo...d-advice-new-comers-including-extra-easy.html

http://www.minimins.com/slimming-world/192112-common-sw-misconceptions-put-right.html


http://www.minimins.com/slimming-world/116347-slimming-world-faqs.html

 

[Trefoil]

There is no issue between changing groups...it is whatever suits you.

Work away with what you have in the house and syn it as you go so that you will have some idea of what you have been eating and you just might surprise yourself and lose weight weight...a bit of fat in cheese is not going to do any harm.

When you start a diet it takes time to get into the swing of it and it can at times be more beneficial to ease into it rather than giving your body the shock treatment and above all don't let it stress you.

Here are a couple of links below that are worth reading...

Happy New Year:new_year:



http://www.minimins.com/slimming-wo...d-advice-new-comers-including-extra-easy.html

http://www.minimins.com/slimming-world/192112-common-sw-misconceptions-put-right.html


http://www.minimins.com/slimming-world/116347-slimming-world-faqs.html

Hi Mini,

Thanks very much for this I will have a look at them when I get home as I am just on the train!

The advice you has given will be brilliant especially for a serial worrier

Thanks again!

Ruth
xx

 

[Trefoil]

Yesterday went a bit like this:

Grapefruit (whole) & 2 Tangerines
Black Coffee
3 Boiled Eggs

3 Dairylea Triangles
Pickled Onions
Smoked Salmon
Hellmanns Mayonnaise
2 Apples
1 Orange
1 Glass Coke

This is a lot less than I would normally eat as I was on delayed trains and I also didn't get up until late!

Just taking advice and using what is in my fridge/cupboard!!

l really cannot wait to get some stability next week! I may plan a weeks worth of menus around my rota so I know what I can do?

Ruth
xx

 

[Trefoil]

I will actually now be going down to join a group on Monday night- I am working Wednesday night!

I didn't originally want my weigh in to be on a Monday night but it will keep me focused and makes sure that I don't slip up

I am just getting rid of what's in my cupboards at the minute (then I can fully start a fresh). Even though I don't particularly have a lot of money I can still join up.
Then I can plan everything based upon my shifts. Just trying to get everything planned out so that I will not get too fed up!

I am going to get work to make me a salad on Tuesday and Wednesday as I am on late night shifts and all I will need to do for that is Syn the homemade coleslaw that comes with it. Then for the early shift on the morning of Friday, I will have boiled eggs minus the toast soldiers. I will take some crudites for all three shifts to get me through. I am then off Friday, Saturday and Sunday so I can actually have some time to cook and do some preparation. I am thinking of making:


Tuesday
Grapefruit & Orange
Jacket Potato with Baked Beans & Mushrooms
Celery & Carrot Sticks
Salad= Ham with Mixed Vegetables & Homemade Coleslaw- WORK
Apple & Orange- WORK
(5 Meals)

Wednesday
Grapefruit & Orange
Jacket Potato with Baked Beans & Mushrooms
Celery & Carrot Sticks
Salad= Ham with Mixed Vegetables & Homemade Coleslaw- WORK
Apple & Orange- WORK
(5 Meals)

Thursday
Boiled Eggs- WORK
Vegetable Crudites & Tzatziki- WORK
Fruit Salad when I get in from work at 4pm
Homemade Burger (bun free) with SW Chips/Sweet Potatoes and Salad
2 Oranges
(5 Meals)

Friday
Grapefruit, then Mushrooms, Baked Beans and Tomatoes- Breakfast
Vegetable Crudites- Celery & Carrots and home made Tzatziki.
Omelette with Mushrooms, Courgettes, Ham & HEXA amount of Cheese
Natural Yogurt and 2 Tsps Honey
2 Oranges as a later snack.
(5 Meals)

I know that Tuesday and Wednesday are the same but until I get my head around things with my shifts and how I am going to sort my food out I think it will stay this way.
Still thinking about the weekend....

Worried about my HEXA's and HEXB's as well!!! If you have any advice anyone that would be wonderful.

Ruth
xx

 

[Trefoil]

Thinking about the weekend now.

I am looking at Surf and Turf for Saturday evening followed by Fruit Salad
Chicken Stir Fry for Sunday Evening followed by Yogurt and Honey

Possibly the Baxter Soups to sort my HEXB out?

Ruth
xx

 

[kellykelly]

Hi Ruth, I work in a hotel the same as yourself, one of my problems is the amount of food readily available to eat, staff meals etc. Working shifts is also a pain for me, the only recommendation is plan out the week in advance and stick to it. That is at least what i am trying to do x

 

[Trefoil]

Hi Ruth, I work in a hotel the same as yourself, one of my problems is the amount of food readily available to eat, staff meals etc. Working shifts is also a pain for me, the only recommendation is plan out the week in advance and stick to it. That is at least what i am trying to do x

Hi there!

Yeah I know it's a bit of a nightmare!

That's why I thought that if I could try and plan a week at a time it would work better rather than having all sorts of food offered to me and with lack of time to eat it and no real breaks I'd probably take it! It's all about the planning

How are you finding it?

Ruth
xx

 

[Trefoil]

Been a bit AWOL got sent to another hotel to cover!

Also my rota has been changed so on 12-8 on Monday which means I can't get to SW and I can't on Tuesday or Wednesday either due to late shifts. So therefore I am going to go on Thursday. The class is a good 20/30 minute walk away which I actually think I prefer. The others were basically at the bottom of my street which didn't give me any exercise at all and with the other group on a Thursday I can walk via the sea and get to see all of lovely Scarborough South Bay (even though I only live one row back from the North cliff!)

Just sold my laptop on ebay as I have an iPad and didn't think I would have a need for a laptop and I have got quite a lot for it so I'm going to open a savings account and start putting money away when I hit milestones. Then when I have reached my goal I have decided to get myself a tattoo on my upper back which I have wanted for a while and also learn to drive as I failed 4 tests when I was 18. After nearly 6 years I think the time has come to learn again

Quite pleased I didn't start the class this week as TOTM arrived which wouldn't have started it off well either.

Looking forward to Thursday and feeling good

Ruth
Xx

 

[Trefoil]

Just a heads up!

I am still eating well and avoiding takeaways!

When I got sent to the other hotel I had Chinese food made from scratch for me which was lovely and only had 2 small glasses of wine and even though chocolates were offered I declined.

The next day when the managers went for lunch I had a wetherspoons meal but just chose a salad! Checked the calorie contents etc and a cup of coffee.

I am slightly worried about Friday as I have been asked out on a date (eeek!) and we are going to Florio's which is a well known Italian restaurant in Scarborough. I would normally have spaghetti carbonara as I don't eat pasta with red sauces and would ideally try to avoid pizza, I wonder if fish, a salad or maybe just pasta white sauce and mushrooms or something would be a bit of a better choice.. Hmm :/ I need to make these choices fit around my life or it isn't gonna work!

Ruth
Xx

 

[sarah83]

Hi Ruth, I found your diary!
Your food is looking fab! I think planning is the key for your shifts in work. Although I don't work shifts, I do have breakfast, lunch and snacks in work 5 days out of 7 and find I need to make a robust meal and snack plan so I firstly pick the right stuff up when I go shopping, and secondly make sure I take it to work with me in the morning! I always prepare it all the night before too as I know I won't have time in the morning!

Ooh your date sounds fun. There are loads of good choices at an Italian. How about fish and veg/salad, chicken or pork casserole with veg, risotto (saving your HEXA for the parmesan)?

With your HEXB I guess it's probably worth looking at the other options you can have - I tend to stick to cereal bars and bread or ryvitas so I really need to take my own advice here! But the list is massive - soups, extra virgin olive oil, cooked, dried or tinned fruit. Or if you do a green day you can have nuts, seeds, houmous or even cheese as your HEXB.

Hope you have a fab day xx

 

[abisaurus]

Hi

Stay clear of flavoured water- it has LOADS of hidden syns. Maybe try sparkling water with cordial in instead for a change?

Your food looks brilliant considering you're using what you have left and fitting it around work. I would try to get weighed on the same day (or at least the same kind of time on consecutive days. Just so you get the most accurate weight loss reading. Im a friday 9am weigher but sometimes go to the saturday 8.30 class.

You can totally spread your hexb choice throughout the day, could you maybe have nuts, olives or raisins as your B choice if you don't like bread etc?

As for eating out italian I would opt for chicken/fish/ steak with veggies and a sauce on the side (if possible)

Hopefully when you join it should clear up a few question marks for you and help you make decisions about how to make the plan work for you there is also a really handy eating out section in the back and online

Good luck, looking forward to seeing how well you do
.x.x.

 

[Trefoil]

Feel proper rubbish- walked all the way to class and it was cancelled!!!! Made me feel like c**p

Ugh- next week it is then :/

Ruth
Xx

 

[Trefoil]

Hi Ruth, I found your diary! Your food is looking fab! I think planning is the key for your shifts in work. Although I don't work shifts, I do have breakfast, lunch and snacks in work 5 days out of 7 and find I need to make a robust meal and snack plan so I firstly pick the right stuff up when I go shopping, and secondly make sure I take it to work with me in the morning! I always prepare it all the night before too as I know I won't have time in the morning! Ooh your date sounds fun. There are loads of good choices at an Italian. How about fish and veg/salad, chicken or pork casserole with veg, risotto (saving your HEXA for the parmesan)? With your HEXB I guess it's probably worth looking at the other options you can have - I tend to stick to cereal bars and bread or ryvitas so I really need to take my own advice here! But the list is massive - soups, extra virgin olive oil, cooked, dried or tinned fruit. Or if you do a green day you can have nuts, seeds, houmous or even cheese as your HEXB. Hope you have a fab day xx

Hi there!

Thanks for all of the advice it's really appreciated!

Ive been looking at the HEXB and I have so many options which is brilliant too!

Unfortunately now have to wait until next week my class is cancelled. My question is, can I do it alone? If I could I would...

Ruth
Xx

 

[Trefoil]

Hi Stay clear of flavoured water- it has LOADS of hidden syns. Maybe try sparkling water with cordial in instead for a change? Your food looks brilliant considering you're using what you have left and fitting it around work. I would try to get weighed on the same day (or at least the same kind of time on consecutive days. Just so you get the most accurate weight loss reading. Im a friday 9am weigher but sometimes go to the saturday 8.30 class. You can totally spread your hexb choice throughout the day, could you maybe have nuts, olives or raisins as your B choice if you don't like bread etc? As for eating out italian I would opt for chicken/fish/ steak with veggies and a sauce on the side (if possible) Hopefully when you join it should clear up a few question marks for you and help you make decisions about how to make the plan work for you there is also a really handy eating out section in the back and online Good luck, looking forward to seeing how well you do .x.x.

Thank you for your advice it is brilliant!!!

I hope that you're ok you sound like you're doing brilliantly too!!!

Ruth
Xx

 

[Trefoil]

I've found another meeting group! Friday at 10am!!! On with it!

Feel so much better I could have cried- been so busy not eaten all day and I am so bloated!

Ruth
Xx

 

[sarah83]

I'm just thinking why don't you join online if you're struggling for classes?
I do it alone but I did join for a good few months a few years ago so it got me used to the plan and the principles even if the plan and syns have changed since then! But I can't easily get to a class plus I'm skint lol!

Joining online might be best for you as you'd have that support, albeit remotely x