CSN Stores...

I just had an email from a lovely lady at CSN Stores offering me the chance to review a product from one of their UK sites. 

I have to be honest, I'd never really heard of CSN before but they have some great sites selling everything from wardrobes and chic lighting pieces to small kitchen appliances. 

I thought that as I am trying to eat healthier, I should probably choose something from their massive selection of cookware so watch this space to see my review!

http://www.csnstores.co.uk

http://www.allmodern.co.uk/

http://www.cookwarebycsn.co.uk/

http://www.furniturebycsn.co.uk/

http://www.lightingbycsn.co.uk/

http://www.tvstands.co.uk/

Spicy Vegeteble Soup Recipe

This week, we've been mostly eating a huuuuuge pan of spicy vegetable soup. It's something I used to make a lot when I was doing Weight Watchers because veg was 0 points so I thought I'd give it a go.

Here's the ingredients...

6 Large Carrots
6 Parsnips
2 Large leeks
1 Cauliflower
2 Large Potatoes
1 Beef Stock Cube
1 Pint of Water
Salt & Pepper to season


Bang it all in a pan and simmer for an hour. Then grab your blender and do your worst....

Simple but delicious! Enjoy!

The Big Weigh In: WEEK 1

I'm going to make this short and sweet. Sweet being the 'evil' word that got us in to this mess to start with!

We got weighed last night...

I have lost 1lb (not much but it's a start) and Chris has gained 1lb (naughty boy).

Not a great start. I know where I went wrong...

...yes it's my love for chocolate. We have been eating healthier - cooking from scratch - but I just can't get rid of that little voice inside my head that says "You've finished your dinner Leanne, reward yourself, go eat something sweet."

Yes I know this is ridiculous, I'm 28 for God's sake, I should be able to have some kind of control! But the thing is.. at this moment in time... I just don't! And it's National Chocolate week now - which is not a great help!

This weeks plan is to reduce our portions (I haven't told Chris yet) maybe he won't notice the tiny plates?!

I'll let you know how we got on!

Stay tuned for a tasty low calorie spicy vegetable soup recipe!

Why do I keep winning sweet things??

So the day I started my diet I got an email to tell me I had won a Betty Crocker cake mix from Mummy Reviews. It made me laugh out loud. I thought "That's the diet out the window."

Now I just had a message from OK! Magazine to tell me that out of 442 people, I'm one of 10 that has won a Divine Chocolate Hamper!

WTF? Someone obviously does not want me to lose weight! (Clearly this is me, for I shouldn't have entered in the first place!)

You do know I'll HAVE to eat all this stuff though don't you - it would be completely rude not to!

Anyway, despite these wins, Chris and I have decided to try and cut out snacks to see what effect that will have on our weightloss. (We're starting slow!) Don't tell Chris but I've had 3 biscuits today - ooops.

I went to Tesco last night and bought loads of veg so that we can make a hearty but healthy soup. I never use recipes for soups by the way - I just buy the veg that is on offer and bang it all in a pan with some stock - Nigella I am not! If it turns out well I'll post the ingredients!

Last night we had spaghetti bolognese with extra lean mince cooked with fresh ingredients. Delicious.

We haven't managed to do any exercise yet - but we will, I'm sure!? Well we'll have to if we eat all this chocolate and cake!

Tonight we are having a healthy chicken stirfry - so we are making the effort although I'm not sure it's really enough? We'll find out on Sunday I suppose!

The "BIG" Weigh In

I've always kept very quiet about my actual weight in the past, choosing never to tell a soul what I weighed at any point in my life. I have always been embarrased, even when I was skinny! This is a massive step for me revealing my weight to the masses - especially only 6 weeks after giving birth. I have to do this though, I know it will help me and I'm hoping it will help other people get motivated too.

Last night, in true dieter style, Chris and I tucked in to our 'last supper' - a delicious but huge lamb roast followed by lots of chocolate! It was like I was an an 'all you can eat' dinner as I stuffed myself to the brink - knowing that it wouldn't be allowed once we started this thing. We've all done it - I can see your smiling because you've done the same!


Anyway, I did promise you all that I would post our weigh in results last night but quite frankly I was too shocked to.

When I hopped on to the Wii Fit I have to say, I was hoping for an "Oh wow, I didn't put that much weight on whilst I was pregnant" moment! Unfortunately this was not the case!

So here we go... the results are in...

 Leanne

Age:          28
Height:      5ft 4ins
Weight:     12 stone 4lbs
BMI:         29.3 - Overweight

Chris

Age:          35
Height:      6ft 0ins
Weight:     14 stone 3lbs
BMI:         27.0 - Overweight




I am now the heaviest I have ever been, in my whole life - ever - Eeek! Even my Wii Mii held her head in shame....

I am determined now to reach a healthy BMI and being the supporting other half that he is, Chris is joining me on the journey.

Today is THE day. Wish us luck peeps - it's going to be tough! x