Nikina70's Journal, 09 Apr 21

Basically over the last two weeks there was no calorie tracking and lots of indulgence on two road trips, a 40th birthday celebration and then Easter. So, I am not surprised by the gain, and it's only gone down a little since 71.2kg on Monday morning - yikes!

This week I started exercising again on Monday morning so have done a total of 205 mins this week. Having a rest today and might do a workout tomorrow. Next week I'll aim for 180 minimum again. I've gotten myself a cheap jump rope so trying some jump rope workouts on YouTube - something other than dancing and walking workouts for cardio as I don't really like HIIT and detest burpees and such. I find the light bounce movement fine and most workouts have you doing 40/45 seconds and then 20/15sec rest, which just helps me catch my breath (basically HIIT anyway, but I don't find it as hectic as jumping all over the place).

Not wanting to spend any money I bought a cheap one at the Crazy Store and it's too short for me. So I've improvised and tied a knot in the middle so now I just hold the handles pretty much and do the movements - sometimes just holding my 1.5kg weights instead. Time will tell if I'm kidding myself, but I've definitely felt it in my calves and the back of my thighs. The workouts I've been doing include squats and push-ups as well so it does end up being total body, but I'm doing dumbbell workouts too - still my favorites.

Started tracking calories again on Tuesday and this week we've had some salads for lunch and a healthy stir-fry for dinner. There are still chocolate cupcakes, hot cross buns and lots of Easter eggs lurking around though, but I'll try to keep them within my calories - will aim for under 1800 this week. Fingers crossed as it's been a struggle so far!

In the pics are some of the indulgences enjoyed. Top left was my vegetarian hotel breakfast - a great way to start the day. Then top right are just some of the cocktails enjoyed. Discovered I don't like Piña Colada, but mango and strawberry daiquiris are my faves - and then anything gin based - delicious! Bottom left was a gnocchi and root veg dish at Pear Tree in Hermanus - highly recommended! Their soft shell tacos are great too! And then bottom right was the spinach eggs benedict at Jakes in Noordhoek - was delicious, but next time I want to try their smashed avo on toast as well - also looked great!

So besides the frustration of still waiting for the mandatory hotel quarantine in the UK to end so that we can finally book our flights and start our new lives there - it's all good. I feel like I'm running out of patience. We've said farewell to most family and friends now so we're at the point where people see us and go 'Are you still here?'. What would be marvelous is if they announced next week that the hotel quarantine will come to an end in mid May - then we can still fly next month. I am holding all my fingers and toes crossed. Over two years of planning and working towards this goal and it's so close and still seems so far.

This entry is, as always, mostly for my own records, but any positive thoughts are welcome. I know there are people going through all sorts of tough times right now and my heart goes out to you. Everyone has their own struggles - big or small. I don't want to seem ungrateful - I am grateful for so many things in my life right now - it would be a very long list - but this community and the support and camaraderie felt here would be very high on that list and I appreciate you all!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!

70.8 kg Lost so far: 15.2 kg.    Still to go: 5.8 kg.    Diet followed: Reasonably Well.

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2101 kcal

Fat: 72.19g | Prot: 86.13g | Carbs: 241.69g.   Breakfast: ProNutro Chocolate Cereal, Kauai Plant Protein, Checkers Housebrand Instant Oats, Bananas. Lunch: Fairview Brie, Woolworths Traditional Hot Cross Buns, Figs, Cooked Broccoli (from Fresh), Woolworths Baby Spinach, Cucumber (with Peel), Tomatoes, Carrots, Hard-Boiled Egg, Wellington's Sweet Chilli Sauce. Dinner: B-Well Reduced Oil Mayonnaise, White Rice, BOS Protein Soya Chunks, Stir Fried Vegetables, Simonsberg Feta with Herbs, Woolworths Roasted & Salted Cocktail Peanuts. Snacks/Other: Doritos Cheese Supreme, Woolworths Soft Scoop Vanilla Ice Cream, Woolworths Chocolate Brownies, Nestle Ricoffy, Rose Wine, Nestle Aero Peppermint, Safari Large Pitted Prunes. more...