Operation get fit or die trying (gluten free style): week one.

I started my New Year’s resolutions a little late this year (somebody had to eat all the chocolate!) so this week I commenced operation ‘get fit or die trying’.

The basic principles of this have basically been to commit my diet and exercise regime to boyfriend and personal trainer Steve Sanger – and see what happens!

I began the week well, with some new found enthusiam behind me, but by the end of Monday I was literally DYING for a pizza. Or chocolate. Or anything!!

I pushed on, gritted my teeth and carried on eating the chicken, nuts and veg, and I’m pleased to report I am feeling much better already!

Why am I doing this to myself?

A question I ask myself every day!

The thing is, what with my coeliac disease and long-term thyroid problems, I don’t think I can actually remember ever feeling ‘normal’.

Yes, I work extremely hard and long hours, and am often told by friends and family I can take too much on, but even before that I was always tired, sluggish, and unmotivated.

I seem to spend my days in this constant limbo of semi-exhaustion, and I’m determined to come out fighting!

I had my thyroid removed in Dec 2010, and thought I would feel miles better instantly – wrong.

More than two years later, my thyroid levels have only just gone back to their normal level and I’m still feeling tired – a harsh reality that made me think I need to buck my ideas up a bit.

So I decided, as well as wanting to look like some sort of Goddess when I go on the holiday of a lifetime in September (and a determination to not become ‘the fat one’ in my relationship), enough was enough and it was time to embark on a new lifestyle!

Week one: meal roundup

It’s been an interesting week – from eating meatballs for breakfast (yes, for breakfast!) to sipping on mugs of green tea, I’ve been pretty good in sticking to my new healthy eating regime!

The idea is simple – to eat protein, (good) fats and carbs – but only in the form of vegetables – with every meal.

I think for a coeliac this kind of eating is a lot easier to get into – after all, it’s not like I am going to miss bread!

I’ve been eating 4-5 meals a day ranging from smoothies and salads to stir fries and stews, so to save filling this blog with everything, I’ll share with you a few of my faves!

1. 

   Super healthy turkey meatballs – here’s one I made earlier! This batch I made with (gluten free!) cajun spice mix, and they lasted me for a few meals – including breakfast! I ate all of these with salad, one meal I added some hoummous as well for a tasty alternative.

2. Smoothie – This was a bit of a treat! I’m trying to avoid sugar, so fruit is normally a no-go, but I picked up some cheap raspberries and thought I’d give myself an antioxidant boost! I blended a punnet of raspberries, a handful of blueberries, a tablespoon of flaxseed (good fats, high in Omega 3!) and coconut water (very good for you also) and enjoyed mine just before my workout to give me a bit of a boost!
3. Chicken with brocolli and cauliflower rice – If you’re struggling to eliminate carbs, cauliflower rice is the answer! Blend the heads of the brocolli and cauliflower into a ‘rice’ consistency, and fry with butter, red onion and mushrooms – add some garlic to make it even tastier, and perhaps a dash of chilli flakes?
4. Chicken, mozzarella and bacon – butterfly the chicken breasts, stuff with mozzarella (full fat, not too much!) and wrap up in bacon and bake until cooked through (around 30 minutes?) – delicious! Shared this with friends and it was a great meal served with a big bowl of mixed salad.

No pain, no gain

Finally, I’ve been trying to fit some workouts into my busy schedule!

Among my many moans, I’ve been suffering from back pain and have found working out has really helped and made me so much more aware of my posture.

This week, Steve took me through a leg workout on Tuesday (actually could not walk on Wednesday, one step closer to a J-Lo bum!) and an upper body workout Thursday.

I’m hoping to have another session tomorrow – and next week I’d like to try and go swimming too!

Onwards and upwards

So there you have it, that’s my roundup for this week! Has anyone else resolved to get fit this year? How are you getting on? Next week I’ll have the dreaded weigh-in, so I’ll let you know how I got on! Comment below and share your resolutions!