Morning Readers! How are we all on this wet and extremely windy day. We hardly seem to get over one weather event before the next is taking place. The joys of Global Warming! I'm pleased to say I maintained this week. My leg has been swelling too so it could well be that I would have lost had the swelling not flared up. Either way I'm happy with the results. One thing I had been quite concerned about this week is that with the weather being so cold and the bad snow we had, I'd been having a lot of home made soup. It was so warming and comforting that I was having a second helping for my lunch. With having the second bowlful, I started to be concerned that I'd over done it with my portion sizes. Thanks to the support of my Consultants, Carol and Gail, my mind was soon put at rest. They told me that due to the ingredients in the soup being healthy foods (slimming world call them super free foods and free foods) that I would be fine to have the 2 helpings without spoiling my healthy eating plan.

This made me very happy as the soups have been a blessing while the weather has been so cold. Last week I told you I was working towards my Bronze award with the exercise. I'd completed week one and was working towards week two. Well, I'm pleased to say, I've now completed week two. I've definitely overdone it this week though and can feel the fatigue hanging on in the background. I think I felt so good that I'd managed to achieve week one, I automatically tried to increase the amount I did and have suffered because of it. I've now set myself a plan to do 10 minutes a day, five times a week. It's gentle and I can make sure I get my 45 minutes a week in without making myself ill. I've also found that if I have a set pattern and time of day to do the exercise, I'm less likely to put it off and find excuses as to why I haven't got time to do it. I'm finding it easier on week three to do 10 minutes a session instead of 15 and to spread it out over 5 days rather than trying to do it all in 3 days. It also helps that my Husband is doing it with me.

Although he can manage much more than me, it's still fantastic to have a workout buddy with me who understands my limitations. Have you managed to add any activity into your lifestyle? Don't forget, walking the dog, digging the garden, clearing the snow or hoovering can all be included as part of your activity routine. getting active isn't as difficult as you might think.

Chickpea Dahl Loaf

Ingredients:

1 can of Chickpea Dahl (Only use the Tesco and Asda tins)

1 packet of Savoury Rice Curry Flavoured.

4 Eggs

Salt and Black Pepper

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 190 degrees and line a loaf tin with baking parchment.

2. Cook the rice according to the instructions on the packet. Once cooked, drain it and leave it to cool. It must be cool otherwise it will start to cook the eggs.

3. Beat 4 eggs in a bowl then add the chickpea dahl and mix well.

4 Add the cooled rice, season well and mix once again

5. Pour the mixture into the loaf tin and place in the oven for 35 minutes.

To check it's done, carefully stick a knife into the dahl. If it comes out clean, it's ready. This is a fantastic recipe for those days when you get the munchies. It can be eaten warm or cold and whenever you feel peckish, just slice a piece and enjoy without feeling guilty. You could also have it with roasted vegetables as a main meal. This week I've set myself a target to lose 2lb. What will your target be? Tune in next week to see how I've done. See you lighter next week,

Love Wendy xxx