My Fitness Pal

So I did not survive the 5:2 diet!!! However I have started something new and it is working!
I found a website called My Fitness Pal which helps you to count calories and sets targets for you to lose weight. I'm addicted to updating my food diary and I think it is really useful to see how much you actually eat in one day.

Did you know that a Wagamamas Katsu Curry is basically most of your calories for the day...you could maybe fit in a full fat coke and that would be it!!!!

It also tells you how much calories you burn when exercising and then you can eat the calories you have burnt off. I have completed a week on this controlled diet and it is already giving me results.

I have also been exercising hence why I haven't really updated my blog. But I have only been doing excercises that I enjoy such as swimming, Zumba and walking/jogging.

Loving my new healthy ways!

Yes I still do visit the Big M on a Thursday! Control!

5:2 Diet

Every Thursday night I say 'it's the weekend I can spoil myself and eat whatever I like. I've worked hard all week I deserve a treat or two!' By Saturday I hate myself for all the junk I've eaten for example two family sized packets of Quavers...in a row! So after stuffing myself yesterday I decided once and for all that IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE! I MEAN IT THIS TIME!!!

I stumbled upon this new diet in The National newspaper, the 5:2 diet where you eat normally for 5 days and then fast for 2 days. I have decided that I am going to follow this with a bit of light exercise. I haven't really read much about the diet but I think I get the jist of it and will try it out.

So today was the first day- I've eaten a healthy breakfast and lunch and I'm about to make some carrot soup for dinner. I went swimming after work for 30 minutes and I'm planning to go for a 30 minute walk after dinner...quite tired so not sure if this will happen!

Tomorrow I will fast all day and break it in the evening with something healthy and filling- maybe some Quinoa. I don't know if I will stick to it. I don't really need to lose any weight I just need to be healthier.

Thursday will be a difficult day as in work Thursday is also referred to as the Big M day a.k.a McDonald's day! However Thursday I am planning to fast and enjoy myself in the evening- Inshallah I stick to it.

Let's do it!!!

Shift happens

Last year as part of training at work we were shown the video below. It has always stuck with me, I'm really not sure why. It is always being updated as obviously statistics change daily...the below version is from 2012:

Perfect gifts

Look at the gifts I received from the U.K....

How Perfect!!!

Another cupcake post!!!

I have put on about a million pounds since I discovered Bloomsbury's cupcakes! I think this is the THIRD post about those delicious cupcakes!!! Even the waiters know me there! *embarrassing*

Bloomsbury's is all decked out for Valentines Day. They were giving out free mini cupcakes...

Yes the chocolate one is half eaten :/

Despite the free mini cupcake I still ordered a cupcake (I love the chub!):

Rocky Road

Banana Bliss

Mine was the banana bliss and was so delicious- it had dulce de leche in the middle! Now I'm going on a cupcake detox! I am banning myself from Bloomsbury's! No more!

Let's see how long this lasts!

Dieffenbachia

I decided to buy a houseplant as they are good for purifying indoor air. I went to ACE hardware store and spent ages looking at the different plants. I eventually chose a beautiful medium sized plant which would brighten up my living room. It has gorgeous dark and light green leaves. I also spent a long time putting the plant in different plant pots to see which one I liked best. It was like buying clothes...I settled on a rich brown pot, which you cannot really see in the photo.

Dieffenbachia

I didn't ask many questions about how to look after it as the sales assistants never know the answer anyway!
So when I got home I googled my plant's name and found out it is POISONOUS!!!
This is what it says...
"Painful and immediate swelling of the mouth and throat occurs after chewing. Speech impediment can occur, sometimes lasting for several days. Avoid eye contact with the juices which can result in intense pain and swelling"
 I have no interest in chewing the plant (who would?) but I do have friends with children who visit so it could be potentially dangerous if they touch it!
Now my beautiful killer plant is in the corner, it has grown new leaves which I am proud of. I do like the look of it and I guess it is harmless as long as I don't get hungry!

Gong Xi Fa Cai

When I lived in the U.K there was a large Chinese community in my city. Each year my Chinese friends would give me some really tasty pink Chinese sweets in red and gold foil. This year I ventured out to the Chinese Pavillion at Global Village to find these pink sweets but unfortunately I did not find any. :(
I did see some really good Chinese acrobats and bought a fluffy Chinese blanket.

I had a pretty good Chinese New Year (even though I DON'T celebrate it). I use any occasion for an excuse to eat out- especially Chinese food!

I visited one of my favourite Chinese restaurants- Ping Pong Dim Sum in Dubai Mall. They had loads of special new dishes for the new year. Also Monday is Ladies Night so mocktails are free and unlimited!

 Here is what I ordered:

Spicy Vegetable Steamed Dim Sum

Crispy Prawn Balls

Duck Spring Rolls with Hoi Sin Sauce

Potato Cakes

Asian Fries

I love Ping Pong but they did not have the pink sweets either! If anyone can find me Chinese New Year pink sweets then I will be eternally grateful!

Gong Xi Fa Cai

It's all about the Katsu

For a long time several people have tried to get me to eat at Wagamamas, however the menu wasn't quite to my liking so I always refused. However last year I was forced to go for a staff meal. I wasn't looking forward to it and when I read the menu it made hardly any sense so I decided to play it safe and order some chilli chicken noodle dish. BUT THEN a friend mentioned that she always ordered he Chicken Katsu curry as that was the closest thing you could get in Dubai to U.K chippy curry.

On hearing this half the table ordered the Chicken Katsu curry...myself included. I finished it all!
Since then I have been back at Wagamamas at least once a month, but I have now started ordering the Yasai Katsu curry which is a vegetarian option. So it is basically a posh curry, rice and chips!

YUM!

Les Misérables

Today I finally went to watch Les Misérables at The Picture house in Dubai Mall.
A friend had warned me to take tissues with me, little did I know I should have taken more tissues than I did!
This musical was so sad and depressing but also filled with hope. I could not stop blubbering during it. I won't give a long description about what the film is about as you can google it, but it really is amazing and now one of my favourite musicals.

During the film I was thanking Allah for everything I have, and it made me appreciate my life more. I would hate to be desperate and alone in the world. I thank Allah for everything I have!

FIGHT. DREAM. HOPE. LOVE.