Back in "the zone" - almost!

No weigh in. I am saving myself for Friday by which time I will magically have shifted the 3lbs to take me to target for the week (14st 6lb).

I am officially back "in the zone", certainly in terms of eating and behaviour but I'm not quite there in terms of attitude. I woke up with little energy, forced myself out of bed and then forced sickly middle daughter into school uniform. She has already had two days off with a sore throat and chest infection and now just has a cold and cough which, lets face it, she could have until next April - the doctor said she shouldn't be off at all but I didn't have the heart to send her looking so poorly. Having said that, I did put her on the sofa at her Auntie B's whilst I went to work and she disturbed my frantic lunchtime rush to say that she couldn't get the Sky to work! How poorly???

Anyway, I had my planned homemade muesli with natural yoghurt and a mug of hot lemon water then left for work. I baked multiples of coffee cake, chocolate cake, Victoria sandwich, tangy lemon drizzle cake, gingerbread and flapjack - and I did not lick a single spoon, dip my finger in icing or eat any tasty morsels left in the tins. What an achievement! I had another mug of hot lemon water.

I then went to the local greengrocers and spent £16 on vegetables and fruit. I was feeling very sanctimonious at the till with a "look at my healthy trolley" kind of pride. It may be necessary to wear a label round my neck saying "DETOXING - beware flatulence!" - my partner always looks a little nervous when he sees a cauliflower being unpacked.

I rushed home, absolutely famished, to prepare our customised baked potatoes - his with butter, salt, sliced homebaked ham and a generous sprinkling of farmhouse mature Cheddar, grilled so that the cheese goes all gooey and bubbling; mine with half a tin of tuna in brine (drained) mixed with a couple of teaspoons of natural yoghurt, some sweetcorn and a good grind of black pepper. He had a cup of tea and I had.....another mug of hot lemon water. He had a piece of chocolate brownie and I cut up an orange.

After lunch I went for a walk with the dog. She could not believe her eyes when I picked up my walking boots - she was pirouetting, chasing her tail and running between the front door and me with all the pent up energy of a seriously neglected labrador. I wish I could report that I bounded across the meadows like a gazelle in spring - sadly, I plodded (quite briskly) round the route with all the enthusiasm of a knackered, old donkey on the beach at Blackpool. To make matters worse, the walk is a favourite of mine, involving quite a lot of uphill work through the woods for the first half but then the glorious sensation of having reached the summit and an easy descent for the second half. The problem was that I got to the top and started the downward section at the same time as all the ruddy hot lemon water decided to do the same! You have to understand at this point that I am just not an "outdoor wee" kind of girl. The thought of popping behind a wall (if I could get over it in the first place) is not appealing - I just know that the minute there was no turning back, the local farmer or the Cheshire branch of the Rambler's Association would appear over the brow of the hill. No, I would have to contain myself. I would have to remember all those pelvic floor exercises from pregnancy days ("your husband will appreciate them, dear!"). The fact that I can't easily recall them is perhaps testament to the fact that I don't think I have one any longer and I am divorced! Instead of enjoying the stunning views across the dale, I was repeating the mantra, "You are far too old to wet yourself". You will be relieved to know I did make it back home, thankfully not meeting anyone wanting to chat en route and have vowed that tomorrow I will not have anything to drink for at least two hours before the walk and will have a wee before I leave. Forward planning, dear!

This is where the attitude comes in - I am just too tired. However, I am determined and have achieved some of my targets today - I have drunk lemon water (4 glasses so I estimate another 3 to go - 2 litres recommended for detoxing); I have walked the dog and I have written this blog in the afternoon. I think the planned diet is a good idea and I feel back on track. Tennis tomorrow.

I have a salmon fillet with spinach ready for supper and a leg of lamb in the oven for the family - we are all sitting down together for a change.

Happily back to dieting (and absolutely no cabbage soup, I promise!).

Exx
Haven't checked out yesterday's website yet but will before my free trial expires.