My First Attempt at Scones

There's no doubt I get my love of baking/cooking/eating from my Mum. When I was growing up, the house constantly smelled of yummy things rising in the oven. Cookies, cupcakes (or as we called them back then, fairy cakes), shortbread... you name it, she baked it. And nailed it. 

One of my very favourites, though, was scones. However, while I was trying to get healthy last year, I think I repressed my love for them. 

But that love was rekindled last week when my Mum sent me home with a freshly baked batch. Needless to say, the scones didn't survive the day. Mr MFC and I demolished them all within hours. 

It was clear what I had to do. I had to learn to make them. 

So yesterday when I went to see her, I begged for the recipe and a spare scone cutter. She gracefully obliged, and I had a crack at them today.

Not ideal. They are a little flat, and those little cracks you can see on the top tells me that I had my oven temperature set a little too high. But hey, those are just aesthetics really. They still tasted pretty good. And because they were so small, the calorie count wasn't too bad, either.

Oven Scones

You will need:

225g self raising flour

1/2 teasp salt

1/2 teasp baking powder

50g caster sugar

50g butter

100ml milk

First, pop your oven on to 220C /gas mark 7. I have an assisted fan oven so I set it to 200C instead, but next time I'm going to set it even lower to avoid those little unsightly cracks at the top.

Then, grease and flour your baking tray. Or if you're lazy, like me, pop a bit of baking parchment on it to save on the washing up. ;)

Mix together flour, salt and baking powder. Then, rub the butter into the flour until you have a grainy mix. Add your sugar and gradually add the milk until you get a soft dough. You might not need the whole 100ml, so keep a close eye on your mix. If you are a bit over-zealous with the milk, you'll get a super sticky mixture. However, this can be rectified with a little extra flour.

Flour a large surface and turn your mixture out onto it. Roll out, and cut into rounds using a scone cutter. 

I think this is where I went wrong, I rolled the dough out too thinly and that's why my scones came out tiny. Learn from my mistakes and keep your dough fairly thick so your scones rise nice and tall.

Pop them onto your baking tray and dust lightly with flour. Then bake for around 10-15 minutes, or until the scones are lovely and golden brown.

I got 13 out of this mix, so if yours are a similar size they should have around the same nutritional values:

Calories: 95

Fat: 3 grams

Sat Fat: 2 grams

NOM!

What 35lbs Looks Like

Okay so people have been asking for a before/after picture for a while, so here it is (click the image for a closer look).

Apologies for the picture quality of the "before" - it was just a wee snapshot taken at a Halloween party 18 months ago.

If there's one thing I regret about this... (I hate this word but I'm going to use it anyway)... "journey"... it's that I never took a proper "before" picture of myself, but it was just because of the way the whole thing started.

Believe it or not, I didn't just wake up one morning and go "hum, I think I'm going to lose a shitload of weight today". The changes were all a bit more gradual than that. First, I started running. Then after about a month or so, I came across MyFitnessPal (which deserves a whole blog post in itself, so I won't go into it here). Then a couple of months later, I realised the importance of resistance training. A month or so after that, I got introduced to the wonders of Zumba. Then I thought I should learn to swim... and so on and so forth.

Sure, I do quite a lot of stuff now, but I took on each element of my current lifestyle organically, bit by bit. One thing just kind of flowed into another. Okay I know I'm starting to sound like some kind of  zenned-out hippy now, but you get my drift.

To be honest, I'm kind of glad it happened that way. I think if I had tried to take on everything at once, I would have just been so completely and utterly overwhelmed. I doubt I would have lasted a week. To be perfectly frank, I think that's why so many (another word I hate but gonna use anyway) "diets" fail. People think they can change their entire lifestyle overnight, but I know for sure that I couldn't.

Anyway, I just went on a total tangent there. Sorry. The point I'm trying to make is that I didn't have a definite "start" point in my weight loss. So I didn't weigh myself, take photos or do any of that stuff. I remember going onto one of those crazy machines in Boots around 2-3 weeks after I started running, which told me I was nearly 13 stone (182lbs for my American friends, 82.5k for everyone else), but I still maintain to this day that those scales were wrong. I reckon I was closer to 12 and a half stone (175lbs, 79.4kg). If I was to believe the Boots machine, I had a BMI of 29.2. That was 0.8 of a BMI point off being obese. OBESE.

I knew I was a little chunky, but I didn't know I was so close to being OBESE.

I also paid the extra 50p or whatever it was to get my body fat composition measured. That was a laugh. 35% body fat I was. That's pretty bad. Or so the slip told me anyway.

I wish I had kept the wee receipt as a souvenir but I was so disgusted with the numbers I chucked it as soon as I found a bin.

However, I did go on another one of those crazy machines at the pool last week, and I got another slip. Let's take a look at what it says for a comparison:

Okay, that's nowhere near as clear as I hoped it would be. Silly computer camera.

Basically my weight was 10st 2lbs (142lbs, 64.6kg) that day, but I tend to bounce around the 10st mark. My BMI was 22.6 (healthy weight, yipee) and my body fat percentage was 23.3%. According to the slip, that's slap bang between "good" and "excellent". I know that 35lbs in some people's book is pretty small fry, but to go from over a third body fat to less than a quarter... well what can I say, I'm chuffed with that.

And if I can do it, anyone can.

Kit

So Paris is in a week. Less than a week. This time next week, I will have run my first half marathon. In Paris. AAAAAHHHHHH.

The lurgie hit my training schedule pretty bad last week, the damn bastard thing decided to move south into my chest so I HAD to take it easy - there was no way I was taking risks this close to the race. I want to get to the starting line, at least!

So I only did a very easy 4k before work on Friday, and luckily I felt okay afterwards so I went for my run today as usual. With it being the last long run before the big day, I only did around 11k in a very steady 1 hour 20.

I'll probably do more runs next week, maybe a fun wee speed session early on and an easy session on Friday before I catch my flight to France. But apart from that, most of my hard work is done, I just need to hope it pays off on the day.

I don't have a time goal. I'm a pretty slow runner, so I'll probably come in around 2.30 - 2.40, but to be honest I'll be perfectly happy if I finish. This time last year I could barely run for the bus, so for me to run for a solid 21.1k is a pretty awesome achievement and I'm not going to let anyone tell me otherwise.

So, in mark of this event, I thought I would treat myself to some new kit. To give you some context, the last time I went shopping for "kit" was last April, when I took up running for the first time.

Well, that's kind of a lie. I've had to get new trainers since and a couple of new sports bras, but that's because I believe that you cannot skimp on these areas. If either your trainers or bra doesn't fit right, you can do yourself some proper damage. I mean, who wants mangled feet and saggy tits? Not me.

So yeah okay, trainers and bras I have replaced. But apart from that, I went out running this morning in the same kit that I wore when I went out for my first run 10 months ago:

The hoodie is a light cotton number that I bought from Gap around 3 years ago, and the jogging bottoms are a Lonsdale pair that I got when I invested in my first pair of trainers.

The trainers, incidentally, are the exact same model as I started running in, but I had to replace them last  December as they started to hurt my feet. I couldn't be bothered going through the whole charade of finding a new pair, so I just ordered the same set again off the web. I mean, if it's not broke, don't fix it, right?

I've been needing new bottoms for a while though, because the whole losing-weight thing means that I am no longer a size 16, and more like a size 10/12, so my joggers now kind of resemble very boring clown pants that I have to hoist up every half mile.

So yeah, I never thought I looked like a "proper runner", because I see all these folk out and about (including Mr. MFC) with sweat-wicking, skin-clinging polyester numbers that I never had the confidence to pull off. I've just stuck to my oversized cotton numbers - the only thing I think that shows I mean business is the glitzy Garmin on my wrist.

But to heck with it, I'm doing a half marathon next weekend, so I should probably get some stuff to make me look the part.

Cue some cheesy makeover TV show music...

The trousers were a nightmare to find. Who knew that running tights gave you camel toe?! Luckily, I managed to find this really nice pair in JD sports for £20 by a little known brand called Pure. They fit like a glove and they were cheaper than the Nike camel-toe inducing stuff. They also have a small bum pocket, so I have a place to put my keys when I go out. Win!

While I was on a roll, I got the jacket and the t-shirt in JJB Sports on a buy-one-get-one-free offer. The jacket is by Run 365 and was £17.99 - which I thought was fairly reasonable. It's really cosy, but also very lightweight. I probably should have got it before winter set in, but hey! Better late than never.

The t-shirt was meant to be £9.99, but I managed to get it for free on the BOGOF offer. It's also by Pure, but I'm not 100% convinced by it yet. The material is a little bit itchy-scratchy, but seen as I got it for nothing, I reckon it's worth a punt. I'll wear it on my next run and let you know how I get on.

So I got kitted out for a grand total of £37.99 - not bad going, I reckon. Now I feel like I can line up in Paris with my head held high - knowing that I look business and I mean business.

France isn't going to know what's hit it ;)

The Lurgie: Part 2

So I got the lurgie. Again.

And this lurgie kicked the last lurgie's ass.

So my training has been ravaged AGAIN. I went out today, but I decided to take it easy and do a 10k run as opposed to the 20k I had been planning (HA! I never thought I'd use the phrases "take it easy" and "10k run" in the same sentence!).

So that means I'm officially into the tapering of my training before my BIG RACE on the 4th March. Eeeek!

Oh yeah. I don't think I have mentioned it yet, which is odd considering it's pretty much all I think about at the mo.

So here's the lowdown:

Once I reached my goal weight, I felt I had to have another goal to work towards so not to lose momentum. The natural step, in my opinion, was to sign up to a race.

So I did.

A half marathon. Eeek!

Wait, it gets worse.

It's in PARIS.

Well, I had fancied going away somewhere nice so I thought, why not kill two birds with one stone? Apparently running is a great way so see a city, so on the 4th of March I will be running 21.1k (13.1 miles) through the most romantic city in the world.

What can I say, I don't like to do things by halves!

I just hope that this enforced early tapering off in my training won't hamper my performance on the day.

But hey, it's my first race. If I manage to get across the finish line, I'll be happy, no matter what my time is.

Did I mention it's in PARIS?!

Running with the lurgie

So I have the lurgie.

It's not a bad case of the lurgie, but to be honest that doesn't make matters any better. Each and every time I get the cold, a war starts in my head. A 'cold war', if you will. (Heh heh heh)

One side of myself (mostly the side that's influenced by my parents) shouts 'take it easy!', take a day off!', 'better to take a day off now than a week later!'

The other side, however (the side influenced by superheroes and that scary wifey off The Biggest Loser) tells myself to get out there and suck it up.

So what am I supposed to do?

The problem is, every time I ask my dear mentor Google what I should do, the answer is always the same: if your symptoms are above the neck, moderate exercise should be fine.

Above the neck, okay, got it.

Wait. I only have a sore throat - that's IN the neck. Does that count as above or below the neck? I'm confused. They really should make that clearer.

Still, despite my constant humming and ho-ing I decided to go out for a cheeky wee 30 minute run this morning.  I always feel nervous when I come back from a 'snotty run', because it really could go either way - you can either feel miles better or you can pull the infection down into your chest and make things a whole lot worse.
However, it's been about 6 hours and so far, I'm feeling a great deal better. Foof.

Anyway, swimming tonight. I'm hardly a sprinter yet on that front, so expecting the gentle exercise to help even more. If we could just have a little less fire alarm this time, that would be great.

Deal? Deal.

Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup

So I went on an 18k run today. It was TOUGH. It was raining the whole time and it the wind was so cold it turned the raindrops into little mini bullets that shot at my face with startling precision.

Normally things like the weather don't bother me, but when you're 90 minutes into a gruelling run, around 4 miles away from home, it starts to get a bit old after a while.

So when I finally arrived back at the flat, even though I felt I had achieved something, the general consensus was a pathetic feeling of self pity. So I decided to make a massive vat of soup to cheer myself up.

Soup. I freaking love soup. It is the food of the Gods. I mean, all it is is a bunch of really good stuff in lovely, comforting hot water. It's low in calories and fat but packed to the brim with nutrients. What's not to like?!

So this is what I made:

Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup


You will need (serves 4):


300g tin of sweetcorn
200g cooked chicken breast
1200ml hot chicken stock (made from stock cubes - follow the directions on the packet to make it up)
2 tablespoons cornflour
Dash of garlic salt
Dash of chilli powder
2 eggs
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Crushed chillies (optional)

I had been meaning to make chicken and sweetcorn soup for a while, it has always been one of my favourites, but something I had never quite got round to. Then I spotted this recipe on the Good Food website, so I just adjusted the recipe to suit what I had lying around.

Thats the beauty of soup - it's not an exact science, so if you fancy switching out some of the ingredients for something else, you can.

So I made up the chicken stock and plopped in the cooked chicken. With soup like this, I like to use the pre-cooked chicken bits you get in the sandwich fillers aisle at the supermarket. I know it's technically cheating, but boy it makes your life so much easier. No cooking, and it's already in bite sized chunks so it's literally just a case of chucking it in.

Then I took a cupful or so of stock and blended it with the cornflour. Once it was all mixed nicely together, I put the floured stock in with the rest of it.

Then, it's just a case of putting the sweetcorn and seasoning (i.e. the chilli powder and garlic salt) in, and simmering for about 5-10 minutes. If, like me, you like your soup with a bit of a kick, now is the time to add the crushed chillies.

While that's bubbling away, beat the 2 eggs and lemon juice together.

After it's done simmering, gently dribble the egg into the pan while swirling the soup around with a fork, which will make cool egg strands that will make your soup lovely and thick.

And that's it! Chicken and sweetcorn soup. It was definitely what the doctor ordered after my wet, cold and long run. It's so easy, and only takes about 20 minutes to rustle up from beginning to end.

Enjoy!

Calories (per serving): 218
Fat: 6 grams
Saturated Fat: 2 grams

Inspirational Pins #1 - Gwyneth Paltrow

Saw this on Pinterest, and it is so true.

I'm not a huge fan of idolising celebrities, but this women hits the nail right on the head.

You can't NOT have an exercise regime and expect to lose weight, in my honest opinion.

If you want a good body, you've got to be willing to work for it.

Source: Uploaded by user via Aimee on Pinterest

My hair still smells of chlorine

So yeah, swimming.

There was some highs and lows - but overall I think the experience was a pretty good one.

Getting there was a bit of a stress - I finish work at 5.30 and only had 1 hour to make my way all away across the city for the start of my lesson at 6.30, which is nothing short of a miracle on a bus at Edinburgh rush hour. So I decided to go all middle class for the evening and take a bus to the city centre, then hitch a cab the rest of the way.

The strategy worked - I arrived at 6.20, which left me just enough time to get changed and settled (but I would have got there sooner if the taxi driver didn't drive around for ages trying to find the place, adding over £1 to my fare, grumble grumble).

Although when I first went in, I realised that I had totally forgotten that gyms completely and utterly intimidate me. Especially the changing rooms - why are they communal? I know I'm a little more confident than I used to be, but there is NO WAY I am getting my giblets out in front of other women.

Luckily as soon as I went in, one of the very few private cubicles became available, so I grabbed my stuff and hurried inside. After a swift change I came out and put my stuff into a locker.

Except - the locker didn't lock.

What kind of gym was this? Some crazy trustful / naive gym that thought it's totally okay to leave your Blackberry and iPod out for communal use?

After clawing at the mysterious knob on the locker door for around 5 minutes, I gave up and asked a passer by for help.

Turns out that the bracelet you get on arrival also works as a locker key - you basically have to bump the knob with it and the locker locks automatically. So technological! Oh Toto, we're not in Kansas any more.

After being dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century, I went to the pool to begin my lesson.

There was three of us in total - me, and two Indian chaps whose names, I'm afraid to say, I can't remember.

The tutor was really nice, but the first thing he asked us to do was put our heads underwater - a prospect that filled me with dread. However, I did it, and I was surprisingly not the worst at it!

This was followed by a bunch of other tests, I think the tutor was basically looking at where we were at in terms of our confidence in the water.

I actually really surprised myself, I always pegged myself as a scaredy water cat but I adjusted to the pool fairly quickly. But just as we were getting into our stride - the fire alarm went off.

I reluctantly left the pool - I mean to say, surely the safest place to be in the event of the fire is in a huge mass of water? Unfortunately the fire marshalls didn't share my opinion.

So cut to me 5 minutes later, standing outside, soaking wet, holding a hurriedly taken-off swimsuit in one hand and not wearing any underwear. Not exactly my finest or most glamorous hour.

By the time the fire engines arrived, the building had been given the all-clear and I had got changed back into my (cold and wet) swimming costume, the lesson time was up.

However, the tutor was kind enough to go on for an extra 10 minutes. Even better, the other two had bailed. Not that I didn't like them, I did - but it meant that I got some extra one-on-one tutoring which I really enjoyed - I felt I learned more about swimming in that 10 minutes than I had done my entire life.

The tutor said I was a really fast learner and if I keep going the way I'm going at the end of the block I will be a pretty proficient swimmer - well chuffed with that!

So yeah, some highs, some lows, but overall - I think I made a profit.

Can't wait till next week!

Back in the saddle! Also, swimming.

So the Worst Week of My Life So Far officially ended on Monday, when I returned to my lovely comforting flat and I was able to regain control again of my eating habits.

Well, I say "regain" control: technically I never lost it, but I'm sorry to say that I kind of used external circumstances as an excuse to eat whatever the hell I wanted (i.e. chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate).

I tried to do as much exercise as I could, but what with having zero equipment I was kind of restricted with what I could do. I was able to do squats, lunges and crunches in my pants (nice mental image for you there) but because I had no weights my upper body was pretty much neglected.

So, you can understand my apprehension about getting on the scales again.

I lost 1 lb - which at surface value may look good, but I think it means is that I've lost some muscle mass - which is fair enough considering I hadn't done any strength training on my upper body for nine days.

Even though it's now Thursday, I've still to have a strength training session. I had a sore throat at the beginning of the week, so I've been easing myself back into my fitness regime gently lest it get any worse.

Luckily, it hasn't, so I'm definitely going to have a session tomorrow, maybe with lighter weights but more reps.

But I am really excited for tonight, because I am going SWIMMING!

I think I mentioned briefly before, but I have signed up to swimming lessons and my first is tonight.

I can't swim. Well, I can get from one end of the pool to the other without drowning by waving my limbs randomly, but I don't think that counts.

I had to get a swimming costume for the first time in about 7 years, and to say I had a bit of trouble would be an understatement. I normally go to Sports Direct for my sportswear, and I managed to spot a cheap swimming costume in the sale for only £4 on their website. Ideal. So I ordered a size 10 and waited for it to arrive.

Except when I got it, I realised I hadn't ordered a size 10. I had got an AGE 10. Fail.

So attempt 1 was sent back and I ordered it again, this time triple checking I got a WOMEN'S SIZE 10, and waited for it to arrive.

Except when I got it, I realised they had sent me a size 16 instead. Cheeky beggars.

So I eventually gave up with the website and went to their shop instead. Luckily, they had my size in stock and it fitted perfectly. It was a little more expensive in store, but at £7.99 it was still a bargain.

Nifty, eh? I must have got one of the last ones, because they're no longer showing on the website. What can I say, you snooze you lose!

I'll report back about my swimming adventures later! I can't wait!