3 is the magic number

Food glorious food! Who knew cherry tomatoes had SO much flavor. Who knew a red onion was so crunch? Who knew chicken was so tender? I probably did before. But I didn't realise HOW much. My taste buds went through the ordeal of going through "rebirth" as they put it. And oh. my. god. Tastes sensations. As you'll have guessed, I've been having meals this week! I've started the re-feed and it is AMAZING!

It's like I've never tried food before. Honestly, the smallest thing is divine. One of the ideas of Lipotrim is to retrain your taste buds, I had always explained to people this "rebirth idea". But I said it in an almost script manner, as I had only ever read about it and had to trust that. But to be honest the whole time I was saying it I had actually been panicking that I'd start to reintroduce food and get so excited that I'd get carried away and make up for lost time. I guess it's only natural to over panic. Well I can happily said, having experienced, a salad was the nicest and fulfilling *wooooo!* thing I have ever tasted. The crunch!t he taste! the bursting of the cherry tomato! (which I actually got on my nice white bed covers) I'm very aware I'm romanticizing it, and I might be going a bit too far. But oh, my, my....

Monday I started the work experience at Tiger. I had one of the new maintenance flavours for breakfast. It was "summer fruits" and it was lovely. It was such a welcome change to vanilla, chocolate and strawberry that I have been having for 10 weeks, zzzzzzz. It was also a lot thicker, as it has more in it to prepare your stomach for food. I brought my cream of vegetable to work with a whisk as I am so over being that girl with the blender. It unfortunately was vile. I had hoped having had a good experience with the summer fruits that they would all have the treat flavour quality. But I'd happily have had the others for one more week if I didn't have to try that again. I know this sounds slightly dramatic, but it's been a long process, my emotions with food are up the left. It wasn't needed. BUT, wasn't I going home that night to cook and eat and chew and taste and mmm hmmm. A disappointing soup didn't get me down. Plus, I was now allowed to introduce bread so I had a slice of wholewheat toast. Warm food! It was the equivalent of one of my granny's scones that had just come out of the oven, clattered in butter. It was just amazing to have some warm comforting food. As y'all know the weather has been a b*tch, so bitter cold, having gone this time with no warm food, a piece of toast was an absolute dream. Anyway, I have been thoroughly enjoying my time at Tiger, the time flies (that’s how you know you're enjoying it) and then I get to go home and have dinner! It's amazing. I'm that smiley girl on the tube that you think there is something wrong with. I went home and had grilled chicken, red pepper, red onion, cucumber, mushroom and cherry tomato. I was allowed it with 2 tsp of balsamic vinegar and sprinkle of ginger. Sweet. Mother. Of. Mercy. I couldn't believe it. It took me about an hour to eat it; my gums were exhausted from chewing. Overall it was just overwhelming. I was panicking eating it, as if "is this allowed?" I was waiting for someone burst through and tell me off. It was just divine. 

For the next few days I brought the chicken salad for lunch to work as it was just too much hassle bringing a whisk/blender. It would just make my day having it. I didn't want to tell people straight away but I found it funny that they just though it was normal someone eating, but in my head it was food fireworks! The only thing was, it was a bit of a tease. Having already had your 1 meal, then going home to a shake. But still, the summer fruits and orange cream were so much nicer that it wasn't an issue. The chocolate whip one, not as bad as the soup, but it was no Malteaser Bunny. It was meant to be the idea of moose, the word "gloop" comes to mind. It doesn't taste so horrible; it's just a bit strange. This one you add milk to, also to prepare your stomach.
 

During the week my friend Beckie had won 5 tickets for a private box at the Royal Albert Hall to go to Primal Scream. She very kindly invited me along. What a treat. I had the salad and chicken during the day so it kept me going which was nice. The girls shared a bottle of red, I was still jealous; however I'm now allowed milk in my coffee and tea (not on its own yet) so I was able to have a skinny latte. Yes I said it a skinny latte! I know, horrific, I’m one of those girls, next I’ll be ordering a gin and tonic 'slim line!'. It was very luxurious to have a nice milky coffee. Just to not have to sit at an event with water, which I drink allllllll day. We didn't get home until late which meant I was having my shake quite late. I did think at the time how much I'm looking forward to not having to think ahead about making my shakes. And worrying about waking people with the bloody blender!

By day 4 on the maintenance menu I was allowed to introduce a baked potato or 6 new potatoes. As I said I'm so terrified of me being caught I had it in my head that I wasn't allowed it. I didn't want to bring it to work; I wanted my first potato to be fresh out of the over, the scone feeling! So I put this off until Friday, like a weekend treat. I got home and got into my pj's (rock n roll) and made it with a tuna salad this time. Well, heaven must be missing angels! It was gorgeous. I was so happy eating it. And it was so nice to go to bed that night having had something warm in my stomach! Just amazing!

On Saturday morning my graduation dress came. I had been disappointed during the week as I had tried on a dress on my normal size and it didn't feel that different. I decided to order one from Asos and it luckily came straight away. I tried it on and it was like a bloody tent! I wouldn't go that far, but it had a tent-like quality. It was just baggy! I was never as happy to have inconvience of having to send it back and order the next size down. I was on my own and I actually did a Riverdance. I don't know what over took me but my two feet just went a tapping and I was giddy. I had another swimming session with Clara and Katherine and felt so so so happy. I was all refreshed and I was a size down. Amazing. I went to get weighed and was really nervous as I'd been having my meals and baked potatoes. But, I lost 3 pounds! Which brings me up to my 3 STONE TARGET!!!! I have 9 days left and I reached my target. Another Riverdance moment. It's such a shame as it's a different pharmacist on weekends so there were no balloons, banners, rounds of applause. But I myself knew! I am just so happy. As I said before I want to lose 4 in total. So the next stone can come off with healthy eating and exercise, however long it takes. But I am so pleased I reached my 3 stone target. I never ever would've thought I could've shifted it! I am going to keep going with a positive attitude for the last week of shakes and will keep you posted!  This time I’m allowed lunch and dinner, what a treat! :)