Week 18 started and a whole 7 days of sweet, sweet holiday stretched before me. We were heading off to Wales, the best country on the planet, and I could not wait.
In the interests of full disclosure I’m a Welsh girl. I grew up in Aberystwyth, my Mum speaks English as a second language and the minute I cross the border I’m imbued with a sense of peace that I only feel when I go home.
Our decision to go away was made at fairly short notice. The last few months had been exhausting and we needed to recharge.
We found Abernyfer Beach House through The Pembrokeshire Holiday Company. The lady who runs it, Megan, was lovely and the cottage was available for the week we wanted to go. There is nothing better than sea air and Welsh mountains to soothe the soul and refresh the spirit.
Day 120:
I woke up this morning really early. I pulled on my Levi’s (oh yeah – still thrilled with these babies), paired them with a T-shirt and I felt, well, in a word, slim.
I cannot remember the last time that I got dressed without thinking about how to conceal my belly/fat arse; I think it must have been on honeymoon in 2001.
It was amazing – I didn’t have to iron a shirt, wear a long cardigan or change my top 4 times. I just pulled on the first thing that came to hand and felt great.
My mood was enhanced further when I realised that Lovey Girl #1’s high waisted skinny Levi’s were only one size smaller than my new ones. In a few weeks and she won’t be able to find her jeans – shhhhh. (Note to self – practise a poker face for when she is looking for them).
Arriving at the supermarket early, I did the shopping for the week. I wanted to make sure that I didn’t have to worry about food shopping while we were away.
Due to the Covid cleaning requirements we couldn’t check into the house until 4pm which meant that we had plenty of time before we had to leave. This was just as well, because it gave us time to pack the car – those 5kg medicine balls don’t pack themselves. We were short on space but I managed to sneak it in at the last moment.
(I would also like to point out that we don’t usually go on holiday with an extension cable – it was for the car).
The only thing more overstuffed than the boot of the car was my handbag. The last minute sweep of the house revealed a number of essentials that I’d forgotten.
Dear god – this is starting to make me look like I’ve got a problem…
My excitement at the forthcoming holiday, and trying to make sure that I had done all the pre-holiday mum jobs, meant that I took my eye off the (medicine) ball with lunch.
The 3 hour journey to Pembrokeshire quickly became 4.5 due to a road closure. I should have been more organised; I should have at least brought a shaker cup so I could have a tepid water protein shake. But as it was, a packet of gluten free oatcakes had to suffice.
The drive was worth it.
When we arrived at the house it was breath-taking and we ran around like excited kids.
On Megan’s recommendation I had booked dinner at Llys Meddyg, a small hotel and restaurant in Newport that had set up little socially distanced booths in their garden. I’d been told that the food was amazing.
When we arrived I wanted an alcoholic drink more than you could possibly imagine. The Lovey Girls ordered alpine strawberry daiquiris and, for about 30 seconds, I seriously considered getting completely trollied.
I announced “I think I’m going to have a beer” and I was confronted with a sea of faces saying “oh god Mum don’t, you’ll regret it”. And that was exactly what I needed – my family to pull me back from the brink and remind me that I’d feel awful tomorrow.
I had one stolen sip of a daiquiri and for the first time (that I can remember) I thought ‘I don’t really like alcohol’. But despite this, it felt wrong. I was on holiday, I should be unwinding with a bottle of wine like every other holiday I’d been on before.
However, once that 30 seconds of weakness had passed (with the help of my fam) I didn’t give it another thought and distracted myself with the menu.
I dodged the triple cooked chips and opted for a steak (no butter), beans (no butter), beetroot and a shared tomato salad. To say that the food was good would be an understatement. It was excellent – and I don’t give praise easily.
Day 121:
The house was within a short walk of the beach and I intended to make the most of it.
After a long walk on the beach first thing, I figured that I’d earnt a hearty breakfast (see below).
During my pre-lunch walk on the beach I realised that I’d missed my morning porridge. So I made things right with the Porridge Gods.
My family told me that they were making dinner for me so I lay on the sofa admiring the view listening to the general furore and giggling in the kitchen.
Why is it that I long to have someone say “put your feet up, we’ll make dinner” but then when it happens, and I’m sitting alone listening to everyone else having fun in the kitchen, I feel like I’m missing out?
Lovely Girl #1 was in charge of the steak and Lovely Girl #2 was Head of Salad and tie-dyed cucumber.
It was the best meal that I’ve ever had.
Day 122:
I got up early and went to Tides the most amazing fishmongers/deli/bakery in the heart of Newport (again recommended by Megan). The fish is fresh and locally caught and their dressed lobsters are the best I’ve ever had.
In fact, for a tiny place Newport is a cook’s paradise. Apart from Tides there is a wonderful butchers and greengrocers and a spectacularly good wholefood shop.
As it was a Monday morning there should have been a market in the Main Street but most stall holders cancelled because of the rain. One lovely chap had braved the elements and was selling his organic veg, and his uncle’s organic cheese, from the back of his van. I bought as much as I could carry.
Lunch was 2 types of cheese – 30g of each. A sheep’s feta and some of this…
Probably the best cheese that I’ve ever had. It was worth the runny nose.
Whilst I was suffering the side effects of eating dairy I thought I’d let rip with some butter on my potatoes at dinner.
A trip to the whole food shop had resulted in a bar of Montezuma’s Cherry Pie 70% chocolate. Oh my lord – this stuff is like my own personal crack cocaine. I was like Golum with the ring. After 7 squares (yes that’s right… SEVEN) Lovely Girl #1 managed to prize it out of my fingers.
Sixty grammes of cheese, some butter and 7 squares of 70% chocolate might not seem like a woman running amok on a holiday binge – but for me it was the equivalent of a bottle of vodka, 5 Big Macs and several tubs of Ben and Jerry’s.
Day 123:
Tuesday was much tamer on the food front. As a penance for my wild binge the day before I stayed “on message” all day.
Lots of water and fresh air made me feel a whole lot better.
Day 124:
I’d been up half the night with a poorly child, so I slept in. I had scheduled a workout with Luke in the morning and didn’t have time to eat properly before hand.
After my workout I felt refreshed, the holiday cockiness returned and I indulged in a Holiday Banana.
You’ll probably remember that at the start of week 10 I gave up fruit so a Holiday Banana was a real treat. My famous banana pancakes were amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed them.
But, everything has a price and the cost of my indulgence was that within two hours of eating the Holiday Banana I was starving. Not just a bit hungry, but I had a return of food cravings that I hadn’t had in weeks. I prowled the kitchen looking for food but opted for water. Lots of water.
Day 125:
Headed home – my water intake succumbed to travelling lack-of-loo-itis.
Day 126:
I was up all night with a poorly child and eventually got to bed at 4:30. I simply couldn’t train today.
Nevertheless in my sleep deprived state I managed to find the right kit for the progress photos.
My mum came over with cottage pie which is scientifically proven to be the cure for all known ills. It’s highly likely that it could be the undiscovered cure for Covid.
The plums were from our tree outside the front door. I ate 3 and they gave me raging indigestion.
End of Week 18 Progress Photos:
Despite the over indulgence this week in Pembrokeshire new potatoes, cheese, butter and Montezuma’s Cherry Pie Chocolate I hadn’t gained any ‘weight’.
I was so proud of myself that I hadn’t succumbed to a vat of wine whilst on holiday and that I’d kept up with my exercise.
Side Quest Progress Photos (Week 4):
At the end of week 14 I embarked on a side quest. My normal progress photo kit was getting a bit big and I was desperate to get into my new small size Sweaty Betty power leggings. So I started taking a second set of photos to see if there was a demonstrable difference week on week.
Four weeks later a small difference was becoming apparent.
Week 14 (10st 9) – Week 18 (10st 6)
I know I say this every week but I really do still have a long way to go. I find it reassuring that, although the progress is slowing down, I’m still moving in the right direction.