Food Is Not The Enemy

Ok so a short but sweet update from me this week. I've come to realise over the past few weeks that food isn't the enemy, yes it can be fattening and far too tempting at times but the real enemy when it comes to my body, my weight and my appearance is me.

I am my own worst enemy. We are all in charge of ourselves and what we eat and drink and how we let that affect ourselves.

I mentioned recently that I've been weighing myself less, well I actually jumped on the scales yesterday and in 4 weeks I've put on one lb, this I'm more than happy with, I'm actually hoping that gain is down to my period being on the way, yes I said the word period!!

Not Weighing In

So I'm trying something different this week. I'm not weighing in. I've decided not to step on the scales and I have to say it is strangely liberating. Continuing on from what I said in my post last week, I'm trying not to obssess so much when it comes to the numbers, the lbs and inches because as I keep trying to remember, it is how we feel that really counts.

I know I had a not so great week when it came to what I consumed. A tad to much alcohol was drunk and not all the right foods were eaten but my clothes still fit so I can't have piled on too much weight no can I?

Weekly Weigh In 14.04.2015

Ok so I'm going to put my hands up and say I struggled last week. The husband was off and my will power failed. I indulged in all sorts of treats, which included far too much alcohol. With all this in mind I was fully expecting the scales to throw out some evil numbers. However I actually managed to lost 2lb!!!

My measurements on my waist stayed the same but I've lost and inch on my hips which I'm really happy with.

Great results for a change.

So exercising this week I'm continuing with the Bikini Guide workout that I started, yesterday saw the start of week 3 and even though it is tough it is certainly worth the effort. I'm also making more of an effort on the running front, each time I go out my pace is getting faster and the distance I'm running is increasing.

Weekly Weigh In 07.04.2015

I can't believe we are into the month of April. I'm admitting straight away that my will power failed last week and I couldn't resist the Easter eggs but I am not going to feel too bad because the chocolate tasted good!!!

So the scales this week said that I had put on a 1lb, now the chocolate eating combined with the two bottles of wine I consumed, I was expecting a lot more put on so I'm not overly disappointed.

And I measured myself too with my waist and my hips measuring the same as last week. All in all not too bad and the photo below shows just why I'm not beating myself up about a gain.

I took a photo last week and shared it on my facebook page so I thought I would share here too. I know I'm not wearing the same clothes but I can see a noticable difference both in my hips (the love handles aren't as wide) and my stomach, definition is beginning to appear.

Weekly Weigh In 31.03.2015

I can't believe we are 3 months into the year already. It has flown by, I don't feel like I've been trying to lose weight for that long and I'm surprised that I've managed to keep up doing a weekly weigh in and blogging about it. I think this is the longest I've ever stuck at being healthy.

So with my period out of the way I was hoping for good results on the scales but the scales didn't budge, I stayed the same however my measurements went back to what they were 2 weeks ago minus all the bloat.

This week I'm starting a new exercise challenge, I've downloaded the ebook from Kayla Itsines and I'm hoping to stick with this 12 week workout. I've seen lots of amazing photos on her instagram account of brilliant body transformations, a great motivation so fingers crossed these exercises will make a difference.

Weekly Weigh In 24.03.2015

Almost a quarter of the way through the year and I'm still sticking with this whole weight loss thing even though I don't feel like any big changes have happened so far.

I was talking to my husband the other day and I said despite not really changing my body, I actually enjoy the lifestyle I've taken on. The healthier foods are far tastier, I'm cooking a lot more fresh foods and being more adventurous with my recipes and most days I actually look forward to doing some exercise.

Weighing in this week, I was scared to step on the scales as my period is trying to make an appearance so I was expecting a couple of exra pounds to go back on but surprisingly I lost 1/2 a lb.

My measurements altered slightly on the waist, putting on 1/2 an inch but my hips are still the same
slightly disappointing but I'm using the excuse of bloating!!

Weekly Weigh In 17.03.2015

Before I even stepped on the scales this week I was feeling good in myself. I'm trying not to stress so much about the scales and the measuring tape and just enjoying what I'm doing more.

I got back to exercising on Tuesday, nothing too strenuous as I still wasn't 100% but it felt good to be working out again. I've decided like to give yoga a go as this is meant to be good for toning and destressing!!

The scales actually showed a welcome difference for a change, I lost 1 and half lbs but my measurements stayed the same (not a bad thing). 

I keep getting stuck around the 7 stone 8 mark, really want to shift those last few pounds but not sure how to kick start it?

Food wise I have stuck to a 80:20 ratio of healthy vs junk. One thing I've added to my menu is smoothies after workouts, I'm adding a scoop of protein powder to help with building muscle. I actually have a recipe from vegfest.co.uk to share with you all :

- handful of kale leaves

- short knob of cucumber

- juice of half a lemon

- knob of ginger (sliced)

- 1 teaspoon of Yaoh hemp protein powder

- 1 teaspoon of baobab powder

- 1 teaspoon of chlorella powder

- 1/2 pint of coconut water

- 2 bananas (sliced)

Simply add all of the ingredients into a blender and you have a healthy drink/snack that will help your body to recover after exercising!!

Weekly Weigh In 17.02.2015

I've been dithering about writing this post today. I let myself down last week, there were a couple of family birthdays and a valentine's night out and I'm ashamed to say that I lost my will power, junk food and alcohol was consumed at the scales show it.

The weighing scales this morning let me know that I've put on 2lb, ok 2 doesn't seem like a huge number but I'm so disappointed with myself.

It doesn't help that that "time of the month" still hasn't actually reared it's ugly head so I know I'm holding onto "bloat" weight too.

I think I'm more annoyed because I didn't let myself down with the exercise, I've been exercising every day still so I thought I would have atleast maintained my weight.

As I'm writing this post I feel like I'm just coming up with excuses, trying to make myself feel better.

So how am I going to move on from this??

First things first, I need to get a tape measure, I think I might feel better knowing my measurements not just my weight because honestly even though I've put on weight, I can't see a big change in my size.

Exercise wise, I'm going strong. I'm just about to start my kiqplan and I'm continuing to mix it up with weights, cardio and resistantance training.

Weekly Weigh In 10.02.2015

5 weeks in and it is time for another weigh in. I'm quite pleased with myself that I've made it this far into the new year and I haven't given up on my goals.

So this week I haven't lost any weight, I have stayed the same. Now I'm not as disheartened as the last time this happened because of two reasons. One I have been doing more work with weights so I think I have lost any fat then I may have gained it in muscle. Two, this may be too much information but it is nearing "my time of the month" and I always seem to gain couple of lbs around then so I'm hoping I'll notice more of a difference next week.

What I have noticed, usually around this time of the month I become extremely bloated, I start to look like I'm pregnant but this month I am staying roughly the same size.

So what's my plan for this week?

Exercise wise I'm continuing to add in more weight and ab based workouts as I'm keen to tone everything up, those wobbly bits need to go!! I'm also part way through this 31 day challenge, I find little challenges keep me motivated and encourage me to do a bit of exercise each day.

Getting Started With KiQplan

Exercise is something I struggle with, a mixture of not having time and losing motivation makes it difficult to keep up a good routine. I think like many people, I find it hard to follow through with my promises to myself and what changes I make in the new year tend to slowly disappear and my old lifestyle starts kicking in.

This month I am being introduced to KiQplan. From the makers of Fitbug, this consists of a library of many interactive coaching programs which will work alongside many of the well known trackers, smartphones and smart watches to help people reach their desired fitness goals.

Weekly Weigh In 03.02.2015

Can't believe we are in February already. I've been on the path to getting fit and healthy for 4 weeks now. Weighing in each week and writing it down here has certainly kept me motivated, even when the lbs weren't dropping off.

The scales results are in and last week I managed to lose 1 and half lbs so in total I've lost 5 and half lbs in 4 weeks putting me at 7 stone 8 n half lbs which I am really pleased with. Infact I'm that happy that I'm sharing some photos of my progress with you.

3 Minute Belly Blitz DVD Giveaway

If you hadn't noticed I've started my new year in a healthy way, eating better and getting my bum off the couch. I've never been confident enough to go to the gym so I always opt for exercise DVDs, my collection is always growing and my latest purchase is Charlotte Crosby's 3 minute belly blitz.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this one. The DVD includes 12 rounds of workouts, each one lasting 3 minutes. There is also a 10 minute extra workout for your abs and an included diet plan to get you off on the right foot.

Now 3 minutes might not sound a lot but I was left sweating after just the warm up. Each round has a beginner and a hard version and you even have the option of choosing which round you'd like to do so you can either do a couple, half or if feeling energised you can do the hole dvd.

My favourite rounds are 5, 7 and 12!! Two weeks of doing it and I am definitely noticing a difference in my figure.

Weekly Weigh In 27.01.2015

It's that time of the week again and I have to say I've been left feeling really disheartened after my weigh in. I didn't lose anything at all.

Now I have to admit I had a couple of glasses of wine and a slice of birthday cake over the weekend and I was already feeling guilty about having them but now I'm left feeling even worse. The only positive to take from this is that I didn't gain anything so I guess you could say I broke even.

I think I'm more disappointed because although I allowed myself a treat, I really worked on the exercise doing more every day but I'm not giving up.

It is my birthday today so I am going to allow myself a chocolate bar that has been sitting in the fridge for a few weeks now and then I'm back on that wagon.

Exercise wise I think I did well. I went for a couple of early morning runs and kept up with the exercise dvds, a mix of 30 day shred and 3 minute belly blitz.  I am going to add in more weight work along with the cardio and resistance this week.

Time This Couch Potato Got Fit

It's January, you know that month where we all suddenly decide we need to get fit and start eating healthy. Well I too am jumping on the band wagon, it's time that this old couch potato finally got fit.

This time last year I was saying almost the exact same thing but I was lacking something, well two things actually, will power and focus.

I haven't been shy about putting photos of my body on my blog in the past but this year I feel more embarrassed and I'm not willing to put those images out there just yet, however the photo I took this morning has certainly given me a huge kick up the bum to actually quite moaning about my body and instead to do something about it.