A little inspiration :)

Mmm

Weight watchers cookbook Raspberry & Blueberry muffins! 😊 4 pro points each! Me and my little girl made them together! Yummy x

Another successful cookery session :)

Tonight's mission was to cook a vegetarian chunky Thai curry recipe out of my weight watchers cookbook. Except-I'm not a veggie so I added chicken for a bit of extra flavour :) 

It went well-took a good while to make though and of course I added my new obsession-oven baked sweet potato wedges and sweet chilli drizzle sauce  :) here is the final result...

It was nice, very very veggie though but at only 8 pp per dish (inc the wedges) then 2pp for the sweet chilli sauce it was worth it! It's also a good option to use for a cheap pp lunch when I'm on the go-4 points on its own without the wedges and sauce!

Took a days break from 30 day shred yesterday because I felt pretty rotten-got back on it today - and tomorrow is day 7 :)) Dreading level two now though....:) x

Happy but aching haha :)

Really feeling good and still really motivated! 

Been continuing with my 30 Day Shred-my shin splints are killing me though :( Asked my doctor about it today and she says other than getting good shock absorption trainers (which I've now got) and using a deep heat rub on them (which I got today-it DOES help) she said my body will eventually get used to it! Great! :( I was in so much pain doing my workout this morning there were a couple of tears! No pain no gain has taken on a new meaning! 

I'm still doing everything I can to have proper meals instead of pre prepared rubbish-today I made a yummy recipe from my weight watchers cookery book-I really don't cook I'm not very confident but OMG it was absolutely delicious I could have eaten it twice over! It was chicken and potato masala-and I peeled and sliced a sweet potato to have wedges with it too (I burnt them slightly but well glaze over that bit haha) ... Here is my master piece:

I'm so proud of it because, as I say I don't really cook at all and when I do it's stuff for the kids! I HATE raw meat I have a bit of an irrational fear of it. But having cooked this dish tonight, with chicken in it (providing I don't end up with food poisoning tonight haha) I now feel a lot more confident! I went and bought enough ingredients for three recipes in my book. Tonight's dish was to serve 4 so I've frozen three other portions for a quick handy healthy tea. Tomorrow I'll try one of the other ones and the last one on another night. Figured if I can make enough dishes to last me a week or two it will be loads easier to eat clean but with less effort or time involved! 

Wedges myself yesterday...I've now lost 8 & 1/4 Ibs so I've finally passed my half a stone mark! Yippee!

I can REALLY see my body changing though it's crazy! My tummy has a totally different shape and looks more toned, loads less flabby, and when I used to walk up my stairs past my mirror on the wall I used to cringe at the sight-lately it's nice to see it slowly but surely shrinking as I walk last each time haha!

Doctor diagnosed me with tonsilitis today which is what I suspected! I just can't let it slow me down though. Apart from having a little by of a fever last night and my throat feeling really sore first thing in the morning and last thing at night I feel ok. Both my kids are over their illnesses now and are back to sleeping through again - hurrah!! The extra sleep is exactly what I've been needing :))) x

Couple of changes...

It's been a while, between looking after both my kids nursing illnesses and being full of cold myself - plus fighting the urge to eat everything in sight, I've not had a second to write in my blog.

Since then ive had a couple of off days and a bit of a rest from exercise while my body tries to recover from this horrendous cold/sore throat/swollen glands.

I'm back at the wheel today though and am now following weight watchers-but of my own accord-I can't really justify spending £21 a month going to classes when I've done weight watchers on and off many times before and been successful at it-I suppose as long as you know what you're doing you just need crack on and follow the plan. 

I did miss my weight watchers diary though that used to come included in my weight watchers online membership - it was a fantastic way to search for point values and foods and log my food and exercise just like myfitnesspal! But then I found 'value diary'... Just £2.49 on App Store on the iphone... It's exactly like the actual weigh watchers one but just the one off payment of £2.49- it is based on pro points values instead of calories which makes it perfect for following the weight watchers plan! This is a screenshot of it...

It's 100% worth every penny! Its just taking a little while to get used to pro points again after counting just calories for weeks! ...Watch this space!

I got back to Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred this morning! My aim is for a 30 Day Shred session each morning Monday-Saturday, plus a 60 minute Zumba class on a Wednesday evening to give me that extra boost. If I have time/energy I would like to maybe throw in the odd kettlebell session but don't want to overdo it that I'm too sore to attempt the 30 Day Shred so I'll see how it goes! 

So that's it, still motivated and determined just with a few little tweaks here and there! xx :0)

Progress...

Another trip to a&e with my baby boy today :( he's not doing too badly though thank goodness just still a bit off colour.

Was ridiculously temped to go through the macdonalds drive thru on my way home from the hospital given what a crappy day I've had but I resisted! And I'm SO glad I did!

Jillian Michaels is completely kicking my butt with these 30 Day Shred workouts-I love them but wow! They work you damn hard! I had better look like Cheryl Cole after all this :)) 

Oh dear...

...THE dress has arrived and it's..wait for it...too BIG (tight sizes my backside) AND I don't even know if I like it on! 

It's either go for the red one and slim into it better and tone this mummy tummy up or look for another one...except I've spent the last hour looking and can't find any I like! Feel like I've lost my mojo now I don't have something to work towards! I have to keep motivated. 

Didn't care so much at all yesterday about diet/fitness as spent half my day in the hospital with my poor boy :( and canteen sandwiches were all that was on offer and given the xircumstances I couldn't have cared less. 

Today, now my baby boy seems better, I'm trying to get my motivation back (we'll just pretend me and hubby didn't get Pizza Hut for lunch...) and going to drag my sorry backside to an hours Zumba tonight to try and repair the damage! 

On a good positive note-a size 16 was too big on me (yay) and my yoga DVDs and Jillian michaels 30 day shred has arrived so will start that tomorrow-still have my diet head on I'm just pretty disappointed the dress is no good :(( xx

I love this article

Some excellent tips here...

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/boost-metabolism-all-day?cm_sp=Hotlist-_-WeightLoss-_-BoostYourMetabolismAllDayLong

Really good day :0)

Am very happy today, although the planned workout fell by the wayside my other backup dresses id ordered arrived (not THE dress-thats not arrived yet) and I managed to fit into a 16- that's 1-2 sizes down from what i have been wearing the past year. The upper half of my body sat really nicely in it, but my tummy was very 'lumps and bumpsy' in it and flabby-so there is a long way to go if I want to fit into it nicely with a bit of wriggle room before the wedding....so fornow it is my backup dress! I'm just so happy I actually fit into it at all! The other dresses will be going back-I just didn't like/suit any of the others. Once 'THE' dress has arrived I should be able to make a decision as to which dress I'm going to hang on my wardrobe and try on every day until I squeeze into it...haha xx

Nicest tea I've had in ages...

And it was all 'clean food' as they call it!

Included a grilled chicken breast (cooked with fry light 1 cal per spray) on a George Foreman lean mean grilling machine, after it was cooked i spread a quarter of Kraft sweet chilli Philadelphia inside it, cooked some sweet potato chips in fry light with a sprinkle of black pepper and mixed spice powder (in oven for 45 mins) and a load of vegetables on the side-plus 30g of Mild Sweet Chilli blue dragon sauce...... Mmmmmm! Have read loads about sweet potato chips being a healthy alternative to chips or wedges because they're actually a veg...or something lol...but they were so yummy-I actually prefer them to chips or wedges cos they're so sweet and add lots more flavour to the meal :0) 

Jillian Michaels has a free Iphone app!!

And I bloody love it! Full of tips, workouts,

inspirational podcasts/videos/writeups etx

All for FREE 😊🙅

PCOS

The fact that I was recently diagnosed with Polycycstic Ovarian Syndrome has got me in a bit of a flap the last 12 hours. And it was the reason why I got about 2 hours max sleep last night. Not feeling so excellent this morning.

I went online to see what the best workouts/exercises are for when you have this condition (which is renown for making weight loss difficult and for causing excess fat to be stored around the waist area! Joy!) and the horror stories I saw about people not being able to lose it, and putting it on speaker exercising and dieting got me all in a tizz and a panic! 

So I tried to be productive instead of negative. I read that yoga is very important because of the fact that it relaxing you and reduces areas levels-as apparently stress levels play a big part on the symptoms of pcos - do I ordered a 4 DVD yoga set with excellent reviews (Total Yoga Collection from Amazon) and a yoga mat! Plus I read that strength training is very important in raising your insulin levels which pcos have lacking-and the reviews for Jillian Michaels '30 Day Shred' DVD were great, and she is even a PCOS sufferer herself and her DVDs incorporate both strength and cardio circuit training so perfect. And just £5 from amazon- - little bargain!

Today I've made an executive to have a rest day-after working my butt off for 5 out of 6 days my body is crying out for a little rest, and I know letting your muscles recover is just as important. Plus with my poor mind in overdrive I'm worn out physically and mentally. Tomorrow I will begin either the level one Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred (on YouTube) before my DVD arrives or find a yoga YouTube video to try! 

I WILL do this! I HAVE to! 

A little Saturday night thought...

Oh and this is THE dress...

Nice healthy day!

Enjoyed a nice girly night out with mum last night. I won't lie, there was pizza and wine involved but I ate very little during the day and have more than made up for it today! Have eaten ridiculously well today and smashed my 30 minute workout this evening, despite my whole body and mind protesting!

Have had an email to say my chosen favourite dress that I ordered has been dispatched - eek! It's one maybe two sizes too small so I'm scared to death because if it comes I'll be devastated if it doesn't look do-able...but as my mum pointed out-I can give it my all to slim into it by the end of April and if I can't manage it- I love it so much I can keep it and wear it for something else in the future once I HAVE slimmed into it! Because I am 100% committed and determined that it will be WHEN and not IF :0) 

Tonight's chosen workout was my Davina Fit in 15 DVD, I chose to do two 15 minute sessions-15 Core and 15 Arms! 

So watch this space...the dress should arrive in the next couple of days! Hoping and praying! 

Tomorrow is a new day and I'm determined that will be a good day too! 

...Exactly 12 weeks today I will be at the wedding wearing THAT dress...*crosses fingers* xx

Tough Workout

Haha! I can tell I turbo charged my exercise yesterday because I've just completed a 20 Kettlebell cardio session and I had to absolutely push myself big time! My legs are saying "nooo mooorrree" but I don't care! I will not listen to you legs-and guess what else-you will be taking me dancing when I'm out tonight too haa haa!

Happy Friday everyone hope you have a great weekend xxx

Oh and one more thing....

Another really good tip I've discovered...follow absolutely all the weight loss/ fitness/ healthy lifestyle pages/people possible on both Twitter and Facebook -that way when you check your newsfeed/timeline most of your posts will be offering inspirational material-pictures/quotes/tips...whilst keeping your mind focused on your goals :0) x 

Fresh Start for 2014

So...what's new? My whole mind set really if I'm being honest. My new target being that we have two weddings to go in April-which leaves me just under 12 weeks to get in shape...less if I'm counting to the first one at the start of the month. I've shaken a few things up to keep me motivated, interested, focused and so far I'm seeing success. Since around 7th January I have lost 6 & 3/4ibs-I'd set myself the goal of losing 2 stone by the second wedding at the end of April-so I'm on track and focused and feeling really positive about it all. Here are the few things I've changed/discovered since my fresh start a few weeks back...
1) Instead of choosing just one or two workouts to do weekly I now do around 5 different types of workouts and always on the lookout for mor. I'm LOVING having the choice of a few different ones each day and being able to choose based on what mood I'm in that day etc. At the moment they consist of- Davina McCalls new 'Fit in15' DVD (two sections per session where possible), Zumba (I have rekindled my love with Zumba-once a week I attend an hour long class and I LOVE it-it's currently my favourite workout and the one which seems to burn the most calories), Kettleworx Kettlebells sessions (Core workout or cardio workout depending on what I'm lacking), 10 Minute Solution Kickboxing workout DVD-lots of fun,something different and REALLY left me aching the following day, and lastly good old fashioned out and about brisk walking.
I'm looking at introducing the odd Jillian Michael workout that I've seen on YouTube but I haven't tried this just yet.
Last time I was exercising a lot and trying to lose weight the scales weren't moving-but i was relying only my treadmill (which is now living in my parents-in-laws garage due massive lack of space in my house) and Kettlebells. Since I've introduced my Zumba, Davina and kickboxing the weight is really starting to come off.
With regards or diet I have opted not to do weight watchers this time-given that last time it just wasn't working for me and after stepping on the scales time and time again only to see that they'd either not moved or had moved upwards I was starting to become really really disheartened. I now use the free MyFitnessPal on my iphone which counts just calories and enables you to log your exercise and see what calories you're burning etc. I love it and it's really doing its job for me just now. I've also downloaded another free app called 'My Diet Coach' which lets me put in inspirational photographs to inspire me to stay motivated (for me it's pictures of me from 2007 and before when I was at my slimmest) and I have out lots of inspirational sayings and quotes on there and I set reminders to beep several times a day on my phone to remind me, keep me focused and also little reminders like 'drink water' etc.
I've been taking regular vitamin C tablets daily also, after reading that studies showed woman with lack of vitamin c lost weight a lot slower than those who we're raking vitamin c supplements. Not to mention my huge daily intake of water...and green tea!
So there are my secrets at present!
Watch this space...right now I'll be happy to just get this pesky 1/4Ib gone so that I can at least say 'I've lost half a stone' haha.
Good luck to all fellow dieters! We can do this!!

Love Louise x