12 Months Today.....

Ok... 12 months today I will be getting hitched...12 months!!! It is going to fly by so quickly!! I can not wait...!!! So in regards to planning a wedding I am feeling quite organised.. we had pretty much planned it all out the day after we got engaged.. we had already spoken about what we wanted and venus and things anyway so it was quite simple to put together and with the use of Pinterest it was so easy to say what we wanted and what we didn't want... so that's all fine... 

In Regards to weight loss over the next 12 months...the plan is quite simple...10 months...28lbs...just under 3lbs a month to be on goal...I have decided to do only monthly weigh in's (on the 28th) to actually record my weight but unofficially will be recording it as usual weekly on MFP on Monday mornings...I want to aim for 10 months as that will give me 2 months to maintain for dress fittings and also give me a bit of space incase I don't hit my target (which is not going to happen) 

Type of Dress I want...need to have curvy and toned hips for this....

I am going to set up a chart to put up on my fridge so Biggy can see it (Guilt Diet)..and write out my targets...then if I hit my target for the month then I will get a reward eg...£30 to go shopping, pedicure, trip out...etc... If one month I don't hit then the next month I need to make up the loss plus my target for the month to be able to still claim my reward... do you see what I mean... on the chart I won't be writing my weight but just the amount I need to have lost in total... Biggy will never know my weight until I hit my goal!

As you know the last week or so I was celebrating and then got in a bit of  flunk.. I am out of that now and really raring to go. Yesterday was a good day and included no snacking in between meals... also included me putting back crisps and a heavy dessert for dinner as I knew I didn't need it and was using Biggy as an excuse..however it did include a few glasses of wine due to having a SHIZZER day... but I'm ok with that. Today has been good as well... Slimfast for breakfast followed by an omelette with cherry tomatoes in it and avocado and cucumber on the side and then for dinner I am having one Lamb Kebab with rice, aubergine, tomato and courgette with a side of pita bread and tzatziki...dinner is quite big tonight as having a friend around but I won't be having very much rice and I am only having one Kebab while the others have 2 each...

On Monday I make my return to the gym which I am actually really excited about and looking forward to... I have realised that when you sit in an office all day you really don't move your body at all... and above anything am looking forward to giving my body the opportunity to actually use it's self!! I will be going back to my previous routine of cardio on Mon, Wed and Fri and toning on tues and Thurs... and then one extra over the weekend if I want to.. 

Anyway.. I totally feel back in the Zone and 100% ready to push through to the next stage.. I know that this journey is going to get harder the more weight I lose... but I am ready for it... 3lbs a month is a totally realistic figure and one I will conquer... 

1st Day Back on Track

Ok.. so today has been my 1st day back on track and I am doing well... Really well actually... I had some healthy cereal with milk for breakfast and then DIDN'T snack in the morning... for lunch I had a yummy Chicken salad with avocado..I just had iceberg lettuce and then a yummy Light salad dressing on top.. so yummy... for my something sweet I had a gorgeous fruit salad of Melon, Strawberries and Kiwi.. I had it straight after my Salad so then NO snacking in between Lunch and Dinner and then for Dinner I am having Prawn Laksa (Waitrose Prawn Laksa Soup A coconut soup with cooked rice noodles, cooked king prawns and spinach) All in all it will come to a grand total of 1256 calories and according to MyFitnessPal I would be weighing in at 180lbs in 5 weeks if everyday was like today. I would take that... 

I do actually really feel back in the zone... I know this is going to sound crazy.. but last night I dreamt that I was in the gym and working really hard... it was like I was running off all the crap I have eaten over the last few days..I woke up and felt totally back in the zone... I haven't been to the gym for about 2.5 weeks... and aim to return next week.. I want to get my healthy eating habits back under control and will then hit the running machine... 

Also one thing I really have to realise is that in actual fact I have had  a 12 day binge...don't get me wrong.. that's not great...and I shouldn't be celebrating anything with food..or eating the way I have been (secretly eating = having 2 or 3 Mars Bars in a row when no one is around) BUT it's been 12 days... and I have just got engaged... and I have been stressing about it... but a couple of months ago that would have been a 2 month binge... and I would have gained 14lbs... I have gained 2lbs... and believe me for what I have been eating I should have put on at least 5lbs+ 

Anyway.. I have recorded everything on MyFitnessPal and am wearing my FitBit and have checked it a few times... when I go home I am going to have a little dance party to up my steps... Biggy is out tonight so won't look like an idiot...! 

Anyway..here I am back and ready to start the next Chapter Book... on Friday it will be exactly 12 months until my wedding... which translates to a 10 month goal to lose 28lbs... any of you quick on maths(!) will realise that's just under 3lbs a month...achievable if I keep my head down and focused...  

In a Flunk

Ok...so after a week or so celebrating our Engagement...(Still love saying it!) I weighed in at 189lbs...which to be honest isn't that bad....but my trouble is I now can't get out of the bad eating habits I have picked up! I really don't know what to do...it's been 15 days and I really really need to bring it bacck 100% ...a week or so ago I was not snacking in between meals, wasn't eating bread, was eating small portions of food and was really controlling everything.... now I am eating when I am not hungry...secret eating chocolate..not counting calories...not wearing my fit bit...etc... it just keeps on going on and on...

 

The worse thing is is that I have turned into one of those really bad dieters...Everyday I start afesh and within 2 hours of being awake I have ruined it and then say tomyself...ok well I will start agaian tomorrow... it's the worse thing and I dont know how to get out of the flunk...can anyone help?

Ring of Bling

Well.....where to start....On Friday the 14th Biggy asked me to marry him.... I said YES!!! So happy... he did it in such a romantic way and I was spoilt the whole day... it was amazing... needless to say the rest of the weekend went out of the window and we didn't go out for dinner on Saturday or anything because we had such a busy amazing day on Friday but we spent Saturday at my parents having a BBQ and discussing  all the exciting plans that will be happening....! We will be getting married end of June early July next year so have 13 months to plan and prepare...

In the planning side of things it gives me a great goal in regards to weight loss.... I would love  am going to be 11.5stone (161lbs) when we get married so I have 13 months to lose 28lbs...which works out as just over 2lbs a month which is so totally do-able... but realistically I am going to aim for 3lbs in a time frame of 10 months as I don't want to mess up my dress fittings and also I need to be able to maintain it... 

So...after a full weekend of lots of food and lots of champagne I came in at 187lbs on Monday which to be honest I am totally fine with as I was expecting about a 7lbs gain!!! It's back to the gym for me tomorrow after about a 8 day break...I didn't go last week and of course didn't go over the weekend or Monday or this morning (due to champagne last night) but it's time to get back on it, focus and think of my BIG DAY!!!!

Bling

Outfit for Saturday Night...Planned

So as I explained I have my BFF's and their husbands coming over this weekend for a get together, we try and all meet up every couple of months as we are all busy and live in different cities... I love our weekends together... they are so much fun!!! 

Anyway... on Saturday night we are going out for dinner and so of course I am already thinking about what I can wear.... and I haven't bought  a WHOLE new outfit but have bought a couple of things....

I am really loving Coral at the moment as I think you can wear something pretty normal ie..blue jeans and a top and then put something coral with it and *Bang* outfit popped.....where I work we literally only have one young clothes shop....New Look..which I am fine with as sometimes it has nothing and sometimes lots but there is always something to look at and it's well priced so I am not going to be breaking the bank if I go in there... 

I had a quick look today and saw these great Coral high heels.... LOVED them and they had my size (7/7.5) so tried them on and was very happy.. then I was thinking ok what do I want to wear with this because I don't want to wear anything too low as I feel I am too old for that now but also I am not a granny yet so want something sexy.... I was thinking of wearing my dark blue skinnies but don't really feel like I have anything that would go and I feel like my blue skinnies will be too daytime-ish so I imagined my black skinnies and then remembered I have a black button up sheer shirt as well (courtesy of Primark).... So I put the following outfit together in my head...loved it and purchased what I needed:

Coral High Heels - (New) 

Black Skinny Jeans

Coral Strappy T-Shirt  - (New)

Black Sheer Shirt unbuttoned low and semi tucked-in in the middle

Coral and Gold Hooped Earrings - (New) 

Black Clutch Bag 

I think it is going to look sexy and classy as well as flatter my figure... very happy.... I have noticed that recently I have been really into matching things... eg my shoes with a top or a handbag or something... I think otherwise I worry that I have just thrown on clothes without really considering if they match or not. Also since Pinterest I have been REALLY into the the front semi-tuck...I think it's so good for people like me who although are rounded don't want to hide away all of thier figure, I think alot of tops that just sit ontop of you actually make you look bigger than you are and so having that semi-tuck shows that you do have a flat-ish stomach and do have curves rather than looking baggy....it's also perfect as yo uleave th eback tucked out so you can make sure you don't have half your arse hanging out or/and can cover a bit of your larger aspects...hahaha

Half-tuck

Wet Wednesday

What the hell is up with the weather in the UK at the moment... our Summer is just being washed out as usual... and the worst thing is is that we were tempted with nice weather last week and now it has gone back to its normal wintery self... *Moan Over*

Looks as confused as me! 

Anyway...so far this week has been ok-ish...I have been really bad and not gone to the gym which I am really annoyed about especially as I can feel my body wanting to do some exercise...Monday I just didn't feel like going as was quite tired from the weekend and then Tuesday I was just plain lazy and then this morning I had a slight headache due to one of my BFF's coming over last night and staying over...wine was drunk and pasta and bread consumed... I literally rolled out of bed with a big bloated belly... sexy or what... 

What I have been doing this week and actually finding quite easy is having Slim-Fast and fruit during the day... I know that many of you will cry out at this... but as I explained earlier I have started having Slim-Fast for lunch when I don't go to the gym as I just really don't need the extra calories ..as shown by my FitBit...then this weekend I have the girls and husbands coming over for a get together and really want to get as close to 182lbs as possible so have been having Slim-Fast for breakfast and lunch and fruit with it ... so yes I am using a quick fix approach which I know is not healthy or sustainable but I am being sensible with it and if I had gone to the gym I of course would have been having a proper breakfast and lunch...

I got on the scales yesterday morning and saw the scales go down to 185lbs which of course was great... but then after a big meal of garlic bread, pasta, carbonara and red wine last night it went back up to 189lbs... I have been swinging between 187 and 189lbs for too long and really want to have a weigh in below 187lbs this  Monday... however again I know it will be impossible due to a friend/food filled weekend. The one thing I can be pleased about is that I have planned in advance... might not be the best plan to be under your allowance daily due to the knowledge of overeating at the weekend.... but a couple of months ago I would have just kept on eating normally during the week and then over eaten at the weekend!! 

Looking forward to tonights dinner of a Salmon Fishcake with Feta Salad and a gorgeous balsamic dressing... yum yum get in my tum...

Best Dressing EVER

Weigh In After Weekend Food Fest

Ok.... so the weekend was just as bad (Foodwise) as I thought it was going to be...however I feel like I did show some self-control and didn't go totally to town! On Friday night we had the Chinese and I had quite a bit of the starters and then moved on the duck pancakes ...delish...but then that is where I stopped and I didn't have any of the main... I was feeling just so full after that alone..how others went on to have more I do not know... On Saturday morning I woke up still feeling so so so full so actually went to the gym early and knocked out 40 minutes on the cross-trainer which I was pleased about..then we had a picnic at lunch which was ok followed by scones with a cup of tea..of course served with the customary Cornish cream and jam...and then moved on to the raclette in the evening. The raclette I did go to town on I will admit....so nice and we hardly ever have one! Then on Sunday we had a BBQ... I didn't have any breakfast and didn't have any dinner so although I ate quite a bit of bread I was ok on Sunday....anyway all of this resulted in a weigh-in of 187lbs....AGAIN... to be honest I am ok-ish with it as this weekend really was a food-fest and I was expecting alot worse....however I got on the scales on Friday morning and saw 185lbs and know that if I had been able to have a healthy weekend or even a normal weekend I would have continued to see that weight this morning...but all I can do in know that what I am doing is working (due to the scales on Friday) and keep at it... 

I changed a couple of things last week... I have been looking at my Fitbit results (still wearing it religiously everyday) and am noticing a trend....when I have gone to the gym for a run in the mornings (Mon,Wed,Fri) I stick within my calorie allowance and also hit all my steps...but when I don't run I go over my allowance and don't hit my step target...to be honest I am not that worried about the step target but it does amaze me the difference in calories used when I just have a normal day - as in get up, go to work, pop out to the shops, go home do a bit of housework and then normally dinner and bed...I use about 1700cals during the whole day (compared to 2500cals when I go to the gym)...so  to have a 500cal difference I only need to eat 1200cals...So to ensure I stay within this I have started having a Slimfast shake for Lunch on a Tues and Thurs. I still have a healthy breakfast in the morning but I just don't need to have a big Lunch as I am not using the energy during the day.. this for the moment is really working for me...so we will see what this week brings... hopefully I will see the results I need and want...obviously not going to see the result I was looking for (182lbs) by Monday which is frustrating but the last few weeks have taught me things about my eating habits and realistic calorie allowances so every week I am getting closer to finding a plan that works for me and is something I can stick to and works with my lifestyle...

Danger Danger...Weekend of Food Ahead

Hello all, so quick update...week is going really well. Have been keeping to my allowance and the scales are looking good as they are moving down! I have been to the gym 3 times so far this week and this morning I did 30 minutes running straight, I was sweating after and had to push through it but I wasn't keeling over when I finished....so I think one more run the same and then I will increase my speed...at the moment I am doing 4.4mph so will push it up to 4.5 and see how I do if I don't find it makes a difference the 1st time I will go up to 4.6...#PROGRESS! 

The one thing I am so worried about, that is really going to put a spanner in the works, is this weekend....We are having a family weekend and all getting together as we haven't seen each other for awhile....I am really looking forward to it....but the whole weekend is geared towards food...and I know I can still control myself and not eat everything... but I do love food and I love a celebration....

Tonight we are going for a Chinese Eat As Much as You Like..the chinese we are going to is so good and I adore their duck pancakes...when I am there I just need to remember that I don't have to eat everything and don't have to eat until I pop... this is not the last chinese I will ever have and if I really want more I can taste the same things again whenever I want...I know that sounds ridiculous to say but I think sometimes I feel like I have to eat as much as I can as quickly as I can before someone takes it all away and  I can never have it again...

Tomorrow we are having a picnic for lunch...(should be ok)..Cake and tea at 4.00pm which should again be ok as I will just say NO to the cake..then in the evening we are having a raclette.. I love a raclette....for those that don't know it's a bit like a Fondu but you melt your own cheese....it's a French thing and you have a grill with a top that you can put things on...but then you also have little holders that you can put things in and grill it underneath...the main things you have is a special raclette cheese which you melt over things like chorizo, potatoes, mushrooms ...etc...its amazing...but of course very fattening. 

Then on Sunday we are having a BBQ, I am actually not too worried about the BBQ as although a lot is cooked I can quite easily avoid the foods I don't want as well as not eat masses... 

So as you can see nearly the whole weekend revolves around food....and seeing as I have my weigh in on Monday mornings it would be ridiculous to think that this weekend isn't going to have an effect on the scales. I am doing all I can to make sure I can still keep control on my eating... I know some of you won't approve but today I am just having two Slim-Fast Shakes (Breakfast and Lunch) and some fruit as I know I will be eating a lot this evening and I don't want to go massively go over my allowance...and I also plan on going to the gym tomorrow and Sunday as well... I know you can't work off a bad diet but it will help...even if it's only a bit...All I can do is be conscious of what I am eating and not go overboard....wish me luck!! 

Did I Do It....Yes I Did!

Whoop whoop....made it to the gym this morning...and that's even with going to bed at 12.30am...V pleased! The only bad thing is that I aimed to do 30 mins straight running but only achieved 26mins... I know you will be thinking "You couldn't have done an extra 4 minutes...???" I started struggling around 20 minutes so pushed my way through 6 minutes so it's not so bad! It does highlight to me though that for me to keep my fitness levels up I need to go to the gym on a seriously regular basis...I missed 3 sessions (Sat or Sun, Mon & Tues) and so missed 2 runs...and from that went 4 minutes backwards...but onwards and upwards..tomorrow is a toning day and then back to running on Friday and Sat/Sun...

Yesterday was an ok eating day.. I did go over my FitBit allowance by 234 cals which I am really annoyed about especially seeing as I could have avoided it...My Mother and I went out for dinner and I was starving as I didn't have anything for lunch as I knew I was going out for dinner...that then resulted in my ordering a starter...my Mother ordered one as well and hers was huge...so I had some slices of her Garlic Bread..those extra slices put me over my allowance..stupid mistake to make....but I am owning it, learning from it and moving on from it...

Failure To Launch

Well....I'll be honest only 2 days into June and haven't done that well Gym wise...On Monday I was truly knackered and couldn't get up...normally every day I say that I am tired but get up anyway as I know I am not it's just because I am being woken up by an alarm but on Monday I was truly really tired and needed the extra hour in bed...then this morning I had to make Biggy to the airport before work so wasn't able to get to the gym this morning either... I am not able to go in the evening due to other commitments so am a bit annoyed to be honest...BUT I am really anxious to get back into the gym as I don't want to break my habit especially seeing as I was doing so well...the positive is that both morning my reasons for not making it have been valid and I 100% know it has not been because I can't be bothered or don't want to go! So far I have kept within my calorie goal and that includes a dinner out from this evening...and also no wine although Biggy offered me a glass yesterday...so it's not all bad....

Happy New Month

Happy New Month everybody! I love a new month as it's a time where you can have a fresh start, draw a line and re-focus if needed. I know alot of people set goals for the month and it got me thinking what are my goals for this month...? To be honest I am pretty happy with most things at the moment but as always there are a few thing I would like to work on... 

1) I would like to lose 5lbs this month... again I weighed in at 187..it's very frustrating for me especially as I am working out regularly and I am not seeing the scales go down (more on this later) I am tired of only losing 1 or 2 lbs a month...which is traditionally how much I lose. I would like to really do better.. I still have 26lbs to lose for this year to get me to 11 and half stone (161lbs) the only way I am going to achieve this is by losing just under 5lbs a month.. 

2) I would like to really get my eating under control... I am so much better than I was (believe me) but I still have things that I shouldn't and still eat secretly which I also shouldn't..I think like anything it's about getting the into the habit...recently I stopped eating in between meals and now I don't even think about snacking...so I just need  to break the habits. 

3)I would really like to drink less (again) this is very much a constant theme throughout my life but I really would like to try and not drink wine during the week..I'm drinking less than I used to but I want to bring it down further. 

4) This month I would like to try eating with the 5:2 plan. I know that in a sense it's a diet but for me I think it will really help getting my eating under control and help me take the power back from food... my problem at the moment is purely a case of eating too much, this way I will make sure I am under my weekly limit. I am planning on doing it on Tues and Thurs as these are the days I do my toning workouts and so don't use half as much energy and have noticed that on those 2 days I go over my reduced calorie limit..

5)I would like to continue my good work at the Gym...