{Striking Mums with Kate on Thin Ice}

Grooving Mums is back... it's been revamped and is now under the name 'Striking Mums'.

Why Striking Mums you ask? Head on over to Kate's post here to find out more.

This is a linky for mum's that are "yearning for the you of yesteryear" and feel it's "time to shake things up a bit"! Are there changes you want to make in your life? Then this is the linky for you! Each week Kate will post something inspirational and ask us all to get involved too.

I joined Grooving Mums way back in September 2011 when I was going through an exceptionally rough patch. The weekly linky helped me focus myself on some goals and as the weeks went by my confidence and self esteem took leaps and bounds.

This week's Striking Mum challenge is to share a blog post about what you want to achieve - anything that will make you feel better.

My main aim is to lose weight and get back to the size I was at the end of 2011, which was 11 stone and a comfortable size 10.

My weight has crept up and up and I'm now at the heaviest I've been in 3 years... 12 stone 8 lbs and a size 12/14. I'm angry at myself for letting things slip and my motivation to get back to the lighter me is at an all time high. I was unable to get into my 'fat jeans'. This is not good :-/

I've been trying to run at least twice a week and this along with some healthy eating should help me towards my goal immensely.

Hopefully with the support of the Striking Mums I can keep up the good work and get into a better routine, one that includes exercise and healthy eating!

So tell me, what are your goals?

Keep on running!

{35 at 35 list: Happiness}

I've been giving some thought to my 35 at 35 list, in particular the prompt 'be genuinely happy'.

When I wrote the list, I was in a bad place. My husband had just moved out 2 weeks before and I had a lot to contend with. I was on my own with my 8 month old daughter and my toddler son. I was sad, confused, hurt and scared/excited for what the future may hold.

Two and a half years later and nearing half way to my 35 at 35 list deadline, I thought it was a good time to take stock & reflect on where I was and where I am now.

I think my followers, friends & family would agree that I've come a long way since the start of 2012. 

When I was still living with the kids dad I was in denial. I don't think I was ready to face up to how I was feeling and the situation I found myself in. My health visitor had suggested I might have post-natal depression to which I was told, by the ex, that of course I wasn't clinically depressed. And I agreed with him. But now when I look back, it's clear that something wasn't right. It's only now, that I've come through the other side that I realise just how tough things were and that the thoughts I was having weren't necessarily normal.

I remember when my son was little, my father-in-law would babysit every so often so I could get my hair done. On one of my trips out I actually considered not going back to the house, ever. I was finding parenting very difficult & my son was a difficult baby. It's hard to admit this, but I didn't enjoy his first year & I wish I'd dealt with the situation differently.

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Then when my daughter arrived, the ex & I were going through a difficult time. After all the drama that then followed, I pulled myself together...

I hired a life coach, spent over half a year seeing a post-natal depression counsellor & attended focus group sessions. What was I looking for? I'm not sure if I'm honest. I acknowledged that how I was feeling wasn't right and that I needed help. My health visitor was amazing, and I'm glad that I finally had the courage to listen to her.

I used to be anxious going out with the children on my own.

I used to have to go into the other room to cry so that they wouldn't see me upset.

I doubted every decision I made.

I found simple every day things difficult.

I am pleased to say that I am in a much better place now.

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Things are getting easier, and I'm enjoying my children so much more than I did when they were babies. My confidence has improved and yes, I think I can now say I'm happy :-)

Don't get me wrong, there are difficult days and tantrums and tears still, but overall things are positive.

I've been reading Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin, and bookmarked this quote:

"While 'happiness' might suggest a final, magical destination, the aim of a happiness project isn't to hit 10 on the 1-to-10 happiness scale and to remain there perpetually; that would be neither realistic or desirable. I sought not to achieve perfect 'happiness', but rather to become happier".

P.S. Thanks to everyone that's been voting for me for the BiBs Family award - this has made me extremely happy and I'm so chuffed to have made it onto the shortlist. If you're yet to vote, I'd love your support. You can vote for me here. Thanks so much!!

{Cravings}

The problem

As soon as you tell yourself you can't have something, then why is it that that's all you can think of??

I demolished the last of the Easter eggs over the Bank Holiday weekend whilst I painted!

I'm trying my best to get back into the way of healthy eating. Since my Crohn's flare-up and starting steroids, I've put on another 7 lbs!! So I now have over a stone to lose. I'm really annoyed at myself for letting the situation slide...I should have got it under control ages ago. But I keep telling myself I was ill & blaming the drugs too (they do apparently cause weight gain)... But now I have no excuses. I've got a fortnight of steroids left to take, I'm on a lower dose & thankfully things in that department seem to be more like normal again. Well, as normal as can be for someone with Crohn's I guess!

This week I went out and did a 5K after work. Boy was it tough, but I at least got back out there. My plan is to run again on Sunday & Tuesday whilst the kids are with their dad and I have an opportunity to pound the pavements. It will be good for my mind too - some time to think and clear my head.

After my 5K!

I desperately need to get the eating under control through. I tend to be good in the morning...breakfasts I've been enjoying a small portion of muesli with plenty fresh fruit which is exactly what I had when I was under the watchful eye of my personal trainer a few years back.

For lunch I've been having soup and/or salad. The more colourful the better. As long as I'm prepared, I'd happily eat salad every day. I've been throwing chicken, prawns, feta cheese, beetroot, pine nuts etc into lettuce, cucumber & tomatoes. Yum! I also had a massive bean salad which I made at the weekend as part of the #MorrisonsMum campaign & it lasted me my working week too. This week on one of my days off I was at a soft play with the kids & chose their homemade lentil soup & even managed to resist the bread!

I'm trying to snack healthily too... I have rice cakes, oatcakes, peanut butter, dried cranberries and mixed nuts in my drawer at work. 

It's the evenings that get me though, particularly when I have the kids with me. I find myself picking at their leftovers as I hate to see food wasted. Today they had pasta and I had a salad with feta, chorizo, falafel & olives. But I must have had 3 or 4 mouthfuls of their cheese loaded pasta that they didn't finish.

We also baked a banana bread from the Three Sisters Bake cookbook, with chocolate chips in it, as you do! Which would be fine, apart from that I've eaten the majority of it myself in the space of one day!!!! I just cannot resist sweet things especially cake. 

Banana bread ready for the oven

The kids are currently fast asleep and I have a cup of tea in my hand. I'm craving something sweet and wish I had bought something nice whilst at the supermarket earlier today. Instead I have grabbed a handful of dried fruit and some Food Doctor roasted bean mix. It's not really hitting the spot... :-/

The plan

Here's my five-point plan... I'm starting small with a hope that I'll stick with it.

1. Start meal planning again
2. Shop online, it will help me avoid the temptation to grab naughty cakes and sweets
3. Get out for at least one run each week
4. Drink more water
5. Avoid white bread and pasta

The reward

I desperately need some new clothes for work. I've been wearing the same dresses for ages now and I'm getting so bored of them. My reward when I get back to 11 stone 7 lbs (half way to my target) will be a couple of pieces of clothing for the office. I already have my eye on a few things (more on this in a separate post).

If by some miracle I manage to get to my target of 11 stone before Brit Mums Live, which is now just 6 weeks away. Then my next reward will be a new outfit for the event.

Right, that's it now in black and white. No going back... 

{Motivation}

I've been lacking in motivation to get back into shape.

Don't get me wrong, I don't have much to lose... just 10 or maybe 11 lbs.

I know I'll be happier when I get back to my target again, but does that motivate me... nope, it does not.

I also know what I need to do... because I've done it before.

Eat less, move more.

Simple, you'd think?

I'm hoping as the weather improves I'll get back out running...

But I also need someone to shout at me and tell me to stop eating all the cake (& sweets, chocolate, pastries...).

Seriously, you'd better be quick or there will be none left!

{Why I'm #Groovy}

Joining in again with Kate on Thin Ice's Groovy Mums linky...

This week Kate has asked us to speak to our kids to discover what makes us groovy.

I'm a bit late at joining in as the kids have been with their dad and I didn't get them back to mine until this afternoon. I wasn't even sure that they'd understand what I meant when I said 'Is your mum groovy?'. The littlest immediately said 'yes', but then when I asked her if she knew what it meant she said no!

So instead I asked what makes your mummy cool, and this was their response:

'You are very funny and make us laugh the most.

Because you are good.'

What am I good at doing, I asked? 

'Cooking. Making cakes. Making dinner. Crafts. Painting. And making party stuff.

You helped me with the Lego computer game and I completed the level.'

I asked if I look cool, and I was told no. I do however look pretty, their words not mine. Apparently when I wear a dress I look pretty and when I wear trousers, a t-shirt or jeans I look cool.

So there you have it. Why I'm cool by my 4.5 year old son and my daughter, who will be 3 in April!

{#JanuaryJoy - tidy up}

Today's #JanuaryJoy prompt is to 'tidy up'.

I'm taking this to mean a few things...tidy up the house & get organised...tidy up my mind & get motivated for the year ahead...and tidy up my appearance.

Here are my thoughts on each:

1. Continue to declutter the house - in particular tackling the main areas prone to getting messy...my desk, my walk-in cupboard, the shed/out-house and on top of my microwave (dumping ground for mail etc!). I bought two pieces if furniture from Gumtree last week & as such I've now got a few extra drawers to store my bits & pieces.

My £15 mahogany chest of drawers

My £10 mahogany tall boy!

The mess that has collected on top of the microwave!

2. This month I ended my relationship with my counsellor. After 7 months, I feel ready to go it alone.

Lots for me to think about & one thing I am going to take on board is writing stuff down in a book rather than e-lists. Hopefully it'll let me keep a clear head!

Susan's parting words to me were 'Enjoy Life' and I intend on doing just that.

3. I'm currently sat at my desk feeling like a plucked chicken! I hate getting waxed - it hurts like hell, but as awful as this may be, I do feel more confident when I'm waxed, nails polished & hair done. I've been a bit rubbish at keeping my nails done, which I'm annoyed about because for a while I was really good and kept my nails looking lovely for ages (as part of my 35 at 35 list).

My recommendation would be Stephanie at Beauty in the Basement, Kano. I occasionally get gelish nails done and Stephanie is brilliant. She's the only beautician I have used who's gelish nails last for over a week, sometimes 10 days. Other places I've been to, at least one of the nails starts to peel off after a couple of days. Stephanie's spray tans are also brilliant. She also does 'Tuesday Treats' and runs some really good deals. Definitely one for Glasgow Southsiders to check out :)

I'm also linking up with Kate on Thin Ice's #groovymums blog linky... making small steps to improve my life.

{#JanuaryJoy - plan to revamp your garden}

I should have read ahead at the #JanuaryJoy prompts, because I wrote about my garden plans for 'plan a room' on January 10th! Whoops!

My friend Louisa sent me a card for my birthday last week and it had the following Chinese proverb on it...

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I'm guessing that this may have something to do with being out in the fresh air and perhaps having time to think? The weather is freezing but like Kate over at Kate on Thin Ice, I believe it's so important to get outside. It's great for the body & mind.

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This weekend, we went on a superb day trip to Falkirk. The weather started off a bit miserable and wet, but we were well prepared with our waterproofs, wellies, hats & gloves etc. It was a busy day, with lots to see and do, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, as did the kids. Full post on this will be on the blog later this week.

Glasgow Mummy on Facebook

And this evening I'm heading out for a run with R. This is it - I'm getting back into good habits and I'm determined to get back into shape. I've already lost 3 lbs after cutting out bread & pasta. Just another 8 lbs to go to reach my target. 

{#JanuaryJoy - make a fitness target}

'Make a fitness target' is today's Florence Finds #JanuaryJoy prompt and it's time to get serious...

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I have 11 lbs to lose (I'm fairly disgusted at myself!) and now that Christmas, New Year and my birthday are over, I've no excuse!

As well as getting back in the kitchen and making some clean eats and making a move towards Meal Planning again, I want to get back into the way of exercising regularly.

I was doing so well and in July last year I made it back to my target weight of 11 stone, but it's crept back up as the winter months kicked in and I'm now back at square one.

So here are my targets, both diet & fitness:

I will start back with a Paleo diet (especially given that it helped with my Crohn's).

I will get back to my target weight of 11 stone.

I will start running regularly again - it would be great to run the Glasgow Half Marathon this year given that we're hosting the Commonwealth Games.

I will beat my previous half marathon time (2h 12 min).

{#JanuaryJoy - celebrate your family}

{Photograph by Zoe Stewart Photography}

Today is a big day in the Glasgow Mummy house...

Not only is it my 32nd birthday, but this afternoon was registration for my son going to school in August this year.

It fits quite well with today's Florence Finds #JanuaryJoy prompt which is to 'celebrate your family'.

My wee boy is getting so grown up...even on a day-to-day basis I notice big differences in his appearance & behaviour. He's definitely not a baby or toddler anymore.

Everyone said enjoy the younger years but I had such a tough first year that I honestly didn't enjoy it all that much. 

When he was a baby I had in my head it would get easier when he reached 3 months...most people seemed to say that would be the turning point. But it didn't get better...

Brand new in the neonatal unit - he was 7 weeks early.

Looking angelic at a month old

And then I thought things might get a bit easier when he was weaned onto solids... but again, it didn't.

 It wasn't always smiles!! There were a lot of tears during year one, from him and me!

Then I thought to myself it's bound to get easier when he can sit & crawl by himself... which thankfully it did. But it took that whole first year for his behaviour and mood to change. (I reckon he had an underlying tummy discomfort, maybe associated with his prematurity and pyloric stenosis.)

I wished the time away. 

And now my baby is 4 and a half years old & he's no longer my baby.

He's a proper wee boy & I can't believe its time to register him for school....I mean, school!!!!!! Just seems so surreal!

As well as Florence Find's #JanuaryJoy, I'm linking up with Groovy Mums.

Kate's listed a few questions over on her post this week and I hope that this post goes someway to answer Question 3 'What do I want to get out of life in 2014?'.

I simply want to enjoy every minute!

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{Naked Mum}

I am proud to say that I am April's Naked Mum of the Month.

Do pop on over to Kate's blog, 'The Naked Mum', to see my post, and of course the accompanying 'naked' photo!! I am wearing nothing except my @Specsdirect2u Tom Ford glasses ;-)

Thank you to Kate for inviting me to participate and to my sister, @the_grey_house, for taking the photo.

and what a story it will be x {image source}

{Highs and Lows of 2012}

Kate  over at Kate on Thin Ice has started a great blog hop meme-thing  asking what our highs and lows of 2012 were.

So here are my answers to her all important questions...

1. What was your happiest event?

There have been a few big events this year for the Glasgow Mummy family. One of the happiest was my little sister's wedding, and in the run up to the wedding there was an amazing circus-themed hen party. Others include my daughter's first birthday party where we hosted an afternoon tea party at the house. There was also my son's 3rd birthday, one of my best friend's weddings, attending the Scottish Fashion Awards and even some of the smallest of things have been the happiest of days... such as taking the kids to the local park after what felt like weeks of bad weather.

2. What was the saddest thing to happen?

Saying goodbye to one of my best friends who emigrated to Australia in October. I miss you guys so much.

3. What was the most unlikely thing to happen that actually went ahead and did?

Hmmm... this is the question that I've found to be the toughest, and have left it last to complete.

There were a lot of things that at the start of 2012 I thought were unlikely. I saw in the New Year as a newly single mum with two screaming, ill babies (I'm so grateful to Becky who came over with her husband to keep me company that night). I had no idea how the year would pan out and at the time I thought I'd never be happy. But here I am, smiling and feeling very positive about 2013. What a difference a year makes... 

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4. Who let you down?

I'd probably say I've let myself down at times. I wish I was more assertive and a bit stronger for dealing with difficult situations. I've come through a lot, but I think I've still got a way to go.

5. Who supported you?

My friends have been amazing...old & new, real & virtual... and my best friend, who just also happens to be my sister.

6. Tell us one thing you learned.

I can't do it all. It's much harder as a single mummy than I thought it was going to be.

7. Tell us one thing that made you laugh.

I laugh a lot. Sometimes at the littlest of things. This weekend I had my sister and her husband staying with us, and what a laugh it was. One word for you Ali... gestunken!! (You had to be there!!)

8. Tell us one thing that made you cry.

As well as the laughter this year, there has been a lot of tears. Sometimes over big things, and others over sad movies or songs. Tears were also shed in the back of a police van...!!

9. Tell us three things your child or children did to make you feel proud.

My children amaze me every day & I'm so proud of them!

My daughter is learning new words and constantly surprises me with little phrases that she's picked up. The other day she said 'love you mummy' for the first time and I was a very proud parent!

We knew at the start of the year that my son needed glasses to help correct a squint. More recently he has been a super star and has adapted so quickly to wearing his new specs and has been an angel at his check-up appointments.

Both my children are very polite - they say please and thank you (littlest needs prompted still) and just this afternoon, after a friend had visited with her kids, my son said to her daughter as they were leaving (without prompting) - 'thank you for coming to play with me'. That made me proud :-)

10. Tell us one thing that made you proud of yourself.

In May I ran my first ever race, and I properly jumped in at the deep end with a half marathon! I completed the race in 2 hours 12 minutes - I'm really proud of my efforts and we (my sister, her colleague and I) managed to raise a whopping £4500 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

11. Tell us one challenge you overcame.

I guess one of the challenges I faced was to maintain my new figure. After a dramatic weight loss at the end of 2011, was it possible to keep the weight off?? I'm pleased to say that yes, I'm still a size 10. Although I have put on a stone over the year, but I actually think I was too skinny at one point. If I can lose 7 lbs again I'll be very happy.

There have also been parenting things that I perceived as challenges, such as ditching the baby bottles, but it was actually much easier than I thought. Next challenge is to get the toddler to ditch his dummy!!

12. Tell us three things you would like to change about your life in 2013.

I've been giving much thought to my New Years resolutions these past few days.

One is that I'd like to get more organised. This is mainly to do with food - meal planning & cooking from scratch. But also includes planning ahead with friends and family for play dates, visits etc.

Another is that I'd like to bake more regularly with the kids. Ideally once a week, but I think I'll aim for fortnightly to start with.

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My final thing would be that I'd like to make further progress with my 35 at 35 list. So far I've ticked off 7 items on my list, but I've still a lot to do!! I already have one item lined up for January, and hopefully another for the springtime. Watch this space!!

Anyone can take part, and Kate has already tagged a multitude of bloggers - some of whom I would have tagged. So if you would like to be tagged, please let me know.

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{November}

Can you believe that it's November already!?! Not only November, but 6th November!!! Seriously... where has the time gone!?

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October was a busy, busy month... and thankfully things have quietened down now in the Glasgow Mummy house and we're getting back into our usual routine. 

The kids are with their dad three nights a week, and whilst I'm glad of the rest (I need it!) and the me-time (catching up on laundry, meeting friends for coffee, time at the gym...) I'm finding that I really miss them. I arrived at work this morning and my colleague was filling me in on the lovely day she had with her daughter at the zoo and I nearly started crying at my desk. Don't get me wrong, it's such hard work with an 18 month old and a 3 year old... they're at that awkward age where they're yet to become good company and I struggle to do certain outings with them on my own. But I feel a bit lost when they're not around, so I'm finding that I'm keeping myself busy to keep my mind off things. Yesterday though I actually put my feet up and had a proper rest - I watched Alfie (Jude Law - yes please!) and then Dirty Dancing. I think that's why I'm feeling a bit 'meh' today... I had too much time to think yesterday!

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In other news I'm getting a cat... yes, you read right - a cat! I'm thinking it might help cure my loneliness. Although we'll have to see how I go as I'm allergic to cats (I know, I think I might be a bit insane at the moment! haha!!). My sister has two cats, called Pickle & Onion. I had initially planned to get a cute little brown cat and call it Branston (awww!) but Ali has offered to let me take Onion for a while rather than commit to a new cat. Pickle & Onion don't get on terribly well, so we're thinking Onion will be less grumpy when he's with me, and away from Pickle! Watch this space to see how we get on...!!! 

{Busy}

I've been rushed off my feet this past month or so. My friend and her three girls were staying with me for just under a fortnight, then I had my sister's wedding, then my dad & his wife were visiting, followed by a visit from my sister and her husband (btw congrats guys!). On top of this, I've been busy getting more stuff done at the house (I've converted my dining room into a playroom, and changed the living room about a bit so it's a proper grown-up space - no toys!). It's only now that I'm getting back into a routine.

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I've joined a new gym (thanks to my friend who transferred her membership over to me!), and starting to feel motivated again about exercise. I went straight from work yesterday (if I were to go home first and sit down, it was more than likely that I wouldn't have gone out again!) and did a workout... on the treadmill, rowing machine and then for a swim. 

I was trying to look cool, and failed miserably... I slipped on the steps on my way into the pool area and landed on my ass. Majorly embarrassing. However, I think (crosses fingers) no-one saw me. Honestly, what am I like!

Healthy eating has not been going so well (as I stuff more chocolate into my mouth!) and I know I need to make more of an effort to cook from scratch. In my defence, I did make soup the other day in the slow cooker but I will continue to try harder.

I've also been getting more organised... around the house, planning play dates ahead of schedule and making the most of my days off. I feel much more on top of things now as a result. I just hope I can keep it up. 

The kids and I went to soft play last week - it's been a while since I've taken them - but it was great fun and the kids thoroughly enjoyed it. There were tantrums from both when we had to leave which was not so great. The walk home seemed to take forever with a son that kept demanding to go back! We also had a dry afternoon on Friday so we headed straight for the park. It was great for all of us to get some fresh air, and I felt myself smiling as I walked home. I was really starting to get fed up of raining days stuck indoors. I've also been looking into organised activities for the kids, and I'm hoping to sign them up for a few things soon.

Things are on the up again, I hope?

{Lazy}

I have become so lazy in the kitchen lately and I'm ashamed to admit I can't even remember the last time I cooked a meal from scratch (ok, I can - it was a Thai chicken curry I made for a buffet day at work - but before that, who knows!). I've been surviving on cereal, sandwiches, fruit, salads (pre-prepared from supermarket), beans on toast, scrambled eggs and microwave meals. The kids have been having much the same, but they get fresh pasta a lot (it's quicker to cook!) and sausages (but I'm trying to be healthy so avoiding both!). I used to be really good at making homemade soup in my slow cooker, making beef or chicken casseroles too and the occasional risotto. The laziness has got to stop - all the pre-packed food is expensive and it's not setting a good example for my children. I was blaming it on the fact that I'm so busy and that it's harder being on my own to get everything done, but it's no excuse really.

Tonight I placed an online supermarket food order and along with the microwave meals and pre-packed salads I got the ingredients to make cheese, ham & courgette muffins (thought this would be something fun to make with the little ones and would be an alternative to sandwiches at lunchtime) and vegetables to make my usual carrot and lentil soup in the slow cooker.

Cheese, ham & courgette muffins

Carrot & lentil soup

I bet mine won't look anything like the photographs, but my aim is to at least make these two things before the weekend. 

My energy levels are starting to dip, I've also been in a bit of a bad mood (to be expected I guess with all the recent goings on) and I'm guessing my rubbish diet isn't helping matters (that and my Crohn's Disease and the fact I haven't had my Vit B12 injection in aaaaaaages, when I'm supposed to have them every 3 months!). 

However, I've made it back to the gym this week which I'm very pleased about as my weight was starting to creep up and up (which is the last thing I want after the efforts I went to to lose it!). In the last week I've run 5 miles, went to Body Attack, Body Pump & Body Step at the gym and I went to my usual Pilates class. 

Here's to a happy & energetic week ahead *crosses fingers*

This post was for Kate on Thin Ice's Grooving Mums, which I haven't participated in for a loooong time (sorry Kate). Do check out Kate's blog and join in if you are feeling like you want to get your groove back - the more the merrier.

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{What I've Been Up To}

I've been a bit quiet lately, mainly because I've been so busy!

I thought I'd fill you in on what I've been up to with the help of some photographs. In addition to my day job where I work Monday - Wednesday, here's what's been happening in the life of Glasgow Mummy...

We've been on lots of trips to local parks (weather permitting of course) where we've played on swings and splashed about in muddy puddles.

(I had to take him home in just his nappy and jacket as he fell over and got absolutely covered!!)

I've drunk far too many cups of tea....

(My current favourite mug!)

We've had great fun at playgroup...

We supported Andy Murray at Wimbledon (despite the fact we didn't have a tennis racket, just a squash one!)...

I've been doing more DIY and have painted my daughter's new bedroom a fab dusky pink colour...

I've also had a few (too many!) cocktails and nice meals out...

Personal Shopping with my sister Alison at House of Fraser! Cheers!!

Afternoon Tea with the girls from work!

What have you been up to and what have I missed? :-)