{Wobbles Wednesday}

My weight loss plans are not going well... :-(

I'm sat at my computer with a bowl of ice cream and some fruit. At least part of it is healthy!

My Sainsburys Online Grocery Delivery Pass has worked in that I managed to avoid all the treats in the supermarket aisles whilst I did my weekly food shop. So that's a step in the right direction at least.

I've also been doing weekly meal planning. Another positive change.

However I was at a friends house at the weekend and majorly fell off the wagon... I consumed an obscene amount of crisps, dips and cakes. I also ate a burger, toast, a bagel and a sandwich. So out with the no bread rule!!

I've also not managed a single run in a fortnight now.

I can do better than this, I just need to try harder.

What's not helping is that work is really stressful as we get closer to a really important external audit (that's the week after BritMums!). All I want to do is eat chocolate and sweets to get through it!! I'm absolutely shattered and I know that the chocolate will just be a quick fix, but it tastes sooooo good!

Despite this, I have managed to stick to the healthy breakfasts and salads at lunch time but by the afternoon I'm craving sweet things!

Today I had a Total Greek yoghurt with fresh berries for breakfast, a Tunnocks caramel wafer at 10am (I was on a training course and couldn't resist!), a prawn & cous cous salad for lunch, a handful of dried cranberries in the afternoon, leftover chicken stir fry for dinner, two of the kids chocolate bars (eaten in secret in the kitchen so they couldn't see me!!), a packet of Hula Hoops and my bowl of ice cream and fruit.

It's definitely the evenings that throw me off. My willpower is seriously lacking.

It's now just 3 weeks to BritMums and I'm not convinced that I can reach my target.

Time to get motivated...

{image source}

{image source}

{image source}

{image source}

{Wobbles Wednesday}

I'm not sure if anyone is hosting the Wobbles Wednesday blog hop these days? Anyway, I thought I'd update you on how I'm getting on with my weight loss goal.

I was doing ever so well, until the weekend arrived. Oh, and there was also the massive pile of sweets that R brought back from America. And the amazing Courgette & Lime Cake that I baked... I got distracted from my goal and my weight has started creeping back up.

I went from 12 stone 2 lbs down to 11 stone 10 lbs (yay!), but I'm now back up to 11 stone 13 lbs.

Back on it now though! Must. Keep. Focused.

I've bought a Sainsburys Online Grocery Delivery Pass as that was one of my action points to get to my target... start shopping online again. I've also been utilising my 'What to Eat' meal planning notepad. I'm feeling organised. I can do this!!

If you haven't seen my Instagram feed, then here are some of the pics of what I've been eating these past few weeks (aside the cake!).

I've been doing well avoiding bread and pasta (motivation for this is my Crohn's Disease). Although I did have some toast at the weekend (boy was it amazing!). I'm on my last week of steroids for my Crohn's flare-up so I'm hoping that's me now and I won't flare-up when I stop them altogether.

It's now just 4 weeks to BritMums Live. Can I reach my target??

Lots of fresh berries - normally have this with a handful of muesli and yoghurt for breakfast 

With a cup of tea of course!

Salmon & cous cous salad

Chicken breast with vegetables and salad

Prawn & cous cous salad

Chicken & rice noodle stir fry

Smoked salmon, cous cous & bean salad

{#JanuaryJoy - make a fitness target}

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

{image source}

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).

{Wobbles Wednesday}

Yep, I've only gone and reached my target weight of 11 stone. Yippee!!

It wasn't that long ago that my weight was creeping up and up, until I reached 11 stone 13 lbs. I think that was the wake-up call... I didn't want to hit the 12 stone mark.

Hopefully now I can maintain this weight as I'm rather enjoying my size 10 figure again. 

I'd like to get toned up a bit and that's my next aim...

I've started going to metafit classes occasionally and need to get back into my running. I went along to a Bokwa class the other evening and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of cheesy music and aerobic dance moves. It didn't feel like exercise really.

Head on over to Ditch flab get fab! to check out the other bloggers that are joining in with #wobbleswednesday.

{Wobbles Wednesday}

Yippee!! I'm back on track. I weighted myself this morning and I'm 11 stone 1 lb. Just 1 lb away from my target.

I'm amazed at the difference the Paleo diet has made in such a short space of time. I think I was just used to the constant discomfort and Crohn's bloat which has now miraculously disappeared!

I did 7 days of wheat-free, dairy-free (aside from odd splash of milk in my tea) and limited processed food and felt great. On Day 7, I ate a Mr Kipling Cherry Bakewell and very shortly afterwards I was in pain and I spent the rest of the evening with a hot water bottle strapped to my tummy. Not good! So the diet is working and that is my motivation to stick with it. I really need to look after my health, for my sake and the kiddies. It would be disastrous if I had a flare up.

Anyway, exercise-wise I've been rubbish. I'm losing my running mojo again and the miserable weather isn't helping matters. Where's the sun? I bought a summer wardrobe and haven't been able to wear it!!

Do pop on over to The Naked Mum blog to see how the others are getting on. That's where I'm headed right this minute :-)

{Wobbles Wednesday}

It's Wednesday, so that can only mean one thing.... Wobbles Wednesday with The Naked Mum.

I unfortunately didn't manage to weigh myself this morning when I woke up as I had been at my work on a night shift of sorts, so I'll update this post tomorrow with my weight.

Last week I had put on 4 lbs but I'm hopefully (*crosses fingers*) that I've lost at least 1 lb this week.

On Monday I started a Paleo diet of sorts. I'm following it as best as I can although I know I've already eaten a few things that I'm reckoning aren't allowed.

A drumroll is needed for this next bit....

Today is day #3 and I've managed three full days without wheat, dairy or caffeine. I have to say I'm rather chuffed with myself. I had even bought my colleagues brioche, muffins and yum yums for their breakfast this morning and I didn't touch a single one. Amazing huh!

I'm going to attempt to keep it up but will allow myself to have the occasional non-Paleo meal.

The main point of this is to try and improve my Crohn's Disease symptoms. I bloat very easily and it can look like I'm 6 months pregnant - it's uncomfortable. Hopefully this diet will help.

I've not attempted the Paleo Auto Immune Protocol and as such have been eating eggs, tomatoes and the occasional handful of nuts. Not sure I'd cope with no eggs or nuts!

Here's what my meals have looked like - not sure if everything is Paleo as I've had soup from a tin and microwave popcorn, but I'm trying my best!

Breakfast - smoked salmon and scrambled egg

Lunch - chicken salad / vegetable soup

Dinner - salmon with vegetables and corn on the cob

Snacks - fruit, handful nuts & dried fruit, carrot sticks, king prawns, popcorn

{Wobbles Wednesday}

Just catching up with some Wobbles Wednesday posts as I missed last week due to my holiday (no 3G - I'm amazed that I coped!!).

Last week I lost 1 lb and I was starting to think that I would get to the 11 stone mark soon... but this week I'm now up 4 lbs and my weight has increased to 11 stone 7 lbs. I'm disappointed, but I guess it was to be expected as I was on holiday and I've not really exercised either over the past week and a bit.

Today and yesterday I've been feeling a bit 'meh'. I'm definitely an emotional over-eater. I'm stressed out and tired and have turned to tea and biscuits to get me through... it's not something I'm proud of and this evening after work I've already eaten 6 pancakes and nearly a whole packet of Party Rings. I just need to stop buying 'treats' as I've shown time and time again that I've no willpower or control when it comes to sweet stuff! The only good thing I did was manage to not eat the donuts that appeared today at work... it's a start!

I'm going to try and get back onto the healthy eating tomorrow, but I'm already anticipating a difficult Thursday and Friday in the lead up to the longest day, which is the anniversary of my mum's death. This year marks 12 years since she passed. I miss her every day, especially more so now when I've so much on my plate and I'm starting to struggle.

{image source}

{Wobbles Wednesday}

There's something about a tan that makes me feel more confident and I think I just look better with a bit of colour... makes me feel slimmer, which seems ridiculous I know, but I do.

Anyway, yesterday I got a spray tan and my nails done in a glittery black colour (fingers & toes!) with Stephanie at Beauty in the Basement, which is in Kano. Stephanie does Tuesday Treats for £10 :-) I'm all set for holidays!

My weight hasn't really changed since joining in with Kate's Wobbles Wednesday blog hop which I'm rather disappointed about. I'd like to get to the 11 stone mark and tone up a bit, but progress is really slow! (The cakes aren't helping I know!).

I weighed myself this morning and expected my weight to be the same, but I've lost 1 lb. Yippee!!! I'm really chuffed. So that's me now at 11 stone 3 lbs. Just 3 lbs to go to get to my target, sounds so simple doesn't it.

I've been running lots (less so in the last week due to other commitments) and yet this doesn't seem to be making much of a difference. It's true that losing weight is 70% diet and 30% exercise... abs are made in the gym but revealed in the kitchen.

{image source}

I'm definitely going to try harder with eating clean after my holiday. Does anyone have any recommendations for books, blogs or the like for getting me started?

{Wobbles Wednesday}

Really disappointed as I've got no weight loss again this week. I had a massive blow out the other week and didn't lose anything, and then this week I've actually tried and still not lost anything.

Starting to think that I should be using measurements rather than weight - a few people have been mentioning this to me (Laura over at Life as an Hourglass included).

I went to a metafit class for the first time last night and my sides and arms are rather sore today! Must have been doing something right!! I was surprised at just how quick the class was and I think I'll try even harder next time knowing that I don't have to put up with the pain for that long. I did burpees for the first time too... and absolutely hated them!

My motivation at the moment is a black tie dinner that I'm going to at the end of the month - I would like to tone up my arms and stomach a little in time for this. Although I have to say I was rather pleased with how I looked in my maxi dress last weekend (even if I did have Spanx on underneath!!).

I need to work harder, because I wish I had a stomach like this!

I'm off on holiday next week so it's likely that I'll miss #wobbleswednesday... I'm going to give myself permission to enjoy the holiday and try not to worry too much about what I'm eating. I think as long as I don't go too crazy then I should be ok.

Pop on over to The Naked Mum blog to see the other #wobbleswednesday posts and see how everyone else is getting on with their weight loss journey.

PS Just a wee reminder to enter my blog birthday giveaway if you haven't already done so :-) I'm amazed that I haven't eaten the Percy Pigs and chocolate yet!!

{Wobbles Wednesday}

Joining in again this week with Kate's Wobbles Wednesday blog hop. 

Last week I lost 1 lb, and this week I was neither up nor down. I guess no weight loss is better than a weight gain. If I'm honest, after the blow out I had this weekend I'm pleasantly surprised that I didn't gain a pound or two!

Here's a rundown of what I ate (Friday night through to Sunday night). I'm hoping listing it here will mean I will never do it again!!

• One (large) bag of Percy Pig sweets
• Handful of wine gums
• Porridge, fresh orange & cup of tea (at least there was one healthy meal!)
• Club sandwich & skinny fries
• Three course dinner at a wedding
• Hog roast roll with stuffing and apple sauce (wedding buffet)
• At least 3 or 4 gin & tonics (slimline!)
• 3 glasses of fizz
• Two glasses of wine
• A full Scottish breakfast including black pudding, bacon, sausage...
• Three slices white toast with jam
• Danish pastry
• Lots of cups of tea
• Prawn cocktail baguette with crisps
• Pre-packed watermelon fruit salad
• 2 white Magnums (yes, two!)
• At least 6 mini chocolate muffins, might have been 8!!!
• Another glass of fizz (at wedding #2)
• Fish & chips (second wedding buffet)

I'm rather disgusted with myself!! What also didn't help is that on Monday night I had Glasgow Baking Club and I consumed a tonne of cake, followed by round 2 at work on Tuesday. Even today I ate a small slice of chocolate cake... Really struggling to get out of bad habits cake-wise.

What I am proud of is that this month I have run a grand total of 56.3 miles over 15 outings. I'm guessing that the running is helping improve my metabolism? 

I think that My Fitness Pal is definitely making me more aware of what I'm eating, which can only be a good thing. I just need to try and limit my snacks. I'm always fine at breakfast... eating porridge or muesli with fruit and a cup of tea but by mid-afternoon (sometimes even mid-morning!) I'm reaching for a biscuit.

What I have done is visit the supermarket and buy a few little nut, raisin, rice cake snack packs. They're not low calorie, but it's surely better for me to munch on some of those instead of cake & biscuits. This means that at work I have a drawer of healthy-ish snacks that I can choose from. I also have slim-a-soups, a few tins of fruit and some porridge sachets at my desk. It definitely helps to bring in my own lunch rather than visit the canteen where there is even more temptation to buy unhealthy foods.

Right... that's my update for this week. Do pop on over to Kate's post and visit the other blogs that are taking part. Let's see how this week goes!

{Wobbles Wednesday}

I'm joining up with The Naked Mum's Wobbles Wednesday blog hop for the first time today.

My weight has been slowly creeping up and up and I'm really disappointed in myself for letting this happen as I had done so well to lose the weight in the first place. I went from 13 stone 10 lbs down to 10 stone 4 lbs in 2011 with a combination of running, weights (light ones!) and healthy eating. You can see my before and after pics here.

This winter has dragged on and on - the horrible weather and dark nights didn't help with my running efforts... however, despite stopping exercising as much I continued to eat loads and loads... hence the weight gain! The other month I was sitting at 11 stone 11 lbs.... 1.5 stone over what I was before.

My sister has given me some motivation to get back into the running and it's been going really well. It's the 22nd of May right now and according to my Nike running app I have run 46.1 miles this month!!

My weight is slowing coming back down and this morning I weighed in at 11 stone 4lbs. Ideally I'd like to lose another 7lbs and I'll be happy. But progress is soooo slow and I love my food far too much!!

Perth Mummy and I are using My Fitness Pal - we're doing weekly weigh ins on a Wednesday and I'm being honest with my food diary... it seems to be working thus far.

This weekend I have two weddings to go to and I know my weight is just going to go up again. I'm going to stick to gin & slim line rather than wine and I will try my best to stay away from the buffet table when I have the late night drunken munchies!! I have bought some new spanx-style pants to suck in my flabby tummy... they work a treat!!

Keep going!