Year End 2016 update

I can’t believe 2016 is almost over, I’m not sorry to see the back of it to be honest, it hasn’t been a great year for me

As ye know I started the year back with Slimming World and feeling very determined, but as the months went by, it was clear that it wasn’t working for me!!

I know loads of people that have lost stones with slimming world and I am by no means bad mouthing it, unfortunately it just wasn’t for me..

It saw me through the bumpy years and made sure that I kept an eye on the scales but it didn’t give me the success and losses that I’m striving for.. (which is my own fault really)

So in July I decided to start going to Personal Training sessions twice a week along with my usual Spinning class… This was a BIG shock to my system and I’d forgotten how rewarding it was to make your body work for you… yes I was achy but the difference it made to my mood, body shape and over all confidence was fab…

So in September I upped my sessions to 3 x 30 mins personal training sessions per week plus a class.. I had injured my calve in Sep, so Spinning was no longer an option. I did find it tough to commit to 4 nights a week in the gym (and I was doing a night course at the time also)

I found that I was constantly cranky, achy and tired and couldn’t seem to get passed it, then the weather changed and it felt like I was getting sick every other week; on top of everything else!! But I kept going and my days became a blur of work, dinner, gym, shower, bed!!

Yes it a cop out and a hell of a lot of excuses thrown in, but I don’t have to answer to anyone but myself for this!! I can’t change how I felt or how I reacted to the constant tiredness throughout the last few months….

All I know is that it happened, and I had to do what was right for me to get me though each day…. but I’m still here, I have my health and plans for myself going forward and I’m feeling positive

2016	loss	gain
Jan	7
Feb		1
Mar		5
April	6
May		5
June	4
July	3.5
Aug	10
Sep		4
Oct		1
Nov	5
Dec		2
	35.5	18
Total Loss	17.5 lbs

Its safe to say, the last couple of months have been a bit of a roller coaster for me,  I trained 4 times a week most weeks, but my food was very hit or miss.. so that has of course affected  inch loss and weight loss!!

However I don’t regret the training and I am definitely stronger and a little fitter with 6 months of personal training under my belt

My head space has been all over the place and to be honest I find that when my heads not in the game every aspect of my life is affected!

I feel like the last few months have just kinda happened and passed me by and I was a passenger rather than the driver, which doesn’t usually sit well with the control freak in me!

But I’m not about to give up and with the new year looming for me it also means wedding dress shopping……..   YUP…. It happening

So although I haven’t hit my target of losing 3 stone by Christmas, I am ending the year a stone light than I was on Jan 1^st and a hell of a lot fitter

This can only be seen to be a positive / good thing… my bad head space / coasting attitude didn’t see me gain another 2 stone….

My end goal remains the same…. To lose 5 stone before I say “I do”

I won’t be making new year resolutions, I will be putting my head down, working my ass off and keeping my mouth wired shut…..

To all of you that are still reading and have stuck with me, thank you so much for your continued support and kind messages. 

Hope you all have a Safe, Happy & Peaceful Christmas

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***Photos from Google Images***

12 Week Update

So those of you that read my blog regularly will know that I have been doing personal training in Studio Fitness Cork.  

I took it 4 weeks at a time to see how I would get on, so at the end of September I had 12 weeks of training behind me.

My “training” as I like to call it involved 2 x 30-minute Personal training sessions and 1 class per week (I choose Spinning as my class)

Now September wasn’t my best month by all accounts and the only thing that was consistent was me turning up 3 nights a week to train and drinking 2-3 litres of water a day (normal for me)

Other than that my month was filled with holidays, injuries and a head cold! Not what you need when there’s weight to be lost!  

So when I was told on my last week that I would be measured and a photo taken. I was very reluctant to have it done; typical me I asked for an extra week to “work harder”

Marie in studio fitness assure me that there would be a difference and she was right. I was afraid to face the scales/ measuring tape and the dreaded photos!!!

But I did and I was pleasantly surprised  to say the least, if I hadn’t seen the photos side by side I would have said that she was messing with me.. But seeing the proof in the photos and in the inches I’d lost I was delighted and it was a huge confidence boost and the nudge I needed to knuckle down and keep going

Here are my photos.. this is by no means an “after” photo, merely a progress photo for now…

On the day of the photo I had lost 10lbs on the scales, 8 inches from my body... 4 of those from my waist.....

I had lost 16lbs at the start of Sep, but as I said a bad month saw the scales go back up. .so i was amazed to see any progress at all.. but seeing is believing

So with my motivation at an all-time high and a new month/ new goals to make I signed up for the gyms 10 weeks to FIT- MAS program.

This is a program that I’m very excited to get started with… it involves 3 x 30 minutes PT’s and a class per week.. I’ve decided to give Spinning a skip for a couple of week (my injury means I have to also) but it’s the perfect opportunity to try out all the other amazing classes that are on offer, Circuits, Bums & Tums and Zumba in particular.... 

So my weight loss journey continues and I plan to keep you all updated on my progress

Christmas is only around the corner too.. (just saying) so the fact that its 10 weeks to my Christmas party is a great incentive to work hard to melt away more inches is that I’ll HAVE to buy yet another new dress (any excuse eh)

I should also mention that this post is not sponsored, nor was I asked to write this.

I paid for all my training programs myself with my own money. 

I just think that the lads in Studio Fitness are fab and are helping me to hit all my main goals to get me to my very fitness and fab self, so why not share "my secret" with ye all

I post all my meals and work out daily on the below

And I'll keep ye updated for the next 10 weeks

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***Photos from Google Images***

Week 9 - You can’t out train a bad diet

They say you can’t out train a bad diet.. I’ve heard this so many times and dismissed it if I’m being honest!!

I was off work for a week and away for a couple of days, I was advised to still train on my week off as, a whole week away from training would set me back!!

So I went training on the Thurs, Fri and Sat of my week off..

I went training because I “had to” more than because I wanted too.. I went training but I wasn’t being careful with my food (food shop on my week off…. Eh no!!  I don’t think so!! )

In the words of Pretty Woman “BIG MISTAKE”

That Thursday evening during my 30 min personal training session  I was not feeling very well, I got about 20 mins in and I apologised and ran to the loo…. I DIDN’T vomit but I was so close to it! 

My trainer came to check on me and said our session was done for the day!

The reason for this embarrassing mishap was because I had eaten out that day and not made good choices since I was “on my holidays”  it had to catch up with me and with the way things go for me it’s always in the worst possible way!! Lesson learned but the hard way as usual… and my trainer knew, his parting words to me that evening were.. “make sure to do your food shop….”

He was right… I can’t eat like that and train like I want too.. I can’t do it and my body is agreeing with my trainers

There’s absolutely no point in me working my ass off in the gym and then not fueling my body correctly to reap the benefits!!! It all makes perfect sense! But this is me out and out with the typical Irish attitude of “era twil be grand”  it wasn’t, I wasn’t.. I’m not the exception to ANY rule and there are no secrets to losing weight!!

Eat the right foods and move move move (oh and lotsa water)

Fridays PT was better because I ate light before I went (lesson learned) and Saturdays Spin was a help to ease out my very achy legs…

So basically after a week of poor eating and training 3 days in a row I felt like I was back at square one fitness wise!!!

I also (as much as I didn’t want too) faced the scales and took my 4kg (8.8lbs) weight gain!

This was the switch that needed to click in my head.. THIS IS MY LIFESTYLE CHANGE….I’m a lifer, I cannot go rouge and eat like a glutton for 10 days without consequences

So I drew a line and did my meal plan/ food shop

Lesson learned I cannot out train a bad diet….. Plus it a lifestyle change NOT a diet...... 

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***Photos from Google Images***

August in the Gym - weeks 5-8 *update*

Week 5

Mon PT was a legs session, it was dare I say ok.. yes I worked hard and sweated like a dog BUT I left after my session on jelly legs feeling like I had given 100%

Tues – Star week arrived and I was glad I was o na rest day because my already aching body was in bits!!! Panadol, hot water bottle, small bit of chocolate and early night for me!

Weds PT was upper body, I did mention to my trainer that the dress I have to wear in 3 weeks doesn’t zip up passed my bra strap, so he worked me well and kept telling me to push throw and “think of the dress” I’ve a feeling that this will be my mantra for the next 12 months… haha

Thurs was a rest day and my food was 100%

Fri  - I went out for my lunch (salad sambo) and out for my dinner also… I made better choices than I would have previously, but definitely not my best idea day before weigh in!!!!

Sat morning spinning & weigh in – If I’m being honest I wasn’t expecting a loss this week, I tend to maintain and bloat when time of the month arrives!!! So I was happy with my 1 pound loss.. my week wasn’t perfect no…. BUT I didn’t use my monthlies as an excuse to eat shite everyday (I wanted too, but I didn’t)

Week 6

Started this week feeling very motivated and positive, hit a slump on Weds but over all I had a good week

Tues PT – First session of the week is always Legs, my left calf was sore during this session, (it niggles in spinning during mountain climbs, this is the first time I’ve felt it in a PT, but my weights are getting heavier!) So using the machines was extra challenging, I hobbled out of there, cold shower and feet up for an hour helped J

Weds – I can’t explain today! I was just off form / in a bad mood and achy and everything felt like an effort! I fought the urge to eat my feelings all day but gave in to a Boost Bar at 10pm and I don’t regret it! Sometimes it just has to be done!! (*note to self* must work on will power)

Thurs PT was upper body with a trainer I had not met before  - he was excellent, he really put us through our paces and we did a few new exercises which were good for the body.. great session, a good sweat…

Fri – feeling the effects of last night’s training but in a good way… Feeling good about the scales tomorrow

Sat morning spinning  was as energetic as ever…. weigh in was cancelled as there was no one to weigh me (I had a sneaky weigh in at home and it said I’m down 3.5lbs, but not sure if it counts)

Week 7

12 days til my cousins wedding – so this is the final push for me to get the scales moving aswell as the inches melting away

Tues PT – a one on one leg session, I was a very sweaty betty after this session, we finished with 3 minutes on the crosstrainer (going hard for 20 seconds, 10 second breather and repeat!) I did it tho…. Woohoo

Thurs PT – tonight was the first time that I DID NOT want to train!!! I slept badly and had a dodgey stomach!  I was feeling bloated and exhausted!! But yes I went, and yes I struggled through (nothing new there) I was never so happy to get out tho, home, shower and early night!! Getting a full night’s sleep makes an awful difference

Sat morning spinning & weigh in

Week 8

Busy week ahead for me, training 3 days in a row, then wedding prep and then I’m on holidays from work for 10 whole days.. yipee

Mon evening Spinning – it’s been months since I went to Monday spin class, the music and the energy was fab, left feeling good about the week ahead

Tues PT – I know the first T of the week is usually leg, but because I went spinning last night (And my fellow trainee turned up in crocs) we did a heavy lifting upper body session, it was a slow burning sweat session but my god am I feeing the affects 24 hours later (my bingo wings are BURNING)

Weds PT – last session of the week before a 8 day break from training (and my week off work) I found tonight tough, the back of my bingo wings were aching before I even began! I had to do a little bit of jogging in my warm up (a first for me) and I survived it, so I was happy to feel that my fitness is improving

The Results are in

Total lost in 8 weeks = 5.5kgs = 13lbs

  Area Data Transfer Rate Digital Storage Energy Frequency Fuel Economy Length Mass Plane Angle Pressure Speed Temperature Time Volume

  Tonne Kilogram Gram Milligram Microgram Imperial ton US ton Stone Pound Ounce  

  Tonne Kilogram Gram Milligram Microgram Imperial ton US ton Stone Pound Ounce

I have decided that now that I have a base level of fitness that I will carry on with PT’s for hopefully another 8 weeks, and then start going to classes and finding my own routine in the gym..

I’m happy with my weight loss to date. Yes people lose it quicker and I could have been down more BUT I feel that losing it slowly and toning up, will benefit me more in the long run and help me to maintain my losses better..

I am on track for my goal of 3 stone by the end of 2016 and that makes me very proud.. I’ve a long way to go, but I’m off to a great start

I’m on a week off work and the gym from tomorrow… I’m looking forward to taking it easy and letting my body relax for a couple of days, but I will be back training next week raring to go once again 

Everything I eat is posted to my Instagram and Snapchat accounts and I update my Facebook with stats daily also

You can find me on the following:

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***ALL PHOTOS FROM GOOGLE IMAGES***

July in the Gym - My 4 week update

I was nervous about starting personal training, I had done it in 2010 and the results had been fantastic,

but I remembered the constant body ache and finding the food very tough and restricted.

This memory wasn’t enough to put me off trying it again, but it was in the back of my mind

WEEK 1

My assessment took less than 15 minutes, I was weighed, measured & photographed, then I was talked though the food plan (it was 1 x A4 page) I asked a couple of questions and was told to message them if I had anything else to ask (I made a list and emailed them all my thought and worries..)

So I figured out a food routine that would work for me, made my shopping list on Sunday and started the food plan on the Monday morning (as you do with anything new & also started my new food diary notebook)

The training…..

My first PT session was Tuesday evening, I arrived early and spent 20 minutes on the cross-trainer to “warm up” I then met Brian and was told we would be starting with a leg session…. After 2 mins of switching between squats and lunges my legs were burning and aching and I knew that I was going to feel this for the week, but I also felt a familiar feel good aspect come through, I was proud that I’d decided to not give up on myself, proud that ache meant that I was alive and working. It was a very tough session for me I must admit and I was very relieved when the 30 minutes was over… I felt like I walked to my car on jelly legs.

Sure enough the following morning I was shuffling along rather than walking and going down the stairs at home almost had me in tears! I just kept telling myself it would be worth it…. Day 2 I was almost walking normal but still very sore, that evening I had another session, this time Upper Body, (I was glad to be giving my legs a break) I thought upper body would be “easy enough”  I was wrong, who knew that holding an empty belle bar straight out and pulsing, could be so difficult!

Saturday morning was my 3^rd session of the week, which was a class – Spinning, I go to this spinning class regularly and always enjoy it… that morning was no different and it definitely helped to lossen out everything.

By Sunday  I was feeling back to normal and was ready to start another week

WEEK 2

I stuck to the same nights for training, Tues, Thurs & Spin on Sat

My food diary was checked and a couple of adjustments made (more protein with breakfast & snacks)

I’m missing carbs with my dinner and strangely enough cheese! I did have some chocolate biscuits on Weds (I was having a moment of weakness/star week)

The training…..

Tues – legs session,  I was dreading it after last weeks 3 day recovery period BUT it was good and I managed pretty well I thought

Thurs _ Upper Body – this was tough, lifting my full body weight using the TRX straps was an eye opener, the reps got tougher the more we did, and my arms felt like they were gonna fall off ( I was assured that this is normal **haha**puke)

Sat – Spinning @10am

Week 3 SICK

So after spinning I was in  hurry to get out and get ready for a hen party, we went to Dingle.. We had a great time. Got home Sunday evening and decided to leave the food shop to Monday after work. I was an hour in work on Mon and they were talking about burgers on the radio and I had to run to the bathroom!! I had to leave work and go home to bed! I only started coming around that Thursday! So I had the longest hangover in history OR caught a bug over the weekend…

So all 3 of my classes  were cancelled and I was booked in for the following week to try again!

“WEEK 3 – do over”

Back on the healthy eating food wagon on Monday, unfortunately we had a death in the family, so Tuesday was an off plan day & had to cancel my PT and attend the funeral!

Thurs - I got back to the gym 12 days after my last spin class!! My trainer caught the bug so was unable to train me that evening, so I went to a spinning class instead (I was secretly relieved)

Fri – Upper Body work out was on the cards as the filling in my 3 days in a row sandwich

Sat – Spinning @10am – really enjoy this class and it was a great way to start the long weekend

WEEK 4

Weekends are always my down fall.. long weekends in particular! And I struggled Sun & Mon to eat well!

So because my PT last Thursday go cancelled, I have 3 x PT’s in a row this week and spinning

Tues – legs session – I started off giving it great gusto and burnt myself out after about 10 mins, it was a good session, dare I say “enjoyable”

Weds –  upper body – don’t think lifting weight over my head will ever not be a challenge for me

Thurs – Arms – this was a tough session and I knew after 5 mins that I’d be feeling it for a few days (I was right)

Sat – Spinning @10am - I always enjoy my Sat morning spin – found it tough this morning with the heat & body ache

THE RESULTS.. Thankfully even with a week off being ill and a long weekend that derailed me I did loose 7.5lbs

I also lost 1 inch from my hips, 1 inch from my stomach and half an inch from my Neck

THE PLAN

I have signed on to do another 4 weeks of training, I have no plans for the month of Aug and with sickness now behind me the only thing stopping me from losing 14lbs before 1^st Sep is myself

Everything I eat is posted to my Instagram and Snapchat accounts and I update my Facebook daily also

You can find me on the following:

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***ALL PHOTOS FROM GOOGLE IMAGES***

A change is as good as a rest.....

So some of ye might be aware from my posts on facebook, snapchat & Instagram, I’ve decided to change things up for the summer

I was disappointed with my June results from Slimming World, I felt like I gave it my all and the results didn’t show for me! (not the goals I’d set myself anyway)

(and not I’m not blaming SW, I have friends that have lost a fortune of weight on the plan, so I know IT WORKS, its just not for me at the moment)

 Anyhu...

A change is what is needed, Slimming World is like an old friend at this stage and I think it’s time for me to kick my bum out of neutral and get going again.

I go spinning twice a week as you may know already and I was chatting to a few of the girls that take the class but also train at the gym.. (you'd know they do, they look good)

So I booked a consult about joining the gym, getting a programme and seeing about changing up my exercise regime.

They recommended that I start with some personal training sessions (PTs)  before I join, so that when I join I will be familiar with all the equipment and will feel more confident about working out and also actually working/ sweating while I’m there and not just waste the hour changing my music as I stroll on a treadmill(*we’re all guilty of this at some stage*)

So I went home, had a think about it and a chat with some friends and have decided to go for it… 

a change can be good thing and maybe it’s just what my body needs.. a total shake-up..

I have signed up for a 4 week programme…  what does that mean I hear you ask (even if you didn’t you know I’m gonna tell ye anyways…..)

·         2 x 30 minute personal training sessions

·         1 spin class per week

·         Follow their food plan 100%

·         Forget about Slimming world for the time being

I’m not sure if I will be weighed weekly or at the start and end but I will definitely let ye know how I get on…

Wish me luck  & watch this space over the next few weeks

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