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***

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***

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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BACK ON THE SPINNING BIKE......10 class gym pass

I bought a 10 class gym pass in an attempt to kick my ass back into fitness, get me out in the evening, get a hobby and help with the weight loss.

I got a great deal on Groupon, 10 classes for €19, and I purposely picked a place I’d never heard of/ been too before (fresh start and all that jazz!)

I decided that I would keep tabs bout my experience after each class,(incase I forget/ blank it out by the end)

The plan being to go to 2 classes per week to get my metabolism, motivation and fitness all working again and also to get into the next stone bracket (I’ve been sitting  more or less in the same spot for over 10 months now)

WEEK 1

First class this year (it’s the 8^th July) Wednesday Night, Circuits @6pm….

Just about kept up doing the warm up!! Jumping jacks are tough! We were then talked through the 7 different stations that we would visit for 1 minute at a time. After the 3^rd station I could see why the others had decided to bring their water bottles along with them!!! Managed all 7 stations, got back to my water, but was ready to be done at that stage!! I got 3 stations into the next round (45 seconds per station) with my legs burning and couldn’t catch my breath.. started to feel faint and dizzy.. next station was Burpees and it was the one that “broke” me.. I felt like I was going to vomit, I had to apologies to the trainer, who told me to take a drink and go at my own pace…. I tried this for the next 2 stations, but I knew I couldn’t carry on…. I was mortified admitting defeat but it was probably better to leave than to collapse in front of all my brand new gym friends / vomit on said new gym friends!!! I sat in my car for 15 min before I felt well enough to drive home!!  Not surprised that I no longer have any kind of fitness level, but its been years since I felt like that doing exercise!!! Went home feeling hopeless!!

Thursday Night – Spinning @7pm……..

Silly me booking 2 classes for 2 nights in a row! I was very tempted to cancel it, but decided I’d go and try, at worst I’d leave again if I didn’t feel up to it. I got chatting to the girl at reception and told her what had happened last night; She called over the trainer that was taking the spinning class I was about to attend and he had a chat with me, it was a real boost, he told me to take my time… I went into Spinning not knowing what to expect, yes it was tough and I sweated buckets, but it reignited something in me, I’d forgotten how much I used to enjoy going to spinning classes.. the class was tough but in a really good kind of way, I know I’ll enjoy it more when my fitness improves.. I think for the time being I’ll stick to 2 spinning classes a week.. but spaced out to avoid the all over body ache I suffered this week.

WEEK 2 – Monday Night – Spinning @7pm

Wasn’t sure what to expect tonight! I was late arriving and was on a bike up the front!! Eeek.. trainer Siobhan was really good.. 3 songs in and we were all working our asses off and sweating buckets!! I had a fringe of sweat hitting off my forehead (I don’t actually have a fringe, so that a bit mad!)

I wore the wrong tracksuit pants (had no strings to pull) So I spent the hour trying to pull up my pants every time everyone else was drinking water!!! It was a really good/tough hour on the bike… and I left feeling like I’d actually done something J

 Thursday Night – Spinning @7pm……..

Fab class, I just put the head down and got on with it.. found that 45mins flew, music was good.. the squats before cool down were a killer tho!!

WEEK 3 – Monday Night – Spinning @7pm

Siobhan took this class and there’s no other way to describe the hour other than a slooooow burn, the sweat was everywhere by the end, it didn’t help that it was 21 degrees outside…. Really enjoyed the class and the other of “me time” I could defo get used to it

Wednesday Night – Spinning @7pm

I found the class tough, I was tired going in, which didn’t help, but I stuck with it and was delighted I had gone afterwards.. Last class before my time off, so I skipped outta there J

WEEK 4 – Took a break from work / training and eating well!!

WEEK 5 - Thursday Night – Spinning @7pm Back to work on Tuesday after a 10 day break, so it was time to get back to exercise… I’m not gonna lie, it was tough, I gave it my all but still could not keep up or get going! It was like it was my first class ever all over again!! I left feeling dizzy & pukey!! That means I tried tho doesn’t it!!! Dreading next Monday already!! I. CAN. DO. THIS….

WEEK 6 - Monday Night – Spinning @7pm, Is it weird that I feel less motivated when the trainer isn’t on a bike with us? I know they’re still calling out the instructions, but I like when they’re doing it too, it allows me to match their pace and have my hands in the right place but it also makes me feel like they know exactly how we’re all feeling too (could just be me being weird) But anyway! Our instructor was not on a bike and it was a full house, it was also 30 degrees according to my car temp!! I found the class really Intense, could have been the heat, could have been that every song we were expected to “give it our all” it could have been that 2 turns on my bike and I was climbing a very steep hill.. the fact that I’m really unfit may have crossed my mind too. I struggled through the class.. It was like spinning in a sauna so it was extra sweaty and gross. .It was a relief to be done after 45mins…. I’m on the waiting list for Wednesday, so not sure if I’ll get a second spin in this week…….

Wednesday Night  – Had to cancel my space on the waiting list, I seem to have hurt my back after Mondays class L

 WEEK 7 - Monday Night – Spinning @7pm -  Really enjoyed spinning tonight, I was in a good mood, the music was great, and I was able to keep up with the push up’s (bonus) I wouldn’t go as far as to say the class was easy, but I felt like I was able for it and I didn’t clock watch for the 45 minutes, I just got on with it.. over all an enjoyable work out

WEEK 8 - Monday Night – Spinning @7pm – Cancelled – bad cough, sent home for work today to recover!

WEEK 9 - Monday Night – Spinning @7pm Almost back to a healthy me so decided to chance spinning…. Since it was my last “free one” Siobhan was leading the way, it was a really good/ tough class…. I went through all the emotions tonight from coughing fits/ sneezing / tissue hunting/ sweating/ laughing / singing / adjusting my trousers / dropping my bottle / not keeping up with jumps / crazy random thoughts (why do I do this? / Do I really enjoy this? Really??….) So over all a fab work out and hours escape from being me J

This post is not sponsored. I was not asked to review anything or write this post, I’m glad I kept tabs as I went tho because I definitely would not have remembered all of these classes individually.

Isn’t it amazing how your own frame of mind affects how your training goes!! I know that’s not rocket science, but it really clicked for me while writing this…

I have not given up on exercise since doing this. I have classes booked for next week and I plan to buy a new 10 class pass when I get paid at the end of the month.  

For anyone that is in Cork, I would highly recommend the Cork Studio Fitness.   They have been friendly, welcoming and very helpful so far

I’m really happy to have found my happy place again…. Even if it turns out that its on a spinning bike… haha

You can find me on the following:

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***Photos from Google Images***

Embracing Me - #Stylesquad, Mahon Point

#Stylesquad Mahon Point

Last week I had an appointment with the Style Squad Ladies in Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Cork.

I had heard it advertised on a local radio station a couple of weeks and applied for an appointment for me and my mother, thinking it would be a nice treat for both of us and also a good way to pick up some tips for free (the magic word) 

This is an event that the shopping center do for charity every couple of months, the charity for this one was "Dress for Success" so everyone that applies for a make over must donate an item of clothing or shoes that are nearly new and suitable to be worn to an interview. I took something from the "still new with tags still on pile to donate" 

I met the stylists and told them what kind of look I was looking for advise/ tips on and we started from there.

I wanted some advise on casual weekend wear, clothes that would take me from shopping, to lunch with the girls, to dinner and cinema with the boy in the evening. Something that I could throw on and be confident that I could pull it off and look reasonably put together!

They had picked some outfits in my size and had them waiting in the dressing room for me. The outfits had been picked from my email, not from the chat that I had when I arrived, so some of the outfits weren't really "for me" but I happily tried on all the different bits to see if something I would never pick for myself would suit. Now they only took a photo of my final outfit (as you can see in the photo) but I tried on a couple of different outfits also. 

• I tried a white linen flared leg trouser with the coral top (it aged me and highlighted my belly area)

• I tried on jeans from next and a white lace River island top (The jeans gave me a muffin top & the top was elasticated at the waist and highlighted my wobbly bits)

• I tried on a lovely navy dress from Oasis but it didn't sit right on me at all!! 

• We eventually settled on what you can see pictured below
• Molly Jeggings - River Island (30e) 
• Coral Top - The Collection, Debenhams (45e)
• Cream leather Jacket - River Island (60e)
• Shoes - Clarks (didn't check the price sorry)
• Necklace (think it was oasis, not sure) 

Clothes from Mahon Point Shopping Centre

I think the photo of me looks well overall, in reality the top and jacket were the wrong sizes (too small) and didn't sit/fit well on my frame. The shoes I didn't like and were too high for me. BUT you can't tell that from the photo. 

I was then introduced to Aoife from  Peter Marks, we talked hair. I told her that my hair is either in a bun/ ponytail for work/ gym or straightened at the weekends. So she suggested some curls, which I agreed too, I can never curl it properly myself, she done these with the ghd and then pinned the side bits back from my face. Really liked it I must say. 

Hair by Peter Marks

The consultant from No.7 then went to work on my face, I didn't get a list of products that she used (a rookie mistake I know) I do know that she used a BB cream rather than a foundation foundation, she went for a soft smokey eye, using bronzes and brown glitters with just a little bit of black on the corners, and a pinky lipgloss.

Make Up by No.7 consultant

Overall I enjoyed my hour of pampering and advise. I did buy the jeans afterwards and I love them. I'm definitely planning to get a biker style leather jacket also. I had thought that I was "too big" too pull one off but after this experience I've decided that I can wear anything  I want once I wear it with confidence.

A professional photo was also taken of me on the day, I haven't received it yet, so I'm looking forward to seeing myself in a glossy 6 x 4.

This day really was a nice confidence boost and a step in the right direction as I accept my body shape and embrace being me.

They will be doing this again in the Autumn  I was told and I will definitely be booking another appointment.

Any Cork girls out there, I would recommend you do the same.  

**This is not a sponsored post, nor was  I asked by Mahon Point or anyone else to write this blog post about my experience. **