February 2017 update

I feel like I missed February!

So those of you that follow me in Instagram or snap chat will know that my tummy bug turned into Viral Gastro & low blood pressure…

2 visits to the doctor…..

I was contagious for 10 full days, then had to stay home for a further 48 hours to make sure it was gone!!! There was nothing I could take for it as I had to let it “run its course!”

I was weak as water, and on orders to eat little and often and REST (which meant naps &  a LOT of tv!!)

When I went back to the gym and my instructor did not want to weigh me, as he said it wouldn’t count after 2 weeks of sickness and loss of muscle mass.. but I wanted to weigh in, so that I could be accountable….. (I was up 1.3kgs/ 2.8lbs)

It couldn’t be helped and it definitely could have been a lot worse! But to be honest I didn’t care that night, I knew where I stood and was ready to get back to life……

I was just so happy to be back at work and the gym, and out of the house…

So last week was just me and my body readjusting to real life and routine after 2 weeks of naps and repeats of Say yes to the Dress

Tuesday 28^th Feb  was the only weigh in that officially counts for this month…..  I was down 1kg / 2 lbs

And THAT is why I feel like I missed February!

I have 4 weeks left in my personal training programme and I really need to make them count… my fitness levels are great, but my scales results are not….

My goal for March – lose 10lbs to get out of current stone bracket

What I've learned this month

 I need to stay positive

A setback does not mean a failure

THE SCALES THIS MONTH

2017	KGS	UP/DOWN / LBS
WEEK 5	SICK	0
WEEK 6	SICK	0
WEEK 7	+1.3	+3
WEEK 8	-0.9	-2

My blog views have just this week went over the 200,000 mark.. so a HUGE thank you to those that are sticking with me and reading.... much appreciated 

You can find me on the following:

Facebook >>> HERE <<<

Twitter  >>> HERE <<< 

Instagram  >>> HERE <<<

***Photos from Google Images***

January 2017 update

January is finally over …. Anyone else feel like the month was endless!

So it’s over and now that everyone has been paid, the holidays are being booked, plans for dinner & drinks are being made and people are falling off the wagon and deciding to eat out for lunch once again!!!

The month of everyone being “ broke and in the same boat” is over, on the plus side it might mean that there will be spaces available in exercise classes once again (Does anyone ever get off the waiting list? I know I never have!) And there’ll be room to move / breath in the gym… Hurrah…

This month, I’ve had 4 weigh in’s, 12 x 30 minute PT’s, a few walks and the scales are moving downwards… 

I’ve also had withdrawals, headaches, dizzy spells, bad moods, constipation, body ache, the shakes and I was walking around like John Wayne… but no one said that this was all going to be sunshine and lollipops

What I ‘ve learned this month

·         I get better results when I food prep in advance

·         I need to plan ahead and stay organised

·         A positive attitude is key

·         Once I believed in myself, I worked a little harder and reaped the rewards

·         I can do this, once I stay focused

WHAT THE SCALES SAID THIS MONTH

2017	KGS	UP/DOWN / LBS
WEEK 1	START	START
WEEK 2	-2	-4.4
WEEK 3	-1.5	-3
WEEK 4	0	0

I’m going mad that I didn’t take my measurements on 1^st January!! But I plan to take them today and go from there…

February is my “try on all the white dresses” month.. so if standing in front of a stranger in my undies  isn’t motivation to keep going , then I don’t know what will be…

Week 4 weigh in I missed my goal of losing 3lbs (that’s my aim for every week..)  So instead of being down 9lbs this month, I am down 7lbs  (still delighted with that..)

So I will work hard in the next few weeks, so make sure I hit my mini goal every week


Anybody else out there in the Wedding Planning bubble / on the wedding dress hunt?

You can find me on the following:

Facebook >>> HERE <<<

Twitter  >>> HERE <<< 

Instagram  >>> HERE <<<

***Photos from Google Images***

1st weigh in of the New Year 2017

Happy New Year! 

So I went back to the gym on Tuesday to face the scales and chat about the coming year, my aims and goals etc...

Its scary that I was “careful & aware” with what I was eating and still had a gain of 6lbs, that was over 2 weeks and to be honest I enjoyed everything I ate and all the exercise I didn’t do, I was a lazy mare and took the time to just chill out and relax.. 

So the scales didn’t upset me, its life, I’ve had bigger gains in previous years which have rolled into the latter months, this time its stopping because Christmas is OVER…

I have found this week tough in every way, my sleeping pattern is all out of sync, work has been busy but the days endless, I had 2 personal training sessions and I found that I was tired after 5 minutes and I have been hungry in the evenings! So I haven’t been too tough on myself this week, I know what I have to do and I am prepared to work towards it, but this week, I’ve just been taking it one day at a time and doing what I’ve had too to get through the day. I will be stricter (and more organised) in the coming weeks

So my plan….. I’ve signed up for a new 10 week programme

I will be doing 3 x 30 minute personal training sessions per week,  weigh in will be Monday evenings and I will be eating as clean as I possibly can ( this for me means cooking from scratch and getting plenty of green veg into me)  3 liters of water and 3 cups of tea per day

So this isn’t a “new year, new me” type of a post.. nor is it full of new year resolutions….

My goal remains the same… loose the weight, feel comfortable in my skin and look AMAZING in my wedding dress

Which I need to buy soon!! Eeeeeeeeeeekkkkk

But in the next 10 weeks I will aim to loose 3lbs per week   

I might even blog weekly updates, to keep me accountable.. but I do post everything I eat daily on Instagram & snapchat  (links below)

You can find me on the following:

Facebook >>> HERE <<<

Twitter  >>> HERE <<< 

Instagram  >>> HERE <<<

***Photos from Google Images***

Setting Goals

I'm struggling big time at the moment, I think that much is pretty obvious, I've fallen back into my old trap of eating well Mon-Thurs and then doing the dog Fri, Sat & Sun!  Which means that when I face the scales I'm praying for a maintain rather than a loss! Because I'm not giving myself a fighting chance to loose weight at the moment. More like I'm giving myself extra padding on my ass and enough sugar to send myself into a coma!!

The plan hasn't changed, but my mindset has too.. someday's I'm on it 100% and it feels great, but if I break at all, that's it, game over and it can take me a few days to get back on track!!

So I think/ know I need to stick to my weekly meal plans, get off my bum and start exercising, stick to my syns (especially at the weekends)

These 3 little changes would make a hell of a difference!!

I know that there isn't a magic wand that can be waved, I know that it can be difficult, but its worth it, I see people at group every week making fab progress and getting closer to their own personal goals and the difference it make to their every day lives, walking up the stairs without being breathless, being able to bend over to tie up shoes, not being a sweaty all the time. Its all these little things that make a difference everyday that keep them going and keep them on plan.
Of course putting on your jeans to find that you can pull them up and down without unbuttoning them is a great feeling too, but it takes a while to get to stage, so its definitely the little things at the beginning that keep people going and I need to take that on board.
For some silly reason I've decided (well my brain has) that if my jeans aren't falling off me after five good days, then its ok to eat crap.. Now you and I both know that this isn't rational thinking. I'm not rational at the moment at all.. I'm a mess, playing mind games with myself.. promising myself that I'll do better and at the same time sticking my hand into the biscuit tin

So I've been thinking a lot lately about my behavior and attitude towards food and weight loss, I'm talking the talk... and eating the cake, biscuits and chocolate.. So I've sat down and made a plan, a realistic one.... Its not a secret nor a shocker that I need to eat better and move more

As of today I have 66lbs to loose to put me in the healthy/ not obese/ over weight category.

I'm a visual type of gal, so I put my measurements into modelmydiet to see my before and after photo

modelmydiet

66lbs is a lot to think about as a whole, so I will be breaking this down into easier bite size chunks and aiming to loose 7lbs followed by another 7lbs etc... hell loosing one pound a week will get me where I want to be eventually....

But short term, its 6 weeks to Easter and then 4 weeks to my holidays, so I plan to be going on holidays at least one stone lighter than I am today....

January 2015

Week 1 = + 8.5 (post Christmas gain)
Week 2 = -1.5
Week 3 = -1.5
Week 4 = -3.5
Week 5 = +1.5 (mystery gain?)

February 2015
Week 6 = + 5.5 (post birthday weigh in)
Week 7 = -1.5
Week 8 = +2
Week 9 =

Weight lost to date: +0.5lbs
Onwards and Downwards, the Slimming World way :)

You can find me on the following:

Facebook >>> HERE <<<

Twitter  >>> HERE <<< 

Instagram  >>> HERE <<<

My Christmas Gift to me & Weigh In Week 5

6 more weigh in’s (after last nights) until Christmas week!!! That’s 3 more weeks (for me) before the Christmas parties kick off for the festive season.

So realistically I need to have 3 good weeks of eating well and getting the scales moving down before.

For me this means, staying home, I know that sounds awful and not very fun, but I’m trying to stay out of temptations way, so staying in will be key, plus it will save me money aswell as lbs, which will be a bonus.

So positive thinking J and we will get there because WE CAN and WE WILL do this.

I was pretty disappointed with a loss of 0.5lbs last night, but a good week is never wasted, so hopefully it will show next week.

Last night in group we were all given a cute little Christmas tag on which we had to write down what our Christmas gift to ourselves will be.

Mine will be my 1 stone award by the end of November. 

Weight lost to date: 6.5lbs
Onwards and Downwards, the Slimming World way :)

You can find me on the following:

Facebook            https://www.facebook.com/happybubblegal

Twitter                 https://twitter.com/HappyBubbleGal

Instagram           http://instagram.com/happybubblegal

November Goals 2014

Just a little bit of Monday Motivation, I think this is more for my benefit than yours, but I thought I would share my November goals.

4 weigh in's for November and only 8 until Christmas Day.... its almost time to start shopping for THAT sparkly dress for the Christmas party, so gotta make these few weeks count...

12 weeks to Christmas Challenge

Last Thursday The Skinny Doll announced her last challenge of the year. (where has this year gone)

12 weeks to Christmas. Check it out here, and just think about it.. in 12 weeks time you could be buying that amazing sparkly dress for your Christmas party in a smaller size....

SparklyDress1

SparklyDress2

SparklyDress3

I will definitely be participating in this and I'm looking forward to it..

Have you set yourself a mini goal for Christmas? If you haven't yet, than maybe this is the challenge you've been waiting for...



**Images from Google Images**

Setting Goals for August 2014

Hey All,

Hope ye enjoyed the long weekend! I'm blaming that for me not posting on Monday (ahem or Tues or Weds!)

I'm happy to report that at my weigh in last Thursday night, I was down 1.5lbs woo hoo :):)

Setting Goals

So I've been thinking that maybe I should set a few goals for myself for the month of August to keep me motivated and focused

1. Stay within my syns everyday and on the Slimming World plan  (not just on work days, very bad habit)

2. Get out and walk AT LEAST 3 times a week (I used to get out 5 days a week!)

3. Look for a circuit class/ boot camp or spinning class in my area and book in (I think I need the structure of booking in back in my life)

4. Download Couch to 5k AGAIN and get past week 3 (I've signed myself up for the Cork mini marathon on 28th Sep 14 so that's a motivation)

5. Get my stone Cert before I go on my holidays (4 weigh in's to go)

OK, so numbers 2,3 & 4 are all exercise related but I think that I feel better in myself when I'm more active and I'm also less likely to have the time or the inclination to sit in and eat crap/ poorly if I'm going to classes and feeling my boobs hitting my belly and belly slapping off my thighs (yes this does happen even with a sports bra) So I'm hoping that the walking will lead to running and if I get out and do that 3 times a week, then I can easily book into a class for at least one night a week...

I think I'm being realistic with these mini goals, every little helps as the famous slogan goes, and hopefully achieving these 5 goals this month will boost my self confidence before I go on my holidays and wear a bikini, but also get me back into exercising full time again.

Do you set yourself mini goals?



Weight lost to date: 8.5lbs
Onwards and Downwards

Say No

6 week weight loss course

Hey Guys,

I mentioned last week that I was beginning a new challenge, and now I think its time that I share it with you all because by sharing the details and my plan, it means that I can't back out or change my mind, and knowing that spurs me along and helps me, not that I plan to back out or cheat or anything, but you know what I mean. Sharing with you is the extra kick up the ass that I find that I need.


Weight loss Course: what’s involved/ included

·         6 weeks (group sessions)

·         Weekly Nutrition plan

·         Weight Loss Planner

·         2 Training sessions per week

·         1 Nutrition session per week

·         Weekly Weigh In

·         12 places

The Details
Its in my local gym where I go spinning 2/3 times a week (only 10 mins from home), so it suits me down to the ground, the trainers and staff have been super supportive towards me since January, so I feel happy and almost confident when I train up there and under their supervision. Its now in my routine/ happy bubble/comfort zone to go there and that makes it a lot less daunting for me.



The Detox/ The Food
As with starting any kind of new healthy eating regime, the first few days are a killer with regards to detoxing and getting the sugar out of my system. I’ve been told that for the first week there will be more liquids than food. So I’m trying to mentally prepare for that! I’m such a plain Jane eater that it’s the food change that I’m dreading most of all. The muscle ache and boot camp style classes, I’m prepared for… kinda…



The Exercise
The course includes 2 x circuit classes a week, I also plan to do at least one spinning class a week, because I'd miss it if I stopped completely, and I’m hoping to get back to going for lunch time walks, I’ve gotten lazy I’ve found during the day at work and for sitting at my desk reading rather than getting out for a quick 20 minute walk.



My Feelings/ Hopes/ Goals
I need to change my routine and food in order to give myself a kick up the bum and also to shock my body into continuing to loose weight.
I feel like this is exactly what I need to be doing right now. I need to be a little bit selfish and give myself 100% for a few weeks
My goal is to loose a stone in this 6 weeks and to see how many inches I loose also, because sometimes you have to go by something other than the number on the scales. So it will be something new to report on.
My measurements will be taken on week one, three and six. I will be weighed every week



I’m both nervous and excited about this new challenge, once I get the first week and weigh in out of the way, I know that I’ll be ok! I’m always slow to change my food and routine! (on the inside I’m a 90 year old lady) but this is just what I need. New classes to shake up the routine, trying new foods to check that my taste buds are in me somewhere and maybe even going on a new scales will be a little adventure. My weigh day will change now also for the 6 weeks, so I’ll be getting weighed on Monday nights before my class. So I’ll be reporting my weight losses mid week for a bit.
I’ve been so used to being weighed on a Saturday morning, that maybe being weighed on a Monday will “keep me good” at the weekend. We’ll have to wait and see.



I’m very late posting the details I apologies! This should have gone up last week!  My first weigh in is Monday night, so I’ll be back soon to report my good news and to talk you through week one




If you are in Cork City and are looking for a new challenge/ class, then I would definitely recommend Pulse Fitness Studios

 

Pulse Fitness Studio
Unit 1A
Mayfield Business Park
Mayfield
Cork

085 1322843

http://pulsefstudio.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pulse-Fitness-Studio-Cork/172407999572554

Week 14 Weigh-in 2013‏

Hey Guys,
I'm back with another weekly update. My week didn't quite go as I had hoped/planned....

First off, my food could have been better last week, I always say I could be better, I know; but I found that last week I was picking in a way I thought I’d put behind me!
I guess it shows if you take your eye off the ball even a little, you start to slip! Least I do anyways!  

I better explain myself a little better, so that you can see what my “excuse” was for picking once again!! Doncha know I’ve always got an excuse!

I was running late on Tuesday evening for my Zumba class, so I rang to see if I could get a space in another class later on that evening. They switched me to a class called Rip60. I’d heard of it, but that was about it, I thought it’ll be good to try something new, like I’d said last week! So I turned up thinking it couldn't be any worse than my first few Spinning classes!! I was wrong, so wrong!

Here’s the description of Rip:60 Suspension Training:
RIP60 is the next step forward in Suspension Training. It is the ultimate full body and core workout. Using your own body weight there... are dozens of different exercises, that will literally work your entire body. The major advantage of RIP60 is the added rotational movements it allows, which enhance your power and power is the key to RIP60.

It was a good class, but sooooo tough, I can’t even do a full body push up! And I thought I was fit from Spinning , this class was a total shock to my body! I tried to keep up with the class and was very enthusiastic at the beginning with my squats and lunges leaning back and using my own body weight to pull me back up. We worked our body in three sections, legs, arms and then chest & back.

While we were doing some of the exercises that involves the ropes rotating as you pull them, I felt dizzy and like I was going to vomit, I’m told that this proved I was working hard!! It was a good 50 minute work out and the time did fly by, kinda! By the time I was leaving my whole body was vibrating and my legs felt like jelly! I was thrilled that I’d survived the hour to be honest, but knew I’d be feeling the affects soon.

The following morning however, I couldn’t move. I’m not being dramatic  (well not really) Everything hurt and ached and I was walking like a 90 year old in need of a zimmer frame. I had to think about every move before I made it. My work colleagues were highly amused by me! I was like this for 3 DAYS, nothing helped or eased the pain! I had to cancel 2 spinning classes because I couldn't physically do it! I tried to go for a walk to ease the muscles but found that I couldn't walk fast or far! My thighs & knees felt like they wouldn't support my body, I had a constant toppling over feeling when I had to walk more than 20 steps at a time!!! I really could done with a walking stick.. Yip I was a total pity and to think that exercise did this to me!! My family and friends got a great kick out of me, so at least I had the comedic factor on my side!!

By day 3 I could walk almost normally but I was achey. By day 4 I was more or less back to normal, but Day 4 was my weigh day.. So I only managed to get 1 class into the whole week due to being in crazy achey pain from one class!! My body took soooo long to recover, it was embarrassing!

So I hit the scales on Saturday morning and I was up 2lbs on the scales and up 3lbs in muscle.

So the class, did work! I however whilst in pain Weds – Fri felt like it was ok to have one biscuit and a mini kitkat.(Poor me like)  I ended up having “something small” every day last week.

As you know all those “something smalls” add up and 5 something smalls is HUGE and makes a difference on the scales!!

But you know what, it was the kick up the arse I’ve needed. I need to stop falling back into my old habits, and continue trying to be the best I can be and at the moment that will be one day at a time.

I feel more positive this week. I’m also determined to go back and do another Rip60 class this week, last week it kicked my ass (and the rest) so this week I’m going to go and try it again, it can only get easier at this stage, no way will it take me 4 days to recover again (I hope) But just incase, I’ve booked 2 x spinning class before I revisit Rip60, apart from the pain aspect afterwards, it was a really good and challenging class, and I would recommend it already.

My Targets for next week to see a better result:

·         3 x Classes + lunch time walks (weather permitting)

·         No Picking

·         No feeling sorry for myself

·         Be down 3lbs at next weigh in

I hope your planning ahead to have a good week too xx