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

You can find me on the following:

Facebook >>> HERE <<<

Twitter  >>> HERE <<< 

Instagram  >>> HERE <<<

***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

You can find me on the following:

Facebook >>> HERE <<<

Twitter  >>> HERE <<< 

Instagram  >>> HERE <<<

***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:

Facebook >>> HERE <<<

Twitter  >>> HERE <<< 

Instagram  >>> HERE <<<

Snapchat  >>> HERE<<<

***ALL PHOTOS FROM GOOGLE IMAGES***

Woman of the Year & Weigh In

So I never mentioned in last weeks post that I was nominated for Woman of the Year in my Slimming World Group. I was very surprised to be nominated, but its not all about who has lost the most weight, its also about people that inspire and help other people in group. So it was  nice thing to be nominated really.

7 of us were nominated 2 weeks ago, so at last Thursdays meeting after the weigh in's the 7 of us had to talk for 2 minutes about how Slimming World now fits into our lifestyles, then the others in the group got to vote for the winner. I didn't win, but that's ok because the girl was won I was thrilled for, she's 16 and received her 2 stone cert that night, so she was definitely a worthy winner. As a nominee I got a bunch of flowers, which was a nice touch I thought, I also won the raffle, which was SW cupboard staples, so I was happy.

I post all my photos of my food and exercise daily if you want to see what I'm eating here on instagram & here on Twitter

Thursday night was also Taster night, where all the members make a slimming world friendly dish & share the recipe. Its a great way to try new things and also get new ideas. I brought mini quiches & mini smash pizzas, which went down really well.. I tried SW friendly brownies & SW ferrero rocher.


I was down 0.5lbs at weigh in, which is ok (I got my appetite back after being sick, but 5lbs in 2 weeks is good in my opinion)
So this week I'm going to aim high, get extra Superfree into me and be down 3lbs before I go on my holidays and get my one stone cert

Weight lost to date: 11lbs
Onwards and Downwards, the Slimming World way :)

Weekly weigh in week 4 of 14x14challenge

I feel like I’m living in  “not enough hours in the day” mode at the moment!! Where did the last 7 days go!! I know I've been busy and sick!! But seriously! Its Monday again!! It just keeps turning up doesn't it!!

MY WEEK

My week started well, the sugar withdrawal symptoms didn't appear this time (I was surprised given the few weeks I had) I made my home made veggie soup to go with my lunches for the week, I upped my water intake to 3 litres, I was feeling good, I got back to the gym for a circuits class.

But my body wasn't done with me being sick and my fake sounding, throat tearing cough decided to act up! I was coughing like a crazy woman, couldn't catch my breath and only thing that was stopping the cough was  when my stomach turned itself from the coughing! nice, right!
I couldn't sleep and this fits went on for hours on end!
It was horrible, it was exhausting and I spent 2 full days at home sick!!
I drank shed loads of water but my food wasn't great!! I crave sugary things more when I'm sick.
I went to another circuit class towards the end of the week and coughed my way through it, but I think it helped me and my breathing a little bit (sounds mad I know!)

I was out Friday night at a hen party, I avoided all the lovely finger food and stuck to the voddy J I enjoyed myself and dodged the post drinks trip to McDonald's. But danced like a looney and enjoyed my night out with the girls. 

MY RESULT

I faced the scales on Saturday morning after my boozey night out and I was down 2lbs, she said it probably would have been more but with all the alcohol in my system its hard to tell!

SO I’m hoping that I've got another pound off for next weeks weigh in before I even start my new week.

All in all, not a bad result considering I was still a bit sick!! I’m glad that I forced myself to attend 2 circuit classes, I really think that they helped me to get back on track. If I could be down 2-3lbs every week for the next few weeks then I’d be doing very well


MY NEXT CHALLENGE

I must tell you all that I’m once again taking part in The Skinny Doll’s latest challenge 14 x 14 Challenge. It’s a another great challenge and the number of people taking part is motivation in itself. Losing 1lb a week means being down 14 pounds by the end of the year, that a stone and possibly a dress size for some people.. nothing shabby about that at all I must admit.

     

So because of my bad start to the Doll’s challenge, I will be aiming for 2-3lbs weekly to catch up with everyone else, who are doing great by the way J

How was your week? I hope your doing well and starting to see and feel the results.

**Photos sources from Google images**

6 week Challenge/Course Photos - Before & After

Hey Guys,

I'm so sorry! I know I promised you these photos would be up last week, but I got lazy about water marking and editing, blah blah blah..

So I've given ye the review and my results last week, you can read about them here if you missed it 

So here you go, lots photo's of me in Lycra!! from 4 different angles!! YIKES

WEEK ONE 

Inches                   Week 1                 Week 6                 Total Lost

Chest                    43.5                        41.5                        2 inches

Waist                    47                           40                           7 inches              

Hips                       48                           46                           2 inches

R Thigh                 27                           24                           3 inches

R Calf                    17.5                        14                           3.5 inches

R Arm                    14                           14                           0

Inches lost in total: 17.5 inches

Weight lost in total: 5.5lbs

Body Fat % has gone from 34% to 32%

WEEK SIX

Looking at these photos I should maybe start to take them with me in a different colour top or something!! Next month I'll wear something different (if I remember)

I'm taking a break from me blogging my weekly weigh in's BUT I am still weighing in and eating good, so I will be back to blogging soon I promise...

If you are in Cork City and are looking for a new challenge/ class, then I would definitely recommend Pulse Fitness Studios, the details of the course are in this post from when I started my challenge (click here) 

 

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

6 week Challenge - WEEK 6 in Review +THE RESULTS

 

Hey All,

As you all know I was on holidays from work, my routine and computers last week. It was a staycation I enjoyed and why not with the fabulous 28 degrees +++ weather we’ve been having on the emerald Isle.  I did however have 2 training sessions that brought my 6 week programme to an end. And I decided that even tho I was very much in holiday mode, I would see this course through to the end.

On Monday only 7  turned up of the 12 that started so Ian our instructor decided to do his Bodyshock Class with us rather than circuit training, Its similar to what we had been doing in that we had to do a certain amounts of reps of different exercises, BUT we all had to do them together rather than racing through them like we normally would and we also used a weight bar each to add resistance, so it was an intense slow burning class and I assure you that it was a total body work out and shock. Definitely a class I would do again in the future.

Wednesday evenings class with Keith was a good class, there were 7 of us again, we paired off and had to count each others rep’s as we each had to do 50 of every exercise, we had a good laugh doing it this way I must say, and it was a nice way to end the course, we worked our asses off but we enjoyed it also, I could definitely see how far my fitness/strength has improved over the last few weeks.

I had the vomiting bug and wasn’t feeling great on Thursday and Friday! So I didn’t eat or drink much on these days!

So lets get to the RESULTS of my 6 Weeks shall we? I know that’s all I wanna know about, get to the point woman!!

Ok, so on Monday evening I was weighed, pinched and measured and here are the results

Inches                   Week 1                 Week 6                 Total Lost

Chest                    43.5                        41.5                        2 inches

Waist                    47                           40                           7 inches              

Hips                       48                           46                           2 inches

R Thigh                 27                           24                           3 inches

R Calf                    17.5                        14                           3.5 inches

R Arm                    14                           14                           0

Inches lost in total: 17.5 inches

Weight lost in total: 5.5lbs

Body Fat % has gone from 34% to 32%

I’m happy with the results, it’s the first time this year that I stopped worrying about the number on the scales and just done as I was told for 6 weeks (more or less)

I attended 10 of the 12 classes and stuck to the food plan 90% of the time.

I enjoyed the change up to my food and the work outs also, I’m thrilled with the inch loss factor, I hadn’t been taking my measurements before now so it was good to get those numbers and watch them getting smaller, and feel my clothes become a little looser.

I have officially dropped a dress size and people have noticed, so its been a good experience for me.

I would say that with the great weather of the last few weeks, it made this waaay more challenging with all the BBQ’s, Beer Gardens and Ice Creams. Saying no wasn’t always an option and my willpower decided to take a holiday, so the last few weeks have defo had its moments, good and bad. Other ladies in my group agreed with me on this front. I also had a lot on during this course, (concerts, weekends away and nights out) and I feel that if I hadn’t had this challenge to keep me going then I would definitely have gained an ice cream belly in the last couple of weeks.

Before and After photos are on the way at the end of this week.....

Week 1 = start

Week 2 = -4.5

Week 3 = +2

Week 4 = -2

Week 5 = +4

Week 6 = -3

Final weigh in = -2

***Photos from Google Images