Tuesday 5 January 2016

Giving it my all!



Like many of us January is a time to get ourselves back into healthy eating habits or maybe even starting afresh. Some of us will last the month maybe even longer and others just a matter of hours. What we sometimes forget is that healthy eating is a journey and some journeys can take longer than others and we need to take our time and enjoy the ride ;-)

Now that the festive season is over and all temptations have been disposed of (eaten!) I am now on my third and final month of using XLS-Medical Max Strength. I must say this month more than others I am even more determined to get my weight down. Like many we use Christmas and the New Year as an excuse to over indulge and while this season I was a lot better than I have been in the past I now want to get back to a healthier me. I want to make 2016 the year that I finally can say I am at a weight that I am happy with and that is healthy. Don't get me wrong, I am happy with myself but I know my weight and fitness are not healthy for me and I need to turn this around. 



In a recent post "I'm dropping in the right direction" I shared with you some figures to show you how my weight and measurements have changed since I began my journey in June 2014. As you can see above there have been quite a number of fluctuations and today After popping down this morning to check my current weight in Marrons Pharmacy, I'd like to update you on where I am now. 



While there is not a big difference with my weight you can see from my waist I have lost nearly 4 inches which to me is great. While it is important that my weight drops in the right direction I feel it is important that I look at the overall numbers. If I am exercising more and toning up it means that I am gaining muscle which in turn is heavier than fat. 
Prior to Christmas I had weighed myself in Marrons Pharmacy and I was 76.75kg so a 0.9kg gain over the Christmas isn't too bad (I think!)! Tracking your inch loss is a great way to show you how your body is changing in a positive way. 
On the slide robes in our bedroom I wrote down my weight, waist and also my stomach measurements on 1st June 2014! None were a pretty read but I'm glad to say that since then I have lost over 4.5inches off my stomach alone! My aim is that by the end of January I will add at least another inch off my stomach along with some more losses in the right places ;-)


So, with this being my final month using XLS-Medical Max Strength I really want to give it my all and here is how I plan to do so! 
  • Dry January - This year I am taking part in Dry January. I think this is great not only for cutting down on alcohol but for keeping me focused. Like many I enjoy a drinkie at the weekend but by cutting it out for the coming weeks I hope to see a significant difference. 
  • Kettlebells! - I've increased the weight I use when I do my Squats with this 2.5kg kettlebell I purchased in Aldi yesterday for only €5.99. I'm not out to bulk myself up with muscle but I wold like to tone what I do have! 

  • Squats - I will be increasing the number of squats I do from a minimum of 50 to 60 per day. Along with that I will be increasing the number of days I do them from 3 to a minimum of 4 but no more than 5 days per week. 
  • Walking - It is time for me to up my pace! With my son being back to school tomorrow (YAY) and weather permitting I will be walking him to and from school each day. When the weather is not on my side I will be taking advantage of the kids early bedtime and getting out in the evenings to make sure I get the fresh air and exercise I need! 
  • Diet - I will be concentrating all the more on having a healthier diet. I want to try and avoid sandwiches at least 5 days per week and come up for some alternatives that I know I will and can eat! 

Above are just simple changes that I am making but I believe that these changes will make a significant difference to me and that I am losing weight and inches plus also benefiting my health. 




Each week I will be dropping into Jonathan in Marrons Pharmacy to check on my weight loss and I will be updating you all via my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so don't forget to follow to see how my journey is going ;-)


What are your top tips for weight loss? What areas do you struggle with?



Sunday 3 January 2016

You can Dance!


I can't already believe it has been a month since I wrote my last blog post, Christmas has been and a New Year has been welcomed! Prior to the festive season kicking off I'd many thoughts about a post I wanted to write and even though I'd started it the words never seemed to match my thoughts and feelings. Maybe it was the subject or possibly a few other things going on in the background that held me back. To be honest I'm not really sure but here I am now! 

At the moment I'm listening to Leo Sayer and I cant help but smile. Some of his songs bring back some fond memories. I used to play his album "The very Best of Leo Sayer" over and over again learning words to songs such When I need you, Thunder in my Heart and Moonlighting. There are two songs in particular though that make me smile the most and they are You make me feel like Dancing and Long Tall Glasses 


 

These song brings me back to memories of watching my mum as she would dance about our sitting room and not caring as to what others thought. Of course like every teenager on the outside I was "morto" as she would get me to dance too but to be honest deep down ..... I loved it! I loved that she didn't care, I loved that she would just have a bit of fun and bop about showing her moves! 

For those of you who may not have read my post Mothering Sunday "Clucks and Downs", I lost my mum nearly 20 years ago. At the time she was only 50 years young and me, I was 19. Christmas 2015 marked a milestone I suppose you would call it and it meant I have now spent more Christmases without my mum than with her! For the weeks prior to Christmas I was trying to get my head around this and wonder I suppose how I felt about it? While I may have only spent 19 Christmases with my mum, she certainly gave me many memories but most importantly what she gave me was the sense of family, traditions and values. I feel very blessed for those 19 years and as short as they were, my mother instilled a lot in me much of which I didn't reaslise until I became a mother myself. 

Maybe I should of listened to good auld Leo Sayers before today but then again maybe there was a reason I waited until now. As we all know we are in a New Year and for many there will be resolutions made, held and broken! For me while I have some goals for the year my motto will be from Leo Sayers song Long Tall Glasses 


"Hmmmmmm, now wait a minute
Of course I can dance
Of course I can dance
I'm sure I can dance
I'm sure I can dance
I can dance
I can dance
I really hit the floor
Ah, it feels good
Look at me dancing"

This year while there are plans for our family and milestones to be met, I too have plans for ME! 2016 I plan to be selfish ... in a good way! I'm going to get out there and achieve my goals and set new ones along the way! I'm going to "dance" and not care what others think because "I can dance", I know I can achieve the goals I have set for myself and I WILL.  I know there will be people who will try sway me from achieving them for whatever reason but I know if I stick to my motto I will achieve!  




Whatever goals, resolutions you have made for 2016 just keep reminding yourself that you can do it! Sometimes there may be some bumps along the way but you can get there! Make 2016 your year to dance! 



Mum, 
As you know, you are always missed but I know you are always with me and my beautiful family. Only today I danced in the kitchen with our two beauties as I often do and like you mum, I don't care what others think because "I can dance" x