Eleven more sleeps....

I can't believe it's only eleven more sleeps till we go to Singapore and Australia!! I'm so excited it's beyond believe and I've had t do my running and exercise because I can't keep still and need to burn some energy.

Since the last post I never really did get my motivation back until about 4 days ago. I went to get some new holiday clothes and am now a size 10 top and size 12 (or 14 jeans) bottom. It felt good when I took size 12 tops into the changing room and had to change them! But I brought a new pair of jean shorts and have a little bit of a muffin top so new I had to work super hard to reach my target.

I know I won't resist the prawn cocktail, the desert and all of the chocolates on Christmas Day and I am bound to put 2 pounds on just looking at it all. And then of course I'll probably put a little weight on on holiday so by the end the new shorts probably wouldn't fit me.

So I've pulled out all the stops to reach my target and then it doesn't matter if I put a little weight back on cus they will still fit. I've been eating healthily and getting up earlier so I can exercise before I go to work...then there are no excuses!

When I went for my first run in a while I was surprised at how far I ran without needing to stop. And I was surprised at how much I had missed it! It feels so good when you get to the end.

So 11 sleeps and 6 pounds to go to reach my target. If I carry on working really really hard I think I should just do it!!

Me in my dress...

Here's a sneaky picture of me in my dress feeling fabulous! I felt so proud for losing all the weight and it made me feel so much more confident on my big day!

My Amazing Rock and Roll Wedding!!

I can't believe my wedding was two weeks ago! We had the most amazing day and I felt a million dollars in my dress! I am sad it's all over but we have Singapore and Australia to look forward to now...only 5 weeks to go :)

As I mentioned in my last post I slowed right down with the exercise...in fact I can't remember the last time I exercised. I've not been for a run in a while because I don't like to go on my own in the dark and I've not done Davina.

I've been weighing myself and had stayed the same or lost a pound so I wasn't too worried. I knew I had to get back on to it though to reach my target for Australia but just haven't had the motivation to do it and because I've not gained any weight I thought I was doing ok. But I stepped onto the scales this morning and had a shock!!! I've gained 2 pounds. I'm glad I have because now I've had that kick up the bum and motivation I need to get back on it.

I have 5 weeks to lose 10 pounds so it's hard work but I know I can do it!! I'll be so disappointed in myself if I don't.

So today's poa... Davina, clean, ironing and WALK to Tesco!! And plenty of healthy eating! And I'll be starting my food diary again too.

Rock on!!!!

Where does time go?!

I've not been on for such a long time because I've been so busy with work and the final stages of the wedding planning...as I write this now I'm on the train home from work.

Time is flying by and often the day is over before I've got round to everything I need to do! I went for my dress fitting a little over 2 weeks ago and I'm very happy to say that it needs taking in by around 4 inches which is fantastic!! And when it was all pinned into place and I could see the dress fitting properly I felt fantastic!! I really could see that all the hard work had paid off!! I have to go back on Friday for my final fitting.

I also went to my brothers 21st birthday party on Saturday night and EVERYONE commented on how well I looked which felt amazing!!

Since my fitting I knew I coudn't lose too much between then and the wedding so I've slowed it down and decided to do weight training so I could tone up instead. I've been losing a poud a week but haven't been doing any where near as much exercise as I should have!! I've gone from exercising everyday to about twice a week.

I have another 9 pounds to lose to reach my target and I really need to tone up! So after the wedding I need to get back on it and get the motivation back ready for Australia!!

9 days and counting :)

What size am I?!

I read an article the other day which said you are never the same size in your favourite places to shop. Sometimes there can be a four inch difference...I can completely relate to this.

Last week I tried a couple of winter coats on in Miss Selfridge and it was a size 10 I needed. Today I tried a couple of dresses on in Warehouse and I needed a size 14. I tried a dress on in Dorothy Perkins and a 14 was too big but a size 12 was too small!! What's going on?

I was so deflated and disappointed the size 12 wouldn't fit! It was the perfect dress for my hen party - I found the whole outfit, shoes accessories and all and I so wanted it to fit! Saying that though I could zip it up so I'm not far off it fitting. It just made my boobs look a bit flat and it was a little tight around my tummy.

So I am determined to get in it! If I can lose a couple of inches it will be perfect and I only have 1 week left to my dress fitting anyway so it's the final push.

So with that in mind I'm going on a detox...I'm sticking to soup, fruit, vegetables and water. I'm going to try it out for three days and I'm going to exercise my butt off.

In 10 days I'm going to buy that dress in a size 12 and it will zip right up and fit me perfectly! :)

I'll keep you posted!

Davina McCall - I don't know whether to love her or hate her?!

I've lost 1 pound this week, I don't really understand why I only lost that because I ate no differently to the previous 2 weeks but lost more. But hey, it's the way it goes and at least I lost something...and the slower it comes off, the more sensible.

So with just two weeks to go until the big dress fitting, I need to work harder than I've ever worked before! My tummy needs flattening, so after reading rave reviews about Davina's Super Body Workout DVD I thought I'd give it a go.

It landed on my doormat this morning. It has two 40 minute routines and there are four 50 minute routines which focus on different areas. One of them is Super Six Pack...after doing less than five minutes I decided it was just too hard and I should aim a little lower, so I went for the Super Abs workout instead and OMG did the workout hurt!!!!

You do a 40 minute cardio workout...one of the trainers does an easier routine for those just starting out but as I've been exercising for 10 weeks now I put my all into it and followed the more difficult routine. Sweat was dripping off me like never before and I was knackered by the end. For the last 10 minutes you do the abs workout.

Then being as there was a break in the rain, I decided to go for a run. When I got home I felt like I was back in the old days where I thought the workout was going to kill me. Maybe this is how it should always feel - then you know you've had a good workout.

So for the next two weeks I'll be doing Davina's workout everyday and I'll try to run everyday too. It's my last chance to ditch the pounds before the wedding.

Oooops! The dress is too big...

So I have a little over two weeks to go before my dress fitting...I decided to try my dress on to take a look, and it fell straight back down!!

I really hope the dress maker is able to do something with it. While I am chuffed that I have lost so much weight, I still wasn't happy with my tummy. It really needs toning and flattening a bit. I searched for a local hips, bums and tums class but only find morning ones so I looked for a fitness DVD. I came across Davina McCall's Body Sculpt which has great reviews...so it's ordered and I'm just waiting for it to arrive, hope it comes soon.

Only 14 pounds to go :)

Happy Happy Happy :)

I really need to tone up my tummy and hips as this is where I carry alot of fat...so I've been scanning the internet for tips and advice and I came across this information:

Exercise does several things:

• When you exercise you burn calories which helps you lose weight
• 
  When you build muscles you increase your metabolism, which means you use energy quicker and burn more fat
• 
  Exercise helps you feel good about yourself, your self esteem increases
• 
  Exercise helps you sleep better which means you desire less comfort snacks and keep calories down

Now, the first two points are a given. But the second two really are true! No matter how much it hurts when you first start, it really does make you feel happy.

I feel like I'm smiling all of the time and very excited...I have a spring in my step and continually want to dance and run around. And I definately have more confidence. I know I still have another 18 pounds to lose but in time it will happen and I've achieved so much already I have an reason to feel happy and excited.

And I've always loved my bed a little too much but I when I go for a run in the evenings I physically tire myself out and I definately get a better nights sleep!

And while I still wouldn't be seen dead in a bikini, I feel a huge sense of achievement and I know I still have enough time! By the time I get to Australia I will have a toned tummy and there won't be an inch of fat on it. I'll happily walk along the beach without wanting to dig a hole and hide in it.

When you feel this happy and excited it makes you want to keep going...it's all worth it!

Motivation Bites Back!

Well it's the start of week 9 and I've lost 2 pounds which I'm really pleased about - only another 18 pounds to go. And I feel so happy and excited!

As I mentioned in my last post, I've booked my dress fitting and now, my second hen party is booked for the 15 October so there is plenty to be excited about! I had my first hen party in June because I wanted to go to the races and although I vowed to lose weight in the weeks running up to it, I only lost 4 pounds, so now I know I am lots slimmer and there is still time to lose at least another 10 pounds! I'm on the search for a pretty amazing dress to show off my new figure. And it won't be one that covers me, it will be one that I feel amazing in because I have a lot to be proud of!

But, the real reason I feel excited, and the real reason I have all the motivation in the world again is that my old jeans - well I say old, they've hardly been worn - haven't fitted me for a couple of years, and you know when you keep old clothes cus you think I will slim back into them but you never do....well I HAVE! I tried a couple of my favourite too small jeans yesterday, because the ones I've been wearing a way too big, and they just slid right on, the button fastened with no problem and I have no muffin top. I was ecstatic!

You don't necessarily notice the weight coming off yourself, but when you get back into old clothes, you know you're doing well. I tried a pair of Miss Sixty jeans from six years ago, I think I was being a little too adventurous but I did manage to pull them up my legs...so when I get into them, I know I've hit my target! Boy I can't wait to wear them again!

Now where are my running shoes?!

Keep the motivation going...

Well after having a bad week last week, I'm pleased to say that my weight stayed the same. It was such a relief, but I'm still struggling to keep the momentum. I've been for a run for the past three days and I've done the Wii today but I've really not wanted to and it's been difficult to keep going.

The reason I started writing the blog was to keep a recording of my feelings so I could look back over them and it's working...reading back to when I ran up Lime Kiln Bank for first reminds me of my elation and emotions.

Today I've managed to run up 70% of the bank but I haven't had the same feelings because at the moment I'm not enjoying running. My right thigh is really hurting me and it's taking my all to keep going. I just can't be bothered and I'm worried about slipping back into no exercise, bad eating habits and enjoying chocolate too much!

I can't do that, people are commenting and asking if I've lost weight and although I can't see it myself, I can't put it back on! I still look at myself in the mirror and think errrrrrgggggg. I think if I can lose 6 pounds in the next 3 weeks it'll really help because then I only have a stone to go.

So, I need something to get me fired up again...something to get me moving and energised! With that in mind, and the fact that I'm leaving it a bit too last minute, I booked an appointment with the dress fitter today. I've been trying to hold off with losing weight but I figured if I make an appointment I have something to work to. It's booked for 10 October so I have 4 and a half weeks to work my ass off and eat as healthy as possible.

With this in mind, I've done a 30 minute Wii workout, a 30 minute run (burning more calories than ever) and a 60 minute Zumba class, and do you know what...I actually feel better and more energised! I'm smiling again and know I can do it.

I've managed to resist that Terry's Chocolate Orange that's been screaming at me every time I open the fridge door!

I WILL be nice and slim when I walk down the isle and I WILL be wearing a bikini and feeling confident when I'm lying on the beach in Australia!

BRING IT ON

I've had a bad week!

Well it's not been a good week for me! I'm really not looking forward to stepping on the scales in the morning.

The walk in Dovedale last week seems like it was ages ago but on the same token the working week went nice and quick. Because I was working in Birmingham all week I didn't really do as much exercise should have. Thursday was the first run I'd done in a week and I found it quite difficult. Today I went on the first bike ride in two weeks...it was tough.

I feel like I'd built up a bit of stamina but I'm back to square one again. I haven't even done my Wii game in over a week.

And I haven't eaten too well either. Last night I had a chinese take away and a bag of crisps, today I had 4 chocolate biscuits and a bag of crisps.

After I'd eaten the chinese take away last night I felt really down and disappointed. I hated myself for doing so well and then ruining it with a chinese takeaway that I didn't even enjoy.

I went for a bike ride and a run today to try and make up for the chinese and biscuits but I feel I've truly let myself down. Although after the exercise today I really did feel better and a bit happier again. I have eight weeks to go until the wedding so I really don't have time to be messing up.

So tomorrow I am going to be back on it with a bang! Running in a morning before work, Wii personal trainer everyday with Zumba and a couple of bike rides thrown in!! Healthy eating and an aim to losing 3 pounds next week to take me to a 14 pounds loss.

I can do it! I need to just keep saying bikini bikini bikini!

Zumba Exercise Class - Stoke on Trent

Zumba!

It's important to keep your exercise fun and fresh so it doesn't get mundane and boring.

So tonight....I went to a Zumba class with my best friend!

It was so much fun and I'm feeling it already.

I've heard it's very good for weight loss so we went along to give it a go. We were quite nervous and when we arrived the ladies were queuing out the door which made us feel even more apprehensive.

Once we got inside, it was a mixed bag with ladies in all shapes, ages and sizes. We soon relaxed and although we got lost it a few times we really enjoyed it and will definitely go back next week.

It's very fast paced and is a mix of Latin dancing with aerobic exercise. It works every muscle in your body and I know I'm going to be aching tomorrow.

A one hour Zumba class burns between 500 and 800 calories - can't argue with that and most importantly it's fun! I'm looking forward to learning the steps properly so I can get the most out of it. And never has an hour's exercise gone by so quickly!

Exercise Can Be Fun!

Part of the Thorpe to Milldale walk
Yesterday was a fabulous bank holiday Monday! The weather was glorious and we made the most of the Peak District which is right on our doorstep!

It can be difficult getting the motivation to go for a run and to exercise on the weekend, so why not get out with your family or friends and do something that doesn't feel like you're exercising?!

The countryside is beautiful and there are always plenty of walks with fantastic scenery. There are easy walks, moderate and more difficult walks and you can soak in your surroundings.

My mum, fiance and myself visited Dovedale and did a 6 mile walk from Thorpe to Milldale and back. It was very busy but once we got past the famous stepping stones it got much quieter and we could walk at our own pace. It was a pleasant walk which was relatively easy with just one part that was a steep bank to walk up and back down again. It took us just over two hours which went by very quickly.

It's good to find alternative ways of exercising so doing the same thing all of the time doesn't get too boring. We are going to try and get to the Peak District at least twice a month to do alternative walks and take in the beautiful scenery.

On another note yesterday was weigh in day. I lost a pound which I guess is ok considering I had a three course meal at the wedding on Saturday and didn't do any exercise and we went out for dinner on Thursday. And it's definitely better than putting any weight on!

But I was quite disappointed with myself yesterday. I was on the early shift at work and as it was a bank holiday, treats were brought into the studio. I ate a large danish pastry and as I was eating it I regretted bringing it near my mouth. Another presenter brought in a packet of my favourite biscuits. At 118 calories per biscuit I knew they were a big no no so I was very pleased I never opened them and resisted...but when we got to Dovedale everyone was eating delicious looking ice cream so I had a single scoop of caramel crunch. So it was a good job we did that 6 mile walk just to burn off the danish and ice cream! And then we again went out for dinner and I had chips and cottage pie...I went for the small portion but I still felt sluggish and disappointed with how I'd eaten. I definitely let myself down.

Today I will get back on track!

New Size 12 Top and Some Confidence

One of my friends got married yesterday and I was doing a reading. Now I'm not the most confident person but I'm much more confident than I was 4 years ago before I started work - so I was still very nervous about doing this reading.

Obviously I wanted to look my best because so many eyes would be on me. I saw a lovely leopard print top in Next and decided to try a size 12...and it fits :) and the size 16 trousers I would wear with it are now very loose! Of course I didn't end up wearing this outfit, instead I wore a dress that I had for my hen party back in June which is also quite loose now. It's times like this where it makes it very worthwhile. There is so much satisfaction and I also felt fabulous when standing at the front of the church in front of 200 people (of those I only knew about 20). I know I still have one and a half stone to lose to reach my target but I know I am doing it and I know I will reach my target.

It'll be my fifth weigh in tomorrow and I'm hoping I'll have lost 2 pounds. I haven't had the time to go for a run since Thursday and I had a three course meal at the wedding yesterday so this afternoon after work I need to make up for it. I'm really tired and cold and really just want to go home and snuggle up in my bed but I need to get motivation. I'm hoping that by mid-day the rain will have cleared and I can go on a nice long bike ride and my reward will be...SLEEP!

It's a bank holiday weekend and Monday is supposed to be a nice day so when I finish work at 1pm, we'll go for a nice 5 mile walk through Dovedale. I'm really looking forward to it and am praying the weather forecast will be right

Part of the Mow Cop Killer Mile.

It really does get easier!

Whenever I've joined the gym (on two occasions and it's lasted a week) or whenever I've gone to exercise classes people have always said it gets easier...I never believed them, after all, that one session almost killed me and I didn't enjoy it one bit! I could never understand these people who went to the gym everyday and enjoyed it...what was there to enjoy? Why would you want to put yourself through that everyday?!

But....with my new found energy, enthusiasm and motivation, I can see where they're coming from. It really does get easier. Yesterday I didn't have time to go on a long bike ride so I decided to go round the block. At the end of the ride there are a couple of banks to go up. They aren't steep but they're quite long. Last year I did the same bike ride and I couldn't even make it a quarter of the way before I had to get off and push all the way home, but I managed to go all the way around taking no breaks yesterday.

Tonight I went for my run and managed to get a little further up Lime Kiln Bank. I'm going to keep running up it until I can run all the way! And hopefully in time I'll get quicker too. Because I know it will get easier!

And with all this running, I think I need something to aim for...something to train for. So in April 2011 I am going to run the Mow Cop Killer Mile. It's exactly what it says, a big steep lane that is exactly a mile long. Lime Kiln Bank has nothing on this - I'll have 550 ft to climb.

Hopefully in 8 months, running will have got so much easier that it won't be a killer mile!

The first pair of running trainers I have ever owned - I love them!

The Beginning

Gone are the days where I could go into Topshop and buy size 8 clothing and look good in anything!! See in the last 8 years I've gone from walking everywhere to driving everywhere instead. I've gone from eating healthily to going out for meals every week and eating too many take aways.

The weight has steadily crept on. I'd look in the mirror and think I'm going to do something about it. Holidays were booked and I vowed to lose weight. I've been a bridesmaid on a couple of occasions and didn't want to be the fat girl next to the skinny ones. But after two weeks of eating healthy I'd get bored and would carry on being all the things I didn't want to be.

I got engaged 5 years ago and we got around to setting the date in 2008, plenty of time to get back down to a nice size 10...but as usual it didn't happen. I brought my dress twelve months in advance, it needed to be taken in so I thought I still had plenty of time to slim down. Where do the months go? Before I new it we were in July and I was still a size 14!

Back in May we booked up for a three week trip to Australia and you guessed it I decided I'd go on a diet. Yeah, it lasted a week and then I couldn't give in to the temptation of chocolate buttons. Mmmmm the giant ones, let each one melt in your mouth to make the packet last as long as possible. A packet a day doesn't do the waistline any good!!

Then on the 26 July I decided I was going to eat healthy and go swimming - my favourite exercise. I went to Tesco's stocked up on fruit and brought a new fitness game for the Wii. I went to our allotment and brought home tons of veg. This was it, I was going to do it.

I thought about Australia and how all the girls on the beach will be perfect and I'd be there in a costume regretting not sticking to that diet. I thought about my new family who I'll be meeting while I'm over there and my cousin who is beautiful and slim. I didn't want to be in pictures next to my skinny cousins and me to be sticking out like a sore thumb.

Now whenever I start a diet, from day one I think I wonder how long it'll be before I get bored. Will I last more than two weeks? And this time was no different!!

But it turns out it was. Because I'm now in my 5th week of healthy eating and EXERCISING!

I've never enjoyed exercising. Whenever I went for a run or on a bike ride I'd be in too much pain after 5 minutes and then I'd never want to put myself through it again. But after doing a week on my new Wii game, I decided to ditch the car and walk where possible and I started running. I found a pace and stuck too it. I got my Dad to come on a bike ride with me. He took me up all the hills and I hated it but he spurred me on and kept telling me to think about our time in Australia, we'll be on the beach and I'll be trim, toned and in a bikini.

And now here I am on the 23rd of August, just starting my 5th week of operation bikini body! So far I've lost 10 pounds and I feel so proud, but it's just starting to get tough! I've gone from not wanted to touch cake and chocolate to craving it. But, I stick to 2 slices of Dairy Milk or a mug of hot chocolate and that's doing the trick. I have no idea where the will power is coming from but I need it to stay!

Last week I went out and brought a proper pair of running trainers and a proper running outfit. I never thought I'd see the day but I love my trainers. I couldn't stop looking at them and went out straight for a run to break them in.

I'm lucky enough to live right beside the canal so this is where I started to run, this way no one could see me. But now I'm more confident and don't mind running on the main roads or around the park. I don't care what people think because I'm already 10 pounds down and now I'm getting used to it I can run further. I've gone from thinking omg I tired when can I stop. When I start to feel I can't run anymore I set myself targets to run to and end up passing them.

Yesterday I went on the Sunday afternoon bike ride with my Dad and I was so much better! Yes the banks hurt my legs but they didn't kill me! I didn't need to stop. On the final couple of banks I usually have to stop half way up. My Dad goes ahead and waits for me, but yesterday I cycled on past him, I didn't need to stop. I couldn't get the grin off my face.

But today was a good day!! I live near quite a steep bank on a main road. Its a very big bank (around a mile long) so I usually walk all the way up and then continue running. But today, I'd already ran for 25 minutes without stopping and as I neared Lime Kiln Bank, I told myself I could run up the first steep part of it. I was doubting myself but thought about lying on the beach in my size 10 bikini. And just at the right moment The Killers 'When We Were Young' started to play. Fantastic, one of my favourite songs - I cranked it up as loud as my ears could take and went for it.

As I neared my target point where I told myself I could stop my legs started to give way. They started to slow down but I told myself I had to keep going. A long line of cars were waiting for the lights to change to green, I imagined they'd probably be watching me, waiting for me to give in. I couldn't let them see me fail, I had to keep going. And I did! I just about made it to where I told myself I could stop and when I did I felt elated! I wanted to cry with happiness and pride.

Four weeks ago I would never have run on a main road let alone run up a bank like Lime Kiln but I did. And it shows how far I have come. I'm becoming immune to exercise - now I just have to keep the motivation!