Coming soon...

So what if I jiggle.

This week I attempted to go clothes shopping with my bestie and I felt completely overwhelmed. When I was a size 22/24 I hated shopping because nothing fitted, but in a way it was easier as I didn't have to "like" the clothes, I didn't have to make choices..I just grabbed what fitted & left. I walked around the shops and felt lost. I felt like I was looking at a sea of clothes and I didn't have a clue what way to dress my new body shape. I picked up a few basics, but came home feeling defeated.

Why was it so hard to just pick up some nice new clothes? I sat down afterwards, and I had a good think. I have lost 96 lbs and have dropped 6 - 7 dress sizes. I am a completely different shape, and as a result, I am having to retrain myself and not just pick up what will hide my weight. I realised that instead of embracing the new me, I was still focusing on my wobbly bits. I was thinking I needed to buy clothes to hide parts of me rather than showing off my new shape. I was forgetting that I was a beautiful person before I lost weight and that hasn't changed since loosing weight.

I decided to do what I always advise others to do. I looked through old photos and reminded myself of how far I have come. Yes I still have a jiggle when I walk, I still get "rubby thigh syndrome" when it's hot, I have stretch marks and I have cellulite on my ass but you know what? Non of that matters as I AM HEALTHY. I no longer have achy joints, high blood pressure, a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease and other obesity related illnesses. I can climb mountains, I can walk without getting out of breath, I can run around after my nieces and nephews and I feel my age, not twice my age.

                           

So I woke up with a better attitude the next day and was ready to face a second attempt of shopping. Two years ago I never expected to fit into a size 12 - 14 again. I never thought I'd feel confident or healthy again. I never thought I would wear a bikini or wear shorts again. I decided to try on clothes that tested my comfort zones a little to see what I felt comfortable in. I realised that it doesn't matter what ANYONE else thinks of what I'm wearing, as long as I love it. I ceased the moment, embraced my new body and got over the areas I'm not 100% happy with. As a result, I came away with lots of lovely new clothes and a big smile on my face.

I'm slowly learning that it will take a while for me to accept my new body, battle scars and all. I braved a bikini for the first time in years recently, I have a pair of short shorts, and I am wearing colours again! It is a learning curve and one that doesn't end when you reach goal. The main thing is to celebrate where you are at now, encourage and build up others also on the journey and embrace life, instead of waiting until tomorrow to live it! 

I have included a link to a video my hubby and I recently took together on a trip away. I wanted to share it as I felt SO happy and alive. No more hiding behind the camera, I am ready to make memories and live my life! Who's with me?!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdwE0OpK0PM

Butterfly

As some of you may know, this week has been a pretty big week for me. After two years, I reached my goal with Weight Watchers! I have been trying to come up with a fantastic blog post that sums up exactly how I am feeling now I have reached this big milestone in my journey. I decided that as some of you are new to my blog, I would repost some of my first blog post explaining why I was joining Weight Watchers. I hope this will give you an insight into why I started my journey in the first place. 

"In 2011, in my first year of blissful marriage my handsome, healthy, witty, strong husband became very ill. My rock, my love, my best friend. He was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma which was at a borderline stage 4. My world could have crumbled, but together, with the strength given to us by our faithful Lord, we muddled our way through a blur of scans, biopsies, chemotherapy, surgery, drips, morphine and lots of other medical words that still make my skin crawl. I watched my amazing husband make it onto the dreaded critical list in November 2011 and then slowly regain his strength in the months to follow. After a testing, tear filled few months..my warrior reached complete remission and was told he was cancer free. He has, since then gone from strength to strength and is the picture of health. 

HEALTH being the key word. Everything that happened to my beloved made me realise our life really is so precious. We don't know what is right around the corner or what battles we might face. So why waste time with excuses..."I'll join Weight Watchers tomorrow, I don't feel like it today."...."I'll go for that walk tomorrow, I'm too tired today." In the year of caring for my love, I gained a lot of the weight I had originally lost in Weight Watchers. I beat myself up for months, but did nothing about it...other than continue to comfort eat. And then it clicked. Please God, one day we will have a family. I want to be here to watch them grow up. I want to be able to go for walks and not get out of breath. I want to feel like I am living each day with my miracle husband to the fullest and not look back and regret a thing." 

I can honestly say my husband was the inspiration for me joining Weight Watchers. I joined for MY health, but I joined because my incredible husband inspired me to do so. And every step of the way, he has supported me. He's listened to me moan, he has celebrated with me and he has put up with my experimenting with food.

Now I am at goal, I'm learning to love myself. I've got stretch marks & a bit of excess skin on my arms, thighs and tummy but you know what? That's ok. I've lost almost 7 stone, I have battle scars & I am proud of myself for getting this far. I'm learning to be kinder to myself.

My ultimate goal when I started was never be be a size zero, or weigh a certain tinie tiny weight..it was to be healthy. I was obese and incredibly unhealthy & something had to change. After seeing my hubby fight for his life, I realised I was abusing my health & I needed to fix it. Along the journey I have learnt to love myself more, not be so hard on myself and accept nobody is perfect but that's what makes us unique. It has been a learning curve & one I know will help me stay at goal this time. Previously I didn't change my lifestyle at all...it was all about being skinny, where as this time I am hungry for living! I want to climb mountains & go walking, I want to experiment with foods & encourage others too. I want to live my life, not just exist in it!

As I was struggling with what to write for this blog post, the idea of a caterpillar and a butterfly came to mind. A caterpillar in it's own right is a beautiful creature. But it thinks all it's life, it will be a caterpillar. It will spend it's life doing caterpillar things, going from leaf to leaf...munching it's way through the day..until one day being a caterpillar is no longer enough.

The caterpillar longs for more.

I was the caterpillar...and after two years of fighting for more.

I feel like a beautiful butterfly ready to spread her wings and fly!

One year...

One year ago I sat in my car, trying to decide if I was going to cancel or not. I was nervous, embarresed and not sure if I was ready. I sat in my car for at least 15 minutes fighting with myself and then texted me friend to try and cancel. Sarah had joined weight watchers a few months previous, and when I texted her to cancel her little responce gave me the push I needed. I told her I was running late and that I didn't think i'd make weigh in. Sarah responded saying she "would save me a seat, and I could weigh in after the class." I remember thinking, oh no...I have to go now, I have no excuse. I relucatantly started my car, drove to Garryduff in Rochestown and walked through the door.

 

I joined the que after a friendly smile from my friend. I had butterflies in my stomach and contemplated walking out before I stepped on the scales. I had been on this journey before and had reached gold membership after loosing just shy of 4 stone. That weight, plus more quickly crept back on when my husband was diagnosed with an advanced form of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. His care became my priority and I stopped keeping track of my weight. This added to my reluctance to weigh in as I was utterly ashamed. I had managed to loose 26lbs at home but I knew deep down I needed the discipline and encouragement of a weekly class to loose the weight I so desperately wanted to.

     

I stepped up to the scales and was greeted by a warm smile from Sue, the weight watchers leader. I explained I was a gold member from a former life and that I knew I had a long way to go. Sue put me at ease, and despite my starting weight being over 17 stone, there was no judgement or tutting...simply encouragement that I could do it. I was given my little blue book, a small goal to work towards and lots of advice from the other members in the class. 

I can honestly say I haven't looked back. I set myself small, achievable targets and worked towards them. I had weeks that were fantastic, others that were tough. Some days I exercised, others I didn't. There were tears and laughter, and times I felt like giving up. But I plodded on, and hoped for a loss each week. Some weeks I was down, some weeks I stayed the same and others I gained.

But I never gave up!

   

One year on, I have lost 4 stone 10lbs and I am back within my 5lb range for my gold card. I feel like a different person and have a zest for life that a year ago I wouldn't have dreamt was possible. I have gone from feeling exhausted and self conscious, to feeling in control of my life and ready for anything I face. I have energy, I want to enjoy each day and I am focused on being healthy. I am able to go hiking with my husband, I have just started running the c25k and above all, I feel healthy.

    

So, for any of you just starting, rejoining or considering taking that first step...take it from me, you won't regret it. I am 4lbs from goal and I honestly feel like I have reclaimed my life. I didn't realise how much my weight was impacting on my life, but now almost 7 stone lighter in total, I feel like ME again.

It's been an adventure so far, but worth every single step! 

Adventures

I am sincerely sorry for not posting in so long. Let me explain why! Life has been a bit of an adventure for me of late. Sometimes life is an adrenaline pumping, hair raising, butterflies in your tummy sort of adventure. Other times it's a scary, unpredictable, cover your eyes kind of adventure. Whichever type of adventure, it's certainly not boring! Life over the last few weeks has been a little bit of both for me.

 

I am a qualified Art, Craft and Design teacher but due to my husbands illness I haven't been in a position to work for a number of years. The idea of stepping back into a classroom setting worried me hugely, especially when I was carrying so much extra weight. The thought of stepping into a classroom weighing just shy of 19 stone terrified me. The idea of standing in front of a classroom of pupils...all eyes on me...made me want to run away and hide! For a while I even tried to convince myself "I don't really even want to teach"...I was allowing my weight influence my passions...rob me of my dreams and cause me to settle for less because I didn't believe I was worth more. I would dread an interview, I'd feel physically ill at the thought of having to try and find something that would fit & look some what professional. Over the last few months I have started to hunger for something new...a new adventure. Something to get my heart racing and awaken my passion again.

 

A few weeks ago something crossed my path that both terrified me and excited me. A volunteer role in a local learning centre for pupils who have left school early due to a number of reasons. The aim of the centre is to provide a formal education for pupils who have not been successful in a mainstream setting. I swallowed my concerns and sent in my application. I reminded myself I am a new person now, I have lost over 6 stone and I have every reason to feel confident.

 

For the first time in years, I felt comfortable in my own skin going for the interview and knew immediately it was some where I wanted to volunteer. I am now a month into teaching Art to 5th and 6th years and I am absolutely loving it. I feel confident, driven and like I have a focus again. I didn't realise until I started teaching again how much I had missed it. I love not feeling like I need to cross my arms over my tummy to try and hide my tummy and I am aware that I can now hold eye contact where as in the past I have kept my eyes lowered, trying to hide. I can happily engage in conversations with fellow volunteers and not fear that they are waiting until I leave to pass comment on my size. I fit in, I am normal and I love it.

I think sometimes we don't realise how much we are allowing our weight to hold us back until we choose to say no more, enough...I am worth more. Until we choose to move past the fear and step into the unknown. It can be scary but if we continue to live in the shadow of our former selves, we will never shine. I have worked hard to get to where I am now and it's my chance to shine...because I AM worth it (excuse the corny line but it's true! We are all worth it!)

I am challenging myself to try something new, to take a chance and have faith in myself that I can do it. I think it's something we all can do...taking up a new exercise class that we wouldn't have had the confidence to do a few months ago...sign up for a night class to learn something new...anything that is slightly outside of our comfort zones, but just within reach.

 

Life is too short to hide away...I'm ready for adventures! I can honestly say, that without Weight Watchers I fear I would still be hiding away and not even realising I was doing it. I feel happier, healthier and ready for whatever life throws at me. When my husband asks at the last minute if I want to go hiking, I don't try to make an excuse because I think I'll pass out after a few minutes...I seize the opportunity and get my boots! I feel like I'm living my life now, not just existing and I honestly have WW to thank for that.

Who's with me to step out of their shadow & shine??!

 

 

Facing my food demons.

This week has been particularly difficult week for me. It was a week that was due to be full of excitement as I was heading home to my parents for a few days, followed by a good friends wedding at the weekend. I had planned to stick with Filling and Healthy as it has been working for me and I have been consistently loosing since changing over from pointing. I was going to enjoy myself but try to stay on track as I didn't want to self sabotage when goal is creeping closer! I headed away to my parents on Wednesday and the week got off to a brilliant start. Lots of lovely chats with my folks, precious time with my niece and nephew and power walks with my big sister. I don't get home as often as I'd like, so time at home is treasured. I'm the baby of the family and I love spending time with my two big sisters and of course my Mum & Dad.  

I was really looking forward to the wedding, I had my little black dress all ready to go. I had planned out my travel arrangements and I was really looking forward to seeing my friend walk down the aisle. Life took a bit of an unexpected turn for me on Friday morning, and although I don't want to share the details, it knocked me for six. I went from feeling healthy, energetic and ready to dance the night away to laid up on the sofa, exhausted and just wanting comfort. I was relieved to be at my folks house when I feeling so unwell and my family did what they do best...offer TLC and cups of tea. 

My problem is, I am an incredible comfort eater. I have always been raised on healthy food. Good breakfasts, healthy lunches and filling dinners. But when I'm unwell, upset or dealing with something difficult..my instinct is to turn to food. I ate my way through my husband's ordeal with cancer and hence I ended up at weight watchers, again, after gaining a lot of weight. I have often fallen completely off the wagon when needing comfort, and then I have been too ashamed to climb back on. Of course, the result is then a massive weight gain when I finally break the vicious circle of eating to comfort...then eating because I'm upset that I've gained weight..

When I had this "health hiccup" my first instinct was to go and buy a load of goodies. Normally it would have been complete carnage. Anything and everything would have gone into my basket, and I would have mindlessly eaten my way through the lot. My gut was wanting to comfort myself through food, but my mind was telling me to tread carefully as it was a slippery slope into complete binge eating. I knew I should allow myself something, but I needed to be wise to I stay in control. So I went into the shop, and carefully selected some treats that I knew the PP value of, I bought a big bottle of diet coke and some nice gluten free bread too. 

I opted to do the Flex plan over the following days. This is where you can swap and change F&H days and PP days...all the while using your weekly bank of 49 PP. It worked a treat (excuse the pun). I was able to have my goodies without the guilt. I had some jellies, some chocolate and even a take away Gluten Free pizza. I gobbled up my weekly 49 points, but I stayed in control. I enjoyed my treats rather than mindlessly eating everything in sight and I felt better for it. I didn't have the overwhelming guilt I used to have after munching my way towards comfort. I enjoyed my chocolate and savoured my pizza, and didn't feel like I had let myself down on the food front. I felt I had faced my food demons and won. I weighed in last night and was delighted with my .5lb loss. I would have been content with a STS but a little loss gave me the boost I needed.

This is just one of the many hiccups I will face in my lifetime, and what this week proved to me is that I am making a life long commitment to my health. Weight Watchers isn't a diet, it's not a fad or a quick fix. It's a life long commitment to being healthy. It is about learning to deal with your food demons, and figuring how to concur them. It is a program that has the flexibility that allows you to work it into any situation...good or bad. It arms you with the tools to deal with whatever life throws at you. 

We can all do it! 

Gold cards for everyone!!

Staying Motivated (Part Two)

So this week I had a moment of self doubt. I don't know what triggered it, but I found on a number of occasions this week I was questioning myself and if I was following the programme correctly. I was being really hard on myself, and as a result I was feeling really low. I wasn't feeling confident, I wasn't feeling comfortable in my clothes and most importantly I wasn't being kind to myself. I found myself putting myself down, passing negative comments about myself and in general just in bad form. I was comparing myself to others and I was even doubting if I wanted to go to my weigh in.

Yesterday was World Cancer Day and it gave me the kick I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself. As many of you know, my husband is in remission from a very aggressive and invasive form of Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He was critically ill and I honestly nearly lost him. It was the most trying time, but one thing that I realised from it all is that life is precious. Our health is fragile. When I was caring for my hubby, I lost the run of myself. I gained a huge amount of weight and I was incredibly unhealthy. When my husband entered remission, I quickly realised that as my husband was fighting for his health, I should really do something about regaining mine.

As I browsed FB yesterday and I saw all the posts about World Cancer Day, it reminded me of what I was fighting for and why. My goal has always been to "be healthy". Not only in weight, but in mind frame as well. This also humbled me and made me remember that I have A LOT to be thankful for. I have a healthy husband who against the odds is still here beside me, I have a cosy home, I have food in my cupboards and I have family and friends whom I love dearly. 

When I sat back and looked at how I had been feeling over the past few days, I realised the only thing my bad mood was doing was holding me back. I decided there and then that it had to stop. And it has. I must say, I have felt so much more positive and empowered as a result of taking back control. Last night I went for an hours walk around Cork City (in the pouring rain) with my husband and came home feeling invigorated. This morning, after preparing my lunch in advance, I went for a walk on the beach. I've beaten my slump and I feel so much better as a result.

As this is part two of my "staying motivated" post, I thought I will include a few more tips that I have found useful over the last few months.

Number Six: Experiment with healthy recipes.

This is something that has really helped me over the past few months. Sometimes we can become stuck in a rut of eating the same meals for our breakfast, lunch and dinner. We go on autopilot and don't really think about what we are eating. I absolutely love trying new foods. I love setting myself challenges to make something really tasty, and as a result I REALLY enjoy eating what I've made. I love coming up with new recipes - both savoury and sweet - that are on programme and it really helps keep me interested in my food.

Number Seven: Change your definition of a "reward".

I have ALWAYS rewarded myself with food. If I was having a good week, I would have reward myself with a takeaway. If I was having a bad day, I would have allowed myself a chocolate bar (or ten). An old weight watchers leader I had once said "you're not a dog, so don't reward yourself with food." It was a harsh statement at the time, and I was a little offended but I have learnt recently that it's true for me. I really had come to rely on food as a "reward" and a reward could often turn into a binge for me. It would be a case of, well I've had a bad day...so I'll just have ONE chocolate bar, which would turn into ten. Or, I've done so well, I'll just have one take away to celebrate...which then turned into a week of "rewards" and a few lbs back up. In recent months, I have tried to reward myself in non food related ways. For example, as a reward for reaching my 50lb cert in WW (77lbs in total) I went and got my hair cut and coloured. It doesn't have to be that big a reward, it can be a new nail polish from Pennys or a new top that fits properly and shows off your new figure. Something for you that reminds you of your achievement each time you see it!

Number Eight: Set Mini Goals, not just one BIG goal.

When I rejoined weight watchers I was 17 stone 2lbs. I had already lost 26lbs before re-joining. If on the first day my WW leader had told me I had 5 more stone to loose to get to goal, I would have walked back out the door. I have instead taken the attitude of "little by little a little becomes a lot". I have set myself mini goals that are achievable...they have been 7lb goals, fitting into a pair of my old jeans goals, loosing a few inch goals. They are goals that are just within reach, and when I have reached them I feel great. I have slowly ticked off lots of mini goals and my ultimate goal is now within sight.

Number Nine: Don't deprive yourself..this isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle change!

I love my treats....too much, hence me being a WW member. I am, however, a firm believer that if you deprive yourself you are much more likely to have a complete blow out and fall off the wagon. I make sure every week that I have some form of a treat..be it chocolate, ice cream, a takeaway. Not as a reward, but as part of my life! I have learnt what are more WW friendly treats, and I enjoy every bite. I have never once felt deprived or felt like I am on a diet. I have friends and family commenting that they didn't realise chocolate was allowed on WW! Everything, of course, has to be in moderation though!

Number Ten: Be proud.

One thing I have learnt is that being a WW member is nothing to be ashamed of. We are all members because we are trying to make the best of ourselves. Although I gained weight and was very unhealthy, I have taken the steps needed to right the wrong. I will now tell anybody who will listen about the journey I'm on and how happy I am I took the first step. Don't be embarrassed by your past as it may be what inspires some one else to take the important step towards a healthier, happier life. 

Staying motivated (Part One!)

Whether it's the three week slump, or the six month stagnation...we can all hit a bit of a lull in our weight loss where we can feel a bit disheartened or we can loose our motivation. Your weight loss can slow down to a pace you are not happy with, or in some cases it stops dead in its tracks with no real reason for it. It can be one of the most frustrating times in your weight loss journey. The novelty has worn off a little, and things are slowing down. How do you move past a lull without allowing it to sabotage all you hard work?

I for one had a few weeks towards the end of the summer where I was playing around with the same stubborn lbs that just would not get off my thighs (and bum, tum, etc!) At that stage I had lost around 3 and a half stone and things just seemed to slow down...almost to a total halt. It was one lb off and then half a lb back on again. I grew very frustrated and I lost a bit of my motivation. I decided what I needed was a plan. A motivation plan. A go to list of tips to help me keep my focus, even if things slowed down a little. Tips that would help remind me of how far I'd come to date, and how to keep me motivated to continue on my journey. 

These tips are useful and fun. Something a little different than the normal "track, exercise and drink water" which we all try to do on a daily basis. I hope they are as helpful to you as they have been to me!

Number One: 

Don't JUST Measure your success by pounds lost on the scales.

You might ask, how is that possible when once a week we all go along to a class where we are weighed? Isn't that the main focus? Of course it plays a major role in our weight loss journey, but there are other ways to measure your success.

• Measure how many sizes in jeans you have lost.
• Measure how many inches you have lost.
• Measure how your confidence is growing.
• Measure how much fitter you are becoming.

Number Two: Don't Expect Miracles in a few days.

I think when I first joined Weight Watchers, and when I hit my lull over the summer I wanted to see instant results. I wanted to see my waist shrink over night and even though it took years for me to gain my weight, I wanted to loose it fast. I have learnt, slowly, that this is a change of life. I have to remind myself every now and again that this is not a fad, fast weight loss diet. It is a long term, healthy lifestyle change that will take time so I may as well enjoy the journey!

Number Three: Do this for you and ONLY you.

I firmly believe that you have to be 100% committed to this life change for you to see the results you want. In the past I have lost weight to fit in, to be more like the other girls in school, college, work etc. I think you have to make the decision to become healthier purely for you. Not to make anyone else happy, but to make YOU happy. To help with your confidence, to help you live a happy long life where weight is not an issue. Remind yourself of the personal reasons you started out on this journey, and when you are having a hard time you can focus on those reasons to help motivate you to carry on.

Number Four: Go through your wardrobe and 

give away clothing that is too big.

This for me is a MAJOR boost. It doesn't matter is it is one size or 100 sizes you have lost, when you try on a pair of jeans that used to cling to you and they are now loose...you feel wonderful. I made a decision to hold on to ONE pair of big jeans, and ONE top. These help me on days when I struggle to see how far I've come, because when I put them on I can see it straight away. I have however, donated all my other larger clothes as I have no intent in fitting back into them. All my bigger items were bagged & donated. It is a great feeling as you can physically see that part of your life being bagged & leaving forever. 

Number Five: Take Photos!

This may sound like a big headed suggestion, but I find taking progress pictures is a huge motivation. I used to hide away from the camera, but I do have one or two "before" photos. One thing that can really spur me on when I'm having a bad day is taking a new progress picture and comparing it with the old photos. It can be subtle changes over time like seeing more of your eyes (which have a real sparkle now), your smile widening, (because it's a real smile now) or seeing more of your waist appearing in each picture that will spur you on. Photos are not just from the shoulders up now! 

So this week, if you are struggling to find your motivation, go and try on an old pair of jeans...remind yourself this process will take time, remember why you started in the first place, clear out some clothing that is too big and compare some old photos! I guarantee you will feel fantastic afterwards, and you'll muster up some new found motivation! :) 

Loving the change

Have you ever had that moment yet when it hits you? 

A bittersweet mixture of pride and embarrassment...

You are completely over whelmed and taken aback...

It dawns on you the amount of weight you have lost.

It might be half a stone, three stone or more...

However much, when you have that moment and it hits you, it can be quite something. 

A mental battle can ensue..you look back at photos and they make your skin crawl...

How did I ever let myself get like that? 

How did I not notice? 

Why did no body tell me?

I had that moment this week. I stepped on the scales at weigh in and to my delight my leader told me I was down 3lbs following the Simple Start Plan. I nearly hugged her! I received my 7th silver 7 with Weight Watchers bringing my weight loss total to date to 75lbs...5 st 4.5 lbs...34kg. I sat in my class thinking about where I was at the beginning of my journey, and I couldn't help feeling shame that I had allowed myself to gain the amount of weight I did in the first place. As some of you know, I piled on the pounds when my husband was battling cancer and I comfort ate my way through the stress. I had a completely unhealthy relationship with food, and as a result I ended up at Weight Watchers. I can honestly say I haven't looked back.

For that split second in my class this week I felt ashamed, and then it dawned on me. I am worth far more than that. I have spent over a year working to regain control of my weight, and now I am almost there. I am healthy. I am making positive changes in my life and as a result, I feel fantastic. I have energy, I have motivation and I shouldn't be ashamed of my past. It, after all, shapes who we are as people. 

I have discovered in the past week, I have a renewed passion for cooking. I have always adored cooking...part of the problem in the first place I guess! But this time it's different. I am loving experimenting with food. I am passionate about cooking food that is good for me and my husband. That feeds us with healthy, nutritious goodness that gives us energy. I have also discovered I am really enjoying sharing my passion with others. I love giving tips and sharing recipes with others so that they may too enjoy really tasty, wholesome meals. 

I have decided that there is NO shame in loosing weight. If anything, it proves how strong I am. I am overcoming my demons, and I am determined to be a healthy 20-something year old woman who is positive about all aspects of her life and isn't willing to settle for less. If my story can help inspire someone to take the step towards a healthier, longer life then I am happy to share it with anyone who will listen.

I am grabbing the Simple Start plan with both hands as I thrive on a challenge. I am embracing week two and I am learning so much about my eating patterns. I am feeling full, content and free on the Simple Start plan. My husband is also benefiting from it as he is fuller between meals and not snacking either. I have found myself reaching for the fruit bowl instead on the curly wurlies this week which is an incredible change for me. I know everyone is different and SS may not be for all, but I am feeling fantastic on it. 

I have added a lot of recipes to my "Cooking myself Skinny" recipe page. If you click on the Recipe tab at the top of the page, you'll find some inspiration there. They are suitable for people following both the SS and PP plan.

So all, embrace your weight loss to date with pride. I am not there yet, but I am feeling closer than ever. We all have our own individual stories, and a weight loss that is huge to us all in it's own right. Be proud of how far you've come, and when you look back at old pictures, old clothes etc be kind to yourself. 

You are making the change and there is no shame it that. 

A new year . . . a new plan.

Butterflies in my tummy

Nervous chatter in the line

Taking off every excess piece of clothing I could think of

Sound familiar? 

Yes, this was me last night at my first weigh in after Christmas. I was absolutely convinced the scales were going to have a big + sign on it. I gingerly stepped on the scales, held my breath and relief . . . 

I had stayed the same. 

I was so good over the Christmas period, I even pointed my Christmas dinner. I was hoping for a loss, but after an unfortunate car accident last week . . . one dislocated collar bone later and not to mention a lot of swelling, I was praying to not have a huge gain. To say I was relieved with a STS is an understatement. 

My beautiful sling!

I sat as proud as punch throughout the meeting, and eagerly awaited the news about the new programme that has been circulating facebook for weeks now. As our leader explained the plan, I began to weigh up if I'd like to do a plan with no pointing or not. 

The concept of the new Simple Start is well . . . simple! It brings eating back to basics . . . eating filling, healthy meals until you are full and limiting the rubbish. It's good old "mammy meals" that leave you feeling comfortably full, and reduce your want to tuck into the biscuit time. It's balanced, well rounded meals that tick all the boxes in terms of proteins, carbs, dairy etc. There is also room for 2 treats a day from the selected list which will be my saving grace (I love my treats!). From what I understand, in week two, you can choose to either start pointing again, or you can do Simple Start meals but use 49 weeklies for extra treats outside of the the listed Simple Start foods. So i'm willing to go "cold turkey" and give the Simple Start my all this week, and then add in my 49 weeklies next week. If it's not for me, then I can always change back to my pointing . . .  but it's worth a go. 

I am a keen pointer. I love knowing I have a certain amount of points for treats. But I also have a lot of self discipline and know when I'm full, I'm full and I need to stop eating. I did the "Core" plan when I first joined ww in 2008 and I loved it. I am hoping that once I get my head around this plan, it will be a welcome change from the Pro Points! The only worry I had about the programme is how I could make it work around my gluten & wheat intolerance. My gluten free pasta and bread isn't included on the list of SS food, so I decided I needed to write out a food plan to properly plan my meals. 

Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance! I got very excited last night and planned out my weeks meals . . from the moment I get up until I go to bed! I was excited to see what meals I could plan out, and reisited the urge to point my meals. I'm going to share my weekly plan with you all, excuse the length of it! I have included EVERYTHING that I might eat over the day. The snacks are of course optional. It might help some of you who are unsure what to make for dinner this week, or you might be able to help me out if I've gone wrong somewhere! 

Here's to a great week, a new challenge and hopefully and kick start on the scales next week!

Simple Start Week One Plan:

Day One:

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Breakfast:

Hot water and lemon

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Gluten Free Porridge with Cinnamon & Banana

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0% Fat Greek Yogurt

Chopped Fruit

Optional Snack:

Stewed Fruit eg Stewed Apple, Pear and Raspberry

Lunch:

Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup

Optional Snack:

Sugar Free Jelly

Fruit

Dinner:

Chicken Curry with Chickpeas and Sweet Potato & whole grain rice

Optional Snacks:

Sugar Free Jelly

Air popped popcorn

Fruit

*****

Choc x 2 squares & Meringue Nest x 1

Drinks:

Water (with our without lemon & lime), Tea, Diet Coke.

Day Two:

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Breakfast:

Hot water and lemon

*******

Gluten Free Porridge with Cinnamon & Banana

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0% Fat Greek Yogurt

Chopped Fruit

Lunch:

Bacon, Poached Egg, Baked Beans, Mushrooms & Gf Bread

Optional Snack:

Carrots and home made humus

Dinner:

Stew (Stewing Steak, Potatoes, Butternut Squash, Carrots, Onion)

Wholegrain Rice.

Optional Snacks:

Sugar Free Jelly and low fat custard

Air popped popcorn

Fruit

*****

Choc x 2 squares

Drinks:

Water (with our without lemon & lime), Tea, Diet Coke.

Day 3:

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Breakfast:

Hot water and lemon

********

Gluten Free Porridge with Stewed Apple & Cinnamon

********

0% Fat Greek Yogurt

Chopped Fruit

Lunch:

Vegetable Soup with Chickpeas

Optional Snack:

0% Greek yogurt with chopped fruit

Sugar Free Jelly

Dinner:

Shepherds Pie

(Extra Lean Mince, Potatoes, Carrots, Onion)

Optional Snacks:

Sugar Free Jelly

Air popped popcorn

Fruit

*****

Choc x 2 squares

Meringue Nest x 1

Drinks:

Water (with our without lemon & lime), Tea, Diet Coke.

Day Four

*******

Breakfast:

Hot water and lemon

********

Gluten Free Porridge with Stewed Fruit

********

0% Fat Greek Yogurt

Chopped Fruit

Lunch:

Tuna and Sweetcorn with wholegrain Rice

Optional Snacks

Sugar Free Jelly

Fruit Salad

Dinner:

Pork Chops

Roast Vegetables 

Roast Potatoes

Sweet Corn

Optional Snack:

Sugar free Jelly & Custard

Stewed Fruit

Choc x 2 squares

Drinks:

Water (with our without lemon&lime), Tea, Diet Coke.

Day Five:

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Breakfast:

Banana Pancakes

0% Greek Yogurt

Red Berry Comport

Lunch

Potato and Sweet corn Soup

Optional Snacks

Sugar Free Jelly

Fruit Salad

Dinner

Chili

Extra Lean Mince

Chick Peas

Kidney Beans

Tin of Tomato

Coriander, Cumin and Chili

Whole Grain Rice

Optional Snacks

Eton Mess-Meringue x 1

0% fat Greek Yogurt

Red Berries

Fruit Salad

Choc x 2 squares

Drinks:

Water (with our without lemon  &lime), Tea, Diet Coke.

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Repeat for day 6 & 7

ENJOY