February Feels: Weight loss, happiness and life lately

I feel like I'm the only person who was sad to see the back of January this year. I turned over a new leaf this year rather than making resolutions and vowed to slow down and look after myself. So far I can confidently say it's working and god do I feel better for it.

2017 was rather a turbulent year. Exciting but turbulent. I started the year knowing a house move was inbound and finally after waiting Chris and I moved into our first owned home. Exciting as it was, I found myself feeling very stressed and then nothing really calmed down after that. We were booked up left right and centre to do things which as amazing and great as they were, were also tiring and by December I was paying for it. Over a stone heavier, exhausted and also skint- something had to change. Come January 1st I was raring to go and full of enthusiasm. I cracked open the green tea, said goodbye to junk food and wiped my diary clear.

A lot of people I find hate their own company and spending time pottering around the house. I however thrive on these blissful times and since having a clear diary and having the time to relish being at home, I realised how little I've been able to do this over the past year and just how much I enjoy this time. Having some time out from being here there and everywhere means I can get shit done. I've had time to plan, organise and reevaluate things in my life. My house has never been so organised nor have my thoughts. Stuff gets done and its not stressful, rushed or hastily decided. I haven't been a complete hermit and have seen and done a few things over the past few weeks but when I have, I've fully appreciated those times and the people I'm spending it with. We live in a world of fast paced, social media, stimulating stuff and I think we all can be guilty of not switching off. When you finally allow yourself to do this it's like a switch has been flicked and you finally feel like you again. I can't really describe it but I feel like I've found myself again.

As for the weight loss, I've so far lost a stone in a month and I am unashamedly proud of myself. With last year being on the go so much, I was eating things for convenience and anything that was quick and because I was so exhausted the idea of actually cooking and preparing meals made me feel even more tired. Since clearing my diary and having more time at home, I've had more time to cook proper food and use those recipe books that for so long have sat at the back of the cupboard longing to be used. I also signed up to Weight Watchers again- something I hadn't used for a few years. I tried Slimming World back in April last year and did get results but for me they weren't sustainable and Weight Watchers works much better for me personally as I can still eat the things I like and have found a balance. By loosing some weight I've gained back my confidence and self loathing in the mirror has disappeared. I'm still a fair way off where I want to be but I know that I'm making steps to get to where I want to be that are achievable and work with my lifestyle. Clothes in my wardrobe are fitting much more comfortably or actually just fitting for the first time in ages which makes me feel so much happier.

So this all leads onto happiness... It's a funny thing happiness. Everything I've mentioned above isn't rocket science and is really quite straight forward but actually taking the time to slow down and assess my own needs has helped me enormously to achieve what I want for 2018 and be happier in the process. Looking after myself means that I feel better in my own skin and can be a better friend, family member, wife, blogger, colleague etc and give more to the people around me I love.

I Spy Graphic Day Dress- Tobi

Jeans (old)- New Look

Boots- New Look

Feather Ring- Old Farmhouse Jewellery

Feather Necklace- Fiona Jones Jewellery

Leather bracelet- H&M

Anyway this has turned into a rather rant blog post! I never normally write this style of post but the words have literally just poured out of me onto the screen and I'm literally just typing my thoughts and feelings. It's almost verging on verbal diarrhoea! With that in mind, I'll leave it there and bid you goodbye but if you enjoy this type of post please let me know!

Weekly Weigh In

Hey everyone, it's that time again! I would have done a post last week but the internet died a death until Monday. It was a tragic time..

Anyway I'll update you with last weeks weight loss- I stayed the same weight. To be honest I wasn't surprised as the week before I had family staying so was a little bit cheeky with what I ate. I generally stuck to eating healthy but may have had a few extras on top and slightly oversized portions in restaurants. I didn't go totally mad though hence why I didn't gain weight so I'm happy with that! Onto this week...

I am shocked but also thrilled to announce that I lost a whacking 4.8 lb this week!!!! I had to step on the scales many many times to believe it, even turning the scales on and off and moving them to different areas of the bathroom just to check I wasn't dreaming but no, it's true!

I was expecting to loose 1-2 lbs a week on my dieting journey as this is a healthy loss so was almost concerned at my loss this week but I can put it down to two things:

• New Job
• Jazzercise

I have started my new job (whoop), working in a very busy environment and being on my feet 4 to 5 hours at a time. It can be quite tiring but makes the shift go quickly. For the past few months I've been used to getting up leisurely and pottering around the house, (a right little lady of leisure) so I think my body has had a slight shock to the system with early starts and go go go for the enitre work shift!

Jazzercise.. I bloody love this class. Like, so much! The instructor has changed up the routines again this month which happens every month but this time I fee like I'm really working my butt off. I've upped my weights, only to 2 . 3 g but it really makes a difference and the exercises we're doing I can really feel working muscles I didn't even know existed! This is definitely a major weight loss culprit this week and I love it! Cant even explain, just.. gah! Amazing :-)

Now onto my weekly top tip for weight loss, this week being a foodie thing!

Smoothies!

If like me you're not a morning fan and the thought of breakfast first thing makes you want to hurl- have no fear! Smoothies are here! These are my go-to breakfast choice as I usually don't get hungry until mid-morning which is when I will now eat breakfast. Smoothies are seriously filling and keep me going for hours, sometimes even til lunchtime! They're also a great way of getting some of your five a day into your system first thing. I tend to choose two different types of fruit to use which leaves me three more fruit and veg portions to tackle throughout the rest of the day. 

My favourite combination at the moment is bananas and peaches. I use tinned peaches (draining off the juice) which are great to use as they won't perish like fresh fruit. I also make my own Greek yoghurt (I'm so cool) which is low in fat and helps to mush everything together in the blender. I've invested in a smoothie maker but have used a hand blender in the past which is perfectly adequate and less bulky if you don't fancy a smoothie maker.

The great thing with smoothies is you can mix up your flavours! When it's strawberry season I can't beat strawberry and banana flavour. I'm also a fan of blueberries, kiwis and guavas in smoothies. Anything that'll blend and tastes good- chuck it in!

So that's my weigh in and weight loss tip for the week. Let me know your tips and tricks!

Kat

xxx

My first weekly weigh in and weight loss history..

Hey everyone, hope you're all having a good week! I had a job interview yesterday (to see the outfit I wore click here) which went pretty well as I got the job! Must admit I'm a little bit frightened to start as I've not worked for about 4 months now and scared I'll cock it up but I'm sure it'll be fine? Right? I have two hours of training to do tomorrow and then start properly in a couple of weeks!

Anyway onto the main topic of this post...This year I decided I need to shift some poundage as I'm feeling a bit bloated and wobbly. I wouldn't say I'm fat but I would say I'm at the point where I no longer feel comfortable in my own skin and certain clothing is feeling a bit too tight. There's also my July wedding looming and I want to look my best so with that in mind, I threw myself into my diet as soon as January 1st came and I can happily say I've so far stuck to it and seen results!

I've decided to use Weight Watchers to help me loose weight as I know it works. They calculate your daily points allowance by your height, weight, age and type of lifestyle you lead (i.e active or sitting down a lot type thing.) Each food has a points value and you simply eat up to your daily allowance! Some foods obviously have a higher points value so depending on what you pick will determine the amount you can eat for the day. It's so simple to follow you cant really go wrong, plus no food is off limits. You can eat what you like providing you have enough points left that day! 

I've lost weight with Weight Watchers before, loosing almost a stone and half last time! My biggest problem is maintaining my weight loss. I got down to my goal weight in 2012 and felt so confident and happy with myself and proud to have achieved what I set out to do. I then met Chris and the weight slowly but surely started to creep back up. I don't blame him for it, it was my decision to eat Chinese take always and make bad choices when eating out. I'd just say he was a distraction and like many people- when you're happy and in love...you eat! I attempted to get back on the wagon a few times but if I'm honest my heart really wasn't in it. This time however I feel more determined than ever to a) loose the weight and b) maintain it.

I've been using the Weight Watchers app and it's so much easier than using a booklet and a pro points calculator as a lot of foods are already stored in it but failing that there is a calculator too. It makes my life a lot easier with keeping track of how many points I have left for the day and is great for on the go. It's also handy for people like me who can't get to the Weight Watchers meetings as it suggests new recipes to try each week too! 

So that's my history anyway. It definitely helps that my other half is supporting me 100% and is also on a health kick of his own. It's only been a week and I have lost 2 lbs. It may not seem a lot to some of you but it's a healthy loss and I expect to loose between 1-2 lbs each week. My goal is to be at my desired weight by July which is definitely achievable, especially as I'm doing exercises classes three times a week. 

The great thing about Weight Watchers is it doesn't really feel like a diet! I had cheese and crackers last night as I had enough pro points left over. I could even eat a pizza on Saturday but instead of piling on the cheese I had a little less and added peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms as a healthy alternative. I don't feel like I'm missing out at all as I can have my favourite things just in moderation!

Anyway that's my first weigh in post. I didn't intend for it to turn into such a Weight Watchers plug but I can't rate it highly enough. In my coming posts I'll be writing my weight loss tips, tricks and motivation. What are your tips and are you using a weight loos group like weight watchers?

Kat

xxx