At the start of this year, I set myself some goals. Some of those goals I have achieved this week already! This week, I did something new, terrifying and exciting all at the same time. I went to a (free) fitness class. I actually can not believe I did it. I kept umming and ahh'ing about going, I so, so nearly didn't go but I really pushed myself to go and I'm glad I did, even though I was very anxious. I have a lot going in my life at the moment and I was wondering if this was the right time to be going to a fitness class, in all honesty, I really did not want to go. The thought of working out and exercising in front of people terrified me because I have zero self confidence (or so I thought!). But I knew I had to do it. I had to do it for myself. I was anxious that everyone would stare at me, that I'd make a complete fool of myself and I was just really anxious about the whole thing in general. I'm not a very sociable person and feel awkward around people, especially people I don't know but I overcome that anxiety, I said yes to something I wouldn't usually do, it involves being more social and it's the first step on the ladder to loosing weight. It's also the first step to dealing with the horrific anxiety I deal with. I achieved four of my goals in one night and I am certainly going to keep up with it, no matter what happens. If someone had of said to me this time last week that I'd have gone to a fitness class, I would never believed them! This is a HUGE deal for me.
The class itself was quite hard to begin with but I soon got into it. No one stared at me, no one was bothered, what was I so worried about? We are all there for the same reason!
I've also got to know my neighbour better, we teamed up as partners at the fitness club. She's so lovely! My stamina isn't great and I still can't do burpees but I will workout at home so hopefully next week my stamina will be a bit better. Now I know what to expect, I am hoping I won't feel so anxious next week.

After the class, I felt so proud of myself. I felt so satisfied. It was such a good feeling, I haven't felt like that for such a long time, I'd forgotten that such a feeling existed! 


I am really looking forward to going next week and I am SO determined to loose weight and over come this anxiety, I know it won't be easy but I don't want to spend my life anxious, nor do I want to spend my life feeling and looking fat.



I am so determined to loose this weight. I am so determined be more social and over come anxiety, at least a little. I am also determined to stick to this fitness and weight loss journey.  
I can do this and I WILL do this! 

Sarah xXx

My weight has really been getting me down lately. I am a size 14 clothes and most of my clothes are size 10-12. I really need to fit back into those. It's not only that though, I've noticed how unfit I am. Just walking up the stairs I was becoming out of breath, that can't be a good sign so I decided it was time to start working out again. I am currently on day 4 of Jillian Michael's 30 day shred. I've done it before so I knew what to expect but it doesn't make it any easier! Here are five things I learned about myself since I've started working out and eating healthier, again.

1. It doesn't matter how slow you go, just do not stop. - I can't work out everyday because I have a brain condition (The fluid builds up around my brain and causes headaches/visual problems and so on. The medication I have to slows down my metabolism, therefore I gain weight) but when I feel like I CAN workout, I try not to push myself too hard. As long as I stay eating healthy and try to aim for 10k steps a day, workout three times a week and think positive, I CAN do this and I WILL be skinny for next summer! Slow wins the race, right? 
2. Green Tea is actually pretty good. Especially the berry flavoured green tea's. I actually find myself craving it now! Although it makes me feel sick and dizzy if I drink it on an empty stomach.. I've also been drinking a lot more water! Always a plus. No more fizzy drinks!
3. Eating healthy is hard. Although I am into the swing of things now, it does take some getting use to, it is not easy. I've been eating healthier for almost three weeks now and I don't even think about eating junk. It's ok to have a treat now and again but in moderation and only once a week! 
4. Don't become obsessed with the scales - This is easier said than done let me tell you! I weigh myself once a week but it's so hard not to weigh myself every other day and become obsessed with those scales. (I'm speaking from experience now! I've learned by my mistakes). I'm going to weigh myself once a week for the first month and then I'll weigh myself every two weeks after that. If I don't see a loss, I'll feel so disheartened. However, this week I have lost 2.2lbs and I'm very, very happy with that! 
5. Rewards - When I reach my first goal of loosing that first 5lb I am going to reward myself. I may reward myself with a nice face mask/pamper evening or something similar.
6. Stay active - Anything is better than nothing! I just need to MOVE more and eat less. Even just doing the housework burns a good amount of calories and then add in a half hour walk. It all adds up.  I find step counters help me - There are plenty of apps. I am planning on investing in a Fitbug after Christmas, my old one sadly broke. 

Do you have any advice for me? Or fitness/weight loss/healthy tips? Let me know in the comments.

Sarah xXx

Last week, I wrote about how I've started the 30 day shred again and that I need to loose weight. I did the shred I think for three days and then woke up one day and my shoulder was killing me. I literally couldn't list my arm at all and the pain went into my neck, too. I have no idea what I had done as it wasn't hurting when I went to sleep. Perhaps I didn't warm up properly? Anyway, I didn't workout for a couple of days (I did do some walking though and stuck to eating healthy). My shoulder is better now and so I can start the thirty day shred again. I'll be more careful in future.
I am looking forward to getting back into the 30 day shred and plan on working out everyday this week and walking, too! I've decided that Friday's will be treat days.


I can't wait for the weather to get better so that I can start jogging again. It is just far to wet and muddy to be jogging at the moment and like I said last week, I am not confident enough to jog along a road, where people might see me (No one wants to see my flab jogging along a busy road!)

How's your diets and workouts going?

Sarah xXx

My main goal for this year is to loose weight. I did well last year but then I moved house and everything health and fitness wise just stopped. There's no excuse now though, I NEED to do this and I WANT to do this. So I am. I will of course be joining in with the relavent linkys (Please do let me know if you know of or host any weightloss/fitness/healthy eating linkys/bloghops) and groups etc.

On Saturday I did five hours of walking... well five hours of shopping (spending my Christmas money and shopping with my mum) and I did 11 minutes of the thirty day shred level one. I couldn't do the whole workout because I already ached so, so much from walking. On Sunday I did the whole level one workout (just under half an hour) and dude, let me tell you, that was jolly hard work! I feel good though and it feels SO good to be back to working out.
When the weather isn't so wet, I plan on starting jogging again. I live in the countryside and everywhere is muddy, I can't run down the little lane because the ground is to uneven and I don't have the best co ordination as it is! I don't have enough confidence to run along the road (where people drive. And people I know are bound to see me and to be honest, nobody wants to see me jogging with my flab, haha).

I am also eating healthy and trying to do low carbs, I am weaning myself onto low carbs slowly as last time I did low carbs (and lost 6lbs in ten days!) it made me feel rather poorly. So this time I am taking it slow and doing it the right way. I've realised that it doesn't matter how slow I do go, just as long as I don't stop.

If anyone has any weight loss tips, please do let me know in the comments!

Sarah xXx



Welcome To The Wee

I thought I would share with you my inspiration and motivating things I do and tell myself when I really don't feel like working out. Now, it's no secret that I am on a weight loss journey. I currently power walk/jog lightly at least twice a week as well as Jillian Michaels thirty day shred six days a week.I give myself a "rest" day and of course have a treat on the same day. I say "rest" because I still try to reach at least 10,000 steps even on my "day off"because that is better than nothing. I allow myself a rest day because I honestly think everyone deserves one!
Anyway I'll stop waffling and get on with the "what I tell myself when I really don't feel like working out" tips.

So this is what I do when I loose all m motivation and inspiration. When I feeling all "I can't be bothered" and "Stuff it this is too hard, I'll just stay fat and unfit because it's easier" and of course the whole "One bat of chocolate won't hurt" (Can you relate yet?). I remind myself of why I started trying to loose weight in the first place. 

Firstly, I find that looking at my -what I call- skinny photos of myself really does help! I know I am never going to be 110lbs again but it does help to remind myself of why I actually started working out. How good I look and how good I use to feel (Even though back then I was convinced I was fat. There wasn't even half an ounce of fat on me.. What was I thinking?!)

I look at the clothes I use to wear, my skinny clothes. This always, always helps me to get motivated! I have a pair of jeans I try on from time to time and of course they are WAY too small. Do you know what though? This time last year, I couldn't even get them over my KNEES, this year? I can get them over knees AND my thighs and up to my waste. Ok, so they're very tight and the button or zip doesn't do up, no matter how many times I lay flat on the bed trying my darn hardest to get that zip up... I am still too fat. But it's inspiring to see and I know that they do at least do over my thighs, yay!

I am not alone in this whole weight loss journey. I talk to people who are also trying to loose weight, like my friend Laura. She understands. She encourages me and motivates me. She also inspires me, too! She really helps me so much, I can't even put into words. Also reading other bloggers posts about weight loss. I enjoy joining in with blog hops and linkies, (Blogging To Jogging, Weight Loss Wednesday and Fitness Tuesday, just to name a few) reading other peoples weight loss stories, goals, success and even struggles. I like to encourages others too and I hope one day I can be an inspiration with my own successful weight loss story. I know that I am not alone and this, THIS, really helps in knowing other people know exactly how I feel!

Oh I have a problem with food and trying to stay strong and motivated with the whole healthy eating thing but again, I do the above and tell myself NO! "A moment on the lips and a lifetime on the hips" and all that. I also know that everything is ok in moderation and it's about having will power! Eat less and move more! This DOES help when I tell myself it's ok. And it IS ok. A few malteasers instead of a whole packet? Sure! None would be the better option, obviously but it's ok. I will get there in the end.

Quotes!! Motivational quotes also help. Pinterest is a really good idea for this! I quite often head over to pinterest when I'm looking for a quote that describes exactly how I feel (about everything and every situation in life, not just weight loss) which actually, is quite inspiring. In fact searching pinterest for weight loss tips, goals and so on, is also helpful.

I also tell myself (quite often) to stop making excuses. Making excuses will get me nowhere.



And last but not least. I tell myself. I CAN DO IT. And don't stop! Keep going. "It doesn't matter how slow you go, just as long as you don't stop". The last few days have been good, I HAVE stayed motivated.

I also find that weighing myself less frequesntly helps, that way if I haven't lost weight or I've gained a few ounces or not had a very big weight loss, I won't be as disheartend. I seriously hate the scales (or perhaps they hate me, haha) and would rather judge my weight on how my clothes are fitting. Right now I am between a size 10 and a 12! So I've dropped a jean size. I'll go by the way my clothes fit I think!

It's not going to happen over night. I need to have patience, be strong and just keep going with it. I remind myself of all the above, I talk to other people and I read other peoples weight loss journey stories so that I know I'm not alone and it helps. It really, really helps.

And reminding myself of this:


What are your "stay motivated tips"?

Sarah xXx

I feel like I lost my motivation last week, well, motivation when it came to weight loss, eating healthy and what not. I am determind to get back on track now though, I HAVE to do this. Even just loosing 4lbs will put me at a weight I haven't been for almost two years.
I've been looking at skinny photos of myself, which has given me inspiration. I've dug out some skinnier jeans and tops that I haven't worn for over two years. That also gives me inspiration and motivation. It's just so hard to stay on track, especially when the scales are saying I haven't lost very much weight!

This week I am going to eat healthy and stay eating healthy. Despite the fact that it's probably not the right time of the month as I usually crave chocolate and all things that are not good for weight loss, I know I can do this. I've done it before, I know I CAN do it again. I just need to stay strong.


I know my body has changed and I totally do have more stamina, I noticed when I was jogging/power walking on Friday, I wasn't getting out of breath as fast, I could jog for a bit longer without having to stop and feel like I was going to pass out! I've also started level 2 of the thirty day shred which is awesome! I am actually enjoying it more than I thought I would.

Also, I am not going to weigh myself until 23rd July. That gives me time to at least see a small weight loss, right? If I keep weighing myself too frequently and I don't see a change, I get really dis heartened and just feel like giving up. I don't want that. I am not giving up!

My meal plan this week looks like this:

Monday - Jacket potato with tuna and salad.

Tuesday - Turkey breast (sprinkled with chilli spice) and sweet potato fries and salad

Wednesday - Stir fry (I'll make my own, I don't like the pre made ones as I don't like cabbage and what not)

Thursday - Wholemeal pasta with chicken, sweetcorn, cucumber, red onions and a tiny dollop or light mayo

Friday - Egg salad

Saturday - Low fat chicken Korma with brown rice

Sunday - Sunday roast (all low fat, low carbs)

I'll be sticking with just drinking water. No bread for me either as it really doesn't agree with me. I seem to have built up an intolerance to bread. Any bread. I'll have 0% fat yogurt, fruit and cracker breads for a snack. I might purchase some snack a jacks, just for when I crave crisps because snack a jacks are way healthier than normal crisps.
As you can see, I have a lot of salads thrown in there. I really could use some healthy recipes if anyone has any they'd like to share with me.

Wish me luck!

Sarah xXx

Last week I wrote about how I had started working out again and eating healthy. Not only have I been doing Jillian Michaels thirty day shred everyday and eating healthy but I have also been power walking/slow jog a few times, too. In nine days I lost a grand total of six pounds, which I am really, really chuffed about. I am going to weigh myself every 9-10 days I think. I am still going to do the 30 day shred every day and eat healthy as well as 10,000 steps. Although, my fitbug orb has sadly broken and will no longer sync with my phone, which totally sucks. Maybe I'll change the battery and see if that helps. I'll do a power walk/light jog a couple of times a week (at least), too. I am so lucky to live where I do as there are so many beautiful places to jog and not many people around. I especially like jogging through the woods, well around the edge of the woodland.

I've been eating a lot of salad and healthy food. I am getting a bit bored of salad now though if I'm honest. I've done low carbs a few times this week just gone, which was actually not as hard as I thought it would be. I have also not eaten any bread for a while (first time in ages yesterday), which is good, too. It's definitely bread that makes me bloated and causes stomach cramps, since cutting that out of my diet I haven't had any problems with my tummy. I had a wholemeal roll yesterday for lunch and sure enough, as soon as I'd eaten it, I had stomach ache and my tummy was ever so bloated.

Sarah xXx

Firstly, let me start with last weeks weight loss. I lost about 1.6lbs I think it was. Something like that anyway, I forgot to write it down! Grr. I DID expect more but I'm pleased it was a loss! This weight seems to be coming off ever so slowly. I see other blog posts and Facebook posts from people saying "I've lost 5lbs this week" and I am SO pleased for everyone, I just wish mine would come off like that. I know the tablets I HAVE to take play a part in it being a slow process so I should be proud of myself. And I AM proud of myself, I'm just inpatient lol!

Does not include 30 day shred.

Today I walked a total of THIRTEEN miles! Wow. Just wow. Not gonna lie, when I synced my fitbug orb with my phone, I didn't expect to see that much but I am of course very pleased! I didn't walk it right in one go, just schools runs, walking to town and what not... It all add up! Add that to yesterdays walking distance of 7 miles = 20 miles in two days. Not bad. Not bad at all. I also power walked some of that. Plus level 3 of the 30 day shred. Yes, I am rather pleased with myself! I didn't do the last abs workout tonight as my son came down upset because he has a sore throat, so I stopped to comfort him and give him some calpol. He seems ok now... He's asleep. Might need a trip to the Drs tomorrow, we'll see.

I am doing quite well with my eating, I could probably do a lot better but I'll get there in the end! I do think I've probably burnt off more calories than I have eaten today, which is of course good.Still enjoying the green tea and almonds and pine nuts for a snack. I've cut down on the smoothies, especially the fruit ones because of the sugar, I know it's ok in moderation but I do actually enjoy them more when I only have a smoothie every couple of days and I add greens in when I can. I've been having porridge with banana for breakfast and I loveeeee it. I don't think I could ever actually get bored of that haha, is that weird?

Anyway, I'm rambling on now, I am super tired! I really do need to have an early night. I have a busy week this week - lots of walking and blitzing my house.

*yawns*

Times for bed!

Let me know how your weight loss/fitness journey is going, I'd love to hear about it :) 


Sarah xXx

This weeks weight loss is another small one but none the less, it's a loss and I am happy about that! I weigh myself every Friday by the way.
I've lost another 1.5lbs, which might be nearer 2lbs because I was fully dressed in jeans and a woolly jumper. I'm really pleased I've lost again this weight rather than maintain. I'm happy with it so all is good.

However, this weekend was my Birthday and Friday night I had no children (rare!), so I may have indulged in some treats - including alcohol and Birthday cake. I do think I deserved a treat and I actually don't feel guilty about it! I will however, workout extra hard this week and do some extra walking and what not. Didn't do the 30 day shred over the weekend but hey, it was my Birthday!! (Not that it's any excuse..) I still don't think I have gained though as I have done walking and small exercises. I actually burned a total of 2500 (odd) calories just walking over the weekend, so that's not too bad. 

I had a wonderful Birthday. I got a FitBug Orb and some new trainers, both very much appreciated. I absolutely love my orb and trainers. I am SO lucky. My old trainers had seen better days and I have had my eye on a fitbug orb for a while now. I may even review it on my blog in a few days or so :)


I'm quite shocked that my size 12 jeans are baggy around my thighs, waste and butt. I have to keep pulling them up! I can get away with a belt for now as they're not too baggy and I know I'm not a size 10 yet but I feel like I am getting there, even if it is a slow process.

I am still enjoying green tea, the odd smoothie and I actually now prefer brown rice rather than white! Brown rice takes a while longer to cook but I prefer it! When I first started swapping foods, I hated brown rice with a passion. It's amazing what you get use to and end up actually liking. 

I don't know if I wrote about this, but the meds I take for my IIH (brain disease) make me gain weight/slow metabolism down so that is most probably why it's a slow process for me, even though I am working out every night and walking a good distance most days. I HAVE to take those meds though.

How has your weight loss/healthy eating/fitness progress this week?

Sarah xXx