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

This loosing weight malarkey is so hard, I have been really, really struggling. Last week I weighed myself and I have only lost 6oz in eight days. I was so disappointed and felt like just giving up if I'm totally honest with you. I've been doing the thirty day shred (level one) and jogging/power walking (at least twice a week!) as well as at least 10,000 steps everyday and eating really healthy too. Except for Wednesday, I binged on ice lollies (really didn't help with the weight loss!) So you can imagine how frustrated I was to see that I'd only lost 6 ounces. I was not at all impressed. However, yes, it has been hot and I've skipped meals here and there because I hadn't felt much like eating. That probably didn't help either but I need to stop making excuses. I also think my stamina has got better and my body feels stronger. I could have lost inches rather than pounds but I also realise that my body has probably got use to doing what it's doing and I need to up the intensity. Maybe starting level 2 of the thirty day shred will help!

I am not going to give up, I am going to keep going, even if it's slow and a slow process to shift this weight, I will get there in the end, no mater how long it takes!!

Sarah xXx

This week I lost 2.2lbs, which means I have 4lbs to do until I reach my first goal!
I think I mentioned last week how my size 10 tops are starting to fit again, which is great! Yes, I can see my flabby bits because a size 10 "hugs" me but at least I can get it on and over my boobs! I'm rather quite chuffed with that! I have been wearing size 12 jumpers which are actually a little baggy on me instead of being too tight and looking awful! I don't think it will be too long before size 10 tops fit me better! The same with my size 10 jeans. I tried on my size 10 river island jeans the other day thinking "There's no way they're going to over my thighs" (They are my absolute favourite jeans) I was very surprised that they DO go over my thighs and I can even do the button up! This hasn't happened for around two years (give or take) so that in itself is quite an achievement. However, I don't feel comfortable or confident in them because they are tight, I'm just pleased I can actually get them over my thighs and the button and zip done up without having to squeeze and pull! If that's no motivation, then I don't know what it is!

I walked around 35 miles in total last week (thanks to my fitbug orb for tracking it). Not bad. Not bad at all! I did ache and only did level 1 of the thirty day shred a couple of times, I was also very tired. I don't want to over do it though. I have children to look after, a household to keep going and a routine to stick to, I can't afford to be ill! I find listening to my body easier now, I know when enough is enough, hence why doing an easier level of the 30 day shred. Does that make sense? 

I have lost a total of eighteen pounds (and a few ounces) so far. All is good.

I've fell off the healthy eating bandwagon this weekend though and I need to get back on it! I haven't done BAD but I haven't done good either. I can do better - I HAVE done better so I know I can do it! It's nice to "indulge" every now and again but it's becoming a habit again. A habit that needs to stop I find myself picking while I'm cooking the kids (yummy) dinners or making packed lunches and that is not a good habit to have. Someone please tell me I'm not the only one who does this!

My anxiety has been in full swing the last few days. I hate it SO much! It's so, so hard to control. I find myself worrying about silly things and then I get anxious and guess what I turn to? Food. Nothing overly bad but even so, rather than eating 2 packets of snackajacks and a special K cereal bar right off in one go, I should moderate it more! Ugh. I feel like I've failed a bit there but again, I could have turned to chocolate or proper crisps. At least I went for the healthier option, even if I did have more than I was suppose to have *sigh*

Let me know how your weight loss journey is going! I do love reading about everyone elses journeys! :)

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

At the beginning of this week, I was feeling rather depressed about my weight. I couldn't workout at the weekend because I had such a bad headache, I felt like I had let myself down. I was convinced I had gained weight. I really was dreading weighing myself but I was quite pleasantly surprised that I had lost FIVE pounds! That has given me such a huge boost.


I've been having a smoothie for breakfast with a bowl of special K. A light salad or special K for lunch and dinner, I've had either chicken/fish/pork with salad. I'm also doing low carbs. I wanted to do NO carbs one day and then low carbs the next but as it turns out that is just too hard for me to do and I've read some not so great things about dieting that way, so I'll give that a miss and just do low carbs for now.
I am really enjoying the smoothies. I DO need to add in more veggies though, so I am making that my goal for this next week... starting tomorrow hopefully. Wish me luck with that, veggies are not my strong point. Although I do sneak in one veggie now and again, I do need to add more and more often, too. 

I am now on level 2 of the 30 day shred, it's going well! Tonight will be day three of level 2 and I am starting to get use to it although my arms ache a bit. I've got a rotten cold so I'll probably take it slow and steady tonight and drink A LOT of water. I always feel really good after a workout though and I am really proud of myself! I've been doing a lot more walking than usual (weather permitting) lately, too. An online friend is also doing the 30 day shred with me and we're encouraging each other, which works wonderfully. It's nice to have someone doing this with me and it's also nice to have so many bloggers supporting me, too.

Sarah xXx