Good bye May!

What a month May has been!

I have achieved my SW Target weight and saw numbers on the scales I've not seen for 19 years, 

when I got married!! 

I've run a 'proper' 5K and came in a respectable 61 out of 166!! 

I've gone blonde to celebrate and look and feel 10 years younger!! 

I''ve enjoyed the most fabulous night with my man and the Take That boys!! 

I've had fun day trips to Cornwall, Cardiff and Bath and spent a small fortune on new clothes!!

I can now wear size 8 jeans!!!! 

I treated myself to a Nespresso Coffee machine - daily treats of 'proper' coffee!! 

2 weeks today I will be running the Race for Life, Bath 5K because I CAN now run and in memory of my fabulous Mother-in-law who lost her fight to bowel cancer over 7 years ago now. I've set up a Just Giving page HERE and if you would like to donate anything would be most welcome x

So as we move forward into the month of June, it will literally be just that, the 'MOVING' month. We're still to exchange contracts but fingers crossed this will happen soon and look to have a moving date for early July. I have 5 weeks to pack up, de-clutter and get us moved - exciting and daunting all at the same time!

Friday weigh-in!

So my first weigh-in as a target member - no pressure and I lost 1 and 1/2 pounds!

I must say I was a little surprised as I've had a few days out and a meal 'off-plan' well I say off-plan but I was aware of it and tried to be reasonably good either side of it. I've had more bread than normal which I thought would show but I guess it was all accountable so 'allowed'. So I have just the same again to lose and then hit the bottom of my target range and then work out how to stay there!!

Here's to a good week x

A little update

It's turning out to be a busy half term - we had the run on Sunday then Jeff met up with his brother and all the male cousins on Monday to walk up Cley Hill. Then on Tuesday we did a 6 hour round trip to Cornwall for the day to visit my Granny.

We took a detour via St Ives, my favourite spot and celebrated me reaching 'Target' by having lunch at The Hub - best spot in St Ives for food with views like this.

We picked up a couple of 'proper' Cornish pasties for the journey home - I enjoyed a 'slither' and took the other one over to give to Granny......

.....which I think she enjoyed!

My sister and niece happened to be down at the same time, so popped over to say hello, as did Mum and Dad - a rare family selfie (minus1)

Today, Sophie and I were up bright and breezy to head off to Cardiff for the day. There was a specific shop we wanted to go to but it wasn't a bad trip and something we may well do again. Tomorrow we're off again to Bath - Sophie and a friend are shopping and off to the cinema, so I shall enjoy a little retail therapy too - perks of being the chauffeur x

Oh and the official 'action' shots from the run have gone live - ha! look at those red cheeks!!

Final time came in at 27:38 - pretty proud of the above stats - looking forward to getting a run in on Saturday - I've been too busy gallivanting to exercise this week!

Baked Oat Cookies

When you are trying to lose weight and crave, in my case cake and cookies, the best way to carry on is to find a best fit alternative. I can't take credit for the recipe, I found it over on Instagram but I do add different things to the basic recipe to change things up. 

The basic recipe is one egg beaten, add to it 35g of oats, mix together and then add a dash of vanilla essence or sweetener to taste. Then you can add whatever else you like - grated apple and cinnamon, grated carrot and nutmeg, peanut butter and choc chunks, chopped cherry and almond essence, the list really does go on.....

I used a Whitworths apricot and seed mix shot and a few chocolate chunks with a sprinkle of cinnamon to these. Once added to the basic ingredients, mix together and then dollop out onto a baking sheet, fork into a basic cookie shape making 3/4 cookies and then bake for 10 minutes or until done. It really is that easy.

I tend to serve mine with a yogurt and fruit to make it more of a meal but they would be lovely eaten straight out of the oven as an afternoon snack too with a cup of coffee. Give them a go and if you think of any other good combinations, let me know.

5K!!!!!

YAY!! GO ME!!

Today I ran my first 'proper' 5K with 'real' runners and I survived!!

Annoyingly my app didn't start so I've no idea of my time until the official times come through but I certainly did myself proud and came in the top half.

This is a huge achievement for me, the girl who never ran!!

Big thanks to Jeff for all his 'gentle' encouragement/beasting!!! Wouldn't have done it without him and seeing the odd glimpse of him ahead of me spurred me on to the finish.

A nice relaxing weekend now lies ahead - have a good one xx

Friday weigh in!

So this week I lost 2lbs ........

......and only went and got to TARGET!!!!!!!!

Whoop! Whoop!

I feel so very chuffed and proud of myself!

 

In 36 weeks I have lost 60 pounds or 4 stone 4 pounds. I have had 35 losses, one maintain last week and not a single gain. I am now a weight I haven't seen for 19 years and I feel blumin brilliant!!!

I've used this sheet along the way to keep me motivated and focused and well let's be honest, who doesn't like a bit of colouring in!!

Comparison pics along the way, have also kept me motivated and on track over the past 36 weeks. There is 5stone 11lbs difference from the first pic to the last and 4stone 4lb difference between the middle and last - a new me!!! I feel a good 10 years younger.

So THANK YOU Slimming World X

I've celebrated in style !!!!

Thanks for all the positive comments along the way and have a fantastic weekend xx

My date night with TAKE THAT

So last night was the night I had a date with the Take That boys.....

....and my man!!

And I had THE best time!

I am a huge fan and got to see them 4 years ago on their Progress Tour. The tickets were a 40th birthday gift. At the time I vowed to be 'Thin by 40' and then 'Thin by Take That' but I was 'Thin' by neither!! So this time around, 5 and a 1/2 stone lighter, I can now say I was 'THIN BY TAKE THAT' and I felt fabulous x

The show was incredible - you just don't know where to look next and the songs were a complete mix of old, new and favourites x

The best night ever xx

Friday Weigh-in!!

So this week I 'stayed the same'!!!!!

My first ever maintain!

I'm sort of alright with it, really wanted to get to target though having never gained or maintained, so with target just 2lbs away it's a little annoying to get my first maintain. I guess it wasn't a gain, so must try really hard this week to get those last 2lbs off!

Target, I'm coming to get you!!!

Blue skies and bunting

What a gorgeous couple of days - blue skies and bunting!

I've been making the most of this gorgeous sunshine, spending any free time out in the garden - our new garden better be as sunny, not sure what I'll do if it's not lol!

 

The Alliums are beginning to open - must remember to plant plenty in the new garden too.

So we've been eating al fresco every evening, making the most of the gorgeous sunshine before the rain arrives tomorrow. Hoping things will really start to warm up now, well we are in mid May!!

South Street Kitchen

South Street Kitchen

Last night I went out with some Slimming World Friends to the South Street Kitchen - Gillingham's secret gem! It was just a door in the wall but beyond was food heaven! Not Slimming World friendly but a well deserved night 'off-plan' for us all .

I went for the Seabass Burrito and it was delicious.

But had to order a side of the triple fried chips - sooooo good!

Pud was the Dulce Deleche Dessert with poached strawberries and a shortbread bite - YUM!

I did run this morning in an attempt to work off a few of those chips!

And did have a healthy breakfast - straight back 'on-plan'!

This is how life will now be - managing my food and living!

Having it, enjoying it but being sensible either side.

I'll leave you with this view of our local park - beautiful isn't it?

Have a lovely weekend - hoping it includes a little sunshine x

Friday weigh-in!

Short and sweet this week - lost a pound!

Happy with that - 2 lbs to target!!

Target Treat Time!!!

Okay I'm a little early - I'm still 3 lbs away but when I got to target, I promised myself I'd get my hair coloured like I used to have in my 20's. Well today was the day due to timings - I love it, the kids hate it and Jeff says it takes him back 20 years!! so a mixed response. It needs to 'settle' and we all need to get used to it but I feel confident enough to carry it off now I've lost the weight.

 

 

I also treated myself to a Nespresso Coffee Machine. I've wanted one for ages so decided it could be a joint Target gift and New House gift all in one!! Okay, I know it's early on both counts but I think I deserve it xx

I also thought I'd share these fab coffee jars with you. Douwe Egberts Coffee have teamed up with Orla Kiely to produce these fab Limited Edition coffee jars. There are 3 to collect and so far I've only seen them in the Co-op, not with the regular coffee but on an end aisle, bottom shelf or on an 'Offer' display stand. 

They have only just come out and are £5 a jar in the Co-op and I guess, will eventually be in all the supermarkets but they're great jars to keep and re-use.

So from a very blonde me, I'll sign out and get on with my evening chores.

Here's hoping the sun decides to return soon, I need to keep my tan topped up with hair this colour lol!