'Target'

I love my son dearly but he can be extremely annoying, especially when I try to nibble on something I shouldn't or pick on leftovers, he's there in the background saying 'target'. It annoys me because I know he's right, I will never get back to 'target' if I keep picking. So at the beginning of this month we had a bet of £5 - I keep the fiver if I get to 'target', he wins the fiver if I don't!

Well this morning on the 30th, last day of the month, I did it! I got to TARGET! 

Sam will be disappointed to lose but being a nice Mum, I'm giving him the £5 anyway. Without our bet, I wouldn't have been so determined and focused to get to target, so in a way he has really helped me out. 

I also decided to change my target this morning from 9st to 9st 3lbs. The thought of losing another 3lbs to get to the bottom of my target range was just too much and I need to be at a weight I can sustain forever, 9 stone is my happy place, so 9 stone is now the bottom of my target range too. 

The rules of Slimming World allow you to go 3lbs above and below your target weight, so by setting my target to 9 stone 3lbs, I can stay at 9 stone, sitting happily at the bottom of target range and will not allow myself to get to 9 stone 7lbs which would take me above.

Sophie and I have just celebrated with cake! It is allowed on the Slimming World plan as long as you account for it. The hard work begins again at staying here, within the target bubble but I do feel I'm now at a happy weight both physically and mentally and as long as my size 8 jeans fit, I'm happy.

Have a great weekend x

Ticking off the 'to do' list

So I am making slow progress in the sitting room - I hope to have it all painted by the end of the weekend, well the walls and ceiling at least. 

Today the window man is here.

We've saved enough money to get Sophie's window changed - looking good and should make it warmer and quieter and then....

....the old metal sliding doors are going.

 

Well they're gone...... 

.....and a lovely new wide single door has replaced them. 

Just need some warm sunshine to enjoy the door fully open.

Keeping it off.....

2 Years ago I walked through the doors of Slimming World and changed my life forever. I lost the weight in 40 weeks but most importantly have kept it off now for 2 years. It has been hard work, old habits don't disappear but I'm determined now I'm in my mid 40's, that this time the weight is staying off. I still go to my Slimming World class and I believe that the support, encouragement and inspiration from there, motivates me to keep 'on it'.

I still find Instagram is a huge help and you can follow me HERE should you wish. I'm a few pounds out of target after the summer but am back to group weekly, planning my meals, recording everything, joined a yoga group, as my running has stalled due to a bad back and hip niggles - so I'm hoping to get back at 'target' by the end of the month.

You have to see it as a lifestyle change rather than a diet, as it is forever but when you can still eat a big roast......

..... and waffles and still lose weight, it's an easy plan to embrace.

As long as my size 8 jeans fit, I'm happy especially when they were once a size 18!

A week on!

So we've been back in the school routines for a week and as always, lovely sunny weather has returned as the kids go back. I'm not complaining.....

...I'm enjoying the warm sunshine, beautiful skies at night.....

and calm, sun filled mornings.

Although I have bought a jumper in anticipation of colder days on the horizon.

Seasonal russet apples, plums, home picked blackberries and delicious figs are high up on the list of 'must eats' at the moment and .....

......Friday's have become Waffle Night, using Sam's birthday waffle maker. 

Such a treat and any spare get toasted in the morning, extra bonus.

Now the kids are back to school, in between enjoying the lovely weather and keeping up with orders, I've made good progress in the sitting room - the room is now ready for painting. All the wallpaper has been stripped off the walls and ceiling! Everything has been sanded down and washed with sugar soap ready for the carpet to come up at the weekend and then I can get started on the paint. The new door should be here soon and when or rather if, Jeff gets any free time, he'll start laying the floor which I'll eventually paint. I want to get this room ready for cosy autumn nights, The floor has to be ready for the end of October ready for the sofa delivery and the room will be ready for Christmas at the very latest.

Back to school!

Back to school for Sam ......

......and Sixth Form for Sophie

Where have the years gone?

Sam has grown so tall and Sophie continues to curse her mother's height genes!

Here's hoping they both have a good year