Awesomefication - building strength takes guts!

With the end of the year on the horizon it's only natural that we all start reflecting on the year we've had. I've been doing the same and can honestly say that I've had such a good year. I usually get to this time of year and start to feel a bit down, mainly because I regret having not done something about my weight...again, nothing more depressing than another year passing and feeling full of regret. It was feeling like that this time last year that had me make a promise to myself that I was going to make some big changes, determined to not let another year pass and feel like a failure. I am so glad that I did and that I kept that promise to myself. This year, I am finishing the year on a high, feeling full of hope and determination for next year. Getting started was the easy part, like most diets, you start out full of good intentions and motivation. I started with Slimming World in January and I went in all gung-ho. Things went well for the first couple

So last week one of our trainers set a daily activity challenge to boost our activity outside of the training sessions This led to me going for walks at lunch time and generally trying to get up and away from my desk throughout the day at work. You can find out more in a wee video I recorded: I kept everything else that I have been doing the same. Same macros, same amount of training (3x1 hour sessions of strength & conditioning).   I had felt like my progress had slowed over the last 2-3 weeks. So I was more than chuffed when I took my measurements this morning. Total inch loss = 4.5 inches Weight loss = 2lbs So what did I learn last week?! 1. If things aren't progressing go back to basics Ask myself if I am getting all of the basics right. Am I hitting my macros? Am I eating a good variety of fruit and veg? Am I applying myself and putting effort in at training? Am I moving around enough throughout the day? Am I being consis

What makes them x-rated? I hear you say! Well, one, they look downright sexy. And two, the noises you make when you eat it will be x-rated ;) Surfing around on Pinterest looking for some new breakfast recipes to try I came across a few variations of baked eggs. Some are called Turkish eggs, others use Moroccan spice mixes to add extra depth of flavour. The dish is really versatile so you can adapt the flavours to suit what you fancy. I made mine a spicy breakfast version which you could easily make for dinner as well. Rich and moreish  it is packed full of protein, low on calories, filling, and super tasty. It's a winner all round. This is my recipe for 2 portions. Bear in mind that you can chop and change ingredients for what you have available: 3 muscle food chicken chilli sausages  Handful frozen onion Handful frozen peppers Half can haricot beans Carton of passata Half tsp frozen chopped garlic Tsp paprika Tsp Sriracha (use chilli or chilli flakes if

Training only requires me to make a couple of simple choices, showing up is the first. How much effort and how hard I am going to work is the second . It is three to four hours out of my whole week. 4 hours out of 168 hours. It is, in fact,   the choices I make outside of training that will have the ultimate impact on the progress I want to make and the results I want to see. Am I going to choose to watch more tv and relax on the sofa this evening? Or am I going to choose to get up off my ass and go for a walk/do some housework/cut the grass? Am I going to choose to have that packet of crisps that is going to push me over my calorie goal today? Or am I going to skip the crisps today and work it into my allowance tomorrow or the day after? Am I going to go for the family size bag of crisps and to hell with the calorie deficit for the next five days? Or am I going to go for the regular 25g packet and just have a little indulgence? Am I going to reduce how much I am

I luuuurvve pizza! Up until a few months ago we used to order a pizza from the takeaway at least once a week. Garlic bread mozzarella stuffed crust, bbq sauce, pepperoni, chicken, crispy bacon, onions, pepper, extra cheese ... my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Needless to say it was one of the weekend rituals I ditched when I started to make changes to my nutrition and fitness regimen, and I missed it like crazy. But at 2000 kcals a pizza it was basically a no go area and I wasn't willing to test my self restraint at stopping after a single slice! So elimination was the only option. However, I have started experimenting and by making my own at home with a few tweaks, pizza is back on the menu. It can be a healthy option that feels indulgent. I now have a new Saturday night ritual, coming up with new topping combinations! Check out the video and method below for more info: For the base I used Musclefood's high protein gluten free pizza bases (300 kcal

I think there is a common misconception that good nutrition or a protein rich diet can be overly expensive. However, it is entirely possible to eat an abundance of food that is both nutritious and tasty and be spoiled for choice. I used to assume that a high protein diet would be really costly and for a long time I ruled out even considering it as an option because of that. I don't have a lot of spare cash at the end of the month so I was determined when I started doing this a few months ago that I make savings somewhere so I sat down and had a good look at: what I was spending on my food bill each week how much was going to waste looking for ways that I could minimise costs and waste. I started out by doing a tour of the various supermarkets and comparing the cost and the quality of each shop over a period of four weeks. I even looked at local shops and butchers to see what was available. In an ideal world I would have the time to go to different outlets for differe

I've just added a new section to the blog with a link to my favourite foods, an example of a typical week for me along with some of the recipes I use on a regular basis. I'll be adding to it as time goes on and I try out new recipes. Check it out, hope you find something you like in there x My Favourite Foods & Recipes

So I check in with my nutrition coach Simon every week. I weigh and measure myself, take outputs from my fitness pal to send onto him, and let him know what is and isn't going well. He keeps a eye on how my nutrition is moving along and will advise on any adjustments he thinks I need to make, as well as answer any of my questions. As the weeks are moving along I can see that this routine is as much for my benefit as it is his. It gives me a window to ponder, recognise and record my progress. On average I lose around a pound to a pound and a half a week. Some folks might think that's not much, however, that pound and a half signifies so much more than just the weight on the scale. Anyone who has done a diet or slimming club where a weekly weigh in is involved will know that they generally measure your progress on the scale alone. In my experience I would lose a few pounds one week, zero the next, put on, lose a few... you get the idea. No consistency, up and down like a yo-yo.

Hands up if this sounds familiar.... "I've worked really hard, I deserve a wee treat. Mmmm there's crisps in the cupboard, or ice cream in the freezer. Oh I've been really good I could have a wee bit of both." Escalates to ... "I've had a really hard day, can't be bothered cooking, i'll just treat myself to a wee takeaway!" Escalates to ... "Life is shit I need a treat. This 1kg jar of Nutella followed by the family size share bag of crisps should do the trick, and if I don't feel better after that there is the slab of chocolate in the cupboard!" It is a slippery slope. I know, I've been there, sat on the sofa surrounded by the crumbs of evidence! One treat can quickly lead to the downfall of not just one week but all of my efforts. For me, what I eat is the biggest mental battle when it comes to trying to lose weight or break years of bad habits. The temptation to slip back to your old ways is easy.  In the pa

My legs are aching and wobbly, my arms are rebelling each time I lift them. But I am revelling in the comforting ache knowing that I am sore because I worked hard at training last night . I've missed that feeling. 5 years ago I had a great breakthrough in my weight loss and fitness regime. I was moseying along nicely, loving life. I had shifted over 4 stones in weight, I had a new job, I was loving my new found passion for exercise and good food. Everything was going great! Better than great, life was awesome! Then...KABLAM!  Life totally sucker-punched me in the guts. I fell pregnant and unfortunately it resulted in a miscarriage. Needless to say I was distraught and felt completely lost for a long time afterwards. When it happened I was the healthiest and fittest I had ever been. The pregnancy was a surprise, and at the time I felt like it was the most amazing gift that my husband and I had ever been given. When I miscarried I felt like my body had just let me down. I bla