Because you're Amazing !!!

I have been going great guns over the past year with my weight loss, I have been tracking my calories on my fitness pal and if I do say so myself have been doing brilliantly and have lost 4.5 stone but now am finding myself struggling to lose any more (I have about another 3 to lose )

The thing with calories is that they are in everything, and everything you pick up has the calorific value on the side so that they are easily checked and recorded, the issue I have found with that is, you are allocated a certain amount of calories per day, and it doesnt matter if you eat X amount of calories in fruit and veg or solid chocolate as long as you record the calories, it is up to you to make the right decisions on what is best way to use your calories to maximum results and if you havent been 'taught' the right choices then you arent going to get the correct nutritional needs, especially with the training side coming in.

So I've found myself floundering a bit and feel like im going to need the support of a group or run the risk of going off the rails. I looked at all of the usual suspects and found Slimming World to be the best to fit in with 'real life', it teaches all of the fundemental food rules (which are the standard, fresh fruit and veg and lean protein).

The beauty of this is that Slimming World have the 3 plans to choose from and can be adapted depending on your daily needs and requirements.

The Green Plan - higher level of carbohydrates, limited protein

The Original Plan - Higher level of protein, limited carbohydrates

The Extra Easy - Mixture of both protein and Carbs

For the majority of the time I stick to the Extra Easy and find that this fits in REALLY easy with family life and I dont eat anything different to the rest of the family (to look at anyway- I have quorn sausages instead of 'normal' ones) - I have 3 children - 2 of which are girls and I have a real problem with them having any future body issues and dont want them going through what I have been going through, I really dont want them to see mummy eating something different to the rest of the family.

But its great in that as time goes on and I get closer to the marathon and up my long runs Im going to have to 'up' the amount of protein for muscle repair, which is where the Original plan comes in and closer still when I'm carbo loading is where the Green plan comes in, so in theory I can get to the marathon, still losing weight, and sticking to the plan.

It also helps that the group I've found is great with a really friendly consultant - Kate - who is always at the end of a text to talk you down from a (Non Quorn) sausage butty ! - Im really lucky to have found the group and each week come home really fired up full of hints and tips

Looking forward to sharing this journey with you as well as my training schedule - all part of the big picture, weight loss and training all ready to come together - yipeeeee cant wait so excited x

back on the wagon

Well Ive managed to flag down the wagon and Im back on again !!

Just been weighed this morning too see what the damage was and to my surprise I have only put 2lb on - not bad considering all the junk I have been eating - maybe chocolate IS one of the main food groups after all ??!!

So anyway Ive faced the music - which is always the hardest part I think, when you have taken a hiatus and had a few weeks off for whatever reason (in my case cold that lingered and lingered.....) but you have to think - Right it is what it is get back on track and onwards and upwards -

I know some people dont agree, and I know its not the healthiest way to go - but Me personally I am better if I feel myself waivering on the diet, training to take a break completely and then come back to it fresh when you are in the right frame of mind rather then carrying on half- heartedly and getting nowhere.

I already know that my training has taken the knock and it will take me a bit to get back to where I was before but I am postive that it is easier and better mentally to take a break, be a little out of condition and improve than run the risk of injury or even worse starting to resent the training and dread getting your trainers on - which if I have come this far I really dont want to do because Im really starting to love the training and the changes I can see - even if you had asked me a year ago I would have laughed at you !!

So here's to the wagon and all who ride on her !!!