OK so 7 weeks to go! Half a stone?! Anyone like that from Santa?! Great losses this week... I'm 2lbs away from stone number 8... 2! This has been the hardest stone so far! So it's head down for me this week and just do it! I want it SO bad it's not even funny... This weeks guest post is by a blogger/you tuber who I met and followed a LONG time ago on boards.ie and any time someone asks me 'What should I do with butternut squash?' or 'how do you make chips out of butternut squash?' I send them this link because its just brilliant and once you've mastered this, you can get all fancy with garlic and paprika etc...
It's exactly how I learnt to make them from Jacqui Murphy who has lost 4 stone / 56lbs to date with weight watchers... You can find her...
I have always been overweight and unhappy about myself for as long as I remember. I have tried to lose weight so many times I've lost count. Then one day everything clicked and I realized that I didn't need to put a time limit on being a perfect weight and succeeding. If I worked at it a little bit everyday it would all come together. So I joined Weight Watchers for the third time. This decision led to a new way of thinking and a new me. It has not been a perfect journey by any stretch of the imagination but it has definitely been an experience and a worthwhile one at that!
When I joined Weight Watchers for the third time I was 17st 1lb, I managed to lose 69lb and I was pretty close to my goal! However once again life managed to get in the way. I had a hiatus from weight loss however my new habits were always in the back of my mind niggling away and it wasn’t long before I felt the urge to get back to it as I was becoming unhappy and this unhappiness reminded me of that girl of the past. I am back on track and to date I am down 56lb.
I have learnt so many things on my journey and I may not be at my goal but as far as I am concerned I have had success. I have changed so much and the main thing that has changed is who I am. When I was at my heaviest I was so unhappy and negative, I never felt truly satisfied with life. I didn’t finish college, I lived at home, I was single and I was overweight. Now I am a much more positive person who takes most days in my stride. I say most because none of us are perfect and we all have an off day! I am now in college again and I will soon be in my final year, I have a fantastic boyfriend of three years who is so supportive and we live together. I think the before and after picture below shows how much I have changed! Just look at that before face!!
The most important thing that I have learned on my journey is that it is one day and one meal at a time. We all fall down, we just need to make sure that we get back up each time! This is for life, I know it’s very clichéd and we hear it constantly but it’s a lifestyle change. When I think about being at goal I don’t think about that slinky blank dress I think about playing with my children in the garden and running around with not a care in the world. I want to pass on my healthy eating and exercise habits to my children and be healthy and happy for them. Thinking about weight loss in this long-term frame of mind is much more beneficial and it makes me realize that I am not looking for a quick fix.
The one piece of advice that I would give myself is to appreciate myself more. I was 13lbs lighter a few years back and all I wanted was to be at goal, I was so fixated on this number on the scale and so disappointed that I wasn’t achieving it that I let it sabotage my weight loss. I am now heavier than I was then but I can honestly say I am happier. I have my off days as we all do and I feel fat and nothing fits right but I look in the mirror and think of that girl in the before picture and I remind myself that is no longer the person I am. I don’t need to be at goal to be happy and I can’t spend my life waiting for that moment. We all need to live in the moment a little bit more and stop wasting time wishing we were better, thinner, prettier etc.
My Christmas wish this year is not to be a perfect size 10 with a perfect life but to be truly happy and content with who I am in that moment and for a happy time spent with family and friends.
Jacqui x
I mean seriously, HOW glamorous is Jacqui!!! Hottie!! She also picked one of my FAVOURITE Christmas songs... and we're officially allowed to sing-along now so get your hairbrushes out!
Chart below... everyone is FLYING! More 7's added to the chart! Seven weeks till Santa! You know you want it more than anything!!! and you can do it! Shout if I've missed you or got one wrong.... maths isn't my thing!
A little PS: Thanks for all the messages from those who busted me on telly last week... I thought I was being brave just doing the interview but I had a complete melt down when they told me I was in it... so it's another step up in the confidence and clearly I'm built for radio but thank you to all who sent lovely messages ... I was dreading it!and to Mary who busted me in class... STOP recording weight loss programmes! Also I'd like to thank David Attenborough for keeping my mother occupied!
Down another 3.5lbs this week Doll. Absolutely fabulous post today, I identified with every work Jacqui said! And go you with your soon to be 8 stone loss! You're amazing x
Down 1lb this week - just wanted to say a huge thank you for all you do, even when my week goes upside down I'm looking forward to the blog post and the motivation. Like Jacqui I am happy to be happy and appreciating myself along the way - one day will be a gold day but pressurizing myself into strict deadlines never works. Woohoo for WW!
Skinny Doll I think you have a face for tv. I was watching the show on Sunday and was for the most of the start dismissive of it because the presenter was tiny and I thought it was a bit of a joke, then I saw you and you made the program real for me. Now I didn't know about the show so I didn't know who the others were but you were the one who changed my mind. It also put me off he'hell and back, getting shot in the ass does not appeal to me lol but I really liked the Show in the end. Also Jacqui looks incredible. I'm loving this post :-)
aw thanks but you know how critical we can be of ourselves.. I watched it crying behind a cushion! I know... thank god I don't read the news! LOL and yes getting shot in the ass doesn't appeal even thought I have more padding than most! x
Doll, what show were you on? tell us more? Your soooo close to your 8 stone award.. next week will be your week :) you can do it I was down 0.5lb this week
Ok so I remained the same :( So since I've started I've put on weight and lost it and now I'm back to what I started. I need a good kick. I've 7 weeks left so I need to make a difference.
think about christmas morning.. the parties... and how you want to feel... take each meal and nourish yourself... you can do this... now come on! I'll have to get my 'kick ass boots' on and they're very high I'll wobble! Email me if you're stuck x
STS this week Doll but nearly better and feel like this week will be a good one! Thanks to Jacqui for sharing, she is so inspirational! I really identified with everything she said. Here is to being happy and content in our lives while slowly (and definitely) progressing to where we want to be.
STS is fine when you're only getting back up to speed... be well first then you can focus on the rest! Isn't she amazing... although the numbers help its how we really feel about ourselves that makes the difference x
I didnt weigh two weeks ago n l.wk i was up 3lb n this week i lost 3lb now here i go again 6 w.ins wud love to be down at least 7lbs feeling motivated :)
aim for half a pound a week and any more is a bonus! Better to be trying now than giving up and having to face the scales in January with even more to lose... you're back at square one so fresh steps! x
No there's no room for quitting on this journey ;-) down 2 this morning half a pound away from goal but moving it a little further...sure why not :-) Rachel M
Down another 3.5lbs this week Doll. Absolutely fabulous post today, I identified with every work Jacqui said! And go you with your soon to be 8 stone loss! You're amazing x
ReplyDeleteYou are the amazing one! Another 3.5!!! Well done! You're an inspiration! x
DeleteAnother 1.5lbs down this week :) Im so glad you are doing this count down and helping so many people your incredible :) x
ReplyDeletewell done you're so consistent! Its the perfect way to lose weight! x
DeleteUp half pound dis wk unfortunately ��
ReplyDeleteOnly a blip! Weight a glass of water... its more than half a pound! Stick with it... xmas is coming! x
DeleteDown 3lbs this week. Delighted to be back on track after last week!
ReplyDeleteAND a seven on the chart for you!!! YAY! well done! x
DeleteDown 2lbs this week!! Can't believe it as working crazy hours at work so haven't been exercising at all and have been sick. Onwards and downwards!
ReplyDeleteyou were making better choices without even knowing it! x
DeleteDown 1lb this week - just wanted to say a huge thank you for all you do, even when my week goes upside down I'm looking forward to the blog post and the motivation. Like Jacqui I am happy to be happy and appreciating myself along the way - one day will be a gold day but pressurizing myself into strict deadlines never works. Woohoo for WW!
ReplyDeleteexcellent! and yes... being happy is the priority... the numbers are just tools to help us along the way! well done x
DeleteFinally back on the wagon! Looking forward to wi tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteyay! x
DeleteJelliebellie here.down one pound!��
ReplyDeletewoo hooo AND a 7! delighted for you! x
DeleteDown 1 pound this week.
ReplyDeleteyay! Down every week! well done! x
DeleteSkinny Doll I think you have a face for tv. I was watching the show on Sunday and was for the most of the start dismissive of it because the presenter was tiny and I thought it was a bit of a joke, then I saw you and you made the program real for me. Now I didn't know about the show so I didn't know who the others were but you were the one who changed my mind. It also put me off he'hell and back, getting shot in the ass does not appeal to me lol but I really liked the Show in the end. Also Jacqui looks incredible. I'm loving this post :-)
ReplyDeleteaw thanks but you know how critical we can be of ourselves.. I watched it crying behind a cushion! I know... thank god I don't read the news! LOL and yes getting shot in the ass doesn't appeal even thought I have more padding than most! x
DeleteDoll, what show were you on? tell us more?
ReplyDeleteYour soooo close to your 8 stone award.. next week will be your week :) you can do it
I was down 0.5lb this week
yay! I can see it glistening... LOL
Deleteoh my goodness, I was up 2 last week and up 2 again this week..had excuses, but that's it now
ReplyDeletetake each meal at a time... and don't buy stuff you don't need! Here if you need a chat x you can SO do this!
DeleteOk so I remained the same :( So since I've started I've put on weight and lost it and now I'm back to what I started. I need a good kick. I've 7 weeks left so I need to make a difference.
ReplyDeletethink about christmas morning.. the parties... and how you want to feel... take each meal and nourish yourself... you can do this... now come on! I'll have to get my 'kick ass boots' on and they're very high I'll wobble! Email me if you're stuck x
DeleteDown 0.5 lb. And you looked great on d'telly! Very well spoken so well done! Molly k
ReplyDeletewell done! and thanks... 'morto' as they say on Love/Hate! but thank you x
DeleteSTS this week Doll but nearly better and feel like this week will be a good one! Thanks to Jacqui for sharing, she is so inspirational! I really identified with everything she said. Here is to being happy and content in our lives while slowly (and definitely) progressing to where we want to be.
ReplyDeleteSTS is fine when you're only getting back up to speed... be well first then you can focus on the rest! Isn't she amazing... although the numbers help its how we really feel about ourselves that makes the difference x
DeleteShould you not have a 7 for yourself this week��
ReplyDeletenope... that's a PLUS in the middle of those numbers.. hopefully next week! x
DeleteI didnt weigh two weeks ago n l.wk i was up 3lb n this week i lost 3lb now here i go again 6 w.ins wud love to be down at least 7lbs feeling motivated :)
ReplyDeleteaim for half a pound a week and any more is a bonus! Better to be trying now than giving up and having to face the scales in January with even more to lose... you're back at square one so fresh steps! x
DeleteDown 1 this week. Aah, go on and tell us, what was the show? Would love to see u...
ReplyDeletewell done! now you'll have to deal with my agent! LOL ;P *whispers - Full Frontal episode 3 about diets TELL NO ONE* x
DeleteI'll have to catch you on the player. Looking forward to it now.
DeleteAnd btw, thanks for motivating us all in the run-up to Christmas
Forgot to update last week! -3 and -1 this week!
ReplyDeleteFantastic paddy! x
DeleteI STS last week weigh in tomorrow defo feel I have a loss even if its a small one ill take it !! :-)
ReplyDeleteGood stuff! No giving up! x
DeleteNo there's no room for quitting on this journey ;-) down 2 this morning half a pound away from goal but moving it a little further...sure why not :-) Rachel M
DeleteFab post, Jacqui you are brilliant and beautiful, you look so happy. For week 5 I was down 1, slow & steady, eh?
ReplyDeleteIsn't she gorgeous! slow and steady is the only way! xxx
DeleteI was up 5.5lbs last week. No excuses, just completely fallen off the wagon. I will try my best this week. I need to cop-on!
ReplyDeleteForget about it and don't let it snowball into a 'feck it I'm giving up till the new year" I won't let you do that! Take it one meal at a time! x
DeleteDown 2.5 Ibs!
ReplyDeleteNessdakota
fantastic! well done! x
Deletedown .5pound this week but im toning up so il take that going to try and shift another 6-7 pounds before xmas heres to xmas 2014 :)
ReplyDeletewell done! even harder when you're toning up! but you'll feel the difference in your clothes! yay! x
DeleteHi Doll
ReplyDeleteDown 2 lb for week 5 and back on track for Xmas!!
W5 down 0.5 still going the right way at least, don't mind how slow just to get there
ReplyDelete