And we're off!!! Week 1! How did we all do?
This first post is a bit of a personal rant ... it's all about how weight loss is between the ears and not always your gob! It's about inspiration... Everyone losing weight lacks motivation along the way... I can't count how many times have I posted my mojo was 'missing / AWOL / Hi-jacked' ... and within minutes people give me the push I need and the kick in the pants I deserved! Surrounding yourself with inspirational people is a must when you're working hard at something that's not easy...
Last weekend I was privileged enough to be a finalist in the Irish Blog Awards and it was amazing! But the journey to get to the event wasn't! You see, I had a ticket for the Leinster V Munster game in AVIVA... my nearest and dearest know how much I love my rugby but I handed over my ticket to a friend because there will be many games this season and how often do you get to be finalist right?!?! RIGHT!?! This is my first time in all the years of blogging... I regularly judge the blog awards, so I know what's involved and whilst I'll never win because my blog doesn't fit certain criteria, I'm not changing the way I do things round here, but I was SO thrilled to get to the final stage! Long time shortlister first time finalist... only chuffed I was!
But Saturday afternoon there were tears, proper tears, and even a little tantrum... I was going alone, I didn't know anyone else ... in my head, people would just look at me and think 'Really?!?! SHE blogs about weight loss!!! The size of her!!!' The bad voices were running amok between my ears and rather that just power through, I dissolved, by 5pm I was standing, yes standing, on my bed wondering where my 'bestest' black dress was under the pile of 'I have NOTHING to wear' clothes... Of course, I needed to find the first dress I tried on and could wear with two pairs of spanx so I might look half decent... The plan was if I left home by 6:30pm I could be in Clane for 7pm-ish... and if everyone was already gone into dinner, I could turn around, hit McDs for a McFlurry and head home to follow the awards on twitter and watch the game on TG4! I KNOW... I KNOW!!! and because I pride myself on honesty in here... I googled how many ProPoints in a McFlurry and it brought me to my own blog! See what I mean! OH it's not lost on me AT ALL!
However after getting sidetracked in Sallins (which, FYI, is right beside feckin Clane, if anyone ever needs THAT information!) I got there, decided to go to reception and follow through with my 'Run Away' plan... before I even got to reception someone stopped me on the way up the stairs and asked me if I was 'The Skinny Doll!' ... my inner voice was screaming 'WTF!?!' ... Blushing I said 'yes' and stared at my shoes (not the good heels cause I was doing a runner right, they were in the car... I had my cheapy flats on for driving! In fact I was nearly in my tatty Converse!) ... She said she knew me from my instagram pics and followed me on twitter and spotted my Paul Hollywood tweet! (cue more staring at shoes...) we then both walked to the check in desk and she mingled with some others... I stood waiting for my name badge (which FYI wasn't in the plan!), which I then boldly put in my pocket to avoid any inquisition... before I knew it, 2 more had spotted who I was... BUSTED by three people who write blogs that I LOVE... next thing I knew I was sitting at a table chatting with some fabulous bloggers like the mountain of clothes and the tears never happened... and it was a great night... to be sitting in a room full of talented people who decided one day to write their thoughts, dreams, journeys, recipes, health tips, beauty tips, political rants and raves, as a hobby and have such a passion for it, was just brilliant! All winners in my book!
Many people do not realise my self esteem is still on the floor... I break out in a sweat when asked how much weight I've lost... yes, I'm very proud of all my hard work, but I'm not at the stage where I can stand up put my hands on my hips and shout 'hell yeah!'... so I mumble it through a smile ... my leader knows about my blog but I'm in total denial and stare at my shoes when she mentions it in class... (usually my converse cause I've weighed my winter boots... 3 lbs people, THREE pounds!!! but that's for another post!)... slowly but surely I'm getting better... slowly but surely I'm realising what I've been missing out on... and I am incredibly proud of this little hobby of mine and, hand on heart, never in a million years did I think it would grow into something so wonderful and bring me in contact with so many talented and inspirational people and the many readers who keep me on track... But as I'm all about honesty, you get the good with the bad... you get the 'feck off I'm having a bun!' posts to the 'Look at me, I'm so on track it's ridiculous!' posts ... because I'm just a normal gal trying to lose it like the rest of you...
SO... every week, for this Christmas challenge, there will be a guest post from someone who inspires me! Someone who has struggled, cried with anger and joy over a silver seven, some who are at goal, some who do weight watchers, some who do slimming world, some who are just awesome and just seeing their instagram feed in the morning stops me buying a scone on the way to work... People I can relate to, who struggle like me... but who never give up... and because they never give up... I won't!
These are all people who make me realise I'm not the only one in the weigh loss boat and it's not the Titanic... Losing weight isn't easy, especially when the journey is long, I'm over half way through mine but if someone had told me I'd be 4lbs away from losing 8 stone, I'd have laughed hysterically at them and asked them what drugs they were on! But here I am, 4 lbs away... and whilst I still have a way to go, every pound is a step closer and every day someone or something keeps me on track, my leader in weight watchers who is AMAZING, sends us off into the world every Thursday with a pep in our step... Someone posting their loss on Facebook/Twitter or getting to goal... a recipe from the Sunday Cook Off that makes me drool and I know I can make ProPoint friendly... and more often than not, one of the guest posters, will have written a blog post that just hits a nerve that makes me go 'FOR GAWDS SAKE DOLL... JUST GET ON WITH IT!'
Just think of Last Christmas...
If you need any inspiration just look at where you were 'Last Christmas' (geddit!?) and think of how you felt and how miserable you were, when you were SO annoyed with yourself for NOT doing it sooner and using every excuse in the book to NOT do it and then lost the plot only to face a tougher journey in January... We've all been there... I know the excuses better than anyone, don't let this be another year when you say 'next year I'll be happier!' You could be 10 lbs lighter this year if you pull your socks up! 1 lb a week is doable for everyone!
AND over 40 people taking part!!! How cool is that!?! YAY! A few weigh ins have come at me already ...
If I missed you, let me know, there's an ANON who needs a name if you could comment again with a handle, I'll add you in!
Right!!! Lets be having you!
One to download and stick on your fridge if you're doing it at home
