100 days!

So... time to motivate this bottom of mine and get lighter for the next junket! I'm pretty sure I should have been an air hostess or at the very least be the wife of a hot airline pilot!!! Anyways... in 100 days I'm off on my USA road trip with my best pal and I want *cue spice girls song* I REALLY REALLY want... to have my 10th stone in my paws before I go... is it achievable? Absolutely... but will I sabotage myself? NOT THIS TIME MAMA! After my mental and wardrobe 'spring clean' it's time to focus on tracking, exercising, weighing portions and getting the last few stone gone!

So a 100 day countdown it is... my pink tracker will be with me at all times, a birthday gift that I'm going to use well! I've added my chart below, if anyone wants to try a challenge for themselves feel free to print it out and tag along with me! (I can email a PDF to anyone who would like it!) It's a 100 day countdown which will bring us to the 1st of August 2015 starting today! That's 14 weeks and 2 days! 1 lb a week is a stone lighter before you face the beach or bare all to the rest of the summer folk... think about it... 

I'll be doing a weekly countdown post, I'm going to exercise everyday so I'll track my progress on instagram, just to keep me even more accountable! So if you fancy it, tag along with me and set yourself a goal... want to fit into that bikini? Get into the next stone bracket? get a silver 7 or even hit goal? We all need something to keep us motivated and summers nearly here, and August is the month when everyone is in holiday mode, how do you really want to feel when it comes around... it's easy to get sidetracked and 'wait till the kids go back to school' ...but the arms will be out, flip flops donned, shorts and swimming cossies with limbs bared all over the shop! We all know that feeling of dread... well that could be gone and filled to the brim with the feeling of confidence! Imagine what you could lose in 100 days! Who's with me?!

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Easter challenge - weigh-in 4!

Weigh-in 4... drum roll please... 

9 stone and half a pound!!! 

That is not a typo.... I repeat.. NOT A TYPO! 

NINE STONE! 

and a very important half pound!

How awesome are you lot!? Only 3 weigh-ins left so heads down and give it socks... just think, 2 weeks to your easter eggs and you'll have earned every single bite!

I'm currently putting the winning prizes together! Very exciting... more on those next week... 

Log your losses below... If I missed you just let me know either here or if you can't comment the post will be on the Facebook page >>> HERE <<< ... well done everyone... most successful challenge so far!  

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The first time...

We all remember our first time right?! Our first kiss... our first job... our first day at school... for the record... 

... those daunting moments that you look back on now and think, 'what was all the fuss about?!' but these moments are landmarks in our lives... we don't look back on all of them fondly... the first time we lose someone we love, changes us forever... the first time our heart is broken, we question love and others so we never have to feel that hurt again... the first time someone we really trusted let us down... but all of these moments make us who we are... I'm not a very religious person... I'm a humanist of sorts... I believe if you are a good person then you will attract kind and good people... I truly believe in paying it forward... but sometimes people take advantage of that and you end up feeling a bit lost... 

Someone whom I adored but is sadly no longer with us, once told me 'be kind to everyone.. because everyone you see is going to lose everything they love...' I've never forgotten it... Everyone, all of us, are going to lose everything we hold dear... it's kinda scary but very liberating too... because once you get this... you start to focus on what and who really matters in the right now... 

Losing weight, includes a series of 'firsts' that can turn the journey into an adventure... 

The first time you step on the scales... that moment... the shame... the self loathing... the embarrassment... you've let it get out of control and now you're mortified that someone else on the planet knows that number... but you feel a hand on your shoulder from someone who's been there saying... 'that's the last time we'll ever see that number' and you kinda believe it...

The first loss... that moment when you thought 'well it wasn't that hard.. and if I can do it one week, I can do it again next week!' Self belief kicks in... 

The first stone you lose... that number on the scale... people who don't need to lose weight or don't struggle with an eating disorder or emotional eating won't get it... but for those of us who do... you want to stick your silver 7s on your forehead for the day saying 'oh these things?!? .. oh I lost a stone of FAT!' HELL YEAH!

The first dress size you lose... that belt notch going down... you still doubt yourself but you suddenly think.. well I'll need to buy some new stuff.. the first shopping trip that you will ENJOY! 

The first compliment... the 'you're looking well...' the 'have you lost a bit of weight? You look great!' ... now it's a goal that's achievable.. you realise CAN do it... 

The first gain... heartbreaking... but you tried, you did your best right?! or worse, you know you binged and lost the plot and thought you'd get away with it... did you let it spiral out of control? throw the card in the bin and give up? no way! 

The first time you notice your 'friends' attitude changing... they liked you the way you were... you were the fat friend... good old reliable miserable fatty... not this new fangled confident person who just says 'no thanks'! Don't worry about the back stabbers and the haters, the people who try the hardest finding fault in your life, are the people who aren't able to fix the faults in their own! For the record this one really hurts! 

The first saboteur... 'sure ONE slice of cake won't kill you...' No, no it won't but I can't have ONE slice! So you change your routine to avoid being around them and food at the same time! It's sad but if they can't support you then you need to make it clear that something has to change... 

The first 5k you do... I did my first by myself because I didn't want to 'hold anyone back' and honestly it was amazing! You'd swear I'd crossed the olympic line with all the drama *cue the chariots of fire music*... People flying past me doing the 10k circuit shouting encouraging words... one man even stopped to walk along with me for a minute, I could've kissed him! No idea who he is or where he was from but it meant SO much!

The first time strangers understand and support you... Boot camp ladies... I mean you! 

The first time you make a stir fry BETTER than the chinese... OK this takes a bit of practice but it's SO worth it!

The first time you realise.. you're just caring about you... and you matter... and that's OK...

The first time you get on a plane and the seat belt closes... FYI don't scream when that happens... they don't like that in planes! 

The first time you pull up those jeans past the thighs... and the first time the feckin things close!!! 

The first time you zip up those knee high boots all the way! Hallelujah! 

The first charity bag you have of clothes that are too big... 

The first time you really believe you can do it... and the end is in sight... 

The first time you look in the mirror and don't hate what's looking back at you... 

The first family outing, when people do a double take... FYI... THIS ONE IS AWESOME!

The first time someone comments on your new 'attitude'... oh yeah... 

The journey may be long... It's been coming up to 3 years so far for me... it's had it's ups and downs... but ultimately there's a new series of firsts on the horizon... 

First skydive, oh yeah that's happening... first trek abroad, hello Peru! Lots of other bucket list stuff to cross off now that I'm getting fitter and healthier... just remember... if you're starting today or you're halfway through or if you're just at goal... there's another amazing first waiting for you... and as the ad says.. you're worth it! 

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Easter Challenge...

And we're off! I've caught some weigh-ins, please let me know if I've missed you! I've put your names in alphabetical order (roughly!).. 

I had two anon people wanting to join, if you could comment again with a name I'll add you today... 

Comment your loss below, I'll update this on Wednesday and paste it to my Facebook page... 6 weeks to go... 6 lbs lighter anyone? Think of it like this... It will be summer before we realise and if we put in the effort now.. we can all be nearly half a stone lighter by then! If you need to visualise that.. when you're in the supermarket this week... pick up 6 packs of butter... yup ... that! 

Annnnnnnnd there's a surprise prize for the top three losers! so c'mon... who's with me?! 

A blank chart below for anyone wanting to do it at home... 

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STOP...

Everyone is on a journey... life is a journey if you want to get all philosophical about it... but everyones weight loss journey is different... 'My friend Joan loses 2lbs every week... it's not fair... ' sound familiar... This week remember everyone is different... Everyone loses and tones up differently... and you can't compare yourself to anyone else because you're YOU!

I've often stood in line at class and silently eye rolled...  'WHAT is she doing in Weight Watchers?!?! she's GOT to be a size 10!...' then felt all sorry for myself that I had ONLY lost a half pound...  I don't know where she is on her journey... it may have taken her years to lose 10 stone and her goal is just within reach... don't say you haven't done it too!

Whether it's 10lbs or 10 stone... it's entirely relative and very personal... 10lbs to one person can mean goal... to another it's a size smaller in clothes... someone else might be able to come off medication because they're getting healthier... 

So I urge two things this week... Stop comparing yourself to everyone else... focus on you... your health... your shape.. and how YOU feel... it's YOUR journey... and no one elses... 

And be kind to others who are struggling... you don't know where they are on the road to success... we all need support no matter where we are on the road but one thing is for sure... if we all support each other... we'll get there! x

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One foot in front of the other...

Time to set a goal... Now, I know some people have weddings... communions... jeans to get back into ...  and all sorts of goals but try one of these... 5k... with your pals for a good cause! Over 40K women do the Dublin Mini Marathon every year, for all kinds of charities and it's great craic! 

Pick one that's closest to your heart... sign up... if you're worried about doing it on your own don't be... I'll be lurking at a few of them and honestly I need a good training buddy! You'll be surrounded by fellow walkers who are up for fun and getting fitter more than beating Sonia O'Sullivans time! Remember, it's not the Olympics, so don't fret about it and most of us can walk 5k but challenge yourself... Maybe set a small goal for yourself... 'I'm going to walk this under 60 mins... 2 hours..' whatever and go for it... you'll feel so good after I promise!

I'm never going to be a runner... unless I'm on fire and running towards a half naked fireman holding a calorie free G&T, it ain't happening... my pals from bootcamp will vouch for this... I whinge the entire time about running but I know plenty of people who are addicted to it! But I'll be walking in a good few of these this year because I need something to focus on so I keep getting out for my walks so I don't need paramedics at the end of any of them! 

It's just one foot in front of the other... and get competitive with your pals... you'll encourage each other... who ever clocks up the most miles on their pedometer doesn't pay for the cocktails at the end of it... there is cocktails right?!?! re-hydration and all...  

Put on your trainers... open the front door and walk out... keep going for 10 mins... turn around... you have to come home! There's a 20min walk! DONE! If its raining bring a brolly... look at the country we live in... it rains all the time, it really shouldn't be a surprise! C'mon you get a medal!!! 

Anyone wants to stomp the tarmac I'll be at some of them! I'm not fast, I'll chat the entire way around but if someone feels they can't do it for what ever reason... just shout out, I bet someone reading this will want a walking buddy too! I'm overweight, slow and probably gonna be the last to cross the line but at least I'll do it! AND with a smile on my face!  

A charity close to my heart, Pieta House Darkness into Light Walk is on Saturday the 9th of May a fantastic cause to raise awareness of suicide and depression in Ireland... it's all about hope... http://dil.pieta.ie 

A charity close to my boobs... The Great Pink Run is provisionally set for Saturday 29th of August and its brilliant! I stomped it out at my own pace plus you get to wear pink! There are some particularly fetching men in tutus running this! 

http://www.greatpinkrun.ie 

ALSO check out http://www.pinkribbonwalk.ie for local walks around the country... 

Run or Dye I mean seriously... channel your inner hippy... wear white and have a blast, in full blow colour! Registration is open for Galway on 12th of September! Dublin date to be announced! Mr Q are you reading this?!?! http://www.runordye.co.uk

Others to check out... 

The Great Limerick Run which has a 6 mile course... http://www.greatlimerickrun.com

The Pink Ribbon Walks http://www.pinkribbonwalk.ie  around the country... 

And of course the Dublin Mini Marathon! http://www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie

If you know of any more, please comment below and we'll all get moving! 

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PUT YOUR PANTS ON!

Right... January is gone... over... done with... Spring has sprung and we can't be blaming the world and the bad weather and... and... and... everything else for all our woes...

It's February... Set yourself a goal today... Write it down somewhere... on the fridge... on your bathroom mirror... set an alarm every day on your phone and STICK TO IT! Be realistic... 'I want to lose 4lbs this month' ... 'I want to walk a little faster' ... I want to close that button on those jeans... if you lose more BRILLIANT, if your jeans fall off deadly! But don't sit for another month feeling miserable...

I didn't reach my January goal because I'm feeling all sorry for myself... and you know what, the world doesn't care .. it's time to snap out of it! There are 9 weeks to Easter ... NINE!!! If you do what you always do... you get the same results! No more excuses... no more blame game... I am responsible for my weight loss and I'm going to stop feckin' about! If I want it bad enough... I'll do it! Right? RIGHT!?!

SO SNAP OUT OF IT PEOPLE!!!! POSITIVE pants ON!

OK February ya miserable fecker ... BRING IT!

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Ta Da! #final-weigh-in

We made it!!! WOO HOOO!!!! Final week of the challenge... 

People sometimes ask 'why do you bother doing challenges?' and the answer is purely selfish... I need motivation... I need to see others losing weight so my competitive side will up its game! Yes there are times when I'm about to go to bed and I think 'feck I've got to do the chart' which is why my ability to lose count is bad! But if you look below, everyone who stuck it out, is down, be it half a pound or a stone, everyone is NOT UP and that was the goal in the run up to Christmas... people motivate each other, and seeing that, stops me face planting a bun! Simple as that... it's all about me dontchyaknow! 

I won't add up the grand total till early next week once everyones checked in but seriously look at the losses... you're all amazing and I KNOW no one wants to lose all that again when January strikes! 

AND, a HUGE thank you to all my guest posters.. if you ever need to check in with someone who's journey is real and they've been struggling too, people who have really been there... these people are the ones to follow... No one likes Miss Smug in fat camp... especially when you've been struggling all your life like me... so knowing that you've had a bad day/week/ month... it's nice to know that we've all been there and that you can start again without all the guilt and emotional head wreck and still continue your journey! 

If you need a boost over the next two weeks... have a scroll through their blogs and I guarantee you'll be back on track before you know it! 

John - http://19st-10k.blogspot.ie

Verette - http://www.abetterme.ie/joomla/

Jacqui - http://jwacqui.blogspot.ie

Rob - http://twelvereasonswhy.com

Vicki - http://happybubblegal.blogspot.ie

Zoe - http://59lbstogo.blogspot.ie

Claire - http://theniptuckfoodblog.blogspot.ie

Paddy - http://smallerplate.blogspot.ie

Stacey - http://www.soupyd.com

I'll do a final post next week before Christmas to tot up how much the group have lost but be very proud of yourselves... imagine if you'd thrown in the towel a few weeks ago... I know for sure I'd have been up! So well done everyone! x

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Just think.... #motivationMonday

It's the time of year to throw in the towel... It's cold, miserable, dark... lots of parties ahead... The supermarkets full of chocolate and 'Christmas size' treats... The cafes have toffee lattes and mince pies... the smell alone is enough to think 'weight who now?' 'Pro-what?' ...  I take my mind reading skills very seriously ... but this is what I'm getting...  

'Sure there's only a few more weeks and I'll be tortured with parties and dinners and drinkies, I don't want to be miserable in corner watching everyone else have a ball... Sure that tin of Roses in work is screaming at me every time I walk past it... what's the point? I'll save a few bob if I don't go to my meeting, why bother?...  she'll only tell me I'm up... Maybe it's best to wait till the new year and THEN... THEN I'll be SO focussed... you just watch... THIS TIME NEXT YEAR... '

I have had this conversation in my head MANY, MANY, MANY times... Yes, January will come around shortly and you have two choices... you can either be back where you started with the weight you've already lost back on because you used one day of the year, Christmas is only one day, to lose the plot... OR you can stay as you are now... at least maintaining you're weightloss ... think about why you started...

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THAT Christmas Dress... #Weigh-in-6

So I missed my class this week as I'm in the UK for a junket, I thought I'd make it but I   was a bit tight for time :( but I was really good so I'm going to try to catch a Saturday class if I'm back in time... if not next week should be good!  

This weeks guest blogger is Happy Bubble Gal ... and she is exactly that! Such a positive person, who is so inspirational she probably doesn't even know it... Vicki is currently doing Slimming World and has lost 2 st 11lbs to date and as she's says... 'I'm not at my heaviest nor at my lightest but at my fittest and healthiest!' Need I say more... Her Instagram feed will make you take our your lunch box and crave healthy food, it motivates me every single day! Known to her nearest and dearest as Vicki O'Mahony you can find her ...  

Facebook >>> HERE <<<

Twitter  >>> HERE <<< 

Instagram  >>> HERE <<<

Blog  >>> HERE <<<

THAT Christmas Dress

by Vicki O'Mahony

AKA Happy Bubble Gal

I’ve been on this weight loss wagon for what feels like my whole adult life but realistically the last 6 years, which is a very long time, sometimes I’m holding onto the back of the wagon with my finger nails and other times I have been driving said wagon and wearing a smug smile!!

Now I know that certain times of year tend to spark people to “get on the wagon” be it a family wedding, birthday, holidays, new years resolution or Christmas. Yip I think I’m safe to use the “C” word, its November after all (*whispers* 6 weeks to go*)

And I’m no different to everyone else, with the last few pounds of my holiday weight gain still hanging around, the thought of Christmas and all the lovely pretty sparkly things that I will want/have to buy is looming.

Now Christmas comes every year and is never a surprise, I’m pretty organised for Christmas in lotsa other ways, **kicks Christmas jumper under the chair and hides wrapping paper and bows** except for with my weight, as another Christmas approaches I’m thinking back over the last few years...

Every New Years I promise myself that this is my year and I will shift the pounds and face Christmas feeling fab and slim in an AMAZING dress that will give everyone a serious case of the **wants**

This has yet to happen for me! Now don’t get me wrong, I weigh less and look better now than I did 6 years ago, but I’m still not happy and where I want to be, and when Christmas rolls around I break out in a little sweat as the thoughts and promises I made to myself have not come through.. yet again!!!

Verette’s post from a few weeks ago really struck a cord with me and has stayed with me. It was her “before the weight loss story” I was reading it and nodding along knowingly, I’m a complete an other Christmas Nut, ask anyone, they’ll verify this.

However, I have turned down many an invite out because I had nothing to wear, my one dress that I did have was a little snug, I thought I’d be the largest person in the room and everyone would stare!! These were all of my excuses for not dealing with my issues and my weight and I’m sad for me, that I missed out on all those probably amazing nights out because I felt like I couldn't “put myself out there”.

So I decided that I had to be the one to make the changes, I had to be the one to try a little harder, its me after all that wants to wear sparkly numbers out at Christmas and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere, rather than supping my drink in the corner and wishing I was anywhere but there feeling huge and uncomfortable!!!

I wouldn't wish these thoughts or feelings on anyone, I really wouldn't but its an awful way to feel about yourself… you wouldn't speak to anyone else the way that you speak to yourself would you?

6 years on, I’m still struggling weight wise, but I’m refusing to give up on myself, I know I can do this and I know I will do it. This year anyone that invites me to a Christmas party had better be prepared for me to be turning up, in a lovely dress (and Santa hat.)

This year I’ve decided that I’m not putting myself in the corner and waiting until I’m at goal to go out and enjoy my Christmas.

I’ve started my window shopping for my Sparkly gorgeous Christmas dress and I plan to be out and about to show it off. Who’s with me?

Vicki x 

and to REALLY get you in the mood.... 

Vicki has picked Shakin' Stevens for her Christmas song!!! I KNOW!!!

Chart below... well done everyone... I've done a bit of housekeeping... it's more motivating to see your name beside someone else who's losing and it makes it faster for me to get it done with weighs-ins coming from all directions! The chart was done last Wednesday as I'm away, I'll update it over the weekend, and so far there has been a total weight loss of 236lbs / 16st 12lbs!!! I KNOW!!! Let me know if I've missed anyone out...  Christmas is coming people... all aboard the wagon?! Lets do it! 

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