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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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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Don't make resolutions...

Yep.. you read it right... don't do it... don't promise yourself you'll lose 5 stone by Paddys Day... don't pressure yourself by telling everyone you're going to the gym 5 times a week... You're giving up bread for the year... no... just no... 

Every year people make resolutions and end up feeling like crap when they can't keep up with them... if you already go to the gym 5 times a week and did so before Christmas then it's some thing you can already do... you don't need to put pressure on yourself because its a New Year... You can re-evaluate ... make healthier choices of course, but Easter will come with all the chocolate eggs, Bank Holidays will be here bringing BBQs and picnics outside (I'm optimist about the weather aren't I?!?!), Pancake Tuesday will arrive, with all the Nutella and before you know it we'll be back at Summer holidays and facing Christmas again, I'm not wishing my life away but life is too short... and life is to be lived... and making resolutions that aren't realistic just adds to the misery of the January blues... So here's my thinking... make a plan not a resolution... 

Promise yourself one thing and one thing only ... to be a better version of you... to be less stressed, feed your body better and be happy with who you are... these aren't resolutions... they're things you should be trying to do every day of the year... these are things your need to do everyday to be a better, happier and calmer person... 

Life will throw things at us in 2015... family get poorly, some of us will lose people we love, work will get on top of us... we'll struggle with money and not having enough time to do things, we'll feel down at certain times of the year and be miserable, just like every year ... those are the times that can make you lose focus on being healthier... you don't have the time or energy to treat yourself well, and you put yourself last on the list... we rush to get everything done for everyone else and our bodies suffer because of it... so this year instead of making a 'resolution' and then live in fear of breaking it and feeling lost when you realise you can't keep it up along with everything else... make a pact with yourself to look after you... and when you're at your best... everyone else benefits! A happier you.. means a happier person to be around and kicking yourself because you didn't make the gym 5 times doesn't help any one... throw in a little walk and get over yourself... you're still being kinder to you, and your family and friends will reap the benefits... 

Year after year I made resolutions, joined gyms, quit being any fun, only to fall at the first or second hurdle into a pancake in February! Then hating myself for being such a loser.. I was horrible and mean to myself... 'I'm useless'... 'I'm always going to be a failure'... 'what was the point, when I can't even last a month?!' and the cycle would continue...

It's not selfish to take time to look after yourself... to treat yourself... you become a nicer person to be around... so take your 10 mins to breathe, paint your nails or make that hair appointment... when you're so busy trying to take care of everyone else you can forget about you... So just try this mantra for the year ... 

Have wonderful New Year Celebrations wherever you may be... 

It's my favourite holiday of the year!!! 

and a sincere thank you to everyone who has been on here, reading, following, 

supporting and kicking my butt when I needed it! Thanks to all who did the challenges... 

I hope everyone enjoyed them as much as I did... 

and here's to a continued success for all in a healthier and happier 2015!

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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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It's only a number! - Monday motivation!

Yes.. all these women weigh exactly the same... the very same number on the scales... and look at them! All gorgeous... all looking healthy! Everyone carries their weight differently... Same as these ladies... 

All the same weight but all different dress size... 

This week... think about how you feel... how are your energy levels? Can you notice the foods you're eating are making you feel better? Less bloated from sugar and rubbish.. Are your legs toning up from walking? Is your body getting stronger? 

Focus on YOUR body and how you feel...  because you're YOU... you're UNIQUE and no comparing yourself to anyone else!! All you have to be is the best version of YOU! ok?!? 

Have a great week! 

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On the twelfth week to christmas my true love gave to me....

You sang it ... I know you did... So as promised, a final challenge to ring out 2014! I totally missed out on the Summer Challenge due to being poorly, so personally I'm really going for broke on this one! I'm on the edge of stone number 8 and I REALLY want half of another by Christmas! So its ALL focus in Camp Doll!

The challenge works as usual, every Friday there will be a post titled 'weigh in', just add your losses in the comments and the following week it's on the board! If you need a kick in the pants ask for it... I find the more we share and support the easier it is! So if you're struggling say so and watch the hugs, advice and good old willpower coming at ya! Plus a little competition is good for everyone so lets see who can lose the most... or be down every week... There may be some lil spot prizes to keep us all going! Fear not I'm not forgetting my fav holiday at all... Halloween will be getting a big mention! The chocolate and sweetie invasion is so close so there's tips aplenty coming... 

AND ... this challenge has some awesome surprises with guest bloggers who have all been there and done that and are still doing it, people I know you all follow and love are sharing their Christmas tips and stories to keep you rev'd you up till Christmas day!

In 12 weeks it is possible to lose a dress/pant size! Tonight go home and try on your fav little glitzy number, try on your fancy belt and count the notches and see just how snug it is... instead of pining in the shop windows in the weeks before Christmas, wishing 'if only' ... start today and you can pick up a sparkly number, feel confident and awesome! Plus you can have a good old boogie without worrying that you'll bust a seam! 

When the time comes to sit on Santas knee, you could be in a brand new rig out just losing 1lb a week between now and then... and we're always told that's the healthy way to lose it, 1 - 2 lbs a week, so it's very achievable... And be realistic, no one is going to lose two stone for Christmas!! Also if you're weight loss is slow and your near to goal, measure yourself, you can be losing inches off your thighs and arms and not even know it because your so focused on a number on the scales... so a quick measure now, and again in 12 weeks will surprise you if you stay on track! Think of poor Santas' knee too.. I mean he's no spring chicken! 

Think of how good you'd feel if you lost a half a stone by Christmas!?! That extra energy, feeling less lethargic, your skin glowing, people at the office party giving you a second glance thinking 'she's looking well!' ... and no one is saying you've got to be Norma No Mates till then, but careful planning, a little more exercise and WANTING IT SO BAD, you'll be rocking around the xmas tree not rolling around it! 

So if you're in and you really want it... I mean REALLY want it and are prepared to stick it out for the full 12 weeks... add your name in a comment below and note your weight this week for yourself and check in next week on Friday and post your loss! Simples!

If your weigh-in is early in the week you can DM me on twitter or FB and I'll add you! 

As my leader always says you can be a Christmas Turkey or a Christmas Cracker! 

The decision is up to you! 

Bring it Santa!!! 

Blank version to print out if you want to stick it on the fridge 

or don't fancy weighing in here... 

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Tomorrow... tomorrow... I love ya...

You totally sang that.... 

Tomorrow is a wonderful place isn't it... housework will be done... filing will be done... diets start.... junk food ends.. it's only a fabulous day... but if you put off starting to exercise until the time is right, you'll never reach your fitness goals... There is NEVER a right time... EVER!

Q. When is the best time to start exercising?

Monday morning?
New Year's Day?
The beginning of the month?
After your holidays?
When you can afford a gym membership?

All tried and tested excuses... you heard me...

A. The best time to start exercising is NOW.
If you keep waiting for the perfect time to start working out, or for the ideal time to change our eating habits, we risk procrastinating and waiting for a time that may never come.

We're all busy... and there's never be a perfect time to start...

If you want to achieve your goals... start now... 

because NOW is always the best time to make YOU a priority.

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Lets finish this....

Over the weekend I spotted the 'C' word... not the rude one... the one with glitter and pressies!

20 weeks... TWENTY!!! That means in 21 weeks we're looking at new years resolutions again... How fast is this year going by?!? Now I haven't even gone on my summer holidays yet so even hearing the word 'Christmas' gives me the shivers... I LOVE summer but the thoughts of cold damp dark mornings.. no .. not yet.. I just can't... 

But look at it this way.... 

1 lb a week - 20 lbs - 1st 6 lbs

1.5 lbs a week - 30 lbs - 2st 2 lbs

2 lbs a week - 40 lbs  - 2st 12 lbs

Who wouldn't want to be nearly 3 stone lighter for Santa!? How many of us would be happy with a stone and a half closer to goal for the new year!?!

Remember all the resolutions in January!?! Time to finish what we started!

A new challenge coming soon if anyone is up for it... Have a fab week!

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MOVE!!! Motivation Monday...

Who is your biggest saboteur? Who is the person cheating on you? Who is procrastinating?  Is it you? Have a little think about it... sometimes it's ourselves who are the biggest road block on our journey.... Eating that cream cake won't help... momentarily it will taste soooo good... but if you're eating it because you're miserable, angry, pissed off or just feel like it's hopeless and you're just useless at EVERYTHING *insert Hollywood style faint here*, or you just feel like giving up... then it's not going to help one little bit.. in fact it's going to start a downward spiral... in the vicious circle of comfort eating, you'll end up feeling rubbish and just end up trying to comfort yourself with even more rubbish... you see it all the time... people who lose weight then put it all back on with some more to boot... and  no one ever comfort eats apples! You'll shout at yourself... 'sure whats the point?!' ... but you will never shut that inner voice up with food.. tell her to zip it or be more helpful... she's not really helping you... so tell her to shift... move... you can do it... if you really want it... and its easy to get others to move but sometimes you've get out of your OWN way... 

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Mini Marathon Motivation!!!

Today is Mini Marathon day!!!

For my readers from afar, today in Dublin 40,000 women, and a few very pretty lads in tutus, make up and wigs... will walk, run or jog 10km for many Irish charities... 

You will need no more motivation than watching the news this evening or if you can, getting down to cheer them on and challenging yourself to do it next year! 

Breast cancer research, animal charities, children's hospitals you name it... they'll be out in force today... donning their t-shirts to raise much needed funds in tough times like this and if, like me, you can't do it, you can support it! Plenty of charities you can dish €5, €10 or €20 to... 

So... to all the other fabulous gals I know, who have been training so hard and have been raising funds for amazing causes... a big thank you and I'm very proud of you all... to those running for personal bests, I have my fingers and toes crossed and have great faith in you! I'll be applauding from the sidelines! 

It's a wonderful event for wonderful causes... and next year I'll be down at the start line with you! 

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Baby steps... Motivation Monday...

My leader said something last week that I probably only heard properly, PROPERLY, for the first time... 

'you didn't go to bed last night and wake up this morning 4 stone heavier...'

Pound by pound it went on... pants got tighter... bigger sizes were bought and the labels ignored, I used to cut them off so I wouldn't be reminded every time I put them on! Every Monday was a new start... it was raining, so I wouldn't go for a walk, sure I might dissolve... it didn't go on over night... So it's not going to come off over night either... 

Yes, we all go a bit mad at birthdays, on holidays, communions, weddings... but we didn't put on stones.. we put on a few pounds and promptly forgave ourselves and forgot it ever happened ... resigned ourselves to the fact that we just can't do it... 

Baby steps is the way to lose weight... you will have weeks where you'll lose 2, 3, 4 lbs... but the half pounds all add up... small efforts... an extra walk at lunchtime ... deciding to have half a slice of the office birthday cake instead of making a beeline to the kitchen to scoff a second slice... all these little decisions and choices add up ... and over time... they show... so this week... make little decisions that will get you slowly but surely closer to your goal... 

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DO a U-Turn...

I remember one of my first weight watchers meetings... the leader told us that our journey is exactly that, a path we'll follow ... our goal is a destination... 

Everyone trying to get fit and lose weight is on a journey... and everyones goal is different...

Some, take the motorway... all focused... A to B... no messing... top gear... 

Some, use the B roads... getting there fast enough but enjoying the spin... 

Some of us... are taking the scenic route... but we're still getting there... for some the journey is long... *raises hand* ... for others its a short way to goal.... but no matter what... don't pull in a park and decide you're happy enough where you are... because you're not...  Do a U-Turn... spin around and get going again! 

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VICTORY!!!! Weigh in #5

A lot of us get hung up on the scales... and yes its a great tool on the weight loss journey... but this week I've been asking people I know... online... friends... relations... apart from the number on the scales... what has really spurred you on? The list is ... refreshing! 

'Actually doing a full 15 minutes on elliptical, no cheating'

'feeling my collar bones' 

'having so much more energy'

'shopping in ‘normal’ shops'

'getting up the stairs and nor being winded"'

'running my first 5k'

'being hugged and his arms going all the way round me'

'the notches on my belt moving along'

'guys flirting with me'

'fitting into ‘booth’ tables in restaurants'

'being called Miss by a young man when I’ve been used to being called madame!' 

'better skin and my nails are stronger'

'more confidence'

'first time I walked round the block without stopping'

'coming off medication I don't NEED anymore'

'no double chin, no hang on... no triple chin!'

'lower blood pressure'

'pretty underwear' 

'lots of compliments'

'watching other people eating food that I used to want and not caring anymore'

'steering wheel doesn’t press against my belly anymore'

'I look hot in jeans'

'fitting into my pre pregnancy jeans'

'riding a bike after 10 years and loving it!'

'looking hot for my husband... his words not mine'

'not being the ‘fat’ mum for my kids'

'fitting into our old rocking chair with my new grandson and not squeezing myself into it!' 

'I’m just in a better mood all the time!' 

'wearing a bikini for the first time'

'not being the one to shout ‘slow down’ at family walks' 

'being able to wear medium size in shirts'

'being able to go for a six mile walk with my hubby without being out of breath'

'losing the muffin top over my skinny jeans'

'I've had several people tell me how much younger I look'

'I can walk down the biscuit aisle without buying any!'

'at the spa …my bath towel now overlaps when I wrap it around me… I love that!'

'I can walk more than a mile now. In March I could not walk around the block comfortably'

'moving from the ‘obese’ to ‘overweight’ box on the BMI scale' 

'I can go faster on the treadmill'

'having a waist'

'I can wear high heels now!'

'running 8 miles for the SECOND time. The first time I did it, I thought it was a fluke. The second time, I knew I was truly capable'

'well todays victory was having my daughter-in-law call me "skinny" after not seeing her since Easter and the look on my sons face was priceless'

'getting my wedding ring resized'

'wearing an ankle chain for the first time and toe rings! I don't have fat feet anymore'

'I can zip up my hoody all the way now' 

'hitting 10k steps the first time!' 

'the night when my pants nearly fell off in Zumba because they were too big!' 

'the day I overheard someone in college say ‘she’s lost a lot of weight and has really nice hair!’


All these replies are so different yet meant so much to each person.. you can roll your eyes at one and totally agree with the next but to each person it was positive step in the right direction!

When you think that you're not going anywhere on the weight loss journey... look back at the first day you started and see how you have physically and mentally changed... it will surprise you that you never even noticed the little things when you get so caught up on that number every week ... the scales is only one of the tools... living a healthy long life is the ultimate goal regardless of the number you see... and that number will always change... from morning till afternoon... you will weigh differently every time but you're stamina and energy will remain the same...  if you're feeling better in yourself then you're winning! 

If I've missed anyone below let me know! 

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