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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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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Don't give up... #motivationmonday

Plenty of reasons to give up... 

and even more reasons to keep going... 

Remember why you started? 

then don't give up! 

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This is my journey and I'm driving the car... #weigh-in-9

As this goes to post I'm on the way down from a sugar high and contemplating the scales on Saturday morning... when you hear the sound of wailing from Dubins south side tomorrow morning, you'll know its me shouting at the Belgians! The Christmas Markets were AMAZING but that's for another post... but I'll fess up after my weigh-in... I promise... 

This weeks guest post is by the new kid on the blogging block... you know when you giggle along and smile at a post, you know you're just as guilty as they are... when you nod along thinking 'yup, me too!'... or you start to well up because you've felt the very same way... you're onto a winner... one of the first times I 'talked' to Paddy on social media he told me the story of the boys giggling in Tesco... and I have felt that pain... I've felt that embarrassment... and his honesty is palpable... he tells it like it is, with a funny twist... and that's why people love him...  I've been a huge fan since he started blogging... Ups or downs, his story is one we all understand... definitely worth a follow... you can find him ..  

Twitter  HERE 

FaceBook HERE 

Blog HERE 

This is my journey and I'm driving the car...

by Paddy Hourigan

Smaller Plate  

Back when I worked in O2 I used to dress up as Santa for the kids Christmas party. I loved it; it was great seeing their little faces light up and playing a part in the magic of Christmas. The irony was lost on me at the time and it's only now that I can see it for what it was. I was 20 years old, dressed up as Santa Claus because I fit the bill. Our body shapes were the same... (Round is a shape, yeah?). I could actually shake my belly like a bowl full of jelly and get away with it. It's actually mortifying when you think about it, isn't it?

Santa has an excuse I suppose. One night a year, he eats about 6 million biscuits, has 3 million glasses of milk, beer, Guinness and whatever else and then he sits on his arse for another 364 days. Sounds like heaven, doesn't it? Life doesn't work like that though. This time last year, I was in Tesco's and some kids had been laughing in one of the aisles. I was convinced they were laughing at me, the fat man in the sweet aisle so I went home and cried my little eyes out. That night, I ended up going online to see what I could do and I stumbled across John Quinlivan's blog and the Skinny Doll's journey. I stayed up until about 2am reading everything, laughing and crying with every post.

On December 2nd, 2013 I took the bull by the horns and went to face the scales. I'd been to Weight Watchers before. I'd always lose a stone or so and celebrate by putting it back on again along with a few extra pounds for good luck. (Lads, don't judge, if a famine hits Ireland again, the fatty's will outlive everyone else... who'll be laughing then!?) About two weeks in, my lovely boss in work, Ms Sarah Duff, was chatting to me about Weight Watchers and she said something that has stuck with me ever since... she said "Make 2014 the year you become the person you want to be". And I did.

In the last 11 months, I have quit my job, gone back to college to train as a teacher, cleared my debt and lost 4 stone to date. I took up running, inspired by John and the constant pressure from my friend Grainne and went from looking like a beached whale when I walked up a stairs to being able to run for an hour solid without stopping. I discovered a different love of food thanks to my WW leader Verette and started to make all of my dishes from scratch. I started to write for fun, I blogged. I turned my life around and learned loads in the process.

Thinking I was king of the world, I decided to stop going to Weight Watchers in September after money was non-existent when I went back to college. I've maintained my weight loss but the latest lesson I've learned is that you don't get rid of something that works perfectly. This week, I gave myself an early Christmas present and re-joined with a view to reaching my goal weight in 2015. Why? Because it works. Bad habits can creep back in so easily if we let them, but I'm stopping them right now. Why? Because I refuse to allow myself to become the person that is asked to play Santa next year. I refuse to be the guy in the sweet aisle, sweating buckets picking up a Golden Crisp, in case anyone spotted me. I'm taking control again. This is my journey and I'm driving the car, I'll go as fast or slow as I want, but I will not reverse, not a chance, penalty points or not.

I was incredibly humbled when Skinny Doll asked me to write for this year's challenge. It meant that I was part of something bigger and that my blog was doing the same for others as hers did for me. I'm not perfect; I've a long way to go before I get to goal, but I'm getting there, it's a journey. I keep saying it, but if I could haul my 22 stone arse off of a couch last January and start running, then anyone can. Go on, make 2015 the year that you become the person you want to be... what's the worst that could happen?

Paddy x

and it seems my blogger pals have the same awesome taste in Christmas Tunes as me! 

Hair brushes at the ready!!! 

Chart below... I'll be updating it over the weekend too once I face the music,

so do let me know if I've missed you out.. 

with my gallivanting this week I may have missed you ... 

Nearly there... don't give up now! 

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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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Live in the moment - #Weigh-in-5

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... 

FaceBook >>> ; HERE <<<

Twitter >>>  HERE <<<

YouTube >>>  HERE <<<

Blog >>> HERE<<< 

Live in the moment... 

by Jacqui Murphy 

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! 

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Dear Rob... #weigh-in-4

Happy Halloween!! 

Now, first thing...  don't lose the plot this weekend... you wouldn't have all those sweets in the house normally so don't go crazy just because the little people are on a sugar buzz at the front door! And remember... I heard a rumour you can treat yourself with a Chinese or a glass of wine and not touch single sweet... no word of a lie! 

This weeks is a guest post is from Rob Partridge a funny and amazingly talented person who has lost 5 st 2 lbs to date with Weight Watchers! Anyone who followed the "Strictly Come Dancing' with Weight Watchers Ireland for charity, will have no doubt spotted his moves! I was only gutted I was away when he was throwing shapes in the finals in Dublin! Encore next year!!!

© LOLA GAVIN 2014

I hate that he has better legs than me too! ;P 

You can find Rob... 

Facebook >>> HERE <<< 

Twitter >>> HERE <<<

Instagram >>> HERE <<<

And his fantastic blog about movies, 

weight loss and so much more is >>> HERE <<< 

Dear Rob

by Rob Partridge

I always weigh up what I’m going to do, big or small, by looking at the pro’s and con’s.  I do, metaphorically, have a little angel on one shoulder and little devil on the other.  Sometimes the wrong one wins.  I’ve always been told that writing things down helps which is probably why I keep a journal/diary and why I still hand write letters to people.  With that in mind I thought I’d write to Angel Rob and Devil Rob and just let them know my feelings on a few things.

* * * * *

Dear Angel Rob,

We need to talk!

Remember a few years back when I joined Weight Watchers and you were all “Oh man!  Well done!  This is a brilliant step!” and you encouraged me week by week to point my food properly and I ended up losing five stone?  That was awesome!  Thanks for that.  Your support was incredible, needed and really useful.

Sadly though you made a few mistakes and it’s those we need to talk about.

When I say “It’s Tuesday, I’ve been weighed, I’m getting Chinese food!” on my way home from my Weight Watchers meeting your response shouldn’t be “Go for it Rob.  You deserve it.  Okay, so you were up but you thought about being good and after all it’s the thought that counts.”  No Angel Rob, no!  You should be saying “Hang fire big guy!  If  you’re having Chinese food then today just became a ProPoints day and not a Filling & Healthy day so you need to point the food you had earlier.  Why not finish the day on the filling & healthy and tomorrow we’ll do ProPoints and you can have the Chinese food without feeling the guilt?”

Angel Rob you could also suggest I use my weekly 49 but to be honest I’d rather you didn’t because as you well know I like to save those for treats.

Furthermore when I’m in a petrol station grabbing a coffee in the morning and I think “If I get a walk in later I could have that sausage sandwich!” you should be butting in and saying “Why not walk first then have the sandwich?” and if (when!) I argue with you then you should really stick to your guns rather than smiling and saying “Okay, well I won’t tell if you don’t!”  It’s sweet and all that but not helpful.

Angel Rob you need to start telling me to tell people.  Not verbally or to strangers because we both know from experience that that just lands us in trouble!  No I need to tell my journal or tracker.  Too many pages end up with question marks or big red X’s and some have #Fail! written across them.  If you’re my good little angel then you need to tell me that writing anything other what I’ve eaten is unacceptable.  

You need to back to how you were Angel Rob.  You need to go back to lowering and shaking your head slowly and sadly when I look at a doughnut that I don’t have the points for.  You need to smile at me when I choose fruit over a chocolate bar and you need to comfort me when I’m crying out to be good.  Yeah, I struggle sometimes but I’m five clothes sizes smaller and five stone lighter.  Focus on those will you please and encourage me to continue to do good so I can get rid of the rest of this unnecessary weight.

Yours with love,

Real Rob.

* * * * *

Dear Devil Rob.

I only have two things to say to you.

Fried rice is not the same as brown rice!

Go to hell!

Unfortunately yours,

Real Rob.

Great losses again this week! Chart below, again if I've missed anyone let me know! A couple more 7's added this week! Rocking it people! Woo hoo! 

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Stick with it...

I hear from people all the time, 'I've followed my plan for a WHOLE week and it doesn't work... ' so ... that's that! 

I always tell them... give it a chance... just because Mary loses 2lbs every week... doesn't mean you will too... good for Mary... but don't write healthy eating off because you're not superhuman... Mary will plateau too, Mary will struggle at some point... everyone does... but bunny hopping from one diet to another never worked for anyone... healthy eating.. treating your body well... nourishing it... feeling better in your own skin... all the reasons you want to change your attitude towards food...  if you stick with it... you will feel it.. whether its on the scales or not... you will have more energy... sleep better... less sugar cravings... you can crave fruit too.. who knew?!?!

Just don't give up on yourself...

As the L'Oreal folks are always reminding us, You're worth it! That. Is. All! 

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Think Pink!

http://www.greatpinkrun.ie

>>> HERE <<< 

The above link is all you need for this post... on the 30th of August, when everyone is thinking... 'Summer is over...' 'back to school...' moan and groan... well, send it out the summer with a bang!

 

The great pink run is brilliant... I've done it and loved every second... the craic before and after was excellent! The support and camaraderie is epic! Plus... there's a prize for best dressed! AND its all about PINK!!! I mean seriously it's like it's made for me!

Little people, fluffy four legged people, even grumpy old people are all welcome... 

and there's nothing prettier than a man in pink plaits! 

10km for the running types, there's a Sonia O'Sullivan challenge on the site for the speedsters and 5km for the walkers/fun runners... Eleven weeks to go... so get a few bob from work, school, uni... have a bake sale.. coffee morning... a euro a kilometre from the family and you'll be supporting Breast Cancer Ireland to boot...

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