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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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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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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A Better Christmas with A Better Me! ... Weigh-in 3!

Week 3! Its coming a lot faster than you realised isn't it?! 

This weeks guest post is by a Weight Watchers leader who has 'been-there-done-that-and -has-the-tshirt' ... her website is just brilliant and if you follow her on Facebook you already ready know that the recipes and food pics she posts are delicious! She is one of the most motivational people out there... and when you're stuck or struggling she's got the right words and the right shoes to kick you in the butt! She's just brilliant! 

For those lucky enough to live near her, she runs cookery classes... check out her site link below or better yet drool like the rest of us on a Monday when all the pics go live... 

Verette can be found here... 

Twitter - >>> HERE <<<

Facebook - >>> HERE <<<

Website - >>> HERE <<< 

Christmas... Before & After 

By Verette from A Better Me

I was chuffed to be asked by Skinny Doll to write a little blog post for her Christmas Challenge and of course I immediately said yes count me in. I had a think long and hard about what to write and given that it’s a Christmas theme I thought I might as well tell you about a really bad Christmas party that I attended in my “heavier” life and how I view Christmas now in my “slimmer” life!

My before! 

11 years ago I was almost 15 stone weight, not good when you’re only 5 foot 3 and as with most overweight people I’m sure, I used to break out in a sweat when I would get an invitation to something as the first thought was always “I have nothing to wear”. Truth was I had tons of clothes but nothing fit and all the tents I did wear were definitely not suitable for the Christmas party that I had just been invited to. So rather than decline yet another invitation because of my weight, I decided to borrow a dress and attend that party, even though it was the last thing I wanted to do. Best decision I ever made actually because that night was the turning point for me. 

I arrived at the party where of course everyone in the room looked sparkly and beautiful and there was me in my borrowed dress and not alone was that too tight for me but for some insane reason I decided to wear a choker too (Trust me they were a thing at the time) but trust me too when I tell you, that you should never ever wear a choker when you have more than one chin! All I wanted to do that night was hide but obviously in a room full of people that’s not easy, so I did what I did a lot then and focused on the food. When was it going to be served and how much could I eat without bursting out of that dress?

While I was shoving down my emotions with food that evening I overheard a lady beside me (gorgeous figure, beautiful dress, no choker) talking about how busy her life was. Two kids same as me, working part-time same as me, straight hair same as me, only thing it seemed she had that I didn’t was a slim body. While I sat there and listened, I had my light bulb moment. That lady had a very similar life to mine but she obviously worked hard at staying a healthy weight where as I used my busy life as an excuse not to. I decided there and then that I would not be in a borrowed dress for the Christmas party the following year and at the beginning of January I joined Weight Watchers.

My after!

I lost 4 and a half stone that year, it took me 51 weeks to do that , I always say I took the scenic route as I felt it was a slow burn , a pound here a pound there, but would I change that? Hell no! I’ve maintained that weight loss bar a few pounds up or down for almost 11 years now. I can say hand on my heart that I will never be that girl again that sat at a party and was more interested in the food then the company. Christmas is very different for me now. I’m still busy, busier than ever actually but the difference now is that I’ve learned how to manage my life better , how to prioritise my health and eating habits , how to know when enough is enough and still in all of that how to enjoy the magic that is Christmas. I love all the sparkle, I love the twinkly lights, I love coming home to a big fire after a long walk on a cold and crispy day. I still love the food but its cooked in a much healthier way and even then it’s not nearly as important as the people in my life. Family and not food is what Christmas is, and should always be, about. 

Thanks for reading and I hope you get your Christmas wish this year!

Verette x


See what I mean about AMAZING inspirational people out there!?! Verette asked me to choose one of the after pics but I just couldn't, she looks so fabulous in both of them! 

Rocking around the Christmas tree is exactly what will be happening with you lot... as this went to post there's a group loss of 163.5lbs! 3 people hitting the half stone loss already and many others really REALLY close to it! Christmas crackers on the way!!! Chart below!!! 

Remember if I've missed your weigh-in, just let me know, some slip through the cracks and I think I'm very organised and I've done them and I haven't! eek!!! 

Have an amazing week! x

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Where is the finish line? ... Weigh in 2!

So week two... all still on the wagon?! I'm down 1 this week... another step closer! This weeks guest post is from one of my all time fav weight watcher people... he is a massive inspiration to so many... The first time I saw his post about walking up Croagh Patrick I welled up... he was talking about me... and his honesty is SO refreshing... we have been following each other over two years now, not literally... well not yet! and hand on heart I'd be lost without him... *totally fan-girl-ing* ...  If running is your thing and have no clue of how or where to start... get to his blog and follow his progress... You can find him in all these places... 

check out his blog 19st to 10K >>> HERE <<<

Also spotted ... Twitter >>> HERE <<<  

FACEBOOK >>> HERE <<<

INSTAGRAM >>> HERE <<<

Where is the Finish Line?

by John Quinlivan

They say if you change your perspective, you change your world. One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn over the past year has come from my inability to cross the finish line. I can see it, sitting out there on the horizon staring straight at me. My finish line is a bouncy castle, I can see it in my head – one giant inflatable bouncy castle just waiting to be boarded. I’ve had it within grasping distance - I was 1lb off goal weight this time last year. I wanted it so badly back then, I still want it so badly right now. Today I am 20lbs off goal (I’ll let you do the maths there), so even if I had a lasso, a stallion and a grapple hook I wouldn’t be able get a grip on the finish line without seriously damaging my bouncy castle.

Right now I have two options – Work towards it or throw in the towel.

Thinking about it, these two options have always been available. I just didn’t see it this way when the journey was “plain sailing”. It’s the challenges and difficulties that have really shown me who I am and helped me grow as a person. You see, on one hand I have crossed so many other finish lines in the past twelve months on personal & professional levels yet this one seems to mean the most to me. Recently I was talking to someone who asked what difference today would it have made had I hit Goal last year and the only answer I keep coming up with is… None whatsoever!

In order to stay motivated, I always think about the following: 1) Why do I want this? 2) What does it mean to me to be keep going? 3) How would I feel if I stopped? Giving up will always be the easier option rather than working for it, but just because it’s easier doesn’t make it right. Without a shadow of doubt, I believe that weight & fitness are not destinations and they have no finish line. You don’t lose weight and that’s it, it’s not coming back (if only). Similarly once you run a 5K doesn’t mean you’ll always be able to unless you keep working at it. I recently came across this quote which actually blew my mind. Just think about this:

All any one of us can do is try. No one is watching or taking notes so what does it matter if there are mistakes or bumps along the way. If your weight loss isn’t going as fast as you’d like or if it feels like you are going round in circles, as long as you want to move in the right direction (the direction of your finish line), then I believe things will be fine. That is why I’ve signed up to The Skinny Doll’s 12 Week Challenge. Hopefully it’ll bring me closer to my finish line and even if it doesn’t – I haven’t lost anything by taking part!

Not being where you’d like to be is tough, we’ve all been there. I reckon however being back at the start line would be tougher! If I was talking to myself (and I wasn’t me if you get me), I know the advice I’d give: C’mon stick with it, put in 10 good weeks between now and Christmas, you know it’s worth it. Don’t leave it until January to re-start. Even if it’s ½ a pound a week between now and Christmas, you’ll be nearly half a stone lighter come the Christmas Party.

So what advice would you give a friend who is in your exact situation? Change your perspective, change your world!

That was then but this is now…

John Q

Johns' Xmas song for the Challenge is 'Stay another day!' 
a Christmas no 1 by East 17 about never giving up! 

Now if THAT doesn't motivate you... I don't know what will! 

Weigh in chart below everyones doing great... many additions last week too! I've put the names in alphabetical order (roughly, don't start getting picky!!!) let me know if I've missed you or your weigh in... Have a FAB-U-LOSS week! 

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