Day 106 - Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Me! :)

Today I am celebrating my 24th birthday, and this morning had an amazing surprise from my fiancé, who told me he is taking me to a spa for the day tomorrow! Sometimes he really does come up trumps!

I went to work as normal, and had a lovely surprise when some of my workmates made me a lunch. How gorgeous does it look?! Very chuffed!

So this evening we headed to the spa, it isn't too far where we live so made it in good time. It is right on a canal, so went for a stroll when we got there, and then had tea delivered to our room - bliss!

Having a great birthday so far!

Day 105

The girls came round this evening to start the celebrations for my birthday. I cooked a healthy tea of jacket potatoes, salad, garlic bread and nachos. Semi healthy! It is my birthday after all!

I had a fantastic night catching up, gossiping and just generally having good time!

X

Day 104

Not much to report today guys!

Spent my day at work then tidying the garden and shed in the evening. With all this rain in England recently all of our plants have gone wild!

Food -

Porridge with blueberries

Cheese and broccoli pasta

Spaghetti bolognese

Day 103

Well yesterday was my first day back to work after being off ill for a couple of weeks. And I am glad to say it was alot easier than I expected! It felt like I'd not been away, and fell back into my routine very easily. Few!

As its my birthday later in this week some of my colleagues took me out for a meal after work. We went to a local pub which is known for good food, The Golden Ball in Ironbridge.

The food was delicious and the company was great, I had a very nice meal! I had a tomato pasta dish which was very tasty, and relatively healthy.

After the meal I then went for a brisk 30 minute walk with the other half, and it felt so much better walking off my tea (or some of it anyway!)

Hope you've all had a good start to your week! What exercise have you got planned this week?

Day 102

And another weekend is over!

I am back to work today, and I'm not going to lie, I think it's going to be a struggle. I have been off work for just over two weeks, trying to sort my head out and calm my anxiety. I have been struggling alot recently, due to many reasons, and it all camr to a head the other week and the doctor advised me to take time out and get myself back together. Honestly, I am still not feeling myself but I am hoping getting back into a routine will help me feel more myself. Whilst catching up on a few blog posts today, I am across this one from one of my favourite beauty bloggers, Zoella. It really hit home to me how giving in to your anxiety really can stop you from living, which I can really relate to at the moment. Take a read, I have to say I think it is one of the most powerful posts I have ever read.

http://schoee.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/just-say-yes.html

I also came across this quote today and again it really resintated with me...

Don’t waste your life in doubts and fears: spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour’s duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Moving on from the heavy stuff (!) today was a nice relaxing day. I had a bad nights sleep so it was a late start to the day. I went to visit my parents for late lunch, and just pottered round the house doing a few chores. My Dad cooked pork fajitas, which were very tasty! I only managed a couple though but it definately hit the spot. I then enjoyed some strawberries for pudding.

Delicious!

Day 101

Hope everyone is having a great weekend, and for those of you over the pond, Happy Labour Day weekend!

Yesterday we headed over to Birmingham, the second largest city in UK, where one of our friends lives, to celebrate his birthday. It was lovely to catch up with friends, in such a nice setting! We ate at Miller & Carter, a well renowned steak house in England. I'm not a huge steak fan, so went for the cherry tomato linguine, which was okay. Not the best meal I have ever had but the company made up for it! We then went onto a couple of bars, check out the view from one of them.

So picturesque!



Day 100 - Week 14 Weigh In

Start Weight: 13st 10lbs

Last Weeks Weight: 13st 0.4lbs

This Week: 13st 0.4lbs


Measurements:

Arms - 29cm
Chest - 101cm
Waist - 84cm
Hips - 114cm
Thigh - 62cm

No changes this week! This is the first week there has been no changes at all, neither in weight or measurements. A little disappointed after the effort I put in this week, but I'm in it for the long haul, so hopefully it means an even bigger success next week! However, next week is my birthday, so I am not sure how that will go!

I aim to go on atleast three walks this week, as well as doing my sit ups at least three times too. An easy enough target to reach!

Ellie x

Day 100

Day 100! Wow! How fast is this going?

Today I cracked on with some DIY, which always helps me relax and unwind. We are hopefully getting our kitchen redecorated next year after the wedding, and so to make it look more presentable in the mean time I repainted our wall tiles. This is the before...

... and this is the after...

I am very happy with how it has turned out, especially as the paint only cost £12! A quick and easy way to brighten a dull room! How much did that sound like an advert?! Cringe!

It took me most of the day to paint the tiles, as well as gloss my whole house again! It felt good and refreshing to give the tiles, doors and skirting boards a fresh lick of paint. Sort of like, a fresh start? Deep I know!

Todays food was good, I had poached eggs on toast for lunch, followed by vegetables and spaghetti for tea.

Yum!

Check back tomorrow for my weigh in!

Day 99

Check what I bought today... and yes they fit!

I cannot remember the last time I bought a Size 12, US 8, pair of trousers. My hips are my biggest part of me, and so always struggle to get jeans to fit! As these are jeggings material, they do stretch a little and are so comfortable! So chuffed I am in a Size 12 again!

Today was another decent food day. I had pasta for my lunch, followed by spaghetti bolognese for my tea. A little carb overload, but hey, I love my carbs!

I also went on a hour walk today, so am feeling pretty positive about this weeks weigh in!

Day 98

Who knew you could lose weight from your fingers?!

Well guys, it seems to be true! My engagement ring, which is about 10 months old is now too big for me. It has fallen off a few times and you can see from the picture that it is definitely a little to big for my shrinking fingers! Back to the shop we go!

Today I had to wait in at home for our new fridge to be delivered, ours broke the other day and we have been having to made do with a smaller 'beer fridge' in the mean time. In happy with our new fridge and hope it lasts just as longer, if not longer, than the last one! (the previous lasted over five years, an it was second hand!)

Food wise was a good day, I had poached eggs for brunch and salad pitta bread for my tea.

All in all, a good day!



Day 97

Food -

Special K with semi skimmed milk

Tomato and basil soup

Spaghetti bolognese


Exercise -

60 minute walk


Thumbs up! 👍

I good day all round. I spent my day sorting items to sell on eBay, I will link it below if anyone is interested to go and check the stuff out. I've got over 40 items to sell, and I can't believe ow much time it takes to put them into eBay! Hopefully it will be worth it when we have some more money to put in the wedding pot!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/eldan2310/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25&_trksid=p4853

Ellie x

Day 96

Today was a national bank holiday in the UK, so (almost) everybody has the day off work. And as usual, on a bank holiday, the weather is pants!

I went to a friends for lunch to catch up and see her new home. She made a lovely lunch consisting of chicken, salad, new potatoes, feta, olives and coleslaw. It was very tasty and healthy - double win!

After that I spent the evening at my parents, as my dad works away in the week so wanted to see him before be goes back. It was a nice chilled evening, and I spent most of it getting cuddles from my niece :)

I didn't get to do any exercise today, however I am hoping all of the lifting an carrying a 17lb baby will make some difference!

Hope you are all well!

Ellie x

Day 95

Not much to report today!

Went to my parents for a lovely Sunday roast, aren't they just the best meal?! As my parents are also trying to be good we missed out the roast potatoes and stuck to chicken, new potatoes and lots of vegetables. It was delicious!

We then went for a lovely stroll in the evening, as it was so nice. My legs aren't sore, surprisingly, after my log walk yesterday, so we went and took my parents dog for a run in a nearby field. My gorgeous niece came along for the walk too, check out the picture!

Hope you are all well and keeping to your plans!

Ellie x

Day 94

Food -

I started the day with a bacon sandwich in brown bread. Not the best, but not the worst!

I then did have a couple of biscuits in the afternoon with some tea, I suppose as a celebration of my weight loss (why do I do that?!) and ended the day with a pitta bread stuffed with alas and light mayonnaise. Yum!

Exercise -

We didn't have any plans for today, and we were in need of doing something that ideally wouldn't cost money! So we decided to walk to my parents house, almost 9 miles from ours!

We did the walk, which took almost three hours as we went at a very leisurely pace, which included getting lost a couple of times and an eventful thunderstorm right above us at one point!

It felt amazing on the walk, blowing the cobwebs away and just getting out in the fresh air. We have made a promise to do it more often, so watch this space!

Here are some pictures from the walk, we endured blazing sunshine, clouds, torrential rain and thunderstorms during our outing! Plus stumbling across some lovely cows!

Day 93 - Week 13 Weigh In

Today's results:

Start Weight: 13st 10lbs

Last Weeks Weight: 13st 2.8lbs

This Week: 13st 0.4lbs

Amazing! I am 0.4lbs away from the 10lb mark! I am so chuffed after weeks of staying the same! Persistence pays :)

I am also starting to get comments from people asking if I've lost weight, and how good I am looking, which feels SO good! I am the largest out of my friends so this feels so good that people are starting to notice a difference in my size! You can probably make that out by all of he exclamation marks I'm using!!

Measurements:

Arms - 29cm
Chest - 101cm
Waist - 84cm. Lost 1cm!
Hips - 114cm
Thigh - 62cm

Not much to show for on the measurement from, but it is moving in the right direction!

I have been walking a lot this week, as well a doing a lot of housework. This week I plan to start jogging and doing more of my abs workouts.

Fingers crossed for another weight loss this week!

Day 92

Food -

I was bad today! I didn't feel hungry all day, so all I ate was spaghetti bolognese for tea. Bad Ellie!

Exercise -

I spent the day scrubbing the kitchen clean, all of the skirting boards and doors, hoovering and mopping, cleaning bed sheets and sofas. I'd say that a workout in itself!

Weigh in tomorrow guys!

Day 91

Food -

Porridge

Poached Egg on Toast

Exercise -

30 minute walk

Day 90

Food -

2 x Crumpets

Homemade chicken and vegetable curry with rice and natural yoghurt dip

My appetite has gone somewhat since I'm not feeling 100%, so if there is only one good thing that comes out of this then I hope it's weightloss!

Exercise -

I didn't do much exercise today, however did scrub the house clean so I'm sure that burnt a few calories!

Hope you are all well.

Ellie x

Day 89

Food -

Wholemeal toast with marmalade.

Pasta with onion, peppers and passata.

One small slice of shortbread.

Our fridge has broken in the last couple of days so we are having to make do with things we've got in, and that can be eaten without being chilled or frozen. Such a pain!

Exercise -

1 hour slow walk

Rally struggling with sleep at the moment! Any tips? I've been told to try lavender, so will be giving that a go tonight!

Day 88

Food -

Bacon sandwich on brown bread

Jacket potato, turkey salad and pickled onions

Exercise -

30 minute walk

Day 87 - A Little Blue

Feeling a little under the weather at the moment guys.

The doctor has signed me off work for at least a week to hopefully get me feeling back to my normal self.

I'll still be doing my updates on food and exercise, and my weekly weigh ins, just not much else going on in my life right now!

Ellie x

Day 86 - Week 12 Weigh In

And it is that time yet again!

I have eaten well this week, and been in three walks, including a little jogging! I did my abs workout once, so I need to up that for next week.

The results this week are...

Start Weight: 13st 10lbs

Last Weeks Weight: 13st 3.4lbs

This Week: 13st 2.8lbs

The half pound is off! I have now lost half a stone, finally! It has taken me a while to get to this point, but for me it is all about keeping it off so I'm happy as long as I get there!

Measurements -

Arms - 29cm
Chest - 101cm. Lost 1cm!
Waist - 85cm
Hips - 114cm. Lost 1cm!
Thigh - 62cm. Lost 1cm!

All the walks I've been on are working, and shifting the weight from where they its not wanted!

This week I'm going to keep up the walking and aim for some more weight to shift.

Fingers crossed!

Day 85 - Update

Not much to report today guys, food is healthy and went for another walk this evening!

Be back tomorrow for Week 12 Weigh In, yikes!

Ellie x

Day 84 - Housewife

Don't you just love chores? Once one is done, another three appear!

Last night I spent my evening catching up on all house related chores, cleaning the bathroom, kitchen, hoovering, even cleaning out our cutlery draw. I don't understand how things can get so messy! So I managed to get those jobs done, but I have come home from work today and looked around and found atleast four if not five more jobs to do! Urgh, when will it ever end?!

I try to assign different chores for different days, to make it feel less daunting when they need doing, but then on the other hand it always feels like I am cleaning something! What routine do you go by, all at once, or piece by piece? Let me know any tips you have too, I'm always on the look out for some new cleaning tips!

As I had some many chores to catch up on aswell as cooking tea and fitting in a little down time, I didn't do any exercise. Well, if you don't count scrubbing the bathroom within an inch of its life then I didn't!

We then had a burger each for tea, no bread!, with salad and corn on the cob. Very tasty, and pretty healthy! I also made a little homemade coleslaw to go with my tea, and I have to say it was delicious!

All I did was chop up a little white cabbage, grate a carrot and chop up one spring onion and then mixed in some light mayonnaise. I didn't have any Dijon mustard otherwise that would've gone in too, but it was tasty all the same!

Hope your all having a fab week.

Ellie

Day 83 - Keep on Walking...

This walking malarkey is pretty good fun!

After a stressful day in the office there is nothing better than getting those trainers on and pounding the pavement. I find it so destressing to go for a 45 minute fast walk and just forget about the day!

Food was good today, I ate porridge and blueberries again for breakfast. I am really enjoying this for breakfast now (finally managed to break the Special K habit!), and it is keeping me full for atleast 3 hours, an achievement in my books!

Lunch was leftover vegetable curry, YUM!

And dinner was spaghetti bolognese, double YUM!

Sorry for the short post again guys, promise I will be back to normal soon!

Ellie

Day 82 - Food for Thought

Today started well...

This kept me full for well over four hours! That is a huge achievement for my stomach to stay full for that long!

My lunch consisited of broccoli and cheese pasta, a ready made packet but relatively healthy.

And I finished the day with this...

Delicious!

We made enough for me to have the leftovers for my lunch tomorrow, which I can't wait to eat already!

Before we had tea we went for a 30minute walk, which we jogged a couple of minutes of. It was good to get back out and moving again. It was very muggy outside aswell, so the 30 minutes walk felt like twice as long, and we looked very red and sweaty from it afterwards!

I will be going on another walk tomorrow, and doing my abs workout. I am feeling very motivated and eager to reach this weeks targets!

Hope you have all had a great start to the week!

Ellie x

Day 81 - Floral Fun

Wow, 80 days in! Only 285 days til I make that big step and walk down the aisle. Not long to go now! We have had a very 'wedding' weekend, what with visiting the florist and trying suits on. We still have a long way to go (heck, my dress is get to be ordered!) but we are making slow progress, and enjoying the journey along the way!

Before we went to see the florist I decided to catch some of the summer rays. Sometimes there is nothing better than sitting in the sunshine!

After seeing the florist and doing our food shop for the week, we then went onto ANOTHER BBQ, with friends. It was lovely to see them, and their children. Luckily my friend had prepared gorgeous salads and so I devoured most of them, and had a little bit of chicken to go with it. Delish!

We ended the day watching the Olympics Closing Ceremony (sob), and even though I had to be up for 7am this morning for work I did not allow myself to miss a second of the ceremony, so it was quite a late one! We did have a little visitor who came to stay for the Closing Ceremony...

The little fidgit! She is just over four months old now, and does not keep still!!!!

Tomorrow I will be starting my walking again, and I WILL reach my targets for the week!

Day 80 - Suits You!

Busy day today guys!

We (well, the other half) tried on suits for our wedding, and I have to say he looked very fetching! He's a builder by trade, and so very VERY rarely gets that dressed up!

We then went to my parents for a very tasty BBQ. They are both on a healthy eating kick too so we ate jacket potatos, salads with steaks and chicken. Very tasty indeed!

As always, I was so hungry I didn't allow time to take a picture! MUST DO BETTER!

Will be back tomorrow with another update!

Ellie x

Day 79 - Week 11 Weigh In

And we are here again!

Today's results:

Start Weight: 13st 10lbs

Last Weeks Weight: 13st 3.4lbs

This Week: 13st 3.4lbs

Stayed the same! As much as I would've loved to have lost, I do deserve this weigh in. I promised myself that I would go in atleast two jogs this week. I failed. I promised myself I would keep up my abs workout. I failed. The one thing I did keep up at was reducing my salt intake. I have only cooked with it on a few occasions this week, and have only added it onto two of my meals. Alot less than what I normally do so I am happy with that.

My measurements have also stated the same, and I know this is down to the fact that I have not moved enough this week. I have been on a couple of walks, but nowhere near as much or intense as I need to be doing. I really need to give myself a kick up the backside and as Nike says, just do it!

Has anyone got any motivational tips for me? As I really need some!

Next week I will jog at least twice, and do my abs workout at least three times I have warned my other half he needs to force me to do it I'd I start to show signs of laziness!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Ellie x

Day 78 - Ladies Day Out!

*Picture Post*

As the weather was so nice today, and the forecast was good, I decided to book the day off work. I went with my Mum, Nan, Sister and Niece to a local stately home for the day walking around the gardens and just generally enjoying the views! Below are some shots from the day :)

I'll be back tomorrow with a weigh in!

Day 77 - A Nothing Day.

Sorry for the late post guys, not much to report today.

Ate well, very busy and managed a nice walk in the evening. The English weather is picking up again!

Hope you are all well :)

Xx

Day 76 - Ebay Time!

Well my evening last night was entertaining. It consisted of this...

and this...

Yes you guessed it, eBay selling! Like anybody with an upcoming wedding, every penny helps and so we cleared out our my wardrobe and I spent the evening adding the unwanted items to eBay. Fingers crossed I make a good amount from my items! I loaded 15 items on there last night, and still have about the same amount of items to go again over the next few nights. Busy busy!

Food was good again today, starting with...

and this for lunch...

 

and again I forgot to picture my dinner as I was so hungry. Sorry! It consisted of a tomato and mozerella stonebaked pizza, not the healthiest by a long shot but it hit the spot!

I completed my abs workout again but due to eBay, was unable to get any outdoor activities in today! Tomorrow will be jog time!

Ellie x

Day 75 - Monday Madness

Today has been a good day! The day started well with porridge and raspberries...

... followed by my lunch of ham and salad, along with my snacks for the day...

...and finished with sweet potato with mushrooms, onions, peppers in a spicy tomato sauce and a little parmesam on top. I am a failed blogger though as I was so hungry I forgot to take a picture! But it looked along the lines of this...

A previous meal, but it looked similar, just a smaller portion and less parmesan. I am working my way towards a healthier bod don't cha know!? :)

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful, I went to pick up my prescription from the pharmacy to help with my palpitations, and came home to start tea and prepare lunch for tomorrow! Doesn't time fly when you have to work full time?

Hope you are all well and enjoying my blog!

Ellie x

Day 74 - Revisit the Weekend #2

I feel like I am forever writing my 'Monday posts'! How do they come round so quickly?! To make up for the poor post yesterday, todays will be a recap of what I got up at the weekend!

Saturday -

• Weigh Day! It was a successful one, so I started the weekend as I intended. 
• My bridal shoes had arrived and so I went to try them on, along with the bridesmaid shoes. We all love them and the shoes are sooo comfortable, double score!
• The parents returned from holiday, so we went to theirs for tea and a catch up.
• Whilst at the parents we also watched what was an amazing evening/day for Team GB!

Sunday -

• Watched more Olympics, completely in awe of the talent!
• Visited the church we are getting married at, as my grandad passed away three years ago to the date and is buried there. It was lovely to visit, even under sad circumstances. We got a chance to go inside the church and it looked even better than I remember! This is the outside...

And this is us stood where we will sign on the dotted line!

We finished the weekend off by eating our favourite spaghetti bolognase watching, you guessed it, more Olympics! I am loving watching it so much, god knows what I am going to be doing when it finishes!

Ellie x

Day 73 - Blah.

Not much to report today guys! Still extremely chuffed with the weight loss this week!

I've been suffering again with heart palpitations so have taken the past couple of says easy. Went for a walk today which helped ease them for a time, but as I type they are going pretty crazy! I have a prescription to collect from the pharmacy, which will hopefully help me out.

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

Ellie x

Day 72 - Week 10 Weigh In

Here we are again!

Start Weight - 13st 10lbs

Last Week's Weight - 13st 4.5lbs

New Weight - 13st .3.4lbs

Measurements -
Arms - 29cm
Chest - 100cm
Waist - 85cm
Hips - 115cm
Thighs - 63cm

1lb off and 1cm off my waist! Success! :)

I am so chuffed with this result, after what feels like forever staying the same weight. I am now less than half a pound away from losing half a stone, not as quick as I would've hoped but it is going in the right direction and the small changes I am making daily are all getting me towards my goal of being a happier and healthier me!

My targets for this week are to;

• Hit the half a stone weight loss mark
• Go on atleast two jogs this week - 3 miles each
• Continue using my abs workout app, atleast three times
• Reduce my salt intake. I am terrible for adding more salt to my meals and really need to reduce my intake. I love salt on any form of carbs, and so will attempt to not add any salt onto my food after it has been cooked. It's going to be tough!

I completely failed at my targets last week, and didn't go on a jog, nor start Insanity!

I  hope you are all well, and reaching your goals! What would be the hardest thing for you to reduce your intake of? After salt mine would definitly be chocolate, and i'm not ready to cut that of my diet just yet! :)

Today we are off to a local vintage fair, the parents come back from holiday and the bridal and bridesmaid shoes have arrived so I am off to meet both of my older bridesmaids to make sure they fit okay! And ofcourse watching more Olympics!

Ellie x

Day 71 - Abs Queen

Not much to report today guys! I spent the evening with my niece and sister, watching more Olympics! I know I keep saying it but I am enjoying this Olympics SO much! It may be down to it being hosted in my home country, but it just seems that every single event is so exciting, regardless of wether I know the rules of the game or not!

I did my sit ups again today, and can really feel it working on my abs. Olympian figure, here I come!!! :)

Join me tomorrow for my weigh in, all limbs are crossed hoping for a weightloss!

Ellie x

Day 70 - Already!

Can't believe I've been blogging for 70 days already! How times when you are enjoying yourself! Although I am not so impressed with my 4.5lb weightloss in that time, not good enough! I am in this for the long run though so hope I will get results along the way.

Today was a very good day!

Breakfast - usual Special K with semi-skimmed milk
Lunch - Ham salad
Dinner - Vegetable curry and mint sauce
Snacks - Special K cereal bar, pear, banana and plum

I also enjoyed a green tea and peppermint tea today, along with my usual 4 pints of water!

I cooked a lot of curry for my tea, and had enough plenty leftover for my lunch tomorrow. Can't wait to eat it! And I even left some of the mint yoghurt to enjoy with my dinner also. Check it out! Yum!

I did my third installment (correct word?!) of the abs workout today, I'm really enjoying it! Today's incorporated the plank, spiderman climb, bicycle crunches and glute bridge. It was tough but again, felt so good afterwards!

Afterwards I felt like I needed something sweet, so opted for a glass of almond milk. I'm really loving this at the moment and it hit my sweet tooth perfectly! It was on offer when we did our grocery shop this week, so thought I would treat myself.

My small Samuel Adams glass was the perfect size for my almond milk fix. :)

I best be off, I have some more Olympics to ccatch up on! I am so proud of Team GB and their medals so far, I am looking forward to watching more and hopefully seeing them win more medals!

Ellie x