Day 18 - All good things must come to an end...

Well, today is my last day before I have to head back to work. Sad face. I have had a great 9 days off, doing jobs here there and everywhere, catching up with loved ones and eating... lots of eating. Too much!

Today I woke up early, wanting to make the most of my last 'free' day! Myself and the fiance (that still sounds so strange!) went for a 3 mile walk first thing, and we did end up a fair chunk of the walk, which I was so chuffed about! We would run a distance, saying we would stop at the next lampost or large tree, but then would carry on until the next tree, etc! We did this three or four times, which made me feel really good knowing I could continue jogging.

The route we took on our walk this morning, such a gorgeous view!

It took us just shy of 45 mins in total, so I know I need to improve on the time, but was pleased with myself that I got off my butt (!) and did some exercise. Tomorrow I will either do the same route, or go for a swim. I love to swim but don't go often enough!

Food Diary -

Breakfast/Lunch - bacon sandwich on 50/50 bread
Tea - spaghetti bolognase
Snack - olives

Oh, hello tiny foot in the background!

For the rest of the day we just did a few jobs around the house, visiting family and making the most of being able to be at home! My next day off is not until the middle of July (excluding weekends obviously!) so wanted to make as much use of the free time as possible!

Hope you have all had a great weekend. I am making a few changes to my blog to make it easier for people to subscribe, if you are enjoying my posts please subscribe. It would mean a heck of alot to me! :)

Ellie xx

Day 17 - A Big 'Wedding' Day!

Today was a big day where wedding plans were concerned! We went back to a shop I had been to twice previously, that stock a bridal and bridesmaid dress I love. I went with my bridesmaids and together I put on the dress I like (REALLY like!) and one of the bridesmaids put on the dress I really like for them too. And let's just say, we are booked to go back in six weeks to order them! Eeeeekk!

I am so SO excited that I have found my dress and the bridesmaid dresses, and in a local, friendly shop too so I don't need to travel far for any fittings etc. I am so happy that I've decided on the dress! I think trying on some more yesterday made me realise how much I like this one. And the bridesmaid dresses are stunning! I can't wait to see how everyone will look on
the day :)

Diet wise, today went well. I am on the diet 100% now, no more excuses!

Food Diary -

Breakfast - special k with semi skimmed milk
Lunch - cheese and tomato sandwich on brown bread
Tea - spinach and ricotta stuffed pasta with a tomato based sauce

Tomorrow I will be going on a 3 mile walk in the morning, and I attempt to jog some of it, fingers crossed!

Hope everyone is well, let me know if you are working in making your lifestyle healthier, I would love to hear from people going through the same as I am!

Ellie x

Day 16 - Weigh In Week 2

Well, it has arrived again! I jumped on the scales this morning, and after the week I had I thought I would've put on, but luckily I have stayed the same. Not what I would've hoped, but I know I have had far too many treats this week so I only have myself to blame!

Weight - 13st 7lbs

I have also taken my measurements, just incase there were any changes there!

Last weeks measurements were;
Arms: 31cm
Chest: 100cm
Waist: 88cm
Hips: 116cm
Thigh: 66cm

And this weeks are;
Arms: 30cm. Lost 1cm!
Chest: 100cm
Waist: 88cm
Hips: 115cm. Lost 1cm!
Thigh: 65cm. Lost 1cm!

I am chuffed that the weight seems to be going, even though the scales didn't say so! As of today I am back on the diet, with no exceptions! This week I was meant to do alot more exercise than I have actually done, therefore I need to make up for it this week. And I've not forgotten about running that mile! I WILL be doing it this week, come rain or shine!

Yesterday I went wedding dress shopping, and tried on several dresses that were absoloutly gorgeous, but still didn't get 'that' feeling. There is one dress that I have tried on a couple of times now, which I really like, and I am going back to that shop today to order the bridesmaid dresses, so will probably have another try on of the dress! I think I am too scared to say it's 'the' dress incase I change my mind, or see another that I love once I've ordered it! Have any of you been in the same boat? I have plently of time to order it, but would love to say it is ordered, another box ticked!

Another problem I have had when dress shopping is the sizes of the dresses. In every shop I have been in the majority of the dresses are in a UK size 10 or 12, however they are not your typical size 10 or 12. As most women will find out, wedding dress 'sizes' are smaller than your normal clothes sizes. And so for us curvyer women, trying to fit into a size 10 dress, that should actually be labeled a size 8, is near enough impossible! I know there are plently of women out there who would not struggle getting into these sizes dresses, but would you not think to stock larger dresses, say in a size 16, to give more women the chance to fit into them?!

I am a size 14, which is BELOW the UK's average woman's dress size, and it baffles me why bridal shops don't take this into consideration? You are meant to enjoy every second of trying on wedding dresses, and feel amazing in them, but when they don't fit, and you are having to expose the back for all to see as they can't be done up, it is not even close to the experience I was hoping for! I suppose this does encourage me more to lose weight, however I know I am not the biggest woman, by a long shot, so how do larger women feel when they go shopping for the most important dress of their life? It upsets and angers me how it makes women feel when they are meant to enjoy every second of the experience. RANT OVER! :)

Sorry for the rant! I hope you all have a great weekend, we are off to order bridesmaid dresses today (eeek!) and Ludlow to visit family! I will back tomorrow will more tales of my journey!

Ellie x

P.S. - I forgot to take any pictures today, so here are a few encouraging quotes for you guys!

Day 15 - Jobs, jobs and more jobs!

Hi guys, hope your all having a good day! Well today (yesterday in my case...) was a good day! I am off work all this week so am spending my time catching up on jobs, seeing family and friends and just the normal, mundane jobs a home owner has to do!

Food diary -

Breakfast - melon slices
Lunch - cucumber and salad cream sandwich
Tea - 95% meat sausage sandwich. All sandwiches on 50/50 bread.

Not the most amazing of diet days, but at least sweet items weren't consumed! Because I was running around doing jobs I didn't feel so hungry therefore didn't snack, which was good!

Tomorrow I will be going wedding dress shopping, hopefully I will get closer to finding 'the' dress! I've been to so many shops without any luck so far, fingers crossed I will this time!

Hope you are all having a good week, speak soon!

Ellie x

Day 14 - Expecto Patronum!

Well guys, today was just magical! (excuse the pun!)

I had booked our tickets at Christmas, to attend the Harry Potter Studio Tour. We had been looking forward to it for some time, and it certainly did not disappoint! I will include some pictures in this post of our day, I won't go into too much detail as I don't want to ruin it for anyone else going. All I can say is, GO! It is such an amazing experience, I don't know why more film sets aren't available for tours.

I took almost 300 pictures (I know, a little excessive!) so these are just a select few! It was amazing seeing all of the sets, props and costumes used throughout all of the films. We watched the last few films again before we went to the studios, now I want to watch them all over again! I didn't fully appreciate the attention to detail the set, costume and prop designers made until I saw it up close. It was incredible, and what a job to have as well?! Jealous!

I am disappointed to say that the diet was not a success today. I tried to stay as healthy as possible but light bites and snacks just aren't healthy! Below is what I ate;

Breakfast - special k with semi skimmed milk
Lunch - selection of melon slices, packet of salt and vingear crips and a sausage roll
Snack - Cadburys caramel bar, woops!
Lunch - pasta with peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach, basil and pasatta

The diet is back ON today! I have eaten melon slices for breakfast, and plan to have salad for lunch and pasta for tea. We are pasta lovers in this household!!!

Hope you all have a great day.

Ellie x