It's nearly over.....

My Spring Chicks Check In will be late this week, as I'm going to tie it in with my round up of my February Challenge.

Things are work are still a little tough, but got a meeting next week with the big boss. So hopefully we will know more then.

I'm off home tomorrow to see my family and my dogs tomorrow :D Wooo! Looking forward to getting home and relaxing, been uber stressed and I do not like it one bit.

My ankle is feeling better. However I am being really careful as I don't want to damage it again. I went to the gym today and did:

10 mins cross trainer, then 

3x 15 squats

3x 12 lunges,

3x 8 press ups

3x 15 lap pull downs

3x various arm weight exercises

5 mins cool down on bike

Worked really hard and felt good :D

My ankle seems ok now, so will see how it is in abs class tomorrow. Going to try and keep the momentum going whilst at home but again not going to push it.

I'm looking forward to finishing this challenge. I feel like I've learnt a lot but will blog about that on Thursday!

So ONLY ONE DAY MORE WITHOUT ALCOHOL :D (although don't miss it as much as I thought I would)

Nearly over :D

Ta Ta for now!!

Emily xx

Hell of a Week But I'm Doing Okay!

It's been a bit of a bumpy week for me. Lot's of ups and downs.

First things first, my boss resigned on Wednesday, which basically puts my job in a certain amount of jeopardy. It wasn't done out of spite or anything but it was a fairly upsetting event. I'm now looking for a new job (I still have mine) and I'm feeling really out of balance.

I've also damaged my ankle, every time I think it's better it takes another funny turn. I'm taking the weekend off and will begin exercising again on Monday. I will do some abs work however over the weekend. I tried some arm weight exercises on Thursday, which I enjoyed. Next time I get new circuits I shall be requesting some of those exercises.

One more thing that has really got me down is my lack of money. It's been really hard to eat healthy or even eat properly due to lack of funds. I should be paid in the next few days. I'm going to try budget better this month, so that this doesn't happen again. I also need a new swimming costume as mine just gapes open when I swim. Rather embarrassing I can tell you! I've heard you need to replace your costume very 6 months or so when you swim regularly. as the chlorine damages the elasticity of it. Anyway I shall be investing in a new one.

On a slightly different note I have settled on a smoothie recipe that I like to drink:

In this bad boy: skimmed milk, frozen berry fruits, banana, spinach, oats, honey and low fat Greek yoghurt! It's absolutely amazing!

I'm off to see my physiotherapist a week on Monday and she hopefully will be able to sort my leg so I will be able to start running.Then I will start to burn some serious calories :D Although I must say I really do enjoy the strength work and I'm starting to really looking forward to my abs class on Wednesday.

So lot's of bad stuff but am trying to not let the negative get me down. Feeling ok, like I can get through this. Still no booze even after the week I've had..... I'm pretty proud of myself!

I will blog on Sunday about my week as usual but will be weighing in officially on the Tuesday for the grand finale, as it will be the end of my Month challenge. Even if I haven't lost much weight I feel much better about myself overall and I have lost inches. So something has to be going right!!

Love to you all, thanks for reading,

Emily xxx

Week 7 Measurements and Week 8 Goals

So here are my measurements for week 7:

Weight: n/a
Arms: 12.5" (same)
Chest: 33.5" (-0.5")
Waist: 30.5" (-1")
Stomach: 39.5" (-0.5")
Thighs: 23.5" (same)
Calf: 16" (-0.5")

Things seem to be going in the right direction wooo! Done a lot of dancing. Not weighing myself has really taken the pressure off and I'm feeling much better. Perhaps I may switch to fortnightly weigh ins in the future?? What do you guys think?

I found a really terrible picture of myself today on-line. It was truly awful :( I looked fat and horrible. I can't show you the really horrible one but there's a close second. I can't believe just how fat I look.

:(

So I'm also treating you to some before and after pictures today. I know... don't you feel special now :D

So this is me back Oct/Nov 2011 time, about when I was just getting into it all!

Sexy front shot

Here's me from the side:

Eurgh dislike legs here!

And this is me February 2012:

Got me legs hidden away but you get the jist :D

Another sexy side shot here for your viewing pleasure :p

Loving how flat my tummy is!

So there are the piccies. :D

February challenge update: Still tracking, Drinking water and no alcohol. 

However I've had to give up exercising every day a) because it's impossible lol and b) I've had a cold and have now injured my left foot, so having to take it easy. I swear I just break all the time :D

Right will encourage said friends to get healthy, although I do find I do this anyway. I'm such a good influence.

Good luck for all your weigh ins :D

Emily xxxx

Natalie: A Case Study

After seeing some of my fellow Bloggers interview people, I decided to interview one of my friends. This is her weight loss story:

Why do you want to lose weight? 
Being heavier doesn't suit me. I know that sounds vain but when you hear people saying "oh she's a bit heavy but she has a pretty face" that doesn't relate to me. I don't hold weight well.

What is your goal weight and when do you hope to achieve this goal?
I would like to be 70kg (I'm 77.5kg at the moment) as I think that is a nice number. I don't know if that's what I should be at my height I just like the number. I would like to be that weight by Summer.

Natalie is on the left.

Do you track your calories in any way?
I use Livestrong occasionally. I used to follow it religiously but when I had to keep going back to London it got more difficult to track so stopped and got out the habit. It's just a lot of effort now.

What do you eat in a typical day?
I have crunchy nut cornflakes for breakfast, soup and a roll for lunch and usually spaghetti bolognese for dinner or a potato with salad.

How much and what exercise do you do in a week?
I do Hour of Power on Wednesday and Friday, Zumba on Thursday (every other week), swimming on Monday (every other week) and fencing on Saturday.


Are there any sports/exercise that you particularly like?
Fencing and Badminton. They both require a lot of focus.

Are there are any sports/exercise you particularly dislike?
Running.

You say you hate running, why do you think you hate it so much?
I don't like the way everything moves when I run. It makes me feel uncomfortable and self conscience.

What has been your biggest lesson since starting to lose weight?
Don't expect to lose weight all in one go. It takes a lot of time and patience. I used to be 90kg and it has taken a few years to reach this weight. It's not been easy and I have a huge sweet tooth which makes it more difficult.

Any advice you would give to others trying to lose weight?
Don't let it take over your life. This is just part of your life, not your entire life. You can still go out with friends....just don't have that desert you always usually have :p

A thank you to Natalie for her time.

Emily xxxxx

My Gym in Photos (aka The Place the Pounds Go to Live) :D

Just for you all to see how small my gym really is :D

Cross Trainers x2

Rowing Machines x2 Bikes x2

Weight Machines plus free weights zone

Mats and Mirrors - Exercise Classes happen here!

Running Machines x3

As you can see it's quite small but it's got everything you would need! Plus it's really cheap as it's at my work place.

So there you go!

Emily xx

Loving Yourself on Valentine's Day

My Valentine's Rose

I love me.

There I've said it. I may not always say it but I do know it. 

Over the past 5 months I've realised I'm actually a good friend, a nice person, I've got a good sense of humour and I'm a fun person. 

My weight does NOT define me and never will. 

One day I will find my prince charming but he won't be be completing me, he will be complimenting me.

I am a whole person all by myself.

And I deserve happiness.

Even if I never reach my goal weight it does not mean I'm a failure or less of a person.

I am just me and I love me.

x 

Week 6 Measurements and Week 7 Goals

Drum Roll......................................

Just to let you all know I went shopping on the weekend and I was fitting into mostly 14's (UK Size). I was so excited I actually squealed and stomped my feet in the changing room in the shop. I bet my fellow changing room buddies thought I was really crazy! :D
So happy.
I think I'm close to fitting into my goal shorts now! Woop!

So here are my measurements for week 6:

Weight: n/a
Arms: 12.5" (+0.25")
Chest: 34" (same)
Waist: 31.5" (-1")
Stomach: 40" (-1.5")
Thighs: 23.5" (+0.5")
Calf: 16.5" (same)


So I'm not weighing myself till the end of the month but the measurements speak for themselves. :D
Been a good week in the end. Rough couple of days n the middle there but feeling good overall!
I went to a new physiotherapist today (had to pay) and she thinks the sheath in my left leg is tight, which means when I exercise the muscle expands and pushes against it causing me pain. She did some of her magic on it and I'm going back in three weeks after she's had a chance to research my condition and figure out the best solution. So hopefully I'll be running in no time!

Week 6 Review
How many goals did you reach?
Water -Yes, lot's of it!.
Food - Tracked every day. Some were a bit rougher but I kept on top of it.
Fitness - Had good workouts. Loving the circuits. I feel like I've done so much work after them!
Fun - I went dancing :D Truly fantastic to get out and just dance. I was completely sober, so I was literally just burning the calories all night long :D

What are you most proud of?
I'm proud that I had half a muffin, tracked my pizza and enjoyed some good food. Most of all pleased that I didn't freak out about the calories, just tracked them and continued on.

Do you have any words of advice?
Everyone can give you advice, most of the time it is really helpful, but in the end you know what you are truly capable of. Trust in that.

Week 7 Goals
Are you keeping them the same...?
I think this week I'm going to focus on my exercise programme and try some different things.
Now I know running is definitely off the cards, I've got to up my exercise game at the weekends. Need to get some good calorie burning exercises going.

My usual routine is becoming stagnant and boring. So this weeks challenge is to shake it up from a planning point of view!

Are you switching it up?
Yes I am :D See above.

What has become like a habit?
It's become second nature for me to eat healthy now. When I go to the canteen at Lunch I no longer see just food. I see the work out I would need to do to burn off the calories in that food. It's a great motivator to eat better!

MINI CHALLENGE.... Eat with smaller platers and/or utensils
Challenge Accepted

I will be blogging a loving myself meme tomorrow and I hope you do the same! Also I've got lot's of lovely pictures for you all featuring a Come Dine with Me dinner with my house mates, pictures of my gym and some various ones of food etc. Hopefully will post them this week, as I plan to devote more of my week this week to you all and my blog!

I wish you all Happiness and Health this week!

Emily xx

Sorry and Other Items

I want to start with an apology. Sorry I haven't been very supportive this week or blogged much. I've had a tough week to say the least.

Work has been stressing me out (not going to go into it) and on top of being on and plateauing, I had a mini melt down yesterday. Thanks to some lovely fellow Bloggers I pulled through and didn't do anything stupid i.e. stuff my face. So thank you all for your support. Sometime it's the only thing that gets me through.

I've actually been doing really well on the tracking calories and exercise front. I haven't done as much exercise as I would've liked but I've done enough and I'm hoping for an active weekend.

An update of Emily's February Challenge:
No alcohol so far - tomorrow night is the big test though!
Tracked everyday :D
At least 6 glasses of water without fail
Only failure is not exercising every day but have still done well... about 4/5 days out of 7 :D

My work colleague has a birthday next week and brought in some lovely muffins. There were HUGE. So I convinced her to split one with me. It was delicious and was tracked :D

Feeling positive again today. After some advice from fellow bloggers, I've decided to not weigh myself until the end of February and will only be tracking measurements. After all that is what Spring Chick's is supposed to be about, celebrating the NSV's.

Have great weekends my lovely friends :D

Emily xx

P.s Doesn't it look amazing?

Best 1/2 muffin ever!

Week 5 Weigh In and Week 6 Goals

So..................

Weight: 13 Stone 1lbs (-1lbs)
Arms: 12.25" (same)
Chest: 34" (+0.5")
Waist: 32.5" (-0.5")
Stomach: 41.5" (same)
Thighs: 23" (-1")
Calf: 16.5" (-0.5")


I'm actually on again at the moment, so I'm hoping I've lost even more thank this :D But I'm pretty happy with these results. Definitely shows a trend. I'm really working towards my February Challenge now and Can't wait to see the results.


Best moment
Sticking to my calorie goal each and every day :D

Not so great moment
Feeling out of control when I was hungry but had no money calories left!

Any funny stories
I worked out so hard today that my legs almost gave away. That would've been amusing to see!

Are you where you hoped you would be in this journey?
Not really, I'm heavier than I want to be but I'm definitely feeling a lot thinner and toned. Got to be good!

Would you like a buddy for the last 6 weeks of the challenge...?
I would love a buddy

Anybody wanna chat online sometime...?
Not really, as I already utilise the Mt. Flab Support System

Week 6 Goals
WATER - lots of it
FOOD - keep tracking
FITNESS - keep exercising
FUN - have lot's of it

Mini-Challenge: I can't survive without my tea :D So no deal for me!

Emily xx

A Weekend Away

It's been an interesting few days away. Some people understand weight loss, others don't. It's as simple as that. It is something we will all have to cope with for the rest of our lives.

I've done really well with tracking all weekend.

Saturday morning we went swimming to an indoor  water park and we did not stop for like 2 hours! So many flumes and stairs, wave machines, rapid rivers!! It was brilliant and burnt so many calories. So I didn't feel guilty at all when I had my treat day on Saturday. We made Chocolate Brownies with Oreos. Damn they were good :D

See evidence below :p

I also got a few items such as Hot Chocolate, Loose Leaf tea and some new books.

I enjoyed seeing my friend and getting away but it was very difficult not to overeat and had to be very good today whilst my friend had more brownie. After trying really hard this week, I'm feeling positive about weigh in tomorrow night. I hope I don't feel too discouraged if it's the same.

I love love love the app to track my calories. Scanning barcode's makes tracking so much more fun and much quicker to do.

So a quick update February challenge is going well, so exercised everyday, no booze and have tracked each day.

See you tomorrow for the weigh in! I will be a size 14 by Spring :D

Emily xxx

Food, Calories, BMR.....? What the monkeys?

A friend (who I would say is fairly knowledgeable about these things) passed on this little piece of advice to me during a recent conversation, which I have really taken in:

"I wouldn't worry about what other people say. this is your life and body and you are learning what it needs to be healthy, active and live a lifestyle you want. other people aren't you. But for your metabolism, I don't think you should ever eat below your BMR ever. the figure I heard was BMR + 20%. so i would just focus on portion size and snacking properly instead of only eating 2x per day and snacking on 2 pretzels."


You see I was getting all worked up over calories and food etc. I have been plateauing for a while and then I lost my way a bit. I stopped tracking and got all confused especially with Livestrong saying I should only be eating 1000 calories a day and others saying I should at least be eating my BMR.

As you know, I now know that my Basal Metabolic rate is about 1500. So I should be eating somewhere near that.

I agree with my friend and I have decided to eat more now. Also going to eat a bit more every 5th/6th day to try and throw my body out of whack a bit! See if I can't shake this plateau :D

To help me track now I'm using Myfitnesspal. It's been great so far. I love that I can scan the barcode of my food items :D Just so helpful! My username is emmy2468, so befriend me if you wish!

I'm feeling more confident about my food now and don't feel so restricted as before! I'm hoping it will all help me with my challenge!

Emily xx

My Motto of 2012

'A Moment on the Lips, A Lifetime on the Hips'

Every time I see the Dairy Milk Box in the office, I just repeat this mantra to myself! :D

Emily xx

My February Challenge

I, Emily Milsom, challenge myself to a whole month of complete Fitness & Health.

1) No alcohol shall pass thy lips
2) Track Calories Every Day
3) Drink 6 Glasses a Water Every Day
4) Exercise Every Day for a Month (Figures I pick the shortest month :p)

Ready, Set, GO!

Emily xx