It's Like A Kick In The Teeth

This week I was still so focused and feeling so positive.  After only a few hours sleep and a full day at work I still did Couch to 5K on Friday night!

I had one of my favourite Slimming World dinners, the recipe is here but this week I used orzo instead of risotto rice. It really is proper comfort food and SYN free :)

I was up at silly o'clock on Sunday morning to go running, it made me feel great for the rest of the day!

I put my slow cooker to good use, I have it working as much as possible at the weekend so that I have loads of Slimming World meals in the freezer.  This was a chicken and chick pea curry and it was lovely.

On Sunday afternoon I went for a lovely 5k walk with some Slimming World friends :)

And when I'd finished I had this for late lunch.  Because I'd planned and prepared my meals around my exercise I knew exactly what I was eating when I was done.  If I hadn't of planned then I know I would have grabbed the first thing I could which would probably have been full of SYNs!

Tuesday night is always walking night and even though it was wet and windy I still managed just over 4 miles!

And on Wednesday we went up a level in the Couch to 5K program.

Imagine how disappointed I was after all of that planning, prepping and exercising to get on the scales and find out this:

I don't think I could have tried harder this week and was so disappointed to get a gain.  A couple people that I hadn't seen for a few weeks told me I looked like I'd lost more weight so I have decided to ignore what the scales say this week.  My clothes feel a bit looser so I think I'm losing inches.

One thing for sure is that I'm not going to quit because #defeatisnotanoption!

Thanks for stopping by
Jo xx

Week Four

Week four was a lot quieter, that's not to say it didn't whizz by though!  Here are the highlights:

The weather was dry for a change and it's not been as dark when we've left work!

This boy is getting more and more handsome and his tail is still going in to overdrive :)

It's been cold enough to freeze the water in the park!  Me and Maddie couldn't decided what to call this, it's too big for a pond but too small for a lake:

Dirty pudding :)

I saw this cheeky miss, my niece Hells Bells :)

At the weekend I tackled a job I've been putting off for ages, I sorted out my wardrobe! It helped that I was watching Downton Abbey (a birthday present from Maddie) while I did it.

And I got  rid of two massive bags of clothes!  It felt so good :)

I went for a lovely walk in the sunshine before having a lazy Sunday afternoon :)

After having a very springlike week rain is on the horizon, never mind because I'm sure this week will be a good one.

Thanks for stopping by
Jo xx

Back In The Zone

Last weekend was a heavy one, I was down at Paul's and he spoilt me for  my birthday.  I didn't count SYNs and I didn't care what I ate.  In fact, as I said to Paul, "What's the point of breathing in and out if you're going to leave clotted cream on the plate?"!!!!

As soon as I got home I got on my scales (yes I know I shouldn't weigh at home, but sometimes it helps)  and was shocked, but not really surprised to see I'd gained 5lbs! 5lbs in just 2 days!!!!!

I got straight back on plan and made sure everything I ate and drank was 100% Slimming World friendly, I even started the Couch to 5K program with my sister!

My hard work paid off because not only did I shift the 5lbs I'd gained at the weekend I also managed this when I went to my weekly weigh in:

It just goes to show that you can have a weekend totally off plan and still have a loss.

I really feel like I'm back in the zone, back in the positive place I was before Christmas and I'm going to have another loss this week.

Thanks for stopping by
Jo xx

Week Three

I had intended to post this yesterday but I had another flaming cluster headache!  Anyhoo, here are the highlights from week three:

I had a little win at bingo, it was funny because me and my friend Lin shouted at the same time!  At least the prize was shared with someone I knew :)

The park was looking lovely and colourful when we went walking at lunchtime.

Me and Jo walked all the way through the park only to find out the gate the other side was locked!

I turned 44!

And had dirty pudding with a mini birthday cake from my mum :)

I went to see this little lady for the weekend :)

And had a lovely walk along the beach :)

Before devouring an afternoon tea at Frieda's :)

The birthday treats continued the next day when we went to Sprinkles for waffles :)

I treated Maddie to these because she always complains when the rain makes her glasses wet :)

And then the weekend was over and I enjoyed a small slice of birthday cake :)

Week four is moving along quickly and my head is still sore :( Has anyone got any tips to avoid cluster headaches or how to manage the pain when they arrive?

Have a great week and thanks for stopping by
Jo xx

Five Favourites From December

This year I will be continuing with my five favourites project, it kept me up to date with scrapping the year, although there are still plenty of photos from 2015 that I want and need to scrap.

For obvious reasons it was especially hard to pick just five favourites from December! I've written a list of all of the photos that didn't make the cut but I still want to get scrapped and I know I'll get round to them eventually.  Here are my very bestest:)

Maddie putting the star on the Christmas tree just like she's done every year since she was one!

Me and Clare, friends for 33 years, at her lovely Christmas wedding:

The family :)

A couple of toffs ready for the Christmas party :)

Maddie playing Rapidough, this has to go in the album because she hates touching anything with her hands. She can't eat with her hands, stroke the dog with her hands, open doors with her hands....it's a nightmare!

As you can see from the look on her face in the photo I took when she first picked up the playdough :)

I am really looking forward to turning them in to pages for my album.

In addition, and to help my get rid of my ton of stash, I'm going to attempt to make 5 cards from all of the scraps that are left over from the layouts!  Bitten off more than I can chew? Probably but I'll give it my best shot!

Thanks for stopping by
Jo xx

Too Sweet!

This week I was really good and did a lot of planning and prepping:

Overnight oats meant I could get breakfast ready in the evening when I had more time.

I made sure that the leftovers from our Sunday roast (Slimming World friendly of course!) were used for salads.

I tried to make sure half of my plate was full of speed foods.

I made some lovely Slimming World recipes.

I did lots of walking and exercise.

And this is what I saw on the scales!

I think the problem I have in the weeks after Christmas is that I have a tooth that is sweet.  Now normally I can control it but, over Christmas, I really let myself go and why not...it is Christmas.  The trouble I have is reining it in after Christmas.

I'm going to enjoy this weekend, it is my birthday weekend so no holds barred, and the I'm cutting out the sweet things from Monday.

I'm going cold turkey so wish me luck :)

Thanks for stopping by
Jo xx

Five Favourites Finally Done!

At last my five favourite photos from November are scrapped!  December is such a busy month for everyone so am I bothered that I didn't get them done until January? Nope! :)

After having a good sort out I found a lot of old kits, this one is probably from 870BC!  The paper I used for the background made me think of fireworks so I thought it was perfect for a photo taken on 5th November.

I loved getting out my big box of Christmas stash for this one.  I only used one whole sheet of paper, the rest was scraps that I built the layout around.  I really hate waste :)

I love the paper I used for the background on this layout, that's why it wasn't used...because I loved it so much.  But what is the point of it not seeing the light of day in a box when it could be in my album?!?

This was another sheet of paper I'd been 'saving', now is the right time to use it though :)

I know that sign post is more suited to America but I loved it so much and thought it looked great tucked behind the fence on this layout showing my walk in a very foggy park :)

I spent a good part of November and all of December working with wool so it was lovely to get back to playing with paper.

Now to narrow down five favourites from December, it's gonna be tough!

Thanks for stopping by
Jo xx

Week Two

Week two was all about going back to the grindstone!  Here are the highlights:

I started the week by jumping out of bed and doing some Zumba!

I didn't have any luck at bingo :(

I packed Christmas away :(

We had a break in the rain!

Dirty pudding :)

Maddie was cold so my crochet mood blanket got put to good use, this was the first time I'd swaddled her in 21 years :)

I went to the funeral of my lovely neighbour and was honoured to be asked to do a reading.

Afterwards there was an amazing Celebration of Life for him.

I popped in to see my niece Alice to wish her a happy birthday :)

I had a minuscule win at bingo but a win's a win!

I spent Sunday scrapping :)

Before watching the sun set :)

Now it's Monday and I'm back at work where we are so busy it makes my head spin....not really, I love a bit of pressure :)

Have a great week and thanks for stopping by
Jo xx