Woah, where did April go?

I know I’m a little late in wrapping up the #obw10lbchallenge, but we took the bank holiday weekend off to go camping with the kids and ugh, it’s taken me a few days to get back on track. Not to mention how tired I have been. Seriously, how can fresh air leave you SO tired. I’m yawning here right now just thinking about it.

This 10 lb challenge has been a blast! Did you join in?

I’ve been posting regular(ish) status updates on Instagram, and it’s been so fun seeing you following along too! (Whaaaat! You’re not following? Oh you should… we have so much fun over there!)

This month, I made a real conscious effort to move more.

Walking the dog, weekend family walks, going swimming, camping… I even purchased new trainers and gym gear, although, they didn’t have everything in my size so a few items were on order. But woah, exercise + fresh air makes you so hungry! I need to plan for that and make sure I don’t come straight home and hit the cookie jar!

I have remained good at food and meal planning. It makes so much difference when I take the time to get organised, and simple things like overcooking in the evening, to ensure I have a quick and easy healthy lunch the next day. It really is the little things that make all the difference.

#obw10lbchallenge results

Overall, in the 10 lb challenge I lost 6 lbs.

Am I disappointed? Heck, no, I’m thrilled!

I lost the 6 lbs that had crept back on over the past couple of months and I am now happily back at my target weight. I aimed for 10 and got 6. If I’d muddled along with no focus or goal, I’d probably be the same – or even gained.

How have YOU been doing? How was your month? Leave a comment and share your #obw10lbchallenge results!  

The post The 10 lb Weight Loss Challenge Is Over! How Did You Do? appeared first on One Busy WAHM.

If I am entirely honest, I was kinda dreading the #obw10lbchallenge.

Starting just a few days before Easter and with the kids on a two-week break from school, it probably wasn’t the smartest of timings. Or was it? After year-upon-year of “the diet will start Monday” I realised that there is never a good time to start. There will always be something in the schedule and life will always throw curve balls. Every year there will be Easter, every other month there will be a school holiday. Life happens. You’ve just got to pick a day and start. And these few lbs that have snuck up on me are not going to disappear by themselves.

Week 1 Review

Starting weight: 10 stone (140 lbs) yep. I gained 6 lbs since hitting my Target Weight
Weight loss goal: 10 lbs
Weight loss on challenge so far: 2 lbs
Exercise: 1 swim (40 lengths), 1 swim (54 lengths), 1.5 hour walk with family

Since taking out gym membership one month ago (my Mother’s Day gift to myself!) I’m actually enjoying the exercise. Something I thought I would never, ever say. I actually find myself wanting to go back and do more. What has happened to me?!

Food-wise, ugh, it’s been Easter!

Whilst I didn’t personally have any Easter Eggs, that’s not to say chocolate didn’t pass these lips. It sure did. But what I’ve learned is that sneaking chocolate from a child so that they don’t notice a missing piece of the egg is a real art. An art that leaves you with only minuscule pieces at a time. Also, Kinnerton chocolate (aka Doc McStuffins eggs) is gross and seriously not worth the reprimand of a 5 year old.

One thing I learned in my weight loss journey, is that Success Is In The Support. Surrounding yourself with people all working towards the same goal, whether it be at home, a slimming class, or via social media – makes a real difference.

Of course, YOU have still got to do the work, but knowing you are not alone in your daily challenges and struggles (damn you, Easter bunny!) is reassuring.

I chose to make my journey public. I know that doesn’t work for everyone, but it helps me stay accountable. Seeing all your #OBW10lbChallenge updates on Instagram has been a real motivator too!

How was your first week? Leave a comment below and share! 

Be sure to use join in or follow along using #OBW10lbChallenge on Instagram and Twitter!

The post 10lb Challenge: Week 1 appeared first on One Busy WAHM.

Today I’m introducing something new to OBW…

It’s been a few weeks since I last attended a Slimming World class. And a few weeks had lapsed before that class too. One cheat meal, turned into one cheat day, which turned into one cheat week. See where I’m going with this?

Life has been beyond busy these past few months, but because I placed my priorities on ‘other things’ a few pounds have crept back on. Six, to be precise. Now, putting that into perspective when I consider all the weight I have already lost, 6 lbs seems a silly amount to worry over. But, if I don’t address this little gain now, a few more months will pass and there is a chance I could be back to where I began. And I never want to go there again. 

At 38, I’m not nearly as active as I used to be. With my children now at school and my work being computer-based, my daily exercise amounts to: walking the children from the car to the school gates and strolling down the hallway to make tea and biscuits. << It’s true.

If I’m not careful, my limited activity means I can so easily eat more calories than I burn. I have to work hard to stay focused and in shape.

But, I’m tired of making excuses.
I’m tired of feeling old and creaky beyond my years.
I’m tired of my knees hurting and my back twinging.
I’m tired of feeling sluggish and tired.
I’m tired of feeling ‘soft’ and untoned.
I’m tired of thinking, “I could never do that” when I see others run a 5k or take a class.

So, I’m going to challenge myself, embrace change and I invite YOU to join in, too!

OBW 10 lb Challenge

Here’s how I plan to do it…

• My goal is to lose 10 lbs in April. Broken down, that’s just 2.5 lbs a week.
• I am setting a goal to post a quick update every day for the entire month of April to make me stay accountable. Don’t worry, I won’t bombard you with daily blog posts, instead, these may be quick updates here or to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Follow me and join in!
• I am going to commit to exercise at least 2 x per week. My Mother’s Day gift to myself was a local gym membership, so I intend to make the most of it!
• I am going to make a conscious decision to drink less tea (with sugar) and instead drink more water, eat more fruit for snacks and keep a food diary the entire month.

So please join me!

Join me in the quest to get slimmer, fitter and healthier this month.

It does not matter what diet plan (if any) you follow. All you need to do is pledge to make healthier choices, get more active, and strive to lose 10 lbs in April.

Join along in confidence. You do not have to disclose your start weight, end weight or any weight, unless of course you wish to.

Post your pictures, encouraging words or advice, or just drop by to cheer us along on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Use the hashtag #obw10lbchallenge so we can see each others success and cheer each other on.

Are you with me?

Let’s do this!

The post Introducing… the OBW 10lb Weight Loss Challenge for April appeared first on One Busy WAHM.

At the weekend whilst in town with the kiddos, I had a craving.
Of the worst kind.
Burger King.

And since I knew the family would go for it, I suggested we went there for lunch.
Whopper, fries and diet Coke.
What was I thinking?

Sure, I could have gotten a salad or skipped the fries or NOT GONE IN THERE!
But no, I had it all.

And before you mock my choice of diet Coke alongside my crappy burger and fries, that was not a health-conscious decision. Honestly, I cannot stand full-fat Coke. It makes my teeth feel icky. Eww.

And the worst part of it was – I did not even enjoy it.
Nope.
Not one mouthful.

I was expecting to sit down and salivate over a big juicy burger.
It just wasn’t happenin’.
The burger was luke warm.
The lettuce was limp with hard chunks from the core, the tomatoes squishy and over-ripe.
The fries were cold.
I felt disappointed. And weighed down.

Oh, and if you are a fellow Slimming World’er, then let me tell you the damage.
Brace yourselves…
Burger King Whopper (no cheese) = 32.5 syns
King fries (regular) = 11.5 syns
Holy fat suit, Batman!

But, this is good.
I got this stupid craving out of my system, and I won’t be doing that again.
Today is a new day. A clean slate.
I am BACK ON IT!

Have you done this? Have you ever had an insane craving for something crap… and you think it will be totally awesome… and it’s totally not? That sucks.

~ Natalie

The post I fudged up and it was so NOT worth it appeared first on One Busy WAHM.

One year ago today I took the first step.

The first step to a new me.

The first Friday night in January 2014, I walked through the doors of my local Slimming World group and never looked back…

I remember it so well. It was a cold, wet miserable night; freezing cold and pouring with rain. I could so easily have stayed at home. I am so glad I did not.

My 2014 new year resolutions are my 2015 new year results! 

One year.

One goal.

Over 4 stone lighter.

5 dress sizes smaller.

x1000 happier!

If you want to BE someone different, you have to DO something different.

When you want to make a change in your life, take a look at your obstacles. Many times, YOU are the biggest one. Get out of your own way!

xoxo Natalie

PS. If you’d like to lose weight in 2015, check out the latest Slimming World voucher offers. You can save pounds whilst you lose lbs!

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