Posted by JOY :: 6:08 AM :: 0 Comments

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Wednesday, February 14, 2007

I wanted to wish all my fellow challengers a "Happy Valentines Day", I hope you all get to spend some time with your loved one and are spoilt today.

My husband is taking me out for a nice meal tonight but it is a set menu which includes desert, I don't know if I will be able to resist desert! Is anyone else in the same predicament as me? Is anyone thinking of taking an evening off because of Valentines day?

Anyway I'd like to update you on my February Challenge which is to exercise 3 times a week!

It is only Wednesday and I have hit my target for this week already. YIPPPEEE Joining the Health Club has been a help as I want to get my money's worth out of it and need to go 3 times a week for it to pay for itself. I feel motivated and it isn't a chore going any more. I know I only swim but honestly I am not fit enough to go to the gym and go on the treadmill, bike etc - I would have to give up after 5 minutes and don't want to get disheartened. Hopefully when I lose more weight I will have more confidence and am a bit fitter I will hit the gym but until then I plan on sticking to my swimming/walking regime!

So glad to hear everyone is doing so well! What would we do without each other to spur each other on? I know I would have given up long before now so THANK YOU to everyone for supporting me - hope I have returned the favour!

Lets keep it up guys! Have a wonderful Valentines Day.

Labels: February Challenge, Joy

Posted by JOY :: 2:47 AM :: 1 Comments

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Monday, February 12, 2007

UP & AT IT!

Hi everyone,

As some of you know I haven't been doing too brilliant with my exercise challenge for February! I came up with excuse after excuse but this morning I thought right here we go - start of a new week!

We got our membership through for the Health Club on Thursday but I made excuses not to go at the weekend - today was a different story!

I got up early this morning and hit the swimming pool at the Health Club - I am useless at exercising and swimming is really the only exercise I enjoy! I was nervous going in, wondering if everyone would be looking at me and my bulges but thank goodness there was hardly anyone there - I think I saw 3 other people in total which was great!

I swam for 45 minutes before getting out and am SO proud of myself for getting up and doing this and do you know something else - I FEEL GREAT!

Overall I feel as though I have lost weight, some people are starting to notice now and comment which is great and spurs me on! I do feel heaps better and have more energy! I am determined to keep it up!

By the way is anyone doing the CORE diet with Weightwatchers? I would be interested in your views! I started last week but am too embarrassed to go to the class so have borrowed the literature. Wondering if anyone else is doing this diet?

Keep it up everyone!

Labels: February Challenge, Joy

Posted by JOY :: 3:11 AM :: 1 Comments

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Monday, February 5, 2007

ARE YOU A SNACKER?

One of the main problem I was having is the want to snack - I have resisted it so far, here are some of my tips that might help if you are a snack-a-holic like me!

• Clear out all the unhealthy temptations from your home.
• Hide any intended for other family members or only buy enough to last a day or so - so any binge snacking isn't OTT
• Don't buy things you can't resist. I love crisps - but if I have a big packet I will want to munch them aimlessly until they're all gone.
• Ensure you have a good supply of snacks you do like which are healthy and plenty of fruit!
• Have carrot and celery sticks ready in the fridge for when you get the urge to snack
• Ensure you vary your snacks so you don't get bored
• Try mini packets of snacks - especially those which are healthy
• Try rice cakes and bread sticks
• Read the labels on foods to make sure you don't eat too much fat or salt.
• Do you have enough snacks for the next few days? Don't run out else you'll turn to other things.
• Look for alternatives you might not have thought of for snacking - a small bowl of breakfast cereal can be very satisfying in the evening
• Write snacks down in your diet diary.
• Find ways of dealing with snacks you love. Buy mini packs. Split up packs if you need to so you make sensible size snacking easy.
• Make snacking work outside of the house too. Carry snacks that are safe.

Labels: 2007 Challenge, Joy

Posted by JOY :: 5:34 AM :: 0 Comments

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Monday, January 29, 2007

6 WAYS TO GIVE EXCUSES THE ELBOW

Is your 'big E' the big Excuse or the big Effort?

I think if we are going to succeed with weight loss and fitness we are going to need lots of Es: energy, enthusiasm, efficiency, exercise and you certainly need to put in lots of effort. Sometimes, however, it's easier to put in lots of excuses.

Changes are always tough. Old habits really do die hard. New habits don't just spring into place. You have to be convinced that this change to a healthy lifestyle is entirely possible and is preferable to your old one.

Each time an excuse raises its ugly head during this "challenge", tune into the benefits and fight it. Realise that a change requires heaps of extra energy. To succeed with permanent change we will have to find ways to enhance our emotional, mental and spiritual energy every day.

1. Accept yourself - The more you worry and fight with yourself about how you will never lose that extra weight, the more depressed, worried, anxious and exhausted you become. Once you simply and fully accept that you're overweight and you do want to lose weight, you will be relieved of the tremendous stress and strain. This can be the first trigger that injects you with fresh energy. Suddenly you will find yourself able to do the very thing you were struggling with.

2. Focus on what you want - Get a very clear image of your target weight. See yourself at this weight - physically fit, energetic, happy and healthy. Never mind about how you will get there because the answer to that will come as soon as you're clear about what you want. Then do something different. Take a new route to work, to school with the children or to the shops. Eat something completely different, something you've never had before. Altering the smallest things in our everyday routine snaps us out of the almost hypnotic trance that our habits can keep us in and will give us a fresh, invigorating and energetic view of life.

3. Do something you're passionate about - Think about something you have always wanted to do - and then go and do it! Learn to drive, ski, skydive, go on a cycling holiday, walk a marathon, write a book, whatever! Creating a new focus in which you're passionately interested brings life to your mind and spirit. And before you know it, the change you've been struggling with is well on its way.
When you're aware of the benefits and you feel full of energy, nothing can stop you. Not even some of the well-loved, known and used, tired old excuses such as: 'I start well but I can't stay motivated for long'.

4. Stay motivated - Set reasonable goals: Many slimmers sabotage diets by expecting too much of themselves and can end up feeling disappointed or frustrated. Change three small things: You can change your whole life by changing little things at a time. Plan three changes you can make now - snack on fruit instead of biscuits or crisps. Eat more salad and vegetables. Eat less meat and more fish or chicken and so on. When these have become everyday habits, move on to more changes.

5. Don't get bored - Choose the delicious foods that fit in with your meal plan. Imagine a tasty piece of grilled chicken with green vegetables, a crunchy salad with lots of bite and flavour, and delicious fresh berries. These foods are all out there. Keep your eating interesting. Add a different item to your meal plan each week, perhaps something you have seen in the shops or in your diet choices, on TV, or heard someone talk about - as long as it is a good food choice - try something new.

Together we can do it!

Labels: 2007 Challenge, Joy

Posted by JOY :: 2:15 AM :: 1 Comments

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Thursday, January 25, 2007

MY FEBRUARY CHALLENGE

February wasn't a difficult challenge for me to set to be honest.

I know the key to weight loss is exercise and healthy eating. I have been sticking to the healthy eating but have done no exercising whatsoever, never have been the exercising type!

So this months challenge is to exercise 3 times a week. I know some of you exercise everyday but I am so unfit and want to ease myself into it - I don't think there is any point on setting a higher target of 4 or 5 times a week as I would lose interest and of course be exhausted all the time!

Wish me luck as this is going to be a tough one for me but am determined to see it through, with your help I know I can do it!

Labels: February Challenge, Joy

Posted by JOY :: 5:22 AM :: 0 Comments

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Tuesday, January 23, 2007

MY FRIDGE

I missed out on posting my fridge pictures and loved checking out what everyone had in their fridge so couldn't resist taking a picture today and posting it!

It is quite healthy, the drinks are all diet drinks! Honestly LOL!

Labels: January Challenge, Joy

Posted by JOY :: 9:20 AM :: 0 Comments

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Hi Challengers,

I have just been catching up on how everyone has been doing and it is so encouraging to read that you are all getting on so well.

I have been moving countries between Christmas and New Year from Dubai back to Ireland and have not had internet access until now but I have been doing my challenge faithfully.

My challenge for January is to:-

1. Drink more water
2. Have breakfast (for the first time in my life) and ...
3. Count Calories to lose weight

I have to say that so far I am doing great! Have lost 7 pounds to date. I feel much healthier and less tired and lazy. I could never have done it without Michelle challenging me! I am always up for a challenge, so thank you Michelle I get the feeling you are the instigater in changing my life!

I feel that I have missed out in supporting you all and getting to know you all and your individual challenges but plan on getting stuck in and supporting you all as much as I can. I plan on keeping my other blogging friends updated on my blog MY BLOG

Will post more in the next few days but hang in there everyone - you are all doing fantastic!

Together we can do it.

Labels: January Challenge, Joy

Posted by JOY :: 4:32 AM :: 1 Comments

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Friday, January 5, 2007

I AM STILL ALIVE!

Hi everyone,

Sorry I haven't been in touch but I have been busy with the move from Dubai to Ireland.

Thankfully I am finally getting organised - about time I hear you say!

Good news and bad news:-

Good News - I have started the challenge and am doing well so far, my husband is encouraging me every step of the way which has been great.

Bad News - I have no internet yet (using my mums computer) but fingers crossed will be up and running as normal 5/7 days as I am waiting for the software to arrive and then you will be sick of hearing from me LOL!

Am sure you are all doing brilliant and can't wait to catch up and join in with this wonderful challenge!

Here's to 2007 - whatever it holds for all of us am sure it is going to be wonderful - what better way to start the year than with this challenge, I can't wait to get more involved and get to know you all and encourage you in whatever way I can.

JOY

Labels: January Challenge, Joy

Posted by JOY :: 12:17 PM :: 0 Comments

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