BABY BODY BLUES

COOLTEC BODY SCULPTING - 8DAYS POST TREATMENT

2014-02-11T11:58:00.000+00:00

It is now 8 days post my Cooltec Body Sculpting Treatment and I am pleased to say that I am seeing significant results already. I know the treatment takes up to 3 months to see the full effect but from what I am seeing now I cannot wait to see the finished result.My stomach has gone in quiet a bit from what it was. I do not have any bloating and I feel that my clothes are a bit loose too!

I am experiencing some discomfort though which is really painful. I get these pain like surges through small areas of where my stomach was treated, it is hard to explain because although it is pain it is also really itchy - a bit like prickly heat I suppose?! From checking reviews a lot of people have had this side effect too so I am not too worried it's just really irritating. Other than that I am fine, I haven't got any bruising which I have checked would be normal. I will keep you posted of any changes in the coming weeks when I start my other 2 treatments, and of course I have photos for before & after, but I will keep those for a later date!

Regards,
Naoimh

COOLTEC Body Sculpting

2014-02-03T20:14:00.000+00:00

As I am writing this post, I am lying in a dimmed room with what I can only describe as a mini Hoover like suction device attached to my belly , breathing cold air that's reaching temperatures of minus 10 degrees! I am not as uncomfortable as what I would have anticipated though - it's actually quite relaxing getting to take an hour and half out of my day to lie down and unwind.

The reason for this is I am having a treatment done called Cooltec body sculpting or otherwise known as fat- freezing. I am in a very relaxing treatment room in Corks Therapie clinic.

I decided to get the treatment as more of a treat for myself to help with the loose skin I have on my belly from 2 pregnancies. I have fallen off the weight loss wagon and have not had the motivation to climb back on for several months. This however, I feel will give me the motivation to get back on track as it is proven to give results of at least 20% loss of body fat after only 1 treatment!!

So with my secret weapon of this treatment AND healthy eating and exercise (I'm not looking for a miracle) I plan to have a smooth toned tummy in time for summer.

The treatment costs around €650 for 1 session and is FDA approved, giving results of 20-40% loss of body fat after 1 treatment. The fat cells will be broken down today but for maximum results it will take up as far as 3 months to see any major difference. The cells will come away with the bodies natural metabolic process but with a healthy diet and exercise I should see a huge improvement.

Here's hoping :-)

SOME BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS

Also that's not the last of the treatments. I am having a tummy makeover so to speak! I will be trying 2 other treatments too.

The second is to tackle my stretch marks which is called Medical Micro-Needling, I am hoping this will give me the results I have been looking for once and for all.

I will also be receiving 4 treatments of Velashape to help lift and tone my stomach or as I call it my pregnancy pouch!

I will keep you posted of how my treatments are going in the coming weeks.

Regards,

Naoimh

Click on the treatments if you would like to find out more information.

COOLTEC BODY SCULPTING

MEDICAL MICRO-NEEDLING

VELASHAPE

Weigh Day Thursday 25July

2013-07-25T19:44:00.002+01:00

This morning I was weighed and the devastating result was that I weigh the same as last week! I was gutted to begin with, but that did not last long as I know I did my best this week and it may show up next week. I have however lost 2 inches on my bust, 2 inches on my waist and 4 inches on my hips!! Greats result from the measurements anyway..

This week my plan has been switched up a lot.
I must eat red meat 5 times this week, at different times of the day each day.
I can only eat 3 yogurts a week.
The only fruit I can eat are kiwis, full oranges and pears.

I am looking forward to next weeks weigh in already as I know results should start showing.
I am still attended Boot camp & walking so I will be patient..

Regards,
Naoimh

Weigh day Thursday 18th July

2013-07-20T12:01:00.002+01:00

This week was a fantastic result as I have lost 4 lbs!!
I am extremely happy with this and proud of myself for sticking to the plan. I went for a walk most days with the buggy and I also attended Boot camp twice. I feel that my body strength is getting back to where it was pre-pregnancy. I am able to keep up a lot better than when I first started. I am also remembering to do my stomach exercises at home every night.
Eating wise has been very good also. I cannot fault this eating plan, it works extremely well with me!

So with this great result it has pushed me a lot closed to my goal a lot earlier than expected. I have lost 6 lbs in 2 weeks.

This week has been changed slightly, I am to be on what's called a 'detox' week!

I will need to eat a tin of tuna between meals at different times of the day- every day.
I need to have a tin of pears for 3 breakfasts this week.
I have to eat an Activia 0% fat vanilla yogurt everyday.

I need to have chicken everyday, either for lunch or dinner.
The only fruit I can eat are full oranges and pears.

I have started this weeks and I am feeling great already. I will stick to the walking in this beautiful weather for the day that I do not have Bootcamp!

Regards,
Naoimh

Weigh In For Thursday 11th July

2013-07-15T10:13:00.000+01:00

As I was busy all weekend (enjoying the sun) I am only getting a chance to post last weeks weigh in. The result was that I have lost 2lbs!!

Me & my baby at the Christening

I am delighted with this as I had my baby's Christening party which was fuelled with lovely food and wine! I did not stray from my eating plan though that night - it was only when I gave in and demolished a kebab later that week... but moving on from that it was a good week! I did however get my period for the first time since having baby so I'm only assuming that I was down a bit more but it did not show because of this! Time will tell at this weeks weigh in...

Chicken curry For dinner

Chicken salad for lunch

I am following the plan as best I can and I can honestly say that I started
noticing a difference in myself just after a few days. I am not as bloated as usual and I feel I have a lot more energy too. I am exercising most days like going for walks with the buggy and remembering to do my stomach exercises everyday. It helps too by writing down what I eat everyday. I'm looking forward to this weeks weigh as I am really after sticking to the plan so I will post Thursday.

Regards,
Naoimh

Drum roll please....

2013-07-04T19:17:00.003+01:00

So this morning I joined ONE2ONE weight loss. I had my first official weigh in which was...10 stone 4!! Meaning I am 9 and 1/2 pound heavier than my last weigh in before I got pregnant! Not a bad result at all considering how much weight I piled on during my first pregnancy. I do not have to lose nearly as much weight as I had to before... phew :-)
I will be going every Tuesday to be weighed. I have to admit that this new eating plan sounds really manageable especially to people that do not like to diet!
Heres a quick breakdown on the eating plan:

FOOD
It's basically all about rotating the foods that you eat everyday, and there are lots of foods that I can eat. I can only eat red meat once a week so it's chicken and turkey and fish all the way!! All White foods are completely cut out!!ALL!! So I have stocked my cuboards with Soda Bread and Brown rice and brown pasta. I can only eat 2 slices of bread & 4 Brown crackers OR 1 brown Pitta bread in a day. I can have a 3 treats a week which would be a packet of walkers baked crisps or Manhattan popcorn. I have stocked up on low fat laughing cow cheese also and I can still eat Dairy gold butter. Happy days:)

DRINK
I need to drink 2 litres of water everyday which is completely do-able! I can also drink 2 bottles of wine a week - if I ever wanted to but I think the one will do as I don't drink much! I was told that wine is so full of sugar thats its best avoided anyway! For anyone that drinks beer or cider, 10 bottles of Coors ligh, Budweiser and Bulmers light are all within the weeks drink allowance.

EXCERCISE
And with all good eating plans it is advised to excercise at least 3 times a week. I joined a Bootcamp on Tuesday and so intend to stick with that and my walking with the buggy in the evenings.

A SAMPLE OF A WEEKS MENU BELOW

My next weigh in is Tuesday morning so I will post how I get on. I have every intention of sticking to this plan to a T.

Regards,
Naoimh

It's a Boy...

2013-06-28T22:12:00.000+01:00

To begin with I'd like to introduce you all to my beautiful baby boy Joey who I gave birth to just little over 7 weeks ago!
He's perfect and I couldn't be happier with our newest member of the family

I did not post as much as I had anticipated while pregnant, due to exhaustion of running a busy home while working and taking care of a toddler. I enjoyed the relaxation of having a break from work towards the end and getting to spend quality time with my now 2 year old daughter.

I had an extremely good pregnancy, sickness subsided after the first 12 weeks and I did not gain as much weight as I did on my first! I had an exceptionally good labour, only going 1 day over my due date. I had a natural labour with only the help of 2 paracetamol and gas & air *pat on the back*-and my little man didn't keep me waiting when he was born just 45 Min's in the delivery suite.

I have been enjoying the last few weeks but now I feel it's time to start getting back on track with my plan of getting in shape..again!
I breastfed for almost 4 weeks - I decided to give up when I was admitted to hospital after getting mastitis for the second time. I felt like I was a lot thinner while breastfeeding but now that I have given it up I just feel constantly bloated and much heavier. I have decided to cut out all junk food which I was craving while breastfeeding.

I started drinking green tea to detox just 4 days ago and I can feel the difference already! The bloating has stopped and I have a lot more energy which I am taking advantage of, going for a walk in the evenings for an hour.

I don't want to push myself too soon in case I cause injury if my body is not ready. I did 20 sit up tonight and 30 seconds of the plank which is enough to start out with. I hope to up my exercise in the coming weeks and start seeing results.

I am also joining the one on one diet plan this Tuesday. My mother has lost half a stone on the plan in just over a month! I know that Weight Watchers does work so I am not ruling it out, I just want to try something different this time.

I will post next week when I am joined and on my new healthy eating plan :)

Regards,
Naoimh

Ireland's Pregnancy & Baby Fair 2013

2013-04-21T16:09:00.001+01:00

I have just come back from Ireland's Pregnancy & Baby Fair 2013 thanks to Tony Kealy's who chose me as one of their competition winners!
I won a pair of tickets through their Facebook page; Tony Kealys and so I brought along my also pregnant sister! We are only 20 days apart- me being due before her on the 9th May ( soooo excited)!!!! :-)

I just want to congratulate them on an amazing job that they did and I have to say it was a lovely day out with great special offers and plenty of stalls set up. At each stall there were great goodies and samples of products that I was genuinely interested in checking out. We each had several bags when leaving to our excitement! I was even more delighted when I returned home and opened my goody bags to find some great discounts and also some vouchers for 50% off newborn nappies in Aldi which I use all the time!

There were plenty of stalls and more than enough helpful staff at each one to keep us occupied for a couple of hours. I didn't purchase much as I already have everything I need right now but I did see some great offers that I'm sure would suit others!

What I did purchase was a stretch mark repair cream from a product called Silderm for €25. I thought it was great value from speaking to the lovely sales adviser. She was very helpful and explained how the product gets under the skin to the dermis where it can start to repair the torn dermis. I was impressed and wanted to try the product. There were samples there but as it cannot be bought in shops anywhere near by I decided to invest and try it out ASAP! I'm always looking for new products to treat my existing stretch marks. I am pleased to say that throughout this pregnancy I did not get any new stretch marks!

I will try this cream and post about the results! I am feeling very optimistic that the results will be quite good. There are also lots of other products to try from this brand and a stretch mark prevention oil to prevent stretch marks before they appear.
To check out the product for yourselves I have a link to the Silderm website here.

I also bought a beautiful red velvet cupcake from the cupcake stand; Johnnie Cupcakes. I had to mention that because it was soo nice the perfect ending to a lovely afternoon. Looking forward to this company coming to Cork...

It was a lovely day and has made me even more excited about my baby arriving - I am ready and waiting patiently whenever it is ready to make it's appearance... :-)
Regards,
Naoimh

Lotions and Potions for tackling the dreaded Stretch Marks!

2013-01-06T23:31:00.000+00:00

Stretch marks are one of the unfortunate things that woman may get whilst pregnant. Because the skin is being stretched in such a short period of time it sometimes leaves the skin with these unsightly marks. While some woman are very lucky not to get one mark, others can be completely covered. I don't know whether it's down to genetics or just plain bad luck but the possibility is always there. Take my mother for example - she has given birth to 5 children and has not had one mark, where as I have been covered in them from just 1 pregnancy. I would advise to use something that suits you a soon as possible - do not just think that it is inevitable that you will or will not get them just because your mother or sister has or hasn't! I wonder is it just down to pot luck?!

So as I am one of the unfortunate ones who has had been left with these marks I have accepted that they are now part of my body but I will not give up on trying to remove them - if there is anything out there that REALLY works - I have yet to find it!?
I have come to the conclusion that prevention is better than cure, so the best advise that I would offer to any mothers to be would be to prevent it as much as you can - apply whatever moisturiser, lotion or oils you feel work for you as many times a day as it says on the box if not more. If that doesn't work then you cannot blame yourself and you know that you have tried the best that you could.

I remember being 6 months pregnant and on holiday in the Canaries. I had this huge bump with not one stretch mark, I was really proud showing off my curves and bump in my bikini. I had used Bio Oil 3 times daily from the day I found out I was pregnant. I must have thought I had got away with not getting stretch marks as I started getting lazy with applying the oil. I was then told by a friend that her doctor had said not to use any oils on your skin as they only help the skin to stretch and give you more marks - what a fool I was to listen because when I stopped applying it the marks started appearing without me realising. By the time the end of my pregnancy came around I had large red marks all over my stomach and back!

I have below a list of the products that I am using right now. Some are very costly so when they run out I always have a bottle of Baby Oil to use until I can get a new supply. I am using several different products as I want to prevent new stretch marks appearing as well as helping to still reduce the possibility of new marks.

If any of you out there have any other suggestions it would be great to hear about them? I am always looking for new products to try!

P.s I have also read that having an intake of Zinc in your diet can reduce the possibility of getting stretch marks!!

Regards,
Naoimh

BIO OIL

Top of my list is the good old Bio Oil. This is probably the most popular oil used by pregnant woman. I apply this about 3 times a day and when I come straight out of the bath while my skin is still wet for it to absorb into the pores of my skin.
It is costly though so I don't always have a supply. It normally retails in around €12.00 - €19.00 depending on the size of the bottle but if you apply it as generously as I do it doesn't last that long. :-(

BABY OIL

Baby oil is always at hand in my house for when I run out of Bio Oil. It doesn't matter what brand as they all do the same thing. I have several bottles stocked in my house and they are really cheap the Boots own brand is the cheapest and Johnson Baby Oil is always on offer in Euro Giant shops, you would never pay more than €2.00 a bottle.

PALMERS COCOA BUTTER CREAM FORMULA

This is a cream that I have just started using on this pregnancy. I have heard that Cocoa Butter is a good cream to use to reduce the chances of getting stretch marks. This is formulated to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. It has a nice smell and dries in fast enough. I have been moisturising this in to my belly often but not as much as I would with the oils. It is a very good price coming in around €3.99 for a large tube.

PALMERS COCOA BUTTER FORMULA SCAR SERUM

This is one of the main things I use especially at night. It is a Scar Serum which is to reduce the appearance of Stretch marks and scars. It says on the box that it is recommended by doctors. It contains Shark Liver Oil which is a bit unusual I thought!
The consistency is very thick and it does have quiet a strong horrible smell! I have been trying this for several weeks now and although it is hard to see results while I am pregnant I would definitely recommend this to other woman that have stretch marks.
It cost around €10.00 for a 30ml bottle. Although it is small bottle it lasts a while because of the thick texture. Applied 3 times daily is advised.

AVON SOLUTIONS STRETCH MARK CREAM
From checking online I have also heard that Avon have a stretch mark cream that helps to reduce the appearance. I have not had the chance to try this yet as I did not order it but I will be trying it in the future as there was several reviews from woman saying that the results were fantastic and the appearance and smoothness of the areas of skin with stretch marks were greatly improved!
Check out the reviews here -->>

Special Delivery!!

2012-11-26T17:25:00.000+00:00

So I haven’t been Blogging for a few months and that’s all down to my news that I am expecting my second child next May 2013!

Sufficed to say I haven’t been to Weight watchers or calorie counting for the last couple of months but I am extremely happy and looking forward to my bundle of joy arriving.

I know that it may seem like all the effort I had been putting in all along was just useless but to me I would disagree. I have learnt all about portion control and eating filling and healthy foods. I will keep these healthy eating habits up to the best of my ability. As all those pregnant woman out there will know just how hard it is when your hormonal body may refuse some foods for no particular reason at times. I am happy to give in to cravings and to not be ‘dieting’ as such for the months remaining but I also do not want to undo all the hard work I have put in already.
After my first baby I had gained definitely over 2 stone from over-eating on greasy foods and pigging out on sweet things. I will be able to manage things properly this time as I know how.

It is only this week that I am finally starting to feel myself again. I had severe sickness both morning and evening and the foods that I could actually digest would be determined at the very last minute! I will be able to plan out meals again which I am happy with.

I also plan on doing a bit of exercise this time around- something I never really knew about on my first. Pregnancy yoga is a must I have heard such great things about it and from speaking to woman that have tried it, it’s definitely worth it and it can make you that bit more relaxed for Labour if you are not already.

I hope to have more tips and experiences to share with you over the next few months, and to keep in touch with my readers.

Regards,

Naoimh

A LITTLE BREAK....

2012-10-02T19:05:00.003+01:00

Just a quick post to let all my readers know that I am taking a small break from Blogging. This is due to personal reasons.
I will be back however very soon with a New take on my Blog and a little needed make-over.

Looking forward to the coming months ahead!! :-)

Regards,
Naoimh

Summer wardrobe that covers problem areas

2012-07-13T23:03:00.001+01:00

With the weather is in Ireland these days it may not be a post about appropriate clothes to wear for here but as I am off on holidays in just a few short weeks it cheers me up to know that I will get to wear summer items for some part of this season!
So I haven't made it to goal just yet, and I am not as toned as I had anticipated but hey I am happy with my body and I have come a long way from 1 year ago. I wouldn't have dared even think about wearing a swimming suit or exposing my cellulite legs to the outside world back then.But in the year that I have been trying to get in shape I have toned my legs and lost more than just my baby weight but most importantly I have learnt to accept my body regardless of what shape I am in. I will still be working out and staying in weight watchers but now I will doing it because I have learnt that it is a healthy way of life and also a great way for socialising and meeting new friends.

So back to the point I was getting to- as I was packing my suit case and putting in all the new summer clothes and swim suits that I had bought I realised that the clothes I now have are completely different to anything that I would have picked out before I had a baby. I have bought new swim suits specifically because they will cover my stretch marks and ''bloated tummy'' as I call it - I am not ready to wear a 2 piece just yet! I have packed practically but still fashionably...

I have put together a collection of clothes and shoes that hide problem areas and/or make you look slimmer or taller. I hope you enjoy :)

SWIM SUITS

From all in one suits to 2 pieces with high waisted knickers, these swim suits are perfect for covering problem areas such as our dreaded mummy tummy!

This was bargain from Dunnes €12 (there is also a matching maxi dress)

New Look from the Kelly Brooke Collection Summer 2012

This is also from the Kelly Brooke collection at New look- its like a play suit meets swimming suit, too cute!

This suit is from Matalan, you can't go wrong with a black suit and the polka dots add a bit of glamour but try before you buy as I have heard Polka dots can make you look bigger!!

I love love LOVE this suit!! It's from River Island it set me back €37 but was well worth it. It is slimming and covers all the areas I want to hide :-)!!!!

This 2 piece is again from River Island. I tried it on as I was going to buy it but with my stomach not being flat I felt that it draws all the attention to my tummy. This I feel would suit curvy girls with a flat tummy.

SUN DRESSES
A nice flattering dress in the summer can brighten up your day very easily. It's amazing how confident you can feel just by wearing something you are comfortable in. A dress is feminine and classy and every girl should have their fav!! From short dresses to maxi or even a nice skirt and top. Whatever your personal preference.

Maxi dresses are always great for covering up almost every problem area and are very fashionable for day time at the beach or pair with heels for a night time look.Every girl needs at least 1 maxi :-)

The new dipped hem skirts are in fashion this year and great for covering the back of your legs if you have varicose veins or if you like to wear short skirts but are not confident enough.

I got this beach sun dress from River island also and its great for covering up over a swim suit and lounging around.

WEDGES

I just love summer shoes especially wedges. You can get them in all sizes from just a little heel to really high platforms. They are a great way to make you feel dressed up with everyday out fits and they easier to walk in the high heels, perfect even for the beach!

All different types for summer this year. Where to begin....

These are 2 pairs that I bought in River Island that I cannot wait to wear on holidays. I know that the above pair aren't really wedges but they are still comfortable enough to wear by day! Oh how I just love shoes...

These wedge style sandals are great for day time to give you a bit of height and make you look taller.

Polka dot wedge dressy shoes are very classy for night time

If you like your comfort but like to look tall too then you will have the best of both worlds with these new hidden heel high tops. I gotta get me a pair :-)

I hope some of the ideas above are of some help. It has really got me excited all over about my holiers now. I will be counting down the minutes :)

Regards,
Naoimh

stretch marks

2012-07-09T23:56:00.000+01:00

My last Laser appointment for my stretch marks was supposed to be last Thursday but I decided not to go. Like I said in a post earlier last month I don't feel that the treatment was working for me.
At the beginning I felt like there had been an improvement on the texture of my skin and the darkness of the marks have faded from what they were originally.

After getting 5 sessions over the last 10 months I am not completely satisfied with the results and so decided it was the next decision to not waste another €200 on treatment. I think my skin has gone as far as it will go with responding to this treatment. I will keep using Bio oil and moisturising my skin and see what way it will be in the future. I have been told that the marks fade after a while and that is good enough for me - for the moment.

If I come across anything in future that I decide to try out I will post all the details, but for now in my opinion I will give this treatment a thumbs down.

Regards,
Naoimh

Weigh Day!!

2012-07-09T23:33:00.000+01:00

So I got weighed last Thursday night and I have stayed the same this week. Happy result! I only worked out once at Boot Camp - which may I add was really difficult. I was pleased when I finished that I had went but it was the only bit I had done all week. I couldn't make it to Zumba or spinning but I will be making up for it this week.

I have had a good weekend so far, avoiding alcohol and making wise food choices. I will be back exercising tomorrow. I intend on going for a good long jog after work tomorrow.
My zumba will be finished up until the end of July as our instructor has gone back home for a 2 week holiday.

My sister came along to Boot Camp with me last Wednesday evening and she even enjoyed the workout, even going again Saturday morning- I could not attend as I was working :-( .

So I am optimistic about this week. I have been filling in my tracker all week and I am also back doing my stomach exercises. I have 4 weeks to my long anticipated holiday to Fuertaventura so I will be pulling out all the stops to help me get in as much shape as possible before this.

Looking forward to Weigh in Thursday.

Kind regards,
Naoimh

Weigh Day!!

2012-07-01T15:32:00.000+01:00

Thursday was weigh day and to be completely honest I knew I was going to be up. I was so upset from being up the week before hand that I just completely stopped all my usual routines and ate what I wanted.
I was only 1 lb away to goal so when I was up 2lb it really annoyed me especially when I had tried so hard that week. I obviously didn't try hard enough anyway. So this week I have gained 1 & 1/2 lbs!!

All week I just couldn't snap out of it. I didn't go to any exercise classes, I didn't track and I ate all the wrong foods like takeaways, rolls and crisps for my lunch. At the end of everyday I was exausted from all the bad food and just didn't have any motivation to exercise.

In a way I am glad that I was up - I needed it to snap out of it and get back on track. I just had an off week. It has taken me right back and means I may not be making it to goal until another few weeks but I chose to give up and now I will be trying my very hardest to come back.

I have 4 & 1/2 lbs left to goal now :(. I will be starting my Bootcamp this week so that will help loads and I will also be tracking again and going back to my healthy foods.

I will fill in next week and let you know I got and and if I am down fingers crosses!

Regards,
Naoimh

Weigh Day!!

2012-06-24T17:31:00.000+01:00

So Thursday was weigh day and as I stepped on the scales I was so sure that I would be down the 1lb that I had so desperately anticipated. I had done all my regular exercise like Zumba and spinning class. So when I was told that I had gained 2pound I was in utter shock!!

I still cannot understand where the gain has come from. It wasn't the time of the month and I hadn't eaten bread all week which would have usually bloated me. I was very annoyed with my body as I was so close to goal and now I have been knocked back 2 paces yet again!
I have gone back over everything I ate all week and it was very good foods with only 1 take away at the weekend - I didn't even have a drink.

All I can do is try harder for next week. Even though I don't think I can lose the full 3 lbs this week no matter how hard I try I will still stay positive and just try my best. That's all I can do at the end of the day.

I have signed up for a 3 week Bootcamp courtesy of livingsocial.com which is a website that offers discounts on a range of different things. I paid €24 for the 3 weeks and the classes are held outdoors for 5 evenings a week. Although I won't be attending the full week I am going to do 2 or 3 classes per week. I have exactly 6weeks to my holiday to Fuertaventura and I want to concentrate on toning more than anything at this stage. I am very happy with my shape and even though I am 3 lbs from goal I am still happy with my weight. I still have my ''jelly belly'' which I want toned and tight in time for the beach and the dreaded swim suit or 2 piece :-/
I will have to start doing my stomach exercises at home again which I have been neglecting yet again for the past few weeks. I also just want to have my goal card by the time I go away in August so these next few weeks I will be trying my very best.

I am also doubting about attending my last session of laser treatment for my stretchmarks.
To be completely honest the treatment has not worked for me. At the beginning I could see results but at the moment after comparing with other friends that have also had babies mine seem the same as theirs. I don't know was it all just a scam and can stretch marks really be erased? I have learned to accept them and know to cover my body everyday with Bio oil or Baby oil the next time I get pregnant to prevent further marks appearing.

Here's hoping for a loss on the scales this week.
Regards,
Naoimh

Weigh Day!!

2012-06-15T20:58:00.001+01:00

Yesterday was weigh day and I was trying hard all week to be down. I was very happy to hear that I lost 1 lb. This was the loss that I had been anticipating for weeks as I was given my 3rd silver 7 :)

I am really pleased and proud I earned it. I kept tracking all week and was especially good at the weekend, although I did go out Sunday night for the match and a few bevvies. I did stay well in my Pro Points.

I went to Zumba Tuesday and really pushed myself to the point where I was exhausted and really sweat out all the bad toxins of Sunday night.

Wednesday was spinning class again which I LOVE!! I had forgot that I wasn't getting paid until Friday and didn't think where I would get the money for spinning. So after getting ready for class after work I only realised at that point that I did not have money for the class and was gutted, so I just had a shower and dressed my bed instead. As my hair was still soaking I leaned down the side of the bed and found €10 staring up at me!! It had to be a sign to go and exercise?!
I quickly got changed and ran out the door with just 10 Min's to spare until class started. I ran the whole way over which was a great bit of a warm up exercise before the 50 Min's of what I can only call the most excruciatingly painful spinning class ever!.. but well worth it :)

So as I stepped on the scales and got the result and my silver 7 I couldn't stop grinning. It's been a tough year and a slow process of losing weight but I wouldn't change a thing.
Just 1 more pound left to goal!!

Next week I will hopefully be writing my post as a new woman that has reached my goal weight!!
Watch this space.....

Regards,

Naoimh

Weigh Day!!

2012-06-15T20:17:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post for last weeks weigh in as I didnt get a chance to post...

Thursday was weigh day and I am delighted to say that I was down 1/2 a lb. I had a really bad weekend with it being the Bank holiday and I went to Tramore.
I really enjoyed it but was eating out a lot and although I was tracking I was still a bit concerned as I didn't have any home cooked meals. I went straight into exercise Monday night when I got back going to Zumba which was a great exercise, as always!

On Tuesday I took a break as I was exhausted from the weekend but continued eating healthy all week. I went to spinning on Wednesday which was something that I didn't do in years! It was really tough but I loved, I was sweating by the time it finished and felt like I had burned off (some) of the weekends overindulgence's!
I am now only 2 lbs to goal and am soo pleased :)

Regards,
Naoimh

Weigh Day!!

2012-06-02T20:52:00.000+01:00

So Thursday was Weigh Day and i am extremely pleased to say that I have lost 1 & 1/2 lbs this week. I really wanted to get a good result after being up last week so I tried my very hardest.

Firstly as soon as I came out of class last Thursday I ate a weight watchers meal - lasagna which was filling and very tasty.

I pointed everything that week (even all the treats) . I went for a Chinese on Sunday with my family which was well within my 49 Pro Points. I also went to the cinema with my mam on Monday night and got a popcorn which is my vice :)!! So after both treats at the weekend I was still well on track.

I went to my Zumba class on Tuesday evening which had to be by far the best class and I know I might have said it before but with the heat and a packed room full of people and of course the 15 dances one after the other I was soaked to the skin with sweat. A great workout indeed!!

Wednesday night I did a spinning class for the first time in about 3 years. It was hard work and I have to admit I was ready to give up after 10 minutes into the class but I kept going and didn't stop. I was really pleased with myself when I finished and again was saturated with sweat.

So with both classes done I was satisfied that I had lost that lb I gained last week. I was very confident getting on the scales that I would have a loss of 1lb and so when I heard it was more it was just an extra added bonus.

Next week I will be doing just the same but I will be having a drink at the weekend( all within my 49 weeklies!! ) as I am away with family for the Bank Holiday weekend.
I hope all of you had a good week also, and enjoy the weekend :)

P.S only 2 & 1/2 lb left to go to goal!! eek!!...

Regards,
Naoimh

Weigh Day!!

2012-05-26T16:56:00.000+01:00

Thursday was Weigh Day and to be honest I knew the result before I even stepped on the scales. I was UP 1 pound.

During that week I had 2 takeaways just out of pure boredom. Also my Boot Camp was cancelled so the only exercise I did was 1 Zumba class.I did not walk to work any day so that would have contributed also.

During the day at work I was very good eating prawns instead of sandwiches for lunch again and lots of fruit and water. I have decided that I am not going to let it get me down. As I am writing this post I am sitting out the back in the lovely sun and I am happy with my body in my bikini and a lot more confident than what I was a few months ago in a 1 piece. I will just try harder this week to be down weight and to not be too hard on myself as some weeks this can happen. After all I ate the greasy food and I didn't do any alternative exercise when Boot Camp was cancelled!

This week is going to be all about TRACKING. It is nearly the end of the summer challenge with
The Skinny Doll and I am happy I took part in the challenge as it is great motivation every week to stop me from giving into my bad habits. This week was just one of those weeks when I didn't try my hardest and the results speak for themselves. So with the help of my tracker I will be writing down everything I eat and choosing wise options. I am hoping for a loss next week so I will be putting in a good effort this week.

Regards,
Naoimh

Weigh Day!!

2012-05-20T14:08:00.000+01:00

Thursday was Weigh Day and as I wasn't able to make last weeks class I went in with a positive attitude as I had 2 weeks without weigh in. I was delighted when I stepped on the scales and was told I had lost 1 lb. To be honest I had anticipated to lose more as I'm aiming for 1 lb a week but as the week previous was a bank holiday and I had wine both nights of the weekend and I was eating out a lot and not tracking - I was happy it was a loss.

So I went back to Boot Camp Wednesday after 2 weeks of the classes being cancelled. I brought along my Zumba partner Niamh who loved the workout (but not the pain side) but I have told her if shekeeps attending she will see the benefits. I am actually still sore in my thighs, and my stomach was aching for 2 days after all the cardio work I did but I don't mind as I know I got a great workout and was down weight so job well done :-)

I also went to Zumba Tuesday night which was filled with a few new routines which were great fun. The evenings are staying much brighter and even at half past 8 at night the sun was beaming in the window in class which made the room much warmer and I sweat more which made it one if the best and challenging Zumba classes to date.

As it stands I now have 3 lbs left to lose to reach my goal weight. I know I keep counting down but if I keep reminding myself it gives me the extra bit of motivation to keep going. There are 2 weeks left to the start of June which should officially mark the start of summer so if I stick to my target I should reach goal at the start of the month. I am trying my best every week with tracking and plenty of exercise so that I will not be up before then so.

Regards,
Naoimh

Stretch marks

2012-05-11T22:57:00.001+01:00

Tuesday was my 5th session of laser treatment on my stretch marks and I have to admit the most painfully by far. The results are really starting to show. Looking back at photos I have taken prior to the treatment there is a huge improvement. The marks on my back are almost non existent at this stage that the only way to notice them would be looking up really close. The area around my stomach which would have been worse to begin with is great. In a certain light I almost forget that they are there but still in some bright light I can see them straight away. The texture of my skin is the best improvement as the area is much smoother in comparison to the way it was prior to treatment.
I have 1 more session left in July and I am hoping that this treatment will start to work its magic a little faster than previous times and after all sessions are finished that I will be happy with the final results and glad I got the treatment done. I have been keeping a collection of photos taken so hopefully when treatments are finished the results should speak for themselves.
Regards
Naoimh

Weigh Day!!

2012-05-04T22:45:00.000+01:00

Thursday was Weigh Day and I am more than pleased to say that I have lost 1 & 1/2 lbs this week. I was really good eating wise swapping sandwiches to prawn cocktail and ryvitas for lunch. I felt a lot less bloated everyday also.

I turned up for Boot camp Monday only to find out that it was cancelled again as no one else turned up. I went for a great jog on Sunday afternoon and also went to the gym and swimming Wednesday evening. I walked to work everyday and walked home which would have helped a lot also.

I now have only 4 & 1/2 lbs left to lose to reaching my goal weight. I am going to try my hardest this weekend. Altough it is a long weekend and I am going away for a couple of nights with the family I will do my best not to overindulge too much on eating out and drinking alcohol and I will make sure to dance if I am out to burn some extra calories.

I want a loss everyweek at the scales from now until I reach my goal. Like I said previous a loss of 1 lb a week is fantastic so this week was a bonus that I am more than pleased about. Summer is almost here and I know the weather may not show it much but I am still keeping focused. The prospect of reaching goal is so motivating for me that I am going to make sure that I reach it as soon as I can.

Regards,
Naoimh

Weigh day!!

2012-04-26T21:31:00.001+01:00

This week I have lost 1 lb. I am so happy with this result. Altough I did not do as much exercise than I had planned I still ate well and managed to knock off the 1/2 pound I gained last week and then some.

I went to Boot Camp Monday night and even tough it was just myself and and that turn up it was still a great workout and it felt like we had our own personal trainer :-) My friend who is getting married next year wants to lose weight and tone up before her big day joined and it means I now have a workout buddy. So with one session of Boot Camp and a jog Sunday morning that sums up my exercise for the week. That doesn't sound like too much but I was also walking to and from work everyday and the hill to get home is very steep!!

I now have 6 lbs left to goal weight so I will work my best to keep aiming for the pound a week - it's almost summer and 1 lb gone for the next 6 weeks will bring me right on target- I do not want to be hiding on the beach in August.
I am doing a Summer challenge also with one of my Favourite Blogs The Skinny Doll. The previous challenge she did helped me out a lot so I am delighted that a new one has started and perfect timing indeed for me.

Next week I have to make sure not to miss any exercises classes so I will be planning ahead to make all my classes. I am already missing my Zumba as I didn't go at all this week. Staying on track is my main priorty 5 weeks to Summer so staying focused is vital for me.

Regards,
Naoimh

Going For Gold!!

2012-04-22T19:23:00.000+01:00

Above is a before picture of me 2 months after my baby and today

So I have been in Weight Watchers since last July, when my baby was 6weeks old. Since then I have lost almost a stone and a half! That is a great achievement for me which I am really proud of. It has been a slow process but I firmly agree that anything you really want in life will take time and won't happen over night especially healthy weight loss. In this time I have learnt how to eat and drink the things I most enjoy in moderation. I have always been able to eat what I wanted with the Pro Points system and by tracking everything I ate I knew how much of anything was enough without over doing it. I also didn't have to give up alcohol so I still had my social life (even though I don't go out that often anyway)!

I am really pleased that I joined Weight Watchers as I feel I wouldn't understand what I was doing wrong with eating habits because it really made me understand exactly what I was putting in my body. I have learnt to control my portion sizes for all types of food and drink. I know have the knowledge to live a healthy life through healthy weight loss and the most important thing is that I know how to control my weight so as to not be an unhealthy weight in the future. The support in the meetings have been a blessing as the stories from other members really help because they are going through exactly what I was and by sharing all our experiences and weight loss together it is a great sense of support.

Even though it has taken me much longer than anticipated to get to the weight I am now, I wouldn't have had it any other way as I feel I appreciate it more than what I would have with a ''quick fix''. I have worked so hard to get to my current weight that I am not going to give it all up so easily and when I do reach my goal weight I will make sure to maintain it as best I can. It is so close that the prospect of being given my gold card makes me giddy. It is also important to understand that when goal weight is reached then that is it. Everyone losing weight should know exactly what their goal weight is and not try to lose any less because you will be going below your bodies BMI.

Click here to find out your bodies BMI

I have tried new exercise regimes that I really enjoy and also they give me a lot more energy. I drink a lot more water as I now understand how important it is for my body and my health. The sames goes for eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, my skin is a lot clearer and my energy levels are much higher than what they were prior to having my baby.

Goal Weight to me is such a huge stepping stone in my life that will help me to be happier in my body and confident once again, having a baby is such an over whelming and happy time in your life that can sometimes be over shadowed with the prospect of wanting to get back to your old figure. My advice to all new mothers is to enjoy this new time and not worry to much about your post baby weight. It has taken 9 months to put on this weight so it will take you as much time if not more to get rid of it which is OK - we are only human after all. We are the only judges of ourselves and anybody Else's negative opinions to not matter. It is so important to lose weight at a healthy pace as it is more likely to stay off long term. What I have learnt from Weight watchers I am truly grateful for. I now have all the tools to lead a healthy lifestyle for now and in the future.

So for these next few weeks I will be trying my hardest to get my goal weight.
My current weight is 9 stone 11 lbs and my goal weight will be 9 stone 4 lbs which will be a healthy BMI for me - it is different for everyone. I have exactly 7 lbs or half a stone left to reach this which I will keep reminding myself. I have lost so much already that I hope this comes soon enough. I have set myself a goal of losing 1 lb a week which is realistic with healthy eating and exercise. Hopefully it shouldn't be long more before I am one of those gold card holders I so envy right now :-)

Regards,
Naoimh