Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - Update #3

I'm really slow at getting this up this week - I literally didn't have time to do it on Friday and I forgot to weigh myself.  Then I did weigh myself yesterday, but forgot to post it... Anyway, here you go, week 3 of the Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge.  I'm not doing very well - I've lost nothing thing week.  I'm sure that the crap eating and lack of exercise is to blame! 

I hope the rest of you are doing better than me!

Participants:

Katie, the Bristol Beauty Blog - Week 1: Lost 1 lb; Week 2: Lost 1lb; Week 3: STS
Rachelle, Behind the Shoes - Week 1: Lost 4 lb; Week 2: lost 1 lb
Ray, Who is She??? - Week 1: Lost 1.5 lb; Week 2: Lost 1.5 lb
Mrs Ari - Week 2: Lost 1 lb
Missy Ellie, Ellie's Beauty Blog -Week 2: Lost 2 lb
Hannah, Betwixt Beauty - Week 2: Lost 1.4 lb
Lucy, Beauty and the Blogger
Kat, Kat's Beauty Reviews Week 1: Lost 1lb
Elle, Beauty Abroad Week 1: Lost 2lb already! Week 2: Lost 1 lb
Lovelaine94, Fi's Beauty Box Week 2: Lost 2 Lb

Let me know how you're doing and I'll edit the list...

Thanks for reading! xx

Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - Update #2

Hello all!  Well, I've been a bit slack on the old exercise front this week, but have been eating pretty well, so I'm pleased to have lost 1 lb.  Only 5 more to go, and 3 weeks to do it in!  I'd better step it up, I think!

I did start to go for a run last weekend - I was intending to do 5 miles.  However, after I'd run a mile, one of the many straps on my (frankly over-engineered) sports bra decided to ping off.  I ducked down an alley to try to sort it out, but there was no way I was going to fix it without taking my bra off!  So I was forced to walk home the mile I'd just run (as my boobs were now unequal) and by the time I got in, I was really cold and grumpy, so I gave up on going out again... 

Participants:

Katie, the Bristol Beauty Blog - Week 1: Lost 1 lb; Week 2: Lost 1lb
Rachelle, Behind the Shoes - Week 1: Lost 4 lb; Week 2: lost 1 lb
Ray, Who is She??? - Week 1: Lost 1.5 lb; Week 2: Lost 1.5 lb
Mrs Ari - Week 2: Lost 1 lb
Missy Ellie, Ellie's Beauty Blog -Week 2: Lost 2 lb
Hannah, Betwixt Beauty - Week 2: Lost 1.4 lb
Lucy, Beauty and the Blogger
Kat, Kat's Beauty Reviews Week 1: Lost 1lb
Elle, Beauty Abroad Week 1: Lost 2lb already! Week 2: Lost 1 lb
Lovelaine94, Fi's Beauty Box Week 2: Lost 2 Lb

I've had a couple of updates already - well done ladies!  The rest of you, let me know how you're doing and I'll edit the list...

Thanks for reading! xx

Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - Update #1

Sorry this is so late - I left home at 6 this morning and returned at about half nine in the evening - what a long day I've had in London!

I did manage to weigh in for the first time this morning, and I'm pleased to report that I've lost a pound!  Whoo hoo!

To be honest, my diet and exercise has been a bit stop/start this week.  I've done a 4 mile run and gone to pilates, but a run I had scheduled for yesterday was scuppered as I ended up working really late, and then I came home and ate rubbish!  Today I managed to drink only skinny lattes and water whilst I was out and about in London, but I did eat half a lemon drizzle cake that was forced on me by a client (I had to eat it to be polite) and I did eat some yummy thai food at the amazing Churchill Arms in Notting Hill with my big sister after I finished working.  To be fair, we shared a main course, so hopefully it wasn't too fatty!

Participants:

Katie, the Bristol Beauty Blog - Week 1: Lost 1 lb
Rachelle, Behind the Shoes - Week 1: Lost 4 lb
Ray, Who is She??? - Week 1: Lost 1.5 lb
Mrs Ari
Missy Ellie, Ellie's Beauty Blog
Hannah, Betwixt Beauty
Lucy, Beauty and the Blogger
Kat, Kat's Beauty Reviews Week 1: Lost 1lb
Elle, Beauty Abroad Week 1: Lost 2lb already!
Lovelaine94, Fi's Beauty Box

If you've started losing weight already and weighed in today, let me know what you've lost and I'll update this post.  If not, I will post again next Friday and hopefully there will be a big loss from everyone!

If you want to join in, the aim is to lose 7lb by Friday 23rd December and look fabulous for Christmas!  Just let me know and I'll add you to the list.

Thanks for reading! xx

Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - Anyone Want To Join?

Last year I ran a weight loss challenge for fellow bloggers in the run up to Christmas.  I wasn't going to this year, but I realised that I've put on nearly half a stone since the summer - eek!  I thought to mitigate some of the damage that Christmas will cause, I'll set myself a little challenge to try and lose that half a stone before Christmas!

I've got nearly 5 weeks, so losing weight at a sensible 1-2lb per week should mean that 7lb is more than possible.  I've weighed in today and have started this morning, however, I thought that if anyone wants to join me I'd hold official weigh in days on Fridays.  That way Friday 23rd December will be the last day of the challenge - just in time to tuck into Christmas goodies!

If you want to join me, just comment, tweet or email me and also include your blog name if you have one.  If you want to start dieting today, let me know and you can have your first weigh in on Friday.  If you do want to join, I'll post every Friday and you can let me know how much you have lost that week and in total.  You don't have to give your starting weight, just how much you have lost.

The more the merrier!  This is a supportive challenge, not a competitive one, so don't worry if you only lose a pound - we're here to support you!

Participants:

Katie, the Bristol Beauty Blog
Rachelle, Behind the Shoes
Ray, Who is She???
Mrs Ari
Missy Ellie, Ellie's Beauty Blog
Hannah, Betwixt Beauty
Lucy, Beauty and the Blogger
Kat, Kat's Beauty Reviews

I recommend a gradual and sensible approach to weight loss, so I think a 7lb target for everyone is sensible - although I find if I haven't dieted for a while, there's quite often a big loss in the first week!

Thanks for reading! xx

Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - How Did We Do?

OK, I've got everyone's weigh in now, so here is the final result of the Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge...

The Bristol Beauty Blog -1lb, -3lb, -0lb, +2lb, -2lb -2lb, -1lb, +1lb = -6lb

Fudge Smoothies -1lb -lb = -2lb

Who is She??? -4lb, -4lb, -3lb, week off, -3lb, week off, -2lb = -16lb!!!  (Extra Gold Star for you!)

Behind the Shoes -1lb, - 2lb, -0.5, -0.5lb, sts, -2lb, -0.5lb, -4lb  = -10.5lb (and 1 bmi point - Bronze Star for you!)

Real Girls Beauty -0.5lb, -1lb, -2lb, -2lb = -5.5lb

Stacey @ The HQ of Beauty -0.5lb, -1.5lb, -0.5, -0lb, -1lb, sts, -1.5lb = -5lb

Leanne @ Obsessive Cosmetics Disorder -3.5lb, - 3lb, -1lb, -1.5lb, +.5lb, -1lb, -4lb = -13.5lb (Silver Star for you!)

Sweet Like Jelly - sts, - 2lb, -2lb  = -4lb

Lucy Duckett -1lb, - 2lb, -3lb, -1lb, -1lb = -8lb (Well done on breaking the 7lb mark!)

Well done everyone - we've all lost something and 4 of you have lost more than half a stone, with Who is Shee??? losing more than a stone (and Leanne and Rachelle not far behind)!

We're all going to look fabulous in our party dresses - I'm looking forward to the photos!

Anyway, here are the final stats: collectively we've lost a total of 70.5lb, or 5stone and half a pound!!!  Brilliant everyone!  Anyway, I'm sure I'll see some of you back here in January with a new weight loss challenge, and I know some of you are going to continue over the next few weeks - good luck for that!

As for me, I'm going to enjoy all the Christmas goodies over the next few weeks, and probably put on all the weight I've lost, but I'll be back in January to lose some more - I've got a number of weddings to go to next summer, so that's some good old motivation!

Happy Christmas all!

xx

Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - Final Week!

Hello ladies - it's the final week of the Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - are we all going to look svelte in our Christmas party dresses?  

In a final flurry, I put on a pound this week.... :(   It is that time of the month though, so I'm not too upset, especially seeing as I did hit the 7lb last week!

The Bristol Beauty Blog -1lb, -3lb, -0lb, +2lb, -2lb -2lb, -1lb, +1lb = -6lb

Fudge Smoothies -1lb -lb = -2lb

Who is She??? -4lb, -4lb, -3lb, week off, -3lb, week off = -14lb!!!  (Extra Gold Star for you!)

Behind the Shoes -1lb, - 2lb, -0.5, -0.5lb, sts, -2lb, -0.5lb  = -6.5lb (and 1 bmi point)

Real Girls Beauty -0.5lb, -1lb, -2lb, -2lb = -5.5lb

Stacey @ The HQ of Beauty -0.5lb, -1.5lb, -0.5, -0lb, -1lb, sts = -3.5lb

Leanne @ Obsessive Cosmetics Disorder -3.5lb, - 3lb, -1lb, -1.5lb, +.5lb, -1lb = -9.5lb (Silver Star for you!)

Sweet Like Jelly - sts, - 2lb, -2lb  = -4lb

Lucy Duckett -1lb, - 2lb, -3lb, -1lb = -7lb

Let me know your results this week - last week!!  Good luck all!

xx

Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - Week 7

Hello ladies - well it's the penultimate Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge.  Just one week to go!  I must admit, I didn't update last week's results, and I've got a bit muddled up.  Can you point out if I've got your losses wrong and I'll correct it?! 

I lost 1lb this week, so I've hit the 7lb target! Woohoo!  I've not been that good though, I have had a bit of a tummy bug which has probably helped a bit!  Oh well, I'll take the loss, and just need to maintain it for next week - I must be super-good.

The Bristol Beauty Blog -1lb, -3lb, -0lb, +2lb, -2lb -2lb, -1lb = -7lb

Fudge Smoothies -1lb -lb = -2lb

Who is She??? -4lb, -4lb, -3lb, week off, -3lb, week off = -14lb!!!  (Extra Gold Star for you!)

Behind the Shoes -1lb, - 2lb, -0.5, -0.5lb, sts, -2lb, -0.5lb  = -6.5lb (and 1 bmi point)

Real Girls Beauty -0.5lb, -1lb, -2lb, -2lb = -5.5lb

Stacey @ The HQ of Beauty -0.5lb, -1.5lb, -0.5, -0lb, -1lb, sts = -3.5lb

Leanne @ Obsessive Cosmetics Disorder -3.5lb, - 3lb, -1lb, -1.5lb, +.5lb, -1lb = -9.5lb (Silver Star for you!)

Sweet Like Jelly - sts, - 2lb, -2lb  = -4lb

Lucy Duckett -1lb, - 2lb, -3lb, -1lb = -7lb

Let me know your results this week ladies!

xx

Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - Week 6

I'm a couple of days late with this weeks Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge already?.  Our aim is to lose 7lb by 6th December. It's weigh in #6 already!

I lost 2lb this week!  Get me, back on track!  Just 1lb to go, and two weeks to do it in! 

The Bristol Beauty Blog -1lb, -3lb, -0lb, +2lb, -2lb = -6lb

Fudge Smoothies -1lb -lb = -2lb

Who is She??? -4lb, -4lb, -3lb, week off, -3lb, week off = -14lb!!!  (Extra Gold Star for you!)

Behind the Shoes -1lb, - 2lb, -0.5, -0.5lb, -2lb sts = -6lb

Real Girls Beauty -0.5lb, -1lb, -2lb, -2lb = -5.5lb

Stacey @ The HQ of Beauty -0.5lb, -1.5lb, -0.5, -0lb, -1lb = -3.5lb

Leanne @ Obsessive Cosmetics Disorder -3.5lb, - 3lb, -1lb, -1.5lb, +.5lb, -1lb = -9.5lb (Silver Star for you!)

Sweet Like Jelly - sts, - 2lb, -2lb  = -4lb

Lucy Duckett -1lb, - 2lb, -3lb = -6lb

I've updated my result, as well as Rachelle's, Leanne's and Ray's. Let me know your results this week ladies!

xx

Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - Week 5

Can you believe it's the fifth week of the Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge already?.  Our aim is to lose 7lb by 6th December.

Well the good news from me is I've lost the 2lb I put on last week.  I'm blaming that dratted time of the month (not the food I was shoving down my neck)!  I feel like I'm back on track food wise now, especially as Tescos aren't doing that buy one get TWO FREE Pringles offer any more ;-)

Saying that, I've only lost what I put on last week, so I've still got 3lb to go to meet the target.  Can I make 3lb in 3 weeks????  I'd better stay on track now!

The Bristol Beauty Blog -1lb, -3lb, -0lb, +2lb, -2lb = -4lb

Fudge Smoothies -1lb -lb = -2lb

Who is She??? -4lb, -4lb, -3lb, week off, -3lb = -14lb!!!  (Extra Gold Star for you!)

Behind the Shoes -1lb, - 2lb, -0.5, -0.5lb, sts = -4lb

Real Girls Beauty -0.5lb, -1lb, -2lb, -2lb = -5.5lb

Stacey @ The HQ of Beauty -0.5lb, -1.5lb, -0.5, -0lb, -1lb = -3.5lb

Leanne @ Obsessive Cosmetics Disorder -3.5lb, - 3lb, -1lb, -1.5lb, +.5lb = -8.5lb (Silver Star for you!)

Sweet Like Jelly - sts, - 2lb, -2lb  = -4lb

Lucy Duckett -1lb, - 2lb, -3lb = -6lb

So, collective total time: a MASSIVE 51.5lbs have been lost!!!  Or 3stone, 9.5lbs!  Amazing girls, not long to go now!

Beauty Blogger Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - Week 4 Weigh In

It's the fourth week of the Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - half way there.  Our aim is to lose 7lb by 6th December.

This week my weightloss is a gain!  I'm plus 2lb!

I know I can make all the excuses under the sun (or rain), especially as I'm coming up to the time of the month.  But let's face it - I've been bad all week.  This wasn't helped by the fact we had NO trick or treaters, so we've been munching on fun size mars bars all week "to use them up" and that Tescos had a fantastic offer on Pringles.  I also think I've been slipping up mainly at lunch time, as I've been craving hot food in this cold weather rather than a pathetic salad.  So I've decided to make a little extra of my evening meals each day to heat up for my lunch as well.  Today I had left-overs from my roast dinner yesterday.  It was mainly veg, one roast potato and a bit of chicken, with gravy.  It's really made a difference, as I didn't feel at all hungry in the afternoon.  Hopefully this new tactic will work.

The Bristol Beauty Blog -1lb, -3lb, -0lb, +2lb = -2lb
Fudge Smoothies -1lb -lb = -2lb
Who is She??? -4lb, -4lb, -3lb, week off = -11lb!!!  (Extra Gold Star for you!)
Behind the Shoes -1lb, - 2lb, -0.5, -0.5lb = -4lb
Real Girls Beauty -0.5lb, -1lb, -2lb = -3.5lb
Stacey @ The HQ of Beauty -0.5lb, -1.5lb, -0.5, -0lb = -2.5lb
Leanne @ Obsessive Cosmetics Disorder -3.5lb, - 3lb, -1lb, -1.5lb = -9lb (Silver Star for you!)
Sweet Like Jelly - sts, - 2lb, -2lb  = -4lb
Lucy Duckett -1lb, - 2lb = -3lb

Collectively we've lost 41lb in 4 weeks, or 2 stone 13lb!  Well done everyone! xx

The Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - Weigh In #3

It's the third week of the Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge.  Our aim is to lose 7lb by 6th December.

This week my weightloss is 0lb - a bit of a slip up here from me, although I was expecting worse.  Now for the excuses... I've had a mad week, work has been very stressful, it's been too cold and rainy to exercise, there have been a few things going on family-wise... all the usual excuses really!  Time to get serious - we've still got 5 weeks left so there's plenty of time to get there!

The Bristol Beauty Blog -1lb, -3lb, -0lb = -4lb
Fudge Smoothies -1lb = -1lb
Who is She??? -4lb, -4lb, -3lb = -11lb!!!  (Extra Gold Star for you!)
Margaret - STS
Behind the Shoes -1lb, - 2lb, -0.5 = -3.5lb
Real Girls Beauty -0.5lb, -1lb = -1.5lb
Stacey @ The HQ of Beauty -0.5lb, -1.5lb, -0.5 = -2.5lb
Leanne @ Obsessive Cosmetics Disorder -3.5lb, - 3lb, -1lb = -7.5lb (Silver Star for you!)
Gidders1 (via Twitter)
Sweet Like Jelly - sts, - 2lb, -2lb  = -4lb
Lucy Duckett -1lb, - 2lb = -3lb

Well done everyone.  A total of 38lb collectively lost, or 2st 10lb!!! 

Good luck girlies!  xx

The Beauty Blogers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - Weigh In 2

It's the second week of the Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge.  Our aim is to lose 7lb by 6th December.

This week my weightloss is -3lb!  Not sure how I managed that!

The Bristol Beauty Blog -1lb, -3lb = -4lb
Fudge Smoothies -1lb
Who is She??? -4lb, -4lb = -8lb!!!  (Gold Star for you!)
Margaret - STS
Behind the Shoes -1lb, - 2lb = -3lb
Real Girls Beauty -0.5lb, -1lb = -1.5lb
Stacey @ The HQ of Beauty -0.5lb, -1.5lb = -2lb
Leanne @ Obsessive Cosmetics Disorder -3.5lb, - 3lb = -6.5lb (Silver Star for you!)
Gidders1 (via Twitter)
Sweet Like Jelly - sts, - 2lb = -2lb
Lucy Duckett -1lb, - 2lb = -3lb

So far, we've lost a combined total of... 31lb!!!  or 2st, 3lb.  Fantastic achievement in just 2 weeks!

I started off the week really well, but it's gone downhill over the weekend - it usually does!  At least I'm being good during the week.  This week I'm planning to go walking every lunchtime, as I've been a bit slack doing that recently. 

Good luck girlies!  xx

Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - Weigh In Week 1

The following lovely bloggers and I are taking part in the Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge.  The aim is to lose 7lb by 6th December.  Today is our first weigh in!

I'll start things off - this week my weightloss is minus 1lb!  I'm happy with that!

The Bristol Beauty Blog -1lb
Fudge Smoothies -1lb
Who is She??? -4lb
Margaret
Behind the Shoes -1lb
Real Girls Beauty -0.5lb
Stacey @ The HQ of Beauty -0.5lb
Leanne @ Obsessive Cosmetics Disorder -3.5lb
Gidders1 (via Twitter)
Sweet Like Jelly - sts
Lucy Duckett -1lb

Just either comment here, or tweet me your losses (or not as the case may be), and I'll update this post.  I'd better start up a spreadsheet to record our losses!

I know I'm not the only one, but I've been ill which has scuppered all my plans for exercise, and lead to me eating random food - not loads of food, but not the most healthy - whatever has been easiest to cook.  I've made myself a healthy salad for lunch today, and it's back on track for me tomorrow! 

To make things more fun, I'm thinking of offering a little incentive to whoever loses the most weight.  I'm not sure what yet, but I'll think of something.

Good luck girlies!  xx

Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - The Beginning

Hello ladies.  It's day one of the Beauty Bloggers Christmas Weight Loss Challenge.  The aim is to lose 1/2 stone by 6th December.  That's 8 weeks so it's achievable.

Image from Google Images

The following lovely bloggers have all joined in - anyone else is more than welcome!

Fudge Smoothies
Who is She???
Margaret
Behind the Shoes
Real Girls Beauty

ETA - the following have also joined the challenge:

Stacey @ The HQ of Beauty
Leanne @ Obsessive Cosmetics Disorder
Gidders1 (via Twitter)
Sweet Like Jelly

Also, good luck to:

Lucy @ Beauty and the Blogger
Alice @ Super Gorgeous

with your own diets!
I've started by reactivating my Weight Watchers online account, I'll be pointing my meals today, and going for a mile walk at lunchtime.  I've won't have a chance to do any other exercise today, and I know I won't tomorrow, but a little walk is better than nothing (and burns about 100 calories).

Other ideas to up my activity are doing  my printing at the photocopier rather than my desk printer - I've worked out that 10 trips a day is an additional mile a week!!  Also, I'm parking about 5 minutes walk away from my office.  That stops me driving round and round looking for a space, as well as netting me about 2 extra miles a week.

Have you got any other activity-upping ideas?

I'm going to weigh-in once a week and update every Monday.  I'm quite open about how much I weigh, but I know it's a private thing to many ladies, so I suggest that  we just post how much we've lost, rather than our starting weights etc. 

Good luck ladies!  Imagine how great we'll look in our Christmas party dresses in only 8 short weeks!  Of we go!!!!

Thanks for reading!  xx

Christmas Weight Loss Challenge - Lose Half a Stone by December

Hello everyone.  I've never blogged about weight issues, but like probably most woman in the western world, I feel that I am overweight and need to lose weight.  Not that I am particularly overweight, but with my 5ft 5 frame, and an apple body shape, I carry all my excess weight around my belly, boobs, back (yuck!) and my face.  I know that I'm lucky that I have no issues with my legs or bum - they are as skinny as I want them to be, and I can wear micro mini skirts into my 30s without looking like I'm trying too hard.  However, this makes buying clothes a nightmare.  I range from size 12 in some styles, to finding size 16 a squeeze in others.  But my legs and bum are probably only size 8!  Trousers are particularly bad, as to get them to fit my waist, they usually hang of my legs and look awful.  If they fit my legs, I can't do them up!

My weight has fluctuated throughout my adult life.  In my late teens and early 20s I managed to hold 9 stone dead on.  Slowly my weight crept up to 10 stone, which I managed to maintain by walking the 2.5 miles each way to work and back each day, but eating whatever I liked.  Then I went back to uni in my mid-20s and began to pile on the pounds through poor diet and lack of exercise.  I started doing Weight Watchers in 2005/6 when I hit more than 11 1/2 stone, and got down to about 10 1/2 stone.  Since then, I've maintained between 10 - 11 stone, occasionally doing Weight Watchers when I've felt heavy.

My friend and I had a bit of a weight loss challenge going over the summer - we each wanted to lose at least a stone, and we did well to lose over half a stone each, despite giving up half way through.  Since then, I've been maintaining at 10 stone dead on, but we decided to have a little weight loss challenge for the next 8 weeks, so we're looking fabulous for the Christmas party season.  We start on Monday, weighing in every Monday until 6th December.  My aim is to lose at least half a stone, to take me to 9 1/2 stone - any more will be a bonus!  This should be easily achievable as it's less than 1lb a week, so I can even have a slip-up without worrying too much. 

I'll be doing a quick update post every Monday to keep me in check - if anyone else wants to join me, you're more than welcome - it all helps with a bit of moral support!

All images from Google Images

I'll be following Weight Watchers online, and counting my points.  I'll also be doing some running, walking and a few classes at the gym.  Let's hope the weight comes off!

Let me know if you want to join me, and we can have a weekly Monday weigh in!

Thanks for reading!  xx