It's 2016 - Time for Resolutions

I can't believe it's 2016!

I also can't believe how long it has been since I lasted posted on this blog.

Christmas has been and gone in a flash, seriously it went by crazy fast. I ate and drank far too much and seriously enjoyed some family time with the kids!
I'm really gutted that the holiday period is over, it's been so nice not having to get up but it will be nice to get back into the normal work routine from tomorrow.

My New Years eve was spent at home with the kids having a quiet night - not a drop of alcohol touched my lips. New Years Eve has been spent this way for many years now and although I sit here looking at other peoples instagram shots wishing I was out having a party, I wouldn't change my New Years Eve for anything, and the added bonus no hangover for me on New Years Day!!! BOOM.

Whilst I was sat waiting for the New Years Fireworks to start I got to thinking about what my resolutions should be?
I try make them every year, but like most people I tend to fail so this year I decided to do something a little bit different.

Resolutions

My first resolution this year is simply to BE HAPPY - This is something that I seriously struggle with. I suffer with anxiety and depression and although I am working hard to sort through my issues happiness isn't something that comes easily to me.
As I'm sure anyone with depression will tell you allowing yourself to feel that you deserve to be happy is a really tough thing!
So this year I will be working on it. I'm well aware that it is going to take time, but hopefully more often than not there will be good days.

My second resolution this year is to stop trying to make year long resolutions. Overall I would like to be happier and healthier in 2016 so I plan on making 12 month long resolutions that will hopefully lead to healthier habits for the future.

So January will be dry January!
I know a lot of people are doing this as a detox after the festive season. I don't really tend to drink a lot but I'm as guilty as anyone of having a glass or two after a long day at work!

So wish me luck......January could be a seriously long month!

How do you feel about resolutions and have you made any?

FIND ME AT THE CLAIRE DIARY

Air Pillows and Sky Riders - A Rand Farm Birthday Party

As mentioned in my last post Monday saw my little madam turn six!
For the last six years I have somehow managed to get away with not throwing her a big birthday bash.....However this year I wasn't to be so lucky!
Cue Madam running home from school announcing she wants a birthday party and has a guest list that would rival the vanity fair oscar party - In fairness it was 8 kids from her class but it had all been planned out!

So that left me searching the internet high and low for party venues in Lincoln.
There certainly isn't a shortage but given that Madam goes to a small village school and is in a class with 12 boys (3 girls) a pretty princess ballet party wasn't going to cut it!
After much searching (arguing) we settled on Rand Farm - perfect for the kids so run around and not too horrendous on my purse either!

We started the party at 2pm. After some discussion with the kids they decided they wanted to run, scream and generally cause mayhem in the playbarn, so we let them. This meant that us and the parents that had stayed were free to sit chat and enjoy a coffee and some very strangely labelled biscuits!

Lunch was at 3pm so we asked the kids if they wanted to feed the animals. They all seemed less than impressed but agreed to partake a few minutes before lunch. Cue 8 kids running off in different directions, and trying to distinguish what in fact was an animal noise or what in fact was coming from a child.

Lunch obviously went down a treat and there was a generous array of fresh sandwiches, fruit, biscuits and other party delights.

Lunch had - then they mayhem really started! Tractor rides and playing on the newly refurbished park.
Its safe to say the air pillow and tobbogan rides were a hit with the kids and adults alike.
My legs were still sore from bouncing the following day - in fact I'm fairly certain David Lloyd should install them in all their gyms!

My verdict on the party.......FAB Well organised, safe fun environment for the kids with freedom to do as you wish! 10/10 - Will we be returning? YES!!!

Little Madams verdict........Cool (I think that is a good thing!)

20 Ways to Make Yourself Happy!

1) SMILE!

2) Reward yourself for good habits

3) Eat something really good! - The healthier the better you will feel

4) Stop Worrying

5) Stop Procrastinating

6) Be Productive

7) Do some Yoga and Relax

8) Exercise

9) Have a duvet Day - Netflix anyone?

10) Make a Plan

11) Stop thinking negatively

12) Stop gossiping and listening to rumors!

13) Log off social media for a WHOLE day

14) Clean the house - It'll make you feel better

15) Read a new book

16) Get outside into nature

17) Put some music on and turn the volume up LOUD!

18) Do something creative

19) Start a Diary

20) Decide to be HAPPY

What makes you Happy?

Say HELLO on Instagram @claire22sawyer

Hunger!

THIS!!!!!

Never has a statement resonated with me more! I have no clue as to what is wrong with me at the minute but I can not stop eating! I'm hoping its due to my increase in weight training again?

Currently enjoying this at work!

oooooh the glamour!

So much for clean eating and trying to be sugar free??

Might have to start that one again.

On another note I've decided to give up popcorn for lent! This is huuuge for me as I am totally addicted to the stuff!

Also going to make sure I stick to my training plan until Easter - I know not strictly giving up but I need to see some serious results before summer #summerbodiesaremadeinwinter!

Do you have any plans to give anything up for lent?

Hibernation

This last week has to have been one of the hardest of the year so far. I am so tired it's unreal.
Whilst I love having a routine again, the early mornings and rushing around are breaking me! They seem so much harder this term, than they were at the back end of last year.

Now the nights are getting darker I'm feeling a huge urge to get comfy, snuggle in and sleep lots! Unfortunatley the kids have other ideas. Despite being quite literally exhausted from their first week at school they still want ot attend clubs, see their friends and continuously eat!

Right now I'm really looking forward to October Half Term!

10 Things About Me

I've not been blogging for all that long so it strikes me that many of you won't know all that much about me!
So here are 10 things you didn't know.........

1) I'm originally a Yorkshire girl! Always will be at heart! Whilst I love living in Lincoln going back to Yorkshire always makes me feel a little bit happier

2) I suffer really badly with panic attacks and anxiety. This isn't something I'm proud of or like to talk about too much really - maybe one day.

3) I would love love love to own my own pretty traditional sweet shop.

4) I met my husband when I was 17

5) I had my son when I was 18!

6) I don't regret many things but I do regret letting myself put on so much weight and not taking proper care of myself.

7) I wish I'd gotten over worrying about what people think of me sooner and hit the gym harder when I was younger! The weight might have come off easier then!

8) I have three cats, Samba, Farrow and Fang. I'm still not sure if I'm a cat person but I prefer it when they are around.

9) I've only learnt to LOVE shopping within the last couple of months. I've spent 99% of my adult life hating shops - to be honest not sure if it's the shops or the way I felt when I couldn't fit in anything that I hated?

10) .....and FINALLY.......I am a HUGE Strictly Come Dancing Fan and am quite literally counting the days to when it will be back on!

The Great British Bake Off

I love cake! Just putting that out there!

No but seriously I do love cake - I didn't get to the weight I was by eating cucumber and salad. However I am an appauling baker. It's one thing that has been on my todo list forever but due to all manner of excuses I've never gotten round to learning!

For the last few years I've satisified my need to bake by watching the bakers struggle on The Great British Bake off. I love it.
Let's be honest it's the best way I get to watch someone else making the cakes and don't have to struggle with the temptation to eat the cakes at the end of it!

I really will learn to bake - In fact I might make it my mission to learn before the end of the year.

Do you have any easy recipes you could share with me?

The British Tag

Jumping on the bandwagon with this post I'm afraid folks.....It's the British Tag! Thanks to Sammi From Beauty Crush for coming up with the idea :-)

I am British born and bred and although some most days I dream about living in warmer climes I actually wouldn't want to leave!

So without further ado here are my answers............

HOW MANY CUPS OF TEA DO YOU HAVE A DAY + HOW MANY SUGARS?

I don't drink all that much tea since I started my diet....water kind of took over so maybe 2/3 tops. I don't have any milk or sugar either......how boring is that?

FAVOURITE PART OF YOUR ROAST?

For this I'm torn! I love love love proper roast potatoes....not shop bought ones but proper ones like my grandmother used to make! I also love Yorkshire Puddings. It's not a proper roast without either of them!

FAVOURITE DUNKING BISCUIT?

This has to be Malted Milk - I know a lot of people hate them and I just don't get it they're gorgeous and hold the tea well whilst dunking :-)

FAVOURITE QUINTESSENTIALLY BRITISH PASTIME?

You'll see from my Instagram feed that I love the good old British Seaside. I love to see the kids playing on the beach and eating good old traditional FRESH fish and chips....not part of the clean eating lifestyle but I call it my cheat meal :-)

FAVOURITE WORD?

There's a lot of words that I use that are perhaps best to be left unsaid on here!

COCKNEY RHYMING SLANG?

Apples and Pears = Stairs. Dog and Bone = Phone.  Hank Marvin = Starving.  Adam & Eve = Believe
That's all I know....not very good am I?

FAVOURITE SWEET?

Floral Gums, Midget gems and proper Wine gums from a proper sweet shop.

WHAT WOULD YOUR PUB BE CALLED?

Honestly no idea?? I really can't think of a name? Maybe The Spitfire????

No. 1 BRITISH PERSON?

Well I'm going to have to say The Queen.....Who else???

FAVOURITE SHOP / RESTAURANT?

Is this British or just in general??
BRITISH - Joules & or Next and a good traditional English Pub. Our local does a good meal!

FAVOURITE BRITISH SONG?

Hmmmmmmmm Hey Jude always pops into my head - can't say it's my favourite but it does seem very British after all it gets played at every opening / closing ceremony and festival.......
Otherwise maybe Adele Someone Like You?

MARMITE?

Yes Yes Yes..... I bloomin LOVE the stuff. when I was little I'd eat so much that it would burn my mouth.....Always looked like I had a clown smile.
Now I love a slice of Marmite on Toast when I'm tucked up on a winters Sunday morning........BLISS.

I TAG YOU......What are you're favourites??

North Norfolk Coast

WARNING PICTURE HEAVY!!

This weekend we decided we would take the kids on a trip to the seaside. Having spent nearly 30 years visiting Whitby every summer I decided it would be nice to have a change and find another pretty , non tacky seaside town! We're also going camping in a few weeks so thought it would be good to investigate!

After nearly 4 hours in the car (traffic) we arrived in Wells next the Sea! It was gorgeous! The little town had just enough shops and a lovely little cafe. We spent about 2 hours wandering in and out of the shops and the kids had a go at crabbing.

To get to the beach we took the little land train. The beach was lovely and clean and had a fab sea channel which was perfect for the kids to jump and play in and we didn't have to worry too much!

Later on we headed to Hunstanton for Fish and Chips and to watch the sunset. 

The kids had a great day! We will certainly be heading back there soon! I'm hoping to buy a beach hut :-)

Which Seaside Town do you visit?

The Play House

I've been looking for and promising the little Miss a playhouse for a long time now and we finally found one.....Well kind of!
Next door were getting rid of there's as both their kids have grown up and really outgrown it. While it isn't the perfect summer house I'd pictured buying for the little Miss it is certainly a fixer upper :-)

So now starts that makeover...........

I've been hunting on Pinterest for some serious Play house decoration inspiration and think I've found the perfect house.....Just need to buy the paint now........

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Looking after the Burn!

Ok so that title may be slightly misleading. Whilst we all know I LOVE the feeling of muscle burn when training, this post is in fact about sunburn and looking after your skin!

This past weekend we took the kids Fishing. Whilst I actually hate fishing with a passion I'm not going to lie it was quite nice to just lie there in the sun while the kids were entertained.
Now I am fairly anal about applying sun cream. My grandmother died from a form of skin cancer and since then it has shaken me up a fair bit.

On a daily basis I wear an SPF moisturiser, however on Sunday after lying in the sun for what seemed like forever my face was fairly burnt and tight when I got home!

Not too long ago I had a massive panic about turning 30 and invested in some Nivea Q10 anti ageing night cream. To be honest I found it too thick for my skin and it brought me out in spots. Everyone told me my skin wasn't ready for it so I put it in a drawer and forgot about it.....Until SUNDAY!

When I went to bed Sunday night I absolutely lathered it on! It made the most PERFECT aftersun for my face. I woke up the next morning and my skin was fully soothed and hydrated and all the redness had gone down!
I certainly wont be investing in expensive after sun treatments when this works so well!

Currently On offer in Boots for £4.99

Half Term, Rain and No Gym!

This week has been Half Term for the kids! They love the break from school, I love having them at home, however my gym schedule and diet certainly don't.

The school summer holidays (6 whole weeks)  are fast approaching so therefore I figured it might be a good time now to start researching other methods of working out at home and with the kids around.

Ways to Work Out At Home

1. Running - This is clearly the most obvious choice. Going for a run can take as little or as much time as you have/want. You can burn some serious calories running so this makes it great for maintaining the weight loss. However what if you don't like running or can't run???

2. Cycling - This summer might be time to dust off the road bike and get back outside. Again I don't really enjoy this. I'm very much an exercise class kinda girl......I like the social aspect of it and find cycling quite lonely, however again the calorie burn can be huge.....guess I could go tackle a few hills and get the same effects as a spin session.

3. 30 Day Shred - This will most certainly be on my list! I need a way to still build muscle over the holidays without having to buy crazy expensive gym equipment (I'll still be paying my gym membership after all). I love the results you get with the 30 day shred however I seem to have only gotten big results when I've combined it with all of my other classes.

4. Take the kids for a run round the park - This is something my kids would totally LOVE! Any mention of the park and they are at the door, shoes on ready to go. Throw in the option to race mum around the field and they'd be more than happy!

While that covers most of my exercise needs I do still need to find away to carry on with my weight training. I also need to find a way to keep my eating habits in check....I'm finding it all too easy to just eat crap and stuff myself when the kids are off!

Neon Pink or Mums Choice?

This weekend I spent a lot of time cleaning the crap out of the Little Miss's bedroom - Cleaning burns lots of calories right? In actual fact I was still sore after my PT session and tossing things in bin bags was all I could manage.
It completely baffles me how kids can accumulate bits of broken toys, random pieces of paper and other such delights without it bothering them!
Well not now! I had a good clean out and considering her room is the smallest in the house I still managed to dispose of three bin bags worth of junk.
Now her room is all clean I really want to start decorating. The only problem is The Little Miss wants neon pink Hello Kitty (shit my worst nightmare) and I want pretty, clean and cute........How on earth do I get round this?

So just in case I don't win this battle here is some of the inspiration I've been looking at:

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Motivation

My motivation is seriously lacking again! I've eaten rubbish this past weekend, and although i've still done a fair bit of exercise I'm back to feeling fat and really unmotivated.

I seem to go through phases. I'll go from smashing every gym session to not being in the mood and having a few bad days! However when I have big goals to achieve and not a massive amount of time to achieve them in, I can't afford to go back to the unmotivated me!

I've got it in my head that a "little won't hurt" or "one day off is ok". I don't want to fail and I somehow need to move on from this asap.

When I'm actually at the gym there isn't a problem. I know I'm getting stronger, I know I'm getting smaller and fitter and one hell of a lot healthier. Getting myself to the gym and to keep up with my diet is the problem.

Over the last 2 weeks I've been told by numerous people that I'm looking amazing, and to be honest while I totally love the compliments I think the pressure is getting to me. I want to look good for my 30th and I want to prove that I can do this, but I am also mega scared of failing!! I've spent a lot of money and taken a lot of time to get this far - what if I balls it all up now?

At the end of the day I have 2 choices....either I ignore the niggling doubts and chose to get on and smash it again or I decide now to fail.........For me failure is now not an option, I've come to far to let it be.

Life isn't all rainbows, unicorns and flowers.....just really wish it was sometimes!

Am I a Selfish Parent???

This is something that I have been wondering about for a while. I now spend a lot of time at the gym or doing some form of exercise. 

Most of the time (90%) I workout when the kids are at school or in bed so it doesn't affect them, but over the Easter holidays I've had to go and put them in the kids club at the gym. One evening a week I go to my body pump class and miss putting my daughter to bed in order to go. It is only one evening but it has left me wondering if making losing weight such a priority is in fact making me a selfish parent??

My daughter started school in September and my husband and myself decided that this would be the year I got to spend on myself and finally lose the weight. So I planned on treating going to the gym like having a job, I'd put in as many hours as I could and see what happened!
Well as any other working mum will tell you working and having kids is hard and you are often left feeling guilty for something. This seems to be the case with going to the gym too. Over the past few months I've been on the recieving end of a few comments from the other people I know asking when I'm going to go back to work - I explain about the choice my husband and I have made and I get looked at like I've gone mad! 

"Well I could never spend that much time on myself"

"I'm too busy looking after the house/kids/husband"

These are the comments I tend to get. This only seems to be adding to my feelings of guilt. 

Personally I feel like I'm a better parent since I started losing weight. My kids don't care what I look like they love me regardless but I'm now able to do things I couldn't before. 

I know it sounds cliche but playing on the park, pushing them in the swings - these are things that matter to the kids and the things they remember, not that once a week mummy wasn't there at bedtime! I'm looking after myself and ensuring that I'll be around for my kids and grandkids when we are all old. Surely that suggests I'm doing this for us all not just myself????

Planning.....

When I decided to start trying to lose weight I had one massive end goal in sight! I wanted to be skinny by my 30th Birthday in October. Since I set that goal I've ended up setting a ton of other smaller goals some I didn't mean to set and others I didnt manage to achieve but throughout this process, setting goals and planning my next stages are what really has kept me motivated!

So I've decided to share my next mini goal with you.............We've been invited to an event during May! This is the first time I will have seen a lot of the people at this event since before I started on this journey so I want it to be obvious how well I've done, and on top of that I want to be able to fit into a really cute outfit!

This past weekend I decided that with 17 days to go it was time I got myself motivated so I drew up a plan.....

My 32 day plan basically consists of working through the 30 day shred and setting out what days I'm going to do my PT weights programme, Body Pump, Spinning aswell as continuing with my running. Phew I'm exhausted just looking at that list.

As of today I have 14 days (2 SHORT WEEKS) until the event however I've devised a 32 day plan to get me through the rest of the month.

As well as the exercise plan I've decided to limit my carb intake. I'm still going to eat carbs - I really need them as fuel for my workouts but not in the evenings and certainly not have as many of them!

So far I've managed three days of the plan without any hiccups. Easter was a bit of a challenge but I have my gold Lindt bunny as a reward after the event in 2 weeks time! To be perfectly honest with you I find having a schedule to stick to easier than not having one, it seems to be keeping me motivated.........as well as this :-)

LINDT BUNNY - AVAILABLE IN ALL GOOD SUPERMARKETS

The Bunny is Coming!!!!

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ITS EASTER WEEKEND!!!!!! Yey!!!! I've been looking forward to the long weekend for a while! Not for any reason in particular but it'll just be lovely to have a weekend with the kids and the husband! I'm still planning on hitting the gym tomorrow but due to it being Good Friday I get the week off PT - I've got a double session next week to make up for it though!

Anyway given that I'm planning on spending this weekend with the husband and kids and indulging in an easter egg, I wont be back posting until Tuesday!

Have a great Easter weekend whatever you are doing! Don't feel guilty for a little indulgence!!

Clean Cheating!

I love being able to have a cheat meal/treat once a week. To be honest it really is the only thing that keeps me sane! So when I found this popcorn at the gym I couldn't have been happier!

Metcalfe's Skinny Topcorn has the most amazing flavour and is only 108 calories for 24g bag! It is amazingly filling too. So much so that I don't feel the need to pick at anything else after having eaten it.

Saturday or Sunday afternoons usually consist of sitting down and watching a film as a family! It's also the time of the week that the kids get to enjoy some form of sweet treat. For the last few weeks I've hated feeling left out, and it really has been an almighty test of my will power!
Now I've found this little beauty it really will be my saving grace! I strongly suggest you pop out and find some!

Available at Sainsburys and Waitrose

New Blog Design

Whoo! I finally have a new blog design! I got it from the amazing MISS LILLY DESIGNS on Etsy.
To be fair I'm a total nightmare when it comes to things like this and in three weeks time I will more than likely change my mind and decide I want something different, but for now I really love this design! I think it totally sums up my journey and personality! What do you all think?

Anyway.........This week......Its the first week of the Easter Holidays here in the UK, So that has meant trying to entertain the kids as well as fitting in my gym schedule! So far it has all worked out well. I'm lucky enough that we go to a gym that has an active kids club program. So while the kids have been in there I've been hitting the gym hard after my week off!

I've mainly been doing my PT programme but this week I've also decided to add an abs routine to the programme. I've still got a lot of fat to lose on my stomach but figured if I start working on my abs now by the time the fat has gone there may be something to show......I'm not 100% sure it works like that but here's to wishful thinking!

Shredding......

In keeping with ramping things up for April, I've decided to also do the 30 day shred.....I've never done this before but have see some amazing results from it.

I'm planning on doing this in conjunction with my current personal training plan, classes and running training! Surely one of those will work?

Anyway.....I PROMISE I will take some before photos although I think I might post them at the end of the shred.....Yes I know I'm rubbish but think before photos are turning into quite a big thing for me!

This week so far has not really started. I've been avoiding weight training due to hurting my knee last week, but decided last night to go for a 2K run with the boy. It wasn't a fast run and I was being seriously careful due to my knee, but it turned out to be OK and the boy is a fairly good trainer....he's only ten but I think I've found his future career!