Feb 28 2014

Tips on Keeping Your Resolution to Lose Weight in 2014

Posted on February 28, 2014 by admin

2014 is in full swing and the momentum from the resolutions you made on December 31, 2013 are starting to wane. You’re old familiar habits are slowly beginning to re-emerge… STOP. RIGHT. THERE. Don’t let this happen. There are literally hundreds of tips to help you reach your goals and more importantly, maintain them. Motivation or rather, a lack of it is probably the number one reason for individuals not reaching their weight loss objective. Let’s go over a few tips to help increase and maintain your motivation and thus achieve your goals.

1) Reminders. Creating reminders in the form of motivational tidbits is probably the most effective way to stay on track and it’s one of the simplest things you can do too. In the age of electronics, you literally have motivation at your fingertips. Download a health/fitness motivation app which will help you to track your progress, remind you of goals and pour out little inspirational quotes/images to help you throughout the day. I know Facebook is a great resource, just “like” a fitness page and you’ll have hourly quotes, pics and recipes to help you stay on track for your goals.

2) In the same vein, keep track of your progress. On your day-to-day grind you might not see results but when you keep track of your weight and measurements consistently and not obsessively (mind you), you are sure to see results which will further motivate you to stay on track.

3) Hold yourself accountable, this means stop making excuses. Sorry but sometimes tough love is necessary. Life is unpredictable, something always happens, you have to roll-with-the-bunches and be flexible. You have to find the time and energy to make your goals achievable come what may. Remember, these are YOUR goals, only you can allow yourself to be deterred so keep that in mind.

4) A support system is without a doubt one of the greatest motivators. Having someone or groups of people who you can share your experiences with will encourage you to discuss struggles, share successes and ultimately validate your efforts. Building camaraderie with others who have similar goals and going through similar experiences will further encourage you to stay on track. Don’t underestimate the value in joining a fitness community, online or otherwise. It can be the difference between staying with your goals and falling off the horse.

5) Be very specific and detailed about your goals and outline a method for realistically achieving them. Many people falter because they set a goal but they have no direction. Do lots of research and make lists. Set aside some time to evaluate how you’re going to achieve your goals. When will you exercise? For how long? What exercises? When will you eat? What foods will you eat? When you’re making a lifestyle change, conscious and careful planning is a must. When you have a clear direction, following the path is made that much easier.

Good Luck on your healthy living resolutions and stick with it, your body will thank you!
Disclaimer: This post was written for My Mills Baby by Dr. Anne Hermann. Anne is the owner and operator at Herman Wellness, a Tampa Acupuncture and Weight Loss Clinic.

Feb 2 2014

Kick My Habits with Leeds Building Society

Posted on February 2, 2014 by admin

We all have niggling little vices that cost us a bomb year-in, year-out. Whether it’s a computer game obsession, a weakness for buying every new trend featured in Style magazine, that cheeky Saturday night (…. and Friday night… and possibly Thursday night) takeaway, or something entirely more filthy like smoking - we allow these habits to gnaw away at our bank account and try to pop them to the back of minds. We’ll excuse the over-spend with peppy little thoughts of “Oh well, we all deserve a treat now and again” or “At least it means some of my pay check went on myself this month”, and before we know it we’re having to sit on hold for 30 minutes to British Gas as we’ve defaulted on a direct debit.

Well Leeds Building Society have come up with a snazzy little app to shock us into realising just how much these little vices are setting us back. Spread across 8 of the most common habits we typically splurge on (including takeaways, alcohol, cigarettes, nights out, beauty, and technology) you can tot up your total weekly spend and a handy percentage calculator will show how many other people are falling into the same trap. Once you’ve spilled the beans on each of the 8 featured habits, you press the button to kick your habits and the app will give you a yearly summary of your spend.

Handily this Kick My Habits tool will not only calculate what this horrific sum totals per year, but also what extra money it could generate if placed in a savings account. This is based on an average savings rate of 1.65% (as worked out by the guys over at Money Supermarket).

I worked mine out based on my pre-pregnancy weekly spend. I smoked, I drank, I was (am still am) a sucker for make-up and beauty products and have been known to take the odd shortcut at meal-times… the cumulative total was £4576 per year (plus £75.50 extra I could have saved). That’s all money that could go towards a deposit on a new house or towards the children’s futures.

Now I’m pregnant, I’ve ditched the fags and booze but am still giving £60 per week away to the guys at Subway, Superdrug and Vue Cinema. That’s still £3.1 grand (plus £50 extra)!

I’m not advocating giving up the odd G&T down the pub, or doing away with date-night’s - but it would be nice to bump up our savings and put it towards an extra holiday, a new sofa, or tuck it into the university fund. There’s so much Craig and I want to do for the children (including the big move to Oz when they’re primary school age) that it certainly makes you think about what January 2015 could look like if I went a few weeks this year without a nail varnish or two…

So over to you! What’s your guilty pleasure, and what’s it setting you back every year?

In association with Leeds Building Society

Jan 2 2013

The Plan for 2013 - Baby 2 and Watching People in Leotards!

Posted on January 2, 2013 by admin

So we’re two days into 2013 and Dexter has survived his first year-end with us as his mummy and daddy. The year passed pretty uneventfully to be honest as I fell asleep on the sofa at 11.30pm whilst Craig watched Channel 4′s House Party with a cheeky beer.

2013 is set to be a big one as I’ve decided to take on the mammoth challenge of losing weight and having a baby before the year is through. The first resolution is already well underway as the fridge is full of vegetables and fresh fruit and there’s a decided lack of carbs to snack on. I seem to be in the fridge every two minutes frantically searching for a bit of cheese or chocolate but it simply isn’t there to graze on.

Exercise will have to be light as we have no way of telling when I’ll fall pregnant (I’m pretty sure the midwife would get a bit moody with me if I start an Olympic programme in the first trimester!). There’s a new DVD out that I’m already eyeing up so I can at least pretend to exercise - What to Expect When You’re Expecting (The Workout) - the aim is to watch at least an hour of people in leotards everyday - hopefully I’ll be inspired to join in.

I’m sure joining the two-under-two club will also not be everyone’s cup of tea. I’m under no illusion that I’m letting myself in for a tough few years. However, it’s well thought through and Craig and I are 100% sure we’re doing the right thing for us. We always wanted for Dexter to have a sibling and it’s important to us that they’re close in age. Dexter is a really loving baby and is used well used to chaos and loud noises with all his toddler cousins - we already know he’ll make an excellent big brother and the two will become best buddies.

If I’m honest, I also really hate being pregnant and want to reclaim my body next year (2014). Having suffered with PND with Dex - many will think we’re idiots to add another little person to the mix - but I have always been a bit of a ‘all or nothing’ girl and I promise to take a big break before number 3 to focus on me. The thought of working hard to control my weight, then getting pregnant fills me with dread! I’d much rather eat healthily so I don’t gain too much this time around, then dedicate a few years to getting back in shape. By 2015 I’ll be super mum to two beautiful children and will be back to Kardashian size (I wish!).

Wish me luck guys! I wish you all every success with your own plans for 2013 x