Weight Loss

You may have seen that I have written a series of Weight Watchers Weight Loss posts on my blog over the last couple of months. I have been working hard to loose the weight I put on following surgery, but I must admit the last couple of weeks I have been so busy with work, starting and setting up my new Phoenix Trading business (which you can have a sneaky look at, if you fancy www.phoenix-trading.co.uk/web/julieclarke/ ) that my diet has gone completely out of the window. I seriously have not ordered any shopping in for over 10 days so couldn't follow the plan even if I wanted too.

Luckily, I don't know how, I have managed to retain my weight loss but seriously need to get back to my classes, order in a healthy food shop and plan a week of good meals before it slowly creeps back on again.

So by writing these posts I feel like I have someone to answer to about my weight loss which gives me the motivation to keep going. My plan for this week is to loose 2lbs by next Saturday.

Chasing your dreams

I wanted to write today about chasing your dreams.

I have always had my heart set on owning my own nursery, my whole education after school was set towards getting the qualifications and experience I needed to one day achieve this goal.

I've worked my way through the ranks and have been working as a nursery manager for the last 5 years. Although being a manager gives you an insight into how it would be to have your own place, it doesn't meet my personal need to still have my own nursery.

Over the last few months, following my knee surgery, there were times when I honestly thought my days of working with children were over and I felt heartbroken that my dream was over.

I am slowly building back into working in the nursery but its very early days. I'm still hopeful that by the time I reach 40, I will have my own little nursery, but for now my desire for a business has taken a side step and I've opted to invest in starting up a business with Phoenix Trading. 

 

When I found out about Phoenix Trading, I felt this was something I could be positive about as I actually love the products and would purchase them myself, which is essential if you're going to try and sell it to someone else.

Becoming an Independent Phoenix Trader, means that I now own my own business, with my own website and online shop. I can make the business as large or small as I want, I can create my own team further down the line and the posibilities of expanding the business is achievable and exciting.

If you've never heard of Phoenix Trading, I would recommend you having a look at the greeting cards, gift wrap, tags and stationary that are available to buy online or call/email me and I can place an order for you. (All details are on my website) 

Please have a browse through www.phoenix-trading.co.uk/web/julieclarke/ 

If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you 

If you have a dream, keep pushing to achieve it, there may be some diversions on the way but if you really want something - go for it! 

Weight Watchers Journey 7

I apologise for this post going up late but for the last two weeks I have not attended my Weight Watchers group. Last week due to it being Bank Holiday and I had other events planned and then this week because quite frankly, I was too ashamed to go because I know I put on a couple of pounds over the extended weekend. 

I have thought long and hard about whether I should continue with Weight Watchers because I do not seem to be in the right frame of mind and keep making wrong decisions with my eating choices. 

I have decided to stick with it though, I NEED to loose weight ready for my Sisters wedding in April, but more importantly I need to do it for myself. I do not feel good when I'm overweight and as I said when I began, this needs to be a lifestyle choice not just a faze to loose weight then a chance to start eating junk food again.

As of today, I will be pushing myself to make the right choices, increase my exercise levels and stop making excuses for myself. Another big factor, is that after 8 long months at home on sick leave, I am going back to work. I'm really hoping this increases my motivation and gets me off the sofa and back to reality.

Very excited for the new week ahead!

Weight Watchers Journey #1

Today I decided to re-join Weight Watchers. I had previously been a member from April-December 2012 and lost 2 stone 1.5 lbs during that period. I decided to quit back in December due to my knee surgery and was hoping to be back within 6 weeks. My recovery from surgery didn't go to well, so it's only now that 6 months later I am able to commit to going back. 

I got on the scales today and found out I had put on just shy of the 2 stone I had lost. I knew it was coming but still magically hoped it wouldn't be as bad as that, but unfortunately the damage has been done. 

Due to my last success with Weight Watchers, I know I can do it again (hopefully just as quick as before) but figured writing about it on here every week, may just help the process. Every week from now onwards I will do a quick post, good or bad, to track my progress.

I'm so glad to be back on track again and am feeling very positive and motivated for the coming week! 

Preparation for the week ahead

I feel I really need some motivation this week. I have so much going on, so much on my mind and have had many sleepless nights spent worrying about every possible outcome to my scenario.
I love reading Pinterest quotes, not only because of the realisation that I'm not the only one facing difficulties but also because they inspire me to keep at it. The following quotes are some of the ones I will be thinking of and using this week, hope these may be of help to some of you too.

 Difficult to do, but so true!

 Stand up for yourself, but don't lower yourself to other peoples standards

 Get rid of the negativity in your life!

Weekly Motivation

Well this is now my 13th week of being signed off work since my knee surgery. Progress is not going well (I was only supposed to be off work for 6-8 weeks!) I hate being stuck at home for days on end without leaving my flat and have been spending way too much time ordering things online. I needed to find some inspiration and motivation to keep my spirits up,  so I trawled through my Pinterest Quotes Board and found these.

Following my Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction surgery, I have spent alot of time looking at my leg and in particular the scars left behind.

I have four small ones from the keyhole side of the surgery, but from where I had a Hamstring Graft, I am left with a two inch long scar going down my shin. My thoughts instantly turn to Spring and Summer, can I wear skirts and dresses as I usually do or will my legs need to be hidden from the stares of others?

This quote has really made me think, yes as much as I will hate others looking at my leg, it is now a part of me and proves that I have fought to get over my injury so I will wear it with pride.

This sums my feelings up completely, I have felt down and sorry for myself recently, but once I'm recovered (hopefully soon) there is so much more I can do with my life and I have no excuses to stop myself from going further......I hope that I will take part in some form of charity walk and give a little back from what I have received.

I am taking these two quotes and anytime this week I start to reflect too much they will be a reminder to push on and keep going xx