Louisa's Weight Loss Blog

A few weeks ago I had a stroke of good luck and came in to a bit of money at a casino. I gave myself a small shopping budget as I’ve not had much time to shop and not really had the spare money to revamp my wardrobe as I’d like. The first thing I bought was a pair of Fit Flops. I was going to opt for the cheaper Walkstar range at £36 but I figured I might as well shell out a bit more for the pair I actually like!

Fit Flops - £50 from John Lewis

I bought the silver sequinned Fit Flops from the Electra range from John Lewis for £50. I did consider the studded ‘Rebel’ Fit Flops but at £60 for a pair, I had to draw the line somewhere!

What do Fit Flops look like?

Looks-wise, the fit flops are rather chunky but the more expensive designs are worth picking if you want to wear your Fit Flops to work and want to look a bit smarter. I’ve got scary-looking skinny feet and ankles so on me I look like I’m wearing someone else’s shoes!

The Electra range come in black sequins, white/iridescent, gold and bronze so you can always colour-coordinate your Fit Flops with the outfits you would normally wear. The makers of Fit Flops also do shoes for men and children. Fortunately for those who want to try Fit Flops but can’t get along with toe-posts, there are other designs that have the same microwobbleboard technology so deliver the same results. The clogs are discrete but not exactly to my taste but there are open-toe sandal versions for men which are particularly good looking for summer. In women’s there is the ‘Rockstar Walkstar’ shoe which is a flip flop style encrusted in Swarovsky crystals. These are only available from Harrods though.

What do Fit Flops feel like?

My Fit Flops are incredibly comfortable. This is because the sole of the shoe is thick so when your heel strikes the ground it is well padded. You’d think that flip flops that are meant to give you a ‘workout as you walk’ would hurt but to begin with I wasn’t really sure they were working as I walked. I only noticed the difference between Fit Flops and normal shoes when I took them off. They are certainly very comfortable to wear and even if they didn’t do what they claimed, I would be happy to wear them but rather resent the price.

Do Fit Flops really work?

According to the Fit Flop website, their shoes do the following:

• Ease back strain
• Ease pressure on the knees and ankles
• Improve your posture
• Improve muscle tone

Fit Flops incorporate microwobbleboard technology – this basically de-stablises the body as you walk working your calves and bottom more than you would if you were walking bare foot or in normal shoes. The pressure on heels, ankles and knees are relieved as the wearer walks. After wearing the Fit Flops regularly, you should notice your calves are slimmer and bottom firmer. No studies have been officially conducted on people who are overweight but those who do have weight problems and purchased a pair of Fit Flops have reported that pressure on their knees and ankles has been a relief and as a result overweight Fit Flop wearers have been more mobile and able to start their weight loss journey in earnest.

Conclusion:If you don’t mind spending £36-£80 on a pair of Fit Flops then they really are comfortable enough to warrant the price. Like most women, I have cellulite and the appearance of it makes me feel rather sick if I catch sight of my bottom or thighs in the mirror. After two weeks of almost constant wearing of my Electra Fit Flops, my bottom looks slightly less dimpled but I would imagine you would have to wear them for that much longer to see a real improvement without energetic gym visits.

I bought my Fit Flops from John Lewis as they sell a great range of styles and colours of Fit Flops. They also do free standard delivery on orders over £30 which is pretty handy.

I am so sorry that Louisa and I have not been updating recently, but thank you to everyone who has still commented on previous posts. Glad to know you’re still reading us.

Activities to raise money for charity are a great motivator to get your fitness up to scratch. Having found myself in a bit of a fitness rut and eating more junk and going to the gym less, I knew I needed a longer term kick up the bum than the vague fear of ‘bikini season’

So I’ve signed up to do Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research UK. It’s a women only race of 10k or 6 miles if you’d prefer. It focuses more on finishing the race rather than a huge competition, but I am determined to run it in under 1hr and 15 mins even though people can finish it in under and hour, I saw it happen when Louisa ran the same race a couple of years ago.

This is a huge deal, as I’ve decided to run it in memory of my Grandfather who died of cancer last year and I want to raise £250 for him and during the last of his life, I was not happy in my work and my life and I know that this hurt him and I want to show him now that I am by achieving this. I can’t let him down.

Signing up to an activity as such for charity means you are not going to want to back out and on those days that you really don’t feel like training, you’ll remember why exactly and get your bum out of bed. I know that with every bite of junk food I eat or every day I put off going for a run, is more unnecessary pain that I am going to feel on the day of the race.

Right now, I have devised an 8 week plan that will see me add more and more distance until I hit 10k the week of the race.  Running 2.5k to start with as I am used to running 1.5k in my usual gym sessions. I do interval training which is a minute on and a minute off on intervals of 6mph and 8mph although I am trying to extend the amount of time that I run 8mph and that I am always moving and don’t stop.

The most important thing when you are running is to stretch properly so that you don’t get that offputting muscle pain the day after. Stretch each muscle for a count of 30. Warm up for a good few minutes. I warm up for 5 minutes on the cross trainer, upping the difficulty level every minute and then stretch my leg and arm muscles, front and back and sides. Don’t be put off by the fact that you see people in the gym rarely stretch, they’re the ones who are going to hurt the next day.

Another thing is to keep your resistance training up. Running is an excellent fat burner, but doesn’t exactly do wonders for the shape and tone of your bum or arms. Trust me, get a resistance program in twice a week, I am now squatting and doing arm weights like never before. This is how you achieve that lovely lean shape that runners have.

Hopefully, you’ll stay with me throughout my training and I’ll update regularly on my progress. I’ve got another run planned for later so will look forward to that.

If you want to have a look at my sponsorship page in the meantime here it is: http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/ameliahastings

I would never be so forward as to ask for sponsorship, but if you want to donate, I would be hugely flattered by your support. Your support by joining me in this race or joining your own activity for charity would mean so much to hear about your own journeys.

Aloe Vera Plant

If you’re a bit squeamish about bathroom visits, probably best to give this post a miss! I won’t be graphic but I know not everybody is comfortable discussing it!

I don’t mind admitting I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It must be a family thing as we all seem to have it! Anyway, about 2-3 weeks ago, somebody suggested I start taking aloe vera tablets to help ease my symptoms e.g. bloating, cramps, constipation etc. The results have actually been fantastic and I was benefiting soon after taking my first tablet.

I have been taking the high strength tablets (one a day) and at first, I’ll admit I was skeptical – you put aloe vera on your boo boos, not in your mouth! I’m going to the toilet daily instead of twice a week, my stomach is flatter because I’m not bloated and uncomfortable after lunch and I don’t appear to be retaining water like I used to. This is a common complaint for women, particularly at ‘that time of the month’.

I can’t make any promises that this is for everyone and if you are already on medication for other ailments then do speak with your doctor before you take any supplements.

All I can say is that Aloe Vera tablets have made a massive difference to me. I didn’t change my diet and I’ve not done any exercise in the last 2 months as life has been rather busy! If only I had considered earlier that my final few lbs to lose were down to IBS and it could be counteracted with a simple table, I would have tried this yonks ago!

Funnily enough, I was able to wear my ‘target weight’ jeans last Friday with no gross hip and belly over hang. This I consider to be a small victory and I fully intend to continue taking the aloe vera tablets for as long as I see the benefit.

I am a firm believer that when you are dieting to lose weight, you need to have a little of what you fancy – studies have shown that people who can’t sustain weight loss are those that are constantly denying themselves the smallest of tasty pleasures. Bear in mind they all add up but part of dieting is learning what works for you, whether it is cutting out carbs, going vegetarian or taking certain vitamin supplements.

One of my little pleasures is marmalade on my toast. I saw this news article this morning  and thought I’d write a little blog post about my love for marmalade. It is yummy and my favourite treat to spread on toast. Yes, I know it is high in sugar but a teaspoon of marmalade is all you need for a slice of bread and you certainly don’t need to butter your toast before spreading a small teaspoon of marmalade!

When it comes to calories, choosing the right marmalade is a bit of a minefield! I’ve seen some that are 20 cals per teaspoon and some that are 80 calories so always check the label if you are trying to save calories but bear in mind that the sugar-free stuff invariably tastes rubbish and fake.

At the moment, I am LOVING grapefruit marmalade. I have searched for ages for the Tipton grapefruit marmalade (pictured) but with no luck.

I bought the Marks and Spencer’s Ruby Red Grapefruit marmalade (£1.55) today but it’s a bit sugary and doesn’t taste very sharp or fruity which is a complete let down to me but I’m sure others may feel differently. I’ll leave it in the fridge at work and invite colleagues to help me get through the jar as I’m hardly about to waste it!

So come on then readers, what do YOU like to spread on your toast as a treat?

It’s all TOP SECRET at the moment… but I have started taking a new weight loss pill and diet plan so that I can report back to Total Chunk readers at the end of the February about the product’s effectiveness.

Looking at the packaging, I’m not convinced or impressed with the product but I do hope for the sake of those who already take the diet pill that it does actually work!

Without giving too much away, it really does look like an expensive multivitamin – looking down the ingredient’s list it appears to be a list of vitamins with caffeine. When was a vitamin deficiency the root of weight gain?

Anyway, watch this space and I really do hope that I am wrong about this diet pill…

Where are your kitchen treats hidden?

Is your kitchen full of ways to ruin your diet?

Do you have a cookie stash, bag of crisps/chips, packets of sucky sweets, sachets of butter popcorn or hidden bars of chocolate?

Well it’s time to get rid of these kitchen treats, if you only have healthy things in the house then that’s all you can eat!

We’re all guilty of snacking when we’re bored, peckish or upset, when these naughty foods come out you’ve suddenly found yourself finishing off a whole bag of Doritos or a massive chunk of chocolate.

Just removing these treats won’t be enough for most people, they must be replaced with something to stop the temptation to visit the local store.  Try “grazing” on raw carrots, nibbling dried fruit or avoid those kitchen cupboards altogether when you feel like a snack!

It’s time to smash up that cookie jar for good…

Last week it hit the news that the Italian chefs were reclaiming spaghetti bolognaise because the rest of us across the world have royally buggered up the real recipe and eat a tomato-y mush masquerading as spaghetti bolognaise.

Apparently, the real recipe not only includes beef mince, it includes bacon, cream and white wine.. and the pasta you are meant to use is tagliatelle.

If you’re on a diet, you will see what the problem is with the original recipe – it is a calorific nightmare! That is why I want to share my healthier version of the original. So what it isn’t ‘authentic’? If you want it just how Nonna made it, go to Italy and experience it first hand, don’t preach to me in my kitchen and tell me the original is better by virtue of being original. I just want to eat healthily thanks!

Here is my fool-proof ’spag bol’ recipe, let me know what you think of it. Just make sure you choose a healthier brown pasta, I don’t care what shape it is!

This will comfortably make enough for 2-4 people, depending on how hungry they are! If you need to stretch it further, add more tins of tomatoes, any suitable veggies lying around (courgettes/peas/sweetcorn/mange tout!) or a tin of kidney beans and you’ll get it to be enough for 6 adults. Sometimes I add fresh basil but don’t worry if you haven’t got any as I have a potted basil plant on my kitchen window sill.

Ingredients:

• 200g lean beef mince
• 1 onion
• tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 OXO cube
• Peppers x2 (red/yellow/green dependent on preference)
• 1 large carrot
• Basil
• Oregano
• 2-3 cloves of garlic (I’ve been known to put 5 cloves in as I LOVE garlic!)
• 2-3 tins of tomatoes
• 1 lime

Method:

1. Chop all of your veggies
2. Fry the onion and garlic in the olive oil until the onions are soft and clear
3. Add the mice to the onions and break the mince apart with a wooden spoon to brown
4. Crumble OXO cube over mince
5. On a high heat, (if you like softer vegetables) add peppers and carrots and keep it all moving until veggies are less crispy. If you like crunchy veggies like I do, add the tinned tomato first, stir it all up then add the veggies.
6. Add your herbs. Stir and simmer for 15-20 mins stirring occasionally.
7. Squeeze the juice of one lime in the bolognaise and stir.
8. Serve on top of brown pasta with four cherry tomatos cut in half for decoration with chopped fresh basil if you’ve got it lying around

Like my recipe or hate it? LET ME KNOW!!!

This is a typical dieter’s dilemma: I’m trying to lose weight but none of my clothes fit! It seems pointless buying stuff when it probably won’t fit in a few weeks…

Limited Collection Tunic from Yours Clothing

If you’re a regular visitor to Total Chunk, you probably have seen a banner for ‘Yours Clothing’. They’re a fantastic retailer of clothes made especially for women from sizes 14-32. Not only are their clothes cut and designed for bigger women, the prices are excellent. Now is a fantastic time to visit their website as their sale is still on but the spring lines are already out!

I piled weight on a bit over Christmas but sensible eating seems to have levelled everything out even though I’d still like to be firmer. I am a UK size 12-14 on my bottom half (UK size 8-10 up top – I’m a typical British pear-shape) It means that the stuff at Yours Clothing is now too big for me. whilst this IS exciting, it’s frustrating because they stock a lot of fantastic stuff that is the right price for a ‘transition wardrobe’

There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t take pride in your appearance, particularly if you are in the process of trying to lose weight. They’ve got some fantastic items in that will certainly contribute to helping to boost your confidence and get the compliments rolling in!

Take a look and let me know what you think of this ‘find’… just don’t try and stay bigger so you can keep shopping here!

We’re currently in the longest recession that the West has seen in recent history. We are seeing record levels of unemployment and more and more men are finding themselves out of work and for the first time, some families have found women being thrown into the role of breadwinner.

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Google can find some great healthy recipes for you

Making your own food is always the healthier option as you know exactly what’s being put into it.  Packaged food can contain a surprising amount of sugar, salt, fat and chemicals, always check the label before you buy!

But what if you have no idea what to cook with your ingredients?

Cooking healthily can lead to some very boring meals, I mean who wants to eat plain salad for lunch and rivita biscuits for a snack everyday?

You can use Google to find interesting recipes for whatever you have lying around the kitchen!

Let’s have an example:

After routing through the fridge and cupboards I’ve spotted these healthy ingredients that will go well together:

• Chicken Breast (with no skin)
• Pasta
• Fresh Tomatoes
• Garlic

Type all the ingredients into a Google search and add in speech marks ‘healthy recipe’ at the end:

Google all your main ingredients and add "healthy recipe" on the end

The top result in Google produced a wonderful meal, thanks to foodnetwork.com this time round.

I guarantee you’ll find a suitable recipe in the top 5 search results; most of the sites will have user comments on the food’s taste and perhaps a star rating.  You may need herbs or other seasoning to enhance the flavour so it’s always handy to stock up on these at home.

Good luck on your cooking and remember cooking your own food is not only healthier, it’s another little exercise you can do (along with the washing up afterwards, hehe!)