Weight Loss Wednesday Slim Fast #bloggersWLW

Part of me getting fitter and healthier means sorting out my diet. I am using Slim Fast to help me eat regular meals and more importantly to help me control what I eat as well as trying to shift a few pounds in the process. Rewind a few weeks ago I never used to eat breakfast, and so would to eat anything in sight at lunchtime. And used to have no control over my snacking habits. I am only on my second week but I have already noticed how little changes can help for the better.

I will run through the basis of slim fast and then how I am adapting it for my needs. So the idea is that you can still eat and lose weight. The main difference to your diet is that you substitute two meals for either milkshakes or large cereal bars, which allows you one meal but you can snack three times a day.  For example, you could have a chocolate milkshake for breakfast, snack on fruit, have a meal bar for lunch, snack again on Slim Fast tortilla chips then have a healthy calorie-controlled meal, and that still leaves room for a little pot of jelly.

How I have worked my plans out, is by seeing how many calories I am allowed to have based on my metabolism and daily activity.  I even change it up a bit and have a healthy lunch instead of the meal bar most days but will have a smaller dinner of have a smaller portion of fruit.  I am writing this having had a cheat day but I know that I will be able to wake up tomorrow and get back on the healthy train.  Though I am snacking, for me the most helpful part of Slim Fast is how I know don't just anything for the sake of it.  I have turned down chocolate and sweets which at the time is hard for ol' greedy guts here, but it has made me feel so much better when I realise that I didn't need that rocky road ice cream.

In the first week of slim fast, even though I went out for a three course meal where I didn't hold back, I still managed to lose 4 pounds.  I am still learning what is best for my body but I know I can do better next week.  Let me know about your experiences with slim fast or any other diets. 

For more information please visit the Slim Fast website.

Boots 24 Days of Beauty Treats Advent Calender

I posted on December 1st that this year (well last year) I had managed to get my hands on the Boots 24 Days of Beauty treats calender and that I would be posting on Instagram a photograph of what I received each day.  As my Instagram threw a wobbly I wasn't able to post everyday as I had hoped so I thought I would share with you on here a complete look at what I received and whether I think beauty advent calendars are worth the hype and money.

(in no particular order)

Balmi Lip Balm in Coconut

Soap & Glory Clean Girls Body Wash 75ml

Soap & Glory Flake Away Travel Size

Seventeen Supreme Shine Nail Polish in Miami

Boots Salon Care Nail Shine Solution

Umberto Giannini Back Comb in a Bottle 30ml

Vichy Idealia Life Serum 3 ml

Botanics Heat Protection Shine Serum 30 ml

Carmex Pot Original

Seventeen Tattoo Me Eyeliner 

Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation 8ml

Vichy Liftactiv Serum Eyes and Lashes 3ml

17 Blow Out Mascara

Umberto Giannini Pom Pom Band (Hair Tie)

Orly Bonder Basecoat

Nails Inc Porchester Square 4ml

Mavala Nail Polish  in Pure Diamonds 5ml

Mavala Nail Polish  in London 5ml

Boots Nail File

Paco Rabanne Black XS 

Ghost Moonlight

Juicy Couture Couture La La

Nina Ricci Nina

Ghost The Fragrence

I decided to wait until after the Christmas craze to pass before posting this as to be honest I did have mixed feelings.  I really love the idea, who doesn't want a new makeup product each day running up to Christmas? But more importantly I didn't know what to expect as I didn't want to know what was in the calender until I opened the door, all part of the Christmas spirit.  Being such the drugstore lover that I am I have actually used a lot of these products before so I was a little disappointed.  Also I found there there were a lot of nail products (7 in total), perfume samples and Seventeen products. So I think they could have chosen more of a mixed bag of products and brands. 

However, this has not deterred me from beauty advent calenders as there were a couple of things that I have enjoyed that I would not have picked up.  Next year I think I might go for a pricier calender with more of a chance of finding new things.

The Boots 24 Days of Beauty Treats retailed for £30 and I think is well worth it if you do not dive into the drugstore that often or if you just want the excitement of Christmas everyday leading up the big 25th but without spending a lot of money.

Let me know your thoughts on  this calender or any others that you tried this Christmas.

Best Beauty Finds of 2013

2013 was such an amazing year for me, I graduated, went on my first cruise as well as a girls holiday to Aiya Napa, started my YouTube channel but above all that I was lucky enough to roll straight into a full time job in my chosen career.  So I would like to take the time to point out that I am very grateful for 2013, I like many others, anticipated an unlucky year, but mine was far from it.

I would also like to show my appreciation for some absolutely amazing beauty products that were released in 2013 both highend and highstreet.  Makeup world you never fail me.  And for that I filmed a little video showing what my favourite beauty finds of 2013 were.

Enjoy and I hope you all have a prosperous 2014.

Weight Loss Wednesday #bloggerWLW

So in the spirit of dare I say it... "a new year, a new me" I am kicking my butt into gear and for once going to stick to resolution of losing a few pounds here and there.  I am joining Jennifer from Barely There Beauty and a whole host of other bloggers in Weight Loss Wednesday, where we will post our updates and all things weight loss related on a Wednesdays and then join each other for a twitter chat #bloggerWLW on Thursdays at 8pm UK time to catch up with our progress (or possibly the odd cheat day).

I thought I would ease in steadily and start of with a get to know me post and what I hope to achieve from this series.  This is well and truly out of my comfort zone so it will be a learning curve for all of us.

1. I have never been on a diet or had a fitness regime before

2. I have always been conscious that being 5 foot a little bit of extra weight is very noticeable

3. I hate breakfast, I think this may be my downfall, but I will try

4. I bought new running trainers 3 months ago and they are still in the box (currently used to balance my laptop)

5.  I want to lose 21lbs by 1st April, that's 2 lbs a week 

6.  I want to become fitter as well as losing weight so I will add exercise into my routine

7. If nothing else I would like to help support the other bloggers that are taking part

In future posts I will be talking about my diet & fitness plans, any online resources that I have found useful, motivational snips and clips as well as general updates.

If you are looking for support with losing a pound or two, or whether you have your eye on that bikini body feel free to join us or follow me on my twitter and Instagram.  If you have any words of wisdom or advice please leave a comment.