Weight Loss Wednesdays Introduction And 100 Happy Days Challenge: Day 1!

Hey!

On the 2nd of January, I started my 'diet'. 2 weeks later and I have lost 4 pounds (2 pounds per week). To some, that might not be a great achievement but to me it's amazing. I'm the kind of person who goes on 'diets' all the time and, every time, I fail them within the first week. I don't have the will power or motivation it takes to make a 'long term healthy lifestyle' change. Fuck that. This time though, it's different. I have a goal, I have motivation. 

All my friends are slim. I am the 'fat' friend. Prom is this year and I don't want to be this size for that. I don't want to be worried about getting a dress in the right size or looking fat on photos. I don't want to look back at my prom pictures and think 'God I look fat next to my friends' or 'God I have a double chin'. I've cried about my weight enough in my life to know it's not worth it. The chocolate, sweets, crisps and sodas are not worth it. But I am.

The Goal:

My goal is to drop 2-3 dress sizes by June. I know it's an ambitious goal but I believe I can do it. 

The Plan:

So far my weight loss has been a mix of 2 things: 'Slim-Fast 3,2,1 Plan' and 'The Biggest Loser Six Week Slimdown'. Slim-Fast is a diet where you drink a Slim-Fast meal replacement shake instead of 2 meals per day. The 3, 2, 1 plan is a diet plan where you have 3 healthy snacks, 2 Slim-Fast meal replacement shakes and 1 meal per day. For more information click here. I don't follow the plan completely as I have more than 3 snacks per day. Personally, I would rather have more healthy snacks per day and take longer to lose weight than stick to plan, lose 4-6 pounds per week but be hungry. 'The Biggest Loser Six Week Slimdown' is a workout DVD that you do for six weeks. What I love about this is they give you a work out plan for the whole six weeks which is great as the workouts start off easy and get harder. This means your always getting a great workout . You can find the DVD on amazon if you are interested. 

Slim-Fast and Six Week Slimdown are what I'm using to kick start my weight loss. After 6-7 weeks I will start making up my own workouts and going back to eating 3 healthy meals per day. I am probably going to be using the 'Blogilates' work out calender as my regular workout routine. I will probably start on the beginners calender (click here) and then move on to the regular monthly calender (for January's calender click here). Blogilates is amazing at making up the calenders and she keeps them fun and interesting. Also, on the blog post about each calender, she links a playlist for each day so you don't have to search through her YouTube channel (click here) looking for each video.

Weight Loss Wednesdays: 

Wednesday are my weigh in day. So, every Wednesday, I plan on writing a blog post telling you weather I have lost, gained or stayed the same weight. I will also tell you how many days I exercised that week and how I feel I did as far as healthy eating goes. I would love it if you joined me on this journey by writing how much you lost and how well you did in the comment section. I don't plan on telling you my starting weight right away but, hopefully, as I lose weight I will become more comfortable with telling you.

I also want to start the 100 Days Happy Challenge. This is basically where you take a picture of something that made you happy everyday for 100 days. You can sign up for it and get more information by clicking here. I don't plan on signing up or taking pictures but what I do want to do is make a small blog post every day (if I can, no promises) about something that made me happy that day 

Day 1:

My travel and tourism lesson with my best friend V made me happy today. We spent the whole lesson laughing and smiling.

What made you happy today?

-Jess<3

P.S. Sorry that this is my first post in like 2 weeks and that this post was a bit everywhere.

My Last Blog Post Of 2013: Things That 2013 Has Taught Me And New Years Resolutions!

Hey!

It's New Years Eve and I am doing nothing. I have no plans and will probably spend the night having a bath with my lush goodies, painting my nails, eating crap and watching a film, all before hopping into bed and having an early night. I know, my life is so exciting.

If I'm honest, I would rather spend my night like that. I'm only 15 and feel like I have loads of time ahead to spend New Years Eve getting completely wasted (i.e drunk) and spending the first day of the new year with a hang over. New Years Eve is meant to be magical and, to me, that sounds everything but magical.

Anyway, as it is New Years Eve, I decided that I would reflect on 2013 and then tell you my goals for 2014.

Things 2013 Has Taught Me:

-Just because you're nice to someone, doesn't mean they have to be nice back.

-No matter what you do, some people are just never going to like you.

-You should appreciate those around you now because they won't be there forever.

-To get what you want, you have to work for it (or, as Britney Spears puts it: You Better Work Bitch).

-Being skinny won't bring happiness.

-You only live once.

-Everything is beautiful but not everyone sees it.

My New Years Resolutions:

-Get fit and healthy.

-Drop 3 dress sizes (hopefully before July. I know it's a tough one).

-Take more pictures with friends and family/make more memories.

-Get a part-time job.

-Appreciate what I have and the people around me more.

-Give back.

-Document my life/keep a diary.

-Save money.

What are your New Years Resolutions?

Happy New Year!

-Jess<3

Christmas 2013: Farmer Parrs, Meeting Santa And Frozen!

Hey!

I have a younger brother. He is 6 and, like all 6 year old's, believes in Santa. That means that every Christmas we make this whole big show of going to see Santa the weekend before Christmas and going to bed early on Christmas Eve. For the past 4 years, we go to 'Farmer Parrs' to see Santa. It's about 2 hours away from where we live but it has a small farm, museum and cafe. It is a nice way to spend a 3 or 4 hours. We went yesterday (22nd of December 2013) and, just like every year in the barn Santa's Grotto's in, they have a Christmas display and a little walk trough bit. I thought this year was really pretty so I took some pictures. They are not great quality but oh well, I like them!

Today I went to see 'Frozen'. I loved it! It was a supper cute, all singing, all dancing Disney film. I recommend everyone sees it as it is the perfect Christmas/Winter film!

This will probably be my last post before Christmas so, if your celebrate it, Merry Christmas! If you don't I hope you have a great few days and I will speak to you all soon.

-Jess<3

Christmas 2013: Mock Exam Results And Surprise Presents!

Hey!

Last Wednesday (11th of December 2013) I got my mock exam results back. In late November I had taken mock exams for each of the subjects I'm taking for GCSE. They say that between now and June (when I take my actual GCSE's) most people go up by at least one full grade (e.g if you got a 'B' grade in the November mock, you should get an 'A' grade in your actual exam). As I am pretty happy with my results and the effort I put into the mocks, I thought I would share my results on my blog.

My Mock Exam Results (November 2013):

English - B

Maths - B

Science - C

Catering - B

French - C

History - B

Religious Education - B

Travel and Tourism - A

If what they say about going up by a whole grade is true, I feel pretty confident about the June exams now!

I help out in the Learning Support team at my school. Twice a week I go in for form time (20 minutes in a morning) and help out by listening to people read or going and collecting people from classes. It is something I volunteer to do as it will look great on my C.V and gives me great experience as I want to become a primary school teacher. The teachers in there are so lovely and have really took my under their wing. I went in today in form time (I go and help out on Tuesdays and Thursdays) and they gave me a wonderful surprise. They gave me a little Christmas gift and card to say thank you for helping them. It made me feel all warm and put me in a great mood for the rest of the day. I go and help because I enjoy it, not because I have too but, by them giving me a gift, it made me feel appreciated and like someone had noticed the work I have been putting in to help out. They got me a cute little Christmas card and a Moroccan Rose 'Gift Cube' from The Body Shop. It is a really sweet little gift and I am very grateful that they made the effort to buy me a gift. 

-Jess<3

Christmas 2013: The Jingle All The Way Tag!

Hey!

As I am in a Christmassy mood, I thought I would do the 'Jingle All The Way' tag.

Hope you enjoy!

The Jingle All The Way Tag!

1. What are some of your favourite Christmas traditions?

One of my favourite Christmas traditions is or Christmas Eve baking and movies day. Basically, our whole family gets up on Christmas Eve morning and we bake all morning. Sausage rolls, mince pies, jam tarts: you name it, we make it. Afterwards we spend the whole afternoon watching Christmas movies, playing games and eating what we have baked. Such a perfect, relaxed, family day.

2. What is one thing you hope to get for Christmas this year?

I am actually not hoping to get much this Christmas. I haven't really asked for anything apart from a few bits, which are pretty boring and basic things if I'm honest. That said I guess I am hoping for surprises and family time this year for Christmas.

3. Favourite Christmas drink/food?

I love mince pies at Christmas. I know, it's an obvious one but I really do love them.

4. Ice-Skating or Christmas Shopping?

Christmas shopping. Partly because I love to shop, but mostly because I hate ice-skating.

5. It's snowing outside. Do you stay in side, drinking hot chocolate, or go outside and play in the snow?

I stay inside and drink hot chocolate because I'm not a big fan of snow.

6.  Favourite Christmas movie?

It's a draw between 'Elf' and 'The Grinch'.

7. Favourite Christmas song?

Either 'Fairytale of New York' by The Pogues or 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)' by Mariah Carey.

8. Real or fake tree?

Fake tree. I've never actually met anyone who has a real Christmas tree.

9. What is your favourite winter/Christmas beauty trend?

I love the bold/dark lip trend in the winter.

10. What is your favourite thing about the holidays?

I love the mood/atmosphere around Christmas time and the quality time you get to spend with the ones you love.

What is your favourite Christmas song and movie?

-Jess<3

Christmas 2013: Mini November Favourites And Nail Polish Haul/First Impressions!

Hey!

I love anything mini. This is mostly because I believe that if things are mini they are cuter but also because I rarely get through a full sized version of something. To me, mini's are perfect in ever single way. That is why, today, I am giving you a 'Mini November Favourites' and a 'Mini Nail Polish Haul/First Impressions'. Well that and the fact I have a face mask on that needs washing off in 15 minutes!

Mini November Favourites:

-Inecto Pure Coconut Heat Protecting Leave-In Conditioner. 

-Schwarzkopf Got2b Oil-Licious Tame And Shine Styling Oil.

-Skin Therapy 3 In 1 Fragranced Facial Wipes.

-Boots Skin Clear Oil-Free Mattifying Lotion.

-Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Exfoliating Wash.

-Jumpers.

-Riding Boots.

Nail Varnish Haul/Review:

-Rimmel London Metal Rush Nail Polish in 100 Pearly Queen (£1.00 at B&M's).

I saw this polish at B&M's today and fell in love. Not only was it a bargain but it was also an amazingly unique colour and I knew I couldn't leave without it. Once I got home, I put it on straight away and have been admiring my nails ever since. In some lights, the colour is what you would imagine it to be, a pearly cream. In others, it is a slightly darker more nude brown colour. At times, it looks like a silver colour and, at others, it is more of a light lilac colour. But, no matter what colour it looks to be, it has this gold almost green undertone and shimmer. The polish is sheer, which is annoying as it takes 3 to 4 coats to get it a nice, opaque colour. Overall, I am in love with the colour already and think that it's a perfect, mulit-seasonal colour that would go with any skin tone.

-Jess<3

Christmas 2013: Being Grateful For The Things You Take For Granted!

Hey!

I, like many people these days, have 'Facebook'. To me (and my best friend, V) it is a source of our daily entertainment. People's statuses are funny (in an ironic and pathetic kind of way) and the jokes we can make from them are funnier but, sometimes, 'Facebook' shows us that people can be ungrateful and, sometimes, cruel.

We have all witnessed our fair share of internet wars/fights. They provide amazing entertainment and give us a nice chunk of gossip to discus with friends. I'm a gossiper and these fights (especially the ones between the girls at school) give me at least 30 minutes worth of gossip to talk about with V. I know it's a bad habit but we all do it, I'm just honest about it. People tend to be crueler online than face to face, which makes the fights funnier but also extremely harsh and horrible. Some of the things people say to each other are unnecessary and, however hippy and cliche this sounds, people need to learn respect for each other and learn that if you dislike someone you should just avoid them. This has nothing to do with what I want to talk about today, but I felt the need to say it. You're welcome (people who watch 'Awkward' will get that reference).

 Anyway, back to the topic of today's post. I was scrolling through 'Facebook' and I came across a status by someone who is nice and respectful. The status shocked me, not because of who wrote it, but because of what it said. ''FUMING! The coat I want for Christmas is out of stock because my parents didn't buy it when I asked like 2 weeks ago''. Now I get it, we have all really wanted something and not been able to have it, we have also all had times when we have been annoyed at our parents, but most people don't write a status about it. Mostly because it is just a fucking object (in this case a coat) but also because your parents deserve more respect than that and you should be more grateful. Yes, the coat you want is out of stock but it will come back in stock in the 3 weeks there is until Christmas. To some people, the thought of even having 1 present at Christmas, even if it is just a pair of socks, is exciting and makes them happy. To others, the thought of fresh water, a hot meal, a bed and a shower makes them jump for joy. People loose sight of how lucky they are sometimes. I'm not saying you don't have the right to complain because you do. I understand that their are people worse off then me but I believe that I have the right to complain about my problems. If you want to go on 'Facebook' and complain that's fine, but just think about what you are writing. Some people are not getting anything for Christmas this year, others won't even get a hot meal that day, some don't have parents to celebrate with this year and others have no one at all. This Christmas, while your tucking into your Christmas dinner or opening your expensive and thoughtful gifts, spare a thought for those who are less fortunate than you. 

Not because you should, but because they have no one else thinking about them on Christmas day.

-Jess<3