Hello my lovelies! I hope you've had a great week.

Today has been un-organised, being late to be picked up, not having breakfast, going on a refresher Fire Marshall course, only getting something to eat at 2PM. Rabbid. ;) On a positive note, I passed my course so thats done for another 2 years!

Now onto the actual subject for today's post. I'm linking up with the wonderful DC Trifecta ladies(Mar, Courtney and Cynthia) for another Friday Five. This weeks topic is Favourite Fitness Tunes.

I think it's safe to say that my favourite music is pop and generally, the type of music you'll find in my playlist is the Top 40 Singles for the UK.

I just love listening to current music and I'll listen to it over and over until I get bored of it or I've heard it too many times that it's no fun anymore. This happened with Pharell Happy - I used to love it, I heard it SOOO many times on the radio, I've gotten bored of it.. and now when it comes on the radio, I have to turn it down as it really does my head in. Hah!

I'm sure that eventually it will happen to the songs I'm about to share with you, but for now they're my current favourites and every time they come on the radio, I can't help but bop away to them.

They've got pretty good beats too, so I find them easy to listen to when I'm working out. Sooo, here are my current favourite fitness tunes!

Shake It Off - Taylor Swift

All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor

Bang Bang - Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj

She Came To Give It To You - Usher Ft. Nicki Minaj

Glow - Ella Henderson

The songs don't really need any sort of explanation, like I said, they've got that beat and they're catchy and it makes me just want to dance to them.

Thanks to Mar, Courtney and Cynthia for hosting this linkup. Be sure to check out some of the music that other people are listening to! You might find something new to add to your playlist!

Question: What's your favourite song to workout to?

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Happy Friday, Lovelies!

HOW long has it been since I last linked up for Friday Five?! Too Long! I've just been real busy and sometimes, it completely slipped my mind to write a post.

I'm linking up for Friday Five hosted by the DC Trifecta that is Mar, Courtney and Cynthia!

This weeks topic is 'Fitness Inspirations', which is great, since I'm inspired daily! So, what a perfect opportunity to tell you five different things that inspire me!

Lets get straight to it shall we?!

Communities

You may have seen in a couple of my blog posts or you've seen in my side bar that I'm an ambassador in some pretty awesome communities.

The communities are full of inspirational and motivational people, from all walks of life that all come together in a big community to share similar interests, whether that be health, nutrition, fitness or weight loss.

Here are the amazing communities that I am part of, feel free to click the links to find out more about them! Fitfluential | Girls Gone Sporty | Sweat Pink | HBloggers

Social Media

Kind of ties in with my first one but there's no denying that social media is one of the biggest sources of inspiration for me. I love being able to log in to different social media platforms and be able to see everyone's achievements and be able to share my own. See peoples journeys and their progress. It's just fantastic.

Phillips Accomplishments

Phillip has always been a huge source of inspiration to me. He was overweight, just like me. We kind of spurred each other on throughout our journeys. He lost 98 lbs on his weight loss journey and it always inspired me to keep going and not give up.

He's a fantastic runner, he smashes his running goals. He inspires me daily and I love him for it.

Goals/Challenges

Having Goals or taking part in challenges has always been a way to inspire me to keep going. When I have a goal or a challenge, I have a set plan, a schedule and I have something to work for. Goals for new distances, get a PB, learn a new yoga pose. When I achieve them, I'm inspired to push myself further. There's nothing better to keep me motivated.

Myself

Might seem like a weird one, but I'm definitely inspired by myself. I'm proud of what I've achieved and how hard I've worked. I see my progress pictures, my pictures before weight loss and feel both an incredible sense of achievement but also inspiration.

Inspiration to keep on pushing to achieve my goals, a reminder that I should never give up and never go back to how I used to be!

Thanks to Mar, Courtney and Cynthia for hosting this linkup. Be sure to check out some of the things that other people are inspired by and you might find someone that will inspire you!

Question: What is your biggest source of inspiration?

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Happy Friday, Lovelies!

I'm linking up again for another Friday Five hosted by the DC Trifecta that is Mar, Courtney and Cynthia!

This weeks topic is 'Favourite Race Memories', I've only done two races since I started running, so I don't really have 5 to talk about, but I will wing it anyway!

Lets get on with it shall we?

1) Soham Half Marathon - My first race and my first half marathon - I started running properly back in February of last year, I was bullied convinced signed up! for the Soham Half Marathon in May of the same year, I'd not had a large amount of training, I didn't do any long runs above 11 miles and I was dreading the whole thing.

Doesn't sound like my favourite memory right? well, the actual race sucked and I was hurting SO badly, but my favourite moment was passing the finish line and having a massive overwhelming sense of accomplishment for actually doing it! Runners High FTW!

If you missed my recap, or want to know more you can click HERE

2) National Lottery Anniversary Run - This was my second race, it was a five miler. I trained for this one at least and knew I could do the distance and I really didn't care much for getting a good time, I just wanted to get round.. it was ridiculously hot that day too.

This run was the first run after the Olympics and we were able to run into the stadium. The highlight for this was definitely running through the the tunnel and onto the track, they had Chariots of Fire playing in the tunnel and it was such a highlight for the race!

3) Still at TNLAR - It would have to be racing against a guy in a big dinosaur costume, the heat was ridiculous and this guy managed to stay with me the whole way round the 5 mile course, however, I was determined to make sure that he didn't cross the finish line before me so we were in a sprint for the finish line.

I'd pushed myself so hard to beat him that I almost threw up not long after passing the line and I was SO hoping that no-one was taking pictures, haha!

If you missed my recap of TNLAR, you can read it HERE!

4) Was at the Soham Half Marathon 2014 - It was in May of this year and we were having ridiculously hot weather for Britain. I was only a month post op and was barely walking around (I was spectating, obviously) and my race highlight was sitting at the finish line watching everyone else come in and to be able to experience everyone else's accomplishments of finishing their half marathon.

I was SO glad that I wasn't doing it. I was asked whether I was upset that I couldn't run it. In that heat.. No, I definitely wasn't!

5) Was spectating at TNLAR 2014 - This was just last month when I was spectating at the race and waiting for Phillip to come in at the finish line. It actually quite a nice experience to take in the atmosphere at  a race and watch other people competing in races and accomplishing their goals rather than running them myself. I was also happy and proud to watch Phillip print across the finish line knowing that he pushed his hardest to get a good time!

I actually was a little peeved that I didn't do this race, after running 4 miles this week, I was MORE than capable of getting round the course.. and fortunately for those competing this year, they get automatic entry into next years when the stadium is back open.. so I may not get a  place. :/

Now that I'm back into running and fitness again, I will be able to enter some more races! I'm actually looking forward to it and have a few races in mind to get me back into the swing of things!

Thank you to the lovely ladies for hosting this linkup. Be sure to check them out and the other posts too!

Question: Have you been in a race or spectated at a race? Tell me your favourite memory!

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I'm linking up again for another Friday Five hosted by the DC Trifecta that is Mar, Courtney and Cynthia! I've missed the last couple of posts on Friday and I wanna get back into the swing of it.

This weeks topic is 'Goals'. So, this week, I'm going to review my resolutions that I set at the beginning of the year to see where I am.

So, back in January, I created a list of resolutions that I wanted to achieved or 'keep up' for the whole year.

I created more than 5, but I'll just choose the main ones.

Practice Yoga - Be able to do a headstand/handstand/crow pose

I was practicing Yoga consistently during the earlier months this year, but since my surgery in April, I haven't been doing any sort of workouts and I'm only now starting to incorporate it back into my routine so hopefully, this goal will still be achievable before the end of the year.

Gain Muscle - Lose Body Fat

This hasn't happened so far. Again, not been working out so not had the chance!

Drink 2 litres of water per day

This is one that I HAVE been keeping on track with. It doesn't happen everyday, but I am definitely drinking way more water than I used to.

Eat Healthier. Reduce Sweet Treats

This is So-So - I have been eating healthier and making more conscious choices of the foods that I put in my mouth, however, I do still have the occasional sweet treat here and there during the week.

I do want to try and cut this down more - try and reduce the amount of sugar that I am eating in my diet and make my own treats to eat instead.

Be more organised/plan more

This has been going well, I more organised, I've been planning, making notes, I have a calendar printed out for each month with everything that I need.

It's not as 'on point' as I want it and I do need to plan more - planning for my blog is slightly slacking.

I also want to get into more of a routine for during the day - getting up earlier to workout and have breakfast before work

So yeah! It's not too bad, we're over half way through the year but I still have a few months to achieve the goals that I want. I didn't set really strict goals so that I can allow for a little wiggle room.

Last year I never anticipated that I would be going in for surgery, it was booked early in the year so surgery was never a factor when I first made my goals but I won't let that stop me.

Now that I'm able to exercise again, I'll be stepping it up to achieve them!

Question: Are you a planner? or a Fly by the seat of your pants kinda person?

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I'm linking up again for another Friday Five hosted by the DC Trifecta that is Mar, Courtney and Cynthia! This weeks topic is 'All About Me'. So, I'm gonna share 5 things you may or may not already know about me here on the blog!

1) I'm OCD about the way I eat my food.

For as long as I can remember, I've always eaten my food in a particular order. I always tend to have Meat, Veg and most likely some Carbs on my plate for every meal and consistently every meal, I will eat all my veggies first, then the Carbs and then the meat.

So if I have Veg with Rice and Chicken, I'll eat the Veg, then I will push all of my chicken to one side on my plate, eat all the rice and then eat the chicken.

I don't consciously know and think about the fact that I eat my food that way but everyone else seems to notice my weird eating habits.

2) The only time I've ever been to hospital for something was my surgery at 23 years old.

*touch wood* I've never had to go to the hospital for anything. I've never broken a bone or gotten seriously ill..so having surgery back in April was my first experience in a hospital.. and hopefully one I never have to go through again, hah.

3) I've never smoked and very rarely drink.

Smoking never appealed to me even when friends were smoking, its just been something I was never interested in and never will be.

I only ever drink on special occasions like New Years, I don't drink on my birthday or anyone else's birthday. I literally hate the taste of all alcohol and only endure it if I have to for celebrations. On the other side to this, when I do drink for celebrations, I tend to get more than a little bit tipsy when I've had even one glass.

4) I'm an absolutely dreadful cook

I really love baking and being creative with different recipes, however, I detest cooking and at every opportunity I will get someone else to cook.

I have to have timers on my phone to keep track of times for cooking and I usually burn things and I easily get flustered.

Leave me in charge of a dessert and I'm perfect and I can handle it just fine, but actual food, no chance.

5) I'm right handed, but tend to do most things with my left.

Or maybe its just normal, let me know!

Probably sounds weird. I'm right handed, I write with my right hand, I can't for the life of me write anything with my left, however, I hold my fork in my right hand, and my knife in the left(conventionally, right-handers hold forks in left hand, knife in right)

When opening any sort of containers, I hold the container with my right hand and open the container with my left.

Maybe this is normal and I've just been over thinking things!

Thank you to the lovely ladies for hosting this linkup. Be sure to check them out and the other posts too!

Question: Are you left or right handed?

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Today, I'm linking up again for another Friday Five hosted by the DC Trifecta that is Mar, Courtney and Cynthia! This weeks topic is all about ways to beat the summer heat now that everything is hotting up!

When the weather is hot and humid, exercising/working out is the LAST thing on our minds and when it is, it's such a daunting prospect to go out in the heat. However, it doesn't need to be! Exercising in the heat can still be an option as long as you're safe and take the proper precautions.

Here are five tips to beat the heat and ensure that you're still able to get in your exercise!

1) Hydrate -  This is BY FAR the most important rule in general for exercise, but even more so important when the heat amps up. Your body has to work that much harder in the heat, you'll sweat more which means that you need to replenish that lost water.

Hydrate during the day. Have water before, during and after your workouts!

2) Avoid Midday Heat - It is always hottest when the sun is at its highest point and its when you should avoid being outside.

Wake up earlier in the morning to fit in your exercise, or even late at night to avoid the midday heat. Workout in the shade, or workout inside.

3) Dress Appropriately - Moisture Wicking Clothing will be your best friend when its hot and humid. They will help to wick away sweat and keep you cool and comfortable in the heat. Other fabrics such as cotton tend to hold onto the moisture, aren't particularly breathable and can cause chaffing(and you REALLY don't want that! Ouch!)

4) Wear Protection - Sun Cream in the heat, you'll regret it when you get back from your run or your exercise and find that you have quite bad sunburn! It hurts and it will stop you exercising(unless ofc you like being in pain whilst exercising!)

A hat and Sunglasses is also a good idea, protect your head and your eyes from the sun!

5) Don't set high expectations - Any exercise in the heat will be harder on the body and you would have to work harder.  Running in heat and humidity WILL affect your pace when running and it will be more difficult to perform exercises. Don't push yourself, instead, enjoy your time with the warm weather and stay safe.

Make yourself aware of the signs of heat related illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion and de-hydration!

Thank you to the lovely ladies for hosting this linkup. Be sure to check them out and the other posts too!

Question: What do you do to beat the heat during the summer months?

Wanting to lose weight is easy. Following through with weight loss and actually committing yourself to the journey, not so much. No-one will ever really have an exact plan on what they are going to do when they lose weight. Things change, things don't work out, goal posts change. We will never truly know everything there is to know about weight loss, what our journey is going to be like and how to handle certain situations.

However, there are certain things during my weight loss that I wish someone WOULD have told me right from the off. Things that WOULD have made things a lot easier on me, not so much physically, but mentally.

Here are the top five things I would tell someone before they started their weight loss journey and things I wish someone would have told me!

1. The scale isn't everything.

This is for sure on of the things that I wish I'd have known before I started my weight loss journey. I did start to learn towards the end of my journey but wish I'd known sooner. The scale can help you to see that you are losing weight, but its not always reliable

I was obsessed with the scale, I would usually check most days and I would be SO disappointed if it didn't go the way I wanted it(which was down).

Truth is, you really shouldn't be relying on the scale as your only source of results/progress, especially if you are weight training. Muscle weighs more than fat, so if you are putting on muscle during weight training but losing fat, you may weigh heavier.

Progress pictures and measurements are an awesome way to track your progress through weight loss and I really wish that I would have taken more progress photos from the beginning of my weight loss journey. Measurements will show inch loss, even if the scale isn't moving. Progress pictures will show you physical results that you can see.

2. Eat Consciously 

I wrote a post on this a while back but it's something you definitely need to be aware of during weight loss.. and have tips that you are aware of prior to losing weight, that you can pick up on during your journey and control your eating.

Eating Consciously will allow you to not over eat and you'll be able to recognise proper hunger signals. If you want to read my post about tips for Eating Consciously, click HERE.

3. Have/Find support, you're your own worst critic.

Maybe I can only speak for myself here, but when things weren't going great, I would be my own worst critic and constantly put myself down for not working hard enough and for picking up on the things that I weren't doing right rather than the things I was doing right.

Tell people about your weight loss and what your goals are. It helps to keep you accountable and helped me to stick to my goals so I wouldn't go against at I'd told people. Having people behind you in your weight loss journey helps a lot and it's even better if those people are also into getting healthier and can workout with you and provide encouragement

4. Don't compare yourself to others.

This is definitely something that I did. I compared my weight loss results to those who were also losing weight. Problem is that everyone is different and also at different stages in their journey and what works for someone, may not work for another.

This also was the case with regards to weight loss results. After a huge weight loss, some people can end up with loose skin, some people might not. I didn't think that I would because I compared myself to others of the same size. That obviously wasn't the case as you know from my skin removal posts. 

I compared myself to others and ended up disappointed and somewhat confused that I didn't end up the same. Don't allow yourself to be in that position and do not compare yourself to others. Everyone is different.

5. Be Patient

Weight loss is not something that will happen overnight. It isn't something that will go when you snap your fingers. It doesn't work that way. Weight may be something that is fast to go on(or slow), but that doesn't mean that it will take a short amount of time to come off.

It's a whole different story and you definitely need to have patience when you go into weight loss. It's hard and requires lots of effort. Sometimes you will have weeks where the scales don't move and neither do measurements but you have to be patient and give things time to work. You just have to remember to never give up as you will get there eventually!

Thank you to the lovely ladies for hosting this linkup. Be sure to check them out and the other posts too!

Question: Been or gone through weight loss? What is one thing you wish you were told?

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So, I see these posts all the time on a Friday and I really enjoy reading them. I never actually realised that there was a theme between the posts. I really don't know how I missed that! However, I decided that it was about time I joined in on the fun.

So it's the Friday Five Linkup that is hosted by the DC Trifecta that is Mar, Courtney and Cynthia!

They do a Linkup every Friday called Friday Five, which is themed for a certain topic. This weeks topic is 'This Summer I Will'

So, this theme is basically a way for us to make goals or plans that we want to accomplish during the summer. I'm sure everyone has at least one thing that they plan to do during the summer! Hopefully the weather is nice here in Britain for the summer.. but I'm not totally hopeful.

So without further ado..

This Summer I Will..

1. Continue with my 10k per day streak.

As you'll probably know by now, because I'm sure I've mentioned in a prior blog post or on social media. I'm involved in the Global Corporate Challenge which is where you compete world wide as a team of 7 to get in as many steps as you can.

We are currently on Day 10 and I've been consistently hitting atleast 10k steps per day. Today, I'm at  17.7k steps so I'm very happy, its my PB for the challenge so far. We still have 90 days left of the challenge, it ends in Sept, so I want to keep up a streak of atleast 10k per day in steps.

2. Start running/exercise again

I haven't been cleared for exercise or running yet after surgery, but I'm currently 2 months post op so I don't think it will be too much longer before I am told that I can slowly start to exercise again and hopefully get back into running.

Currently, my fitness level has dropped so much! I went for a walk into town this afternoon with a co-worker and just walking up a hill got me out of breath.. which was usually no problem prior to going in for surgery. I haven't really done any forms of exercise in about 3 months. I can't wait to get back to exercise again.

3. Start making/baking healthier foods.

Summer is usually a time when my eating slacks, I enjoy summery treats, ice cream in warm weather etc. I think I'll be trying to eat healthier this summer to keep the weight maintained and also experiment with cooking/baking too.

4. Get back to pre-surgery weight.

I HAVE gained a bit of weight since surgery. Not a lot.. and I'm sure that a majority of it is water weight from swelling, but I am definitely not happy to see the number I've been seeing on the scale. So the sooner I can exercise the better. For the mean time, I've been restricting what I eat and I am tracking my calories at the moment to keep my eating under control for the time being.

5. Be more consistent with blogging.

This is one thing that I've been slacking with recently and posts haven't been going up consistently during the week. It's not that I don't have anything to blog about either, because I have loads of topics in my drafts that are just sitting there ready for me to write. I just sometimes get distracted with something and then end up not having the time to write up the post.

I've bought a book specifically for blogging where I can write down post schedules, post ideas, upcoming posts ect so I can keep on top of blogging and keep my schedule consistent.

Thank you to the lovely ladies for hosting this linkup. Be sure to check them out and the other posts too!

Question: Do you have any plans for the summer?

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