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Fitness: Friends Fitness Review

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All the way back in July I was contacted by Lewis from Friends Fitness, asking me if I'd like to trial his new programme and I said 'sure, why not!'

Friends Fitness is essentially an online personal trainer. Lewis will get to know you a bit, work out a plan for you and give you access to a series of online workouts. He will also text you to make sure that you do them, and monitors it online to ensure that you actually do. To be honest, I don't know what he does if you don't do a workout, as I live in fear of being told off so did all of mine on time, but I'm guessing he'll just give you the extra nudge you need to get your butt moving that day.

I did an 8 week programme, that began with 3 workouts a week then moved up to four, which does sound like a lot, however they only lasted a maximum of 20 minutes, so it really is quite easy to schedule in. Most of the time I'd alternate a workout day with a running day, but some days I doubled up.

The workouts contained what looked like 'easy' exercises, however I definitely was left with  a bright red sweaty face. Each week focuses on a theme, and in every session you build on what you worked on the week before. I could feel myself not only being tested in each session, but also improving as the programme went on.

My main concern when trying the programme was that I wondered how it would differ from the videos that I was already following on YouTube. The answer, I soon found, was the support I was getting from Lewis. Nothing seemed like too much effort for him, he continuously gave me that nudge to keep working out, asked me if I needed any extra support via stretches etc. and was always there with encouragement. That's something YouTube videos can't do.

Sadly, during the time I followed the programme I wasn't completely on track food wise, documented here, so I don't have any results to publish (which I feel really guilty about.) However, I managed to pretty much maintain my weight whilst on the programme, and I fully believe I would've continued to gain if I wasn't following it.

If you'd like to know more information or sign up, you can do so here. An 8 week trial will cost you £35.

Disclaimer: Whilst I was able to trail this programme for free, all thoughts are my own and I was not given any monetary compensation, or asked, to write this blog post. I only ever want to be honest with this blog.

Food: Breakfast Egg-Chilada

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Those of you who follow me on the social medias may have seen my feed flooded with my breakfast egg-chilada.

Musings: The one where I admit I'm struggling

If nothing is going

I've been meaning to write this blog post for a while, however I never really know exactly what it is I want to say, or how to write it, so I've just kept putting it off. 

Measuring Progress: A Year On

1 year 62lbs

I haven't done a measuring progress post in ages as I just haven't felt like my body is changing and with the scales staying the same I just wasn't feeling it, which is so Stupid (with a capital S) 'cause that's probably the best time I should've done it.

Musings: Ten things you shouldn't say to someone losing weight

Ten things you shouldn't say

If you're like me and trying to lose weight, or even just change something about yourself in general; you can often be met with a little resistance from people around you.

Food: Filling and Health Breakfast Stack

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The other morning I created a breakfast that made me resemble the heart eyed emoji.

Food: My Filling and Healthy Birthday Cake

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If you follow me on either Instagram or Twitter, then you'll probably be aware that last Monday was my birthday!

Food: Updated BBQ Pulled Pork

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So since my last pulled pork recipe, way back when, I've had a little jiggle about the to the recipe, and thought I'd share with you what I do now, as I often get asked.

Fitness: So you ran a 10K...

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I don't post many fitness posts on here as although fitness is now very much a part of my life, it's just not as interesting to me as writing recipes and random list type posts. 

Food: Filling and Healthy Blueberry Loaf

Fatty wants a biscuit blueberry loaf

It feels like it's been far too long since I got my filling and health bake on, so today I'd like to introduce to you my 'Filling and Healthy Blueberry Loaf'.

Musing: Ten weigh day things we all do

Ten Weigh Day Things

You all know the feeling right? The night before weigh in, those couple of hours before, when you're stomach is in knots and you're mentally berating yourself for every little crumb that's passed your lips over the past week since you were last in this predicament.

Musings: Scales aren't friends, or food

What do the scales say?

'Scuse the title of this post, I couldn't think of anything and then went kinda Finding Nemo on it!

Food: Mexican Sweet Potato Tortilla Bake

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This was one of those recipes that came into my head after seeing countless other recipes that were similar. So I kinda took inspiration from each different one, and created this bad boy.

Food: BBQ Chicken Bake

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I wasn't too sure whether I was going to post this recipe on the blog, but when I uploaded it to Instagram a lot of people asked for the recipe, so here it is.

Food: Turkey Meatball Curry

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This recipe comes from me seeing my boyfriend and his parents having a takeaway and having a meatball curry, and me thinking mmmm, that sounds good.

Musings: Honest Advice About Weightloss

Honest Advice About Weightloss

Weight loss is tough, and anyone who says it isn't is most probably lying or an alien sent from another planet. It's tough, it takes time but at the end of the day it's worth it.

Musings: Hey It's Ok...Weight Loss Edition

Hey It's Ok...

I don't know about you but I've always loved the 'Hey it's ok...' section in Glamour magazine, and admit I often only buy it for that bit (and the end section, that always makes me lol too.) So today I thought I'd do my own 'Hey It's Ok... Weight Loss Edition.' Hope you enjoy.

- To have a day off every now and again, 'cause life.

- To maybe spread your week 60/40 instead of 80/20 sometimes.

- To take that extra rest day, sometimes your body just needs it.

- To admit that you struggled with a workout, even though you did it perfectly the week before.

- To eat dessert for breakfast, and breakfast for dinner, you do you!

- To know that all images in magazines/online have most likely been photoshopped and therefore present unobtainable body goals, but still use them as motivation.

- To buy an item of clothing because it's a size smaller than you expected you'd need.

Food: My Filling and Healthy Chili

I have quite a thing for Mexican, and one dish that I find myself eating on pretty much a daily basis is Chili. I love that there are so many different ways you can eat Chili so it just never becomes boring. I like to make a big batch and then portion it up and freeze for a handy lunchtime meal. Delicious.

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"Filling and Healthy Chili" servings="4" time="3hr 30mins" difficulty="easy"

Ingredients

1 pack of extra lean mince beef

1 onion, finely chopped

2 chilies, chopped with seeds

1-2 garlic cloves

Hot Chili Powder

Smoked Paprika

Cayenne Chili Powder

Cumin

Ginger

1 tbsp of Lea & Perins'

1 can chopped tomatoes

1 can of mixed beans in a tomato sauce

Mushrooms, chopped

3 peppers, chopped

Method

1) Fry off your onion, garlic and chili in some fry light until your onions start to colour.

2) Add you mince and cook until browned.

3) Sprinkle over your spices & Lea & Perin's, making sure it's all combined.

4) Pour over your chopped tomatoes, mixed beans and add the veg.

5) Cover with a lid and leave to simmer for around 2 hours.

Musings: What do when you feel a binge coming

How to

On the day I'm writing this I've had a rough couple of days. Not in the sense anything bad happened to me, just in the sense I got an undeserved gain at weigh in, and want to eat my body weight in chocolate. On the Tuesday of my weigh-in, I gave in to the temptation, I didn't eat hardly anything compared to what I used to eat, but for what I eat now, I went hard.

I told myself that I could have that day to wallow and then I had to get straight back to it, which I did, but man it's been hard. It's like all my cravings have come back and now all I can think about is the delicious milky chocolate sitting in the other room. So I thought that instead of eating it all, and feeling like poop, I'd put my thinking into better use and write a blog post on ways to avoid having a binge.

1) Get out of the house - leave the place where the food is and take yourself for a nice walk. It may also be helpful to leave all your money at home too so you don't go out and buy food instead. Getting some fresh air should clear your head, and you should be able to give yourself a stern talking to and think about what you really want. I also find that after I've exercised I rarely want to undo all the hardwork I've just done.

2) Remember why you started - I've done a whole blog post of reasons on why I started this weight loss journey, and when you think about throwing all your hardwork in for that binge, it's useful to remember those reasons and think about why it is you've stayed on track for so long.

3) Eat something - but make it healthy. I know for me that although I'm not really hungry, I just need to be eating/grazing. Whilst this isn't the best for weight loss, I know I'd rather be snacking on filling and healthy food like chicken or plain popcorn than eating all the chocolate 'cause then at least I'm still following the plan, and I'm still being relatively healthy.

4) Read a book - I can't eat and read, so if my hands are kept busy reading, not only am I leaving my own head, I'm also not able to reach for food. It's a good distraction technique.

5) Drink all the water - Water makes you feel full and if you're feeling full, hopefully you're less likely to want to eat. Plus, if you have had a few things already, it will help to flush them out.

6) Don't beat yourself up - everyone's been there and these things happen. Focus on the next steps you can take and on how you can stop yourself the next time. Sometimes you just need to move on.

Food: Filling and Healthy Sticky Toffee Pudding

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Oh yes ladies and gents, I've done it. I've figured out how to make a Filling and Healthy Sticky Toffee Pudding, and today I'm sharing with you the recipe so you can make it too.

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Sticky Toffee Pudding has always been a staple in my life growing up, it's something my nan always used to make for Sunday dinner's dessert, and since she's moved to New Zealand, my Uncle does it instead.

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For me, STP and custard is just the ultimate comfort food, so I just had to figure out a guilt free way I could get my fix.

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It works out to be 1pp per portion, which I think is pretty amazing, please let me know if you try it!

"Sticky Toffee Pudding" servings="6" time="30mins" difficulty="easy"

Ingredients 

175g of Oats, blended

12g of soft brown sugar

1 apple, grated

1/2 tsp of Bicarbonate of Soda

2 tsp of Ginger

1 egg

4 tsp of Sweet Freedom

1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

150ml of milk

3 tbsp of maple syrup

Method:

1) Spray a pudding bowl with fry light and place the maple syrup at the bottom.

2) In another bowl mix the rest of your ingredients until well combined.

3) Pour the mixture into the bowl with maple syrup, then place some baking paper over the top and secure with an elastic band.

4) Place in the microwave for around 10 minutes (it will vary depending on your microwaves strength.)

5) After the time is up, check it's cooked and then leave to stand for ten minutes. Then slice and serve.

Musings: Things that keep my motivated

A couple of times on my ol' Insta page a few people have said they admire my motivation and determination, which I'll admit is gosh darn lovely. I'm not going to lie, there are some days I want to nose dive into a packet of Oreo's and bathe myself in Ben and Jerry's, however something always stops me (thank God!) but today I thought I'd share some of the things that keep me motivated.

Things that keep me

1) Clothes shopping - Buying clothes is so much nicer now knowing that I'll actual be able to fit into clothes from highstreet shops, and I often leave changing rooms feeling pleased and proud rather than wanting to curl up in a ball and cry into a big pint of Ben and Jerry's.

2) Think about what I can achieve - Whilst I do have my main goals and ideas of what I'd like to achieve in the long term (mainly Jenifer Lawrence's body) I also like to set myself weekly goals and focus on what I can achieve each week, keeping goals small but attainable and giving myself something to work toward.

3) Look at how far I've come - As I'm actually getting closer to goal and things are slowing down a bit, I find it useful to remind myself of where I started and what I've actually achieved. I find it's good to celebrate the whole journey, not just reaching the destination. It's important to feel proud!

4) An item of clothing - I like to keep one item of clothing in my wardrobe at all times that is too small as this gives me something to aim at and keep working toward. Whenever I feel myself starting to stray I think of that item and how I want to wear it and feel in it.

5) Weigh day - I know the scales shouldn't control our emotions, but they do play a bit part in this weight loss journey, I find that focusing on how I want to feel come weigh day really helps me stay motivated and stay on plan. I always feel much better on the weeks I know I've given 100%.

6) An event - Having an event, even if it's just dinner with friends, scheduled in is a great motivator as you want to know you've done everything you can to feel your best for the occasion. A great reason to plan things with friends too.

7) Non Scale Victories - I always try to find as many NSV's as possible as I think they're so important. It's amazing how much being overweight prohibits us from doing, and it's so liberating and motivating doing and achieving things you never did before.

8) Remembering why I started - I did a whole blog post about this a couple of weeks ago, but I find remembering how down and rubbish I felt before I started is a great motivator for me to continue on, as I sure know I don't want to be back where I started.

9) Pictures - As they say, a picture speaks a thousand words. Try and find the pictures you hope others deleted and use it to motivate you to continue. Stick it on the fridge, in the biscuit tin, wherever you can see it to keep you going,

10) Seeing others succeed - I love reading and looking at others success stories. There's so much motivation to be found at seeing others achieve something you want to achieve.

11) Thinking things through - Planning what I'm going to eat, being in control wherever I can, that ensures I'm on track and knowing I'm on track keeps me motivated.

12) Sharing my journey - I honestly believe the reason I've been so successful this time round is mainly due to this blog and my Instagram/Twitter. The support I've found is just incredible, and holding myself accountable really ensures I stay on the straight and narrow. I don't want to let myself down, and knowing others are watching also means I don't want to let them down too. So thank you to those of you who read, comment and help me stay on track, I couldn't do it without you!

Food: Five things I like to have in my freezer

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Planning is such a huge part of successful weight loss, in my opinion. The weeks I have the best losses are the weeks I've planned my meals out and now exactly what I'm having.

Sometimes it's far too easy to think 'eff it when you've got no food in, or you're late home from work and can't be bothered to cook, but here is where the freezer comes in. The freezer is your weight loss friend. All you need it a few things in your freezer and a good hearty meal is on the way. Plus, if it's in your freezer, you can plan for it! Sorted, right?

Here are five of my favourite things to have in the freezer:

1) Frozen fruit/veg - not only is frozen fruit and great think to grab if you want to make a quick smoothie (or some peaches and cream ice cream) it's also great as a healthy snack, or as an accompaniment to bulk other foods out. The same with veg, it's a great way to bulk meals out and ensure you're eating healthy.

2) Bread - I love carbs, I really do, and I always try to make sure I have back-ups of the Weight Watchers, wraps, pittas and petit pains in so that I can always have a little side to my meals, or have back-up in case the super market runs out and I plan to have them with a meal.

3) Food bases- I was unsure what to call this, but what I'm talking about is things like Chili, bolognese sauce etc... as they work so well in so many different ways. That way you have a base, but you can put with it whatever you fancy that it day.

4) Leftovers - My brother is a fussy eater, which means making dinner is a pain as I have to make him something different, but a score for the freezer as it means I can place his portion in the freezer for another day, when I can't be bothered to cook.

5) Meat - Seems pretty basic, but always having meat in your freezer is a great way of ensuring you always have a back up of something to cook, just in case!

What do you like to keep in your freezer?

Fitness: Ten things no one tells you about running

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1) It never gets easier, you just always push yourself further.

2) Runner's high is actually a real thing that actually happens and is not made up just to make you go running.

3) It's often a struggle to get out of the front door.

4) The proper equipment really helps. Go to an actual running shop (yes they exist) and get help getting the right trainers, and a good water bottle helps too.

5) Some runs are easier than others. One day you may bosh out a 10k in no time, a couple of days later 10 minutes will be hard. I don't know why, but it happens.

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6) Having a break can actually be a good thing. I often find I run better when I've taken a bit of break, I also find it can get too much if I'm doing it too often.

7) You'll often be half way round and want to quit, but carrying on makes finishing that much more satisfying.

8) You will be able to tell if you're in real pain and can't carry on any longer 'cause you'll get an injury or if you're brain is just telling you you're in pain 'cause your brain is a bitch who doesn't want you to succeed.

9) Chocolate tastes 100x better when it's eaten after a run,

10) A mile is f**king long.

Food: 3 Salads for people who don't like salads

I'm all for healthy eating and that (duh!) but one thing I don't really like or enjoy is salad. It's just so blah and cold, I don't really enjoy it. However, with the warmer months coming I've found three salads that I actually enjoy (and don't really taste like salad) for for those of you out there, like me, who don't like salad either.

1) Shredded chicken & roasted veg salad

A photo posted by Laura (@fattywantsabiscuit) on

Here all I do is boil a chicken breast in 2 cups of water with a stock cube for 10 minutes. I then shred it and leave it the side. I then take a sweet potato and a carrot, peal and slice and pop it in the microwave for 5 mins. I then add to a baking tray with chopped peppers and a sliced red onion, drizzle with a tsp of olive oil and cook in the oven for around 20 mins. Once that's cooked I fry some Kale in a wok with fry light and some Soy Sauce for around 5 mins, then add everything else, stir and serve with some salsa.

2) Turkey Kale Salad

A photo posted by Laura (@fattywantsabiscuit) on

Similar to above, here I chop up a turkey breast and cook in Soy Sauce. I then add the kale, sweet corn and some pepper and leave to cook on a low heat with a lid on for around 10 mins. I also like to add roasted carrot and sweet potato to it too, cooked as above, but with a tsp of Sweet Freedom too.

3) Chicken Fajita Salad


Here I make up a serving of Old El Paso BBQ Chicken fajitas (chicken, onion, peppers, mushroom, seasoning) and put it on top of a bag of sweet and crunchy salad leaves. (I've also added roasted sweet potato as it's my new obsession.)

So there you go, three salads that aren't too salad like!

Musings: My week without my Fitbit

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For Christmas I was given my very own Fitbit after lusting after others for a while, and whilst my obsessive personality ensured I'd love it, I don't think anyone (including myself) could ever have guessed I'd have become as obsessive as I am. I live for the buzz (once I've hit 10,000 steps) and walk round my house to get that number up on days my target has not been reached. Charging it is a task in itself as I also like to wear it when I sleep to show me that it's not just in my head and I do have a crap nights sleep far too often, so I have to charge it whenever I know I'm going to be still for a while, or I just plug it in when I have my daily shower.

So yes, my Fitbit is now a part of me, something that never leaves my wrist, until that is, the day it died.

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One day I went to put my Fitbit on charge and no lights appeared. I panicked. I unplugged the charger, tried it in a different socket, plugged it into my computer and nothing worked. I then tweeted for help (obviously) but still, it would not work.

I then got in touch with the lovely people at Fitbit (seriously, amazing customer service) who very kindly sent me a new one. However, the delivery time was 10-12 days, which is obviously a life time to not wear a Fitbit. In the end, I was Fitbitless for a week, as I had a few days charge left and it got delivered a bit early (yay!) and I thought I'd tell you a little bit from my week without my Fitbit.

On the first day all I could notice was how bare my arm felt. I'm used to having this wrist strap on 24/7 and suddenly my arm was naked and exposed to the world. It felt very strange.

I then found it really hard to motivate myself to go for a walk, as what was the point if my Fitbit wasn't with me to count the steps. It was hard to push myself, and I must admit, there were numerous days where I knew if I had my Fitbit, I would've tried harder.

I'd try and guesstimate the number of steps I'd have done each day following days previous with the Fitbit, but somehow I know that I probably wouldn't have buzzed any of the days I was Fitbitless.

Sleeping also felt pointless, as I knew I wouldn't be able to definitely tell if my weird dreams were making me restless and to blame for the fact I felt so tired in the morning.

Then there were activity points. The main reason I got my Fitbit was because it can be synced with Weight Watchers and tell me how many activity points I'd earned, and that week the small activity points sign really left me deflated. I was manually entering my activity into the Fitbit app (sobbing each time I saw the little x over the battery) but I knew that it wasn't going to get me the same as usual.

So whilst I found I'm maybe slightly unhealthily attached to my Fitbit, I also found that it really is a great motivator to me to get up, get moving and not sit on my fat ass all day.

So Fitbit, I thank you, my weight loss thanks you and I beg you to never leave me again.

Food: Peaches and Cream Ice Cream





I've seen the idea of 'nice' cream floating around the Internet for a while, and I've tried it twice before and it really didn't work. However, I may have accidentally created my own little nice cream when trying to make a smoothie bowl (kinda the same thing really, but still) and oh my gosh it's delicious.

I'd say this it the perfect evening treat, and I can see it becoming a true summer staple for me. The best bit is, everything in it is good for you. Crazy times my friends, crazy times.

This here is a basic recipe, and it can totally be added to or swapped around. I'm thinking of trying it out with mango soon, and you could easily layer it up with all different kinds of fruit and make a sundae. As you can see, I enjoyed mine topped with some passion fruit.

I'm aware it's a super simple recipe but I still wanted to share. It also takes a while for it to all blend together, but it's worth the wait and shaking of the blender. You could also make it pre dinner and pop it in the freezer so it's extra cool and has more of a firmness to it.

"Peaches and Cream Ice Cream" servings="1" time="10mins (plus freezing time)" difficulty="easy"
Ingredients 

1/2 Peaches

1 Banana

2 Cups of non fat yogurt

Method

1) Chop your banana and peach(es) up and place in the freezer for around two hours.

2) Place your frozen fruit in a blender, then add the yogurt.

3) Blend until all the fruit is smooth and serve.

Notes I find using tinned peaches works just as well and is cheaper, so that's something to look into, just make sure it's in juice and not syrup.

Musings: Ten things you don't realise about losing weight

Things you don't

When embarking on a weight loss journey there are certain things you realise about losing weight, you know, you'll need smaller clothes and you'll be smaller ('cause duh!) but there are also a lot of things you don't realise, which I'm sharing with you today.

1) You're shoe size shrinks. How is beyond me, but yeah, I've pretty much lost a shoe size.

2) Your confidence grows. Yes this may be obvious, but it grows in ways you'll never understand. For example I've cut my hair short, I say yes to social things more easily, I walk through restaurants without a sense of fear of getting stuck or knocking someones dinner off of the table with my fat ass (I can just visulaise Mean Girls right there.)

3) You still have nothing to wear. Everything is just too damn big, but you're either not ready for the next size down, or don't see the point in buying new clothes when you're going to be getting smaller too. Also all your big clothes still make you look big because they're too big. It's a real struggle.

4) Your bank balance decreases. See point number 3, and also you try stuff on in a smaller size and if it actually fits you just have to get it because it's a god damn size 12 top from Topshop (that was me yesterday btw...)

5) You can fit into new places. Ever sit in the same seat 'cause you know you'll fit? Just me? Well you'll actually be able to fit in other spaces too. And, more people will be able to sit on the sofa with you. And you may have to adjust your seat in the car now that there is more room between you and the steering wheel.

6) Your taste buds will change. I used to be all about the sweet stuff (strange that) couldn't get enough of it, but now I'm much more partial to savoury foods. I'd often chose a healthy 'fry' up over pancakes nowadays.

7) You start to notice you have bones. I honestly thought I'd woken up hungry in the night one night and eaten my skeleton as the only knowledge I had of being bony was when I banged my funny bone. Now I actually see collarbones on a daily basis, without having to make a funny face, and sometimes when I lie on my stomach I hurt my hipbone (shocked face).

8) People around you become diet experts. People who know you, but don't know you soon start seeing your success and giving you every piece of diet advice under the sun. Either that or they tell you you're looking too thin etc.

9) You get obsessive. You're still constantly thinking about food all the time, however instead of eating the first food that pops into your head, you give it thought and consideration and think about how you'll feel after you've eaten it.

10) You'll realise you're the exact same person you were before, just smaller. You can change the outside through weight loss, but you can't change the inside, remember that.

Food: Snacking on Filling and Healthy

 icecream

I know for some, one of the big things that puts them off trying Filling and Healthy is the thought of the lack of sweet stuff and wondering how on earth they would snack. It's definitely something that concerned me. But I actually found that it wasn't that difficult at all. By eating filling and healthy foods I feel fuller and last a lot longer between meals, however sometimes I need a little nibble on something, and this is the type thing I reach for.

1) Frozen fruit

Whilst frozen fruit is actually quite nice to enjoy just on its own, you can use it to make lovely refreshing smoothies too.

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2) Chicken/Meat

I bloody love chicken, I think it's great. At the start of the week I cook a whole chicken (and remove the skin) and put it in the fridge and just grab at that when I'm feeling peckish. If there is no chicken left I move onto things like ham etc.

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3) Fruit and Veg

Maybe quite obvious, but yeah, If you're hungry grab a banana or a carrot. I always like to remember the saying that if you won't eat an apple, you can't be really hungry.

4) Popcorn

I have a filling and healthy popcorn recipe up on my blog already, but it makes a great snack and sweet treat.

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5) Free Bread

Things like Warbutons Thins or Weight Watchers products are great if you're starving and dinner isn't for another few hours. A Warbie thin toasted is a great gap filler.

6) Cakes

This covers the more sweet treats/dessert side of filling and healthy, but I love nothing more than rustling up a F&H cake to nibble on. Plenty of recipes on the blog.

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7) Weekly propoints

Don't forget, you have 49 weekly pro points that need to be used. A great way to ensure you're still having yummy treats but eating the good stuff too.





Musings: To Anyone Thinking of Starting a Weight Loss Journey

3 months from now is July!! That means Summer time! Get in shape with our Total Body Transformation Program :-)

Maybe I'm a bit late to this party with January being over and all that (well over), however I'm a firm believer that there is no time like the present to get started on a weight loss journey. Here are some of the things I think are important, and I hope they help.

1) Take measurements & pictures

Oh how I wish I'd taken more 'before' pictures and had taken my measurements. Sometimes the scales don't budge, or you have days feeling a bit crappy and you need a reminder of how far you've come. I'm glad I did take the progress pictures I did, but sometimes it would be nice to see the inches I've lost too, or compare other photos than the few I have. Yes it's embarrassing when you're starting, but so rewarding once you've been on plan for a while.

2) Find a plan that works for you

I've always loved Weight Watchers, and Filling and Healthy is definitely the plan that works for me, however it's not for everyone, and that's ok. Maybe you don't want to follow Weight Watchers, maybe Slimming World or Rosemary Connoley or the 5:2 diet is for you.  It doesn't matter. just find something that works for you and that you can stick to, and that's all that matters.

3) Reward yourself along the way

I have a list of mini goals that I look at to make my weight loss seem less daunting. Each week I give myself a target to aim for, and once a goal has been reached I quickly give myself another one. Make a note of when you accomplished certain goals to remind yourself of your achievements.

4) Find a community and hold yourself accountable

I love Instagram and setting up my Fatty Wants a Biscuit account has been the best thing I've done. I've found a great group of people who are supportive and kind and help to spur me on. I hold myself accountable to things by posting pictures of my food and fitness progress and it really helps keep me on track. Find something similar for yourself.

5) Just do it

Don't wait till Monday or after that important event, start now. I started on a Wednesday, two weeks before my family holiday. I literally woke up that day, looked for a meeting and went. I still had a fabulous holiday AND lost 3lbs. Anything is possible if you just believe.

Food: Tastiest Gammon EVER

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Ok, so maybe the title is a bit of a dramatic statement, but seriously, I've found my favourite most tastiest way to eat gammon and I just had to share it with you today.

"Tastiest Gammon Ever" servings="4-6" time="4+ hours" difficulty="easy"

Ingredients:

Gammon joint

Diet Coke

1tbsp of Sweet Freedom

Method:

1) Place your gammon in a large casserole dish and fill with water. Place a lid on top and bring to the boil.

2) Once the water is boiling, drain it away so you are just left with the gammon.

3) Then cover your gammon with diet coke. Bring to the boil and reduce to simmer for around 3+ hours (depends on the size of your joint, could be more etc.)

You could finish it here and just shred the gammon and eat it that way, or:

4) Remove your gammon from the coke and place in a roasting tin. Rub in the Sweet Freedom and place in the oven for around 15 mins.

5) Remove, carve and serve.

Notes:

I've left sizes and measurements our as it all depends on how many you're feeding and the size of you gammon. This was adapted from the Nigella coke gammon recipe. Technically you'd have to point this on Filling and Healthy as only gammon steaks are classed as free, but as long as I cut the fat off, I don't count it, so it depends if you're a stickler to the rules or not on points.

Fitness: My workout routine

IMG_4902

Over the past month or so I've turned into a kind of new person, and my parents are slightly worried that I've been kidnapped by aliens.

Well, maybe that's slightly over dramatic, but I've begun to exercise. A lot. And enjoy it. It's crazy!

I was always the girl looking for ways to get out of PE at school, would avoid anything that could leave me feeling sweaty and would be out of puff going up the stairs. (Still kind of am the last one, guess things don't always change.)

Now however, I set my alarm in the morning to give myself time to workout before I begin work for the day. I'm very lucky now as I get to work from home which means I don't have to factor in getting to work time so I wouldn't have to get up as early as when I used to go to the office. But I've found working out in the morning really helps keep me focused and I take satisfaction in knowing that I've done my main workout for the day before 8am.

I usually do a morning workout on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Tuesday is weigh day so I like to do my work earlier so it's done before I head off to weigh in and so far every Monday I've been doing this I've either been too tired from a late weekend or had to drop my boyfriend somewhere.

I try to alternate a workout dvd/video with a run. So usually Weds/Fri will be a video and Thurs will be a run and I also try to do something on the Tuesday evening after weigh-in whether it be a run or a dvd.

I think one of the reasons I'm so into doing my videos is because I found out how to hook my phone to my TV and watch YouTube videos that way, which to be honest makes me feel like a Wizard. I've found lots of good channels that have great videos, but my favourite is definitely PopSugar Fitness. I find them really easy to follow, the instructor to be motivating and I love seeing the countdown timer. They also have their own app too which means you can do their workouts anywhere.

I've created a playlist on YouTube too, to show you the workouts I'm loving and whenever I try a new one I'll add it to the playlist if you fancy trying something new.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBdWscdmTw5DO6HFeGsQuYtR6CzMq6U61

Along with these workouts and runs I also like to make sure I go for a walk at least once a day too. 1) Because I'm obsessed with hitting 10,000 steps on my FitBit and 2) It means I actually leave the house each day.

I hope this post has been maybe insightful and not completely dull, and has even given you a new workout to try.

Food: 5 Filling and Healthy Breakfast Ideas

PicMonkey Collage

After getting such a nice response to my Filling and Healthy Weekend blog post I thought I'd do something of a similar fashion, so I present to you, 5 Filling and Healthy breakfast ideas. I hope you find it helpful.

The Big Breakfast

Much needed #breakfast today 0⃣#propoints on #fillingandhealthy

A photo posted by Laura (@fattywantsabiscuit) on


If go big or go home is your motto you need to try this. I like to grill my bacon medallions and serve with scrambled egg (usually a two egger) some beans and a Warbie thin. You could also add grilled mushrooms and tomatoes or try dry frying your egg or poaching it instead. All this and 0 propoints on Filling and Healthy.

The One for Sweet Tooths


Ladies and gentlemen, if sweet is more your thing, allow me to introduce to you French Toast Crumpets. I simply mix one egg with a pinch of nutmeg, a dash of vanilla extract and tiny amount of brown sugar (less than 3g.) Then heat up a frying pan, spray with fry light and cook on both sides until slightly crispy. I top mine with fruit and 1 tbsp of maple syrup for a point, but you could switch the maple syrup with a tsp of Sweet Freedom to make it 0pp on F&H.

The Grab and Go

Today is definitely a day where #breakfast needs to taste like cake 1⃣#propoint on #fillingandhealthy

A photo posted by Laura (@fattywantsabiscuit) on


If you don't have time in the morning and just need something you can quickly grab, may I suggest you take 15 mins the night before to make yourself some baked oats. I promise you, you won't regret it. The recipe for my favourite ones can be found here, however depending on what you put in yours depends on the propoints.

The One for People Who Don't 'do' breakfast


I know some 
crazy 
people don't actually like breakfast, however it really is the most important meal of the day, so may I suggest to you a smoothie. If this is all you're going to be having, why not try adding a cup of oats and some yogurt into your smoothie to give you some extra energy. It'll still be 0pp but will keep you going for longer.

The Maccies Fakeaway

Who needs McDonalds when you can have this for 1⃣#propoint on #fillingandhealthy 😋

A photo posted by Laura (@fattywantsabiscuit) on


Not to toot my own trumpet, but I've definitely saved the best till last. Forget going and grabbing a breakfast muffin, make your own. For this I grab some extra lean pork mince, mix it together with some grated onion, mixed herbs and seasoning and them flatten into a burger shape and cook in a griddle pan. I then add my cooked bacon medallions and a 20g of low 50% cheese and place it in a warbie thin. Heaven. You could omit the cheese to make it 0pp on F&H or else it would be 1pp. You could also add a dry fried egg to it, if you're into that sort of thing. Just FYI a Sausage and Egg McMuffin from McDonalds will cost you 12pp.

I hope this post has given you some ideas for how to make a F&H breakfast, or just given you some new breakfast ideas. I'd love to hear your favourite breakfasts too.

Musings: Remembering why you started

Sometimes we can get to a stage in our journey where the scales won't budge, where we just want to eat a whole god damn chocolate bar and not worry about it going straight to our hips and thighs and causing a 5lb weight gain, where we still feel like a beached whale when we look in the mirror and when we just want to throw the towel in because it's hard and it takes time.

My fitness motivation page is dedicated to inspire anyone that likes fitness and wants to achieve a #fit and #healthy body.

As someone who has thrown in the towel multiple times before, and who is desperate not to chuck it in again, I'm writing down what made me start to lose weight and why it's worth fighting to keep it off.

1) To be able to go into high street shops and my biggest worry to be if I can afford something, not whether they have the size I'm after or whether I'll be able to squeeze into the biggest size they have.

2) To not have the constant fear that people are judging me because of my weight. I don't want to be scared of meeting new people, or doing things by myself because I'm scared of my weight and how I look. I want to feel confident in myself (which I know should not be linked to appearances, but I'm human and it is. My confidence is already increasing with the weight I've already lost.)

3) To not have to worry if I'm going to fit into places. Going through restaurants that have tight spaces, having to sit in a chair that has arms each side, doing up the seat belt on planes etc. The more weight I'm losing, the smaller my fear of being stuck is getting.

4) To not feel like my heart is going to explode after going up a flight of stairs, and not wheezing after having to move to a brisk pace when walking down the road.

5) To know that if I do get health problems in the future, my weight isn't causing them.

6) To actually feel my age. It sound strange but I've been thinking about this a lot recently, I'm 22 and I've always dressed to 'suit my body', and always been 'a big girl for her age'. I've never felt my age, and whilst I'm perfectly happy to go to bed early and staying in on the weekend, I'd for once like to have the body of my age and be able to dress for it.

7) To think that if someone needed to give me a piggyback they'd be able to without injuring themselves.

8) To stop me knees and feet from hurting from carrying a heavy amount of weight around everyday.

9) To be a good role model for any children I may have in the future. I want to have my healthy lifestyle sorted so that I can raise them to lead one too.

10) To actually accomplish something. For once I'd like to actually reach my goal instead of quitting when it gets tough.

11) To rock a bikini on the beach on holiday. I have no recollection of ever wearing a bikini in my adult life and that makes me sad. This year I will and I'll be proud!!!!

12) To stop feeling lethargic all day. Whilst nine times out of ten I'll be feeling tired, it's a different kind of tired to the sort of tiredness I felt when I was four stone heavier.

13) To not have my weight to blame for anything. For not going out, for not buying t-shirt, for not taking up a great opportunity, for not going on a ride at a theme park, for not holding me back.

14) To not be identified as 'the fat one'.

15) To be remembered for something else other than my weight.

16) To be proud of myself and have others proud of me too.

I've realised this post may be a little deeper than I first envisioned but I'd love to hear your reasons around why you started too.

Food: Chicken Enchiladas

Have you guessed that I looove Mexican food yet? The other day I made some enchiladas and I think that I've definitely got my recipe down to a sharing level so that's what I'm doing today.

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For the sauce I've taken inspiration from a Skinny Taste recipe I tried, it's so simple and super tasty too.

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"Chicken Enchiladas" servings="4" time="1hour" difficulty="easy"

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts

4 big tomatoes

1 chili

2 red peppers

1 onion

4 garlic cloves

cumin powder

smoke paprika

chili powder

cayenne chili pepper

1 cup of sweetcorn

1 tin of kidney beans

80g 50% cheese, grated

8 weigh watchers wraps

Method

1) Place two cups of water into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and cool.

2) Bring another large sauce pan to the boil and add the peppers and chilies and boil for 10 minutes, then add the tomatoes for another 10.

3) Once the chicken is cool enough to handle use to forks to shred it and place it in a bowl. Add the sweet corn and beans to it.

4) Chop the onion into chunks and fry in fry light until soft. Then add your spices and cook for a couple more minutes.

5) Once the peppers, chili and tomatoes has been cooked, remove from the water and remove the innards from the pepper and chili and take the skin off the tomatoes. Then pop it all in a blender along with the onion and blend until you get a smooth sauce.

6) Pour the two thirds of the sauce over the chicken and mix well.

7) Place the chicken mixture in the centre of each wrap and roll and place in a cooking dish. Once all the wraps are in the dish pour over the remaining sauce and sprinkle the cheese on top.

8) Bake in a pre-heated oven on 200oc for around 20-30 mins until the cheese is melted. Serve two wraps per person.

Notes:

This will be 1pp per serving on Filling and Healthy.

I haven't given measurements for spices as it's up to personal taste.


Measuring Progress #5

8 months

So I'm now down 57lbs since that first picture in July and I must admit, I'm feeling pretty good about it. I've finally (almost) got myself a little routine I enjoy doing, and I'm still pretty much on plan which for me over six months down the line is pretty fantastic.

It makes me so happy to think that I'm closer to goal than I am to my start weight.

As usual, here are my 3 non scale victories:

https://instagram.com/p/0YOLHODJj1/

https://instagram.com/p/0UeSLQDJgO/

https://instagram.com/p/0Kghe5jJr5/

Musings: Being proud of your journey

Be proud of your journey!  #skinnyms #transformation #enewsletter

I've been having a little ponder over the weekend around the concept of feeling proud. For me, I find it a little hard, but also at the same time rather easy to feel proud of myself.

I'm the sort of person that likes attention but also hates being the centre of attention. I know, I'm very odd.

On Friday night I went out for dinner for my boyfriend's sisters birthday and saw lots of their family who I hadn't seen in a long time. They all commented on my weight loss and told me how great I was, and whilst I was truly flattered I had no idea what to say back, so I blushed and said thank you.

The silly thing is I'm immensely proud of myself and how much I've achieved, and I'm definitely in the current mindset of 'look how far I've come' rather than 'oh God I've got so far to go,' but hearing other people say things, to my face, is still quite hard to comprehend. I guess it's easier for me posting things on the Internet for people I don't know to tell me how fabulous I am, as I'm much more confident behind a screen.

So I'd like to know, what is it you say to people? Do you tell them all about it, or do you try to change the subject?

For my boyfriend's sisters birthday she decided to go out for a Chinese; so 19 people went to an all you can eat Chinese buffet, where they serve it to your table. Now, I looove Chinese food, so this was a dream, but I was actually quite anxious so how the heck was I meant to point it? But you know what, I tried my best to not over indulge, but also tried my best to just enjoy myself.

Maybe I did overeat, maybe I won't lose half a pound at weigh in tomorrow, but I tried my best. I've tried all I can this week, and if it wasn't enough, then that's life. I can only hope to try better next week.

My weight loss journey is far from over, but I'm actually closer to the end than the start, so so what if I have a week where I don't lose because I was out living my life. I've got a ton more weeks to make a difference.


Also over the weekend I had a slight epiphany over weight loss and exercise and I came to realise that it doesn't matter how fast, or slow you go, or how many times you stop, as long as you finish.

Image from Pinterest.