tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30705543512927193282024-03-13T21:10:01.867+00:00Balancing Chloe A Girl Just Trying to Find BalanceChloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.comBlogger214125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-60644975719759319032014-09-03T20:07:00.000+01:002015-04-04T02:18:02.697+01:00Queue The Camera Roll | August<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>These snaps also show some of my favourites from the month. Excuse the quality of the photos.</b></div>
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1.) Book of the Month ~ <i>Quiet </i>by Susan Cain </h3>
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2.) <i>Homemade Smoothies </i>~ esp. Strawberry & Banana</h3>
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3.) <i>Oats </i>with lots of different toppings</h3>
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4.) <i>Red Lips, Favourite Jacket, Curly Hair</i></h3>
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5.) <i>Peanut Butter, Banana on Toast</i></h3>
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6.) Enjoying <i>Nights-Out</i> with Friends</h3>
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7.) And finally <i>Baths </i>to help the colder nights we are having</h3>
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<b>And that's all my random snaps/favourites for the month of August.</b></div>
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What are your favourites for the month of August?</h3>
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Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-54605808219666170362014-08-28T11:03:00.000+01:002014-08-28T11:03:22.882+01:00PCOS | Diet | Dairy<div style="text-align: center;">
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PCOS affects my day to day life more than I like to let on to the people that surround me everyday. But lately I have been noticing a change in my energy levels. Since finishing university and moving back in with my mom there have been more treats around me than there was before. There are cookies, chocolates, cakes and sweets all the time. My brother and sister are twelve and fifteen and like to eat the usual treats and rubbish that kids there age do. However, I am twenty-one and no longer a child and that means my needs for sugar aren't and shouldn't be matched with theirs. But the time of the month got to me when I first arrived back that first month and I ate a few too many sugary treats. Since then though I have been a bit of a sugar and snack addict up until a month ago when I managed to straighten myself out and get me back on a healthier road.<br />
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Growing up there wasn't a doctor to sit me down and properly explain what PCOS was. That also included what you should eat and how people with the syndrome struggle with insulin resistance. I had to instead research on my own and find out about everything about it, and I still feel like I'm learning today. In fact I take my symptoms more serious now, than I ever have before. I'm learning more about my body and how certain and different foods make me react. That's both IBS and PCOS related. At the moment I'm figuring out what works for me and what doesn't. So far it is working and I am paying attention to how my body reacts to certain foods. There's still a long way to go and more I want to figure out, but so far so good.<br />
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Here is one of the main things I have recently learnt about PCOS:</h3>
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<b>~ Dairy</b> - before my recent research I didn't know how bad Cow's milk and products are for your body. I knew that soy products were bad but I didn't realise that the milk contains IGF-1 or Insulin Growth Factor 1. IGF-1 is a naturally occurring hormone with a similar molecule structure as that of insulin, mimicking the role insulin plays. However, women with PCOS already have higher than normal levels of IGF-1, meaning that their ovaries are sensitive to heightened or added amounts of this hormone. This leads to their ovaries going into overdrive and doing more work than they in fact need to. I have now switched up my use of cow's milk and gone back to almond milk. It isn't a favourite but I am going to keep using it because I know how the switch has helped others internally, including helping the reproduction system and aiding natural unassisted periods.<br />
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For more information I have found this website called <a href="http://pcosdietsupport.com/">pcosdietsupport.com</a>. Tarryn suffers from PCOS herself and has also made podcasts which I have found useful that you can find on Itunes by searching pcos diet support.<br />
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Do you have PCOS? If so, have you learnt anything that you would like to share?</h3>
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<i>xChloex</i></h4>
Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-87946820238458284792014-08-25T17:46:00.001+01:002014-08-25T17:46:22.462+01:00Quiet | Susan Cain<br />
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'Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking' is in fact a book by author Susan Cain and my new bible. Of course, I am using the word bible in an open sense, meaning a book I feel to be powerful. I have been reading this book over the course of the past few months and although it has taken me this long to complete it, it doesn't take away from how much I have thoroughly enjoyed the read. As well as, how much I have taken from the book information-wise.<br />
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Quiet is a non-fiction book about introversion and in turn extroversion. Before I even picked up this book I knew I was an introvert, and in fact I have always had an incline that I have introverted tendencies. But personally for me this book (and my saving grace) has only confirmed it definitively. I know referring to it as my saving grace sounds a little strong and some may say 'Slow down Chloe, it's just a book'. However, for me books have always been and meant something much more than words on paper. They symbolise numerous things, including the determination to complete/finish something that a book helps us achieve.<br />
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I am definitely the type of person that can pick up a book at 11am and still be reading it by 6pm later on that evening, especially if I am really into a book. I have even been known to complete a book in a days sitting when I've put my mind to it. As an English Literature student this isn't shocking and was one of the many demands of my chosen course, which nowadays I actually miss. Who'd have thought it?<br />
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Basically, if you've ever felt like the shy person in the group? Or even if you've questioned your own personality type, then this is the book for you. However, I would honestly recommend this book to everyone and anyone I meet (and have been). You know when you find a book so good that you want everyone you know and come into contact with to read? Well, it's one of those. It's both informative and enlightening and like the recommendations on the back praise:<br />
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"<b>Remarkable</b>" - Daily Mail, </blockquote>
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"<b>Will make quiet people see themselves in a whole new light</b>" - Naomi Wolf </blockquote>
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and "<b>An extroadinary book that will change for ever the way society views introverts</b>" - Gretchen Rubin, Author of <i>The Happiness Project</i></blockquote>
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Pick it up and give it a read :) It will definitely change your view of certain people.<br />
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Oh and check out the TED talk Susan Cain did <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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The Guardian's Review <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/mar/22/quiet-power-introverts-susan-cain-review" target="_blank">here</a>.Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-1763396072264359692014-08-23T17:43:00.001+01:002014-08-23T17:47:55.361+01:0016/08-22/08This week has definitely had its highs and its lows in terms of weight loss. The lows happen when I feel like I am getting nowhere and the highs happen when I go to the gym and are able to do things I couldn't do even a few weeks ago. At the moment the bottom line is that I am nowhere near where I want to be. And honestly on my lowest days that fact still gets me down. I've been there, before, but not for long. But what keeps me going and pushing forth is that I am going to be there again, hopefully before or at graduation on the 27th of November.<br />
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There are big changes I am just failing to make. I am becoming conflicted and confused in my attempt to clean up my diet. There are too many things that I am trying to do at once. I am trying to eat Low Fodmap and Low GI all at the same time for health reasons. I am eating a Low Fodmap diet in order to help my IBS and so far so good. All my symptoms have calmed down and I am definitely happier as far as that part of my digestive system is concerned. The same is really to be said of the Low GI dietary changes I have been making, cutting down on high glycemic foods has been a huge change - mainly in my mood. So there are definitely improvements being made, just not at the fast pace I crave.<br />
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But I think that is mainly down to self and not giving it my all. There are nights out and I'm not one to turn down a beer, but I think that's where I need to stop. Only drinking for occasions or special events is definitely the way to go as my university days drift behind me. (It's getting less and less acceptable to drink on a Thursday haha.) But by abstaining from alcohol, I know there will be rewards to be reaped on the scales.<br />
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Basically, I know what I need to be doing it's just putting mind over matter and getting the job done.Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-4679323490797911772014-08-15T20:37:00.001+01:002014-08-15T20:37:19.082+01:0009/08-15/08 This week equals a success and I feel completely proud of myself to be saying that sentence.<br />
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As I relax now with a well earned beer (or two), I find myself looking back on the week. The lows, the highs, the successes, the failures, it really did all happen. But I battled with myself when it came to food and I made sure that I got a good workout session in (whatever I decided it would be). And two out of three ain't bad, as Meatloaf would say or for me six out of seven ain't bad! The only day I "took off" was Thursday, or yesterday I should say, as I just felt downright terrible after minimal sleep. At one point, I honestly thought I'd pass out from exhaustion. But I powered through, took two Pro-Plus (which I hate to do) and pulled it out of the bag. Now I never recommend taking caffeine in pill form, but yesterday it was necessary and quickly did the trick. I'd say within half an hour I was powering through job applications and continuing on with my Thursday.<br />
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Eating healthy and cleaner, and simply working out, doing whatever I chose is what has made my week a success. In my own eyes anyhow. The workouts where beginner and nothing too strenuous was achieved, as in I wasn't flipping tyres or throwing sandbags, which is what I always think about when I think of "proper people" who work out. I ran, I lifted weights, I toyed around with kettle-bells (easily my new favourite piece of gym equipment). Nothing was ever boring, though at times it was hard and I think that's where balance comes into the equation. You need to enjoy what you're doing, but it needs to feel challenging enough to see improvements and changes. These improvements and changes are what make you want to continue and to power through. They are evidence of your hard work and proof of the strength you put into each session. So hopefully 4 to 6 weeks time and I'll see some kind of improvements.<br />
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I'm not weighing myself at the moment,a deliberate decision that I have made. It will do no good and so I am going to leave it alone...for now anyways. My goal weight I feel is always 9 and a half stone, with a 25/26 inch waist. Those are the figures I always have in my mind, because I know when I get down to that weight all the opportunities I'll have. Opportunities like wearing shorts and not minding, just the little things like that that make life that little bit easier.<br />
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And that's where I leave it for today. Hopefully next week will be just as successful.<br />
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<b><i>xoChloexo</i></b></div>
Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-31865413918957640102014-07-28T22:58:00.000+01:002014-07-28T22:58:43.849+01:00Going Low-...The Low I am referring to is Low Fodmaps. I am one of the many people who suffer with IBS. Although I haven't been clinically "diagnosed" by an expert, my doctor has confirmed that all the symptoms I get are on par with that of IBS. Someone recently asked me what I would do in my current situation, right here in the present, if I had three wishes. The reason for the present is because I am always changing. Like everybody else in this world, my focuses switch and I want for different things all the time. But at the current moment my wishes are as follows:<br />
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<li>Get my dream job.</li>
<li>Have nothing physically wrong with my body.</li>
<li>And have better relationships.</li>
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<img alt="I actually changed for myself to be a better person because one day that one person changed my life forever & I realized how short life was so why be this horrible person & live through so much bs . When you can be happy & bs free !!!! Do it for yourself people !! Do it for the new you ; ) only be that bitch at certain times when it's necessary !!!!" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/cc/9c/3e/cc9c3e9096a5bb3b44d6ddbec718fe4f.jpg" /></div>
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Obviously, these goals can all be achieved with time, but it would also be great if they could do a 360. in a second.</div>
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However, Life prefers time and so I am currently attempting to tackle all three head-on. I first began researching IBS early last year when my symptoms started getting worse, and that's when I discovered the low fodmap approach to IBS. I researched into it and was blind-sighted by how many foods, healthy foods, contributed to flared up symptoms. As someone who enjoys their fruits, veggies and salads it was hard to justify trying to go without these items or just avoiding certain food items.<br />
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It is recommended that at the beginning of your low fodmap journey you do the <a href="http://www.fodmapfun.com/the-low-fodmap-diet/" target="_blank">elimination phase</a>. When I first read about this I was baffled by the concept. As a general rule I try not to follow strict or depriving diets or food plans. Past issues with food showed me that I should just follow my own diet. By that I mean eating healthy whilst also enjoying my favourite, less-healthy foods. However, by following the elimination phase would mean cutting out a large chunk of my diet and getting rid of foods that are known to upset people that have IBS. By following this 4 to 6 week period and keeping a daily diary improvements should be seen. And that is almost guaranteed. I mean it isn't rocket science, eliminating the cause of your stomach upsets is going to lead to a healthier stomach, but hearing peoples testimonies that I have come across it makes everything that much more tempting!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 29.75px;">"During the elimination phase, you should follow the low FODMAP diet strictly and eliminate all foods on the </span><a href="http://www.fodmapfun.com/what-are-fodmaps/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s ease; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #69a6cc; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 29.75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s ease; vertical-align: baseline;" title="What are FODMAPs?">high-FODMAP list</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 29.75px;"> for around 6 weeks."</span></blockquote>
<a href="http://www.fodmapfun.com/the-low-fodmap-diet/" target="_blank">Source </a><br />
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I have yet to actually go through the elimination phase, but just by lowering the amount of high fodmaps that I put into my mouth I am seeing massive improvements in my general gastro health. If you have IBS yourself I would definitely recommend looking into fodmaps and the highs and lows of the food they categorise, even if you just follow my approach and lower the higher fodmap foods that you put into your mouth. </div>
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I am still researching into The Low-Fodmap diet, by looking at different blogs, journals and articles on the subject, but I am very glad for the information I have found so far and I wouldn't have known about it unless I'd have researched into it one late night.</div>
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Here's a couple of useful <a href="http://www.ibsdiets.org/fodmap-diet/fodmap-food-list/" target="_blank">Fodmap </a><a href="http://www.cassandraforsythe.com/blog/complete+fodmap+list+for+a+happy+gut" target="_blank">Food </a>Lists.</div>
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<b><i>xoChloexo</i></b> </div>
Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-50928388472378896362014-07-23T17:37:00.000+01:002014-07-23T17:37:10.571+01:00WIAW: Because I Finally Remembered!It feels like forever since I linked up with <a href="http://www.peasandcrayons.com/" target="_blank">Jenn </a>for a WIAW post. But I finally remembered to get some candid shots of my eating from yesterday and I thought why not blog it...<br />
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This will be a quick post as I am currently sweating my ass off and all I am doing is sitting on my bed. The good weather has hit and I want to make the most of it. Living in England you never know exactly how long this amazing weather will last. It could literally be gone tomorrow!<br />
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Meal One</h3>
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Snack One</h3>
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Meal Two</h3>
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Snack Two and Three</h3>
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Meal Three</h3>
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Now the warm weather has finally hit, I find myself reaching for the easy to plate (no slaving over a stove), chilled and fresh meals. Grab and Go is what I have been about recently and it is definitely evident in these photos!</div>
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Can't wait to sneak a peek at everyone elses eats...let's go.</div>
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<b><i>xoChloexo</i></b></div>
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Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-19526880259368576692014-07-16T12:20:00.000+01:002014-07-16T12:20:44.271+01:00Doing Things Just For Doings SakeI have been done with University for the past month and a half now and it's stressful trying to get a job. Trying to maintain a routine has been key to not having a full fledged breakdown, but I'd be lying if I said that I haven't been struggling. And struggling I have, big time. Since my birthday meltdown last month I have been getting by pretty well, but not having a job nor an education to work towards is getting on my nerves. Having a job means having a routine and something to keep my mind preoccupied.<br />
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I've gone from having a job and being a university undergraduate, to being unemployed and it's beginning to take its toll. I know most grads would be jumping at the chance to relax after all the hard-work they've just put in to their degree, but I am ready to get out there already. The problem is I have social anxiety/anxiety and it is sometimes a problem doing everyday tasks and so I often question how I am going to survive in the real world that faces me. Will I completely fail? Will I cower and avoid situations that make me feel uncomfortable? All these questions are negative, of course, that's the way my brain works. It naturally jumps to the negative and that's something I am working on, improving the way I see and perceive situations.<br />
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But with all this in mind, during my small strength and resistance workout this morning, I found myself pondering the idea am I doing it to prove a point? Am I just doing things for doings sake? As people we do this on a daily basis, we do things just to go through the motions. There's no enjoyment in the task at all, but it needs to get done. Like washing up the plates, or doing the laundry, because if we don't, who will? But there are certain things that we need to drop because they don't make us feel good and it's unnecessary to put ourselves through that.<br />
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These thoughts and emotions stem from my looming Graduate Assessment day, but the thing is that it's for a position that I don't even want. But neither do I know what I want to do, so should I just go for it? Probably wasting both my time and my money on buying train tickets to get there. Or should I kindly phone up and say that I won't be attending. If it's not something you want to do, should you continue ahead and do it anyway is the question I am asking? If I was offering advice to someone else, I would say forget it, phone up and cancel. And maybe that's the advice I should follow myself.<br />
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I'm not someone who left University knowing what they wanted to do, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, but I am only now realising that. Everybody has their own path to follow and at the moment I am definitely feeling lost. But I can't help think that feeling 'lost' is a kind of luxury, a luxury I can only afford for a while longer. Time and money are both running thin and I need to have a serious think about what I want to do and how to go about achieving that. If that means taking classes and working retail, then that should be the path I follow.<br />
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I think this is enough rambling from me. It is time to get on with the rest of the day, including a trip up the A&E with the mother for her messed up eye.<br />
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<i><b>xoChloexo </b></i></div>
Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-91278019879505436952014-06-30T20:37:00.002+01:002014-06-30T20:37:38.745+01:00My Motivation has been Flattened by OverindulgenceI knew moving back home would never be easy and with no plan for the future I have let the pressure get to me. For the first time in my life the future holds no certainty for me and this has had a severe impact on me over the course of the past five months. In the last month alone I have seen my weight rise week by week by the pound and it would be ignorant of me if I pretended I had no idea why.<br />
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I have made poor upon poor choices when it has come to food and what I have chosen to let pass my lips. It hasn't been takeaway after takeaway or even binge after binge, but by overeating on numerous occasions, meal after meal the consequences of my actions are beginning to show on my waist line. I have finally come to terms with the fact that this is a thing that I will always have to battle with and fight against. But it's the way that I choose to fight through these circumstances that will grow to define me. And I need to admit that I haven't been finding...I couldn't find my feet fast enough and I began to fall short.<br />
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My mentality has been all over the place and I have talked myself out of so many opportunities over the past six months. This period in my life has tested me the most so far, and I feel like I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel as they say.<br />
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It's not going to be easy getting back on track, especially with the eating and the exercise but it is something that I have grown to need in my life. It's presences provides an outlet that promotes stability and when I don't have that present in my life my cracks begin to show and I tend to fail. It has taken me a while to realise that exercise and a good, healthy diet is essential, but it is something definitely worth fighting for.<br />
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I think that's enough explanation and it is definitely time to begin yet another chapter in this sometimes tedious journey we call life! This realisation has come at the right time because tomorrow it will be July....and the let down that was June can fade into the past.<br />
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<b><i>xoChloexo</i></b></div>
Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-49455580310720411232014-04-26T19:03:00.000+01:002014-04-26T19:03:27.712+01:00Sometimes You Just Need To Take A BreakAnd amen to that...<br />
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Recently, I have been so stressed, and this stress probably won't leave entirely until deadlines are finished and I am in a secure job. In fact, even then I'll still be stressing over something or other. I am just a natural stresshead. If there is something to stress over I will, and that is why it's good when I notice it and do something about it.<br />
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Over the years, I have noticed that I need exercise. For me exercise wards off stress. And believe me, when I am stressed I'm not very nice to be around. I could get stressed over a paper bag. Is that even a saying? Oh well, I am a stresshead and that's that. But sometimes it is nice to just drift back, forget the world and do something for me. Like I have already mentioned, for me exercise is number one but you really can't beat a good, stress-free bath. Baths are great. Sometimes, I really don't feel like running one and I go weeks without turning on the tap and pouring in the bubbles.<br />
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Don't worry! I wash of course. But like everyone I know, showers are the easiest way in this day and age to get everything done in one and out the door within the hour. For me, a bath takes time. Time I don't always have and that's why I become complacent. Of course, in actual fact, the time is always there! It's just taken up with other crap of god knows what....<br />
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But when I do have a bath, I like to make it special.<br />
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I take an hour, whenever it's free. I light candles, grab a magazine and get the water nice and hot. For me, the hotter the better. I like to sweat it out even in the bath! Recently (in the past five months or so), however, I haven't just been throwing in some Radox and jumping in. Instead, I have been stocking up on Lush goodies. I discovered Lush the same time I began working at WHSmiths (November). Lush is right next door to WHSmiths and after work I used to pop in and grab one of their goodies (and there's a lot!). At first I only had their bath bombs, but as I have become familiar with their products and what they are about as a company, I have worked up the nerve to branch out and try some of their other products. (All which are amazing so far, damn you Lush for taking my well earned monies!)<br />
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Back in December when I was going University in the Week and going to work on the weekend, Lush Bath Bombs were an essential, and sometimes they even got me through the working day, knowing I had that and a glass of vino to look forward to!<br />
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And so today, I am going to share one of my latest favourites with you.<br />
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The bath bomb I am sharing with you is the '<a href="https://www.lush.co.uk/products/phoenix-rising" target="_blank">Phoenix Rising</a>' and it really is as dramatic as its title.<br />
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I first purchased this bb back in December, but it was a gift for my sister as part of her Christmas bundle. When she used it, she called me in and we watched to see what this one was going to do. All Lush bath bombs do something unique and we couldn't quite contain our excitement. Ok, ok, so I couldn't quite contain myself! Like I said above, they are something special and every time I use one it feels like an expensive treat. The prices are really affordable if you <a href="https://www.lush.co.uk/" target="_blank">check out their website</a> you will see what I mean! Obviously, no-ones using a bath bomb every night of the week. They are meant to be used as a treat and compared to getting your nails done or having a massage (both of which I love!) it isn't as pricey. Beauty on a budget is one way to look at it.<br />
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Anyways, getting back on track!<br />
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The 'Phoenix Rising' is purple, a weird shape and the outer layer is covered in gold dust. It's one of the prettiest bath bombs, and the main reason why I got one as a gift in the first place. Apart from looking pretty, this purple stone does wonders for your skin. They sum this product up with a quote '<i>Rise refreshed and hydrated</i>', and I can agree, it does both! The reason I repurchased it for myself was because I wanted a bath bomb that was infused with oil, and the nice lady in the store suggested a few and amongst them was this one. It has an array of ingredients, the main four being; Bergamot Oil, Fair Trade Shea Butter, Cassia Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil . With this mixture of oils and butters, it is easy to see why your skin feels so nourished afterwards. I got out the bath feeling like I had already moisturised! And it freaked me out in the best way possible.<br />
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My only negative niggle is that it did stain the bath slightly, only slightly though and with some spray and a wipe down it was gone and it is definitely worth it for all the benefits it gives.</div>
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<b>Rating: 3/5</b></div>
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You may be wondering why I only gave it a 3. The reason behind it is as follows; I wasn't a fan of the scent, and because of this it didn't make my favourite Lush products list. However, I would definitely repurchase this item, just because it made my skin feel great! For those out there who have never tried Lush products, I would say pop in, have a chat with the staff and find out a bit about the products. And then when you've found out what is good for your skin, try out the products and treat yourself!</div>
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<b><i>xoChloexo</i></b></div>
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Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-35540024879938383372014-04-23T16:57:00.001+01:002014-04-23T16:57:45.403+01:00WIAW: The Healthy EditionI have recently been on a health kick. It had kicked in before I went home for Easter, dipped off whilst I was at home for a week, and then when I got back last Friday I headed straight to the gym. It was honestly the best thing I could have done and I had a great session, after sitting in traffic for two hours coming back.<br />
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My stomach still hasn't adjusted to my new eating habits, but hopefully it will catch-up soon!<br />
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I've made a concious effort when I go shopping to not buy rubbish. If I buy rubbish, I will proceed to eat the rubbish. And so if I don't buy it, it isn't there...or at least that is the plan.<br />
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Today I am doing more showing, than telling, because I am writing this as I run out the door to head out to the library. The many joys of dissertation writing...to which there are none!<br />
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Firstly, a look at the things I have been buying. I am really into <a href="http://instagram.com/balancingchloe" target="_blank">instagramming</a> my<b> mini-shopping hauls</b> lately.<br />
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Next, this is what my snacks have looked like. <b>Berries and yoghurt</b> has been a big hit with my stomach.</div>
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<b>Nakd Bars</b>, I really can't get enough! I have been trying out a few and so far I love them all, especially the gingerbread one, so, so good. I love how there is hardly any ingredients in them, so they don't feel so naughty.</div>
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<b>Grapes </b>are back on the shopping list, but they never seem to last very long, who knows why ;-D.</div>
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<b>Broccoli Stems</b> is what I snacked on while I cooked Sunday.</div>
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<b>Boiled Eggs</b> are always a favourite snack of mine.</div>
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<b>Cereal </b>combination's has made it's return...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RLsvlRR4u8Q/U1eAsQhaDYI/AAAAAAAACYk/2c-bdmH0F_o/s1600/DSCN0749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RLsvlRR4u8Q/U1eAsQhaDYI/AAAAAAAACYk/2c-bdmH0F_o/s1600/DSCN0749.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>in a mug!</b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHLPu46FeQo/U1eA5gH_eNI/AAAAAAAACZE/-f0JwQpmR50/s1600/DSCN0766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHLPu46FeQo/U1eA5gH_eNI/AAAAAAAACZE/-f0JwQpmR50/s1600/DSCN0766.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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And I have been loving another naked brand in the form of <b>Naked Juices</b>. I had been eyeing them up for ages, and finally purchased a few. There's a review coming soon, but I can definitely say that from what I have tried they are amazing!</div>
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Does anybody else go through a phase of craving <b>Salads</b>?</div>
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I think the better weather may have something to do with that! Which has unfortunately disappeared somewhere... :-(</div>
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I made a <b>Spag Bol with Brocolli and no Pasta</b>, not bad at all!</div>
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Then I craved <b>Fish</b>....</div>
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And more fish... I am on a serious <b>Fish Kick</b> recently, if that's a thing?!</div>
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So, that gives you a rough idea what my eating has generally been about lately. I'm not striving for <b>perfection</b>, <b>just clean, healthy eating</b> that makes me feel amazing!</div>
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What have you been striving for recently?<br />Have you re-discovered or discovered, any new meals or snacks etc.?</h3>
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Thanks for Reading! And of course, thanks to <a href="http://www.peasandcrayons.com/" target="_blank">Jenn </a>for hosting :-D</h4>
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<i>xoChloexo</i></h3>
<br />Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-21192984880240737532014-04-09T16:32:00.000+01:002015-04-04T02:21:09.087+01:00Regaining StrengthI wrote this on Sunday and completely forgot...<br />
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It's currently Sunday afternoon and I am not proud to admit, but I have <b>a mild hangover still lingering</b> from last night. A long story short...I am never drinking that much vodka again....ever. Maybe.<br />
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This week was the most stressful week I've had in a long time, and besides last night, my eating and drinking has been on point. <b>Not perfect, but most days have been balanced</b>.<br />
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On Tuesday I got back into the swing of things, after my Creative Writing deadline on Monday. I had planned to get back into the gym that same day, but I think looking back that that was a little too ambitious. <b>I made it to the gym bright and early Tuesday</b> and took it slower than I had been a month ago. Instead of doing my usual twenty minutes warm up cardio on the cross-trainer, I did fifteen. And then I moved onto the treadmill and managed to do twenty minutes between 4.5 and 5.0, just enough to keep my heart rate up and sweat some more. After the treadmill, I gulped down some water (damn did I need it) and dragged my already tired ass to the the stair-master machine. I did 5 minutes at level 5 and it wasn't too bad. But I was feeling it in my ass the next day, let me tell you. I had to climb the stairs to the I.T suite to hand in yet another assignment, and I was definitely doing a sort of waddle/limp thing.<br />
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While I was there I also did some weight and resistance training,<b> using both the machines and free weights</b>. I am really determined to build strong arms with definition. I feel like this one is always a goal of mine though! I quickly realised that I had indeed, as my fears confirmed, lost some strength. I knew my arms didn't look as toned, but it must have taken a little strength as well. <b>That made me feel disappointed at first</b>, but I went back on Thursday feeling determined.<br />
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<b>My goal was to get to the gym as much as I could this week</b>, and I did. I kept that promise to myself even on Friday when I wasn't really feeling it.<br />
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Wednesday I couldn't make it. Like I have already mentioned I handed in my <b>last ever</b> assignment that day, and I just couldn't let it go. I wanted to hold on to it, taking pride in it like it was my child. I finally let it go at 17:00, after a much to do palava involving printing my work, and have been having anxiety over it ever since. <b>Feeling exhausted and slightly cross-eyed </b>from looking at the screen all day I waddled home (you see I have a thing about waddling), and slumped myself into my seat and didn't move a good few hours. I was exhausted. I planned to lie-in the following morning, the Thursday, but at 05:30 my brain woke me with a critical analysis of the piece I had handed in the day before. Thanks for that brain! <b>Surprisingly though the day went fine</b>. I got up after an hour of just lying there driving myself crazy and listening to music to drain <strike>my sorrows</strike> my mind out.<br />
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I decided to boil the kettle, and <b>brew up a cup of chai tea</b> (my new favourite hot caffeineted mug of delightfulness). I took my tablets, ate a banana and debated breakfast. <b>Was it to early to eat?</b> I decided on no, and an hour later I was boiling milk on the hob like an old fashioned so and so, ready to poor it over my weetabix. In bed I watched YouTube videos and enjoyed just lying there all comfy and cosy, letting the morning pass me by. By the time I moved from my warm and comfy pit it was 09:30. I decided I would run some errands, get some fresh produce in, and head to the gym. All of which I managed to accomplish.<br />
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Which brings me to Thursdays session. The sky was grey and overcast, and drizzle was dribbling down my face, but <b>I was determined</b> to put everything I had into the session. And I did. Every ounce of my being went into that session and I was incredibly sore the next morning for class.<br />
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Thursday's session consisted of my usual twenty minutes cardio on the cross-trainer, fifteen minutes on the treadmill, and five minutes on the stairmaster. <b>I was back</b> I told myself. I've got this. And <b>my confidence didn't let me down! </b>Once the cardio was out of the way, I tackled the strength part of my workout. And the first half had given me such confidence (<b>I imagined that I was an athlete</b>), I smashed it. I did more reps of everything, especially arms and abs and I felt amazing for it. This is the reason I go, I thought, for moments like these ones. Moments that you feel like you could carry on forever, like nobody could stop you and you could do this all night. That is<b> until the next sit-up becomes painful, and puts you back in your amateur place</b>.<br />
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On Friday I made it to the gym again, but this time I really had to coax myself. <b>How much do you want this</b>, I asked myself? <b>Will it be worth it?</b> Now, I don't know about you, but for me the exercise is always worth it and there's never a session I think that I shouldn't have gone. It just doesn't happen, and with that in mind after a long walk to the docs and back <b>I walked through the dreaded double doors</b> to get it done with. I was in there an hour and half I believe and after the first ten minutes <b>I was really into it</b>. I did Thursdays circuit of events and got into it. I even experimented with some new ab and arm moves.<br />
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So all in all, despite it being a stressful week, it was a good one.<br />
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<b>xoChloexo</b></div>
Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-24258906855830251532014-03-26T18:13:00.002+00:002014-03-26T18:13:41.279+00:00Everyone Has To Start Somewhere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I heard this saying the other day. I can't remember in exactly what context it was said, but it was something that definitely resonated with me.<br />
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And it is true, '<i>We do all have to start somewhere..</i>.'. Where that may be is upto us. We are the ones who have that control.<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b7/b5/c7/b7b5c71c658ea7a7fe799df04c5a2c74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This Is Me: LOVE: FAITHFULLY FEARLESSLY FOREVER" border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b7/b5/c7/b7b5c71c658ea7a7fe799df04c5a2c74.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://uniqueandamazing.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/love-faithfully-fearlessly-forever.html" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
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Sometimes it may feel as though it is slipping out of our hands, but stop, breathe, and take another look. You still have the reins in your hand, you are still in control.<br />
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But that's something I had certainly forgot up until this week. When I truly remember it, it tends to stick around for a long time. And I remembered the other day just how long I have made it. I made it a total of nine moths before crashing out, and that's not bad at all, is it? I don't think so, and in fact that's one of my best attempts. But then I remembered something, the things that got me through I had lost. I had stopped working out and I no longer had the faith and confidence. And these things are vital for how I got to where I am today.<br />
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<img alt="This says it all. Do you see other body types and be like yeah "I #want that, but ill never get that. I may as well keep eating these chips and chocolate. Its ways too much effort to get there and like that, and besides when i try, i fail, and just get worse than i was!" #Guesswhatpeeps. Your lieing to yourself! If she/he can, why in tar nations cant you.?! Exactly. You just need to get back on the wagon with the right people and YOU WILL GET there! :) Everyone has to start somewhere, U will too" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/f5/f8/bd/f5f8bdce526086d7cfa8d9d4e3048284.jpg" height="640" width="457" /><br />
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So, here's to the next stint. Let's hope it lasts as long as the last. And if you are thinking of giving up, remember, '<i>Everyone has to start somewhere</i>' and make that day today. Go on, you know you want to...I know I do.<br />
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It's not about where you are right now, or where you've been for however long, that's just temporary or in the past. It is about where you are going, and that's up to you.<br />
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When's your best place to start again? Or to move on...</h3>
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<b><i>xo Chloe xo</i></b></div>
Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-5032603363063083552014-03-25T12:02:00.000+00:002014-03-25T12:02:50.937+00:00Procrastination and A Full Plate!The full plate I am in fact referring to is that of my life. There is so much to do, and I just can't find where to begin.<br />
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<img height="280" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/fd/d8/0d/fdd80db66ddd389476ed4ecb2bda7aa7.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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If I start one thing I am neglecting the other, and I battle this vicious circle until I finally pick a path.<br />
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The problem is, this doesn't always happen straight away and by then a few hours of my life has been wasted. A few hours where I could have gone to the gym, come home and showered.<br />
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I honestly can't tell you how many hours I have wasted in contemplation and avoidance. The two seem to just go hand in hand. It's almost like I am contemplating to avoid!<br />
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<img alt="There's no time like the present" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/aa/36/eb/aa36eb39d15980fa9816a65d8f5013e4.jpg" width="514" /><br />
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Writing that down, and it somehow becomes more funny and I can definitely see where my wasted time is going.<br />
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Do you ever have that problem? Too much to do, so instead you do nothing.<br />
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The logic of the above is baffling beyond believe, and as a logical, everything must have an answer kind-of-a-girl, then I realise wholeheartedly how crazy the above is.<br />
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But I also realise the things that are holding me back, and how and why I am procrastinating....yep I realise these little add-ons that I am using to explain, only make me sound crazier.<br />
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But with all this said I am sure I am not alone. Procrastination comes to us at some point or another, usually when we least what it to spring, and that's exactly how I am feeling now.<br />
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I actually...and this is the god's honest truth, stopped going to the gym because it was cutting into my studying time. But now looking back I realise that it was actually removing me of unwanted stress and giving me balance. Yes, it is fair to say that I've been a right plonker!<br />
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This is why I am heading back to the gym once I am back in Cheltenham again. So not only have I not been going, but my genius plan of more study-time failed also.<br />
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And I have a feeling procrastination isn't something that just fades and falls away with age either?!<br />
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So, that's why I have decided to write a list, prioritise things on that list, and then get that work or those things done.<br />
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I am beginning to realise that I am not Superwoman (though I have had those dreams), and so sometimes things need to get left behind and knocked of the list.<br />
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And that's just something I need to be ok with.<br />
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<img alt="There's no time like the present. #inspiration #wisewords" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ac/27/4f/ac274f0a33a59ccd837052ed83db0da5.jpg" /><br />
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Q.) What's the craziest way you procrastinate?</h3>
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A.) I clean everything, even my shoes!</div>
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<b><i>xo Chloe xo</i></b></div>
Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-35359861511702504692014-03-24T09:33:00.000+00:002014-03-24T11:48:28.857+00:00Let's Not Waste Another WeekThat's all I feel like I am achieving at the moment. The days have been ticking by and I've been letting them. It's horrible to know where I would be if I had taken control again sooner. But, there you have it, it's time to take control again.<br />
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<img alt="Breathe..." src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/81/5b/81/815b812e559b51eb91c3b538f92f2aab.jpg" /><br />
(<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/81/5b/81/815b812e559b51eb91c3b538f92f2aab.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a>)<br />
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I definitely need this cup in my life!<br />
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<img alt="Lately I've been satisfied by simple things like breathing in and breathing out..." src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6d/f2/72/6df2721fef7d8cc94100d69fb8bcc848.jpg" height="400" width="400" /><br />
(<a href="http://www.italktofood.com/2013/03/farmers-market-apple-coffee-cake.html" target="_blank">Source</a>)<br />
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Need to find a place to buy this mug/cup. So, if you know of a place to get one, let me know.<br />
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I need to stop thinking of it (this new process) as continuing on. I don't think that's productive. Instead I am starting anew. I'm going to begin again, at this weight, at this fitness ability, and work my way up.<br />
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<img alt="Well said! Try to replace worrying with staying focused on your goals, being productive and always being positive." src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/f4/cb/d6/f4cbd63fe84332a60fc4a42d27307ece.jpg" height="640" width="512" /><br />
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At the end of the day, it is never too late to achieve what you want if you try again.<br />
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So, with that said, I am trying again. With new goals. With new dreams. And....a new direction.<br />
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<img alt="Preciously Me blog : You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/fe/c9/1f/fec91fe7d4d29e97d28bf74fa97608bf.jpg" /><br />
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Everything for once isn't set in stone for the next few months, let alone the next year. But instead of avoiding it, I need to start getting things in order. That's the only way to get through this. And a routine of diet and exercise, coupled with the rest, like staying hydrated, can only help with this goal.<br />
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Do you have any new goals?</h3>
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<b><i>xoChloexo</i></b></div>
Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-68855559326040897302014-03-23T23:57:00.000+00:002014-03-23T23:57:42.611+00:00So It's Sunday...Again...I swear there is something about Sundays that makes me reflect. Sure, it is the end of the week and we are about to start another in a few hours shortly, but it is more than that. It's my day off from life. In the week I go to classes, spend my time locked away writing essays in my room or I am in the library contemplating another large latte to get me through yet another study session. And then on Saturday's I go to work, then I usually pop into the library or I may run some errands in town. So on Sundays, my day basically goes as follows; I have a lie-in (lie-ins which I have noticed are getting shorter and shorter as final deadlines roll around), I relax whilst I eat breakfast, and then I start working again. But on Sundays instead of working til late, I put away the books earlier than normal and catch up on a movie or the latest episode of one of my favourite television shows. And this always gives me time to reflect on where I am at...this usually means that my bedtime gets delayed and I go to bed later, which isn't one of the positive sides of reflection.<br />
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But lately I have a need, a burning desire if you will. And that burning desire is to be healthy again. We've all had that feeling, and I am sure it differs from person to person. For me it comes at the oddest of times. It comes after a hardcore gym session, when I lift more than I did the day before and I smile through the pain. It's that feeling of knowing that to outsiders you may just look like your working out, but to you, you are breaking down barriers you didn't think were possible. It comes after carrying my groceries from the far end of town to my house (a twenty five minute journey, with jars and bottles in either hand). Like I said it isn't always obvious when that feeling will occur!<br />
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At the moment, however, those moments are few and far between and that upsets me. I'm 'out of the game' so to speak, and that is exactly how I feel. And I want to make my way back into it. I realise that the only way to get those feelings back is to hit the gym, walk it out and build up my strength and endurance again - things I enjoy doing anyways. I want to do this solely for me and I want to be selfish with my diet and exercise. This includes the way I eat out and meet friends. I don't, however, want to restrict myself but because I really want it, I don't think that will be the case anyways.<br />
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I guess I should write a quick sentence or two about what 'being healthy' means to me.<br />
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It means finding my balance between food and exercise and I have to admit this is constantly changing. I am a person who goes on feeling and when I feel amazing I like to do those things that make me feel just so. That's a given. For me the food used to be more important than the exercise. But nowadays they tend to go hand in hand.<br />
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In the past, I put a lot of pressure on the food aspect of things, and in my juvenile response to lose weight I used to forfeit food altogether. There used to be days I would go completely without food, substituting nutrition with caffeine. I guess looking back I needed the caffeine to replace the energy I was missing from the food. It's simple when you are looking back, it's the looking forwards that's the hardest.<br />
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But looking forwards is necessary to progression.<br />
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What I now want to get out of food is different. In my battle to find a healthy relationship with food I now want to get benefits from eating the right foods. I am lucky as I crave foods such as fruit and salad. It's weird I know, and people often give me a weird look if I say the words 'I'm craving an apple'. Meals that are balanced have it all; carbs, protein, nutrients etc. And let's face it you know if what you are eating is healthy or not, or if your entire diet is balanced for that matter. And to me when I think of healthy I think as follows. Fruit and veggies become snacks. I exchange my favourite chocolate bars for rich, dark, dark, dark chocolate and I cut down on how many squares I have. I start the day with breakfast, always, even if it is just a small banana and a yoghurt. I don't add sugar to my cereal, and I keep my portions small but enough. At all my meals I go with what I crave. Sometimes that means cereal for dinner, as well as at breakfast. I buy more meat and cut down on my simple carbs. I try to buy wholemeal and wholegrain in bread, rice and pasta. At every meal I try to eat a fruit and vegetable and I don't add so much sauce to my meals (esp. mayo).<br />
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It's getting repetitive to write now, but I could literally go on and on.<br />
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There are so many things I do.<br />
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That's on the food side of things, and that's a subject I could go on and on about. But on the exercise part, that's the thing that is newer to me. Obviously, the main reason for that is because I've always eaten. But exercise and constant exercise happens rarely. I go through fads and this past year has definitely been my best on record. At least I think so. And for me I go through phases of Gym, Workout vids, Walks, Swimming and Yoga. All which I enjoy to do during different phases. But going and getting out there because I want to and nothing else is great, and it's a great feeling to want to do it. Simple, right?<br />
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Not <strike>all the time</strike> most of the time anyways.<br />
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There's factors I have to work on to help make things simpler for myself.<br />
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These factors include; anxiety, depression and stomach issues/problems. These are the things I battle daily and may always have to battle daily, so that's why it is important I keep fighting and making everything much simpler.<br />
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Well... I think I am done reflecting for one Sunday.<br />
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<h3>
Do you have particular times or days where you reflect more than others?<br />What's your Idea of healthy eating? (Sum it up in a line)</h3>
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<i><b>xoThanks for Readingxo</b></i></div>
<br />Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-82044726160969136222014-03-05T16:43:00.000+00:002014-03-05T16:43:42.911+00:00A Photo Diary of Recent EatsI thought to get myself into a good routine I would start photographing my food. This will also help me keep a sort of diary to track if there are any reoccurring issues.<br />
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Please excuse the phone photos : )<br />
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Wednesday 26/02</h3>
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Thursday 27/02</h3>
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Friday 28/02</h3>
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Monday 03/03</h3>
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On the side?</div>
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Or On the Bagel?</div>
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That is always the question for me.</div>
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These are just the photos I have remembered to take, so bare that in mind. But I am beginning to get better again, so it's definitely helping.</div>
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<b>Does it help <i>you </i>in anyway to keep a diary?</b></div>
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<b>What's <i>your </i>favourite bagel combination?</b></div>
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<b>xoThanks for Readingxo</b></div>
Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-68289437270250239202014-02-28T09:25:00.000+00:002014-02-28T09:25:53.562+00:00143.25I was just going to boil the kettle for my morning coffee, when I became curious. And I am afraid curiosity got this cat! I haven't weighed in since this time last month, and I wanted to know. I didn't have any expectations...I just wanted to peek.<br />
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I mean who's ever happy to find out their weight has gone up, but it's just a number and I know myself that it will eventually come off through better eating and more moving about. Like I said in the previous post, my exercise has been better than my eating and I have actually been making an effort with that. Now all I need to do is rein in my eating and the scale may move down as a bonus to feeling amazing stomach-wise.<br />
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My doctor keeps pestering me to keep a food diary, but I am afraid it just doesn't work for me. I may remember for a day, but when those 24 hours are up I am hopeless and it gets lost under all the paperwork on my desk. So I think maybe a photo diary is the way to go and eventually write it down at the end of the day.<br />
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<img alt="Eating disorders" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4b/91/11/4b9111e0738d23954f12acd399b7a82c.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.fuelrunning.com/quotes/2012/08/24/the-number-on-a-weighing-scale-will-not-tell-you-what-a-great-person-you-are-how-much-your-friends-and-family-love-you-that-you-are-kind-smart-funny-and-amazing-in-ways-numbers-cannot-define-tha/" target="_blank">Source</a> </div>
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<b>Such a Great Thing to Remember!</b></div>
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<b>Do you have any tricks for when the scale goes up? What reassures you?</b></div>
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<b><i>xoThanks for Readingxo</i></b></div>
Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-69925569459899017632014-02-27T10:39:00.000+00:002014-02-27T10:39:15.204+00:00Looking Back On FebruaryFebruary hasn't been the best month for me. No excuses, it just wasn't. So I am very glad to be entering a new month in a couple days time. I had to look back through the archives of both my blog and my diary for this one. And then it hit me...I had made goals. Goals that weren't productive for what I needed.<br />
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February's Goals</h3>
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*Exercise at least 3 times a week.</div>
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*Don't eat after 7.</div>
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*Drink plenty of fluids.</div>
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*Listen to my body.</div>
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Well out of all of them I think the ones I have been most successful with is number one (exercise) and number three (Drink more).</div>
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So not too bad, but I also made a big mistake in the fact I decided to step on the scale, and it really discouraged me. It just doesn't motivate me as much as it used to, and that can only be good news. I definitely believe that it's good to check in every once in a while to keep yourself in check. But it's not as much as a tool as it used to be. </div>
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Instead, I like to measure myself by how much I am lifting at the gym. Or how many reps I have done of a certain weight. That's definitely where my motivation is at, and from that I am learning things about my body. Which to me is one of the greatest things about exercise. When you first begin it is all new and everything is quite challenging, but as you work at it you get better. That's another reason why I love it. You get out of it, what you put in. And that's not always the rule of thumb for everything. </div>
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I am going to mull over my goals for next month, but I am going to make them deliberately specific to gym goals I want to achieve within the next month. Which will be hard because I am working full days Tuesday the 11th to the 15th, and there's plenty of deadlines at the end of March. All in all it's fair to say March will be a very busy month.</div>
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I thought that I'd include a picture of my evening meals/snacks, since for once I actually remembered to take photos. I swear I will become better at this...one day soon I hope, because I like sharing my recent eats and snacky finds on here.</div>
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<b style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.64000129699707px;">Turkey Spag Bol, Baby Corn, Pasta, Cheddar and </b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Courier New, Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 24.64000129699707px;"><b>Mozzarella</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: medium; line-height: 24.64000129699707px;">(because what's better than two chesses...three cheeses perhaps, but I didn't have anymore!)</span><br />
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One of my evening snacks - half a tub or <b>Greek Yoghurt, Brazil Nuts, Honey, Almond Slithers</b>...deelishious!</div>
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<b>What's your favourite night-time snacks?</b></div>
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<b>How well did you do with goals this month?</b></div>
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<b><i>xoThanks for Readingxo</i></b></div>
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Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-8575940777755779652014-02-26T09:36:00.001+00:002014-02-26T09:36:12.108+00:00WIAW: Hitting the SpotLately, my eating has been all over the place. I either want 'bad' sugary foods and all the chocolate I can find, or <b>I am craving apples and eat two at a time</b>! No joke. But I am about to show you Tuesday's eats. Tuesday started slow, and even after ten hours sleep I was tired! Shocking I know and for no reason at all. But I thought instead of pottering around in the house that I would head to the gym instead. The sun was shining after a stormy night and I wanted to just get out there and soak up some vitamin d. I am definitely someone who gets affected if they haven't soaked up any sunshine in a while. What can I say weather affects my mood, and right now I am dreaming of the holiday I want to take in May.<br />
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Moving on from my holiday dreams, I managed to squeeze in some tasty eats.<br />
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Unpictured: <b>A Small Banana and a Vanilla Bio-Yoghurt Drink</b>. I was way too hungry when I got back from the gym to take a picture.<br />
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Now for the main event of lunch. It was something I've been craving and I thought why not be intuitive about lunch. So a <b>Prawn Cocktail with a Jacket Potato and Salad</b> it was. Not the prettiest or even the healthiest, but it definitely hit the spot.<br />
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Unpictured: After that I grabbed two <b>Oreo's </b>from my cupboard and finished off with <b>a cup of tea</b>. That also hit the spot.<br />
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A few hours later I became peckish and that's when PB and banana came to the rescue. This is a classic and a favourite. Again I was satisfied by this meal. Unpictured: A packet of <b>Sea Salt Sunbites</b> and a unripened <b>Pear</b>. <b>Do you prefer any fruits better when they aren't quite ripe?</b><i> I have quite a few. I just think it tastes much fresher than way and the texture is better too.</i><br />
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That makes <b>the total tally of three bananas</b> for Tuesday. They were small but I can never get enough bananas.<br />
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After finishing up some dissertation work, I ended the night with <b>a viewing of Pocahontas and a Malteser and Chocolate Bailey's Hot Chocolate. </b><br />
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It doesn't look tasty, but I can assure you it was absolutely delicious and definitely worth the calories (which I am going to avoid calculating!).<br />
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Ever since I wrote the post about <a href="http://mysearchforahealthierlife.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/intuitive-eating-lets-begin.html" target="_blank">Intuitive Eating</a>, I think I have gotten better with my food, despite in fact getting worse. I can't really explain. Sure eating lots of chocolate can't be good, but that's just sometimes the way it goes. After a chocolate packed weekend I have been craving salads and fruits again, funny how that happens!<br />
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Thanks again for hosting <a href="http://www.peasandcrayons.com/" target="_blank">Jenn </a>:-D<br />
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<b><i>xoThanks for Readingxo</i></b></div>
Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-54497547289006392672014-02-17T12:28:00.001+00:002014-02-17T12:28:29.076+00:00It's Not Always Sunshine and Roses...After having such a good run of success it's easy to forget the struggles. Hard times come to us all, and I guess I forgot how much I have struggled in my bid to get where I am. When you fall down it is easy to throw in the towel and drop everything one by one and give up. And the past few weeks have definitely tested me.<br />
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<img alt="Bring your own sunshine" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/02/0e/9e/020e9ef14fe83af8cc40d257266b3fa0.jpg" /><br />
<a href="http://quotesorb.com/page/4/" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
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At the moment life is testing me, and there are definitely days where I want to curl up into a ball and forget about the day. This has probably been indulged by my lie-ins and naps. Prolonging the start of the day and then needing a break from it. Why do the struggles bring on such lethargy and tiredness? And for no reason what-so-ever.<br />
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<img alt="Sunshine quote via Carol's Country Sunshine on Facebook" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b9/07/cd/b907cdd9af9c3e1719f6af97eb5d0a1e.jpg" /><br />
<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/b9/07/cd/b907cdd9af9c3e1719f6af97eb5d0a1e.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
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I think that it is time to pick myself up, learn from my past mistakes these last few weeks and get on with things.<br />
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I know I have been telling myself that every few days for the past couple of weeks. But I can't prolong this any more. I need to appreciate where I am, where I have been and where I am going. Because I have got a lot to be thankful for.<br />
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So today I am writing this post to remind myself and to remind anyone out there that we all have our struggles, but getting back up is always an option.<br />
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Final message...<br />
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<img alt="Live and learn, break. Then pick yourself up and live on smiling because now you are healed, smarter, stronger, and wiser." src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/91/7f/86/917f86b6d765d4feab3374bc7c3c3f20.jpg" /><br />
<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/91/7f/86/917f86b6d765d4feab3374bc7c3c3f20.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
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Haha. Love this quote!<br />
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<h3>
How do you make it through tough times?</h3>
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What's your ultimate happy quote?</h3>
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<b><i>xoThanks for Readingxo</i></b></div>
Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-57916750571829297592014-02-15T15:40:00.001+00:002014-02-15T15:40:47.624+00:00Intuitive Eating: Let's BeginI have never been able to get my head around<b> intuitive eating</b>. For me it always raises too many questions. <i>Like, am I already doing it? Have I done it in the past naturally? Would I find it hard? And I can only answer them all with a maybe...how do you define something that is different for every person? Is it even possible? </i>Maybe it's not...maybe that's the whole point. Instead you find the definition and create it on a unique level, for you and only you.<br />
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<img alt="You were born an intuitive eater and can get back to eating intuitively any time" height="448" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/91/6c/cb/916ccb7ebdb8b0ba1489c0c613413e72.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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When I googled a definition for 'Intuitive Eating', this is what I found...<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 14.654545783996582px;">Intuitive eating is a nutrition philosophy based on the premise that becoming more attuned to the body's natural hunger signals is a more effective way to attain a healthy weight, rather than keeping track of the amounts of energy and fats in foods."</span></blockquote>
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The process being different for every single person is what is difficult in many respects. <b>There's nothing to judge or compare your own diet or experience of it with.</b> It's just you and how you are feeling, and you have to be ok with that.<br />
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Living in a house with four other girls can be tough, especially mentally. Every girl is different, but not one of us in the house is the same in body type or eating habits, and on many levels that's a good thing. And it's hard when one person starts snacking, because it tempts the rest to start snacking (<i>well me anyways!</i>). <b>It is all about influence</b>, something you have to ignore when intuitive eating because you can't become influenced by what you see other people eating or doing. Just because they are snacking, doesn't necessarily mean you are hungry and should start snacking. And vice versa.<br />
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Don't get me wrong I really like the sound of the entire process. Isn't that what '<b>normal</b>' <b>eating's </b>all about? Eating what you want, when you want, and eating for you. Not following a diet that has been created by others. Everything about it makes sense. But obviously like with anything there's got to be rules and I am going to research a little more before I can post more about it. Other than reading blog posts about people's experiences or watching videos where people have given their account, I really don't know much about it!<br />
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And it's definitely something I want to delve into a little deeper.<br />
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From what I have read I have experienced intuitive eating. I've experienced it when I have reached what I call my "<i>zone". </i>I know I am in my zone when, 1. I'm not overeating, 2. I'm eating what I am craving, and 3. I'm not thinking about food and exercise around the clock! These three are what make up my zone and this is where I feel most happy. Obviously a diet of chocolate cake and cheesy foods isn't what intuitive eating is about. It's not meant to be an excuse, it's meant to be a tool and when used correctly you will know with winning results to follow.<br />
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With all this said I think I will abide by these ten rules starting from tomorrow (as today has nearly been and gone, and ok choices were made).<br />
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As soon as I hit publish the research will begin to get the ball rolling, and to make sure that I am off to a healthy start come tomorrow.<br />
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But I guess starting the <b><a href="http://www.intuitiveeating.com/content/10-principles-intuitive-eating" target="_blank">10 Principles of Intuitive Eating</a></b> can only help...<br />
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<ol>
<li><b>Reject the Diet Mentality.</b></li>
<li><b>Honour your Hunger.</b></li>
<li><b>Make Peace with Food.</b></li>
<li><b>Challenge the Food Police.</b></li>
<li><b>Respect your Fullness.</b></li>
<li><b>Discover the Satisfaction Factor.</b></li>
<li><b>Honour your Feelings Without Using Food.</b></li>
<li><b>Respect your Body.</b></li>
<li><b>Exercise - feel the difference.</b></li>
<li><b>Honour your Health.</b></li>
</ol>
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Out of those ten above, I think the ones I am currently ok on are; 8,9 and 10. The rest I have been good on in the past, but I am currently struggling with them.</div>
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Over the years I have began to repair my relationship with food and it's getting there, but at the moment I feel all kinds of out of sync. And that's why I really want to give Intuitive Eating a good go.</div>
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I think that it will be a good idea to keep the <b>hunger scale</b> in mind...</div>
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<img alt="Hunger Scale - everyone should practice intuitive eating & getting in touch with their bodies!" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/50/d4/4c/50d44cb630d557004aa808457f3e6f56.jpg" width="358" /></div>
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This is a great tool to use whatever your current situation regarding diet and exercise.</div>
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If only it was this simple...</div>
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<img alt="Good Food Vegetables Premium Print. Lisa and kika on etsy." src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/2a/7f/12/2a7f12f9bb281a94c817693a54654866.jpg" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/84219275/eat-better-feel-better-inspirational?utm_source=OpenGraph&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share" target="_blank">Source</a></div>
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But still I kind of what to hang it on my future kitchen wall!</div>
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<h3>
Are you an intuitive eater?<br />Have you tried the process/programme before?</h3>
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(If so, how did you find it?)</h3>
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<b><i>xoThanks for Readingxo</i></b></div>
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Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-83517152445898207032014-02-13T18:13:00.000+00:002014-02-13T18:13:00.468+00:00Quality Over QuantityI love that saying, but I don't always follow it. Instead I get fixated on quantity and how much of something I can have. If you are following any kind of diet, eating plan, or maybe you're just trying to eat healthier, it is easy to forget the quality of your food.<br />
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<img alt="Quality over Quantity… Always!" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/cc/e2/c9/cce2c9fb85364d13686e83c96f2c5ec3.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></div>
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I'm an odd ball in the sense that I like the taste of many what you'd call 'health' or 'diet' foods. I like to eat rice cakes and bran flakes and Ryvita crackers. I'm just one of those people. I like my fruits, veggies and salads, and I hardly ever complain when it comes to eating the fresh stuff. But because of my past habits of over-eating I often slip back into the mind set of I need more, and if it's lower calorie etc, surely I need more?!<br />
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<img alt="Quality Over Quantity" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/af/ea/9c/afea9cd4f74af320baaf6102884b8cc3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></div>
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Now I am older obviously I know that not to be true. Some days you are going to need to eat more than others, and that's just the way it goes. It is dependant on a number of factors including exercise and activity and so on. But even though I know all of this, I still get fixated on the Quantity aspect.<br />
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By nature human beings want more, and it is something that I always struggle with, and may always struggle with. But I am going to work on things, so instead of quantity, I choose quality and each week I choose to treat myself to quality. For example, it may be a cake I buy from a bakery that I have been eyeing all week. I want to try doing this and trying the quality over quantity challenge. It makes sense, but sometimes it is easy to get carried away.<br />
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<b>Do you struggle with portion control?</b><br />
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<b>What are your views on quality over quantity?</b><br />
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<b><i>xoThanks for Readingxo</i></b></div>
Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-58662585448517701972014-02-12T12:05:00.001+00:002014-02-12T12:05:50.702+00:00WIAW: Or What Didn't I EatLately I can't stop snacking. I don't know what the cause is, but I have been eating snack-meals all week. Instead of cooking a meal I have been just putting one together with whatever I fancy from the fridge. I have definitely been missing my cooking, and so last night I decided to put the turkey mince I had in my fridge to good use and make a spaghetti bolognese. It was ok, and if you want a lighter option over beef mince I would definitely give it a go. But all in all it didn't blow me away and I have frozen the leftovers to have at a later date. I usually buy extra lean beef mince anyway, but I got the turkey mince on offer, froze it on day of purchase and gave the bolognese a go. Besides the fact I wasn't reverted by the mince, I still want to try it in wraps and make fajitas using turkey.<br />
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Like I said I have been a serial snacker lately and I finally think my stomach is disagreeing with it. Suffering from multiple stomach issues anyways, I always have to be careful. But I don't think smaller meals more regular is the way to go for me. I have spoken to some people and this works for them, but I think that I am going to go back to how I usually eat and switch my eating patterns back around.<br />
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These are Tuesdays (yesterdays) eats, and I started the day with a friend. We popped to our local leisure centre for a swim. Something I am really beginning to get in to. After I had got back home and showered it was time for coffee and I have now ran out of my favourite coffee syrups, so Hazelnut coffee it was...<br />
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Then I decided to have some cereal with all my favourite toppings; almond slices, sunflower seeds, sultanas...</div>
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A couple hours later I got hungry...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L0jGXujWrxE/UvtdYuHRzyI/AAAAAAAACR8/3E8-TxHBDBU/s1600/20140211_132939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L0jGXujWrxE/UvtdYuHRzyI/AAAAAAAACR8/3E8-TxHBDBU/s1600/20140211_132939.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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...this called for crackers and an apple.</div>
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Another few hours later I fancied a snack-meal and went for one of my recent favourites.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OaKHsQovfOE/Uvtdebns0oI/AAAAAAAACSg/3nZZ1P7IV8k/s1600/20140211_162431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OaKHsQovfOE/Uvtdebns0oI/AAAAAAAACSg/3nZZ1P7IV8k/s1600/20140211_162431.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Raspberry Yoghurt, Sunflower Seeds, Blueberries.</div>
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Apologies for the really rubbish photo....this was the turkey spag bol...promise to get a better photo next time!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMrHHsKYoIs/UvtdYr6ikoI/AAAAAAAACSA/3wNp3Uo1KjI/s1600/20140204_173122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMrHHsKYoIs/UvtdYr6ikoI/AAAAAAAACSA/3wNp3Uo1KjI/s1600/20140204_173122.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Of course I fancied some chocolate and chose one of these babies.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z08TzgjRfzo/Uvtdew3CDoI/AAAAAAAACSk/sv--xNbwMd0/s1600/20140211_193250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z08TzgjRfzo/Uvtdew3CDoI/AAAAAAAACSk/sv--xNbwMd0/s1600/20140211_193250.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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And a beer, just because...</div>
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Thanks to <a href="http://www.peasandcrayons.com/" target="_blank">Jenn </a>for hosting as always, you rock!</div>
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<b>Does anybody else eat snack-meals?</b></div>
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<b>Have you ever used turkey mince in a meal, and would like to recommend I try it?</b></div>
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<b><i>xoThanks for Readingxo</i></b></div>
<br />Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070554351292719328.post-69543327128250150972014-02-06T18:38:00.000+00:002014-02-06T18:38:14.530+00:00Taking A Moment......to breathe. Because there is nothing wrong with that, and sometimes that's just what we need to do. Lately, I have found myself taking moments. In these moments I take deep breaths and think about what I need to do logically. And then I write down those things in a list...this makes me feel immediately a little bit better.<div>
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<img alt="Take a deep breath and enjoy your life." src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/34/d6/46/34d64688685a5818406c619a66df14e6.jpg" /></div>
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(<a href="http://www.babynameslog.com/popular-baby-names-2013/" target="_blank">Source</a>) via Pinterest</div>
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This gives me what I need to get the ball rolling, and before you know it things start happening and your list shrinks in length. I strongly dislike feeling overwhelmed, like nothing will ever get done. It weighs you down in too many ways and makes you drag yourself around life - rather than bouncing around it in strides.</div>
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This entire week feels like a blur, like nothing really happened and I never really got going. I know it's only Thursday and that there's still time to get a few things ticked off my list. But I have also been feeling lethargic, tired and irritable. And I have to remind myself that this isn't anybody else's problem but my own. Another thing I have to remember. We all have our days, and I'm no different. But on those days it is really easy to take it out on the people around you, and that's definitely not fair.</div>
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<img alt="Wheres your freedom? From the world. Your outlet. We all need one. Music. Nature. Art. Literature?" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/70/7d/fd/707dfda9db46f7df949b5e09e65b10b8.jpg" /></div>
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(<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/70/7d/fd/707dfda9db46f7df949b5e09e65b10b8.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a>) via Pinterest</div>
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Last night, whilst getting ready to go out, I realised how far I have come in a year and for that I am grateful. Sure, I have wished that I had felt this way years ago but I cannot change that, all I can change is the present and the future. These are the things we need to cling on to. Then it got me thinking about the people who helped me get there, my mom (but she's always there) and secondly my CBT therapists. Sue and Jane really helped me turn my world around and gave me back control over my own life. I have been meaning to write them a letter for ages now and I think it's about time I got on with it...after all, it's always nice to know that people appreciate what you do.</div>
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<img alt="When you've come so far and its been so hard and you just feel like falling down Just take one more step | Inspirational Quotes" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/68/74/a9/6874a98929063aaf436ea06da6c977e0.jpg" /></div>
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(<a href="http://inspirationalfamousquotes.blogspot.com/2014/01/when-youve-come-so-far-and-its-been-so.html" target="_blank">Source</a>) via Pinterest</div>
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My eating at the moment is off and on. One moment I can't stop eating and then the next I don't want anything at all. Unfortunately at the moment I am stuck in the first category. I haven't set my weekly goals this week and I think that may be something to do with it. But I also weighed myself the other day and I made a weight goal, which is something I haven't done in a while! And I think it has thrown me off, because that's not the way I work any more. I used to live by the scale and by the numbers, but now (maybe not forever) it's not working for me. Sure, I want to lose weight and get stronger through exercise - but not using that method. That's where I am struggling...</div>
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What method do I use?! With all my medical problems, especially with my stomach. It makes things difficult to gage when eating, and I find myself questioning when is best to eat, if I am even hungry. And I think that sometimes I over think things. Shouldn't it be simple. You can be hungry, not hungry or peckish, right? I guess not. I don't want to diet or go on a crazy fast or anything, but I do want to re-establish some goals again. Maybe, I have goals for the month again but readdress them every week with a post on how I am getting on? </div>
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As you can tell, I am feeling a bit lost and down in the dumps at the moment. And I hate to be all doom and gloom but I also don't want to be dishonest and post about sunshine and rainbows when they aren't there!</div>
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I just need to re-focus everything, and come up with a plan. Not starting tomorrow either, starting after I finish this post.</div>
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Goals for the rest of February:</h3>
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*Exercise at least 3 times a week.</div>
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*Don't eat after 7</div>
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*Drink plenty of fluids</div>
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*Listen to my body</div>
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The first three are my usual goals but the last one is a little different. I've included that one because I haven't been doing this as much as I could. I need to start getting to bed earlier, having some me time, and eating when I want to what I want to. Now I'm not going to eat all the chocolate in my cupboard just to satisfy a craving, but I am going to figure out what I'm craving i.e Sugar, Carbs, Meat and then seek out a healthier choice.</div>
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Fingers crossed that by the end of the month I am in a different position entirely, and I am feeling a bit better. This months only a short one and there are only 22 days left, but I really want to make them count!</div>
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<img alt="What if you could see your struggling loved one as someone who has a bright future without expectation of when, where or how that will come about? What if you were a cheerleader without feeling she had to come through in some specific time period? Be A Loving Mirror." src="http://media-cache-cd0.pinimg.com/736x/c5/e8/e5/c5e8e58a772bfe0ea1b7025f5e40b2e3.jpg" /></div>
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I hope so! (<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60467050/8x10-print-going-places" target="_blank">Source</a>) via Pinterest</div>
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How often do you set yourself goals?</h4>
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and...</div>
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How often do you re-assess them?</h4>
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<i><b>xoThanks for Readingxo</b></i></div>
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Chloe http://www.blogger.com/profile/12977655646020794351noreply@blogger.com0