Shape Up For Summer Progress {6.6.14}

Naughty me missed last weeks SUFS. I had guests for a long weekend & an adoption party to host so, as I'm sure you'll agree, real life comes before internet life.

On the plus side, I have 2 weeks to update you on. I feel indifferent towards the last 2 weeks to be honest. One week was school holidays so I was off work which meant I was out of my routine which always throws me sideways.  We get up later, eat later, socialise more...  I definitely feel good about my eating. As I've said in my What I Ate Wednesday, I don't want this to be about being on a diet, I want to change my outlook on food. I've eaten some sweets here and there and an odd packet of crisps but that's ok. I do struggle with telling myself that it's ok though and that's something I'm working on. 

On the exercise front all I can say is I've. been. hula. hooping. I'm amazed.  Completely amazed! I bought this hula hoop from Amazon and I was quite sceptical (I remember my childhood of trying to hula & never being able to) but I've got to say I'm amazed at how easy I've found it. That's not to say the first time I tried it didn't just immediately fall to the floor, despite me wiggling my hips like I was having some sort of fit.  I have what I affectionately name war wounds, otherwise known on bruises on my belly.  I've been doing 20 minutes a day for past 4 days and I definitely feel the benefits.  

 

I am proud to say, after not that much effort, on Thursday I did 10 minutes 39 seconds non stop hooping.  That's 10 minutes 39 seconds hooping!! Wowsers.  It amazes me that it stays up but somehow I manage to do it.  I can only go clockwise at the moment.  I've tried anti-clockwise but it deflates me as I can only do 1 turn.  That's my project for next week - learn how to hula anti-clockwise.

 

 

  Weight - 165lbs   {-1lbs}

Waist - 36inches {-1inch}

Hips - 42.75inches {-0.25inch}

Bust - 35inches {same}

 

 

I'm disappointed with the numbers to be honest.  I do feel like since I've started hooping I'm becoming more 'sucked in' for want of a better phrase.

 

Don't forget to tweet me any pics or useful hints & advice using  #Sparkly1WeightLoss & I will see you guys next week when hopefully I can hoop anti-clockwise.

 

Hasta Luego Sparkly1s

Gemzicle Sprinkles

xoxo

 

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Throwback Thursday | Baby Greenoid

It's been nearly 9 and a half years since I had Mini Greenoid & I just had to do my first #tbt post on when he was born.  He arrived on 28th December 2004 early in the morning after a very quick, 3 hour labor.  I know, I know, I was extremely lucky with that!

These pictures were taken when he was between 5-8 weeks old. He was so tiny. He only weighed 5lb14oz when he was born and nothing fitted him.  I didn't find out what I was having so a little, baby boy was a complete surprise.  I remember being pregnant & going through stages of really wanting a boy one week then the next really wanting a girl.  I suppose I didn't really mind either way. 

 

It made me quite sad looking through the photo albums (yeah, that's right - I said photo albums, 10 years ago I still had films that I had to take to the shop to be developed, so these are all actual physical photos.) I've always been the photo taker as opposed to the photo subject and there are hardly any photos of me and Baby Greenoid.  I love this one though as we're both smiling.  Well I'm smiling, he's probably got wind.

I hope you enjoyed my first Throwback Thursday.  If you do #TBT on your blog let me know down in the comments.  I love a little story behind the #TBT & not just the picture.

Hasta Luego Sparkly1s

Gemzicle Sprinkles

xoxo

What I Ate Wednesday {4.6.14}

Breakfast

Breakfast was natural yoghurt with a heap of fruit on top as usual. Today I had blueberries, strawberries, half an apple & raspberries with cinnamon sprinkled on top. My local greengrocer was selling 3 punets of raspberries for £1 so I couldn't resist.

 

This has become my staple breakfast. I mix it up with different fruits & sometimes I add oats & almond milk coz I'm rock 'n' roll like that! I really enjoy having a healthy breakfast though as I've found it really helps me eat healthier for the rest of the day.

 

Have you got any other good, healthy breakfast ideas you can share with me so I can mix it up a bit? 

Lunch

Lunch was avocado & tomato on toast topped with cheddar cheese. I served it with a small side salad of rocket, spinach, cucumber & pepper. I also added a few chilli flakes just to liven it up a bit.  It was a pretty yummy lunch.  I'm lucky that I work from home so I'm able to make these lovely lunches. 

Did you notice that bread in the ingredients pic? (Well spotted if you did) I was out shopping the other day & I saw this rye bread & thought I'd give it a go (not really sure why). I tasted it as bread & thought it was disgusting but as toast with all the other stuff on top it was really nice. I'm not sure if its better for me than the wholemeal bread I was eating before though?

Do you know anything about this rye bread amaranth / quinoa? Any info would be great? 

Tea

I decided to have salad as I had a mooch through my salad tray at lunch time & there was a few things that needed using ASAP!

 

The salad I made consisted of rocket, cucumber, tomato, red onion, orange bell pepper, goats cheese, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds & 2 egg whites. 

 

Bit of a random mix, I admit, but it all tasted yummy & it made me feel very good about eating healthy. 

 

I'd love to see what you ate today.  If you have a #WIAW post in your blog, link it in the comments so I can go check it out.

Hasta Luego Sparkly1s

Gemzicle Sprinkles

xoxo

Monthly Achievements - May 2014

Daisies on my uncut back garden lawn - perfect for daisy chain making!

Can you believe May is over already? It'll be the summer holidays before we can even blink! I've had a lovely month.  It's been so good to finally get a bit of warm weather & get out in the garden or to the park with the kids.  I was browsing through some blogs & found Every Day In Grace which is a lovely little blog & I found her Monthly Accomplishments posts which I thought was a great idea so I've decided to steal it (thanks Grace!) 

My biggest achievement this month is starting this blog. I'm so pleased I've finally taken the time to do this. I've always loved taking photos & keeping scrap books/memory moment books & now I'm finally doing what I class as the modern equivalent. I'm still sketchy on my schedule & the layout & there's still loads of the techy side that I don't understand but I'm throwing myself head first into this new hobby & I'm lovin it.

Commiting to eating heathy. I decided to do a What I Ate Wednesday on my blog as I know it will keep me on track to eat more healthily. I'm a girl who loves all things carb - pasta, potato, bread mmmm I could live of the stuff & kinda had been doing. It's been a challenge & I've had a few hiccups along the way but I'm determined to change my eating habits rather than go on a diet. 

Throwing an awesome Adoption Party for my new little niece. The day was a massive success all round & everyone had a wonderful time. The weather was sunny so we could be outside & the kids all had a great time. 

Growing my Minecraft YouTube channel. I'm one of those girls who kinda loves everything.  I love make up, hair products, beauty things. But, I also love video games, sports, action movies. I got into blogging through making my YouTube channel & I'm really enjoying creating content. I have 38 subscribers at the moment & that makes me happy. 

 

What have you achieved this month? I'd love to hear about any achievements however big or small down in the comments.

Hasta Luego Sparkly1s

Gemzicle Sprinkles

xoxo

Adoption Party

This weekend my sister & brother in law came to stay for a few days.  After a long & difficult journey to try & adopt a child, they were finally matched & the adoption of little Alicia was finalised a few weeks ago.

 

 

I'm always up for a party & this was a wonderful chance to have one!  Parties take so much organising but it was all worth it in the end. I got some personalised things & lots of pink from Party Delights.  Having had a boy it was good fun shopping for a 2 year old girls party! 
The weather here has been awful all week but on Saturday the sun shone & it was a beautiful day (which was a good job as we had a bouncy castle for me to act like a big kid & jump around on the kids)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

I'm so pleased for my sister & her husband I'd like to wish them all the happiness & joy for the future.  Parenthood is the hardest job anyone can ever do but the rewards are indescribable.
I've got a ton more photos so I might make another post later in the week.  Do you like organising parties?  What are your top tips for a less stressful day?

Hasta Luego Sparkly1s

Gemmy Sprinkles

xoxo

If you're thinking about adoption or are an adoptive family there's a lot of help & advice HERE