Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Weight loss update - Christmas Special!

After this weeks weigh in I've lost 1 stone 7.5 lbs in total (13.5 from the filling & healthy plan). I'm feeling great and starting to look a bit less wobbly too, awesome.
I'm a little worried about how Christmas will affect me, I've already proved I have zero self control at a buffet (think Barry from Eastenders on Extras!) and after a bad no sleep stressful day this week I've discovered that my evil sweet tooth that I thought I'd shunned is still very much lurking beneath the surface!
Wednesday was a bad day and I seem to black out, binge then come round and feel very stupid, I thought I had stopped that!
I am still going to enjoy myself on Christmas day and boxing day. Boxing day will be buffet style so I'm going to try hard to stick mostly to my filling and healthy diet which should be easy with plenty of meats and salad. I'll have to get my husband to prod me in the (large) arse as a reminder.

Christmas day though I intend to enjoy and have whatever takes my fancy so long as I don't get the sick bug my son has! I can't wait to eat naughty food.
Its a sad thing to have to worry about over Christmas, but for me I've been so chuffed with my weight losses each week, I'd be so gutted to undo my good work and I can easily put on 7lb in a week.
So wish me luck and cross those fingers that my willpower stays a float and doesn't get drowned in chocolate and cheese!
Mmm cheese...

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Lincoln Christmas Market 2014 - Review

Complicated Pregnancy or Birth? What to do next.

For some of us, our births don't quite go to plan. This seems more common with first births and as much as we get ready, go to our antenatal classes and research, it doesn't always quite turn out as we hoped. 

I'm just talking from experience of a fairly troublesome first birth which luckily ended with a healthy baby and Mummy but made me terrified of having my second, right up until I was mid induction where I was finally put at ease!


I've put together these few basic tips for anyone in a similar position who may be putting off their next baby after a scary experience first time round.

Recover

This sounds easy but we all know how keen we are to have visitors, take baby out, especially as our partners have minimal leave and we don't want to waste that time. Its crucial though to recover and it can take a long time.

If you have any doubts then ask. I was feeling odd for just over a year and was very painful for a good 8 months. I was so worried but with time everything went back to normal. The mental side of it can take a while too, its terrifying thinking of what happened or could have.
Ask what happened. Why baby got stuck, why you needed assistance, that section, or those extra scans. Things may not be as bad as you thought, and you need to ask the chances of those things happening again to put your mind at ease.

My first baby I was told would be gigantic, he wasn't. But he was stuck for hours and hours I presumed because he was big but turned out it was because his head was on its side. They thought this could happen again and it did. But second time round they were prepared, the doctor was on stand by with the Ventouse and it wasn't anywhere near as scary as the first time because I had it explained to me. I just wish I had asked at the start instead of worrying throughout the pregnancy as they told me this baby was big too so I just assumed it would all go wrong and that maybe this time I wouldn't be so lucky.

Ask for a follow up meeting

All hospitals I believe offer the service to talk about your birth afterwards, do it! Sooner rather than later too, save the stress.

Get therapy

Seriously, if it was very traumatic it can have a huge effect on you. Get help, have a chat and let someone reassure you. No shame, no waiting just go!

Write it all down

Write your birth story down while you remember it all. Good or bad what an amazing thing to look back on.

Second birth plan

So it all went out the window first time, but you never know. Depending on what happened you may not be allowed that water birth but think of all the bad points first time and this time tell them what you don't want instead. Maybe you'd like to be made more aware of what's going on, or not be given certain pain relief. You can only ask and if they can do it they will, as long as its safest for baby.

Talk to your partner

Make sure you talk to your partner, it was bad for both of you in different ways. Maybe they thought they were about to lose their whole world and are terrified of doing it all again. You're in it together so talk, cuddle and plan.

We are all very different but I know if I had done this after baby A was born I would have been a lot happier. Every birth can be very different too so try not to worry about a repeat performance! Mine were worlds apart.



Thanks for reading,

Wafflemama

Friday, December 19, 2014

Potty Training My Son - Part One.

My son A has just turned three and has been potty trained for around three months.

He had three very minor accidents and the whole process has been a doddle - ish. Considering I had no clue where to start, it was nowhere near as hard as I thought it would be and for me, leaving it later worked wonders.


Firstly, I'll tell you I'm not one for studying books, especially on parenting. I'll Google for blogs and forums but mostly just wing it and go with the flow. Nothing ever truly goes to plan - does it? I joked that I would leave A until he was old enough to potty train himself and I guess in a way, I did.
I first got him a potty when he was around 18 months old. He would sit and do a wee, we'd all clap, put his nappy back on and off we went. All a bit pointless I thought. It was too early to properly train so the potty just hung around in the bathroom until after he was Two when he would wee on it every night before bed but we didn't attempt anything more or push it too much. 

I then became pregnant with his sister, baby S. With a new baby coming along, everyone informed me that it would be the worst time to potty train and that he would regress when she came along and make it harder work. The thought of a screaming newborn combined with toddler wee everywhere (or worse) was enough to put me off.


I felt a bit panicked though - a few months after I was due to have baby S, A would turn three and that's old to wear nappies, isn't it? I've no idea really, as the only people that really discuss it are those that like to show off how early they did it and everyone else just seems a little ashamed, though I have no idea why! I guess its another one of those competitive mum things. In reality all kids and Mums are different and you just need to do what is right for you and not care what people do or think, something I have become very good at.
We tried to get pants on him a couple of times and we had the world war 3 of tantrums so I abandoned it, despite about a year of making him wear cool pants over his nappy. We kept the nappies, I had a stress free pregnancy and everyone was happy. Hoorah!

That was until baby S came along and Bean had the mother of all growth spurts going from a 4+ nappy to a 6+ in a matter of weeks, if not days! I began to panic, if he grew anymore what would we do!? To save the poor boy a fate of starting school sporting Tena lady pads, I thought we had best get things moving and so we went pant shopping again. He was not happy pant shopping. I forced him in a pair the next day, he forced out a wee and insisted I took them off. Baby was crying, the house was a mess, the dog stuck up a tree (or something like that), so back in the nappies we went. As a wise woman once said, 'Ain't nobody got time fo' dat'. 

I couldn't face cleaning up toilet mess whilst keeping him busy and looking after the baby.
With the Tena lady pads on stand by, I went into A's room one Monday morning and he announced that he was now a big boy and would be wearing pants that day. Whatttt!? I went with his lead and off we went to playgroup, wearing pants (me and him) and jeans armed with lots of spares. I resisted temptation and left the nappies at home.

Playing too hard meant he had two tiny accidents, but still stopped himself before full flooding occurred. Brilliant! 
The second day was a sensory play group and just one tiny accident again.
Day three was preschool and they were happy to carry on asking him if he needed to go and when I collected him he'd had no accidents and used the mini toilets three times on his own. Proud!

Arriving home however, A was busy having his lunch when he announced that "uh oh" he had forgotten he had pants on and he had done both a '1' and a '2' and then sat in it all. One of those lovely mummy moments.
I changed him quickly and my god, how can anything so cute smell so bad! It was everywhere. I have a weak stomach. Bleh.

That was his last accident though and he is now just a keen pants wearer! He's even a bit obsessed and has a list of pants he now wants, Spider man, angry pants, furry pants etc etc.

We are yet to brave night time but I have no doubt he would be absolutely fine now, but as his sister is mid growth spurt/teething/something clingy, we will do that once we are getting some sleep again as I'm sure he will wake us to let us know when he has been, regularly!


All in all I think the lazy approach has paid off, its been pretty stress free all round and I didn't even have to buy him old lady pants! Win win. The main thing I think is confidence, braving that first day out and going with when they are ready.


Thanks for reading,

Wafflemama





Saturday, December 13, 2014

Mummy Friends ...

Becoming a parent really helps sift out those real friends to those other ones that turn out to have just been work friends or going out to party friends or friends that you have just known a long time, but not for any good reason. A friend, if its a good one is one of the greatest things to have.
Since becoming a mother to my two lovely babies I have lost and made many friends. I love making new mummy friends especially when it means a new play mate for one of the kids too. I don't have many friends but at thirty its definitely quality over quantity.
Mummy friends, good ones, can really get you through the bad times. They understand, they've been there or know their times coming soon - so don't judge. They give you a knowing smile that says 'I know it's shit but it will get better' and provide cake and shoulders to cry on. They are happy to listen to you moan about your crazy family, your rip off utility company or your next crazy money saving plan. They are happy to hear about your child's bowel movements and might even sound interested. They are pleased for you for the good things and supportive with the bad.There are those parents that will be over competitive. Make comments to make u feel even more hopeless or just be bitchy as can be, let's just forget about those ones, I bet they've been the same since school.

I had lots of friends at work before I Left. I was lucky to get lots of leaving presents and a few visits when baby A was born. Most people I didn't see again, they weren't bad friends they were just work friends. There are a couple however that I feel are friends for life. They are now mummy friends too.
I have friends from home, I grew up near Brighton and am now in the midlands. A few I've known since I was a baby - I'd hate to lose touch. Some I lost touch with but now they are mummies too we have a renewed friendship, it's so nice to reminiss about silly things I did as a kid with those same little people who are now all grown up with little people of their own.
My best friend from home I have known since school, I worked with her (well i worked the bar while she drank Malibu) and now she's a mummy. We don't speak often but then we don't need to.
My perfect mummy friends make jokes, have fun, laugh when I'm hopeless (but not in a bad way), give me advice or support when a baby/toddler is going through yet another 'phase' which we all know is code for 'I've no idea why or what your child is doing but surely it can't last forever or you'll die!'. They talk about normal silly things too and don't question my need for an answer to questions like 'can dogs go into comas?' they just get me.

So here's to all those good friends, be they mummies, school friends, friends for life, family friends or just that nice granny who cheers me up at play group.

Without you all I would find everything so much harder. I would be thinner without that cake, but would not have the laughs and the fun I have now. 


Thanks for reading.

Wafflemama

Friday, December 12, 2014

20lb down booty shrink! - Weight loss update

I blogged a little while ago about beginning my weight loss journey. I'm sharing this here as an incentive to carry on and help others that may be in the same boat (before our blubber makes it sink. Lol).
Here is an update.
I am about 12 weeks in and 20lbs down. Mostly down to one of the newer Weight Watchers plans - 'Filling and Healthy'. The rest I lost by using the very old discovery plan which meant pointing and for me a slow loss.
I am a hopeless loser when it comes to weight loss and can honestly say if I can do this anyone can, though I have some way to go and as yet visually I don't think its notable enough to bombard you with before and after pictures. If I carry on like I hope to though - these will follow.
The plan I'm following involves no pointing like previous plans though you do get 49 a week to use for treats. I tend to just spend these on cheese and sauces with dinner as oppose to cakes nowadays as I just don't crave them as much since massively cutting down on sugar!
I allow myself one day off a week (weigh day) where I can have whatever I fancy but as the weeks go by I'm being less 'bad' on these days too.
The plan is basically a big list of foods you can have as much as you want of, and for the first two weeks two snacks a day of a list which includes biscuits,meringue nests (best sweet snack ever!) And WW crisps.
There is an amazing support page on Facebook that has some recipes which are incredible.
My husband eats clean anyway and has adapted some of our favourite meals so I can still enjoy my food! My favourite meals are home cooked KFC with oats used as a batter and yesterday's triumph which was home made enchiladas, amazing. I also eat lots off eggs and Warburton's thins which are just so versatile, I even used them to make us both a minced pit the other day, they were great! (piture at the bottom).
I will continue to update into the new year. Though I will be eating whatever I want to over Christmas for the three main days as it's my favourite food time of the year!

An example of my menu for a day.

Breakfast - 
Banana, pint of skimmed milk, crumpet with marmite (no butter).
Lunch -
Two WW or supermarkets own healthy wraps with chicken, ham,  salad, lighter than light mayo. 4 crab sticks, a bag of savoury popcorn (I should make my own to be totally on plan but it is only corn and a little oil and you get an oil allowance per day which I don't use for cooking).
Tea/dinner-
Two chicken thigh fillets (should use breast really but so much tastier and I'm losing weight so all good!) Egged, seasoned, covered in oats and baked to make KFC style chicken. Served with Tefal actifry chips, corn on the cob and home made coleslaw.
Dessert - natural yoghurt mixed with some sweetener, half a tin of sliced peaches in juice and a meringue nest smashed on top. Tastes like a very naughty treat!
Snacks - Fruit, WW biscuits, carrot sticks.
20lbs off means I have gone down a dress size. My incredibly large bottom is now just large. I can walk up my hill to get home without stopping and getting out of breath, I have lots more energy! With the things I'm now eating I don't feel hungry all the time either.
Thanks for reading, I'm hoping to post again soon as an even bigger loser!


Me feeling a bit more like Me :)


First attempt at home made Warburtons thin minced pie - amazing!



Thanks for reading,

Wafflemama




Sunday, December 07, 2014

Bravado Sweetpea Nursing Bra ' Pink Lemonade' - Review

I was very lucky to be chosen to try out a Bravado Sweetpea nursing bra recently via their Facebook page on my personal profile. I was chosen and asked to help spread the word if I was a fan.

Let's start by saying I am a fan - and also that this is a stock photo and not me!

I received a parcel in the post, something I find exciting in itself. I opened it to see lovely packaging and inside the most beautiful almost vintage looking pink/peach bra. The colour is called 'Pink Lemonade'.

I took it out and my initial reaction was that it felt very soft and lovely.
As the sizes were fairly limited I went for the nearest to my size which was a 38C. Depending on brand I can be anything from 36-40 but usually settle for a 38 so was worried about fitting without having seen it in person.

This bra however has a lovely gentle stretch to it and is extremely comfortable to wear and having been stupidly wearing normal wired bras for a few weeks before and getting mastitis it was a very welcome relief to wear this bra. I do normally like a little more support but do find this bra gives me a nice shape still. This bra is designed for 24 hour comfort so can be worn any time of day/night. Perfect to prevent leaking in those early days!


It has a clip on each side to enable you to feed without restriction. Initially the clip felt a bit tricky and to be honest in a hurry I preferred to just pull it down, something that would probably hurt or restrict milk flow normally but with this being so soft and stretchy it was fine and easy.

The bra has washed really well and still looks as new (baby is 4 months and I've been using since the start - except when being washed).
The price of £26 is fairly high but I think average for a decent bra. I think for most people, a few of these would be a great investment particularly if you're planning on feeding for a long time. I have gone on to buy a further one in black myself so that I can alternate.
As the fabric seems such good quality I'm sure they will be used for subsequent babies too and for quite some time so will be very good value.

Overall it is genuinely the nicest nursing bra (if not just bra in general) I've used compared to high st shop equivalents and would recommend to new mums and pregnant ladies out there.




Thanks for reading,


Wafflemama



*These are all my own thoughts and reactions to the product sent and were in no way influenced by the company itself. I was not asked to complete a review.

The One Lovely Blog Award - The Christmas Tag

I was nominated for the 'One Lovely Blog Award' by Katy as well as the 'Christmas Tag'. I will combine them both here for ease of reading and also seeing as it's the season, I'll follow Katy's lead by doing 'OLBA' on a Christmas theme.

I absolutely love Christmas and have had the most Christmassy day possible today and I am absolutely beaming! 



Here are my answers to the Christmas Tag questions first...


Whats your favourite Christmas movie?

'ELF'! I have watched it twice today and for the first time with my son who is three, he loved it! I equally love 'Home Alone' so it was a close call but Elf just makes me so happy.


Do you open your presents on Christmas eve or Christmas morning?

Christmas morning! I also used to open one on Christmas eve as a kid as i was just totally uncontrollably excited! We open them all in the morning though now but i have made a Christmas eve box for my husband and son the last two years so maybe I'll do that again. For anyone that doesn't know what a Christmas eve box is, its a gift box with new pyjamas, an xmas dvd, a hot chocolate mix and some film snacks! Well that's what mine is anyway...

Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

My favourite Christmas memory was just my Uncle David as a whole, he was amazing, so funny, he got me wind up toys, a fluffy snowman, he always made jokes,  he was always happy and fun and loved playing hide and seek (which meant he went to the garden for a cigar!) He was much much cooler than any of the other grown ups.

Favourite festive food?

Gammon! We always had a honey roasted gammon joint alongside the turkey, I absolutely love it and i could demolish the whole joint if I was allowed! A close second is Cadbury's chocolate which i have for Christmas breakfast!

Favourite Christmas gift?

My fluffy snowman plush from Uncle David, He asked me if I wanted one and it appeared as if by magic, totally loved it! really hoping my mum still has him somewhere too.

Favourite Christmas scent?

Real Christmas tree pine smell. You literally cant beat it! We have a fake tree (much to my husbands horror) but as the stands where the same price as the tree round here we thought we would leave it until we are feeling more flush. In the mean time, fake tree and a pine scented candle.

Do you have any Christmas eve traditions?

Yes the xmas eve box as mentioned above, a new tradition! Otherwise, my husband is usually home early from work and we just have a lovely cosy chilled out day, open the boxes, pop our cosies on and watch a Christmas film.

What tops your tree?


At the moment a large paper fold out star from Poundland, the angels on the tree somewhere. I would like to make something with my son though to go on top so maybe that  can be a craft for this coming week.

As a child what was the one gift you always wanted but never received?

I don't really remember wanting anything much apart from teddy bears, I've always been easily pleased! I remember seeing those small sit in cars that you could drive and thinking that would be amazing but they cost about a grand in those days so I would have never expected one! I think it is very different now for some families who spend an absolute fortune (not mine!) it can be a bit over the top. So far my son hasn't asked for anything that costs more than a few pounds so he won't be disappointed.

Whats the best thing about Christmas for you?

Food. I just love food! A few days where I can do some guilt free stuffing and totally relax. I'm not a drinker so i just double up on the tasty things, after doing so well on weight watchers this year though I may be a little more restrained, but its unlikely!
I do obviously love seeing everyone together too but other than that, food is definitely up there.



Here are my seven facts about me for the 'One Lovely Blog Award'.

1. OK so a bit of a greedy thing to start with... but its the first thing I thought of! I am the easiest person to please EVER with presents, seriously all the standard things - slippers, candles, chocolate, smellies, that's me sorted! Is that just boring? Maybe. I don't like buying that stuff for myself though so I get excited!

2. My parents never liked Christmas (mainly because of the routine of having to see the same old relatives and never spending it alone) so I always felt I shouldn't too, I make up for it now by bloody loving every second! I love everything about it.

3. Me and my husband LOVE Michael Buble's Christmas album!

4. I literally cannot control myself at a buffet, especially at Christmas - I even thought about inventing buffet trousers with insulated Tupperware type pockets to save trips back to the food hahaha! This year I'm all about the meeeaaaatt!!

5. I get really embarrassed about opening presents in front of people, really hate it! Especially at Christmas at the in-laws where we are usually last to arrive so the whole gaggle watch us open everything, I find it so painful even if the presents are just lovely, much prefer giving though I still get nervous by that too!

6. I really want to go to Lapland for Christmas one year, it just looks like so much fun, reindeer rides, Father Christmas, log cabins, bliss!

7. Up until today I hadn't felt very Christmassy at all - in fact I had faked it a bit in order to not look too 'Bah humbug' about the whole thing, so relieved its kicked in!
And thats all! Thank you Katy for the nomination! I never thought I would be able to think of so many.

I will be nominating people myself via Twitter!

Here are the rules....

1. Thank the person for nominating you and link back to them in your post.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself (they don't have to be festive)/ Answer the 10 questions about Christmas

3. Nominate 15 or so bloggers you admire

4. Contact the chosen bloggers and let them know.



Merry Christmas!


Wafflemama

Monday, November 10, 2014

Nigel the wonder duck

I always wanted my children to love cuddly toys like I did, my son absolutely does. He has lots of favourites, Nigel, Dave, The Santa brothers, rabbit, other rabbit, ah ah, big ah ah, the list goes on. By far his absolute favourite is Nigel, Nigel the wonder duck.
Nigel is not allowed out the house or even the bedroom sometimes, though he is allowed on holiday with us but cannot leave the caravan or hotel room!

When A was about 5 days old we went to TK Maxx where I spotted Nigel, a gangly stripy squeaky duck. I showed it to A who smiled straight at him, OK so it may have been wind but I took it as a sign and went straight to pay for Nigel, they have slept together night and day ever since. 



When I went into hospital to have baby S, I knew that A would have to stay over at his uncles house and that he would only sleep if Nigel was with him. I didn't want Nigel to leave the house even then so Nigel's back-up 'Dave' came out to play. I let him finally open the package that I had to buy three years before in case anything ever happened to Nigel. He was so excited by Dave, he had a fresh squeak, his beak wasn't crusty and he was still plump and plush. Dave could stand in for Nigel and look after him.



Since introducing my son to Dave he has decided that all his toys need a partner. Nigel was apparently lonely before but he is happy now he has a friend in Dave, yes my son is the sweetest! His Santa cuddly has been lonely for some time and all he asked for for Christmas so far this year was another Santa to keep him company. I couldn't wait until Christmas so as soon as they were back in Primark, Bob Santa had a friend too, Brian. It's my sons love for his coupled toys that meant the new John Lewis advert really struck a chord with me, it brings tears to my eyes every time, its so lovely but mainly because it reminds me so much of my boy and his lovable antics with his little toys. How sweet to be so worried about their happiness!



So Nigel, Dave and everybody else are the most loved and cared for toys in the world, they get read stories, go on adventures (mainly in the orange 'boat', go to bed tucked up in their own blankets and cuddled to within an inch of their stitches.



Alfie chose his sister a toy to give her at the hospital. Her name is Nigella, the slightly rounder bottomed jingly version on Nigel!



Nigel the wonder duck. The greatest duck in all the land.



(I have even had to draw a giant Nigel duck on his bedroom sketch wall.)



Does your child have a special toy?


Thanks for reading,

Wafflemama

Sunday, November 02, 2014

Not a 'proper' mum. Yet.

You see some mums, most mums it seems and they are always on time, they look smart as well as their kids, they notice everything, a runny nose, a twig that could cause a fall. Their nappy bags (which they never forget) are filled with all the essentials, never a vest ten sizes too small or a squashed banana. They are on the ball, wise, I guess they are just naturals at this mum lark. They are 'proper mums', I do not think I am one of them.


I'm unorganised and seem to always be in a rush despite the fact I'm sure I don't stop much. I regularly forget the nappy bag (mainly when my husband is there too when one of us should remember). When I do have a nappy bag it's usually inevitably missing nappies or wipes despite them being the very basic items, the clues even in the name! I have a change of clothes for my toddler, he is 3 and I have in the bag a 9-12 month sleep suit that has lived there a while, no use whatsoever.  I picked up a muslin only to find it's actually my husbands tee-shirt but its clean and will do to mop up vomit or dribble, I'll just add it to my dirty washing sculpture I'm creating in our bedroom afterwards. I always feel a mess and dry shampoo is my very best friend. I found a squashed banana in my bag.  I quite often stare into space only to be awoken by a 'proper mum' who would just like to let me know toddler is licking a dog/about to climb an ostrich or god knows what else. Embarrassing.

I'm getting better but still have days where we come out of messy play and he's wearing my jumper like a dress with the sleeves rolled up, wearing a children's centre nappy or grazing on a snack provided by a much better equipped parent!

However, I think I am actually better now than when I just had one! I certainly feel more of a 'mum'. We make more time to bake and play properly, I make lists and lists of lists, they are everywhere! I always stick to our plans even if we're running late and I try and get ready earlier or do things the night before. My friends are always telling me what a great mum I am. I do things people don't think of, I try and make every day exciting and we have adventures and fun and make things magical and A is the brightest most interesting toddler I've ever met. He's quick witted and creative and the gentlest soul you could ever meet. His silly mother must have done  some good after all, all be it in a 'winging it' unorganised pyjama day kind of way!
The quest goes on...



Thanks for reading,

Wafflemama

Monday, October 27, 2014

My son is three tomorrow.

My gorgeous baby boy 'A' turns three tomorrow and I must say I am experiencing extremely mixed emotions about the whole thing!
  • Sheer joy that my happy little stinkleberry is such a healthy happy boy turning three. Total despair as to where the last three years have gone.
  • Worry about how quickly the next three will go.
  • Excitement to give him his brand new bike after him always having pre loved, it just feels so good and he totally deserves it.
  • Sadness that he is getting too heavy to pick up and looks so big in the pram when we have to use it.
  • Scared that his next birthday will be his 4th and he will be at his proper nursery down the road, in a uniform.
  • Happy that his Daddy will be off work so we can have a family day.
  • Pleased to have won a competition to take him for a birthday meal.
  • Bewildered as to quite how we have managed to fill every day for three years and not feel too bored.
  • Total joy at what an amazing clever confident happy child he is.
  • Lastly, totally panicked as I just remembered he asked for a home made ginger cat birthday cake! Yikes.


My favourite ever picture



Wish me luck for tomorrow, the tears are pricking up already! 


Thanks for reading,

Wafflemama

Sunday, October 26, 2014

My Weight Loss Journey: The Start

I am a chubby mother about to embark on a mammoth weight loss journey.



I am fully aware that this type of thing can be extremely dull if you are not the chubby person in question, so I will keep future updates brief and give my opinion on the new weight watchers diet/lifestyle, 'Filling & Healthy' plan - in which from what I understand it relies largely on my ability to control my portion sizes and eat from a list of f&h foods - stopping once I feel satisfied.

I have always been big since I was a child and had the worst habits and relationship with food. This is something I really don't want for my children. I can see my son making bad choices already, so something has got to change. I am largely an emotional eater and this is where I usually stumble, a couple of good weeks followed by total uncontrollable emotional binges. I usually eat until I feel super full or sometimes even sick. I have huge portions and an uncontrollable urge for sweet things from mid afternoon until bed.


I am going to find this a challenge but I want to beat this, be fit and healthy so I have more energy for my babies, teach them better about being healthy and just maybe feel a little better bout myself too.



I was lucky (or unlucky) enough to be referred for a 12 week free trial so will be getting checked up upon regularly and will also be required to return for a 6m and 12m weigh in to ensure I have not wasted anyone's time/money, something I have no intention of doing.

Start weight - 17 stone 9lbs

I will begin this plan on Wednesday after my first WW meeting and I will update briefly with my results and findings for anyone who is interested in following or supporting me. 

This will not be easy for me so I have everything crossed!


Wish me luck!


Wafflemama




Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Before we had kids.

Being a parent is amazing, there is no doubt about it! There are however a few things I miss that we definitely took for granted before we had children.

Here are my top ten, VS the 'bright side' of having kids! I am trying to be more positive and see a bright side in everything.... Here goes.


1) Going to the toilet in peace
Not only that, but going to the toilet on your own with nobody trying to stand in your pants leg holes while you're sat down (not sure if this happens to anyone else?). I will include in this one showering in peace too - seeing as its next to the toilet!



The bright side
At least there is someone there to jump on your belly should you fall off the toilet and faint.



2) Sleep.
I'm sure I need not divulge a great deal on this one - it's obvious, you never sleep properly again. Even once they sleep through you feel knackered!



The bright side
Extra cuddles, get to perfect your sneaky walk, keeping the eye cream business in trade :D



3) Having money!
I don't just mean money, we work hard and scrimp and have money but not spare money. I think how much we actually had before and it scares me where it all went. What did we spend it on!?



The bright side
kids enjoy free stuff like walks, digging up worms. Also I suppose I can't get as fat if I can't buy as much fodder.



4) Spending time on my appearance.
I hardly get any time now, I am super speedy at makeup as I have had the same routine for at least ten years but my hair looks like rat tails and I have a 'can't see it when I squint' deal with my messy clothes! I'd kill for a good makeover.



The bright side
My 3 year old says I am beautiful as I am. I don't go anywhere where I NEED to look nice, I just like to. Other mums sometimes think I'm the 'glam one' despite my neglect!





5) 'Nipping out'.
Before you have kids you can 'nip' out, 'pop' out. With kids you have to clothe them sometimes more than once. Layer them up or down for weather, add sun cream, snowsuits, hats, gloves, shoes socks and usually socks again for the third time as he keeps taking them off! You then have to make sure you have nappies and wipes, maybe a change of clothes for each of them in case they fall in a puddle or a dog pooh. Yep been there. Make sure they have been fed (baby) and toddler is sufficiently juiced in order to not have to forage for his survival once out! The list goes on.



The bright side 
This is a hard one... I suppose it's a good way of making sure your brain still works when you check you have remembered everything?



6) Enjoying your food. 
Eating is just easy pre babies, whether out or at home. With children you have to eat cold toast, soggy cereal, rush meals out and the best one - once they are toddlers, they are miraculously good at 'sharing' when its mummies dinner, hmm. I currently shovel my dinner down too before baby wakes - its amazing how quick I can eat! I also have to hide snacks up my sleeve or in my bra or eat behind a cupboard door in order to enjoy the whole thing without it being pinched! (Anyone else??)


The bright side. Easy - I could make us a fortune at doughnut eating contests!




7) Keeping things 'nice'.
Pre babies you can buy things for your home, keep them, clean them and they are just 'nice'. With kids those nice things get dirty, broken and lost. Our TV cabinet has a door hanging off and the TV is barely visible through the cheese layer, HD my eye! My husband is always saying "we can never have anything nice", because if it doesn't get mauled or taken apart by the toddler you can bet the dog will eat it, cat vomit on it or I will break it with my clumsy great feet or bum.


The bright side
You learn to be less materialistic I suppose! One day when kids are older we can do lots of shopping!



8) Spending time with your partner.
Not much needed on this one, you just plain don't get much time together once you have kids. Pre kids I can't even imagine what we did with all our time! Why did we not holiday more or socialise more?!



The bright side
I can be a bit annoying so may be for the best for hubby and our survival :)





9) Time for yourself - ME time.
Pre kids I liked painting and shopping and having my hair done once in a blue moon, sorting the house out, having projects to do. With children I either have no time or am too damn tired or just want to enjoy cuddles or sleepy babies. I love spending time as a family but I would like to get more 'me' things done. Maybe I'll take up professional Lego building and milk squirting then we can all have fun together!


The bright side 
I really really appreciate a good hair wash now and if I get to wash and dry it in the same day I feel like a total princess!


10) Doing nothing. 
This may sound a strange one but before kids you can do nothing, lay in bed, sit in the garden, chill, think, stare at nothing and relax.
With kids you can't very easily. Maybe this improves when they are older but I doubt it.


The bright side
Being with the small people is a million times better in comparison :)


Overall I regret taking those things for granted, but its all hindsight and I am amazingly lucky to have everything I have and such an amazing family :) One day I will have all those things back and I certainly don't want to be writing about how I took these times for granted so I try and make the best of every day!




Thanks for reading,

Wafflemama