Bikini Series 2015!

So, it's that time of year again. I've been a terrible blogger and I've just not blogged at all since last summer. However, I am BACK!!! This year's Tone It Up Bikini Series is launching tomorrow - 13th April 2015 and I'm taking part again.

Here are my goals for this year's 8 week fitness plan:

This year, I have teamed up with both the lovely Victoria (@VWBoyle on Twitter) and Christelle (@TIU_Christelle on Twitter) and we are going to all work together and keep each other accountable. We are the three #TIUMusketeers !

Karena & Katrina have surpassed themselves this year! All of the Tone It Up Members have received a 8-week plan mapping out all the meals for the Bikini Series, as well as the workouts for each day! I'm really excited to get going with it! I'll be trying to follow the nutrition plan as closely as possible, but I do need to remember that both hubby and I are following the plan and the bank balance will only stretch so far ;)

I need to take my "START" photos for the challenge and also take my beginning measurements. I will then take my measurements each month throughout the challenge. I will also be getting weighed every Thursday, so will keep you posted with progress.

Right - let's get this party started!!!!

Prioritising My Life

Hi girls! 

Firstly, I have to apologise because I haven't posted here since JULY 2014. That is just terrible but it's also a symptom of what has happened with my Tone It Up Journey. Basically, it halted, then it has gone backwards. I've gained weight and I'm miserable and inactive. The solution? Get back into the lifestyle!! 

So, I'm back and I'm ready to start living again.. I want to look forward, not backward, so I'm going to be meal planning, prepping and I'll be checking in again a whole lot more!!!! 

I've missed my Tone It Up girls! I want to reconnect with you all again and start feeling awesome again. 

I promise to do better!!

C xxx

Operation 50 (Well, 67 really, but who's counting?!) Are you game?

On top of Multiple Sclerosis, I also have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Basically, there are cysts on my ovaries and my hormones are messed up. There is some basic information about PCOS from the NHS here.

Some of the weight gain (not all, I have a poor relationship with food), is down to the PCOS and as a result, I see an endocrinologist every 6 months. I had my third appointment on Wednesday and the endocrinologist set me a challenge. To get down to 190lbs by my next appointment. My next appointment is on 26th November 2014. I am challenging myself to lose AT LEAST 50lbs (hence #Operation50). 

The support from the Tone It Up community has been immense and I really feel that I can do this if I continue to work with my TIU team and keep motivated. 

I think it would be really great if there were a group of us who took part in #Operation50. Obviously, not everyone is going to have 50lbs to lose - but we do all have our own goals. #Operation50 would be an opportunity to make a promise to ourselves to treat our bodies with the respect it deserves, to provide it with the fuel it needs and to work out, get fit, build our confidence and spur each other on as a team from now Monday 9th June until November 26th. 

Anyone want to join in? If so, we can start using the #Operation50 on Twitter & Instagram and maybe set up a group within MyFitnessPal / The Tone it Up Community? 

Let me know what you think! 

You are all amazing! 

Clare xx

Menu Planning for Bikini Series Week 2

In a bid to avoid falling off the Nutrition Plan this week, I have decided to plan out my menu for the week and to post it here. All the recipes (except the Trout Salad, which is self-explanatory) are from the Tone It Up Nutrition Plan, which you can purchase from here!

What are you planning on eating this week?

Day of the Week	Booty Call	Meal 1	Meal 2	Meal 3	Meal 4	Meal 5
Monday	Meta D	Slim Down Scramble Strawberries	Tone It Up Kale Salad+ mackerel	Slim Down Lunch Salad + 4oz lamb Orange	Lemon, Spinach & Chickpea Salad	Red Lentil Bolognese & Green Beans with Cashew Nut Parm
Tuesday	Meta D	Slim Down Scramble Strawberries	Tone It Up Kale Salad + mackerel	Slim Down Lunch Salad + 4oz lamb Orange	Lemon, Spinach & Chickpea Salad	Red Lentil Bolognese & Green Beans with Cashew Nut Parm
Wednesday	Meta D	Slim Down Scramble Strawberries	Grapefruit	Slim Down Lunch Salad + 4oz pork Apple	Lemon, Spinach & Chickpea Salad	Chicken Collard Wrap & Salad
Thursday	Meta D	Slim Down Scramble Strawberries	Grapefruit	Slim Down Lunch Salad + 4oz pork Peach	Canellini Citrus Salad	Trout Salad
Friday	Meta D	Slim Down Scramble Strawberries	Grapefruit	Slim Down Lunch Salad + 4oz chicken Peach	Canellini Citrus Salad	Walnut-Crusted Salmon
Saturday	Meta D	Egg & Veggie Breakfast Wrap Strawberries	Orange	Slim Down Lunch Salad + 4oz chicken Peach	Zesty Quinoa	Green Garden Pot Pie
Sunday	Meta D	Protein Pancake Strawberries	Orange	Slim Down Lunch Salad + 4oz chicken Peach	Zesty Quinoa	Green Garden Pot Pie

Bikini Series 2014 Week 1 in Review (May 12-18 2014)

What to say about this week? There have been highs and there have been lows and lots of new things!

I want to remind you all that the 2014 Tone It Up Bikini Series officially began in the last week of April, so I am behind the Tone It Up website. My Bikini Series started on Monday May 12th and is due to finish on Sunday 13th July 2014.

Food-wise I have fallen off the bandwagon a fair couple of times this week, which is why I am not expecting a weight loss when I weigh in tomorrow. I am very much an emotional eater and I suffer from compulsive overeating;  something that I am hoping to be able to control better as I get further into the Bikini Series. The support on Twitter and at the Tone It Up Community has been amazing and I want to say a big thank you  to all the Tone It Up girls who have been cheering me on this week - particularly Lauren!

I am proud that I have worked out every single day this week - if even just for 30 minutes. I have been particularly en pointe with my workouts and even on those days when my nutrition was far from perfect, I still made sure to exercise.

The Tone It Up girls have challenged us to achieve #100bysummer (or #150bysummer for TIU veterans). Each 10 minutes of cardio exercise you do counts as 1 mile towards your #100bysummer. This week's exercise breakdown is as follows:

Monday 12th - 64 minutes
Tuesday 13th - 97 minutes
Wednesday 14th - 164 minutes
Thursday 15th - 61 minutes
Friday 16th - 31 minutes
Saturday 17th - 225 minutes
Sunday 18th - 26 minutes

Total Week = 668 minutes

668 minutes divided by 10 = 66.8 miles towards my #100bysummer !!!!

I'm amazed that in one week I'm already past the halfway mark! 

Even though I'm assuming there will be a gain on the scales in the morning, I'm really hoping that my measurements will have gone down because I really have tried hard all week long with the exercising!

I've done my first ever pilates workout! I've done the Bikini Body routine twice this week! I've tweeted more this week than I think I have ever done!! There are so many amazing women out there who are empowering each other to live better, happier and healthier lives and I really am loving that aspect. 

I've also vlogged a couple of times this week over on my YouTube channel:

What are my goals for Bikini Series Week 2 (May 19-25 2014)

• Minimise bingeing / Give it 100% to stick to my food plan
• DRINK MORE WATER - minimum of 3 litres daily
• Be grateful for every day!
• Exercise every day for at least 30 minutes
• Daily Wii Fit Body Tests
• Compliment someone every day
• Carry out at least one random act of kindness
• Follow the TIU and Blogilates Workouts and calendars

What are your plans for the week?

Slip Ups and Roll Ups

Today has been a funny old day and I'm writing this post after midnight, so maybe that should be 'yesterday'... whatever. The past few waking hours have been strange.

I started off really strong and had the original Meta D and made myself an omelette (2 whole eggs) with tomatoes, mushrooms and celery. I had my meals planned out. All was well with the world. 

I showered. My husband left for work.

"Aha!", shouted my brain. "You're alone. You've given up smoking. What else can you do that is rebellious? EAT. EAT like you've never eaten before. Literally".

I am a slave to my brain. Eat I did. I don't want to call it a binge, but yeah, it was a full on, total knockout BINGE. Gah!

If you want to avoid the list of food... then scroll now!

I consumed:
1 chip shop chicken breast
2 spam fritters
1 chip barm
1 small bar Bourneville chocolate
1 can diet Coke (oh, the irony)
1 can Fanta
1 bag salt 'n' sweet popcorn

With all those fizzy drinks, I think my subconscious was plotting a binge-and-purge session, but I am pleased to report that there was no intentional purging (although my body did get its own back somewhat later). 

I have decided not to freak out about this. I decided that instead, I would plan out my meals for the rest of the week and plan in my workouts for the remainder of the week and the weekend. So, I buried my guilt, got out my planner and PLANNED. I checked this afternoon's Tone It Up workout and it was supposed to be the Cowabunga Routine. After reviewing the video, I realised that there were quite a few moves I'm not yet able to attempt, due to my neck, so I went hunting for something more suitable. I opted for Blogilates POP Pilates for Beginners - Total Body Workout. I had watched the video a few days ago and thought that there was no way that I would be able to get through it. Tonight, though, motivated by the Guilt of the Binge, I gritted my teeth and pressed play. 

As a side note, I have a Sony Experia and it means that I can use the YouTube app on my phone and route it to my TV via the Playstation. I hadn't realised that I could do that, so that was quite the revelation! 

Anyway... I pressed play. I swore at Cassie Ho. I did some more. I swore more. I sweated. My abs started to shake, my legs started to shake... I swore more at the TV, then... then it was over. I had done it! I'd only bloody well gone and finished the 26 minute beginner routine for the first time. 

Oh, glorious days - I am now writing this in a state of pure elation, whilst drinking my Detox Tea and taking my evening medication. 

Upon reflection, I think I may have actually enjoyed the Blogilates video. Given that I desperately need to work on my core, it may be worthwhile incorporating pilates into my routine as an opportunity to improve core strength and flexibility. As I have Multiple Sclerosis (more about that here), pilates may be very useful for combatting any muscle atrophy. 

So there. Like I said, it's been a funny old day.

Tomorrow is Friday - the day of love; so tomorrow I'm going to learn to love myself, my body and my foibles.

Good night xxx

http://blogilates.tumblr.com/post/5538757671/look-at-me-im-wearing-the-muffin-tops-are-for

Slim Down Results & Tone It Up Bikini Series - Days 1 & 2

Hello lovely readers,
Yesterday was my official Tone It Up Slim Down weigh in. The results are IN.
Drum roll please
...
I managed to lose 8.6lbs and a total of 24cm across my body!!!
So chuffed with myself and that all my hard work paid off!

In fact, I was so excited, I even made a video!

 

Since the slim down had finished, it also meant that the BIKINI SERIES was underway. Oh my goodness, I'm so excited about the Bikini Series! 8 weeks to reach my goals.

If you read my previous post #CreateYourSummer , you'll know that I have a lot of goals that I want to achieve over the course of the Tone It Up Bikini Series. 

My goals for the 1st week of the Bikini Series are:

• lose 2lbs
• drink at least 3 litres water each day
• journal food and exercise each day
• daily check-ins on Twitter and Instagram
• Try the daily TIU workouts
• Treat myself to a mid-week girlie spa night at home

Yesterday, I managed to drink my water and I journalled and checked-in. However, I was plagued by a migraine in the afternoon, which meant I did not have meals 4 or 5, nor did I do the TIU workout for yesterday. It just means I have to do that today and today's workout, too! 

Food today is planned as:

Meal 1: Scrambled egg (1 whole egg, 2 egg whites) with sliced pepper, courgette and mushroom. I also enjoyed my first-ever Bombshell Spell and it was AMAZING!

Meal 2: Lemon, Spinach and Chickpea Salad

Meal 3: Perfect Parsnip Soup

Meal 4: Chicken Collard Wrap

Meal 5: Mushroom Stroganoff and Quinoa

Today's exercise:
40 minutes on the WiiFit (262 calories burned)
Walk with hubby
Total Body Toning for Beginners
TIU Workout

Let's go do this!! I am just so excited!! Woot!
 

Tone It Up Bikini Series 2014 #CreateYourSummer

As part of the Bikini Series, I have put together a list of goals that I would like to achieve over the course of the Tone It Up Bikini Series.

I am starting the Bikini Series late... The Tone It Up Girls launched this year's Bikini Series at the end of April, but I don't care... I'm doing 8 weeks of Bikini Series from 12th May 2014 until 6th July 2014. 

This is what I want to achieve during that time... I will update as achieve them :)

• Lose weight consistently
• Tone Up - reduce measurements as much as possible
• Go camping
• Attend a swing dance lesson
• Sing on Karaoke
• Go on a road trip
• Have a bonfire
• Go to the forest
• Take afternoon tea
• Go hiking
• Visit the beach
• Eat ice cream
• Go roller skating
• Visit a lake
• Have a picnic
• Do some yoga
• Bike rides!
• Go swimming
• Buy a new dress
• Buy some new sexy sandals
• Play tennis
• Have a girlie weekend
• Date nights with the hubs <3
• Eat sorbet and berries
• Go canoeing
• Visit the open air theatre

I am so excited for the Bikini Series to start tomorrow. I'll be good and post my stats... and maybe even a photo if I'm feeling very brave!

There is loads of support over on Twitter and Instagram. Check out the hashtag #CreateYourSummer and be inspired!

See you soon!

Clare xx
@TIUClare

 

Day 4 of the 7 Day Slim Down

Actually, make that Day 4 of the 5 Day Slim Down.

I promise I am not wimping out. I am simply changing from the 7DSD to the 5DSD because 

a) Day 6 will be Monday and I have crazy "Monday-is-the-start-of-my-weigh-in-week" OCD
b) Monday will be my first day of the Tone It Up Bikini Series!!!

I am super excited and I promise to do a Bikini Series post soon. And stop laughing - no, I don't think that I will be getting into a bikini this summer (the last time I wore a bikini was 1986; I was three), but it is a START.

So today has been the penultimate day on the Slim Down and I think it has gone rather well. 

Here's the food:

Booty Call: Original Meta D
Meal 1: Complan Protein Pancakes
75ml water
Meal 2: Grapefruit
Meal 3: Salmon, Mushrooms, Asparagus, Pukka Tea
Meal 4: Carrot, Red Pepper Hummus, 10 green pitted olives
Meal 5: 2 x Chicken Breasts, Spinach, Green Beans, Carrots, Peas, low-fat raspberry yoghurt with cinnamon, Pukka Tea, 1 litre water

Tomorrow, I need to really amp up with water intake because today I have been pretty lax with that. Hubby and I did go for a walk today, though, we clocked up 5.1km. Hubby introduced me to a new app: Map My Fitness, which you can connect to MyFitnessPal. I quite like the idea and am going to start using it. 

Calorie intake for the day 1063 and calories out 438. Total intake: 625

It's not been too bad a day and I'm really excited about starting the Bikini Series on Monday! I am also really excited for weigh-in and measurements on Monday because I'm pretty sure that they will be down... and I really need them to be down. 

OK, time for bed, then the final day of the 5DSD.

REBOOT: Day 1 on the 7 Day Slim Down

Hey Hey!

OK, so I am back in the zone, lovely readers! Yesterday was my 31st birthday, which meant I was NOT on plan. So, today is a reboot and I'm doing Day 1 of the 7 Day Slim Down. 

I have planned out my week ahead of schedule (I really find that planning out my meals and my activities in advance keeps me on track with everything) and I am raring to go.

 This morning, I took my weight again (I've created my own tracker for my weight and measurements) and organised myself. As I said, I'm recovering from neck surgery, so the exercises I can do are limited to things which won't engage my neck. I can, however, walk and do some of the exercises from the Wii Fit plan - so this is what I did this morning! 

Wii Fit 30 minute Booty Call:

• Sun Salutations
• Palm Tree
• Warrior
• Chair
• Half Moon
• Hula Hoop
• Step Basics
• Rhythm Boxing
• Rowing Squats
• Torso & Waist Twists
• Tricep Extensions
• Heading
• Ski Slalom
• Ski Jum (x 2 because the first time was an utter disaster)
• Zazen

My total Booty Call workout time was 31 minutes and I burned 152  calories.

I should note that I had 150ml Fresh Orange Juice this morning before my booty call (66 cals) and I followed up my Booty Call with some MetaD. I drank 500ml throughout my booty call. I really feel quite well. My cheeks are glowing and I feel really good about the day ahead (despite the rain - it IS the UK).

My plan for the remainder of the day:

1. Tone It Up Breakfast Scramble (yummy!)
2. Vacuum the house 
3. Drink my water!
4. Meal 2 (without Stevia) around 2pm
5. Drink my water!
6. Meal 3 around 3pm (I'm running late today)
7. Drink my water!
8. Raise my heart rate again around 4.30pm
9. Drink my water!
10. Meal 4 at around 1730-1800
11. Drink my water!
12. Meal 5 around 1930-2000
13. Drink my water!
14. Shower
15. Sleep

I will check in with you all a little  later in the day... but right now, the scramble is calling my name ;)

Here's to a healthy day, ladies! Let me know how you're getting on!:
Twitter: @tiuclare
MFP: Heidelbergerin
Youtube: TiUClare


Clare xx

Tone it Up, Clare

Hello :)

In case you missed it, my name's Clare and I'm here to Tone it Up! I am overweight, unfit and unhappy. After years of watching the ToneItUp girls Katrina and Karena on their YouTube channel, I've finally gone and purchased their Tone It Up Nutrition Plan.

Tomorrow (actually, today, since I am writing this after midnight) marks Day 1 on the Nutrition Plan and I am more than a little excited. The ToneItUp community seems to be so friendly and so welcoming - I am really looking forward to getting to know my ToneItUp team better!

Last weekend saw me undergo neck surgery - so I am still very much recuperating from that op, but that doesn't mean I can't get my nutrition sorted now and get back into the fitness side as soon as I'm given the nod from the specialists. I will be doing light exercise, things which keep me supple, but that don't engage my neck. Once I've identified what those exercises are, I'll let you know!

I have spent a long time of my life overweight and I did not put all the weight on overnight - I can't expect to lose it overnight either, but I also need something that I can stick to and something that has a great community atmosphere. I want to lose over 100lbs in total, so this is where I'm going to hold myself accountable and track my progress. I hope you'll come along with me for the journey.

You can contact me via the following links:
Twitter: @TiUClare
Google + Profile
YouTube