Sunday, 29 June 2014

One year progress and an update


(I guess I really do have a favourite pair of shoes....)

It’s been two months since I last posted a progress update and despite only losing 2 or 3 pounds in this space of time I feel like I’ve made quite a lot of progress in other ways. It's also been 1 year since I started my weightloss journey and I'm almost 3 stone lighter, a hell of a lot fitter and most importantly, so much happier.

I mentioned in my last post that my focus has to change from weight after noticing that my weightloss was slowing down as I got slimmer and this is something I feel I’m doing well with. It’s not easy moving away from judging everything in numbers when you’ve spent a year weighing yourself weekly and noting it down, right down to the exact half lb. I found it particularly hard on a Sunday night when I’d think about what the scales would read on my usual Monday morning weigh in so I’ve stopped weighing myself weekly and will probably only do it periodically from now on.

I’ve changed the way I work out too, which has resulted in some brilliant progress in my body shape and muscle definition which in turn is making me appreciate my progress without linking it to the numbers. Rather than doing mostly cardio I’ve stepped away from my beloved hour long sessions on the spin bike and rowing marathons and do maybe 20-30 minutes HIIT on spin bike or Versa Climber (probably my favourite piece of cardio equipment, ever!) followed by around 40 minutes of circuits using weights. I get so much enjoyment out of planning a circuit of 4 or 5 exercises and then taking myself to the gym to do it. I’ve built up a collection of self-made circuits to work different parts of my body and these circuits, combined with breaking my workouts down and working individual muscle groups on each session (why didn’t I do this sooner?) has really made a difference.

My arms are much more leaner and my biceps are definitely coming through. Triceps are my big area of focus just now as although they’ve definitely firmed up a lot I was once the queen of bingo wings and have a lot of progress left to make. My stomach is not quite flat but I’m getting closer week by week and being the type of girl who holds all of her extra weight in that area, this makes me happy! My legs are getting a bit skinny for my liking, but with my current obsession with big quads I’m sure this will change too!

Overall I’m really happy and proud of my progress. I feel like I’ve almost got to the end of my weightloss journey and now it’s all about building muscle and getting a bit of definition.

I'd love to know how you're all getting on with your weightless and exercise goals so please share your progress in my comments! :)

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26 comments

  1. Wowz, you go girl! Looking absolutely stunning!!! xx

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  2. You look amazing!
    Such an inspiration!

    ​Leanne @ Leanne-Marie ​ x

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  3. Huge congratulations! You are looking absolutely fantastic. I really like your attitude to weight loss - it's very healthy and so refreshing to see positive results through exercise and healthy eating. I've just started my weight loss journey - I lost about three stone five years ago, and have generally stayed at my target weight, but this year, through slacking on the exercise and bad snacking, I have put on a stone which I want to see the back of!

    Beccy ~ Bluebell & Bumpkin

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  4. I'm at the start of my weight loss mission. What would be your top tips to loosing weight? Both exercise and food wise. You've done so well! Congratulations :)

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  5. you look incredible! well done for sticking at it, your hard work has really paid off :) x

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  6. Well done you, this post is so inspirational!
    Hayley
    Water Painted Dreams xo

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  7. You look fantastic, and it sounds like you've got a really great attitude to health and fitness. After losing 2 stone a few years ago I've recently realised that I've put most of it back on so I'm trying to get myself back on track for now! x

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  8. AWESOME progress girl! I bought the muffintopless gym weight lifting workout ( I wouldn't mind sending you it ) and it gave me such toned and strong legs (i deadlift around 50kg and squat 60kg now!). Let me know :) Good luck with the rest of it hun! xxx

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  9. You've done so well Charlene! I need to get myself a polar watch and get on it before I go away at the end of August. I think I'm sort of the same body type as you, like you said my weight goes to my stomach and my legs are the first to look smaller if I diet. I'm planning on starting the 5:2 next week and getting myself re acquainted with weights!

    xx

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  10. Wow. What a difference. You look amazing :) well done!
    L x
    Http://workingmumy.blogspot.com

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  11. You look incredible and your mindset seems so great! I need to start taking care of myself but I don't really know where to begin. I've not been feeling great about my body and love to wallow in self pity but that's not really doing myself any favours. Seeing your journey is incredibly inspiring!
    xxx
    Nina from little nomad

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  12. You look brill! Glad i can start exercising again and can hopefully tone up and get back to my pre-pregnancy figure!
    xx

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  13. Wow that's amazing! So inspiring to see such a transformation <3

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  14. You look amazing, well done!! Right now I'm in the middle of toning up and trying to introduce more weights as well as cardio, so hearing that this method has worked for you so far is inspiring! xx

    http://healthjen.blogspot.co.uk

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  15. Oh, you have made so much progress. I feel as though I've slowed down so much with my progress lately.

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  16. Your progress is incredible, and has really motivated me to get back into the gym and try and get myself looking and feeling good again! Fingers crossed I can get results like yours!!

    http://itsmarrow.blogspot.com

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  17. You have done so well, and as i've said many times before, you are an inspiration! Feeling like I am in a bit of a weight rut at the moment.

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  18. OMG! I'm so happy for you. Seeing this post inspires and motivates me to have a healthy life as well.

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  19. You look amazing! i've lost 4 stone 4lb so far with Slimming World and I'm just considering starting some exercise (after being too embarassed to do anything in public) as I would love to tone up a bit

    Jade x
    Beauty Butterfly | UK Beauty Blog

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  20. You look fabulous, well done! xx

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  21. Wow well done! You look amazing. I love weights, I really need to start doing HIIT again but I can never seem to make myself do it ah!

    India / Touchscreens & Beautyqueens

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  22. You look fantastic, so inspiring!
    Well done!!
    Ekaete xx

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  23. Well Done! You look amazing! Such an inspiration!
    x

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  24. Hey Charlene! Just stumbled upon your blog through Bloglovin to discover you're from Glasgow too *high five* Following your blog and can't wait to see a new post!
    Holly x

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  25. Great work! You look really healthy! Did you change your eating habits as well, or was it all down to exercising?
    xx
    Fashion Infatuation

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  26. Everyone has already commented anything I could say to you. You’re awesome! Congrats!
    Kristin - Exercisebikesexpert.com

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