Versatile Blogger Award

Versatile Blogger Award

Before I get started I would like to thank Eimear from Chirps From A little Red Hen for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award! It’s always a great way of getting my blog out there so thanks again Eimear. You are a huge supporter of mine and I also of yours!

The rules for The Versatile Bloggers Award can be found here! 

7 Things About Me!

        1.

         I have one sister and one brother,        and I am the middle child!

        2.

         I am named after my father. He is Denis Jude an I am Denise Judith. I am the 4th DJ within the                           family!

         

3.

By day I work for a frozen food company in Limerick so most days I am surrounded by foods of all types, it’s a tough job!

4.

I have 2 dogs called Berry and Ozzie. They are black Labradors and are brother and sister. My husband’s parents own their brother, Rex!

5.

I have done a sky-dive, bungee jump and white water rafting, all while living in Australia.

6.

I am avery shy person and I tend to get swallowed up when in large groups of people. I am much more comfortable in smaller groups. Once I know everyone in the group I usually begin to feel more at ease and will then join in on the chat more easily!

7.

I wore glasses up until I was 12 years of age. One pair of glasses that I had were bright pink, and looking back now, were hideous, but I loved them!!!!

According to the rules I must nominate 15 Blogs/Bloggers but to be honest I do not know 15 bloggers to nominate as I am new to the blogging world and almost all of the other blogs that I know and follow, have been nominated previously.However, I will nominate the below:

Annie Edwards of Make My Day

Thank you again Eimear for the nomination it was another fun challenge!

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Monday Motivation Week 5

Monday Monday! It's like Groundhog Day isn't it?! The weekends are just too short! For me the "fear" and that feeling of dread, sets in on a Sunday evening, knowing that I have work in the morning. I know that I'm not alone in my thinking though! Lately I think that I'm begining to dread Mondays because it's "Results" day but at on the other hand I've been doing so well that I shouldn't dread it. It's the fear of the unknown I suppose!!!

My Results & Stats

Enough rambling from me now and let's have a look at my results for this week. Once again the target that I set for myself was to lose 2lbs and I'm delighted to say that I did it! 

In total I am down 10lbs, since I started on the 12th of January, and it's the first week that I have recieved compliments as a direct result of my weight loss. A number of people commented on how well I was looking so naturally I was thrilled! It gave me such a boost and gave me the drive to keep going.

So here is how I have done this week:

Weight - 12 stone 4lbs

Height - 5ft 7

BMI - 27 (Down from 27.3 last week)

Thighs - 26.5 - lost 0inches.  

Bottom - 45 -  lost 0 inches

Hips - 42 lost 0 inches

Waist - 40.5 lost 0 inches

Chest - 38 lost 0 inches

Arms - 13 lost 0 inches

So even though I've lost the 2lbs, my inch loss is 0. This is disappointing but I know that I'm still doing well. Next week there will, hopefully, be more inches lost. I'm going to stick to the plan as much as possible and that should bring results!

Food Plan

This week the food plan is very similar to last week, white meat only, with salads, eggs, fruit and veg. It's actually quite easy to manage because I'm allowed 1 cheat meal so I generally keep that for the weekend and it's such a treat. I find that I appreciate meals like fajitas, lasagne, shepards pie etc, more when I dont indulge as much!

Exercise

 

Now that the Run Clare Series has begun I am focusing hard on my running training. I run Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I like to run for approx 30 mins on Tuesday, do my interval training on Thursday and keep my longer run for Saturday. Last Saturday I ran the Killagholehane Way from the Broadford-Ashford walking Trails. This is a lovely scenic 6K run/walk and I ran the full thing in 40mins, which I was delighted about!

The exercise plan for this week is similar to the last few weeks, 20 minute intensive routine 5 days this week along with running training 3 days. I'm also hoping to plan a hill climb at the weekend on one of the local walking trails.

 

My Short Term Goals – Week 5 

 

So as I mentioned in last weeks Post I tend to hit my "wall" quite early when I'm out for a run. One of my goals was to work on this so I will keep working on this. On Saturday's run I hit my wall around the 2.5K mark so I just turned up the volume on my headphones and pushed on! I tried not to think about stopping, instead running to the beat of the music. I am happy to report that it worked for me! 

So here are my short term goals for this week:

Run the 5 mile ring without stopping!

Lose 2lbs

My training partner Eimear has been following the Operation Transformation plan. Click on the link to see how she is getting on: Chirps From A Little Red Hen.

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Monday Motivation Week 4

Another Monday is here upon us, the weeks are just flying by. Another Monday means analysing the week just gone and analysing my results, of course. Last week was a good week for me so I'm feeling extra positive for a Monday!

My Results & Stats

The target that I set for myself was to lose 2lbs and I smashed it! I'm am delighted! I really didn't think that I would lose anything because I'm at the stage of my training where I can see muscle definition, in my legs in particular, and as we all know muscle weighs heavier! I'm loving these subtle changes because my clothes are now starting to look and feel more comfortable. 

So here is how I have done this week:

Weight - 12 stone 6lbs

Height - 5ft 7

BMI - 27.3 (Down from 27.7 last week)

Thighs - 26.5 - lost 0 inchs

Bottom - 45 -  lost 1/2 inch

Hips - 42 lost 1 inch

Waist - 40.5 lost 0 inches

Chest - 38 lost 0 inches

Arms - 13 lost 1/2 inch

Although my inch loss is not to great I know that this is because I am building muscle but I love seeing the changes, yes they might be slow to come but I'm trying to do this in the healthiest way possible. It's so motivating seeing the numbers going down each week and I'm now finding that my stamina, when exercising, has hugely improved. 

Those size 12 jeans are within reach! I'm just filled with positivity today, considering that it's Monday!!  

Food Plan

This week the food plan allowed me to reintroduce white meat and fish and to have 1 cheat meal. This was a huge bonus and gave me a boost. My cheat meal was fajitas on Friday night, at my lovely mother-in-laws house and I enjoyed every bite! 

I'm now finding that I'm not craving sweet things as much but if I do get a mad craving for chocolate I'll just have some granola and natural yoghurt. I don't eat a huge amount as there is sugar in the granola but what I do eat is enough to kill any craving. So far that's what has worked for me so I'm going to stick to that.

Exercise

 

As per yesterday's post, I took part in Race 1 of the Run Clare Series, on Saturday. It was 5K which I completed in 34.51 minutes. Now to more seasoned runners I'm sure that this is brutal but for me personally it's a great achievement because I wanted to do it in under 35 minutes.

This week will see me running training 3 days, in order to build myself up to the 5 mile run in Quilty in 2 weeks. I will also do 4 20min intensive workout routines. I will allow my body to rest on Wednesday and Sunday because I don't want to over do it.

 

My Short Term Goals – Week 4

 

This week I want to focus on building myself up for the 5 mike run. I will be running training Tuesday and Thursday as normal and then I will attempt a longer run on Saturday. I do tend to struggle with hitting my "wall" quite early, when running, so I want to work on mental exercises to help push through this.

So here are my short term goals for this week:

Complete a long run on Saturday - 4 miles

Lose 2lbs
Train my mind not to hit the "wall" too early

Communication Issues

I hate to give out because I feel that the negativity gets me nowhere in life but sometimes everyone needs a rant! Here goes (I hope you are prepared!).

As I've previously explained, I'm doing the 60 day plan with Fit Man Fran, having previously had huge success doing his 30 day challenge. Just before I started the plan Fran had agreed that he would email the food plan, on a Wednesday or Thursday, for the following week and would post 2 days worth of exercises at least 24hours in advance. Unfortunately I have spent more time chasing after him for the information. It's very frustrating because I work full time as well as having a 7 1/2 month old baby, I don't have time to constantly beg for the information required, in order to plan ahead.

Now I do believe in his plans and I know from personal experience that they do work so that's why I'm so frustrated. Who knows maybe he has too much going on in his life but if so I wish he would say something instead of ignoring my messages and comments. I sent the below comment last night but I got no reply (the exercises were posted at 12 last night, which was too late for me to plan for today).

Maybe I'm being to harsh but I'm frustrated because I'm giving 100% to the plan but I don't feel that I'm getting the same in return! Anyway that's my rant over, I'm not letting my positivity get affected by it!

My final thought is this: I will mentally train myself to see the below vision (much to the annoyance of my husband) at the finish line of every race, surely it'll make me run faster!!!

My training partner Eimear has been following the Operation Transformation plan. Click on the link to see how she is getting on: Chirps From A Little Red Hen.

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

My Running & Climbing Aims for 2015

As I mentioned in Monday’s blog post I have a number of runs and climbs that I am aiming to complete this year! I have purposely set myself some long term goals, to be completed by December 2015, and they are:

·         Run 10 Miles by April

·         Lose 2 Stone by my sister’s wedding in September

·         Do 8 hill walks/mountain climbs

 

I wanted to let you all know what we have planned and the dates of each even just in case you would like to join us, as they say the more the merrier!

 

Running

 

Shortly after my son was born, in June 2014, I decided to sign myself up for the Run Clare Series. This is a series of 4 races over 4 months. Starting on 31^st of Januarywith a 5k, followed by a 5 mile at the start of March, a 10K at the end of March and finishing with a 10 mile run in West Clare in April. This for me is a fantastic initiative as I will go from struggling through a 5K to running a 10 mile race! I know it’s a huge aim but I feel that with my motivation and dee-termination, I can and will achieve it!

 

Not only have I signed myself up for the Run Clare Series, but I have also pencilled in a number of other local runs into my diary. The details of all of the runs are below:

1.       31^st Jan 5K Lees Road Ennis (Run Clare Series)

2.       1^st March 5 mile Quilty (Run Clare Series)

3.       21^st March 10K Newmarket on Fergus

4.       12^th April 10K Ennis (Run Clare Series)

5.       4^th April 10K Quin

6.       12^th April 10 Mile Kilnaboy (Run Clare Series)

7.       3^rd May 10K Great Limerick Run

8.       1^st June Womens Mini Marathon Dublin

 

The above runs have will bring me up until June but I will be participating in other local runs once I find out the dates!

 

Hill Walks/Mountain Climbs

 

A few years ago I climbed Croagh Patrick and to say that I was underprepared is an understatement! I won’t go into too much detail but a stupid me packed in jeans for the climb, I really don’t know what I was thinking! However, last September I climbed Galteemore and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was such an achievement reaching the top and I have to say that I was bitten by the climbing bug so this year I am aiming to complete 8 walks/climbs. The below is what we are planning this year:

·         Croagh Patrick 9^th May

·         Galteemore TBC

·         Moylussa Co ClareTBC

·         Mullaghmore in The Burren TBC

·         Gortnacluhy Loop Broadford/Ashford Co Limerick TBC

·         An Gleann Beag Loop Broadford/Ashford Co Limerick TBC

·         Carrauntoohill Co Kerry TBC

 

I have mentioned 7 walks/climbs but my aim is to complete 8 so I am going to leave the last one open to suggestions! We are willing to travel anywhere in Ireland so please send on your suggestions. Its going to be a busy few months but I'm hoping that it will be a fun few months too!

 

 

I hope that you will join us on one of the walks, runs or climbs. I always feel that it’s much better fun when you have someone else there with you and when there is a gang of people it’s even better!

 

 

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Monday Motivation Week 3

So another week is down and I'm feeling good! I was quite focused this week and so this was my motivating factor. So how did I actually do, lets have a look!

My Results

The target that I set for myself was to lose 3lbs. Well I can tell you now that I only managed to lose 2lbs. Now I know that at this stage I am building muscle and so I may not lose the weight as fast as I'd like but still its nice to see all the hard work paying off when I jump on the scales! However, I have to look at the positives and I am seeing a difference already in how my clothes are fitting.

I was bold again at theweekend! I have to be honest in telling you otherwise I'm fooling no one but myself! On Saturday my lovely aunt/godmother treated my granny, other aunt, mother, sister, cousin and myself to Afternoon Tea in Dromoland Castle and it was just fab! It was a real treat and I'm not regretting it one bit as I had been so good all week plus its not often that we all get together for a girlie day! The food was fab but it was afternoon so the portions were not huge, I suppose though, that the food was rich and I did have a glass of champagne with it (I deserve a slap on the wrist really!). In general, though I was focused on the plan. We had organised this day out back in November and I didn't want to miss out.

 

I did get back to my running which I am so proud of. It was bitterly cold the evenings that I went for a run, so much so that my ears stung like crazy but I stuck with it and felt great afterwards. I haven't gone in too much detail but I did say that one of my long term goals was to run 10 miles by April. My reason for saying that is that I have signed up for the Run Clare Series, which starts this coming Saturday with a 5K. I will do a full post on this tomorrow but to cut a long story short, the last run in the series is a 10 mile in April! I'm not sure how I feel about the 5K this weekend but I'll give it a go and hopefully I'll get through it ok! That will be my motivation for the week!

One positive thing from the past week was that I managed to get my routine sorted, in the evenings, and I was able to eat dinner at 7pm instead of 9pm. I'm delighted with this as it was adding to my stress levels in a huge way. My poor husband had to listen to my ranting and raving for the past few weeks so I think he deserves a mention (Or maybe a medal!), thanks Aiden!

 

My Short Term Goals – Week 3

 

This week I want to focus more on the fitness side of things because I know that I can manage the food side of it ok, bar the one or two slip up! With that being said here are my goals for this week:

Complete the 5K on Saturday

Lose 2lbs
Put more effort into my exercises
Set a date for my first climb of the year.

 

My Stats

 

So here is how I have done this week:

Weight - 12 stone 8lbs

Height - 5ft 7

BMI - 27.7 (Down from 28 last week)

Thighs - 26.5 - lost 1/2 inch

Bottom - 45.5 -  lost 1/2 inch

Hips - 43 lost 1/2 inch

Waist - 40.5 lost 1/2 inch

Chest - 38 lost 0 inches

Arms - 13.5 lost 0 inches

 

Again there is some change and I know that there would be considering that some of my clothes are now fitting better but I really need to push it a bit more in order to lose more inches. I want to fit back into size 12 trousers again. I went up to a 14 a few years back and after having Colin I got as big as a 16 but by my sisters wedding in September I believe that I will be fitting comfortably into a size 12!

Positivity and motivation are going to be my driving factors this week, and of course the size 12 jeans in the back of my wardrobe that I cant bear to throw out! So that’s it, I hope you are with me again this week because we will smash it!

My Support System

Just before I finish up I couldn't let this post go with out mentioning the support system that is involved when doing this program. When you sign up to do a program with Fit Man Fran he will email the diet plans and then he sets up a private Facebook Group and on it he shares our daily exercises and will answer any questions that we have. Fran will also interact with us posting motivational words/photos or asking us how we are doing. I always reply when he asks how we are doing because after all that's why the system is in place.

One thing I'm really finding difficult about this whole process is my training buddy, Eimear, not being part of the group. I know that I can, and do, speak to her when ever I need her support but I miss the group interaction. The reason I am missing Eimear is because whenever Fran or I post a comment Eimear is the first to like or comment. She is always full of compliments and motivating words. I have just found that, although there are 6 other people in the group, I seem to be the only person, apart from Fran, who will like, comment or post. It's a bit lonely really and it just feels like I am the only one taking it seriously. Now I don't know the others in the group so maybe I'm making an incorrect judgement but that is how I'm feeling at the moment. The interaction with the other members would be nice and I think for me its also a motivating factor!

My training partner Eimear has been following the Operation Transformation plan. Click on the link to see how she is getting on: Chirps From A Little Red Hen.

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee xx

Liebster Award Nomination!

Liebster Award Nomination!

 

 

I would like to thank Eimear from Chirps From A Little Red Hen for nominating me for the Liebster Award. This is such a great initiative for new bloggers. I'm delighted to give you all a little insight into me and my blog!

My Questions

What do you enjoy most about blogging?
I love the freedom of blogging, I can write what I want and when I want.  I'm not really the type of person who can handle confrontation, I tend to get flustered when I'm put on the spot so blogging lets me express what I want to, in my own time!
 

How do you decide what your going to blog about?
Each Monday I blog about my weight loss/fitness/health/lifestyle but other than that I have no particular method to choosing my latest blog post. I always have 6-10 drafts saved so that I can edit and post when I feel its ready!
 

If you were to interview someone for your blog, who would it be?
That's a good question but I think I'd like to interview The Peru Two, Michaella McCollum and Melissa Reid!
 

Why would you interview this person?
I love the programme "Banged Up Abroad" and so I'm fascinated by their story. I would just love to hear the TRUTH and understand why they did what they did!
 

What do you do if you get "writers block"?
To be honest this hasn't happened to me yet as I am still so new to the blogging world but hopefully it wont be an issue! I'm sure that if it does happen then I'll probably just take some time out to "Reboot" and see if that helps.
 

What's your ideal night in?
My ideal night is to be curled up by the fire with a glass of wine, a nice meal and a good film or documentary on the TV (I'm very boring really!!!!)
 

Where's the last place you went for a break?
Does the spare bedroom count?? My husband will look after the little man one night a week so that I can have a good night sleep. He works nights so its quite hard on him too! But the last holiday that I was on was my honeymoon in Sept 2013 to Cancun.
 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
 As much as I loved Australia I think it would have to be somewhere in America because its not as far away from home. Possibly in a mansion with a pool somewhere along the Pacific Coast in California!
 

If someone was to write a movie about you, who would play you?
I don't have a favourite actress and so this question has really stuck me! Maybe Reese Witherspoon!
 

What's the last film you saw in the cinema?
Its been so long that I cant remember but I'll take a guess that it was "Bridesmaids"
 

If you were to write a book, what would it be about?
If it were possible I would write and advise book to my 12 year old self.

11 Random facts About Me!

1. I met now husband in Sydney when we were introduced by mutual friends! We clicked instantly.
2. By some strange stroke of faith any destination that I have visited I have been twice! I've been to Australia, New Zealand, New York, Tenerife, Santa Ponca, London, Birmingham, all twice!!!
3. I lived in Fort Lauderdale for 3 sun filled months!
4. I grew up horse riding, we always had ponies and horses at home but I haven't been on a horse for approx 3 years!
5. I'm a butchers daughter!
6. My son was born on Father's Day last year.
7. My grandfather passed away exactly 1 week before my wedding in 2013.
8. My guilty pleasure is watching "the Real Housewives" TV shows with a glass of wine on a Friday night!
9. When I was 9 I went to Los Angeles and the father of the family that I stayed with was a music producer and I met lots of his friends but little did I know who I was meeting! Turns out I had breakfast in David Cassidy's house with his wife and newborn baby!!!
10. I'm addicted to the blue Nivea Lip balm and I always have 4-5 of them on the go! I have mini panic attacks if I realise that I have none with me!
11. I would love to work as a forensic detective or else in customs because I'm fascinated by how it all works but I think in reality I probably wouldn't be able handle it (CSI looks so glamorous on tv!).

I would like to nominate the following!

Annie Edwards of Make My Day http://makemyday2014.blogspot.ie/

Sinead Nic Eil of Sineads Baking https://smachale.wordpress.com/
Grainne Carroll of Tres-Belle https://tresbelleblog15.wordpress.com/

So ladies here are your questions! Enjoy and have fun!!!

1. How did you come to choose the name for your blog?
2. Where would you like to see your blog going in the next 5 years?
3. What is your guilty pleasure?
4. If you were stranded on a desert island name 5 things that you would not live without?
5. If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?
6. If money was no object what would you do first?
7. What is your favourite time of year?
8. What's the best piece of advise that you have been given?
9. Who do you look up to most in life?
10. Dead or alive what celebrity would you most like to meet?
11. Why?

The rules of the Liebster Award are as follows:

• Thank the person who nominated you, and post a link to their blog on your blog.
• Display the award on your blog — by including it in your post and/or displaying it using a “widget” or a “gadget”. (Note that the best way to do this is to save the image to your own computer and then upload it to your blog post.)
• Answer 11 questions about yourself, which will be provided to you by the person who nominated you.
• Provide 11 random facts about yourself.
• Nominate 5 – 11 blogs that you feel deserve the award, who have less than 200 followers.
• Create a new list of questions for the blogger to answer.
• List these rules in your post. Once you have written and published it, you then have to:
• Inform the people/blogs that you nominated that they have been nominated for the Liebster award and provide a link for them to your post so that they can learn about it (they might not have ever heard of it!)

Thank you again to Eimear from Chirps From A Little Red Hen for the nomination, it was a hugely fun task!!!

 

 

So that's it! A little bit of me and my blog!!!!

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

 

Monday Motivation Week 2

So the first week, of my 60 day challenge, is done. I'll go through my stats and tell you about the good, the bad and the ugly! Week 1 in General was a tough week. I was so busy because I went back to work following the end of my maternity leave and little man spent his first full week in crèche and was then sick both Friday and Saturday but on the plus I had a hugely supportive husband who encouraged me to do well and help wherever possible, thanks Aiden!

So now it’s time to give you the results and feedback from Week 1. I’m down 4lbs in total, which was my target for this week. I will admit that I’ve had ups and downs this week.

 

My Results- Week 1

 

While I am down 4lbs, which was my target, I’m a little bit disappointed. Why you ask? Well I weighed myself on Wednesday and much to my delight I was down 5lbs! This was fantastic and I was delighted but somewhere along the week I gained a pound. I did my daily exercises, ate healthily and drank my 2L of water each day.

 

I’ll be completely honest, the reason that I gained 1lb back, was down to my own indulgence. It was my sisters 30^th birthday on Saturday and we had a family meal at my parents house. Now I wouldn’t say that I went crazy but I did enjoy a fab meal and a couple of glasses of wine. I know I should get a slap on the wrist for it but my sister will only turn 30 once and since she didn’t have a party, we had to mark the occasion and make a fuss of her in some way. What kind of a sister would I be if I didn’t go and celebrate with her?!

 

I also let myself down this week by not running 3 days. I went back to work last Monday and I found it extremely difficult to get into a good routine in the evenings, once I got home from work. It was after 8pm a number of  evenings last week when I got around to eating my dinner, this is not a good habit to get into. I always knew that the first week would be the hardest but I got through it and still managed to reach my weight loss goal so I have to look at the positive.

 

My Short Term Goals – Week 2

 

So here are my goals for this week:

Improve my time management

Run 3 times this week

Lose 3lbs

Eat dinner no later than 7 each evening (I only get home at 6 so I have to be realistic)

 

In order for me to reach these goals I need to ensure that I do a number if things including making time to go for a run and trying to organise myself better when I get home from work so that I can do what I need to and still get my exercising done.

 

So here is how I have done this week:

Weight - 12 stone 10lbs

Height - 5ft 7

BMI - 28 (Down from 28.7 last week)

Thighs - lost 1/2 inch

Bottom - lost 1 inch 

Hips - lost 0 inches

Waist - lost 0 inches

Chest - lost 0 inches

Arms - lost 1/2 inch

 

So that’s it! There was some change which is good to see. Let’s hope that week 2 will be a great week with more change in my stats and that I will get back into my running and manage my time more efficiently. I have no excuses for not doing well at this because I have the Dee-Termination but I need the focus.

My training partner Eimear has been following the Operation Transformation plan. Click on the link to see how she got on: Chirps From A Little Red Hen.
 

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee xx