Kick Starting My Weightloss With FatBlaster

My weight has always yo-yo'd and losing weight and keeping it off is something that I have always struggled with. I find that I graze a lot during the day and don't always opt for the healthy option. One of the things I want is to be able to feel fuller for longer. 

FlatBlaster is the number 1 weight loss brand in Australia which has now arrived in the UK. Their aim is to improve people’s confidence about their health and body through weight loss. They've helped thousands of people around the world lose weight through the fundamental learning of safe, healthy and effective weight loss.

I was sent three of their products to trial and see if they help me. The products are FatMagnet, appetite suppressant and meal replacement shake (available in chocolate and strawberry).

For the first week I took two appetite suppressants half an hour before each meal with plenty of water. Along side this I used the meal replacement shakes for breakfast and dinner. 

The high protein meal replacement shakes are specifically designed for healthy and safe weight loss results in a convenient and delicious shake. The unique shake blend contains 19g of protein and is nutritionally complete with 22 vitamins and minerals and only 6.9g of sugar per serving.

The Appetite Suppressant contains the hunger busting fibre Glucomannan which reduces your appetite and helps you to feel fuller for longer, it also maintains normal blood cholesterol levels. 

I found the first week to be a bit tough going.The shake I went for was the strawberry flavour which I had with almond milk and I found it pleasant to drink. I found that the shakes combined with the appetite suppressant worked well for me between breakfast and lunch however really struggled between lunch and dinner and found that on a few occasions I was snacking on unhealthy foods.

Once the week was up I started taking two FatMagnet tablets 15 minutes before each meal. I wasn't sure how well they would work for me as I've never been one for taking tablets to aid weight loss before. I have heard of people finding that most tablets go through them however FatMagnet doesn't work like that. 

FatMagnet is scientifically proven to bind fat from the foods you eat, perfect for anyone looking to reduce fat absorption and lose weight. Containing LipomylTM, a unique weight loss fibre, it binds up to 60x its own weight in fat . Plus it’s gentle on your system, stripping fat and maintaining your normal vitamin levels. FatMagnet is a registered medical device with proven efficacy and weight loss results.

Left:Before Right: After

Left:Before Right: After

Over the course of a month trying out the FatBlaster range I managed to lose 5lb. I do feel that if I hadn't struggled with the first week it would have definitely lost a bit more. I have noticed that my clothing is more baggier and I have even managed to fit into a few items of clothing I had in my wardrobe which were a size smaller. I'm hoping that as I have become a bit more aware of what I have been eating that now I am able to stick at going for healthier options. 

Post-Pregnancy Fitness Tips

After having my son in 2014, my healthy eating and fitness waned. As someone who has struggled with their weight there’s always things I wish I’d gone back and done differently.  I doubt I am the only mum who feels this way; pregnancy can certainly do strange things to the body.

I've been dealing with back pain especially my lower back and also where I had my epidural. Visiting a chiropractor charleston maybe a good idea to help with fixing pain if you have the same issues as me. That way once the problem is sorted than you can begin to focus more on your post-pregnancy fitness.

It’s easy to fall into bad habits when you’re pregnant and very hard to break them afterward, trust me I am speaking for experience. Looking after your health and fitness post pregnancy can be difficult; having the energy to exercise just isn’t always possible.

So many women today turn to surgical options to help them get back into shape but before you consider that why not try the traditional way? An abdominoplasty, or Tummy tuck costs can vary but many women will gladly pay the money to feel like themselves again.  

So how do you stay fit and healthy post pregnancy without resorting to surgery? Well, it’s not all about exercise thankfully; your diet is just as important. I’ve done my research and outlined what I think are some of the best post-pregnancy health and fitness tips. So if you’re a new mum why not give some of these tips a try?

Take It Slow

Pregnancy really takes its toll on your body so whatever you do don’t rush to get back into shape. No matter how you feel you can’t go running or to the gym a few weeks after you’ve given birth. Take at least six weeks to recover fully and get your strength back and start small and in time work yourself back into a routine. Why not try these exercise resistance bands set as a gentle way to start off.

Take Walks

Exercise classes and sports are not really an option post pregnancy at least straight away but don’t worry there’s plenty of ways to lose weight without such strenuous activity. One of the best ways to stay fit and healthy post pregnancy is to take regular walks. The best thing about this is you can do it with your baby; just a short walk down to a friend’s house or the corner shop can really help with your fitness.

Make It Social

One of the best fitness tips for new mums is to find something you enjoy doing and do it with a friend. If you join a new mums group you can make improving your fitness a goal that you can share together. Whether it’s just walking together with your babies or taking a light yoga class you’ll have more success staying healthy if you work with someone.

Diet But Not Right Away

A diet is a great way to lose your baby weight and get back into shape but don’t do it straight away. A common mistake many new mums make is that they go on a diet too soon, give yourself at least six weeks before dieting again but if you feel like you need longer then don’t be afraid to wait. If you diet too soon you’ll just make your recovery harder, so feel free to plan a diet but don’t start it till you’re ready.

Try Swimming

Swimming is a popular way to take care of your health and fitness post-pregnancy, many mums also find swimming relaxing and you can even take your baby with you when they’re old enough. Remember to wait until you’re ready and able before you take to the swimming pool and take it slow.

Be Realistic

Don’t set unrealistic body goals for yourself post-pregnancy, looking after your health and fitness is important but you need to be realistic about it. You’re not going to get back into that swimsuit straight away, being realistic about your body goals will help keep you positive and happy.   

Wanting to change but not sure how

I'm overweight, actually scrap that I am obese and something needs to be done. Something needs to change my diet needs to be better and I need to start exercising again. The trouble is since I fell pregnant with Blake in 2014 my healthy eating and exercising has gone to pot. 

I have tried but seem to give in after a few days when the chocolate cravings come and I end up pigging out, as for exercise again I have tried however since having a C-section I have found that doing an exercise DVD at home would cause me pain around my stomach area. 

At my heaviest 

My weight has always been up and down most of my life at my heaviest I was a size 24 and at my slimmest a size 12/14. I'm now a size 18/20 which is the size I've been mostly at. However I'm not happy, I don't like what I see in the mirror and I want to be a lot more healthier and be able to run around after my son and have a lot more energy. 

But what do you do when you feel you are stuck and really don't know how to get out of the bad habits that you have formed. I'm uncomfortable in what I wear and totally self conscious that people are looking at me.  

At my slimmest 

When I was at my heaviest I wasn't happy and just like now I feel that I was getting into bad habits. I eventually realised enough was enough and in 2013 I embarked on my slimming world journey where from January 2013 -March 2014 I lost 6 stone 2lb . I was the happiest and healthiest then, I had so much more energy and was happier in how I looked especially in what I wore and confidence seemed to excel too. 

I then fell pregnant and found the best way to prevent morning sickness was to not get even slightly hungry so was constantly eating the wrong things. I decided that while I was pregnant I was just going to eat what I wanted and then get back to slimming world after my 6 week check once baby was here.

Now

It didn't work that way I have tried going back to slimming world 3 times since having Blake and not been able to stick at it like I had done previously the motivation just isn't there. So now I'm at a point where I want to change but am unsure how.

Slimfast: New Products

If you read my blog regularly you will know that not long ago I took part in the SlimFastChallenge. 

Slimfast asked me to take part in their 3, 2, 1 plan over a couple of weeks and let you know 

how I got on. 

The plan is simple you have 3 low calorie snacks a day, 2 meal replacement bars or shakes and then a healthy 600 calorie meal. This can include the range of slimfast snacks and or healthy options such as fruit or veg.

I found the plan a bit of a struggle as found I didn't find it super filling which meant I was having more snacks than I was meant to and found I was thinking of food an awful lot due to hunger. This meant over the two weeks I didn't loose any weight and instead gained a bit. 

You can see my Pros and Cons about the plan here. 

Slimfast have listened to the feedback of myself and other bloggers who took part in the challenge,and have 

reduced the sugar content by 30% in their milkshake powders and ready to drink shakes. 

They have recently also introduced a starter pack to help you kick start your weightloss and contains everything you will need to get started. It's a fab way for you give the plan ago and see if it's for you. 

The starter pack contains: 

x6 ready to drink shakes

x8 meal replacement bars

x7 snack bags

and 

x7 snack bars. 

I am pleased that they decided to reduce the sugar content in some of their products as this was one of my main concerns regarding the plan. 

On top of introducing a starter kit Slimfast have also introduced new Slimfast Noodle Boxes. 

I am glad that they have chosen to come out with a new savory product especially one that replaces a meal rather than as a snack. 

The new noodle pots come in three flavours: 

Chicken Tikka Masala 

Spicy Thai Noodles

and 

Spaghetti bolognese

The noodle boxes have to be popped into the microwave for 2 minutes and then they are ready to eat. 

Which is great if your busy like myself with a 9 month old. 

As well as being tasty they are under 100 calories per serving which means you can eat them alone

or add vegetables. 

 How does this work you may ask? 

Well it is achieved by using konjac a Asian root vegetable with hardly any calories and no fat or sugar. 

So there you have it a new starter pack, new noodle boxes and 30% reduction in sugar in their milkshakes. 

Will you be giving the new range a try?

The #SlimFastChallenge 3,2,1

When it comes to my weight I managed to loose an amazing six stone before falling pregnant with Blake. 

But I put on 2 stone 7lb whilst pregnant and I just haven't been able to get it off. 

I seem to fallen off the band wagon when it comes to being healthy and making right choices 

so that I can shift the baby weight. 

I have recently been selected to take part in the #SlimFastChallenge.

I am hoping to loose a couple of pounds which in return will hopefully give me a much needed boost

in regards to making me want to loose even more and keep it off. 

The slimfast plan is a meal replacement plan which includes low calorie snacks and a healthy meal a day. 

The plan is called the 3, 2, 1 plan which means that you have 3 low calorie snacks a day, 2 meal replacement bars or shakes and then a healthy 600 calorie meal. 

This can include the range of slimfast snacks and or healthy options such as fruit or veg. 

The plan is flexible and is made to loose weight in an easy way.

I am on day five of the challenge so far and the range is great I have loved everything that I have tried. 

I was sent two different flavored shakes the strawberry powder which you make up yourself with 250ml of milk 

and the pre-made ones in vanilla. I was also sent the meal bars which come in  chocolate crunch, chocolate peanut and summer fruits. For the snacks I was sent the sour cream and chive pretzels, cheddar flavored bites. bbq flavored tortillas, chocolate caramel bar, heavenly chocolate delight bar and the chocolate nutty nougat bar. 

It will be interesting to see if this plan works and how well I'll loose weight as I suffer from PCOS and my body tends to hate sugar in large quantities and I feel that this plan is very high in sugar. 

Hopefully I will loose a couple of pounds, I'll keep you updated on how I have got on after I have completed the two week plan which for me will end on the 17th. 

Have you  ever tried the slimfast 3,2,1 plan?  

My Weight loss Essentials

 When it came to weight loss there are a few things that I have found to be essential 

to have. 

Clothing

When it comes to loosing a lot of weight most people will buy new clothes

for each size they drop down to. I however tried to make as much use

out of the clothes I have had only been shopping are rare few times for new clothes that fit. 

- A good pair of leggings is essential to me as you can still wear them when they are slightly too

big,unlike jeans. So I literally live in them at the moment until I hit target 

and can start wearing jeans as well again.

- A bra that fits I normally buy ones from M&S at £16 but when loosing weight

I found I was going down in size constantly so I ended up buying cheaper ones for now. 

I brought a good one from Peacocks for £5 just the other day. 

- When it comes to tops I layer them when I can to keep warm I also 

buy smaller sizes as I know that I will get into them quite soon.

Fitness

I've never liked the idea of paying out to go to gym as its so pricey.

Their are however cheaper ways to keep fit and tone up and products to help too. 

- Games and DVDs 

I currently love playing on Zumba 2 and Zumba core and really want to get the

new one that was released last year and the Zumba dvd set.

I also use a dvd that aims to tone your abs I do however have my eye on

Davina's new dvd for 2014.

- Slender Tone

Ok so its not entirely essential but I won this last year over on facebook

and I use it often and I feel that my stomach muscles are getting stronger but 

this maybe down to the ab exercises I do.

I tend to wear this while I am doing the chores or just relaxing with a book. 

- A good sports bra really helps for giving you support whilst exercising

I find this essential as it stops the bounce so you can feel confortable

and you have no wires digging in too.  

Other

- Mugshots which are packets of pasta that you just put in a mug and add hot water too

they have been a life saver on days you don't want to bother cooking too much for lunch. 

- Brita Filter bottle

This has made me drink a lot more water than I use to and is very handy to pop in your bag. 

- Beanies Flavoured coffee

I love coffee and its nice to have a flavoured coffee and its saved me £s in both terms

of the word as they are free on the slimming world plan.

- Diet/low calorie drinks 

I love diet coke its my favourite drink and I love that I can drink fizzy

as long as its diet or low calorie. 

What are weight loss essentials? 

Slendertone Premium Abs first impressions

First of all I will start by saying that I wasn't asked to do this post 

and that it is of my own accord.

I recently won the Slendertone Premium Ads and it arrived speedy fast

and I gave it a go for the first time yesterday. 

In the box you will find 

- A belt that will fit up to a 44 inch waist 

- A set of three pads 

- a mains adapter

-  a storage bag 

- Information booklet 

- a plug in handset that controls the handset and it's intensity .

So it was rather easy to set up; you have to charge the battery for 3 hours 

before you can give it a go, which can be a rather bit of a pain. 

The booklet tells you where you put the pads on the belt 

but just so you know the large pad goes in the middle of the 

belt so it goes over your navel, the other two small

pads go on your left and right. 

Once you have it all plugged on its very simple to use

and to select the program and intensity level/s. 

Now once you have the program on for my first go it felt 

a little tickle-y but I could feel it kinda working. 

It is recommended that you have it on intensity 15 or over for your first go.

I found 15 to be too low but 40 was a bit too high so I had it on about 35 which was great 

for me for the first time. 

Once having used the belt I certainly felt as if it was working as I felt a little achy. 

It wasn't a major achy feeling and I felt like I hadn't done a major workout 

but something was going on there. 

I am looking forward to trying out the 30 day challenge I'm not sure

how it will go but I feel it would take a few months to really see a difference. 

Quote of the week: #1

This week I have been finding it really tough with sticking to my diet.

I have been eating loads of chocolate and other foods that I probably shouldn't have. 

So on spotting this quote yesterday evening its made me get back on track. 

There are going to be times where I will struggle but I have come so far

with loosing nearly 4 stone I don't intend to wreck it all by going in 

the opposite direction, so as the quote says. 

I have taken a U turn and heading back in the right direction. 

1 week Aspire Challenge

Back in November last year I was given the opportunity to review 

Aspire's cranberry flavoured calorie burning drink, see full 

review here.

This month I was sent some more so I can do a weeks challenge to show 

you what I ate and how I felt with using Aspire. 

Meals

Wednesday

Breakfast: Branflakes

Lunch: tomato cupshot

Dinner: chicken pizza melts (slimming world recipe) 

Thursday

Breakfast: Toast with Dairy Lea light 

Lunch: Chicken and sweetcorn cupshot

Dinner: Veg burger with baked beans and sw chips

Friday 

Breakfast: Porridge with mixed berries

Lunch: Jacket potato with baked beans

Dinner: Fish,chips and mushy peas from chippy

half of a large portion of chips and batter removed from fish. 

Saturday

Breakfast: Banana and Muller Light yoghurt

Lunch: Buffet: chicken drumbsticks, cuts of meat, salad,jacket potato

slice of chocolate and vanilla cheesecake and slice of birthday cake

Dinner: none full from buffet

Sunday

Breakfast: x2 Slimming world Highlights bar (rocky road)

Lunch: homemade chicken soup 

Dinner: Roast Dinner and Flan for pudding

Monday

Breakfast: Bacon Sandwich

Lunch: Pizza hut buffet

Dinner: none just a slice of birthday cake

Tuesday

Breakfast: Porridge with apple

Lunch: Jacket potato and baked beans 

Dinner: Turkey with strifry 

Snacks: 

Muller light yoghurt 

or

Banana 

Exercise

x3 days 40 mins on Zumba Core for the wii

x1 day 20 mins wii fit

Results

Over the space of the week I have felt less hungry than usual since doing the aspire challenge. 

I have also found I have much more energy to exercise longer than usual.

Slimming World #3

I am now on my 13th week of slimming world, its crazy how fast it goes. 

I have recently signed up for another 12 weeks. 

I am thrilled to announce that on my 11th week I lost 

5lb got my 1 1/2 stone award and slimmer of the week. 

week 12 I managed to get my Club 10, meaning that I have

lost 10% of my body weight. 

When I got weighed last night start if week 13) 

I now have to loose 2lb this coming week to enable 

to get my 2 stone award which is amazing to do in the space

of 14 weeks, I know I can do it!

Slimming World #2

I was meant to do this post last Thursday after Slimming World but forgot.

Now how quick has the time gone since I started my journey?

I am now on my 10th week and get weighed again on Thursday 

but as promised I will do a post every 4 weeks,  on my 8th 

week of slimming world I managed to get my third award

my lovely 1 stone loss! :) 

I am hoping to have got another two awards by the time week 13 comes around 

hopefully my Silver body magic and my 1 stone 1/2 award!

I still have a long way to go however I am feeling much more 

happier, brighter and more determined.

Slimming World #1

The beginning of January I started my slimming journey by joining slimming world. 

I have been wanting to loose weight for so long but I was constantly making 

excuses and it's got the point where I am so over weight that when I look

at photo's of me I feel ashamed. 

I've never joined a slimming group before so was unsure what to expect but 

I did my research beforehand and am glad that I have chosen slimming world. 

Slimming world for me is simple once you get your head around food optimising 

and understand the whole free foods, healthy extras and syns. 

I go to my local meetings every Thursday evening and have meant such lovely

people within the group and its great to have that little extra support. 

My second week I was unsure if there was things I was doing wrong 

as I had only lost 1/2lb but by the third week I lost 3lb 

which thrilled me to keep motivated and on week four I lost 1lb 

this week I have lost another 3lb making my total weight loss this month 

7 1/2 lb meaning I gained my first slimming world award 

and on top of that I also gained my bronze body magic award. 

Even though I have only lost 7 1/2lb and have a long way to go 

to get down to my ideal weight I am thrilled with out good 

I feel and how much my husband and my family can notice the difference already

with my body shape.