My Weight Loss Experience | MyFitnessPal App

Hi, today I wanted to talk about my weight loss experience. Using the MyFitnessPal app over 2 months I have managed to loss 11 pounds, this was a really easy accomplishment and just required a little meal planning, recipe research and self restraint. I have never been on a diet previous to this health kick, I've just never needed too. I think I've been lucky in the past and my body and lifestyle have worked together to keep my weight at a good level. Now that I'm getting older I think my teenage metabolism is long gone and my job is a lot less active, everything I eat is now having a direct effect on my weight. Like I said in my previous post about weight loss (which you can read here) I have never considered myself to be over weight, but I definitely still had some extra weight hanging around from Christmas which I wanted rid of for the summer months.

Stock Photo - Unsplash

The app helps you keep track of the calories you are consuming on a daily basis, this in turn helps you select healthier options or cut down on portion size. Not once during this last two months have I ever felt I couldn't have something, if I had an indulgent day I'd just make sure to stick to it more the following day. I'm sure you could lose your desired weight quicker than I have if you stick too the calorie goal strictly all the time but you're more likely to binge on all the things you've been craving rather than just working them into a more overall healthy lifestyle. If you're planning on having a treat then plan to have a lower calorie meal during the day to balance out your daily calories.

I already loved to eat healthy, but I have been eating much healthier since I started my weight loss challenge by cooking with fresh ingredients and staying away from pre-packed foods (fresh ingredients are way tastier). When counting calories look at other nutritional values as well, such as sugar intake for example. That leads to the other good thing about the app, it works as a food dairy which calculates all the nutritional information from your food. This shows you if you are consuming enough vitamins and minerals as well as your daily sugar and protein intake. I would say that I actually get more goodness from the foods I eat now than I did previously.

There might be times when you don't want to take the time to fill in the app and others when you just fancy a takeaway but continuing to work towards your goal is so worth it. I can honestly say the best result from this weight loss challenge for myself was been able to fit into a pair of size ten jeans which where too small to fasten weeks before. Counting calories has worked for me and I don't think I'm the only one. I'd like to lose another 3 pounds to make it a whole stone lost and then I have some room to indulge during the summer without feeling that I have undone all the good I have accomplished.

Do you have a favourite low calorie meal?
Sam

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Film Review | The Age of Adaline

Hi, the other week I went to see The Age of Adaline with my parents, we went to the local independent cinema The Rex, in Elland. It's super cheap at £5 per ticket and only £4 on Mondays. The Rex is one of the oldest purpose built, structurally unaltered cinemas in the country. It opened as a Picture House on 12th December 1912. The cinema has a very vintage feel, it has a small screen complete with operational curtains ready to close for the interval when ice creams is available. My mum wanted to see the film because she's a massive Harrison Ford fan.

Adaline (Blake Lively) has been 29 years old for 8 decades, she hasn't aged a day, the cause an accident. She watches her family and friends age around her while she has to hide her true identity to keep them and herself safe. She lives her whole life keeping people at a distance so that no one makes the connection that she has not changed. Inevitably she can't stop being human and meets Ellis (Michiel Huisman) which complicates her solitary way of life. What is supposed to be a simple weekend away at his parents house becomes a trip down memory lane when she meets an old flame William (Harrison Ford).

The film plays out with a selection of flash backs and memories narrated in a very scientific and to the point manner. I really enjoyed the film, it kept me interested in both her past and where her story was heading. Finding out more and more about her past and how she has keeps renewing herself with new identities every ten years. There are elements of both happiness and sadness in this film in good quantities, a film that keeps you thinking once you've left the cinema. I would highly recommend this film as there's not too much mushiness with the romance, the film is more focused on the emotional state of Adaline and the sacrifices she has made over the years. A lot of people would give anything to stay young forever, but at what cost when everything around you changes into a place you no longer know and you start to lose the people you love.

Would you want to live forever?

Sam

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Sale and Wishlist | H&M

Hi, Signing up to email alerts from shops can be A. Good because you can make savings when they have discount days and be made aware of the sales, B. Bad because they make you spend money. This all leads to the fact I got an email from H&M to promote their mid season sale, £100 later and I have new stuff coming in the post. I'll do a little haul of the stuff I keep once it arrives. They also have some new lines and after a quick look I've put together a wishlist of some items for another day (I'm waiting for a good discount code).

Cotton Shorts - £14.99 | Moon Crop Top - £6.99 | Trainers - £14.99

Rings - £7.99 | Cushion Cover - £3.99 | T-light Holder - £1.99

Just a few bits but the crop top is really cute and the print screams 90's to me (I know the whole 70's thing is in but you're never going to see me in flares). The lace cotton shorts are perfect for super hot summer days so I'll probably only buy these if I book a holiday abroad, there's still time. The rings are a little over priced for my liking but they are statement pieces. The cushion cover is monochrome interior patterning at it's best for my taste and the T-light holder continues the lack of colour but with a really decorative pattern. Lastly are the trainers I have been after a pair of leather effect slip on trainers for ages but every where keeps selling out so maybe I'll grab a pair of these before it's too late.

Have you seen the new range, what's your favourite piece?

Sam

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The Clangers are Back! | Cbeebies

Hi, I'm so excited for the return of the clangers! if I'm honest I thought if the clangers ever came back it would be a computer animated mess but it's not and I'm over joyed that this is really happening in a way that stays true to the original series.

Image from the CBeebies Website

For those who do not know the clangers, they are a race of mouse like pink animals found on a small blue planet not far from our own Earth. The original series aired from 1969 - 1972, created by Oliver Postage and Peter Firming (my childhood hero's) via their production company Smallfilms. The first episode of the clangers was aired on 16th November 1969 the same year man landed on the moon. Since Oliver Postgate's death in 2008 his son has stepped into his shoes writing the new scripts for the creation of 52 new 11 minuet episodes. The original puppets are 46 years old so new puppets where knitted for the new series which has had a 5 million pound relaunch. The original sets where made by Peter Firming and his wife hand knitted all of the clangers, scripts where written by Oliver Postage. The clangers was made with the process of taking lots of photos in sequence including small movements known as stop motion animation. The original series where narrated by Oliver Postage, Michael Palin has been bought in to take over his role.

The new series of the clangers airs on CBeebies on the 15th June, I can't wait. There are a few short clips on the Cbeebies website of the newly generated clangers if you can't wait.

Did you watch the original Clangers?

Sam

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Book Haul | Amazon 3 for £10 Offer

Hi, where do you shop for your books? the first place I check when I want a book is Amazon. It has to be the best place for checking current prices. While searching for some titles for a previous post about my summer reading list (read it here) I found that Amazon have a three paper backs for £10 offer which I couldn't resist, as a result I now have plenty of reading material for the summer months. These are the books that I bough.

Ways to Live Forever - Sally Nicholls

Amazon - £6.29

Page Count: 224
This is quite a thin book and I'm pretty sure it's a children's book, it was the winner of the Waterstones children's book price. The book is made up of a selection of lists and diary entries. The story is about a boy with leukemia trying to make scene of everything, I image even though this is a kids book it's going to have some really sad parts.

A Flash of Blue - Maria Farrer

Amazon - £7.99
Page Count: 352

This is the book I'm most looking forward to reading and the one I will probably start with. The cover is really striking (the lines are shiny) and fits with the title perfectly. This book is about a girl who's brother dies in a car crash and she blames herself for his death, the story then leads into how she copes with his passing and her guilt.

The Broken - Tamar Cohen

Amazon - £5.24
Page Count: 400
The biggest of the books I purchased and the only one which featured on my summer reading list. This will be a good book for me to try out a new genre of story telling. This is a story about relationships, particularly those of married couples that are friends, and what happens when the truth comes out.

Because there was the three for £10 offer on I picked the most expensive books that I wanted to read to get the best saving. Now I can't wait for my little camping trip to York to get stuck into these. Once I've read them I will do a book review and let you know my thoughts.

Have you bought any books recently that you would recommend?

Sam

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Summer Reading List

Hi, with summer just around the corner I decided to put together a small list of books I would like to read over the coming months (I'm a slow reader so I doubt I'll read them all). Some of these are old books that I've seen around and not had the time to read yet or new books which I don't want to miss out on. During the summer months I can get some devoted reading time in, hopefully while sat in the summer sunshine.

One Day By David Nicholls

£2.00 - Amazon

A book that has always been quite high on my reading wishlist but I just haven't had the time. I am yet too see the film because of this as I feel it spoils the book, so once I've finished reading it I can finally watch the film adaptation. A story about two people who meet up for one day every year for 20 years.

Station Eleven By Emily St. John Mandel

£3.85 - Amazon

I was introduced to this book via a blog review. I love apocalypse stories so this is right up my street and look at the cover it's such a pretty deer image. A story about preserving what is precious once a deadly virus hits.

The Broken By Tamar Cohen

£5.24 - Amazon

I'm not really a reader of psychological stories but I figured I'd give this one a chance. It is based around the relationship of two married couples and what happens when their relationships break down.

How to Build a Girl By Caitlin Moran

£3.85 - Amazon

This book doesn't have the best reviews but I'm drawn too it regardless, who knows what's behind the cover of a book until you open it and read it. I don't like to take other peoples opinions on books too seriously. This is the story about a 14 year old girl with the intention of killing herself.

A Storm of Swords - George RR Marten
7 Book Box Set £32.50 - Amazon

The third book in the series I'm so far behind on the story and I was very late into the whole Game of Thrones thing. I only started watching the TV series after the first two series had aired and finished but I joined the masses on the release of the third series to get my weekly Game of Thrones fix and have been hooked since. As there are a few differences between the books and TV version there's no harm in reading as well as watching this epic story.

What will you be reading this summer?

Sam

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Festival Survival Kit #2 | Toiletries

Hi, Today I'm continuing with my festival survival kit focusing on toiletries. These are the items you will need to keep yourself feeling as clean as possible and feeling good. There are always showers available so the amount of toiletries you want to take is totally up to you but I'd advise as little as possible. Most Festival have a supermarket and other merchant stalls where basic items are available if you decided to stock up at the festival instead of traveling with them, but be aware that festivals have inflated prices so expect to pay more than normal.

Wet wipes are your best friend. I've never really dared to venture in the shower area so if you don't fancy that either wet wipes all the way. I needed these the most to keep clean due to the amount of mud and dust at festivals.

Suncream is very important. You might see a little or a lot of sun but there's nothing worse than a nasty sunburn to ruin the fun. Suncream is one of those items which can be heavy and bulky to carry and will most defiantly be available to purchase at the festival Supermarket, choices will be limited.

Toilet roll is also something you can buy on site but I advise you to take a few packs of tissues with you as well. After the first day you can bet there will be no loo roll anywhere, so have your own ready. Don't forget hand sanitizer.

Dry shampoo is another must, if you're not daring to use the showers, to keep your hair looking fresh. Also bring a selection of hair ties and grips to style your hair, or in my case try and tame it.

If you've got longer hair get a wide tooth comb. I got mine from the Body shop and it saved my hair. When you're not washing your hair normally it gets knotty, this comb saved me from pulling half my hair out, the key is to start at the bottom and work your way to the top layer of hair or you'll just make the knots bigger.

Just because you're not showering doesn't mean you can't smell nice, take perfume samples with you. In the past I've collected a few magazine samples and used one a day to keep myself smelling nice (who am I kidding, at least everyone smells as bad).

Painkillers and plaster for those ouch moments. Everyone over does it at a festival so having pain killers will help you get through the weekend. Also I seem to have an issue with tent pegs and accidents always happen so have some plaster on hand.

Bring a small compact mirror with you, if you don't the only time you'll see your face is in the portaloos, just saying.

Other basic items include a good deodorant, I find rollon are easier to pack. Moisturizer decanted into a small container so it's easier to pack, or buy a miniature product. Lip balm because your lips will chap due to dehydration, no one drinks enough water and on that note drink water!!. A tooth brush and paste, nothing nicer than clean teeth.

Packing Check List

• Wet Wipes
• Dry shampoo
• Moisturizer
• Suncream
• Wide tooth comb
• Tooth Brush/Paste
• Deodorant
• Lip Balm
• Perfume sample
• Painkillers
• Plasters
• Hair ties and Grips
• Small Mirror
• Hand Sanitizer
• Packs of Tissues

So here are my essentials when packing for a festival, which item could you not live without?

Sam

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