Day 97 - 104

Weight: 12 stone 9lb

Lost: 2lb

Total weight loss since day 1: 2 stone 6 lb

The weight's coming off very slowly now...but I'm heading in the right direction.

I started a new fitness card at the gym yesterday and I actually found it too easy! So, I'll be adding extra reps and going for longer on the CV machines. I'm so pleased with my fitness now. My legs are stronger and they look slimmer. I've got lots of energy when I'm on the treadmill and it feels great.

I got rid of another pair of trousers today. I was going to wear them for a job interview but they were far too big for me! So, I opted for a pair of trousers that are skin-tight and I haven't worn for 2 years. 

I will be starting my new job next Saturday 26th April working for an Airport Transfer company. It's seasonal work and I have a contract for 6 months, which will do me fine, as then I get 6 months off during the winter! (Don't want to work too hard).

Taking a couple of days break from the norm and heading West along the coast to Tarifa on the Costa de la Luz (Coast of light). We are staying just outside of the town in a 'Posh Hippie Beach Shack/B&B' called Banti (Has wifi and breakfast!). We'll be doing some shopping in the cool quirky shops, frequenting a selected few of the more interesting tapas bars, strolling along the miles of soft, white sandy beaches and even venturing up the highest sand dune in Europe, which is situated down the road from Tarifa in a place called Bolonia (Which also has ancient Roman ruins).

Tarifa is the most Southern point in Europe with only a short stretch of water between Spain and the African continent. It's also the capital of kite-surfing due to the good windy conditions (The Med and the Atlantic sea meet there).

We love this area is it's completely opposite to the Costa del Sol in the fact that it's undeveloped and totally unspoilt, with a relaxed 'Hippie-surfer' vibe.

We'll be posting pictures by the end of the week... along with my indulgences of food.

Talking about food, I've been eating my salads, having my green smoothies and I'm gravitating towards eating more fruit now...it's probably something to do with the warmer weather. The watermelon I'm buying at the moment has a particularly sweet, juicy taste and I've been spooning out the flesh and blending it to make a refreshing drink. It's delish! Try it...you won't be disappointed.

Catch you after the trip!

Hasta pronto

Day 92 - 96

Weight: 12 stone 11 lb
  
Total weight loss since day 1: 2 stone 4 lb

It's good to see that summer has finally arrived in Malaga! Spent yesterday in the garden, sunbathing on the terrace, starting up my 2014 tan. At the moment I can lay out in the sun but come June - August I will be under the parasol as the sun gets far too hot for me!

Over the past week I will put my hands up and admit I haven't been trying very hard to lose weight. However, in saying that, I only put on a pound over the weekend which is good-going and I can easily take that off. 

This week I'm really getting my head down to dieting and I will be mainly raw with lots of smoothies and salads...and of course 4 trips to the gym. Talking of the gym, I had a really good workout today but I don't think my gym has A/C...they just seem to open the windows. It was very warm in there and I sweated loads...no need to use their sauna!

After 3 months of dieting, I can now show you a before and after photo of myself. Just goes to show what a difference losing 2 stone makes to my appearance:

January 2014: 15 stone 1 lb                April 2014: 12 stone 11 lb

It is really like looking at 2 different people... and I've still got 2 more stone to go! When I get to the end of June, which will be the end of my 6 months diet...I will put the 3rd picture in line with the 2 above, so we can really see how skinny I've got!

By the end of April ideally I would like to be 12 stone, but if I get pretty near to that (within 2-3 lb) then I'll be happy. This raw diet has not only helped me lose the weight I need to lose, but it also changes the way I feel about myself, making me feel more positive, younger and fitter.

This year, I will be wearing a bikini on the beach and feeling good about it!

Next blog on Friday.

Hasta pronto

Day 91

Weight: 12 stone 10 lb

Lost: 1 lb

Total weight loss since day 1: 2 stone 5 lb

The weather today in the Malaga region was pretty rotten, with lots of rain most of the day, so salad was the last thing on my mind. Instead, I made a lovely vegan vegetable soup which was just the thing for a cold wet day.

I'm still keeping up my smoothies, with my favourite smoothie being banana, hemp milk and strawberries...but today I omitted the strawberries and added spinach instead. The result was a lovely, creamy green smoothie.

I've just started to introduce maca into my smoothies as it's rich in vitamins B, C and E and provides plenty of calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and amino acids. It's also a source of protein.

It's a hormone balancer, relieves menstrual pain, it can help to clear acne and blemishes and it helps to alleviate mood swings and depression.

Maca is a root vegetable grown in the high Andes mountains of South America.

Weather-wise, it's looking brighter for the week and this makes it so much easier to stay raw when the sun is shining. When the suns out and the weather is warm it just gives you that extra incentive to eat more healthily.

My weight's looking good. Yes the weight loss has slowed but that's my own doing and I'm happy with the way things are going.

I actually gave a pair of jeans away to the charity shop as they were looking baggy on me! I plan to gradually get rid of my 'bigger' clothes as this eliminates the temptation to put the weight back on, as this would mean I'd have to go out and buy bigger clothes again, which I have no intention of doing because on Saturday I actually bought a smaller size t-shirt...and that felt great!

The workout programme I have at the gym is getting easier so maybe it's time to change it soon for a more challenging one.

Not much else to report. Things ticking over and going well. Next blog Saturday.

Hasta pronto