How To Get Through 'That Time Of The Month' With As Little Drama As Possible

The past week has not been a great one, no particular reasons or anything, but it is 'that' time of the month. Now i apologise if this is TMI but I wanted to talk about this as I feel a lot of us women sweep it under the carpet like its nothing because we are so used to it, and rightly so it shouldn't be a big deal at all. I mean we are used to it by now, it is a fact of life for us women. However, if like me it affects you in many ways and the people around you, then here are my own tips for staying sane during this time..

1. Being honest about your Moods: For me this is the first sign that my monthly is on the way and my moods do not really improve until its over. I can be an enormous pain to live with during this time! I am the first to admit it. I take everything personally, I'm snappy with my loved ones. Suddenly my partners jokes are not so funny especially if they are at my expense. I cry at the drop of a hat and I'm generally a pain to be around! Its quite clear to my partner when I'm due on and is often the time we argue the most. Firstly if you know your being moody but your tell yourself..no, no you really are upset about him making himself a cup of tea and not offering you one..then i would be talk to him, because he is not a mind reader, say your on your period or nearly due on and not feeling yourself so to try and be sensitive to that. If they know, I'm sure they will be more understanding and patient. 

2. Eat & drink well:  Some days we eat whatever we fancy and still treat ourselves to a chinese on a Friday and why not, life is short! But, but, but..I notice a huge difference in myself when i eat healthily. I have more energy, I feel happier, mood swings are much much better and more stable. I feel good, and more positive about life. So even though it feels like I'm constantly hungry when I'm on or i want to eat my weight in chocolate. I have been making an effort to eat better and drink more and during this time i am feeling better for it.

3. Grab some me time: If you are feeling rather irritated but its normal Tuesday morning and your kiddies are keeping you busy then in that case having some 'me' time is pretty much impossible. Make sure the space around you is tidy for a start. Tidy house, Tidy mind and all that... Set your child up with a game or some crafts to keep them busy. Make yourself some tea.. or whatever you fancy and sit down for 15 minutes and relax, and breathe. If its the weekend and hubby is home why not take yourself out for a couple of hours browse some shops or grab a coffee some where, meet up with a friend.

4. Coping with pain: Some women get very bad period pain that it is crippling for them. Mine isn't too bad really as I'm on the pill but before i was it was very painful. A hot water bottle is really comforting. I love to have a hot bath, helps to ease pain and relax your muscles and mind. Taking a nap (if you can!) helps if like me you get more tired at this time of the month, so nothing wrong with a little nap if you can get it. Taking paracetamol or nurofen and curling up on the sofa with a blanket and cuppa..

5. Don't deprive yourself: Even if your on a diet of some sort. If you really want that chocolate, cake or red wine have it! You'll only drive yourself nuts thinking about it.

6. Don't go clothes shopping: I know i said above to browse the shops and you should! But maybe stay away from clothes for yourself. What with water retention and feeling generally emotional/annoyed, shopping for clothes is a bad move. I know myself when i have tried things on during this time i feel fat, my 'usual' size is too tight, and I'm just unhappy with the look, then back to unhappy with myself for being 'fat' and its a vicious circle. So avoid it! No good will come from it. 

7. Have a little pampering: Have a long hot bath or shower. Wash your hair, spend time styling it, exfoliate, apply some tan, paint your nails, pluck your brows. If you help yourself to look your best you will feel your best.. It always makes me feel so much better. 

8. See your GP if you suffer badly: If you find that you really suffer with your monthlies your moods are too extreme or you get unbearable pain see your GP. There might be something to help. The pill helps me as it keeps my periods lighter and much less pain than before. However it hasn't really helped with regards to mood swings and acne but there might be something out there more suited to you. 

Do you suffer badly that time of the month? Do you have any tips an tricks you find help? Would love to know you thoughts. Thank you for reading and a Happy Monday to you all 

Kerrie xx

Happy Mothers Day Folks!

Sipping on a nice cuppa, my babies are sound asleep and I'm wondering if i could plan mother's day for myself what would would it be? Well i am only tormenting myself as what i would 'like' really isn't how my mothers day is going to pan out..my husband as i call him is away in Qatar with work so i am alone just me and the babies this weekend and I have a massive ton of laundry to get through.. good times. Not all bad i guess he does fly home mothers day itself leaving enough time in the day we might grab a bite to eat somewhere. Although everywhere is booked out solid..the one day of the year restaurants are overflowing with people and there is no chance of getting a table..Its not looking good.

Maybe next year will be a nice one. A little lay in, a nice hot shower/bath, up and out maybe a small browse around a few shops with my own mum, stop for a brunch or afternoon tea. A bit of a 'spa' afternoon would be perfect too! Can i even fit all this into a day?! Its ok, I'll make it fit! Then a nice dinner out with the men in my life that evening.. Perfection.

However with a drop back down to earth, Mothering Sunday for me this year will be getting myself and the kids up, fed, dressed, tidy up toys, put a load in the washing machine, take clothes out dryer and fold put away, tidy toys again, try and settle the kids to watch Peppa or Thomas so i can get myself ready in a couple of minutes flat.. something i have become amazingly good at. Probably tidy up toys again. Wash up dishes from breakfast, sort out my changing bag, then out the door and off to Gatwick to collect the husband and the way the pub/restaurant situation is looking Mcdonalds on the way home might be our only hope..

I hope this post doesn't come off like a good old rant.. i mean i am having a slight moan because everyone wants to be spoilt for one day surely..when your a mummy to very young children all the days can run into one sometimes so a day 'off' like mothers day is a lovely treat to have. But i do know once we are all together again Sunday evening that will mean more to me than anything else..because they are everything.

Happy Mother's Day everyone..

Kerrie xx

50 Random Facts About Me Tag

1. I grew up in East London and now live in Essex

2. I have lots of freckles (...and i like them!!)

3. When i was a child i always said i either wanted to be an air hostess or an astronaut.

4. i'm 5ft 2..... and a half...

5. I have been driving now for 10 years, and couldn't be without my car

6. My parents are Irish

7. I suffer from anxiety especially social anxiety (planning a post on this subject)

8. My first son was 12 days overdue and my second son born at 33 weeks pregnant.

9. I have a small tribal tattoo on my back

10. I had braces twice in my life

11. I went to an All Girls school and it wasn't half bad

12. I'm a qualified beauty therapist and then went into Makeup further down the line.

13. I can be quite messy around the house so have to try and keep that in line

14. I have naturally mousey hair colour

15. I have the same 2 best friends since we started school at 11.

16. I met my fiancée when i was 18 at work and were good friends for years after we left there but we didn't get together until 4 years ago.

17. I am a gemini

19. I love keeping up with the kardashians... lol sorry

20. I did a lot of bar work in my younger days

21. I don't like extreme weather too much so prefer seasons like Autumn and Spring

22. I don't tan naturally.. think irish skin!! but i can burn too easily.

23. I have always wanted to holiday in cornwall

24. I was convinced in my pregnancy with Ethan that i was carrying a girl

25. I like cake! all cakes!

26. I love nothing more than sitting down with a cup of tea watching YouTube videos

27. I like to think I'm not a huge chocolate person..yet I rarely get through a day without it

28. I'm an only child

29. My memory is pretty terrible so I make a lot of lists so I can get things done

30. A hot bath is one of my favourite evening treats

31. I love my sleep and so do my boys am very lucky they don't wake till 8.30am

32. Randomly I prefer the normality of Monday to Friday over weekends.

33. I have about 3 stone in weight to lose :(

34. I had my belly button pierced at 17 but It closed up 4 yrs ago.

35. I love films like home alone & three men an a baby -childhood nostalgia

36. I have dyed my hair since i was a teen and have been blonde, black, red, plum and now brunette!

37. I'm often in my pjs by 6pm..

38. I love Italian food, its probably my favourite food for sure

39. My fave place to shop is Aldi but i do sainburys for the quality of their food..just don't love the bill

40. I am engaged but we're not planning the wedding just yet

41. I'm terrible at wearing nail polish it seems to chip so quickly no matter what brand it is

42. My parents divorced when i was little, my mum raised me.

43. I'm 31 and i still don't know what i want to be when i grow up

44. I have been treated for acne and put on roaccutane twice. It didn't work long term

45. I lived in Ireland for 5 years.

46. I love being pregnant but still moaned about all my ailments on a daily basis :)

47. Coffee shops are one my fave hang outs!

48. I love shows like gogglebox, great british bake off, one born every minute, first dates

49. My partner is my absolute best friend and we give ourselves tummy aches from laughing so much

50. I have no expectations for this blog whatsoever i just hope anyone who passes by my blog enjoys what they are reading.



Love Tags like this...!! Quite a lot of fun though i took my time writing this one as i could hardly think of anything about me haha.. x..I tag you all!! Is there anything unusual random about yourself ? comment below! and give this post a thumbs up if you liked it...x

Happy Wednesday.... Hope your all having a lovely day!

Love Kerrie xx

February Favourites

I have been trying to take a little more 'me' time lately.. By that i don't mean a day at the spa or anything like that but maybe a slightly longer soak in the bath of an evening or 15 minutes to do my makeup in the morning as oppose to the usual 5 minute rushed job it usually is. As a trained makeup artist i do tend to miss the days i spent taking agessss to do my makeup but it was done to perfection and now i just don't get the time. Unfortunately i don't have the kind of skin where a little bit of tinted moisturiser would be enough. So a very quick foundation application is an every day must!! Nowadays i skip a lot of steps completely. So most days a slick of mascara and and bit of filling in of the old eyebrows is usually all i do, esp on the days i am staying in or just running errands. But if i am going out to soft play or meeting friends etc i will pop on a little eyeshadow mostly neutral shades, a tiny hint of blush and if I'm feeling in a 'i want to look like a yummy mummy' kind of mood then a dab of lipstick.. So onto my favourites and what I've been loving..

1. Twinning Pomegranate & Raspberry Tea

I am currently doing Slimming world and wanted to cut down on the amount of cups of tea i drink especially as i was having 2 sugars in my tea. I remember drinking this herbal tea when i was expecting Ethan and i really liked it, its great for those who want to try something different but don't like the 'usual' herbal teas because i was never a massive fan of them but this one actually is really lovely and is great if you want something sweet, it just curbs the cravings for biscuits or chocolate, well at least for a little bit.

2. Nivea Extra Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

I got this a couple of months ago. Its for sensitive eyes and I'm loving it. I avoid a lot of eye makeup removers because many of them seem to irritate my eyes and i do have to rub it in a bit with the cotton pad as i wear liquid liner and lots of mascara. So i wanted something that even with all the rubbing to get it off was going to be gentle on my eyes and this one does that and it gets it all off too!

3. Rimmel Nail Polish in 313 Rita Rouge

I try and do my nails every Sunday night.. if I'm being organised that is. I have been wearing this shade from Rimmel for three weeks straight. I'm just loving it. This deep berry/red wine colour is right up my street and goes with anything i wear not to mention for me it looks more interesting that a basic red sometimes. This is also a really nice polish aside from the shade. A small simple bottle but has a large brush so its quicker and easier to apply. I use 2 coats for a really opaque colour.

4.  Maybelline 24hr Color Tattoo in Bronze

I bought this for the second time in January, i had not used it in a while but i remembered i loved it especially this beautiful bronze shade. I have so many bronzy coloured eyeshadows in my collection that its now bordering on ridiculous! So what's one more, right?.. Well this one is worth it for sure! Yes its bronze same as all the ones i have but it is a cream so its easy to apply & no need for brushes, it blends in beautifully in seconds and looks like you've made more effort with your eye makeup more than you actually have. Its also the kind of bronze that picks up the light in a beautiful way and this seems to be one of few i get most compliments on. 

These days i have little time to spend applying my makeup so anything that is quick and easy to use is a winner in my book. I'm not sure though if it does last '24hrs' I've never worn it this long! But it does last quite nicely, i never feel the need to retouch it. The one downside for me is like most creams in their packaging it does dry up so does not tend to last that long so make sure if your using this to keep the lid nice and tight to keep it air locked so you do have it for longer! Ramble over... 

5. Dairy Milk Thins

Maybe a slightly random favourite but these thin little treats have been a little saviour to me on slimming world. I have quite a sweet tooth and some days i really struggle to keep it at bay.. I want to eat whatever the hell i want.. but i also know i simply can't do that if i ever want this weight to come off.. or it never will. My struggle with willpower is a never-ending one. So I've switched to lighter options and this is another one. This one on slimming world is still 5 syns however when I've been 'good' all day this is my treat come the evening time with of cup of tea.. satisfies my sweet tooth without going too far and feeling that dreaded 'guilt'! 

6. Loreal False Lash Sculpt Mascara in Black

I picked this up in boots a few weeks back. I needed a new mascara and I'm always on the look out for new/amazing mascaras that will give me the longest thickest lashes you've ever seen..

I do expect a lot from a mascara and probably expect too much really as my lashes are nice but not amazing. They were so long as a child but they just don't seem to be like that anymore. So I'm always longing to get those childhood doll lashes back again.. This Mascara i had picked up on a whim, i had no clue what it was like. I had read no reviews on it and had seen no advertising on it but as you can probably tell it being in my favourites and all... i like it... i like it alot!! 

Its slightly curved plastic brush elongates more than it thickens but it does get at every lash from the root & especially the small inner corner ones. It coats the lashes nicely even after one coat and does give the lashes some really nice length. 

7. Oral B 3D Brilliance Toothpaste

I watched a favourites video by Zoella some weeks back and she mentioned this toothpaste! So a few days later while i was doing my food shop in Asda i spotted this and thought I'll give this a go! Very rarely loyal to a toothpaste, i often switch from brand to brand never really believing all their claims of being the best toothpaste for whitening teeth but i thought they wouldn't be in a favourites video if it wasn't half bad! I have to say i have really noticed a difference using this toothpaste, its only been over 3/4 weeks since i got it but its definitely slightly whitened my teeth which I'm delighted with! So that teaches me to not be so cynical about these toothpaste brands and sometimes they actually do what they say on the tin.

8. Britney Spears Fantasy perfume

So i am including two perfumes in my favourites because i have been wearing these two only all month or probably since Christmas and i have a good collection of perfumes. This one is soooooo yummy.. i have been wearing this one nearly everyday. It might not be a 'high end' perfume but i don't care! its lovely and sweet and i always get compliments on this one especially from the other half. It makes me feel summery, sexy and super girly! 

9. Chanel No.5

This is the other perfume that i tend to go to, not half as often as my Britney one but well this is a Chanel no.5 after all.... and i don't want to waste it! It's not cheap that's for sure but worth the money! I got this one as a present at Christmas but i have bought this as a treat for myself over the years. As perfume goes this is a pure classic, it oozes sophistication & elegance. Its the one i usually wear when i am getting dressed up or going anywhere special to make me feel great and finish off the 'look' nicely. 

Thanks for reading!! xx

 I do love to know what people love and really rate beauty or non beauty wise! ..so do please let me know what yours are!

Have a lovely day/week! 

Kerrie xx

The Mummy Tag

A few months ago i was tagged to do 'the mummy tag' however..its been a quite a few months since I've posted anything at all so getting back into it i thought this would be fun to do....xx

1. Are you a stay at home mum or a working mum?

I work Part time in London & currently on maternity leave until July.

2. Would you have it any other way?

Yes!!! I would love to be a stay at home mum. Not because i have no intention of working. But i just want to be around for the boys. They are at such a young age (7months & 2yrs old) I would happily work when they are both at school. But if i am honest in an ideal if i could choose being at home or working. I definitely would want to be at home.

3. Do you co sleep?

Nope, we have never done that. For one we were lucky with Ethan he slept through the night from 5 weeks old. Dylan has only recently gone from a moses basket to a cot as he was premature so has been fairly small for a long time. He also sleeps through the night luckily. I guess in the situation where if they are just not sleeping then it means you don't sleep so that kind of exhaustion must be so so hard to deal with then i could totally understand co sleeping but for us it wasn't ever an issue. I personally would be too afraid i would squish them in the night! I was always pretty firm that i wanted the boys to sleep in their own beds so it wouldn't become a problem down the line an they would have that little independence.

4. What is your one must have item for your baby?

A great pram!!! As for most people I'm sure it is an absolute necessity. However getting the right pram is something to really think about and research properly. I went around shop to shop looking for the right pram/stroller/travel-system when i was pregnant with Ethan. I thought i knew what i was looking for but as with most first time mums to be i really didn't have a clue. Of course i had been given advice from family & friends on brands, and what to look for, what not to look for.. But i still felt non the wiser. Many of my friends had gone through 2 or 3 prams since they had their child. I was sure i didn't want the hassle or expense of all that. So after much browsing and researching online.. I went with a Silver Cross Surf and loved it from the get go! A great pram that folds up and down with ease and one where i don't have to pump the tyres with air every minute is a dream. That pram saw me all the way through with Ethan and i have since used it with Dylan even though it is on its last legs am still reluctant to let it go..

5. How many kids do you plan on having?

I have 2 little boys and i also have an (almost 8yr old) Stepson who visits us once a week. I think i definitely want one more. Though i think if we were doing good financially and had a nice size home we would want 2 more..

6. Date night.. how many nights per month?

hmmm.. probably zero at the moment..? ha ha. We rarely get to have a date night these days. We do try and do it normally but lately we just haven't got around to it. However i do think it is important in any relationship not to forget about each other just because of kids, work, stress... life basically. So i need to take my own advice there and organise a date night with my beloved, because this question has just reminded me that we have not had a 'date' in ages..lol x

7. Your child's favourite show?

I would say paw patrol & Ben & holly's little kingdom

8. Name one thing you bought before you had your baby and never ended up using?

Muslin cloths!! When your expecting esp with your first you look on websites, in books or even from friends on what they wouldn't be without. What is necessity and what isn't. Muslin Cloths seemed to be a popular necessity! so versatile everyone said, you wont be without them. Well. I stocked up and no they weren't used. I think i gave them a good try in the very early days with Ethan and did not get the hype when a wipe was sufficient. If they spit up a little i would use a baby wipe and if it was more than a little i would throw their clothes/blankets etc in the wash. A little lazy perhaps...maybe...

9. Your Child's favourite food?

Ethan's Favourite food is Spaghetti Bolognese and Pizza. Dylan is only starting solids this week so time will tell..

10. How many car's does your family have?

Just the one at the moment.

11.  Weight gain before pregnancy during, after and now?

I weighed 10 stone before i fell pregnant with Ethan. Then once i had him i was 12 stone. And pretty much stayed there.. With Dylan i think went to 14 stone ish. Not overly sure as i avoided scales as much as i could then! The Weight after Ethan was just too depressing.. After Dylan i was down to 13 stone. And i never really lost much after that. I tend to comfort eat in times of stress and last year was not an easy year, so it never came off. But now i am feeling more positive about it and i joined slimming world in January. My weight is about 12.7 now so trying to get the baby weight off slowly but surely this time.

12. Dream holiday with your kids?

Not sure about a 'dream' holiday.. but any holiday right now would be amazing! he he. Lots of places i want to take them... Cornwall, Ibiza (the family part!lol), Disneyland Florida, sharm el shiekh and more..

13. Dream holiday without your kids?

hmm.. Somewhere tranquil. Like the Maldives.. that would be amazing.

14. How has your life changed since your baby was born?

Its transformed completely. .But in the most amazing way. I wouldn't swap it for the world. I also think since becoming a mummy i am a nicer, more caring person. When you have to put them first in every way. It really does make you grow as a person. Life is busy and tiring.. but amazing.

15. Finish the sentence ..'it makes my heart melt to see..'

Ethan giving Dylan kisses & cuddles..or simply holding his hand. Its just the sweetest thing in the world.

16. Where do you shop for your kids?

Next mostly i do love their kids range. Also Primark, Zara, Mothercare.

17. Favourite Makeup or skincare products?

Mac Lipsticks, Clinique Moisturiser (the yellow one can't think of the name off hand) Estee lauder double wear foundation or Revlon colorstay foundation.

18. Huggies or Pampers?

Neither! Have i used both but didn't think they were great.  I prefer supermarket own brand ones, not all of them are good. But Asda and Aldi ones are great.

19. Have you always wanted kids?

I think since i was a child i always wanted kids especially as i am an only child. I had an amazing childhood but i missed having siblings and never hid that fact. It was fine as a kid when i got extra presents and my parents full attention. But as an adult.. it can be hard not to have anyone. So for that reason i always wanted my own family and thought if i ever had a child, i would need to have more than one. However i do like my own space.. and as i matured and got older i did question whether i would be a suitable mother many a time. When i was in my twenties and single, for some reason i couldn't picture me having children. The older i got i just didn't see it happening..Mostly because I didn't feel maternal.. so i was worried that deep down I'm not sure i want them or if i would be a good mum. When i found out i was expecting Ethan it was a big big shock to us! but one amazing one... and i would not change anything. and i know for sure now that... i am maternal and i am a good mum.

20. Best part about being a mum?

Watching these little people grow and learn new things daily. Watching their little quirks and who they take after.. their little giggles. And of course the all kisses and cuddles we share... best feeling in the world!

I tag all to do this tag!! Thanks for reading.. xx and Happy Saturday everyone! Have a great weekend.

Kerrie xxxxx

Autumn Glossybox Treats

This little delight arrived at my door yesterday and it felt like a much needed treat. Shopping for me.. proper shopping has become a thing of the past. With one child you can browse around the shops with ease.. take your time.. maybe grab a coffee?! with two.. its a very different story and something i try to avoid if possible. Its not worth the stress and if i do need to do it, i'm like a woman on a mission, i get in and out no hanging about. So now i order a lot more online than i used to. GlossyBox is not a necessity no. But for a beauty enthusiast like me who has little time its just fab! I love discovering brands and products I've never heard of and GlossyboxUK is perfect for that. I won't bore you with all the finer details about GlossyBox i'm sure you all know how it works by now.

So In this October's edition its all about great skin and what makes this one special is all 5 products are full sizes...#amazing

There really is a lovely selection this month and i'm excited to use them. So getting down to the products themselves..

In this months box:

Lanolips Golden Ointment Dry Skin Salve: A rich thick ointment that can be used on dry skin on your hands, feet, lips and any part of your skin that needs that extra nourishment. Very similar to Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream, which i personally always loved but i actually do think i prefer this. It doesn't feel as greasy/sticky as the 8 hour Elizabeth Arden. Now I knew of this brand but had never used this so was delighted it was included in this months box. Lovely on the lips and i like to use a tiny tiny bit as a highlight dabbing it along my cheekbones. This really does make the skin glow and look so healthy in the most natural way. Only have this in my hands one day and i'm loving it! Retails at £17.99 from Boots.

Nicka k Airbrush Blending Sponge: Pink soft dome shaped sponge to help give a flawless finish to your foundation. Its best if you dampen the sponge just a little to help apply your foundation smoothly without dragging the skin or causing streaks. Also a damp sponge means it won't go on too cakey no matter what foundation you use. Retails at £6.50 from www.nicka.com

Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes Mascara: Now this brand i had never heard of so i can't say too much about it yet but so far so good. This is described as a 100% Cruelty-free formula, with a brush designed to give you intense definition and dramatic volume and continues to curl them throughout the day. I used this on my lashes this morning. It does appear to define them quite nicely and give a nice curl, although not as black as i would like. However i only did one coat in a rush so will give this a good go over the next few weeks and see what its like. Retails at £17.95 from www.jellypongpong.com

So Susan Haute Light Highlighting Pencil: A peachy creamy crayon that can be used on the water line to open up the eyes making them look bigger and whites of your eyes brighter. It can also be used as a highlight on the cheekbones and brow bone. And i think this would be really nice on your cupid bow to give the illusion that your lips fuller. Retails at £15 from www.sosusan.com/en/

Talika Photo-Hydra day: Described as a deeply hydrating moisturiser from this luxury French brand. This product contains Hyaluronic acid to plump the skin as well as a combination of carefully selected ingredients such as mango butter to help soothe and nourish the skin. Again i'm new to this brand so i can't go into much detail as yet. However i did use this yesterday and this morning and so far its really really lovely!!! It is nicely moisturising but at the same time its a light thin consistency that easily sinks into the skin which i like for my combination skin type. This is ideal for all skin types and as a gel like formula i can already tell that this is a wonderful product that i think i will love and need to repurchase. It has smoothed out any dryer parts of my skin but was also nice an lightweight on my oily t-zone. I think this is a great base for foundation and it should make it stay in place for longer but having just received this yesterday obviously time will tell how this product holds up on the skin but i really like this so far. Packaging is very simple however the scent is just lovely. Retails at £24.85 from www.talika.com/US/GB


And that is it for Octobers GlossyBox. Very Happy with the selection this month, especially the Lanolips Ointment and the Talika photo hydra. I can tell i'm going to love these already!

Anyone else receive this months GlossyBox? What is your favourite product?

Hope you all have a lovely Tuesday!!

Kerrie xx

Battle of the Bulge after having Babies

My little boy Dylan was born just 12 weeks ago in a hurry at 7 weeks early (due Aug 24th) and so far i have really been putting off dieting and exercising of any kind! For me it just wasn't a huge deal I had bigger things to deal with. Was i conscious about it? Yes very much so! However i tried not to dwell on it too much as having a baby is a joyous occasion and i need to give it time like friends and family said to me you've just had a baby.. give it time, having 2 little ones.. you'll be run off your feet the weight will just fall off! I nod along politely agreeing with them but inside i know there is no way this weight will just 'fall' off. I know my body and how it works this will take alot of work. So back to July and after a stressful birth and having a premature baby in NICU. I decided not to worry about my weight. I wasn't a priority and I have had one enjoyable summer of eating whatever the hell i want and loved it.  Fast forward 12 weeks and i'm struggling to fit into my size 16 jeans!!!! Horrified i just sat and cried. This was awful for me. I have yo yo'd between a uk size 10-14 before but now i need a size 18? This can't happen. At 5ft 2 being overweight is not easy to hide when your small.Something has to be done..

Being overweight is something i have struggled with since i hit my teens. I wasn't massively overweight but i was maybe 2 stone overweight all through my teens an twenties. On and off diets for years none of them ever stuck and so i would comfort eat to make myself feel better and the pounds would pile on again. I had reached 13 stone by this point. Then when i was living in Ireland 6 years ago I felt enough was enough one new year so started calorie counting and doing light exercise. I used my fitness pal app an lost just over 3 stone taking my new weight to 9 stone 10. I felt amazing, bought lots clothes and had bags of confidence. When i moved to London shortly after i was amazed that i was able to keep the weight off. Then 2 and half years ago i found out i was expecting Ethan and my weight just wasn't a priority anymore. I wanted to enjoy my pregnancy and now worry about what i was eating or gaining a few pounds cos in my mind that was gonna happen anyway i mean i was carrying a baby..!

So i did just that.. I enjoyed my pregnancy and ate anything i fancied. I tried not to eat 'for 2' but it was hard as i felt constantly hungry. During that pregnancy i had put on 3 stone...Once i had Ethan it went down to 12 stone but it never came off.. I intended to go back dieting and get those pounds off but again it wasn't my priority. I had just become a new mum for the first time and was learning every day about this new little bundle that had come into my world. My weight took a back seat. Then one year on from then i didn't see the point in trying to lose weight as we had decided to try for a second baby. A few months later we were expecting Dylan and once again i had put on weight. Though this time i stayed away from the scales as it was just too stressful and disappointing to be looking at. Then in August this year i stepped on the scales a few weeks after having Dylan. Scales read: 13 stone 4....!  So again back to square one with my weight.. however i did think i had put on more than that so was a little relieved it wasn't tooooooo bad!

Now.. every Sunday evening i tell myself I'm gonna start on Monday morning. A new me!! But i fail miserably every time. This post may sound like I'm putting huge pressure on myself but to be honest. I need to change. I'm not happy. I don't want to gain any more, i have reached a point where i cry in fitting rooms, my size 16 jeans are now too tight and I'm breathless after taking the stairs. My mum turns 60 in December and we are having a party for her would be nice to lose a little by then. I know it isn't long away but i feel these little goals are important to have something to aim for.

Other goals for me are Christmas. A trip to Amsterdam in January. A summer holiday abroad. Going back to work next yr. Turning 32.

Then there's the big one.. we are engaged but haven't decided when to get married yet. My weight is one thing that has stopped me from getting excited about it. I would like to go to wedding fairs and get ideas and maybe soon put down a date..! However..if i am going to be a bride... This weight needs to go! I have 4 stone to lose as my goal and it won't shift itself.

I think i am going to go back calorie counting on my fitness pal app although i do like the sound of slimming world as well so might join them as the weigh in's and groups might be of help to me so i can't cheat badly and give up, going to the group each week will be an incentive in itself. As for exercise this is a tough one.. because the only time i have free are evenings. So do i join a gym an take a class.... or..... do i just try and go for walks/runs in the evenings. Running I know is the best form of exercise for weight loss but i haven't got a clue where to start or whether or not i can do it. The idea of running is a scary thought!

Even though i have lost weight before i feel like i have forgotten how to do all of this...! Being pregnant for 2 years has definitely slowed down my brain now its time to get my ass in gear and do this....

Anyone in the same boat? Or have any tips and tricks on how you lost weight?

Hope your having a good day!

Kerrie xx