Goal Setting - For Weightloss!

Setting goals for yourself can be hard and lets be honest we don't always reach our goals. But when I was looking at my pictures from a few years ago I remembered that goal setting was what I did as encouragement for myself to go further and to achieve what I had set out to do - become fitter, healthier and happier and ultimately lose weight.

Instead of setting myself goal weights that I needed to get down to or be I instead opted for a few different goals and set these up along my journey to ensure I kept on top of the weight loss. Below are a few different goals that I set for myself along my weight loss journey and how they can help you with yours. Having set goal weights in my opinion can be some what daunting - especially when you keep stepping onto the scales and not seeing a difference (baring in mind that scales lie - you may be losing fat and gaining muscle but still seeing no difference on the scales)

If you haven't already - don't forget to head over to my Facebook Page so you can follow me. Plus I'll be doing a giveaway at '100' likes! 

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My Goal Outfit
I have this amazing ball dress that I wore to my Year 13 ball, it is also a size 10. After my year 13 ball was when I began putting on weight (became size 14) and upon trying on my dress only 6 months later and finding I couldn't fit it was rather disappointing - however I made this one of my goals. My goal was to fit back into my ball dress. It made my goal a little less daunting and more of a fun challenge. I suggest that everyone who is on a weightloss challenge - especially a large one finds that one outfit/dress/bikini whatever it is that you want to shine in and make that your goal outfit. 

This was something I was able to achieve 4 months ago - this was a very happy moment for me because it represented all the hard work I had put into losing the weight. Not to mention that when I finally tried it on it zipped up perfect with even a little bit of room - BONUS! :)

My Goal Exercises
It's no secret in my family that I could not do a 'man push up' or 'pull up' to save myself. Yes if you are wondering I am one of those people who sporadically thrashed around trying to pull myself up on the bar - and it never happens, it just doesn't. Well not until recently that is, one of my overall goals was to become fitter so I set a few personal goals for myself in regards to doing a push up and pull up - something I knew I could not do yet wanted to achieve. I set an exercise goal of being able to do at least 20 man push ups and 20 pull ups - I would definitely like to progress from there but so far I can only pump out one or two of each - but for me this is a big achievement and for my family a little less entertainment as I no longer thrash around trying to pull myself up the bar or tremble as I tried to finish a push up. The weak me is no more and the fitter me is taking over - I love it!

My Goal Look
Looking at all the stars and celebs and seeing how slim they are is seriously unfair - but how about taking what they have and using it as motivation. Do you have a specific look you are going for or a look that you like? When I first began my journey to weightloss I found a picture of Jessica Alba - there is no denying that she is a babe - I used this picture to then become my motivation. I printed off the picture and stuck it up around home in places I knew I would see it (i.e. the bathroom mirror, bedroom mirror, front of the fridge, on the door of your snacks cupboard etc) By sticking it up it is a constant reminder of what you are striving to achieve. The one thing I did do was crop her lovely head off the body as I knew that if I kept seeing Jessica staring at me the idea of working towards her body would of been a bit scary. Here are the pics I used below (this is the look I was heading for - but by no means does that mean it has to be yours. Feel free to pick whoever you want, it may not even be a celeb. The choice is totally yours)

I admit seeing the numbers on the scale dropping is an amazing feeling - but don't forget those scales can lie and at times make you feel worse about the progress you've made than better. I still check my weight every so often to monitor where I am at - but I believe real progress can be felt, seen and even heard (from others - its a great feeling to have other people compliment you on your weightloss or how amazing you are looking) Don't forget to take these compliments, you deserve them!

These are just a few of the different methods that I used while on my weight loss journey and I still use them now - I also have a few others that I used so keep an eye out for those in my upcoming blog posts. So what are you goal outfits, exercises, looks? Do you have any different methods other than jumping on the scale? Would love to hear from you guys.

Healthier, happier and fitter

Lots of love,

Milly x

Living with PCOS - Awareness Month!

So you may or may not be aware that this month is PCOS awareness month. Your probably looking at your screen right now wondering what PCOS is - Poly Cystic Ovaries Syndrome or more commonly known as PCOS is a condition that affects 1 in 10 women around the world. Because symptoms can vary from woman to woman it can sometimes be hard to pick up and is most often missed. PCOS can cause women to be overweight, infertile, hirsutism, increased acne etc. It's not easy living with PCOS and there are many women who are still left undiagnosed. 

For those of you who would like to read more on PCOS or find out what its all about you can click below:  

To read more about PCOS - Click Here

I'm writing this post because PCOS is something that affects myself and my family (it can be carried through genetics). It hasn't been easy the tests, weight issues, bad skin, mood swings etc it all adds up over time.

I was placed on the pill to 'regulate' myself and found it still didn't work or wasn't making much of a difference, so I came off the pill and have been doing a lot better since (I have been pill free for a year now). I have got myself into a good routine of healthy eating and exercise and I can say that I believe the cleaner eating and fitter me finds it has been easier tackling the issues I once had with PCOS than it was previously. The weight started to drop off me once I came off my pill, began eating cleaner, exercised more and became more positive.

I stopped looking at PCOS like it was a chore and started making it work more for me, I definitely am not over the moon about having PCOS. But figured I have it, its not going anywhere so I need to start finding a way to fit it into my life without it becoming a burden. 

Below is my picture showing how I lost 30 kilos - I did it with PCOS, without a gym and over a time period as I realised if I tried to fast track it, it could end up causing my PCOS to play up rather than control it.

For any ladies dealing with PCOS who would like to talk - I'm here and so are a bunch of amazing women just like you! See below for a few Facebook Pages for PCOS, they are all lovely ladies, super helpful and all the information on the pages is great for new women being diagnosed with PCOS. We really need to pump the awareness for PCOS because what we do now is what will set the platform the next generation of young girls to come through and lets make sure they get the help and support that they need and that many of us were without. 

Please feel free to spread the awareness around!

Facebook Pages/Groups for PCOS:

PCOS Group

PCOS Group Help

The PCOS Foundation NZ

PCOS - Auckland (For any ladies living in Auckland, NZ)

I have found an amazing group of ladies in each of these groups who are kind, helpful, caring, have tons of information, there for a boost of confidence - you name it these ladies are all amazing and are all PCOS sufferers or supporters

I know this is not like my normal posts, however PCOS affected my inital weight gain and still affects me now as I am working towards muscles. I hope you enjoyed the read.

Lots of Love,

Milly x

Time for some Smoothie Making!

Finally went and picked up my brand new blender from Noel Leeming and I cannot wait to get started on some smoothies and juices. Just so you know I bought this with my Fly Buys points so it literally cost me nothing - so make sure you check your points balance, you never know what you might be able to get.

Went fruit and vege shopping and grabbed all the essentials I wanted to make a large batch. I have bought in bulk so I can make a large batch to last me the week.

After all the chopping, peeling and shaking all about I ended up with this yummo bag of mixed fruit and veg ready for me to make smoothies. (Note: I have made this in bulk for a weeks worth of smoothies in a large snaplock bag however you may want to split up your week and therefore I would recommend splitting the mix amongst smaller sandwich snaplock bags) Its great for me to grab out in the morning as it is nice and cold and gives you a nice wake up call. Check out my recipe below for this amazing mix :)

In this lovely bag of fruit and veg amazingness is:

1 bunch of Kale

1/2 bunch of Celery

2 large Mangoes

6-8 medium sized Kiwifruit

6-8 medium sized Apples

6-8 medium sized Mandarin/Orange

I chopped and diced and peeled and chucked it all in this bag now to make my smoothie please see below:

Milly's Mix Up

1 & 1/2 cups of the fruit & veg from the bag

1 & 1/2 cups of coconut water (or another juice/water)

1 serving of the Clean, Lean, Protein Powder by Nuzest

1/2 cup of ice (optional)

Blend the crap out of this baby and then serve <3

I found this super yummy and it has all the goodness I need to get me through the day.

I'm thinking of trying a berry one tonight and I can't wait, I'm a huge berry fan! What are some of your fav smoothie mixes?

Lots of love,

Happier, Healthier & Fitter 

Milly x

Need a Healthy Quick Snack?

Here's a quick and easy healthy snack that you can make bulk of and take for your snacks during work! 

Healthy Snack Mix: (2 servings)
1 cup of Almonds
1 cup of Peanuts
1 cup of Pumpkin Seeds (These have amazing health benefits - you should be eating these babies regardless)
1 cup of Dried Banana
1 cup of Raisins
1 cup of Coconut Chips
1 cup of Dried Apricot (optional - I'm not a huge fan of apricots so the choice is all yours)

The mix above usually last me two days worth of snacking and I love it! Beats snacking on something I know I will regret later.

Needing an extra boost of energy during the day or feeling a little peckish is totally fine, however snacking on foods that are only going to deplete your energy even more is not. You need to look at whole foods with nutrients that are going to give you sustained long term energy rather than the quick sugar high you may have been looking for. What's your go to healthy snack?

Hope you enjoyed this quick snack mix and I'd love to hear about your weightloss journey and what methods you tried.

Enjoy!

Milly x

Media Madness!!

My Facebook page is finally up and running! Click the picture above to be taken to Milly's Journey to Muscles Facebook page, don't forget to like so you can keep up to date with my journey, find new recipes, post tips or ask questions as well as keep an eye out for prizes.

You can also follow my Pinterest board specifically created for Milly's Journey to Muscles here: Click Me!

Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest so you can see recipes, workouts, motivational quotes etc

Also Tumblr guys (I'm everywhere haha) Click Here for Tumblr

I can't wait to get my Facebook page booming! So don't forget to like, share and comment on my page. I would love to answer any questions you may have or any tips you can provide me with would be amazing.

Get fit, healthy and happy! x

Lots of Love Milly xx

My 14 Day Tea Tox?!

My 14 day teatox :) Going to start this baby on Monday! Skinny Tea Time can't wait to start tomorrow! Come at me!!

I got this from www.skinnyteatime.com it's free shipping their awesome site makes sure you get all the info you need including meal plans and fitness regimes to follow while doing the detox. 

Stay tuned for an update.

Lots of love,

Milly xx