I wrote a little post last month about being poorly around August time, it got to the point were I could no longer stomach eating, and every time I ate I was sick and I bloody love my food, so that month was an awful month and if I am honest from that moment, I gained so much respect for food and what I was putting into my body. I am eating healthy to feel better about myself, I figured healthy body healthy mind. Its working!
A few months on from then, I have shed Two and Half stone, it was never intentional, but I made more of a point of only eating fresh fruit, and healthy foods. Since I wrote this blog post about my weight loss back in 2012 I probably gained a few stone a few months after having that photo taken, I just liked stuffing my face with chocolate, biscuits and crisps, I am totally aware that dieting shouldn’t be a yo-yo fad, it has become a lot more of a way of life for me. Which is hard when you’ve been living with brothers that eat like horses and can eat what ever they like and still be awesome!
I have stopped eating crisps and chocolate, because as I am the kind of person that has no self control when it comes to sweet junk food I have cut it out completely, I know this isn’t ideal for everyone and a lot of people will say you shouldn’t deny yourself something, but for me it is the only way.
So to replace my love of sweet food, I now I snack on fruit, where I once replaced milk chocolate with dark chocolate I no longer can due to my allergies. My biggest treat is a good old cuppa tea, I have started drinking Decaf as I found I was getting a lot more headaches due to the amount of caffeine and I always have 2 sugars in my tea it can’t be helped! I also try my best not to eat to much bread as it doesn’t agree with me, but every now and again won’t hurt unless you are crushed to death by a giant loaf in Wenzels I can forgive myself!
For meal times, I eat normally. When I was poorly in August I couldn’t stomach eating meat, so I only occasionally eat steak to keep my iron in take up and as we have quite a few allotments there are always vegetables for nearly every meal. I try my best now to eat breakfast as it often keeps me going at the start of the day. I have listed what I normally eat on a normal working day. ( obviously with variety)
– Breakfast
Bran-flakes with Banana
– Snack
x2 satsumas
– Lunch
Huntsman chicken with a tomato sauce,
roasted pumpkin seeds, vegetables and olives
– Dinner
Home made soup and bread
– Dessert
strawberries and sliced banana
I drink as much water as I can as well.
I really don’t bother counting calories, as for me that’s a bit controlling I tried that before and it just didn’t work for me, I try to listen to how my body feels, I like to see food as fuel helping me keep going. So if i know its not going to have a benefit being in my body I wont bother eating it. Sometimes I do get the urge to eat chocolate but not having eaten it for nearly 12 weeks you slowly learn to replace it with other things. On a Saturday I sometimes treat myself to gummy sweets as I do love a good treat. Its nice to have a balance when it comes to good and bad.
I am still fluctuating between a size 16- 12 depending on where I shop and what I am wearing due to my boobs and hips. But I guess I should be grateful for those. I have shared more over on my instagram over at _ellamasters_ you can see more.
Right now, my next step to go with my healthy eating is my exercise regime, I do regular yoga, squats and core muscle work outs. I am hoping to start doing the insanity work out, as my sisters wedding is in December and we all want to look our best!
I decided to not look at others anymore and care that they were the perfect size, because lets face facts i’m never going to be a size 6 and weigh 8 stone unless i cut a few limbs off. I just decided that this is what I have been given and to embrace it, but at the same time respect my body and what I was stuffing my face with.
I truly never thought I would see a day when I looked in the mirror and liked what I saw, but yesterday morning that moment happened. Its only taken me what feels like a life time to achieve that, before it was to impress a boy, or to fit in at school but that stark moment of being stood in the mirror with only your underwear on and realize that yeah, i kinda love who I see, this weight loss probably won’t last forever and thats ok, its about being comfortable and happy with yourself. I never thought I would see the day when I didn’t have a double chin, that was one of my biggest hates about myself…but with a little less chocolate consumption and a healthier look at myself its gone. I think at times we can be our own worst critic and we don’t see what others may see in us, but its good sometimes to take a step back and really love yourself for who you are not hate yourself for someone you aren’t.
By the way this isn’t me writing a blog post saying larger isn’t beautiful and oh my gosh I want to be skinny, that’s really not me, I debated with myself about sharing my little story. I am still a size 16-12. I just wanted to share my reasons and what I have eaten to help me along the way, I hope you can take some positives from this.
If you have any questions you can drop me a little comment.
Well done. Especially for taking such a sensible approach. I have a terrible relationship with food and go up and down a lot with my weight. I am at the top end at the moment and feeling miserable about it. It's good to hear someone's positive experience. I know what I need to do I am just struggling a little to do it at the moment.
You look fabulous Ella and I'm so happy that you're feeling better about your self because you certainly deserve to! I think a major step towards feeling good about yourself is to just evaluate your attitudes to food and you've clearly done that, that's the hardest part. Self acceptance and love comes with time but it's good you're doing something to take care of yourself and something that makes you feel good. Dress sizes and calories are just numbers, what matters is that you feel better. Sending you lots of love and support you beautiful lady
xxx
Nina from little nomad
This is such a positive post! I really love your blog Ella because its so honest and I can relate so much to it. I've piled on weigh the last two years through to illness, and got into really bad habits, so now I'm trying to break them.
xoxo
jessica
from
http://www.thecrownwings.blogspot.com
You look great, and you look much happier. I don't think this is because of the weight loss but because of the healthy food making you feel more positive! This is a lovely positive post! x
I honestly think you look absolutely drop-dead beautiful in these photos but especially the fourth, you look so healthy and happy! good for you!
http://ashleighrhiane.blogspot.co.uk/
Well done, you look great! I definitely need to make an effort to eat a little healthier.
Katie | and-katie.com
Amazing, inspirational, and I think you look fab. In fact every time your face pops up on Instagram I'm pretty much in awe!
Congrats – I'm trying to do something similar now, but I'm completely falling with chocolate every now and then. I wish I could just cut it like you have =/
fridayisforeverblog.com x
Well done Ella, you look so happy and healthy you must be so proud of yourself. You had nothing to be worried about sharing this post! It's great that you're taking a healthy, sensible approach to eating rather than doing faddy diets or spending ridiculous amounts of hours in the gym 🙂 xx
This is such a great post! You should be so proud of your hard work and of the positive outlook you have 🙂 You look gorgeous in the photos by the way!
http://www.heavenlyclutter.blogspot.com
I think you've done so well – you have great attitude and it's 100% showing – you look great! xo
You look amazing. Well done you, you're a true beaut! xx
very inspirational post! i love your attitude! xx
http://liveyourhipsterlife.blogspot.co.uk
It's very brave of you to write a post like this, in my opinion. You look healthy and gorgeous! 🙂
GO ELLA! YOU'RE AWESOME!
You look great. Well done for being positive and healthy (illness aside – glad you're feeling better 🙂 ) It's a real inspiration. I'm currently trying to get healthier and it's amazing how little fruit and vegetables I was having before I started. Definitely getting my 5 a day now. Keep your chin up and keep going 🙂 x
You do look really lovely here, I have been told that I need to lose 3 and a half stone to be 'healthy' and I am really struggling to fit in more exercise, what exactly do you do?
Maria xxx
what an honest and positive post Ella! Your new regime sounds fantastic and I'm even thinking of taking a leaf out your book in regards to bread and caffeine..it always makes me feel so yuck too! You always look beautiful but you are looking so healthy, glowing! xx
http://www.tigerlillyquinn.com
you look amazing!!!!!!!!!! like two different people xx
Well done on the positive attitude change (and obviously congrats the weight loss came too) as it really is about taking better care of your body and eating better instead of just dieting all of the time. It is definitely a mind set thing and harder than people think to get yourself sorted! I've gone through the same thing in the past 6 months. I'm the same way as you, no self control! Only my weakness is doritos, so I just simply can't have them or I will want to eat the whole bag. Keep up the good work 🙂
Well done, you look fab, and it's nice to hear a girl being positive about her body! I completely agree, comparing ourselves to others only leads to unhappiness!
Great post. Thank for sharing this. I'm a big fan of the non-diet approach to weightloss. Good luck with your goal. 🙂
You have really inspired me to take care of myself after seeing you so happy, as well as giving me a confidence boost that you can still look fab at size 16. I am now watching my calories and feel much happier, not trying to be skinny, but would love to reach my goal of 12 stone x
creamteaandrosejam.blogspot.co.uk