Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred/World Cup Challenge

I've put my body through a lot in the past 3+ years: two pregnancies, three kids, surgery, sleep deprivation, stress, 3 house moves... It's all taken its toll and I am aware of my body's struggle to remain intact recently. I think I need to change my lifestyle a little bit in an attempt to slow down this gradual falling apart. My joints are stiff, I get out of breath just walking for 20 minutes and I am always tired.

I'm not desperate to lose weight. I've come a long way in learning to accept and love my body just the way it is. And think of all the pretty dresses in my wardrobe that would no longer fit! No, losing weight is not my aim here, however I am keen to try and stave off the pitfalls of being unhealthy. (Unhealthy and fat DO NOT go hand in hand; I just happen to be both.) Any weight loss or gain will be a bi-product of what I am hoping to achieve. 

So anyway I'm setting a challenge for myself and for anyone else who wants to join me.

The World Cup Challenge

The World Cup starts today and concludes in 31 days, on July 13th.

For the next 30 days, I would like to do the following:

1: Take daily cod liver oil for my joints.

2: Say no to takeouts and ice cream (this is currently out of hand and I indulge around once a week at the moment).

3: Do a modified 30 Day Shred with the hope that I'll improve my upper body strength (vital with 3 young boys) and my cardio fitness.

4: DRINK MORE WATER.

I am not going to do before and after bodyshots. To me that would be pointless and irrelevant. What is important to me is how I feel on the inside. Whether I feel my health is improving and how much energy I have. Body positivity isn't just about loving every shape and size, but about loving how you FEEL in your body, and that's what I will be focusing on in the next 30 days. (Of course on day 31 I'll probably be naughty and treat myself to a cheeky ice cream while I sit and listen to my husband tell me exactly why we're not watching the World Cup Final again.)

The first step is always the hardest. But today is the day. I'm going to do this. Wish me luck!

Throwback Thursday

I don't normally do Throwback Thursdays but today I had to make an exception.

One year ago today was one of the most memorable days of my life.
I woke at 6am and made my way to the hospital with my overnight bag, knowing I was having surgery that morning. I was so nervous that my teeth were chattering.

I was taken into the operating theatre and I'll never forget the colour of my husbands face as he watched various people try 7 times to find a vein big enough for the cannula. Then the whiter shade of pale when he realised that it was nothing compared to the spinal I was about to have.

I laid down as I was hooked up to various machines and bleepy things. I remember making idle conversation with the anesthetist as he suddenly announced that I was open on the table with just a flimsy blue sheet between my head and the open surgery. But at least I couldn't feel it.

Conversation continued and then I remember there was a minute. The longest minute I have ever experienced. Those seconds between hearing the surgeon say "there's number one!" and then hearing the cry. My second childs first breath. Within moments I heard "aaaand here's number two!" as my third child entered the world, screaming his lungs out. There is no greater sense of relief  than hearing those cries and knowing that your babies have made it through their cesarean birth.

The twins were cleaned and wrapped and placed on me for the first time. They stopped crying. It was as if they instinctively knew me, and in that moment I forgot all about the fact that someone was below my waist preparing to stitch me up. All I could feel was the huge rush of love that I hadn't felt since my eldest was born 2 years prior. There is no greater feeling in the world. Whether you have a natural birth, medicated, or c section... you get to fall in love with this tiny human that you have spent months bonding with as he kicks your insides.

So here is my Throwback Thursday on the 29th May 2014.
Happy first birthday boys.

Ikea Mini-Haul

Good day lovelies! I am alive!

Thank you, if you are reading this, for sticking around and forgiving my hiatus. A lot has happened in the land of Cupcake of late. My biggest little started nursery, I got put on a bucketload of happy pills and most importantly after finding a place to rent I (meaning my family and I) are moving out of the in-laws house. Hurrah!

I'm so excited to have a space we can personalise to suit us as a family. Having said that I have allocated a corner of the new bedroom for me and me only!
My dressing table will live there and I couldn't resist buying a few bits for my corner while on our formerly sensible "furniture only" trip to Ikea.

I didn't intentionally buy all the pink. It just happened.

I'm always on the look out for ways to store and/or display make up, jewellery, etc. and the flower ice cube tray will be perfect for small pairs of earrings. I have no idea what I will use the rest for yet but you can never have too many boxes, tins or stands.

These badboys were only 75p!

I can never resist a unicorn.

I'm currently addicted to scouring Pinterest for storage solutions for sunglasses, shoes, makeup, statement necklaces and dressing tables in general.
How do you organise your bits and bobs?

100 Happy Days - #100happydays

Those of you who know me will already know that I'm a bit of a grumbly arse.

I suffer from chronic depression with bouts of severe depression and social anxiety. I am also a stay at home mum to a very lively toddler and twins who are learning to walk. Don't get me wrong its the best job in the world but it means I have no time to be alone or to gather my thoughts. Ever. So generally speaking I'm a bit frustrated and an overwhelmed moany old cow.

With this in mind, tomorrow I will join the 100 Happy Days project. I will capture one moment every day that makes me smile. My hope is to record these moments and train my brain to recognise glimmers of positivity and realise that things really aren't all bad. I'm seeing this as a form of therapy. CBT for crabby old me.

If you would like to keep up with my progress, please check my Instagram for daily photo updates and check back on the blog for a round-up every 7 to 10 days.

You can also keep an eye on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook for regular updates.

Are you taking part in 100 Happy Days? Please comment with a link to your blog/IG/twitter so I can see how you're getting on!

Katt xo

#OMCZ 28: Heels

So here we are again for another OMCZ. This fortnight's theme was chosen by Mary:

"I know that heels make our feet hurt and sometimes is quite difficult to walk however, is there anything more stylish than a woman in high heels?
You may have a simple dress and no accessories but if you put your heels on you will be the most elegant girl in the room so ladies I want to see your heels!!"

I love shoes but nearly never wear heels. The last time I wore heels was on my wedding day two years ago. Even then I took them off as soon as I arrived at the reception and changed into a pair of converse. (Ohhh I love my converse!)
I do have a few pairs of heely shoes however. Most are chunky or short heels but I thought I'd get out my skinny heels for this challenge. Poor things have been boxed away for yonks.

The "I need to dress up my skinny jeans" heels.

The Valentines/Christmas heels.

As you can see, I always wear my heels with a pair of tights (unless they're peep toe, but I generally go for full coverage).
How do you wear your heels?

Take a look at the other Outside My Comfort Zone contributions from these gorgeous gals:

Natalie http://awheelbarrowfullofstyle.blogspot.co.uk/
Nikki http://www.nattynikki.com
Becky Brown http://www.doesmyblogmakemelookfat.com
Mary  http://www.marysbigcloset.blogspot.pt
Hollie Http://www.prettybigbutterflies.com
Erin http://erinslittlebigcorner.blogspot.co.uk/
Debz http://www.wannabeprincess.co.uk/
Stephanie http://www.seeingspots.co.uk/
Becca http://thegirlwiththeplait.blogspot.co.uk/
Rebs http://sullen-hearts.blogspot.co.uk/
Katt http://acurvycupcake.blogspot.co.uk/
Leah www.justmeleah.co.uk
Mookie http://muki7x7.blogspot.co.uk/
Betty http://www.bigfatbetty.com/
Danielle www.daniellerharris.com
Beverly www.thecurvyword.com
Sam http://fattyboomtatty.blogspot.co.uk/
Gillian www.weegillie.com
Sarah http://plussizeproud.wordpress.com/
Abi http://aisforabi.blogspot.co.uk/

Primarni Haul

As mentioned in my previous post, I found myself in Primark once again. I am both proud of myself for managing to spend under £25 but also kicking myself for not getting a couple of things.

This is my little stash.

Pale pink cardi (20), Foxy night tshirt (22-24),
hair bits, earphones, sunglasses, skinny waist belt

I had to put back the gorgeous light pink satchel style handbag and THOSE maternity leggings I picked up. Sooo comfy but I just don't have enough money this month. It's hubs' birthday and my eldest babys birthday at the end of March. Expensive times.

I'm getting a refund from a New Look return next week so maybe I'll go back when that's cleared.

Primark Public Service Announcement

Good afternoon my lovelies,

Please excuse the formatting of this post for I am sat in Costa (in LEEDS! I've never been here before), posting from the app on my phone. I just need to get excited for a moment...

Primark have a maternity range.
Yes! I know! I didn't know either until today!

Now, my twins were evicted from my belly nine months ago. So why am I getting excited? There are two reasons.

1) As we all know, Primark mostly only caters for those under a size 20. So when I saw the maternity range I wondered about the shape and whether my size 22-24 belly would benefit from the extra bump space.

I chose a daisy print swing dress to try on and went for the 20. It was so generous I needed a belt to gather the fabric and take away the tent look. This dress is made of a medium weight jersey cotton with a lot of stretch so I could have sized down a couple of sizes. Where was this dress when I was preggers?!

From the changing room

I also tried on some maternity leggings (not pictured). I like my leggings to stop at my bra so maternity bellywarmers are perfect. The size 20 gave me baggy knees so I went for an 18. And guess what! They are completely opaque! At only £4 they're a complete bargain.

2) The second reason I think we can get excited about the maternity range? Hopefully if the company are starting to broaden their horizons and make clothes for pregnant ladies, maybe... just maybe, plus sizes will be next.
We can but hope.