#InternationalWomensDay

I have already posted on Instagram today with two pictures, one of Queen Elizabeth II, one of Emmeline Pankhurst. Two very inspiring Women to any British girl. But this post is not to celebrate the women who inspired a nation, it is about the women who inspire me as a person. The women who surround me everyday and make me feel like I can do anything.

Obvs first is my Mum, this beautiful, strong, crazy lady who did not give up on her dreams, and after having and raising four children, went back to college and university in her forties. She has always taught us to work hard for what we want, telling us from a young age she is more than happy to pay for us during our education and keep a roof over our heads, but she will never pay for our weddings. She also happens to have the biggest heart I've ever known in a person, she is Mrs Weasley and wants to feed the whole world.

My nan (sorry about the awful pic.. It was around 1988!) She has the most kind soul I've ever encountered. My nan will help anybody if they need it. She is hilarious, and I love hearing her stories from when she was courting my grandad and their life together. She is the best cook, and was even giving us recipe advice whilst she was sitting in hospital last year! Truly the matriarch of our family, she is my heart.

My sisters. More than friends, we are soulmates. The three witches. They are the ones who know my every thought and every detail of my life and still love me anyway. They see my good and bad sides like nobody else does, yet do not ever hold it against me. My mum is always saying how jealous she is of us because she never had sisters, and I understand that, because if I didn't have them I would be lost. They have taught me to stand up for myself, two scorpios are enough to make anyone have a bit more sting.

My two best friends, the rest of the wolfpack. They are both strong, beautiful women. Nobody makes me laugh like Tannis. She is so funny, light hearted, and chilled out that it makes it impossible to be stressed or angry around her. And Kaysha. I love her confidence and her flair for the dramatic. Sometimes its hard when you do not live close to your friends. We've been together for 10 years and she'll always be my best friend no matter where we live. And she's such an amazing mum to her gorgeous boy.

But its not just the women in my life that inspire me, its the men in my life who inspire and support the women around them.

My dad. He is such a wonderful dad to 4 and husband to my mum. He supports my mum in everything she wants to do without complaint. He drives her around the country if shes working away, he cooks and cleans, even if he has just finished a 12 hour shift, and she never has to take her own water glass up to bed with her, he always follows with it.

My poor brother, who grew up with 3 very hormonal girls.. He had to deal with PMS, moodswings, girly products all over the place and general bitchiness. But he took it like a man, and I believe that all of that was just practice for when he has a wife and daughters.. And he will make the most amazing husband and father.

Dan, my love. He has taught me a lot. To not stress so much, what will be will be, and along with my sisters he has taught me to stand up for myself (they may have now created a monster). He is the man I want to share my life with, he supports me and wants me to chase and live my dreams.

so happy international womens day!!! I hope you appreciate all of the beautiful, strong, smart women in your life, and thank the men who support you too.

Peace and Love ✌️

Not a diet..

Yesterday my sisters and I embarked on a healthy eating plan. It's a pretty brutal 6 week plan, that eventually will change the way we see food and help us make better choices (we like dessert. A lot of dessert).

I'm not going to update the blog every day with what I ate and how irritable I am, but I am going to document this. Purely because I want to have some serious motivation (aside from pics of Beyonce  in her knickers) to eat clean, strip some fat, and build some muscle.

I know a lot about exercise, having been a fitness instructor for around 5 years in total. And I know basic nutrition but I have a really tough time sticking to diets. I don't smoke or drink excessively.. Food is my vice, I love it!

So this plan isn't just chicken/fish and broccoli everyday, it's a really varied healthy balanced diet. It's a lifestyle change.. Which is exactly what I need. And it really helps that I have 2 others with me to keep me motivated.

So here were yesterday's meals.

Brekkie- poached egg and spinach on rye bread with green tea.

Lunch- green soup (full of courgettes, cabbage, spinach, parsley, garlic, lemon and feta cheese)

Dinner- chicken skewers with peppers onions tomatoes and courgettes. And a Greek salad.

Now this is the bit I was worried about, these are my measurements.

Boobs- 45"

Under boobs- 37"

Waist- 35"

Hips- 44"

Bum- 43"

My aim is to trim some excess fat from my tummy and my hips, that's where I carry my weight. And if I can tone and strengthen my arms and legs while I'm at it then that would be great. So look out for lots of motivational quotes and healthy recipes 😃. 

So here goes! Wish me luck! 

Peace and love ✌️