I mentioned previously that me and Danny had decided to start the Slimming World diet - together so we have each other for support! We've never eaten too badly for main meals and in the last few years we've worked really hard to try and have varied meals containing as many vegetables as we could fit in. However, my snacking was more than a little out of control and portion sizes were a bit on the large size! We tried to cut back where we could but with the festive period looming and therefore a whole array of festive titbits in the house we couldn't help ourselves and come January we were desperately craving fresh and healthy foods! 

We have friends who have had great success with Slimming World so we thought we'd give it a go. I only want to lose a stone so I can get back down to my pre-IVF weight (and possibly a little bit more depending on how I feel then). Have any of you tried Slimming World? Let me know if you have and if you have any hints or tips then swing them my way!

I have to admit, I've probably chosen the worst time of year to start a diet because all I want to do in the Winter is eat comforting, warm, stodgy foods - if I'd done this in the summer it would have been a doddle! It's all quite simple to follow though. I've not found myself hungry at any stage and I love that you don't really have to cut anything out - as long as it's all within your daily allowances.

I was a little worried about my calcium intake because of my borderline osteoporosis, however, because I'm breastfeeding, I'm allowed an extra 'Healthy A' a day which is things like milk and cheese. I haven't used my extra 'HexA' yet though as my calcium levels were fine when I had them checked last year and I'm probably having more calcium with this diet already because I can have 'free' things like cottage cheese and some yoghurts. I do always make sure my 'A' choice for the day is milk though.

Anyway, I was going to do a little regular post to keep you all updated on my progress but I've decided to just keep that for you lucky folks who follow me over on Instagram, where you can see my food every single day! But I will keep you updated as time goes on. 

Wish me luck!

S.

Slimming world


I mentioned previously that me and Danny had decided to start the Slimming World diet - together so we have each other for support! We've never eaten too badly for main meals and in the last few years we've worked really hard to try and have varied meals containing as many vegetables as we could fit in. However, my snacking was more than a little out of control and portion sizes were a bit on the large size! We tried to cut back where we could but with the festive period looming and therefore a whole array of festive titbits in the house we couldn't help ourselves and come January we were desperately craving fresh and healthy foods! 

We have friends who have had great success with Slimming World so we thought we'd give it a go. I only want to lose a stone so I can get back down to my pre-IVF weight (and possibly a little bit more depending on how I feel then). Have any of you tried Slimming World? Let me know if you have and if you have any hints or tips then swing them my way!

I have to admit, I've probably chosen the worst time of year to start a diet because all I want to do in the Winter is eat comforting, warm, stodgy foods - if I'd done this in the summer it would have been a doddle! It's all quite simple to follow though. I've not found myself hungry at any stage and I love that you don't really have to cut anything out - as long as it's all within your daily allowances.

I was a little worried about my calcium intake because of my borderline osteoporosis, however, because I'm breastfeeding, I'm allowed an extra 'Healthy A' a day which is things like milk and cheese. I haven't used my extra 'HexA' yet though as my calcium levels were fine when I had them checked last year and I'm probably having more calcium with this diet already because I can have 'free' things like cottage cheese and some yoghurts. I do always make sure my 'A' choice for the day is milk though.

Anyway, I was going to do a little regular post to keep you all updated on my progress but I've decided to just keep that for you lucky folks who follow me over on Instagram, where you can see my food every single day! But I will keep you updated as time goes on. 

Wish me luck!

S.
16:14:00

The lovely Aimée, a fellow endosister who blogs over at The Chronic Writer, sent me this little bracelet last week which she has made to raise awareness of endometriosis.

As March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, she has been fundraising by asking for donations for Endometriosis UK and sending these out as a thank you gift. The idea of the bracelet is that it will be seen on the wearer and it will spark "What's that for?" type questions and hopefully spread knowledge and awareness of endometriosis.

If you would like to donate to Endometriosis UK and have your very own bracelet, then you can visit Aimée's JustGiving page here. Remember, these donations are going direct to Endometriosis UK, a charity that supports all of us UK endosisters!

Image courtesy of http://www.endomarch.org/
Aimée is also attending the 4th annual EndoMarch on Saturday 25th March 2017, a worldwide event that aims to raise awareness and seeks change in various medical and educational sectors. Will you be attending your nearest march?

I've heard on the grapevine that the Endomarch website is currently being updated with all the information on this years events but there is certainly still time to register and all the marches are completely free of charge. For now, you can find out more on the individual events by searching 'endomarch' on Twitter or Facebook for the most current information.

As per usual, I won't be able to attend again, but I'll be doing all I can during March to raise awareness and I wish so much luck to every single one of you who takes part - the ultimate girl love, sisters doing it for sisters! If, like me, you can't attend, don't worry! You can do your part by sharing information, tweets, statuses or pictures on the day or during the month of March. It's all about raising awareness, so ladies, do your bit!


Are you doing anything to raise money for any of the Endometriosis charities across the world? Email me at shireen.emlwy@gmail.com if you are - I'd be more than happy to help you get the word out!

S.

ENDO bracelet


The lovely Aimée, a fellow endosister who blogs over at The Chronic Writer, sent me this little bracelet last week which she has made to raise awareness of endometriosis.

As March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, she has been fundraising by asking for donations for Endometriosis UK and sending these out as a thank you gift. The idea of the bracelet is that it will be seen on the wearer and it will spark "What's that for?" type questions and hopefully spread knowledge and awareness of endometriosis.

If you would like to donate to Endometriosis UK and have your very own bracelet, then you can visit Aimée's JustGiving page here. Remember, these donations are going direct to Endometriosis UK, a charity that supports all of us UK endosisters!

Image courtesy of http://www.endomarch.org/
Aimée is also attending the 4th annual EndoMarch on Saturday 25th March 2017, a worldwide event that aims to raise awareness and seeks change in various medical and educational sectors. Will you be attending your nearest march?

I've heard on the grapevine that the Endomarch website is currently being updated with all the information on this years events but there is certainly still time to register and all the marches are completely free of charge. For now, you can find out more on the individual events by searching 'endomarch' on Twitter or Facebook for the most current information.

As per usual, I won't be able to attend again, but I'll be doing all I can during March to raise awareness and I wish so much luck to every single one of you who takes part - the ultimate girl love, sisters doing it for sisters! If, like me, you can't attend, don't worry! You can do your part by sharing information, tweets, statuses or pictures on the day or during the month of March. It's all about raising awareness, so ladies, do your bit!


Are you doing anything to raise money for any of the Endometriosis charities across the world? Email me at shireen.emlwy@gmail.com if you are - I'd be more than happy to help you get the word out!

S.
17:49:00
Image courtesy of https://www.popsugar.co.uk/smart-living/Tips-Living-Endometriosis-43039372
A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Tori Crowther from Popsugar UK and asked if I would like to contribute towards an article on endometriosis!... My first ever contribution! Eek! I am still so excited over this!!

The article features some other fabulous endosisters and we've all offered up some of our own coping mechanisms on living with endometriosis (most of which can be used for other chronic illnesses also).

So, head on over to Popsugar's article "Real-Life Advice: How These Women Keep Their Endometriosis Under Control" and have a little read and remember to check out the other ladies who contributed by clicking on their names.

Do you have any coping mechanisms of your own? Let me know!

S.

Real-life advice: how these women keep their endometriosis under control

Image courtesy of https://www.popsugar.co.uk/smart-living/Tips-Living-Endometriosis-43039372
A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Tori Crowther from Popsugar UK and asked if I would like to contribute towards an article on endometriosis!... My first ever contribution! Eek! I am still so excited over this!!

The article features some other fabulous endosisters and we've all offered up some of our own coping mechanisms on living with endometriosis (most of which can be used for other chronic illnesses also).

So, head on over to Popsugar's article "Real-Life Advice: How These Women Keep Their Endometriosis Under Control" and have a little read and remember to check out the other ladies who contributed by clicking on their names.

Do you have any coping mechanisms of your own? Let me know!

S.
16:42:00