I have been home from Britmums a whole week now and wanted to talk about my experience of Britmums. This year was a lot different than others, I went to Britmums Live confident with my blog and not looking specifically to learn any new blogging skills, but to spend time with other blogger's and to spend time alone without the kids and decide on whether or not I am happy with the direction I am going with my blog. Basically I went to enjoy myself with no huge expectations with finding some kind of inspiration being my only hope for the weekend.

Elsie is now 10 months. I am just about coming to terms with the fact she is no longer a baby. She is now an army crawling, noisy, cheeky wannabe toddler. She is trying to copy everything her brother and sister do. She crawls around putting everything in sight in her mouth, climbing all over Gracie and Zach and shouting at everyone she see's. 

Today I have a great competition prize up for grabs from Upbeat. Upbeat is a delicious dairy protein drink. With half the sugar of most fruit smoothies it is high in protein and low in fat with no more than 150 calories in each bottle. It comes in four different flavours; Strawberry, Blueberry & Raspberry, Mango & Passionfruit and Chocolate & Orange.

Great for those dieting or enjoying a healthy eating lifestyle who fancy a smoothie/shake without the high sugar content. A guilt free treat that slowly releases energy, my favourite flavour out of the four was definitely Blueberry & Raspberry with Strawberry close behind whereas Gracie loved the new Chocolate Orange flavour which I wasn't so keen on. They are very smooth tasting more like a fruity milkshake than a smoothie. It is a great way to help increase protein in your diet especially for fussy eaters. 


Upbeat is currently available to buy in the chilled aisle in Tesco and will hopefully be available in more stores soon!


Upbeat kindly sent me the goodies above (vouchers for the drinks so I could choose my own flavours) and they want to give a selection of goodies to one of you lucky readers too! To enter all you need to do is follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter form below. Don't forget if you are commenting using the anonymous selection to add your name with your comment so I know it is you!

Terms & Conditions
Open to UK only. The competition will end 18/07/2015 at 12am. All entrants must complete the mandatory entry on the rafflecopter form. Those who don't will have all entries removed. The blog owner will choose the winner through the rafflecopter form (which uses random.org) The winner will be notified by email and displayed on the widget. One winner will receive a  selection of Upbeat goodies (may vary slightly from items pictured). No alternative prize will be offered.  Allow up to 28 days for delivery.


Disclaimer
I received the items featured free of charge for the purpose of this post. All opinions are my own.

This week has been an eye opener for me. I was right last week it was almost my time of the month which is why I was bloated and put on weight despite eating so well. Being a female really does suck sometimes! Anyway, for the past 3/4 weeks I have yo-yo'd gaining and losing the same 3lb and it has been driving me crazy. Enough is enough. 

I have been too embarrassed to talk about how much I actually weigh choosing to only talk loss/gain and not reveal my actual weight. In reality I know that weight doesn't matter, it is how you feel in yourself and I think I need to remember this more often. The problem is I am not happy with the way I look and the way I feel and so I need to be honest with myself and get on with it. So from today I am starting afresh with my attitude to my weight loss. I have come to the realisation that talking about exercise also isn't good enough. 

So this morning I did my usual weekly weigh in and was pleased to see I had lost 3lbs. This takes me back to the lowest I have been since starting my healthy living earlier this year. I am currently at 12 stone and 8lbs and after weighing myself this morning, I had a small bowl of porridge and started day 1 of the 30 day shred before an afternoon of walking and running around the park with the kids. 

I am ready to start working out regularly and determined to smash past 12 stone 8lb and carry on towards my goal of 10 stone.


Weight Lost: 3lbs
Total loss: 15lbs

Current Weight: 12 Stone 8lbs

2 Stone 8lbs to go!

I was so impressed that I would definitely make the Malteaser shake again. It would be perfect for a family movie night! I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty the chocolate lactofree is. It is so creamy and tastes just like your average chocolate flavoured milk. I also used dairy products (ice cream, malteasers) but you can use your imagination and find lactose free ingredients if creating your own completely lactofree shake.

If you think you may be lactose intolerant, lactofree have a short quiz that may help on their website along with lots of advice on symptoms so would definitely be worth a read.

Disclaimer
I was sent a carton of lactofree along with a few ingredients for the purpose of this post. All views are my own.

We have recently had a small area of our city revamped and turned into the perfect spot for small businesses to open up, a creative village for independent shopping, music and arts. It is a lovely place to visit and I have had regular lunch dates there with my little man. A few days ago I took all the kids there for some lunch and a spot of shopping when I came across a vintage clothing shop. The lady that owns the shop had found some old 80's clothing, many still with tags. I picked up a few pieces and just had to show off what I found.

Last week I decided to go back to the 5:2 diet. I figured it is enjoyable for me, I see results and feel better about myself without the restrictions of your average low calorie diet. I have invested in a Breville Blend Active in the hopes of making myself some low calorie green juices and smoothies to have healthier options on my fast days and making the most of my calorie allowance.

 I have struggled a bit more on my fast days this week but I think I had gotten so used to eating large amounts of food in the days after I finished my Slimfast diet (the dreaded indulgence after being strict for so long) . It is also almost my time of the month so my hormones are kicking in and begging for chocolate which is not an easy time. In fact the past two days I feel bloated and rubbish so I am quite certain that is why this week I have managed to gain 1lb! 

I am actually really disappointed this week. It is always disappointing when you try hard and don't lose, let alone gain weight. I definitely feel it is probably more I am bloated than anything else! I was really hoping to have lost a good amount by this weekend so I could go to Britmums Live feeling good about myself. I guess the disappointment is helping me with my determination though. Today has been my 2nd fast day this week and I have been very disciplined. As part of the 5:2 diet they do recommend you weigh the day after your 2nd fast though so may jump on the scales tomorrow and see if I can make myself feel better about the weekend!

Fingers crossed for a better week next week!

Weight Lost: +1lb 
Total loss: - 14lbs

2 Stone 9lbs to go!

Last week Gracie had her first ever sports day. This is something I have looked forward to since before I ever had kids. I have always said I want to be the Mum that never misses a sports day or school play. It is such an exciting part of school life for kids especially when they do it for the first time. In fact we have been hearing about the practising for weeks now and being asked how long it is until sports day.

Gracie was recently sent a mini stencil kit from Meadow Kids. The kit contained 1 booklet of mini stencils, 5 colouring pencils, 6 cards and envelopes, 1 pencil sharpener and 1 design booklet. The booklet has 8 different plastic pages of mini stencils with different themes from horses to fairies to alphabet letters. It all comes in a cute box with little drawers which hold the contents neatly. 

We were recently sent a box of mixed craft supplies from Baker Ross and I have to say the last few weeks they have been a god send. With all three children suffering with Chicken Pox this past month, we have spent a lot of time indoors and the kids have been so incredibly bored! 

The first activity we did was decorating boat money boxes. The ceramic boats came in a box of four (£4.96) and we used the pottery pens? to draw on our fun designs. This was an activity that took an hour or so with Gracie carefully drawing and decorating one for her and one for Zach who was asleep. It was a nice, easy and mess free activity that I could trust Gracie to do unattended. Zach also did one later on when he woke up but at 2 he was very supervised to avoid having my whole house 'decorated'.  

So Friday saw the end of my two week Slimfast challenge. After two weeks I managed to lose an amazing 6lbs! Not only that but I felt so much better in myself and I am beginning to notice all my clothes are getting baggier which is definitely a good thing! So how did it work? 

Each day for 14 days I started my day with a Slimfast shake, either ready made or using a tin of powdered milk. I really enjoyed the shakes, with strawberry and banana flavours being my favourites. For lunch each day I had a meal bar, there are three different flavours, chocolate crunch, chocolate peanut and summer berry. I really enjoyed all three flavours and it was nice to be able to switch each day depending on what mood I was in. For dinner each evening I found it really easy to stick to 600 calories. I usually had some kind of fresh meat with either mixed salad or vegetables and sometimes a handful of potatoes/chips. I was also allowed three snacks a day, some days I had one mid afternoon and two in the evening and others I managed to stick to just the two in the evening.

Some days I found easier than others, there were times when my will power was seriously tested. I really enjoyed the Slimfast challenge and although I don't think I could cope with it long term, I will definitely do it again every now and then when I need to lose a few extra lbs or if I have an occasion coming up. 

As for this past week, since the end of the challenge, I have been bad really! I had an engagement party Saturday and my first child free night out in years. I drank a few too many glasses of wine and ate way too much Sunday to make me feel human again. 

After all that, I have weighed in this morning and I have somehow maintained! I was expecting to have gained 1 or 2, especially after having a sneaky look at the scales yesterday to see the damage caused but being good yesterday obviously helped!

Weight Lost- 0 lb
Total Loss- 15 lb

2 Stone 8 lbs to go... 

We went to Cornwall a few weeks back staying at Haven Riviere Sands and decided to go on a few nice day trips. I had a couple of people staying there too ask what places I would recommend to visit after finding my pictures on Twitter and Instagram so decided to share a few.

St Michaels Mount sits in Mount's Bay, separated by the sea from the town of Marizion. At certain times of day when the tide is out you can cross over on foot, with boats available to ferry you across when the tide is in and the Mount is surrounded by Sea. St Michaels Mount is a National Trust property and dates back to the 12th Century.

Whilst at The Baby Show I got to see the brand new range of spill-free cups that have launched recently. With three different stages; Weaning 4m+, Training 7m+ and Active 12m+ and a choice between types of lids to suit your child. Whether your child prefers sippee cup or a straw cup you can pick or choose which you prefer and get the benefit of the non spill valve in all of them. 

I love giving personalised gifts especially for family members. There are so many different products you can make these days using your own photos, creating extra special gifts for your loved ones. With Father's Day coming up on the 21st June I have been putting together some extra special gifts for both Andy and my Dad. 

Gifts for Dad

In less than 3 weeks I will be heading back to London for Britmums Live! 2015.This will be my third year attending Britmums and this year see's me being sponsored by a fab company that I am really excited to be working with!  As Koodi's new Blogger of the Year I will be working closely alongside them for the following year to bring you the latest news, reviews and competitions from their exciting range of  products. Look out for the first post very soon!

I am so excited to be going back again this year and meeting lots of new people. Last year I wrote this post about my experience at Britmums and all I can say now was it was a mix of emotions, thanks to pregnancy hormones I was a bit all over the place, but overall it was once again an amazing chance to spend time with some of the best people I have ever met and time to liaise with some of my favourite brands who were attending.

This year I will be glad to be able to have a few glasses of Wine and sleep in a bed alone with no one to disturb me! *Bliss*. 




Name: Carly Markham

Blog: www.mummyandthechunks.com

Twitter ID: @CarlyMarkham1

Height: 5'' 7 ish

Hair: Brown with Blonde Ombre 

Eyes: Blue

Is this your first blogging conference? 

No I have been to a few different ones now.

Are you attending both days? Yes

What are you most looking forward to at Britmums Live 2015? 

Catching up with friends and having a weekend to be 'me'

What are you wearing? 

Honestly no idea yet. I will have a shop around H&M shortly to find something nice but probably a dress or skirt.

What do you hope to gain from Britmums Live 2015?

I am hoping to discover what direction I want to go with my blog. I always come home motivated and with a sense of direction and I have so many plans for the future already!

Do you have any tips to pass onto others who may not have been before?

This week has seen me starting the second week of the #Slimfastchallenge. The first week was great and saw me lose 4lbs! This week I have found it slightly more difficult, I have felt much hungrier than usual and have been tempted many times to have a cheeky extra snack but have managed to resist. In fact, I went to a family charity event on Saturday which included free burgers and instead I took along my Slimfast meal bar and felt very proud of my dedication. I am getting closer and closer to the end of the challenge and I am really looking forward to seeing my total loss come Friday.

I have a new found love for Apricot now and their amazing prices. You can see for yourselves at www.apricotonline.co.uk

Disclaimer
I was sent the items featured free of charge in return for this review. All opinions are my own.

Roskilly's dairy farm is a fantastic free day out in Cornwall. It is also home to some of the tastiest ice cream I have ever tasted! We went last year after a recommendation from a friend and didn't hesitate in returning whilst on our family holiday in Cornwall this year.