On Weight Loss Triumphs

Hey Ragers and Ragettes!!!  It’s Monday again (Booooooo) and I am here at my desk with loads to do and not one ounce of motivation to do it.  Yes, I have a case of the Mondays.

The weather doesn’t know what it wants to do so I am dressed  in layers today.  I’m rocking my bootcut jeans (which are feeling quite loose), a white camisole, my orange work hoodie (orange doesn’t suit my colouring whatsoever but it is warm and fleecy so on it stays!!), my cowboy boots (I am going for a run after work so no heels on running days), my hair back in an Alice band (the pixie cut is growing out nicely!  Hopefully by Christmas it will look like it last Christmas).  Basic look today but I woke up at stupid o’clock today to get Simon up and we were in work for 6am as there was a lot to do.  I am still smiling because this past weekend I broke through a major barrier in my life.

As you all know I have been trying to lose weight.  Well, this past weekend I smashed through a huge hurdle.  This hurdle has been a road block in my weight loss endeavours.  It seems like whatever I did I couldn’t shatter it.  What was this roadblock?

Going below 200 pounds (or 90 kilos or 14 Stone 4 pounds).  Or as it is better known as, One-derland.

Well on Sunday, I Betty Rage have dropped into One-derland!!!  I proudly weigh 199.6 pounds (14 stone 3)  I found this out when my trainer did my measurements (all of them down) she told me to pop on the scale and when I saw the numbers, I shrieked and started to cry.    My trainer hugged me and I just sobbed.  And I mean sobbed like a bitch.  I felt like a massive weight has been lifted from my shoulders, literally. 

My body is shrinking.  My jeans are now falling off me.  My belt is on the last notch and when I go to take them off, I can slip my jeans and belt off without unbuckling or undoing the buttons/zipper.   I tried on my next sized down skinny jeans.  They go on over my hips, I can button the top button, pulling the zip up takes a lot of brute force and once it is up, I am rocking a massive camel toe.  I have a way to go until I can comfortably get into them.  Have a goal to get into a sexy red body con dress and my vintage coat (it buttons up, it’s tight when I am wearing no bra and a camisole…I need it to accommodate a bra and a jumper) by my birthday.  I am well on my way with it!!

Now how have you done this, Betty, you may be asking.  I shall tell you.

I simply increased my calories and exercise.  Yes, you read that right!  I am eating 1500 calories a day and doing at least 30 minutes of exercise, whether that is walking into town, beasting it the gym or running after work. 

I still eat or whole wheat pasta or whole wheat tortilla wraps, but only on days that I run.  I work for it.  I eat 5 times a day.  A sample menu, for example what  I am eating today:

Breakfast:  2 large hard boiled eggs and 150g of low fat cottage cheese

Mid Morning Snack:  cucumbers and red peppers with houmous

Lunch: whole wheat pasta with chicken, olives, red pepper, cucumber, spring onion with Teriyaki sauce

Mid Afternoon Snack:  A handful of almonds

Dinner:  2 beef burger patties with steamed veggies

I am drinking 2 liters of water a day. Carbs are not the enemy.   Fruits and vegetables are carbs too, remember that.

I haven’t had a drop of alcohol since the 30^th of August.  I feel great.  I have no tummy upsets and my skin is looking better.  The cellulite on my bum and my tummy is going. I actually feel great!

And breaking through that barrier has contributed to the good feeling.  Now that I have smashed through it,  I truly feel in control again.  I am literally taking each meal at a time.  I am consciously making better choices.

Like the time that Simon and I did our food shopping on Friday night.  Usually after food shopping the last thing I want to do is cook a meal so we usually get sandwiches.  But instead of choosing a sandwich, I chose a quinoa, chicken salad.  It wasn’t the best tasting thing but it was better than a big sandwich with loads of calories.  I am a believer that whenever you go out to eat or if you find yourself in a situation that you can’t eat a fresh home cooked meal, there is always a healthy choice.

For example, in 2 weeks I am seeing the fabulous Suzanne and she wants to go out to eat.  She suggested Frankie and Benny's.  I researched the menu and I have found a good and tasty choice for 321 calories.  Even at McDonalds or Subway, you can get a standard chicken salad for 192 calories. 

I am proud of myself, Ragers and Ragettes.  As you all know, this has been a hard journey for me but I am proud because I have made good choices, I have not quit and I am seeing results. 

I will be in that red body con.  I will be in my red vintage coat.  I will be in my next sized down jeans.  I am so determined because when I go home for Christmas I will get the fabulous clothes that I have mentioned before.

You can do anything when you put your mind to it.  As fitness crazy lady and guru Jillian Michaels once said, if you want something you fight for it.  And Ragers and Ragettes, for the last 15 days I have been fighting.  And I will continue to fight.

Until next time Ragers and Ragettes, keep your head and standards high and your heels even higher!

Lots of love

The Fabulous Betty Rage xxxxxxxxxxx

On My Christmas Shopping List

Hey Ragers and Ragettes!  Following yesterday’s kind of down post let’s get something positive and fab today!!

So its September and today I am rocking my skinny (not so skinny jeans actually...I need to get the next size down), a white racer back cami, my black blazer and my black and white skull printed Iron Fist peep toe stilettos and of course, my fabulous Betty Rage Red Lipstick.  It’s a must!

My hair is growing out which is fab!  I should hopefully have my Betty Rage Bob back by Christmas. 

And speaking of Christmas, I have started the arduous task of figuring out what I want to get from my native land as the choice is massive and the prices are low.

So I started thinking.  What pieces do I need in my wardrobe?  I started looking through my clothes and realised that I am lacking some key pieces.  I then realised that I had made a list of things that every woman should have in their wardrobe and decided when I go home for Christmas I am going to purchase all the items on this list.

So here we go:

1 A pair decent pair of jeans that suit my body shape.  Jeans.  The average woman owns 3-4 pairs of jeans.  These are one of the most sought after and bought items for women.  We seem to be on a hunt for the perfect pair of jeans.  The thing is though, every woman’s body is different.  It’s important though, to buy jeans that suit your body shape.  I thought I was a pear shape but it looks like I could be an hourglass?  Any who, for both shapes, it is recommended a high waisted kick flare (which I love!!!!), bootcut or skinny jean which suits me fine.  I prefer those styles!  High waisted is a must because it alleviates the dreaded bend over and see knickers thing that happens when us curvy girls bend over or sit down.  Also if you want to invest in a good pair (like I intend on doing so) and get them tailored to your leg length.  I have a funny leg length.  A “short” in most shops is too short on me and a “regular” is too long!!!  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!  It’s frustrating.  So I intend on buying a nice pair that fits my curves and I plan on getting them altered to fit my leg length.  I plan on buying a few pairs so my tailoring bill is going to be quite high, but it is worth it!!!

2

 A crisp white blouse.  Now this is a basic piece that can be worn in so many ways!  You can wear it with jeans, dressy trousers, or skirts.  It’s a piece that never goes out of style.  I, personally, like a plain ¾ sleeved white blouse as I feel it is more versatile.  My bezzie, Suzanne, is looking for a Victoriana style one (which I have been searching for) and I am struggling!!!  But there are so many variations on shapes and tailoring on the classic white blouse.  You need to find the right shape and style for you.  So for me it’s a plain ¾ sleeved one that sits 2 inches below the belly button.

 A trench coat.  This is a piece that is classic.  Every year you see on runways trench coats, or variations of.  But for me, I’m looking for a classic beige belted trench coat.  As this piece will never, ever go out of style. 

     

A Black Belt and a Brown Belt:  To go with said jeans, a belt is a must!!  I like brown belts with denim but I always match them with my choice of shoes and handbag.

A classic Business Suit:  Every woman needs one of these in the closet.  Perfect, not only for job interviews, but remember, you don’t have to wear these just as a suit.  That means you have on hand a nice suit jacket (which looks smart with a blouse and a pair of jeans) and a skirt or a pair of trousers that can be teamed with a blouse or a long sleeved jumper.  I personally would go for a black and white pinstriped one, a classic black one or a grey one.  All 3 are perfect and are versatile.

A black pencil skirt.  This is a must!!  This piece is so versatile!  It can be worn to the office with a blouse or a jumper or a sparkly vest top for the evening.  A pencil skirt is very different from a skirt suit.  Skirt suits are cut in  more A-line shape.  I intend on buying a black pencil skirt back home.

A black patent pair of peep toe heels.  These shoes go with everything!!  They can be worn, day and night and are classic.  These will never go out of style...ever.  Plus it’s an excuse to buy new shoes!!!  I also have my eyes on getting a pair of nude peep toes too as they are quite good for spring and summer.

8.       

Basic white camisoles/vests.  These are one of the building blocks of all wardrobes.  They can be worn on their own, under blouses, to bed.  The question is where can’t they be worn?  Honestly.  I prefer a racer back style, personally as it suits my body shape.

9.     

  A padded bra.  Now I love lingerie.  I have a bra that is so padded that when I wear a plunging neck line I always wear and my cleavage looks perfect!!  And under a crew-necked long sleeved jersey dress, it looks amazing!!!  I think that it is important to at some point in your life get a proper bra fitting.  Now, like clothes, every brand of bra fits differently.  So I intend on visiting old Victoria’s Secret and getting a fitting there and buying a fabulous bra and other pieces of lingerie.  Plus maybe something sexy for Simon’s benefit....

A classic Handbag.  Now, I am always on the search for a nice shaped handbag.  I like to buy bags that have a bold colour.  I find that when you wear neutral coloured clothes, you can get away with a pop of colour in your handbag.  I am searching for a nice red one. I like big handbags.  And I am very particular about the shape.  So that should be an adventure!

   A little black dress.  Ahhhhhh....the Little Black Dress, or LBD as we fondly refer to it, is the go to item when there is a party or a massive function or even work.  Never has there been an item of clothing that the potential is great!  I like a belted shift dress, personally so that is what I am looking for.  I want to definitely find one of these and a little red dress.  Red is my favourite colour after all...

I know that this list looks very plain and basic, but I feel that these are the building blocks of any wardrobe.  With these basic pieces you can create thousands of different looks.  And with simple coloured accessories you can add a pop of colour for a classic look.  And as these pieces will pretty much stay in style for, well, forever, I don’t mind paying a little bit more for them. 

So there you go.  This is the beginning of my shopping list.  I also am going to buy out the Mac counter, obviously, and I want to look for Charlotte Tilbury and Too Faced make up as I have heard good reviews about them.  It’s always good to try new make up too, but that is a different post all together.

I have been doing great with my weight loss and I want to treat myself to getting good quality basic clothes.  Plus I am saving like a trooper and I have sacrificed having days off and vacations, so why not splurge on myself? 

Simon and I are spending 3 nights in New York and I intend on doing some shopping there!!!  It would be rude not to!

There you go Ragers and Ragettes.  There is my shopping list for Christmas.  So onwards with the diet and with the saving. 

Until next time Ragers and Ragettes, keep your head and standards high and your heels even higher!

Lots of love

The Fabulous Betty Rage xxxxx

On Social Media

Hey Ragers and Ragettes!  Sorry for the delay in posting.  It's been manic and I haven't had time to pee let alone post!

Well, today was a fab day as I received my new boots!! They are some lovely brown knee high boots with a chunky heel from River Island.  I absolutely love them!  I have been looking for the perfect boots for autumn for what it seems like a million years.  To me, it's an autumn essential. 

Now onto something that has been on my mind for ages.

Social media is something that we all have a hand in.  It seems most people, these days, have a Facebook, Instagram or Twitter account.  Hell, even my blogger account! 

Social media is a platform to get news, opinions and such from our loved ones that live far away and also keep up to date on current events. And what a great way to advertise for businesses. And it's even a better way of seeing who in your class has become fat!

This social media thing is also supposed to be a place where you can put your inner most thoughts, your likes, things that are important to you.  But, Ragers and Ragettes, is this the case?

Today I had an incident with Simon's parents on the platform of Facebook.

I received my new boots (squuuuueeeeeeeeeee still so happy that I have them) and so I, did what I always did, posted a photo on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  I mean, shoes and fashion are my main passion.

Simon's mum saw them and thought that they were lovely.  Well, this afternoon after they left work, Simon's mum (most likely it was really Simon's dad) commented on the photo stating something to the effect of you should be working.

Well, this is rich coming from sad alcoholics that sponge off their son.  I mean, I have to authorise payment to Simon's mum every month.  She works for a half a day every Monday and if you break down what she gets paid per hour, she is actually the highest paid person in the organisation!!!  And she rocks up to work reeking of booze and makes loads of mistakes!!!  Fucking makes me fume!!!

Now, it got bad with Simon's dad that I have put him to an "acquaintance" on Facebook.  So he cannot see things that I post or comment on them as he used to always make snarky comments on my posts.

Now my issue is that Simon's parents pick at most of my statuses.  I am in an awkward position.  Do I block both of Simon's parents and have that uncomfortable conversation of why did you block me? Do I put up with it? Do I put Simon's mum as an acquaintance too? 

Saying all this, are we truly free on social media? I mean blocking your boyfriend's parents would cause issues, undoubtedly. But do we really post what we think? And if we did would we have any "friends" left? 

The amount of times I have had to bite my tongue from writing something to the affect of, not another fucking picture of a baby!!! Or shut the fuck up or seriously? You're a crank! 

Why do I not post those things? Well it's not very polite is it and I'm a lover not a fighter.

I feel like a lot of times Facebook is an illusion. We're making a picture of what we want to be not of what we really are.  We want everyone to see that we have a good life, a great relationship, a fab holiday, a great wardrobe. We want people to see that we are going to the gym, that we have an active social life.  It's actually kind of sad.

I have mixed feelings about it to be honest and I try to always be true to myself within the constraints of what you ought to say or do.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that we are all trying to be popular, cool, important and most importantly, trying to get that perfect selfie.

So Ragers and Ragettes, remember when you check your Instagram and you see that chick doing yoga and looks like she has a perfect life? She most likely doesn't and after that picture she probably binged on ice cream and doughnuts. 

Be yourselves, everyone else is already taken

So until next time, Ragers and Ragettes, keep your head and standards high and your heels even higher!

Lots of love

The Fabulous Betty Rage xxxx