Race for Life Energy Boost Flapjacks

Last week my mum and I completed the race for life. We usually run in the morning but the race for life was being held in the evening so I knew that we would both need an energy boost both before and after the race. This is how this recipe came along. After doing some research into foods I discovered that malt extract is a fantastic, healthy way to boost sugar levels and replenish your energy levels. Malt extract is not something that is widely available in supermarkets but I did find some in our local Holland and Barrett store. In this recipe I have paired the malt extract with honey, bananas, dates and plenty of protein!

This is what I did...

Getting Fit with DW Fitness Centre

Regular readers of Hijacked By Twins will know that I am on a weight loss journey. So far I have lost over 2 stone by following the Slimming World plan. But as the weight has come off my focus has gone to my fitness. Like most mums I have areas which need toning up and I know that there are bits that will get better but simply will not go back to how they were pre twins. Finally I am in a place where I am happy with that. I am finally feeling happy with my body and am loving the increased activity that I am doing. I recently signed up to take part in the Cancer Research Race for Life which gave me a target. When I signed up I could not run for 1 minute let alone for 5k, but now after training, I can and I am confident that I will complete the run. So when DW Fitness Clubs got in touch to ask if I would like to try out their facilities and some of their sports wear the timing was perfect.

Super Boost Green Matcha Smoothie

Since starting Slimming World 25 weeks ago I have noticed my body and tastes change a great deal. Now that I have stepped up my weight loss plan to include more activity what I eat and drink has changed even more. On the days that I exercise my appetite is bigger but for good foods. Before I exercise I have an oat based breakfast and try to include banana for energy and a natural peanut butter to help the long term release of energy. My favourite way to start a gym day is with a lovely big bowl of my Full of Energy Porridge.

Whether you are exercising or not what you drink is also an important part of your diet. When I drink alcohol my whole body feels it and it effects the way I eat. So I am trying to make a conscious effort to not drink as much, limiting it to the odd drink. I have started to add super green matcha to my drinks again and on a gym day the matcha really does give me an added boost! In the past I have written about matcha and what a great drink and ingredient it is. I have used it in porridge, cakes and drinks. When I have matcha in my diet I find that my energy levels are higher, my moods are better and I generally feel better in myself. Over the last few weeks I have been starting the day with a delicious, green smoothie. It has become a loved part of my daily routine hence why I am sharing it with you today!

Kale and Egg Brunch

Since starting the Slimming World eating plan back in October I have been focused on good, healthy food to get my weight down. I have now lost 30lbs and now is the time to start thinking about toning up and getting fit. My weight loss has slowed down and this is due to me relaxing the eating plan a little and then need for more exercise. I was recently referred to the gym via my lovely doctor who could see how my belly was affecting me. During my twin pregnancy I got huge and my poor stomach was stretched more than I thought it was possible. I carried two, beautiful, healthy babies so believe me I am not ashamed of how my stomach looks now. It is a testament to carrying two 6lbs babies at the same time. But I do get very uncomfortable as I have been left with excess skin. After visit the doctor, who I will admit was so much more understanding than I was expecting she advised me to loose weigh, which I am doing, and improve my fitness. After waiting for almost 4 months I got the call from the gym! I have had my induction session and a tailor made workout has been set for me. This week is my second week of going to the gym. At the moment I have only been twice but I am hoping to up it to 2 sessions a week. 

Now that I am focusing on my fitness, the food, on my gym days, has changed. I am not concentrating so much on the 'syns' but eating what I know is good for me. Before I go to the gym I start the day with a bowl of my Full of Energy Porridge. This bowl of porridge is full of goodness from the oats, banana, cinnamon and peanut butter, just what my body needs before a good workout. What you eat after a workout is just as important. Protein is essential after exercise as it helps to repair your muscles. My go to protein foods are eggs and chicken. Today I am sharing with you one of my favourite post workout meals, Kale and Egg Brunch. This is such a simple meal that is full of flavour and full of goodness!

This is what I did...

Slimmerseeker Thursday - Week 6

Welcome back to another week of Slimmerseeker!

Last week I mentioned how we are now going to be eating one meat and one fish meal a week and this week we have enjoyed more of a variety. Last week the Hubby finish a day early and over the weekend we did over indulge. On the Thursday night we enjoyed snacks and wine and on Friday we went out for a meal and I ate exactly what I wanted to, I even had bread! The weekend went on in fairly the same direction so I was not expecting any great changes in my weight this week. But in life you need to have a bit of time off and definitely need to enjoy some treats every now and then.

Before I tell you what my weigh in results were this week let me tell you about the other Slimmerseekers that joined in last week...

Slimmerseeker Thursday Week 3

This week has seen my third weigh in to see if I am loosing weight and improving my health. I have noticed quite a few changes this week in how I am feeling towards food and what I am putting into my body.

Last week I bought Delicious Ella's new book and found so many delicious recipes. That is how this weeks meal plan began. After reading all of the health benefits from a cleaner way of eating I decided to give it a go for a week. This is something that I have wanted to try for a while and after reading the book it gave me the urge to go for it.

Today is day 4 of my clean, vegan diet and I am surprised to be able to say that I am loving it! I have never enjoyed each and every meal as I am at the moment. I actually look forward to breakfasts, they have become my favourite meal. I wait to have my breakfast until the children are at school then I sit in peace and quiet and enjoy! This week my Slimming World eating plan has been put on hold to see what my weigh in will be like on Monday. I know that avocados and nuts have a high syn content but I have been eating them as they contain "good" fats and are a part of a balanced vegan diet so I have been eating them, and enjoying them! How this will effect my weight loss is yet to be seen. But I am enjoying my food and feeling great and am not missing meat and processed foods at all!

Before I go on and tell you about this weeks weigh in. I want to say thank you to the people who joined in with Slimmerseeker Thursday last week. Here is a quick round up of what was shared...

Slimmerseeker Thursday - Week 1

Yay, week one has been completed!

The first week of the diet has been a great success! If you did not see last week post about why I am wanting to loose weigh, what my motivation is and how I plan to do it you can see it all in my first Slimmerseeker post.

When I finished writing this post, I went to link up with the support linkys that I used to join in with only to find that they had stopped. When I was slimming last year I found these groups to be a great support and encouragement. So I was disappointed to see that they had ended. So this gave me an idea to make Slimmerseeker Thursday into a linky where you can join in and share your weight loss journey posts, fitness posts and of course your healthy recipes that will help and inspire others. I really do hope that this new linky is a success and we can all help each other on this difficult path to self contentment.

Anyway, let me carry on telling you about my week.

Before I tell you my weigh in results, let me tell you a bit about my week. I am going to be totally honest with how I am getting on and how my weeks are going. If I have a hard time, I will tell you. Weight loss and transforming your body is not easy and I cannot stand it when people make out that it is. For normal people it is hard work and I want to show you a true picture of how it is.

So how was week one?

Lavazza Coffee - Post Workout Boost Smoothie

For me, coffee is an essential part of the day. When I drink coffee I will admit to being quite fussy. I very rarely drink a regular instant coffee. When I have a coffee I like to have a top quality drink. So when Lavazza asked me if I would like to try some of their blended coffee I jumped at the chance!

Lavazza is a top quality Italian coffee which has been running for 120 years. In 2015 they celebrated their 120th anniversary by releasing a some limited edition coffee tins which contain their specially selected 100% Arabica ground coffee, which I received to try. The collection consists of three tins, each decorated with a unique design and anniversary logo.

Since 1985, when Lavazza was born, they have been thoroughly committed to developing the art of blending and roasting. They have searched and found perfect flavour and excellent quality.