A favourite outfit from Mint Velvet, I love the pom poms on the blouse!

Another Mint Velvet one, linen top with printed trousers

And yes it's Mint Velvet again, I love the shape of these blouses paired with denim shorts

The White Company shift dress with Michael Kors bag and Accessorise leather flip flops

White Stuff stripe skirt with The White Company t-shirt and Mint Velvet sandals

More stripes, this time on my top half!  Linen top from Mint Velvet with Mint Velvet
​navy jeans, Michael Kors bag and silver sandals from Aldo.

I’m nearly there and I thought it was time to update you all!  So I am two weeks into Cycle 3 and my plan is to add about 5 days onto this cycle so that I submit my results the day before I go on holiday.

C3 is the final phase and the ‘Sustain’ part in the SSS (Shift Shape Sustain).  The idea is that you have stripped fat in C1, shaped and toned in C2 and now you are stripping back the final fat to reveal a lovely new shape and learning to make this eating and exercise a lifestyle change (not just 3 months).

Do not underestimate how hard it is to do this programme.  But mentally you keep going because your results are visible and you want to keep going.  But it is time-consuming and exhausting at times!  My energy levels soared in C1 as well as other side-effects like longer stronger nails, better hair condition and clearer skin.  I found C2 tiring with the introduction of weights and less set recipes as you have a pick n mix menu and need to create your own recipes.  But I still saw results so onwards I went.  C3 was hard to begin with and last Monday ‘legs day’ pretty much wiped me out!  But today I am feeling less tired and I can see how much smaller I am and that my shape is improving so I am inspired to carry on.

After the 90 days I will need to make sure I have a plan going forward.  There is no point in doing this if I am just going to go back to my old ways (wine and sugar and as little exercise as possible).  I think that seeing results and getting the figure I want will help me with that and I will tell you all what I decide is the best programme for me long term.

I have got myself into a routine now with the cooking and exercise.  And I even know what I can eat when I go out (which I’ve tried to keep to a minimum).  Smoothies are quick and easy as are the pancakes and the granola.  Making two plus portions of a recipe and saving one for lunch the next day or freezing it for another evening makes sense.  My wine fridge is now full of vegetables!!  I exercise on a Monday and Thursday with my PT and on a Wednesday and Saturday at home.  Getting up early and getting it out of the way is the best option but not always possible.  I admire people doing this programme with full time jobs and/or younger children.  My family have been very supportive.

After many many years of wanting to ‘lose a few pounds’ or looking for a quick fix to get a flatter tummy I have finally learnt that if I want a better figure I have to put the work in and that means cooking properly and exercising properly.  It also means no sugar and less wine!  And it means being healthy and fit as well as lean.

There is an amazing facebook group which is relatively new.  It was set up by a lovely lady called Angela Cox and it is called ‘A Big Girl’s Journey to Lean’.  It is not just about The Body Coach plan but many of the people on there are doing BC.  It is a fantastic source of inspiration, tips, support and advice.  The transformations are real and you know how hard everyone has worked to get there.

Michelle xx

Sunny Saturday!  I'm loving the shape of my arms and shoulders now and my Mint Velvet Maxi skirt fits much better on my tummy, I'm wearing it here with a camisole from Top Shop x

​So today is day two of the 6 week summer holiday!  My son is 18 and finished college a few weeks ago but my daughter only broke up yesterday.  I have to say it does make a change that the holidays are starting with good weather.  Usually we have fantastic sunny days up until the holiday then it all changes.  I can remember many a summer desperately trying to find things to keep them occupied whilst it poured down outside.  

I have always tried to bring my children up enjoying traditional childhood activities.  Picnics in the park, throwing stones on the beach, paddling pools and sprinklers, walks in the woods, beach days in wellies and pac-a-macs, building camps in the garden, playing with friends and cousins, bike rides .... just making memories.

Who hasn’t at least heard of Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser!?  It has won so many awards and is surely the most purchased cleanser out there?  I use it, my sister uses it, friends use it and now my daughter uses it.  It is an iconic all-round winner. 

But what else is in the range?  I recently popped into my local John Lewis and a very old friend of my sisters was working for Liz Earle having moved over from Clinique.  It was interesting to pick her brains and hear her recommendations.

​I also purchased the Signature Foundation.  The colour palette is limited which concerned me at first but the consultant was very reassuring and we chose the correct shade for me and I am delighted with it.  It is very long lasting and I am finding I have less transfer from my face to hands and clothes.  My son is always moaning to me about the amount of make-up that ends up on my mobile phone!

I love their customer reward scheme, you collect stamps on a card and your reward is full size product.  I have had a hand cream, a moisturiser, eye brightening and shampoo so far!

They have some good offers on their website right now too.  If you spend over £50 you get five travel size heroes.  I have some of these and they are very useful when I go away!  They also have a ‘Summer on the Glow’ offer – bronzer, face tint and cleanser for £49 (worth £61).  Umm that one might tempt me.

Take a look at their range at Liz Earle online.

Michelle x